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Archive 2017What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
p.246 #1What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
SoulNibbler wrote
Finally got my 200mm apo mamiya 645 lens on the a99. It's really my new favorite 200mm, super well behaved and not big at all!+1
Mar 05, 2016 at 04:32 PM
p.246 #2What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Despite not being a fan of telephoto or macro, I ordered a Sigma 180mm f5.6 in alpha mount. They don't pop up often and for $100 it seemed like a good deal. If I only have one macro, might as well have one with a great working distance? And is also a very compact long tele for landscapes, maybe not the Voigtlander 180mm f4 but I will see how decent it is
Mar 06, 2016 at 02:25 AM
p.246 #3What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Olympus OM 50/2 Macro. Got one for a good price on eBay in excellent condition. Will compare to my OM 50/3.5 Macro and decide which to keep. Leaning towards the 50/2 as it is more flexible in that it can be used as a general purpose lens, and isn't really that much bigger/heavier. But I've been very pleased with the 50/3.5 and rarely do macro, and am covered well enough around 50mm with other lenses, so the 50/2 will need to be much better than the 50/3.5 at f/3.5-5.6, and will need to perform well by f/2.8.
Mar 06, 2016 at 02:47 AM
p.246 #4What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Maybe you can post some wide open and f/3.5 photos right away before a comprehensive comparison 
Mar 06, 2016 at 03:53 AM
p.246 #5What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Got my delivery of the Fuji X-Pro 2 and the 35 f/2 from Canada on Saturday when I was expecting it on Monday. 1 day including a Saturday for shipping from Canada to NJ is fantastic. Ended up paying $1,692 for the two, or $8 less than body only price in the US. Gotta take advantage of the exchange rate before the camera companies increase prices in April.
Also got a 55-200 which handles pretty well all things considered and AF is fast even indoors.
Also got a 55-200 which handles pretty well all things considered and AF is fast even indoors.
Mar 06, 2016 at 06:20 AM
p.246 #6What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
SoulNibbler wrote
Finally got my 200mm apo mamiya 645 lens on the a99. It's really my new favorite 200mm, super well behaved and not big at all!So after a day shooting the family... I foresee significant use of negative clarity with this lens. The minimum focus distance is a bit long. Does anybody know how it is on tubes?
Mar 07, 2016 at 09:09 AM
p.246 #7What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
grabbed another helios 44-2 at the flea market yesterday. Now that I have 2 I might try to tear one down and clean the oily aperture blades.
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Mar 07, 2016 at 09:45 AM
p.246 #8What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
It's the best 200mm lens that I've ever owned. I still have it.
SoulNibbler wrote:
So after a day shooting the family... I foresee significant use of negative clarity with this lens. The minimum focus distance is a bit long. Does anybody know how it is on tubes?
It's fine with tubes, probably better than any other 200mm lens.
I've measured the minimum and maximum focus distances of a number of lenses with and without 12mm and 25mm extension tubes. Without tubes, my A 200/2.8 APO has Min.FD = 2.4m. With a 12mm tube, the Min.FD drops to 1.6m, and "infinity" focus decreases to Max.FD = 3.5m. With a 25mm tube, it's Min.FD = 1.2m and Max.FD = 1.8m.
IOW, using extension tubes can be a great solution for getting closer to many subjects, but the substantial reduction in "infinity" focus distance means it's not well-suited for many "active" subjects, like a bunch of kids runnning around.
If you want a fast-ish 200mm Alt with relatively short MFD, then you might consider the Tamron SP 180/2.5 (MFD = 1.2m) and SMC Pentax-A* ED 200/2.8 (MFD = 1.8m).
It's the best 200mm lens that I've ever owned. I still have it.
SoulNibbler wrote:
So after a day shooting the family... I foresee significant use of negative clarity with this lens. The minimum focus distance is a bit long. Does anybody know how it is on tubes?
It's fine with tubes, probably better than any other 200mm lens.
I've measured the minimum and maximum focus distances of a number of lenses with and without 12mm and 25mm extension tubes. Without tubes, my A 200/2.8 APO has Min.FD = 2.4m. With a 12mm tube, the Min.FD drops to 1.6m, and "infinity" focus decreases to Max.FD = 3.5m. With a 25mm tube, it's Min.FD = 1.2m and Max.FD = 1.8m.
IOW, using extension tubes can be a great solution for getting closer to many subjects, but the substantial reduction in "infinity" focus distance means it's not well-suited for many "active" subjects, like a bunch of kids runnning around.
If you want a fast-ish 200mm Alt with relatively short MFD, then you might consider the Tamron SP 180/2.5 (MFD = 1.2m) and SMC Pentax-A* ED 200/2.8 (MFD = 1.8m).
Mar 07, 2016 at 09:52 AM
p.246 #9What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
pentacon 135mm f2.8
Just came in the mail, glass looks great, little dust, no fungus or haze. Aperture and focus move very smoothly, aperture blades are oil free. Hopefully it warms up so I can try it out soon.
Just came in the mail, glass looks great, little dust, no fungus or haze. Aperture and focus move very smoothly, aperture blades are oil free. Hopefully it warms up so I can try it out soon.
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Mar 07, 2016 at 10:12 PM
p.246 #10What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
It's fine with tubes, probably better than any other 200mm lens.
Cool, yeah I've been there. At mid distance this thing is ridiculous wide open. It's just I also like 200mm head and shoulders shots, which the 12mm tube sounds about perfect for.
I did a test portrait at mid and base iso the other day and was shocked how good it is up close.
I guess now I have to pick up the 300.
Mar 08, 2016 at 06:22 AM
p.246 #11What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Well that quote broke.
I meant that I have struggled with maximum distance on tubes.
I meant that I have struggled with maximum distance on tubes.
Mar 08, 2016 at 07:38 AM
p.246 #12What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
SoulNibbler wrote:
I guess now I have to pick up the 300.
You mean the Mamiya 645 A 300/2.8 APO? It's awesome.
Make sure you get the drop-in filter with glass (on gel holder), because it doesn't reach infinity focus without it. Its new list price at B&H about ten years ago was $14,000.
I guess now I have to pick up the 300.
You mean the Mamiya 645 A 300/2.8 APO? It's awesome.
Make sure you get the drop-in filter with glass (on gel holder), because it doesn't reach infinity focus without it. Its new list price at B&H about ten years ago was $14,000.
Mar 08, 2016 at 08:44 AM
p.246 #13What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
You mean the Mamiya 645 A 300/2.8 APO? It's awesome.
Make sure you get the drop-in filter with glass (on gel holder), because it doesn't reach infinity focus without it. Its new list price at B&H about ten years ago was $14,000.
Have you ever compared the 2.8/200 APO to the EF 2.8/200 L? CA correction is the aspect which interests me the most
SoulNibbler wrote
I guess now I have to pick up the 300.Make sure you get the drop-in filter with glass (on gel holder), because it doesn't reach infinity focus without it. Its new list price at B&H about ten years ago was $14,000.
Have you ever compared the 2.8/200 APO to the EF 2.8/200 L? CA correction is the aspect which interests me the most
Mar 08, 2016 at 03:07 PM
p.246 #14What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Phillip Reeve wrote:
Have you ever compared the 2.8/200 APO to the EF 2.8/200 L? CA correction is the aspect which interests me the most
No. I haven't owned the EF 200/2.8L.
The M645 A 200/2.8 APO is at least slightly sharper than the EF 70-200/2.8L IS II across the frame. Tests comparing the EF 200/2.8L and EF 70-200/2.8L IS II are inconsistent; some show the zoom to be sharper while others show the prime to be sharper. The most interesting comparison of these two EF lenses is in the Lens Rentals (LR) 10 lpmm and 30 lpmm data hosted at The Digital Picture (TDP), which shows the prime to be significantly better than the zoom. I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team a lot of weight; unfortunately, they're for an 'average' aperture setting. This probably represents more than one aperture setting, but the aperture values are not specified. Hopefully, results at discrete apertures will appear over time, as the test database grows.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/MTF.aspx?Lens=245&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=687&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0&CT=MAP30
I'm using the EF 100/2.8L IS Macro as a backup to the 70-200/2.8L IS II for events where I shoot handheld in ambient light. In this case, the zoom is sharper at 100mm than the Macro prime (for medium to long distances), but not by a lot.
Have you ever compared the 2.8/200 APO to the EF 2.8/200 L? CA correction is the aspect which interests me the most
No. I haven't owned the EF 200/2.8L.
The M645 A 200/2.8 APO is at least slightly sharper than the EF 70-200/2.8L IS II across the frame. Tests comparing the EF 200/2.8L and EF 70-200/2.8L IS II are inconsistent; some show the zoom to be sharper while others show the prime to be sharper. The most interesting comparison of these two EF lenses is in the Lens Rentals (LR) 10 lpmm and 30 lpmm data hosted at The Digital Picture (TDP), which shows the prime to be significantly better than the zoom. I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team a lot of weight; unfortunately, they're for an 'average' aperture setting. This probably represents more than one aperture setting, but the aperture values are not specified. Hopefully, results at discrete apertures will appear over time, as the test database grows.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/MTF.aspx?Lens=245&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=687&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0&CT=MAP30
I'm using the EF 100/2.8L IS Macro as a backup to the 70-200/2.8L IS II for events where I shoot handheld in ambient light. In this case, the zoom is sharper at 100mm than the Macro prime (for medium to long distances), but not by a lot.
Mar 08, 2016 at 03:30 PM
p.246 #15What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
No. I haven't owned the EF 200/2.8L.
The M645 A 200/2.8 APO is at least slightly sharper than the EF 70-200/2.8L IS II across the frame. Tests comparing the EF 200/2.8L and EF 70-200/2.8L IS II are inconsistent; some show the zoom to be sharper while others show the prime to be sharper. The most interesting comparison of these two EF lenses is in the Lens Rentals (LR) 10 lpmm and 30 lpmm data hosted at The Digital Picture (TDP), which shows the prime to be significantly better than the zoom. I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team...Show more →
thank you none the less
Phillip Reeve wrote
Have you ever compared the 2.8/200 APO to the EF 2.8/200 L? CA correction is the aspect which interests me the mostThe M645 A 200/2.8 APO is at least slightly sharper than the EF 70-200/2.8L IS II across the frame. Tests comparing the EF 200/2.8L and EF 70-200/2.8L IS II are inconsistent; some show the zoom to be sharper while others show the prime to be sharper. The most interesting comparison of these two EF lenses is in the Lens Rentals (LR) 10 lpmm and 30 lpmm data hosted at The Digital Picture (TDP), which shows the prime to be significantly better than the zoom. I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team...Show more →
thank you none the less
Mar 08, 2016 at 03:38 PM
p.246 #16What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
In the center of the image (in the plane of focus), there isn't much difference between the Mamiya and Canon 200/2.8's. Lateral CA is evident in the outer 2/3's of the Canon's frame wide open but much better controlled by the Mamiya (which may just be the virtue of shooting the sweet spot of a 645 lens). The Mamiya's also better corrected for spherochromatism, though it can still be obvious depending on your distance and subject. The Mamiya + adapter makes the Canon + adapter look tiny in comparison.
I kissed a lot of 180-200's before settling on my frog.
I kissed a lot of 180-200's before settling on my frog.
Mar 08, 2016 at 07:48 PM
p.246 #17What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team a lot of weight; unfortunately, they're for an 'average' aperture setting. This probably represents more than one aperture setting, but the aperture values are not specified. Hopefully, results at discrete apertures will appear over time, as the test database grows.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/MTF.aspx?Lens=245&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=687&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0&CT=MAP30
Fascinating, I didn't know they were doing these. Where'd you see the explanation that they were for an "average aperture" I couldn't find it?
freaklikeme wrote:
I kissed a lot of 180-200's before settling on my frog.
Any of the high end Leica's?
I give these measurements by Roger Cicala and his team a lot of weight; unfortunately, they're for an 'average' aperture setting. This probably represents more than one aperture setting, but the aperture values are not specified. Hopefully, results at discrete apertures will appear over time, as the test database grows.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/MTF.aspx?Lens=245&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=687&FLIComp=2&APIComp=0&CT=MAP30
Fascinating, I didn't know they were doing these. Where'd you see the explanation that they were for an "average aperture" I couldn't find it?
freaklikeme wrote:
I kissed a lot of 180-200's before settling on my frog.
Any of the high end Leica's?
Mar 08, 2016 at 10:00 PM
p.246 #18What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Lee Saxon wrote:
Any of the high end Leica's?
No significant time with the Summicron, but I ended up with the APO-Elmarit-R, which has been a no-regret purchase.
freaklikeme wrote
I kissed a lot of 180-200's before settling on my frog.No significant time with the Summicron, but I ended up with the APO-Elmarit-R, which has been a no-regret purchase.
Mar 09, 2016 at 12:22 AM
p.246 #19What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
freaklikeme wrote:
No significant time with the Summicron, but I ended up with the APO-Elmarit-R, which has been a no-regret purchase.
I have the 'Cron now. I can't remember if you commented in my thread a few weeks ago, but I'm thinking about "downgrading" to the Elmarit largely for financial reasons. But the Mamiya 200 is significantly more affordable than even the Elmarit so I'm wondering if it's worth considering. How do you feel it stacks up?
No significant time with the Summicron, but I ended up with the APO-Elmarit-R, which has been a no-regret purchase.
I have the 'Cron now. I can't remember if you commented in my thread a few weeks ago, but I'm thinking about "downgrading" to the Elmarit largely for financial reasons. But the Mamiya 200 is significantly more affordable than even the Elmarit so I'm wondering if it's worth considering. How do you feel it stacks up?
Mar 09, 2016 at 01:20 AM
p.246 #20What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I'm not sure if this counts as it's not an SLR lens, but I just stumbled upon, and immediately grabbed, a mint-in-silver-box Leica Photar 1:2.4/12.5mm. (I already have a Bellows-R BR2 for it...)
Mar 09, 2016 at 01:26 AM