p.266 #1 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
PhotoMaximum wrote:
3 Pentax LX bodies w/ motor drives
Several viewfinder options for the LX (it was a GREAT system camera w/ incredible focus accuracy)
A 20/2.8
M 24/2.8
M 35/2
A * 85/1.4
A * 200/2.8 ED (fabulous lens)
A * 300/4
A * 400/2.8 ED IF (another awesome and very rare lens)
I sold it all to go EOS in the 1990s. I wish I could go back in time and reclaim it all...
<sigh>...
That's a drool-worthy Pentax kit. I, too, am looking for an opportunity to use the 85 at some point when I find one for a more palatable price than the current listings I've seen.
What did you think of the 300? It's been on my radar since another user (jcowell, I believe) pointed out that it's the smallest, lightest 300/4 available, but I haven't gotten around to giving it a go yet.
p.266 #3 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
freaklikeme wrote:
That's a drool-worthy Pentax kit. I, too, am looking for an opportunity to use the 85 at some point when I find one for a more palatable price than the current listings I've seen.
What did you think of the 300? It's been on my radar since another user (jcowell, I believe) pointed out that it's the smallest, lightest 300/4 available, but I haven't gotten around to giving it a go yet.
The Pentax A* (Green Star) 300/4 is a very small, compact quality lens with a nice built in lens hood. Nice focus movement and feel overall. IQ is very good, but when I also had the 200/2.8 ED and the 400/2.8 ED IF I found the IQ to be better with these two lenses, especially wide open. The 200/2.8 ED is also very small and a total winner in every way.
p.266 #4 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I still have one of my LX bodies. In great condition. I since picked up a nice copy of the Pentax M 40/2.8. This was one of the original "pancake" lenses with a very thin focus barrel and is very short front to back. Its a fun lens but does not match other quality Pentax lenses in terms of IQ in my opinion...
p.266 #5 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I had a full LX system, with all of the finders, motor drive, extra battery pack, remote battery pack, ... About the only thing I didn't have was the bulk film back. Good thing, too.
It was a really fine camera, very precise and tough as nails. I sold the whole kit in one lot to an enthusiast in Tokyo. Perfect ending for my LX days.
p.266 #6 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
PhotoMaximum wrote:
The Pentax A* (Green Star) 300/4 is a very small, compact quality lens with a nice built in lens hood.
Same for the SMC Pentax-M* 300/4. The only -M lens with a star. Virtual twin of the -A* 300/4.
I found the IQ on my -M* 300/4 to be very much on par with my SMCP-A* 200/2.8 ED, and both were slightly ahead of the SMCP 200/2.5 and SMCP-A 400/5.6. I haven't owned any of the real legends (yet), like the SMCP-A* 85.1.4, -A* 135/1.8, -A* 200/4 ED Macro, and f/2.8 super telephotos, like your -A* 400/2.8 EF IF (which must have been really sweet).
p.266 #8 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
jcolwell wrote:
Same for the SMC Pentax-M* 300/4. The only -M lens with a star. Virtual twin of the -A* 300/4.
I found the IQ on my -M* 300/4 to be very much on par with my SMCP-A* 200/2.8 ED, and both were slightly ahead of the SMCP 200/2.5 and SMCP-A 400/5.6. I haven't owned any of the real legends (yet), like the SMCP-A* 85.1.4, -A* 135/1.8, -A* 200/4 ED Macro, and f/2.8 super telephotos, like your -A* 400/2.8 EF IF (which must have been really sweet).
This was all long ago and memory/nostalgia can play tricks on you. I loved the big 400 but I mainly only shot sports on planned missions. I covered the US Open and the PGA with it. I carried the 300/4 and the 200/2.8 with me in my bag. I grew to like the 200 more than the 300, not because it was easier but because my images had more "snap" to them. Back then I was mainly shooting hand processed Tri-X (developed in HC110) and Kodachrome 64. The lens I really loved from this kit was the A* 85/1.4 which was so versatile. I used extension tubes with this lens for macro work as well. A guy I knew back then, Bill Stahl, loved the A* 300/2.8 ED. His specialty was motor racing and our paths crossed a few times when I shot stuff at Watkins Glen and Limerock...
This is an old sample from the Pentax A* 400/2.8 ED IF: Yannick Noah at the US Open in New York. Kodachrome 64 scanned on some old Nikon desktop scanner...
p.266 #10 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I recently picked up a Canon FD 200/2.8 SSC for $125 in excellent condition. I adapted the lens to the Techart Pro AF adapter and then to my A7r2. What a great combo now with AF and essentially helicoid operation to reduce MFD. I've posted some pics in the Sony thread and will get some hear as well.
p.266 #11 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
PhotoMaximum wrote:
I still have one of my LX bodies. In great condition. I since picked up a nice copy of the Pentax M 40/2.8. This was one of the original "pancake" lenses with a very thin focus barrel and is very short front to back. Its a fun lens but does not match other quality Pentax lenses in terms of IQ in my opinion...
p.266 #12 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
I am 90% sure I am going to the Sony A7RII. I have several nice Zuiko lenses, the Pentax M 40/2.8, a couple of older Takumar Pentax lenses and a couple of hand made projects with an m42 mount. I am hoping this camera will get me back into this arena. Its been a while...
p.266 #13 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Just picked up a mint Takumar m42 85mm f1.8 for $100 at a camera store of all places. They had it listed at $150 and I asked if that was a final price and they came back with $100 (I was trying to get like $10 off to buy a roll of film with it)! Needless to say I walked away with it!
p.266 #18 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
PhotoMaximum wrote:
I am 90% sure I am going to the Sony A7RII. I have several nice Zuiko lenses, the Pentax M 40/2.8, a couple of older Takumar Pentax lenses and a couple of hand made projects with an m42 mount. I am hoping this camera will get me back into this arena. Its been a while...
It's a remarkable camera in many ways, and I think it's especially rewarding to people willing to experiment.
p.266 #20 · What is your most recent (alt) lens purchase?
Phillip Reeve wrote:
Just bought a CV 1.7/35 after I returned the first copy and regretted that forever after.
Phillip, I bought the CV 35/1.7 Ultron on your recommendation. Little did I realize that you had returned it, but I feel validated knowing that you have re-purchased it. Actually, I already felt validated just from using the lens. Despite its flaws on A7x cameras, it is one of the best 35s out there.
