Pentax SMC-M 400mm f5.6 vs Tokina 400mm
Richard M. Flood
just have a quick question. Last month shutter bug had an ad for a
Pentax 400mm f5.6 for $250. After calling the dealer I just received
the lens.
It is a Pentax SMC-M 400mm f5.6 K-Mount, and I have 10 days to decide
whether to keep it or not. The only problem is that according to my
conversation I though I was getting a Pentax SMC-A mount lens, the
difference being that I loose PE mode on my camera. I keep AE and
manual exposures.
The main problem is that this SMC-M lens is much older than the SMC-A
lenses and I am not sure about the quality. The Tokina AutoFocus 400mm
f5.6 lens has gotten good reviews. How does this older lens compare to
a new APO AutoFocus Lens like the Tokina. Did I get a good deal?
Also does anyone know if this non-A mount lens will work with the
newer Pentax Auto-Focus Cameras? I will probably upgrade my camera one
day and would hate to loose this lens.
Any Info Would be Appreciated.
Rui Pedro Mendes Salgueiro
>> Also does anyone know if this non-A mount lens will work with the
>> newer Pentax Auto-Focus Cameras? I will probably upgrade my camera one
>> day and would hate to loose this lens.
> Pentax owners can rest assured that all K-Mount lenses will mount
> correctly on autofocus cameras, and vice versa. Although, obviously
> both the lens and camera body have to support any features for them
> to work (obvious example is autofocus).
It might be useful to report that if you use a manual-focus (f/5.6 or
brighter) in an autofocus camera, the autofocus system is used as an
focus checker (which is good, since the viewfinder in a Z-20 (that is
the camera with which I am familiar) don't have a split-image or a
microprism.
--
Rui Salgueiro | Dpt. de Matematica |`Whom the gods love die young'
r...@mat.uc.pt | Universidade de Coimbra | Menander (342-292 BC)
| Portugal - Europe | Villeneuve/82, Toivonen/86, Senna/94
Andrew McLachlan
>Subject: Pentax SMC-M 400mm f5.6 vs Tokina 400mm
>Date: Sat, 15 Oct 1994 16:03:51 GMT
Richard Flood wrote about purchasing a Pentax SMC-M 400mm lens.
>It is a Pentax SMC-M 400mm f5.6 K-Mount, and I have 10 days to decide
>whether to keep it or not. The only problem is that according to my
>conversation I though I was getting a Pentax SMC-A mount lens, the
>difference being that I loose PE mode on my camera. I keep AE and
>manual exposures.
I have a Pentax 15mm lens that also does not have Auto Exposure
(that is, no "A" setting for lens aperture so that the camera can set
both shutter speed and aperture when set on "Auto"). I simply use the
camera (a Pentax Super A = Super Program) in aperture-priority mode.
No problem for me.
>Also does anyone know if this non-A mount lens will work with the
>newer Pentax Auto-Focus Cameras? I will probably upgrade my camera one
>day and would hate to loose this lens.
Pentax owners can rest assured that all K-Mount lenses will mount
correctly on autofocus cameras, and vice versa. Although, obviously
both the lens and camera body have to support any features for them
to work (obvious example is autofocus).
Hope this info helps somewhat.
Cheers
Andrew McLachlan
Eddie Foronda
>whether to keep it or not. The only problem is that according to my
>conversation I though I was getting a Pentax SMC-A mount lens, the
>difference being that I loose PE mode on my camera. I keep AE and
>manual exposures.
According to my Pentax lens catalog, the SMC-A has 6 groups,
7 elements, the SMC-M has 5 groups, 5 elements. Minimum focusing
is also different: 2.8m on the SMC-A, 5m on the SMC-M. Often
the only difference between the SMC-A and the SMC-M was the
all-important A on the ring. However, the difference on this
particular lens is even greater. So I suspect there was also
an improvement on lens quality on the SMC-A.
>The main problem is that this SMC-M lens is much older than the SMC-A
>lenses and I am not sure about the quality. The Tokina AutoFocus 400mm
>f5.6 lens has gotten good reviews. How does this older lens compare to
>a new APO AutoFocus Lens like the Tokina. Did I get a good deal?
I can't say because I have neither. But my evaluation follows your
next paragraphs.
>Also does anyone know if this non-A mount lens will work with the
>newer Pentax Auto-Focus Cameras? I will probably upgrade my camera one
>day and would hate to loose this lens.
>Any Info Would be Appreciated.
I don't know how the misunderstanding occurred, but in my opinion
that is a significant misunderstanding. For a lens that length, I
would prefer the A lens, which allows me to shoot my PZ-20 or any
similar Pentax box in shutter priority @1/500 and concentrate on
focusing. However, I have shot long lenses on my MX in manual for
fast-moving subjects. It requires an extra step, setting the
aperture, sometimes quickly. I always use motors. The A setting
also allows more auto exposure options and TTL flash. The M
provides at best aperture priority on new cameras. At 400mm, I
would not trust aperture priority because the shutter could drop
down too much for handheld shots. I only have one M lens, that
pancake thing. It never came in A.
I suggest you shoot that lens within the next 10 days to see how
sharp it is. If it knocks you out, and it just might, you should
determine if you can live with an M lens. SMC glass, especially on
fixed lenses, is excellent. I think $250 would have been a better
price had it been the SMC-A. The Tokina has excellent specs at 10
elements, 8 groups and close focusing at 2.5m. It is also AF and AE
and costs $380 new at B&H. Again, because you have the M, I would
consider a return. Had it been an A, you would have gotten a good
bargain and I would not consider the Tokina. I find I don't really
need AF, and I *suspect* the Pentax SMC-A is sharper than the
Tokina ('could be wrong, but it's got to be a close race).
Ron Bhanukitsiri
>just have a quick question. Last month shutter bug had an ad for a
>Pentax 400mm f5.6 for $250. After calling the dealer I just received
>the lens.
>
>It is a Pentax SMC-M 400mm f5.6 K-Mount, and I have 10 days to decide
>whether to keep it or not. The only problem is that according to my
>conversation I though I was getting a Pentax SMC-A mount lens, the
>difference being that I loose PE mode on my camera. I keep AE and
>manual exposures.
>
>The main problem is that this SMC-M lens is much older than the SMC-A
>lenses and I am not sure about the quality. The Tokina AutoFocus 400mm
>f5.6 lens has gotten good reviews. How does this older lens compare to
>a new APO AutoFocus Lens like the Tokina. Did I get a good deal?
The SMC-M lens started to be widely available in 1977 and the SMC-A lens
began to be available in 1983. As you can see, the M lens isn't very
much older. Back in those days, the rate of new camera and lens introduction
(and obsolescense :-() was much slower than today. A lot of A and M lenses
had the same optical design (except for the mount), eg., 24mm f/2.8,
28mm f/2 and 2.8, 35mm f/2 and 2.8, the 50mms, 100mm f/2.8 (this is
where my knowledge stops.). As far as sharpness, why not just shoot
some test and examine the slide? If you're satisfied, then it doesn't matter.
>Also does anyone know if this non-A mount lens will work with the
>newer Pentax Auto-Focus Cameras? I will probably upgrade my camera one
>day and would hate to loose this lens.
I use my SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 and 100mm f/2.8 on my PZ-1 without
any problem. I like it because of its compact size (the "M") vs the
135 f/2.8 or the monsterous 100 f/2.8 macro AF counter part. Of course,
it only works with aperture priority and (hyper)manual and you must focus
manually.
Ron B[ee]
The Pen(tax) Pal
John H. Graves
: I use my SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 and 100mm f/2.8 on my PZ-1 without
: any problem. I like it because of its compact size (the "M") vs the
: 135 f/2.8 or the monsterous 100 f/2.8 macro AF counter part. Of course,
: it only works with aperture priority and (hyper)manual and you must focus
: manually.
I am considering replacing my Spotmatic. My eyes are not what they used
to be, and mercury cells being harder and harder to get. I have been
looking at the PZ-20 as a good bet. Will my neat glass like my 85 mm
work with the screw mount adapter? Having tried my zoom on my brother's
MX I know that any lens without the auto/manual switch is probably a lost
cause.
John G.
--
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