natufoto

<p>Hi All,<br>

I re-format my cards every now and then, but usually I just delete the images because is faster. I don't remember having any problems since I switched to digital 6 years ago.<br>

Manuel</p>

<p>I once did a comparison between the kit's zoom and the Voigtlander 40mm and 58mm. Not surprisingly, the primes show more resolution even if the zoom is closed down to f8. But considering price, the zoom's output is quite good. </p>

<p>1) compact body & lenses<br>

2) construction quality<br>

3) SR on body<br>

4) compatibility with old lenses<br>

5) limited lenses</p>

<p>Hi Bobbie,<br>

I purchased the Voigtlander 40mm and 58mm for portraits and general photography. These are modern manual focus lenses. They exhibit top optical and construction quality, are relatively fast (i.e. have a large maximum aperture) and are priced reasonably. The 58mm is equivalent to 87mm when used in the k20d, which in general is considered a very good focal length for portraits. I also like the m42 Takumar 55mm/F1.8 for portraits. You can get one in mint condition for less than $100, but requires a commonly available m42 to pk adapter and must be used in step-down mode on the k20. If you want auto-focus, the Pentax DA 70mm & 77mm are considered excellent lenses, but they become 105mm and 115mm on a cropped dslr. To my taste, longer than 100mm is too long for portraits unless you are outdoors and have a lot of space.<br>

Manuel</p>

<p>My two best lenses are a 135mm takumar that I purchased at ebay for $20 (including shipping) and a Vivitar series 1 90mm/2.5 macro that I got from B&H for $130. Very sharp & extremely well built lenses. Both are manual focus and m42 mount, which I like because they can be used in both of my canon 5d and pentax k20d and cameras that I might buy in the future (who knows, perhaps a Nikon). If you feel confortable using this kind of manual gear then it is an alternative that may offer excelent image quality at low cost. For newer lenses, however, the savings that you get from buying used might not be worthed. My rule of thumb is that if the price of the used lens is more than about 70% of the price of the new lens, I will purchase new. </p>

<p>Thanks James and Sheldon for your replies. Replacing the element would be ideal, but it will cost much more than $150. That amount is only for cleaning the lens. I can try exposing the lens to sunlight, but how do I know that if it works? Will the fractal-like pattern that characterizes the organism go away if the fungus is killed? </p>

<p>Hi!<br>

I have this canon lens (non IS version) with a fongus in the rear side of the front element. The coating as been corroded but only in a small area (roughly a circle of an eight of an inch in diameter) and when I use the lens I see no effect on the image. Sending a lens for cleaning would cost me about $150 and hopefully will remove the fungus, but of course will not fix the coating. The alternatives are : (1) to keep the lens in a dry box when at home and hope that no further growth will happen, or (2) try to open the lens and clean it myself. <br>

So what would you do? A new lens will cost about $660. <br>

Thanks!<br>

Manuel</p>

 

<p>Ebay seller "jinfinance" sells one and claims that it can be used on your camera:<br>

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350131378495&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2651wt_1167</p>

 

<p>Michael, <br>

With this lens I will do mostly flowers, plants and portraits. As for magnification, I would like to have the possibility of doing 1:1 but I could live with 1:2. I already have a russian m42 macro that I use in the k20d, but it's only 50mm and I want something longer and sharper. Besides these limitations, I don't mind using the lens in step-down mode nor focusing manually, so a Takumar 100mm is another possibility.<br>

Thanks!<br>

Manuel</p>

<p> </p>

<p>They all look great to me! Thanks for sharing them with us. </p>

<p>Hi Folks,<br>

Thanks for sharing your opinions! I do believe that an older pentax lens (either m42 or bayonet mount) is a good possibility. The new tamron's price, however, makes it relatively attractive, mainly considering that it's 1:1 and that the old tamron's go for about $150 in ebay, and require a converter to get to 1:1 (an additional $50 perhaps). So it comes down to $200 versus $299.<br>

Besides the new lens carries a 6 year waranty and could use AP if the right converter is found. There are a two right now at ebay that sell for about $100, but then the adaptall setup would cost as much as the k-mount tamron macro, which now costs $399 after rebate. The K-mount macro will provide AF and could be used in the canon body with a PK-EOS adapter, so it seems that, if I want auto exposure, it is the best choice. <br>

Manuel </p>

<p>Hi!<br>

I want a macro lens to use in both my Pentax k20d and in a canon 5d. The Tamron 90mm adaptall seems to be an excelent alternative, and B&H lists a new manual focus version of this lens. It's less expensive than the auto focus version ($299).<br>

Can this lens be used in the k20d using one of the adaptall adapters that can be found at ebay? Aparently Tamron does not sell a pentax adapter anymore.<br>

Thanks in advance!<br>

Manuel</p>