dbpaule's reviews

  • Pentax 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC SMC DA WR

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    build, handling, AF, sharp, CA is well controlled, WF, IF
    distortion at wide end and falloff in corner using a polatizer even if slim, MF ring a little small

    This lens was part of the kit with the K-5 an it's a quit nice upper quality kit lens. I really like the fast and silent built in AF-Motor which until now never misfocused. Also sharpness is quiet good from f5.6 until f11 - best on f8. CA is nearly not recognizable, just a little blue CA if zooming in 32x.

    What I don't like is the easy to see distortion on wide end until 25mm. On tele end you should not use filters if you don't want falloff in the corners. A slim filter is unfortunately no solution. MF is no problem to use, but the ring could be bigger. Grip is always nice.

    By the way the lens looks nice, is weather proof, has inner AF nad the lens cap has an optional cutaway for using filters.

    Finally, this lens is the best kit for Pentax but there are some points to think about like distortion. On the other hand, there are more pros than cons. Nice lens, can buy ;)

    reviewed April 11th, 2011

  • Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharpness, AF limiter switch, 9 aperture blades, smooth MF
    AF is noisy and not quite accurate, AF also slow if not limiting AF via switch, lens hood

    Well, this lens is tack sharp and makes a lot of fun. For macros I use the MF, so the AF is just disturbing if you will focus from infinity to macro distance. You really will need a lot of patience. And after that time, it is not said, that the AF is accurate... Another point is the lenshood, which will be screwed in the front. So, in the other direction, you can't mount it e.g. for transportation.

    Most of that points are not quite nerving me, 'cause I just use it for outdoor macros and portraits, where this lens has superb qualities because of the nice bokeh and the sharpness. Price, weight and build are good!

    So, if you always use the AF limiter, you will get a really sharp and useful lens.

    reviewed April 27th, 2011 (purchased for $419)

  • Pentax 35mm f/2.4 AL SMC DA

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharpness, AF-Speed, bokeh @ f/2.4, light weight
    build of plastics

    This is an extremely sharp lens, that beats every optic I used since today on my K-5. Using f/4 up to f/5.6 you'll reach the sweet spot of sharpness. The bokeh is just nice to have when using f/2.4 or f/2.8 because of the just 6 aperture blades. The AF is extrmely fast and never misses the target. What I don't like that much is the plastic feeling. On the other hand that's why the lens is lightweighted. I would buy that lens again!!!

    reviewed June 14th, 2011 (purchased for $180)

  • Pentax 16-45mm f/4 ED AL SMC P-DA

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    good build, shardness, 16mm wideangle, weight, good AF speed
    extending tubus at wide angle

    This quite nice lens is sharp, speedy at AF and feels nice in the hand. IMHO it's better than the 16-50 SDM, because of the faster AF. It's well known that the SDM-Motor will live 2 years and then you'll need a new. The only prblem here could be that there is a flash shadow using the internat flsh (I don't do so...).

    reviewed June 14th, 2011