phoxhill's reviews

  • Pentax 50mm f/1.4 SMC P-FA

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Very sharp from f/4 to f/8 / ideal for protraits / cheap
    soft wide open

    A very usefull small telephoto, sharp with a wonderfull bokeh.
    Ideal for portraits but also flowers...
    Even sports if you're close enough to the action
    My best lens up to now!

    reviewed February 20th, 2009 (purchased for $262)

  • Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 AF

    7 out of 10 points and recommended
    top ratio : quality/price - Macro 1:2
    loss of sharpness at 300mm / very long extended / plastic built

    A very usefull lens, sharp between 70 and 260mm but don't forget stopping down while you increase your focal lengh (ex. 70mm sharp at f/5.6 / 135mm sharp at f/7.1 / 200mm sharp at f/11 etc...) to get the maximum out of it !
    The macro position is a very nice option to have with a magnification ratio of 1:2

    Of course now that Tamron has got its flagship lens (70-200mm f/2.8) it looks a bit cheap but it is 4 times cheaper too.

    I bought it with my Pentax K10D kit lens 18-55mm and after one year of practice I still love it.

    So...Finally :

    What I regret :
    - MF ring a bit loose, especially for shooting macro.
    - loss of sharpness at the long end of zoom.
    - No quickshift system (instant manual access)
    - its extention is a bit exagerated.

    What I like :
    - Sharp in most of its range.
    - Real macro capable.
    - Versatile.
    - Very affordable.
    - No light fall off in corners
    - CA's well handelled same for distorsion.

    reviewed February 20th, 2009 (purchased for $190)