I'm getting some super takumars along with some other stuff, most notably an 85mm f1.9, and a 28mm f3.5.
Anybody have anything to say about those 2 lenses? Am planning to get an adapter to use on my 30d and hopefully later on a 5d. What can I expect, especially for the wide angle, or quality of bokeh on the 85mm?
The build quality and the SMC 85mm 1.8 is much better than Pancolar 80/1.8. I like Zeiss lens as the color looks more vivid ( espeically in red and blue ) where and Pentax is more flat. The flare resistance is better on the Pentax. Boekh is nice on both. Don't forget the Leica Summicron 90 is also a great lens as well. The Leica has the best color contrast at wide open. You should get the latest 3 cam version of the Summicron 90 with SN 32xxxx or later. Earlier version is less sharp with different coating.
All three makes great portrait lens for reasonable price. They all much better than the Canon 85mm 1.8. You can't loose with any of the three.
I am not a Pentax man but I have known Pentax since 1958 when they had just introduced the instant return mirror. At that time the Takumar 50mm f1.4 was in my opinion a great optic and I know you are not asking specifically about this lens.
I know of a professional photographer that uses the 85mm lens for portraits and he is very happy with it. I cannot say anything about the 28mm because I have no experience with it.
I believe in the use of a tripod. In my humble opinion, all lenses with the right exposure become better when a tripod is being used, especially if shot about 3 stops closed from maximum aperture.
Pentax is one of the oldest and well respected optical companies in Japan and although their cameras and lenses have not been popular among professionals, the quality is there.
I would recommend that you try both lenses if it is possible. That would be the best way to determine if those optics are good enough for your work.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.
