To buy lenses for PENTAX or skip to other system?
For Maggio
wich scarred me, I am VERY VERY satisfied with camera that kept the
reputation of name PENTAX.It's not top of the line camera but it
showed up as a great camera that can do a lot of things.
But the problem are lenses!
Of cource that Pentax has a great lenses but as far as I know they are
approximatly the same price like similar lenses for NIKON.
I am not reaady to invest in system that has no HI TOP LINE camera
body that can be compared to NIkon F5, or Canon Eos 1,or Contax N1 and
especialy after digital staff that I saw recently I asked to my self
if it's worth of geting in whole this story with classic photography
(not because I don't like it but manufacturers will certainly give the
advantige to the market than to my love)?
So I am thinking to, either to continue with PENTAX manual stuff and
buy some extra cameras as a backup (K-1000, MX, ME-super would me my
wish ,what do you think and suggest? and wait eventually that they
will produce something better than MZ-S, something more close to Nikon
F5 and similar features) or to compleatly swich to other system (NIKON
or CONTAX would be my wish).
Stay with PENTAX means:
I would buy manual focus lenses even if I have AUTOFOCUS camera and
wait what will happend with Photgraphy in general.
Switch to other system means:
Spend a lot of money for best possible equipment today, and tommorow
feel like a donkey because you spend a fortune for something that is
past and everybody allready switched to digital.
MOST IMPORTANT:
I was very disapointed with my pictures that I made with my
35-80mm/4-5.6 PENTAX lens. Than I borrowed from a friend an old
50mm/1.4 manual lens (PENTAX)
and I could'n belived in the quality difference.
Since than,I realised That I want to work with best possible lenses
which means I am ready to accomodate the camera to the choice of
lenses.
Everybody says that CONTAX and LEICA are answers and that even that
other brand are ammazingly great ,their lenses can not be compered to
LEICA and CONTAX?
Of cource, I dont have money for those brands. That's why I would
prefered to stay with PENTAX but I don't know does quality of their
lenses are at least comperable to CONTAX or LEICA or even the same
like NIKON and CANON? What is your opinion?
Also, I would like to avoid zoom lenses and rather stayed with fixed
ones (unless you think that zooms, today, provides apsolutly the same
quality like fixed ones?).
I would like to work with manual (or even autofocus) 50mm ,70 (or
80)mm, 200mm and 300mm lenses (maximum aperture possible).
Do you think that is possible to find those kind of lenses in PENTAX
system that also have quality that I described previously?
If such thing exist, please give me you opinion which ones I shoud
choose?
Thank you for exist!!!
P.S. what about manufacturers like SIGMA, TAMRON, TOKINA, VIVITAR?
Ralf R. Radermacher
> I am not reaady to invest in system that has no HI TOP LINE camera
> body that can be compared to NIkon F5, or Canon Eos 1,or Contax N1
This gets the prize for the greatest nonsense I've seen in a long time.
Ralf
--
Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - Köln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.free-photons.de
picture galleries - classic and mechanical cameras
Contarex - Kiev 60 - Horizon 202 - P6 mount lenses
Lewis Lang
>From: mag...@altavista.com (For Maggio)
>Date: Sat, Jul 28, 2001 8:32 PM
>Message-id: <634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com>
Maggio:
What is all this non-sense about pro cameras and digital cameras? Forgive me if
I'm wrong here, and for being so harsh, but you sound like a complete beginner
who's buying into brand hype touted here on this newsgroup, by manufacturers,
friends, camera salaesmen, etc. Until you have specific photographic needs that
would dictate you needing a pro-level camera, a digital camera, or other
specific bodies or lenses for a sepcific feature/function (ie. getting a 100mm
macro lens to shoot flowers or a wide angle lens to shoot groups, etc.) what
you should be concentrating on is learning and practicing photography w/ the
system/equipment you already have (Pentax) and adding either Pentax or third
party lenses as the need(s) arises.
If the Pentax meets your current needs then why look at other systems? If you
don't know which areas of photography you'd be interested in shooting or would
like to shoot, then any answers given to would just be more hype and more wild
speculation. Unless you have a genuine need for something not offerend by
Pentax, I would invest your money in somethings far more valuable, film, photo
books, photo courses, and the time necessary to develop your photo skills when
shooting. Know your needs (not your wants) and right now your needs are not for
more and/or better/different brands of equipment, but to be able to use the
equipment you have more wisely. Perhaps not the answer you'd like to hear - but
a truthful (and less expensive) one. :-)
Lewis
I've set (anti-spam) controls to allow in only people on my list. If you want
to be on my list contact me through the newsgroup. I regret the inconvenience.
Thanks.
Check out my photos at "LEWISVISION":
Jriegle
Ralf R. Radermacher wrote in message
<1ex9zr2.1ict6u01bc3htsN%ra...@free-photons.de>...
For Maggio
For Maggio
My photo knoledge is quite fine I belive.
what I miss is knowledge about equipment and brands:
Last year I bouth PENTAX ZX-5n at approximatly 400$ US.
Today, that camera costs around 300$ US.
I can't even think how much will cost tomorrow.
Now, let's say I continue with PENTAX system and in next few years I
buy several good PENTAX lenses and spent 5000 $ or more for that.
For me that's a big investement.
Right now PENTAX doesn't have real equivalent for NIKON F5 or CANON
EOS 1 or similar (which doesn't mean that I need them right now but in
future it's stupid invest in the expensive equipment and not to
have good camera that can take all advantige of the system) and it's
very hard to belive that they will make something in future (whitch
doesn't mean that they can not-it's more obvious that they don't
want), I mean they will, but NIKON and others will also offer
something new...
About digital;
Most of the digital stuff is suprasingly good quality and it's obvious
that it will replace classic photography very soon.
If you want to keep any compatibility with digital future system
PENTAX is probably not so good choice like NIKON or CANON.
Once again, I don't shoot for weddings or Journals but fine art (and
big prints) and that's why I would like to work with best possible
quality of lenses.
That's why I am asking:
Does PENTAX have manual(or AF) lenses (and which ones?) that are chip
and quality enogh that can be compared with brands that I mention
before (CONTAX,LEICA,NIKON...) which make me stay with PENTAX (for
some reason I really have simpathy for this brand) or should I swith
to other brand till it's not too late? (too late means that I already
both bunch of stuff and developed PENTAX system but because other
brands offer better cameras that I will eventually need, I should get
into other system).
And even more, should I admit that zooms and fixed ones offer same
quality because sales people constantly want to convice me that is
better to get
28-80 or 28-200 or 70-210 zooms than to get fixed 50mm, 80mm,200mm
because, as they say, it's the same quality (which I don't
belive).....
(When I say quality of lens that means sharpnes ,color rendition etc.
because fast swiching from 40mm to 250mm in zoom lens does not have
almost any significance to me).
Did Imade things more clear?
Ralf R. Radermacher
> Right now PENTAX doesn't have real equivalent for NIKON F5 or CANON
> EOS 1 or similar
http://www.pentax.com/products/cameras/camera_overview.cfm?productID=138
5
A digital version of this camera has been announced for later this year.
Anything else?
Lewis Lang
>Subject: Re: To buy lenses for PENTAX or skip to other system?
>From: mag...@altavista.com (For Maggio)
>Date: Sun, Jul 29, 2001 1:53 AM
>Message-id: <634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com>
>
>Lewis:
>My photo knoledge is quite fine I belive.
>what I miss is knowledge about equipment and brands:
>Last year I bouth PENTAX ZX-5n at approximatly 400$ US.
>Today, that camera costs around 300$ US.
>I can't even think how much will cost tomorrow.
Both the Pentax ZX-5n and the PZ1-P are getting a little long in the tooth,
while the MZ-S does not in my opinion replace either of these Pentax bodies, it
seems to me that a price reduction at the age point of both the preceding
Pentax bodies means that they most likely will be phased out eventually if not
soon. Whether that soon is in one year or five nobody knows - its just aguess.
The same thing happened when I got my 600si, which was originally selling for
alot more than the $300 I got mine for. So I know where you’re at. The
difference is that I purchased my 600si just as/before they were phasing it
out, you got your Pentax before the price lowered so you feel like you made a
wrong choice. You didn’t. If the camera suits your needs then you made the
right choice. As a body gets older in the line (Nikon N90s is another example),
its price tends to go down. If you want to pay the highest price for any camera
body buy it when its new or when its announced and not yet released...
>Now, let's say I continue with PENTAX system and in next few years I
>buy several good PENTAX lenses and spent 5000 $ or more for that.
>For me that's a big investement.
Why do you believe you have to spend $5000? I bought my entire Maxxum system’s
lenses used for about $500. Even if I had bought new it would be at a fraction
of your $5,000 quoted. You don’t need to own every lens in the manufacturer’s
line to have a good useful system - that’s what this newsgroup and other photo
resources (such as the Pentax archive, photo.net, photodo, photozone,
camera/photographyreview.com etc. are for - making wise (and less costly,
hopefully) purchase decisions.
>Right now PENTAX doesn't have real equivalent for NIKON F5 or CANON
>EOS 1 or similar (which doesn't mean that I need them right now but in
>future it's stupid invest in the expensive equipment and not to
>have good camera that can take all advantige of the system) and it's
>very hard to belive that they will make something in future (whitch
>doesn't mean that they can not-it's more obvious that they don't
>want), I mean they will, but NIKON and others will also offer
>something new...
Again, why do you _need_, I said _need_ not _want_ a professional model of any
brand?, do you need to shoot action at 5-10 f.p.s.?, do you need IS/VR type
lenses?, is the AF on your Pentax too slow for the subjects you shoot?, you
still haven’t given me aanyvalid specific answers as to what you’d need a
professional model of any brand’s for...
>About digital;
>Most of the digital stuff is suprasingly good quality and it's obvious
>that it will replace classic photography very soon.
Digital won’t replace classic photography except in certain areas, but still
why should you care whether digital does or does not replace film - Pentax is
supposed to be coming out w/ a six MP sensor digital SLR camera that you can
most likely use your Pentax lenses w/.
>If you want to keep any compatibility with digital future system
>PENTAX is probably not so good choice like NIKON or CANON.
Do you know the present or the future? See my comment(s) above.
>Once again, I don't shoot for weddings or Journals but fine art (and
>big prints) and that's why I would like to work with best possible
>quality of lenses.
If quality is of your utmost concern you’d probably be better off purchasing a
Pentax 645 system or Pentax 6x7...
>That's why I am asking:
>Does PENTAX have manual(or AF) lenses (and which ones?) that are chip
>and quality enogh that can be compared with brands that I mention
>before (CONTAX,LEICA,NIKON...) which make me stay with PENTAX (for
>some reason I really have simpathy for this brand) or should I swith
>to other brand till it's not too late? (too late means that I already
>both bunch of stuff and developed PENTAX system but because other
>brands offer better cameras that I will eventually need, I should get
>into other system).
Nobody knows what you’ll need in the future, not me, not you, not anyone. You
still haven’t told me any of your own specific needs for any camera or brand.
The term “fine art” is meaningless and gives me no clue. What do you mean by
“fine art”? Fine art portraits, Fine Art still life, Fine Art landscapes, Fine
Art Architecture? And how do you shoot those subjects w/ your current Pentax
system, and how specifically does Pentax fail you? Does Pentax not have a wide
enough tilt/shift lens for architecture for you? Does Pentax not have a 400
f/2.8 lens that you’d need to shoot wild life. Give me some specifics man,
please.
>And even more, should I admit that zooms and fixed ones offer same
>quality because sales people constantly want to convice me that is
>better to get
>28-80 or 28-200 or 70-210 zooms than to get fixed 50mm, 80mm,200mm
>because, as they say, it's the same quality (which I don't
>belive).....
Consumer zooms usually don’t perform as well wide open as fixed focal length
lenses. Why can’t you admit you are a beginner? If you put so much stock into
what camera salesmen tell you, and you are so hung up on gadgets/brands without
any specific needs/reasons why you _need_ them then you are either a naive
brainwashed beginner or a troll, I’ll give you the befit of the doubt and say
you are the former...
>(When I say quality of lens that means sharpnes ,color rendition etc.
>because fast swiching from 40mm to 250mm in zoom lens does not have
>almost any significance to me).
>Did Imade things more clear?
No. Give me some specific _needs_ not equipment buying wishes/questions
unattached to any kind of reality except the unconscious need to spend money.
Robert and Leigh Woerner
systems.
Pentax user in SC
"For Maggio" <mag...@altavista.com> wrote in message
news:634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com...
Bill Cory
If you have shot with your Pentax for over a year now, what shortcomings
have you found with the system? I have a Pentax and I am totally
satisfied. What have you attempted with your Pentax that another system
of equal value would have improved on?
For Maggio
if I both ZX-5n you can guess how medium format is far away from me.
Of cource that I would like to have HASSELBLAD (hopefully I will one
day) but you know how much does it cost?
I am doing mostly portraits, some landscapes but not for "commercial"
use.
I am in talk with two galleries who are willing to represent my work
and sell it for very very decent money. And even if they don't mind
about technical quality of my pictures I would like to have the best
possible sharpness and general quality because of big printings.
I don't use high speed films (200 ASA and more) I use mostly slides
(VELVIA & PROVIA) but what's use of good of slides if your lense is
bad.
Also, that's the reason why I would'n like to make compromise and use
zooms.
I know that many people like PENTAX lenses and they say that some of
them are in line with any other major brand and me I have so nice
feelind about word PENTAX (somehow I hate when you say CANON or
MINOLTA) .
But since I have this camera ZX-5n (BTW. few days ago I brouth it to
see how much can I get If I sell it:they offered me 125$?! But my
camera is in exellant I mean EXELANT condition!) good AF lenses for
this camera are VERY VERY expensive.
So I was thinking to use manual focus (which is a step back) that are
cheaper but also very good I belive(that means that eventualy I would
buy some more bodies).
So maybe all this mess isn't worth of pain ?!
I need professional cameras because somethimes I go for a trip in some
very unhostipable areas and so far ZX-5n showed up as a exelant camera
that can resist a lot of difficulties but I don't know was it just a
luck or it's REALLY great camera. And after all, IT's a PLASTIC
camera. would you feel comfortable to go with plastic camera to go to
work on seaside where average working temperature is 35 celzius?!
I don't have money to invest in NIKON or CONTAX system but if they are
solution for a long run and if their lenses are really better then
PENTAX then maybe I am ready to squeeze my belt and start to invest in
CONTAX.
When ever I look for prospects and brochures and articles about new
techniques, nobody mentions digital backs or this or that thing for
ZX-5n.
But you will find it for F3 or RTS or EOS 1?!
If tommorow they make "autofocus that you don't have to press buton
but where you look that will be in focus" they will certainly relese
it for NIKON not for PENTAX first?!
P.S. I need lenses like 50mm,80mm,200mm, but with big operture because
I work with blurred background in my portraits.Which ones of these
kind are good in PENTAX system and does some other system offers
betterlenses in same range?
Jriegle
Pentax why do you think switching to another system with a "top pro camera"
is going to improve your photography any?
John
For Maggio wrote in message
<634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com>...
Gerald Wang
For Maggio <mag...@altavista.com> wrote:
>Lewis:
>if I both ZX-5n you can guess how medium format is far away from me.
>Of cource that I would like to have HASSELBLAD (hopefully I will one
>day) but you know how much does it cost?
>I am doing mostly portraits, some landscapes but not for "commercial"
>use.
>I am in talk with two galleries who are willing to represent my work
>and sell it for very very decent money. And even if they don't mind
>about technical quality of my pictures I would like to have the best
>possible sharpness and general quality because of big printings.
>I don't use high speed films (200 ASA and more) I use mostly slides
>(VELVIA & PROVIA) but what's use of good of slides if your lense is
>bad.
You really should consider switching to medium format. Something like a
Pentax 67 SLR can be had for under $1000 used. Or you could get an
inexpensive TLR to try out first (and sell when you're finished with it,
whether or not you do decide to switch). I think you will be quite
pleased with the gains that come with increasing the film size.
Regards,
Gerald
Ramin
prices of some models drop for some reason. In Canon line, EOS1 can
now be purchased at the price of a mid level camera like elan7. Nikon
cameras has less tendency to drop the prices in long trems. Leica is
even better in this regards. But what has this to do with your
decision? Do you want to frequently buy and sell cameras. Are you a
merchant? Nikon F4 is sold at about $900. But i wouldn't buy it for
sure. Not that it is a bad camera. But there are better choices out
there
to buy for this price.
IN pentax line the drop price for MZ-5n is perhaps due to the
release of MZ-3
which i think is an upgrade to MZ-5n. Pentax has actually shown
considerable activity by introducing MZ-S and its digital version.
MZ-S is as good as F5 or
EOS1v, unless you want to shoot sports/actions and yuo rerally need
high fps.
Ramin
Lewis Lang
>Subject: Re: To buy lenses for PENTAX or skip to other system?
>From: mag...@altavista.com (For Maggio)
>Date: Sun, Jul 29, 2001 5:00 PM
>Message-id: <634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com>
You invest in yourself not equipment. Equipment is merely tools, not an
investment. Stop being fixated on equipment. If you are worried about quality,
buy a good tripod (if you don’t already have/use one) and stop down your zooms
to about f/8 or so and/or used good fixed focal length lenses on a tripod also
stopped down as needed.
For landscapes/etc. - hold onto the gear you have and when you start making
money from gallery prints (you didn’t say whether the gallery wants your
portraits or your landscape images, but I’m assuming its your landscape images
they want) save up for a Pentax 645 (or 67) or other medium format system for
the extra quality. If you blow up to 16x20” or less 35mm, w/ good technique
(slow film, tripod, etc.) should give you more than enough qualitiy. If you
need more quality then go to medium format.
For portraits, even though I don’t own one and have only seen results from one,
the Pentax 85mm f/1.4 is reputed to be one of the best portrait lenses and it
certainly will give you nice blurry backgrounds (and most probably nice blurry
parts of subjects if you don’t stop down a little due to small depth of field).
For tight headshots I would reccommend at least a 100mm lens, 135mm would be
even better because it would allow you to shoot the same sized/cropped image
from farther away which helps flatten facial features/perspective. A zoom in
the 70-200 or 85/100-300mm range would also work nicely for tight headshots but
you wont get the background blurred out as the zooms usually have a slower
aperture which means more depth of field which means sharper instead of
blurrier backgrounds. From about waist up a 50mm f/1.7 or f/1.4 will do you
fine when used at or near wide open and I’ve even shot a little tighter than
1/2 length/waist up shots with decent results.
You don’t need a metal camera to shoot by the sea shore. Are you smashing your
camera into walls or dropping it all the time? Most likely, no... Stop worrying
about whether your camera is plastic instead of metal or that its not a more
famous brand or a top camera. Shoot. Become a better photographer. Sell your
images. And upgrade only as you need to. Your Pentax gear will do you fine for
now.
For Maggio
Like I said ,reason why I would like to have top camera is that Pentax
ZX-5n is made of plastic.That's not sommething that encourage you when
you are going to location shooting.
Gerald:
Maybe I will have to swich to midle format but still, those cameras
have certain disadvantiges compering to 35mm especialy when you are on
locations.
Ramin:
I can not buy new equipment every year. That's why I need to decide
now what system should I use.
Point is, If PENTAX lenses are good enough like other major brands
(NIKON< LEICA< CANON< CONTAX..) that means it's worth for me to stay
in that system. But if other systems offer better quality lenses that
I would like to swich to those systems in time.
P.S. MZ-S is certainly beautifull camera but all those custum
functions and focusing options that NIKON F5 has?
Are you sure that this camera offer the same quality and options?
Ralf R. Radermacher
> P.S. MZ-S is certainly beautifull camera but all those custum
> functions and focusing options that NIKON F5 has?
> Are you sure that this camera offer the same quality and options?
OK. You've convinced me. You need to buy a F5 right now. Rush, mortgage
your house, sell your wife and children but by all means buy a F5. Buy
it with the biggest, longest, most expensive lenses you can get. Oh, and
add a D1, for good measure, just to be on the safe side. You'll never go
to Heaven if you don't.
Ralf
... who always wondered who might fall for those 'penis enlargment' ads.
Lutz Kirchner
> Like I said ,reason why I would like to have top camera is that Pentax
> ZX-5n is made of plastic.That's not sommething that encourage you when
> you are going to location shooting.
> Maybe I will have to swich to midle format but still, those cameras
> have certain disadvantiges compering to 35mm especialy when you are on
> locations.
Yes, there is plastic. On the other side, I've used the ZX-5N during
some rough hiking trips and it never failed. Together with another body
and several lenses.
The Pentax lenses are of good quality; often it's hard to tell the
difference between a zoom and a good fixed lense, but try to tell a
Pentax prime from another brand prime. In this case I wouldn't worry
about quality too much.
> P.S. MZ-S is certainly beautifull camera but all those custum
> functions and focusing options that NIKON F5 has?
> Are you sure that this camera offer the same quality and options?
If you take a F5 on a longer hike, you may better invest this money in
medium format. Nearly the same size and MUCH better quality. I choosed
Pentax because of the compact size, which makes it more useful outdoors.
Lutz Kirchner
Pål Jensen
"For Maggio" <mag...@altavista.com> skrev i melding
news:634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com...
> P.S. MZ-S is certainly beautifull camera but all those custum
> functions and focusing options that NIKON F5 has?
The MZ-S offers 19 custom functions and one more AF point than the F5. This
info is in itself worth nothing.
Pål Jensen
> Like I said ,reason why I would like to have top camera is that Pentax
> ZX-5n is made of plastic.That's not sommething that encourage you when
> you are going to location shooting.
I'm no fan of plastic camera but both The Canon EOS3 and EOS1n is made of
plastic. Its not a source for much worrying...
D. M. O'Regan
Collin B.
It's amazing how many people purchase amateur N & C bodies
because they feel somehow like they're closer to being "pro".
It's the lens that make the photo.
The PZ-1p and MZ-S are in your "pro" category.
Great outfits and worth a look.
Collin
Ralf R. Radermacher
> The spelling and grammar are not too good either.
Now, that was quite mean. He is obviously not a native English speaker.
It may come as a surprise to you but many people in this newsgroup
aren't. This includes yours truly.
I'm sure he'd gladly continue this discussion in his own language if you
wish... ;)
Cheers,
Collin B.
Collin
For Maggio
I didn't know that this is so important especialy since this is
internet and since I saw how Americans speak english. sometimes It
seems like it's not their native language too.
Anyway, I am sorry that shovinism still exist .
For the one who really care about my sppeling and grammar:
What king of childhood you had?
Go kill yourself imediatly. You noticing my mistakes and you didn't
post any valuable opinion.
Probaby because you don't have one.
You are ZEROMAN.
For the others:
OK you convinced me.
I am staying with PENTAX and eventualy I will buy as a back-up either
K1000 or ME-super (do you have some other suggestions?) or eventually
MZ-S you never know...
but lenses?
Can you tell me what lenses are very quality in range that
I mentioned above?
50mm
80mm (or similar)
200mm(or similar)
Thanks for your efforts and interest!!!
Mike Lipphardt
english. But that's neither here nor there. A very good alternative for
the used cameras would be a ZX-M. It's an inexpensive, manual focus camera
that has a number of nice features beyond that of an ME or MX, such as
multiple autoexposure modes, a built-in motor drive, etc. It is essentially
a modern AF camera without a built-in flash or AF.
Mike
"For Maggio" <mag...@altavista.com> wrote in message
news:634d6a1.01073...@posting.google.com...
Collin B.
Starter
A28/2.8
A35/2.8
A50/2
Good
A35/2
A50/1.7
M85/2
A100/2.8 (not the macro version)
M135/3.5
A200/4
Best
FA24/2AL
FA35/2AL
FA*43/1.8
A or FA 50/1.4
FA*77/1.8
A*85/1.4
A*135/1.8 (really expensive, but reportedly very, very sharp)
FA*200/2.8
There's others as well.
Here's some good sources for information:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
http://www.pdml.net/
Collin
Ralf R. Radermacher
> I am staying with PENTAX and eventualy I will buy as a back-up either
> K1000 or ME-super (do you have some other suggestions?) or eventually
> MZ-S you never know...
Now, that's a good boy... :)))
I have a pair of P50's which I'm quite happy with. Most of the feel and
solidity of the old M series but with a few nice features like aperture
priority, exposure lock, DOF preview and two basic program modes. And it
can be combined with a Winder MEII which is easier to find than those
for the Program A and Super program.
If you really want a camera for life, get a LX.
> but lenses?
> 50mm
SMC PK(A) 1.4/50 mm
> 80mm (or similar)
SMC PK 1.8/85 mm or
SMC PKA 1.4/85 mm
> 200mm(or similar)
SMC PK 4/200 mm or
SMC PKA 2.8/200 mm ED
I'm using a Carl Zeiss Jena 2.8/180 mm Sonnar originally made for the
Pentacon Six with a P6/PK adaptor and the results are amazing.
Ralf R. Radermacher
> Best
> FA*43/1.8
If you can find one 'cause they're really rare: an old PK 2.8/40 mm is
great fun. Very decent quality and so flat that on an ME2 the whole is
merely the size of an average P&S.
ERNReed
>I am staying with PENTAX and eventualy I will buy as a back-up either
>K1000 or ME-super (do you have some other suggestions?) or eventually
>MZ-S you never know...
Well, it's all a matter of taste and opinion, but any ME Super you find is
going to be getting old -- if you get one, have it examined very carefully,
particularly the meter operation. I am personally not very fond of the K1000 --
but many folks do find it a good backup.
Have you ever visited this site?
http://www.BDimitrov.de/kmp/
there's a lot of technical information there about Pentax bodies and lenses.
Perhaps that information can help you with your decision-making.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"They call me Mrs Reed"
http://members.aol.com/ernreed
If you aren't spamming, avoid the junktrap
ERNReed
>If you can find one 'cause they're really rare: an old PK 2.8/40 mm is
>great fun.
I often see one listed on www.keh.com
Collin B.
The 43/1.9 (typo earlier) really isn't rare.
Just not a common retail shelf item.
But they're out there.
Amateur Photographer, a Brit magazine, has made it their
"reference" lens, against which all others are compared.
That includes Canon, Nikon, and Zeiss.
Collin
Ralf R. Radermacher
> The 43/1.9 (typo earlier) really isn't rare.
Noone said it is.
We were talking of the old PK 2.8/40 mm which *is* rare but has the
great advantage of being a lot less expensive than this new ritzy
collectors' item.
ERNReed
>Collin B. <dpcw...@excite.com> wrote:
>
>> The 43/1.9 (typo earlier) really isn't rare.
>
>Noone said it is.
>
>We were talking of the old PK 2.8/40 mm which *is* rare but has the
>great advantage of being a lot less expensive than this new ritzy
>collectors' item.
>
Just for the record, when I posted that there's usually one on www.keh.com, I
was referring to the same lens as Ralf was, *not* to the new lens Collin
thought he and I both meant. (I didn't mean to imply it wasn't rare, but to
suggest a possible place to find one.)
wcm...@attglobal.net
the prices on that camera go ever downward. Really top-level cameras, like
Leica, cost more to begin with but hold their value very well -- much
better investments in the long run. Ignore the hecklers, you have your
head screwed on right.
For Maggio wrote:
> Lewis:
> My photo knoledge is quite fine I belive.
> what I miss is knowledge about equipment and brands:
> Last year I bouth PENTAX ZX-5n at approximatly 400$ US.
> Today, that camera costs around 300$ US.
> I can't even think how much will cost tomorrow.
> Now, let's say I continue with PENTAX system and in next few years I
> buy several good PENTAX lenses and spent 5000 $ or more for that.
> For me that's a big investement.
> Right now PENTAX doesn't have real equivalent for NIKON F5 or CANON
> EOS 1 or similar (which doesn't mean that I need them right now but in
> future it's stupid invest in the expensive equipment and not to
> have good camera that can take all advantige of the system) and it's
> very hard to belive that they will make something in future (whitch
> doesn't mean that they can not-it's more obvious that they don't
> want), I mean they will, but NIKON and others will also offer
> something new...
> About digital;
> Most of the digital stuff is suprasingly good quality and it's obvious
> that it will replace classic photography very soon.
> If you want to keep any compatibility with digital future system
> PENTAX is probably not so good choice like NIKON or CANON.
> Once again, I don't shoot for weddings or Journals but fine art (and
> big prints) and that's why I would like to work with best possible
> quality of lenses.
> That's why I am asking:
> Does PENTAX have manual(or AF) lenses (and which ones?) that are chip
> and quality enogh that can be compared with brands that I mention
> before (CONTAX,LEICA,NIKON...) which make me stay with PENTAX (for
> some reason I really have simpathy for this brand) or should I swith
> to other brand till it's not too late? (too late means that I already
> both bunch of stuff and developed PENTAX system but because other
> brands offer better cameras that I will eventually need, I should get
> into other system).
> And even more, should I admit that zooms and fixed ones offer same
> quality because sales people constantly want to convice me that is
> better to get
> 28-80 or 28-200 or 70-210 zooms than to get fixed 50mm, 80mm,200mm
> because, as they say, it's the same quality (which I don't
> belive).....
> (When I say quality of lens that means sharpnes ,color rendition etc.
> because fast swiching from 40mm to 250mm in zoom lens does not have
> almost any significance to me).
> Did Imade things more clear?
D. M. O'Regan
(But I'm not going to kill myself!)
Jriegle
rate professional body followed by the F100. Nikon tens to be a bit slower
at bringing new technology online. Nikon recently "alienated" some owners of
the fine old manual focus lenses by not providing the mechanical meter
linkage on some new bodies.
Canon: Canon has "wowed" us with many innovations with their EOS system
including the system itself. Innovations like Eye controlled focus, multi AF
sensor field, Image stabilization, and new optical technology to make
tele-lenses shorter in physical length and lighter. Canon left many FD users
hanging when they introduced the electronic EOS about 15 years ago, but now
they have a very extensive lens lineup.
Pentax: While not as popular nor offering as wide a lens selection or a top
pro camera as the F5. Pentax seems to found it's own market nitch with the
ZX camera line - uncluttered control panels, simple to understand cameras.
Although, less extensive lens lineup, They have all the lenses I would need
minus one or two (Pentax needs a 70-200 f4 to be a companion to the 20-35/4
and 28-70/4). Pentax has some nice things in store with the MZS and a full
frame 6mp digital body.
Although a subjective feeling, Canon and Nikon feel like a rat race. Pentax
lets me kick back and shoot pictures. After shooting the Nikon and Canon
sytems awhile, I got interested in the Pentax K mount system. I just feel
better using it.
John
For Maggio wrote in message
<634d6a1.01072...@posting.google.com>...
Lewis Lang
>Date: Tue, Jul 31, 2001 2:20 PM
>Message-id: <ogy97.2018$Ck.5...@ord-read.news.verio.net>
>
>I am American, and I sometimes wonder where many of us learned to speak
>english. But that's neither here nor there. A very good alternative for
>the used cameras would be a ZX-M. It's an inexpensive, manual focus camera
>that has a number of nice features beyond that of an ME or MX, such as
>multiple autoexposure modes, a built-in motor drive, etc. It is essentially
>a modern AF camera without a built-in flash or AF.
>
>Mike
I am the ultimate exception to the rule, I live in New Jersey yet have a
thorough command of the English language as well as the state language -
Spanish ;-).
Anyway, I agree w/ Mikes suggestion. The ZX-M is full featured and cheap and
has a bright viewfinder, but there are some downsides you should know about
too... no built-in flash (though you can buy a Pentax/etc. flash and attach it
to the camera), no TTL flash metering (I think TTL is valuable for macro work
and some down and dirty PJ work and it gives you a full range of apertures to
use rather than being limited by the usual two or three apertures you can use
w/ non-TTL flash in their auto (sensor/non-TTL) modes), it has a plastic?! lens
mount which will not be a factor if you use lightweight zooms or primes, but if
you ever get heavier telephotos or zooms it might put undue stress on the lens
mount, possibly snapping it - I don't know whether the ZX-M could stand the
stress of the rather largish/heavyish 85mm f/1.4 lens or not (which is reputed
to be a great lens for portraiture). If you could spend the money, the minimum
I would get is either a ZX-5n or an MZ-3 (same as the ZX-5n but w/ a 1/4000
sec. shutter as opposed to the 5's 1/2000 sec. and the 3 has a 1/125 sec. flash
sync speed as opposed to the 1/100 sec. flash sync speed on the 5). Both these
cameras should have a much easier view of the finder/higher eye-points plus TTL
flash and a built-in flash as well (not very powerful, but still very useful as
fill-in from close distances when you forgot your extra flash or simply don't
feel like carrying around and extra flash). If you don't mind a less compact
unit you could go for a PZ-1p at just under $500. If you wanted a Pentax camera
w/ TTL flash metering (but no built-in flash or winder) and depth of field
preview I'd consider the Pentax Super Program which I owned about 18 years ago
- its only faults are that there is no aperture read out of what aperture
you're using in the viewfinder, no AE lock or spot metering, and the motordrive
that can be used w/ it makes the camera huge and weigh a ton w/ all those
batteries in it - but on its own w/o the motor drive it is a beautiful compact
machine (as long as they're working, some are getting rather long in the tooth
and may have meter/other problems). Same comments about the ME Super except
that it lacks TTL flash metering, is more sturdily built than the Super Program
(less plasticky feeling) but it lacks depth of field preview too (and they too
are getting old and may or may not develop problems w/ age).
Lewis Lang
>Date: Tue, Jul 31, 2001 2:47 PM
>Message-id: <1exf1x7.14pgo5q1pzk6tcN%ra...@free-photons.de>
>
>For Maggio <mag...@altavista.com> wrote:
>
>> I am staying with PENTAX and eventualy I will buy as a back-up either
>> K1000 or ME-super (do you have some other suggestions?) or eventually
>> MZ-S you never know...
>
>Now, that's a good boy... :)))
>
>I have a pair of P50's which I'm quite happy with. Most of the feel and
>solidity of the old M series but with a few nice features like aperture
>priority, exposure lock, DOF preview and two basic program modes. And it
>can be combined with a Winder MEII which is easier to find than those
>for the Program A and Super program.
Ralph:
Does the Pentax P50 have one of those information tabs that intrude into the
finder from the side like the ZX-5(n) has?
TIA
Ralf R. Radermacher
> Does the Pentax P50 have one of those information tabs that intrude into the
> finder from the side like the ZX-5(n) has?
I've never looked through the finder of a ZX-5 (our MZ-5?) but there's
nothing protruding into the finder with the P50. Just a line of numbers
down the left border for indicating exposure times. Nothing inside the
actual frame area.
Collin B.
Leica seems more built for the collector, like hte
new/retro Nikon rangefinder.
The concern expressed was more about lenses than bodies.
Pentax has fine lenses avialable as does every other
manufacturer. Anything with a '*' in the name is the
series one would want.
The rest are pretty much consumer lenses -- average or good.
The '*' lenses are great.
Collin
Cle
> For Maggio <mag...@altavista.com> wrote:
>
> OK. You've convinced me. You need to buy a F5 right now. Rush, mortgage
> your house, sell your wife and children but by all means buy a F5. Buy
> it with the biggest, longest, most expensive lenses you can get. Oh, and
> add a D1, for good measure, just to be on the safe side. You'll never go
> to Heaven if you don't.
>
+ cameras.
That's the problem with digital ! Get into digital is like marrying a
woman, then find out later that she's nymphomaniac.
Mike Lipphardt
Mike
"Cle" <c_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
Cle
> So, you're saying that going digital is the thing to do? :)
>
> Mike
Mike Lipphardt
problem :) Tiring maybe...
Mike
"Cle" <c_...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:fcb93621.0108...@posting.google.com...
Cle
nymphomaniac. When talking about sex, men are weaklings, compare to
women. By the way if you don't see that is a problem but I do.
Bill Tuthill
>
> > Sure - but I didn't think a wife with a very strong sex drive would be
> > a problem :) Tiring maybe...
>
> nymphomaniac. When talking about sex, men are weaklings, compare to
> women. By the way if you don't see that is a problem but I do.
Is this a serious discussion? It sure beats the thread about guns and
fascist radio hosts.
Note that women go thru phases when they are generally less interested
in sex than men, for example adolescence and post-menopause.
To get back on topic, are you a Nikon or Canon owner? Leica, Contax,
and Pentax owners have no problem satisfying even two women. I know one
Minolta owner who services one woman at night, one woman in the morning,
and a third during lunch breaks.
--
Boycott talking smegheads, get your daily spin from http://bartcop.com !
The Nazgul
with the ladies :)
Cle
about Contax, but I love mine. The worst thing I hate is that AE lock
button on the F70, it's not a lock, damn it - hold that and push the
trigger at the same time is awkward. They should fire anyone who
designed that stupid thing ! The G2 and the Ricoh buttons are much
more logical. I don't know why nobody complained ! By the way these
equipment satisfied me without draining my bank account. Also I have a
wife who does'nt drain me sexually.