Review 1 of 10
Price Paid:
$670.00
from B&H Summary:
This is one impressive lens. First off, the build quality tells you it's meant to be around for a long time. All metal construction feels like the old days (one craveat: polycarbonate is more thermally stable than metal, but polycarbonate doesn't give that "jewel like" feel, so metal it is).
Manual focus is smooth and well damped, unusual in an AF lens. And the autofofocus seems to be dead-on. although that may have more to do with the camera than the lens.
Sharp as a tack, even wide open! And the sharpness stays sharp out to the edges, which showed me some embarresing stains on a supposedly blank wall in a test image! Be careful what you wish for, and all that!!
Out of focus areas have a realy creamy smooth look to them. I suppose this is whatpeople mean by "bokeh". If so, bokeh is fantastic! And I see now what people mean by a "three demensional feel" to the image.
Well worth the high price! Strengths:
Sharper wide open than most lenses, which counts for a lot in a portrait lens. Getting the leading eye in focus doesn't mean the rest of the image is soft, just not as well focused! Exactly the effect we want.
Small and light, and amazingly well built. They just don't make 'em like this any more, it is as solid as my A 50 1.4. But overall a better lens, if that's possible!
I got one in black, better to match my cameras. It is not intimidating to the subject, be it man or beast. Autofocus is spot on, never needed to touch it up. Weaknesses:
Price. But it's worth it. Just try it!!! Similar Products Used:
Pentax lenses, 20mm to 200mm primes, some zooms, canon lenses, Nikon lenses (I had several brands of camera. I started in the 1960's, when Pentax was THE brand, and having tried a few other brands I am one of a small number of professionals that have stuck with Pentax for the optics. They are still THE lens maker, along with Zeiss. I stil have the A 50 1.4, perhaps the best 50 out there, and the 31mm Limited for my digital to use as a normal. It's also an astounding lens. Customer Service:
Never had to call them. My few email exchanges with Pentax in Colorado have been extremely positive.
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