Feb 08
The PENTAX smc P-D FA 50mm F2.8 macro is designed specifically for digital cameras. It utilizes curvature and positioning of optical elements to virtually eliminate flare and ghosting for clear, high-quality images particularly important to digital photography. This versatile lens can also be used a telephoto lens and features our acclaimed multi-layer coating to lower surface reflection, reduce ultraviolet rays, and deliver clear, high-contrast images.
Technical Details :
* Lens Construction: 8 elements in 7 groups.
* Angle Of View: 47 degrees (31.5o with *ist D body).
* Min Focus Distance: 7.67 inches (0.195m).
* Filter Diameter: 49mm.
* Weight: 9.3 oz. (265g).
Customer Feedback :
This is a great lens if you need a macro. On the Pentax *1st DS it gives images that are 1.5 times the actual size of the object. The first lens arrived damaged, but it was replaced by the vendor without any hassle. Using this lens with the K10D Pentax digital camera is a true pleasure. The sharpness of the images is outstanding!
Feb 07
The highest quality Pentax lenses are offered under the exclusive “Limited Edition” label. The introduction of the smc Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 macro Limited Edition adds precision macro capability to this select category for the first time. The lens offers a lens coating that provides astoundingly pure image quality. Additional characteristics: magnification ration of 1:1, aluminum lens tube and a built-in extend able lens hood.
Technical Details :
* Compact lens with one-to-one magnification in a normal focal length.
* High-grade aluminum construction of the lens barrel, hood, and cap.
* Quick-shift Focus System for instant switching from auto focus to manual focus.
* PENTAX SP coating protects the exposed lens elements.
* Focal length equivalent to 52.5mm in the 35mm format.
Customer Feedback :
This lens may well become one of the most legendary of the Limiteds manufactured by Pentax and perhaps even rival the output capabilities of the FA Limiteds.
This lens is superior constructed of metal and solidly built in such a small package. Image resolution is superb, with excellent contrast, edge to edge sharpness, brilliant colors and beautiful color saturation. AF on the K20D is quite fast considering the lens is a macro with a long barrel throw and accurately focuses without FF/BF.
This lens will find its versatility in close focusing as well as general 35mm FOV imaging (52.5mm on DSLR). The optical design makes for exceptional bokeh whether using it in macro mode or simply wide aperture general photography. The lens also makes a great copy lens for document copy of flat materials and printed matter.
The lens comes with a built in lens hood that works well and will be of benefit in contra lighting situations. 1:1 macro imaging utilizing the on-board camera flash is not possible (well the image is compromised) due to its low angle. Shadows will be caused by the lens when used this way. However, somewhere between 1:1 and 1:2 the lens works well with the on-board flash. Shoe mounted flashes or off camera flashes do not present any problems with illumination at 1:1 magnification.
I believe that time will show that this is one of the best lenses Pentax ever made. It is simply a pleasure to use and joy to see the output this is capable of.
Feb 05
Product Features :
* Wide shifting and tilting range (shift: ±11.5 mm; tilt: ±8.5°).
* ±90° lens revolving capability for versatile tilt/shift effects.
* Maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7 (at 0.21 m/0.7 ft.).
* Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration.
* Three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens aberration.
* Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections, effectively reducing ghosting and flare.
* High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating delivers superior color reproduction while substantially reducing ghosting and flare.
* Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements.
* Lens aperture can be preset by using aperture ring and aperture stop-down button.
* With the Nikon D3 and D300, auto aperture control with electromagnetic diaphragm is possible.
Customer Feedback :
Shift lenses are headed in the right direction, getting better and better. The Hartblei/Zeiss offerings out out of the reach of many (price) but Nikon’s current offerings include the 24 f/3.5, a 45mm f/2.8 and an 85mm f/2.8. Canon has a similar line. Discontinued are Nikon’s 28/4, 28/3.5 and 35/2.8 PC-Nikkors (no tilt). Schneider’s 28mm PC-Super-Angulon remains available for Nikon or Canon users. All of the latter lenses are “covered” in28mm Shift Lenses on DX frame.
The Nikon 24 T/S is a very nice handling lens and built to similar standards as the several-year old 85 f/2.8D PC-Micro-Nikkor. However, it now offers electonic aperture control, a boon for usability, but a disappointment for those of us who like to shoot Nikon lenses also on Canon via an adapter.
The good news is that optical performance is very high.
Feb 05
With a Canon TS-E lens, you can control the angle of the plane of focus and the picture’s perspective. The effects of large-format camera movements can be obtained with TS-E lenses for EOS cameras. Although manual focusing is required, automatic aperture control enables auto exposure and auto exposure bracketing. The tilt and shift axes intersect at a 90° angle. They can be made parallel at an authorized Canon Service Facility (modified at owner’s expense).
Telephoto perspective, f/2.8 speed, and full tilt and shift movements in a compact, professional package. Impressively sharp, its ability to alter the plane of focus can provide a “look” that previously required a view camera to achieve. Pros have found it a great option for portraits, products and even fashion work. At its closest focus distance (1.6 ft/0.5m), it gives magnifications of about 1/3 life-size.
Technical Details :
* EF mount; tilt shift lens.
* Gaussian optics give high-quality delineation and true background blur.
* 90mm focal length.
* f/2.8 maximum aperture.
* Manual focus only.
Customer Feedback :
This lens is a macro, a short telephoto, a portrait lens, and a landscape lens that offers new creative possibilities. Because depth of field can be manipulated as in a view camera, this is proving to be my most versatile lens in my bag, in spite of the fact it is “just” a 90mm prime lens. For macro shooting, even with an extension tube, additional depth of field possibilities open up with the tilt. The lens is a fantastic straight-on prime lens for portraits. I find entirely new possibilities for landscape shooting. And hand-held shots are no problem at all, even with maximum tilt. Though it is strictly a manual focus lens (the AF does not work on this one) the image in the view finder is so bright I have no problem manually focusing. Because of the extreme depth of field capabilities, my wide angle lens gets used less now that I have this lens to play with. I love it!
