bdery's reviews

  • Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Image quality, build quality, price
    None significant for this price

    I am using this lens on a Pentax K20D. The build quality is impressive, the finish feels high-quality and solid. The zoom ring oerates very smoothly, but the focus ring is very lifeless and has a short throw. Autofocus is very fast, the only times the lens unted was at telephoto uder the stars with no light source. In that case, simply zoom back to get a wider aperture, focus, lock focus and zoom in again.

    Image quality is impressive. There can be visible barrel distorsion at 17 mm if you shoot flat and linear targets (like a waterline, or a building) but zooming in a little bit takes care of it. I haven't searched for, and have neveer noticed, any chromatic aberation (it's there somewhere for sure, but if I cannot notice it, then it doesn't bother me).

    Macro is great, focus is accurate,reliable, and the lens produces very sharp images.

    My lens has no zoom creep, and feels like it will last me years.

    This is m first personally owned autofocus lens (my others are manual) bt I can compare with various kit lenses and even pro models from Pentax, and in handling and focusing it compares with the best, and regarding build quality it's above most kit lenses out there.

    reviewed July 7th, 2008 (purchased for $420)

  • Pentax 50mm f/2.8 Macro SMC P-FA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Amazing sharpness, contrast, bokeh; very flat field; long focus throw; metal build
    Slow to focus, no focus limiter

    This is a 10. Wonderfully made, solid and durable. Nice focus ring, large enough and easy to grip. The throw is around 270ยบ. It makes for slow AF, but creamy MF. The focus clamp helps with MF. A focus limiter would be nice.

    Iq is the best I have seen. Wide open, or closed down, the lens delivers. No visible differences. Bokeh is perfect at all apertures. Images have beautiful contrast, and are razor sharp.

    This is a macro lens, and it shows. It is my best lens regarding IQ and build quality.

    reviewed November 5th, 2009 (purchased for $150)

  • Pentax 21mm f/3.2 Limited SMC P-DA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Small, wonderful built, extremely sharp, amazing 3D effect, close focus
    None

    This lens is the latest addition to my lineup. I purchased it to have a wide option for low light.

    It will serve MANY more roles than just a low light lens! There's something amazing about this lens (and all limiteds? Maybe, this is my first). It creates a 3D effect on pictures that's hard to describe, but amazing to behold. Playing with DOF can enhance that effect. Colours, saturation and contrast are among the best I've seen, at least as good as the FA 50 macro.

    The build quality is near perfect, the lens is light, small, but sturdy and reliable. It's fully made of metal, with a nice, small hood, an elegant cap, and the typical quick shift MF function common to all DA lenses.

    Pentax again impressed me with this lens!

    reviewed April 30th, 2010 (purchased for $340)