joe88's reviews
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Pentax 100mm f/3.5 Macro SMC P-FA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedextremely sharp macro shootings no CAsplastic housingmy first shot with this lens were surpisingly extreme sharp at f 8-11. No CA's visible
reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $50)
I take photos of butterflies and bees with it. I'm using HSS flash between 1/500 and 1/1000 sec. with GODOX and Shanny flashes -
Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL SMC DA WR
9 out of 10 points and recommendedfor a kit lens really very sharpnothingI've got the white WR edition
reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $50)
In combination with K-S1 nearly all CA's are eliminated at f8 (one ED lens therein !)
high contrast, nice color rendition, very sharp pictures
I prefer higher ISO and shorter times 1/250-1/500 sec. -
Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA*
10 out of 10 points and recommendedwide open even enough sharp, f 2 very sharp, f 2,8 extremely sharp,less CA'splastic plastic plasticthis lens is quite better than my old FA 1.4/50, which I can use
reviewed January 31st, 2015
with very good sharpness from f2.8.
You'll win one step of aperture and minimize CA's visibly
much more better than zeiss competitor
unfortunately too much plastic in construction (therefore only eight points for construction)
wide open for portraits, f2 even for landscapes f2.8 for documentation. optically 10 full points -
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro AF
10 out of 10 points and recommendedbig zoom range and very sharp between 50 and 135mm, stopped down - suitable for macro shootings with macro ring, toosome CA's, sometimes visible, not so sharp at the long endit is comprehensible that it is very difficult for a manufacturer of lenses to correct image mistakes of such a big zoom range. One fuorite ED lens included.
reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)
Nevertheless the middle range is phantastic; the extremes of tele and wide angle are still good, with some CA's. ok. But everybody has a good photo program, nowadays, for correct theese small mistakes,
With Phsh 4 you can eliminate the CA's quickly by a hidden switch in "filters". And if you sharpen the extremes additionally, this lens would allow to you to produce big posters up to 15x20" with a good cam.
Really recommended by me for trip sessions. best result at the short and long end with f 13.
TAMRON has an adjustment problem, so that some exemplaries are not so good. Mines is good !
Image quality: 50-135 mm 10 points. 28 and 200 mm 6 points, averidge 8 points -
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2 AF
10 out of 10 points and recommendedgood marco shootings possible, nice colors, high contrast, good sharpnesslong tele range is not so sharpthis lens has been often "underjudged", inspite of its fine construction. Most of tele zoom have lower results at the high tele ende.
reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)
naturally it is necessary to close the apetrure to f-8-11 and to use a higher ISO range. for sunshine and quick movements optimal to use. If doing this, you'll get phantastic shootings with it.
the maacr device allows to take nice nice photos with flash and ISO 100 of butterlies.
very content with it and highly recommended -
Pentax 28mm f/2.8 AL SMC P-FA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp lensvery small CA's wide openextremely sharp stopped down a few to f 5.6-11
reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)
love it very much because of its nice colors, high contrast and
its sharpness.
this "old" lens is a hot tip. very highly recommended -
Tamron 2X F AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp 7/5 element AF-converteraperture information is done to Pentax cam'sthis is my favorite converter for macro shootings
reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $50)
if your basic lens is well corrected, you'll get very sharp shootings,
but I stop down lens for macros or close-ups to f8-11
For tele shootings of birds f.e. I've developped a trick:
an additional macro ring with achromatic focal reductor will
eliminate any CA, stopped down to f8-11, too.
my high recommendation
high contrast, good color redition and really sharp photos -
Kenko 2X Teleplus MC7 AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp 7/5 element AF-convertervery small CA's wide openfor this low price a very good 2x converter
reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $45)
nice colors, high contrast and good sharpness
I've tested it stopped down to f8-11
very small CA's even with very well corrected lenses.
similar to Tamron 2x MC 7
if you'll get very sharp tele-shootings of birds f.e. try to fit a small macro tube with achromatic lens in it (=focal reductor).
Small CA's will disappear, totally.
highly recommended - much more better than mc4 -
Kenko 2X Teleplus MC7 DG AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp 7/5 element AF-convertervery small CA'svery good contrast, nice colors ad good sharpness
reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $70)
pay attention to stopping down afew to f 8-11 in order to eliminate few CA's
with well corrected lenses, in this way ver nice photos.
I've done some expriences with good wide angle lenses:
By this converter you don't miss a 50 mm macro lens.
very sharp close ups with it.
highly recommended -
Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH MEGA OIS LUMIX G VARIO
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp at f 5,6-8,very nice bokeh, excellent colorsplastic buidtthis lens is much more better than 14-42.
reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $100)
I use it with G-3 and firmware 1.4, because 1.0 is not so sharp.
Inspite of sensor chip being only half so big as APS-C chip,
pictures are very charp.an excellent set lens. very high recommended
nice colors
very good contrast
high resolution very small CA's wide open, nearly not visible -
Samsung 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED II NX
9 out of 10 points and recommendedexcellent set lens, nearly no CA's, very sharp stopped down to f 8wide open a few week in the corners, the AF slow in darkness (perhaps a cam problem)the image resolution with 20 MP and improved sharpness in menue is really impressive.I never had so sharp digital images.
reviewed July 25th, 2014 (purchased for $100)
excellent color rendition, very nice bokeh and high contrast.
very content with my item. -
Pentax 35mm f/2.4 AL SMC DA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedextremely sharp single lens at professional high levelplastic buildt, lack of aperture ringthis is a hot tip for engaged photographers.
reviewed June 20th, 2014 (purchased for $130)
between f 4 and f 8 it reaches highest possible sharpness.
I'm very impressed by color rendition, contrast and finest contours
Even in the edges/corners very high sharpness. Very well corrected CAs.
My close-ups of fowers: each shooting a feast for my eyes.
really excellent. very highly recommended
80 LP/mm = 160 lines/mm with 24 MP. This result is similar to best FUJi, ZEISS and LEICA lenses !
Nearly equal high results compared with 1.8/50 DA - theese 2 lenses are good matches ! -
Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SMC P-DA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp between 24 and 55 mm, high contrast, good colorssome CA's on wide angle 18mmfor a kit lens an excellent zoom lens, but you must know, how to use it.18 mm I use only for close ups of flowers, not for object far distant because of CA's in the corners. My aperture choice is f4.5
reviewed April 27th, 2014
24mm - sharp in the corners,too and scarcely CA's
35mm -very sharp wide open, but I take photos between f 4,5 and 5,6 no CA's (35mm are best corrected)
45mm my favorite aperture is f8
for 55mm I take f11.sharp up to the corners and better resolution than 1.4/50 in the corners. oh - you must change proram in k-x k30 k5 etc."elĂminate CA's!! very important.
with this lens you can get huge posters, when sharpening and interpolating after with PhSh -
Pentax 50mm f/1.8 SMC DA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedfrom f2,8 very sharp, f 4-f 11 extremely sharp shootings and interpolated big posters possiblenothing, perhaps plastic housing and lack of aperture ringone of the best lenses, PENTAX ever has buildt.
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $130)
phantastic sharpness even from f2.8 to f 11
excellent bokeh, very high contrast, very nice colors
nearly no CA's even in extreme situations of bright light (tree against sunset) with f 6,7
I use it for macro with converter (f8-11) and star shootings (f,2.8)
very content with it. another league than previous lenses.
And they were still very good.for this low price a real highlight
competitors of other famous brands are over-rated, this phantastic lens under-rated, in German and English tests
without any reasons (perhaps sponsored?), inspite this Pentax lens is quite similar or better corrected in the corners! SHAME onto the test fakers !
RESOLUTION 65 LP = 130 lines/mm with k-5 and Fuji x-e1 (16MP, 100 Iso))
80 LP = 160 lines/mm with 20-24 MP like K-s2, k-70 (or Samsung NX 2000 and Fuji x-t100 with adapters)
This seems to be - considering the sharpness and correction - ZEISS or LEICA level ! -
Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical IF Macro AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedbig zoom range, sharp photos, 135mm very sharp with f11 and additional macro ringplastic bodya very good zoom lens for travelling, sports, family etc.
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $100)
good sharpness,high contrast,nice colors, some few CA's on both extreme ends wide open, but they can be reduced by stopping down a few (and the rest by PhSh)
135mm with f11 and macro ring:best results very sharp
macro shootings with this lens possible -
Tamron 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp wide angle zoom lens,high contrast,a lens for big posterssome few CA's (negligable)I use ist for 35mm and digital (Pentax k-x,k200).
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $65)
you must stop down this lens to f8-11, you'll discover it's highly performed sharpness. I use it between 400 and 800 ISO.
After sharpening and interpolating big posters are possible.
very content with it, because nearly no distorsion.
an excellent lens. I've bought some items for school for my pupils
in digital photography class -
Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedreally sharp lens, stopped down a few very sharpsome CA'sfor this low price good sharpness, stopped down to f 8-11 very sharp,
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $45)
nice colors, high contrast, but some few CA's (must be eliminated with PHSh for bigger prints)
with achromatic macro glass on the top of it and f11 good macro shootings possible
no distorsion remarkable on wide angle
therefore 9 points -
Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC
6 out of 10 points and recommendedsharp lens in center, good macrosome visible CA's, corners not so sharpnot excellent, but not bad;too
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $60)
a simple build zoom for beginners, for prints up to 8x10"
some CA's, weak in the corners
it must be closed to f8-11
pentax 18-55 is nearly full open much mor sharper, especially in the corners. red fringings wide ope with 18mm -
Sigma 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro
8 out of 10 points and recommendedbig zoom range, sharp photos, 135mm very sharp with f8-11 for close-upssome visible CA's, corners not so sharpgood sharpness, stopped down to f 8-11
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $65)
extreme wide angle and tele some CA's
ideal for trips;family feasts
best results between 50 and 135mm, very sharp with f9.5
very good contrast and color transmission stopped down.
wide open a few weak -
Sigma 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 DG Macro
8 out of 10 points and recommendedreally decent sharp lens, nice colors,good contrast stopped down a fewplastic body and visible CA'svery similar to Tamron's equivalent.
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $70)
naturally, such a lens is not so sharp as a single lens, dued to
this enormous zoom range;it is ok.
wide ope a few weak, but stopped down to f11 really sharp
and high contrast.
I am content with it.CA's must be eliminated and sharpness could be improved by PhSh -
Vivitar 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Series 1 AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp zoom lenssome few CA's, but not to muchvery usefull,not expensive,high optic performance
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $85)
this is a nearly excellent zoom lens for this low price.
I stop down to f11 and use 400 ISO for very sharp photos up to the corners.
very content with my item -
Vivitar 28-210mm f/4.2-6.5 Series 1 AF
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery easy to use and best photos for this big zoom rangesome few CA's on tele 200mmI love it.As teacher of digital phtography I had the opportunity to buy a lot of lenses.Among them this lens.
reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $55)
Highly recommanded because of very good sharpness
between 35 and 150 mm approx.good color saturation and high contrast, when stopped down to f 11
small CA's
Inspite 200 mm are sharp enough, 9 points, because between 100 and 150 mm you can use it with macro ring for macro shootings. -
Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II
9 out of 10 points and recommendedstopped dowm a few very sharpnothingwith fujifilm x-T100 and fitted programm to sharpest pictures, highest contrast, velvia saturation and elimination of CA extreme sharp photos.
reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $100)
I take my photos with f 8-11. So I've got very sharp photos up to the corners -
Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II SMC DA
9 out of 10 points and recommendedreally sharp, if stopped down a few, high contrast, fine colors, extreme sharp macro photos with achromatic top element, much more better than the standard zoom lenses of 3 well known professioonal brands with strong CAs in corners, excepted Fujismall CA's, but visible at 18mm, plastic housing, lack of aperture ringFor a kit lens a very good lens. High contrast and nice colors,
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $50)
I've tested it stopped down to f8. I've taken a
tree photo against the sky (without leaves): Between 24 and 55mm: corners are very sharp,too.
In combination with k-x CA's disappearing nearly totally. Naturally, I've changed the program to sharpest step, highest contrast and highest color saturation.
big posters after sharpening and interpolation by PhSh possible.
It's evident, that single lenses as 1.8/50 and 2.4/35 are still sharper and better corrected. -
Pentax 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8 SMC P-FA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp and few CA'swith telephoto converter: resolution not so goodnormally, telephoto zooms are not so sharp at 300mm, but not this Pentax lens.
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $100)
f8-11 and 800 ISO on K-X very sharp and nice colored shootings
I'm very content with it. highly recommended
Macro shootings with macro ring possible, but without AF - use 3 frames/sec. -
Pentax 50mm f/1.4 SMC P-FA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery, very sharp stopped down a fewfew CA's wide open and stopped down a fewFor portraits optimal
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $100)
I use it for astronomic photography, too.
colors, contrast and sharpness very nice.
Best sharpness on f4. My best lens - besides excellent PENTAX lenses as 1.8/50 DA and 2.4/35 DA.
Excellent results with 7/5-elements-tele converter with aperture cosed to f 4 - f 5.6.
Highly recommended -
Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF 193
9 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp wide angle zoomfew CA'swhen stopped down to f8-11, sharpness is really high.
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $130)
beautiful colors and bokeh -
Vivitar 100mm f/3.5 AF Macro
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp macro lens, CA's nearly noneplastic constructionfor the very low price phantastic results.
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $70)
macro shootings with f11 are very sharp -
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
6 out of 10 points and recommendedsharp in centrewide open wide angle not so sharp in the corners; CA'ssuitable for portraits, for my taste wide open too much CA's on extreme wide angle, not so good for architecture, good lens, but not an excellent one
reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $350) -
Pentax 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED SMC DA
10 out of 10 points and recommendedvery sharp, nearly no CA'snothing, perheaps plastic housing and lack of aperture ringmost of tele zooms are weak in extreme tele position, but not this lens.
reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $100)
300mm seems to be as sharp as 55 or 135mm
my favorite aperture are f 8-11
I prefer higher ISO and 1/500-1/1000 sec.
So your photos will become very sharp and nice. CA's are eliminated by program of my k-s1 and ED lens therein !!!
Unfortunally. macro ring is n allowed because of missing aperture ring, but shootings of butterflies are possible with 300 zoom end. :-) -
Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS
10 out of 10 points and recommendedexcellent correction of CAs from 24 to 50 mm very good sharpness with f 5.6-11- plastic housing - lack of aperture ring - 16mm distorsionUnbelievable bad recensions - what a shame ! Perhaps a Monday production ?
reviewed March 17th, 2022 (purchased for $100)
Zoom lenses are obviously not so sharp as single lenses - okay.
But this sometimes underrated lens ist for this price a good match for FUJI system cameras.
Its sharpness and correction is better than the 2.8-4/18-55 lens, which is much more expensive.
For big posters you can improve sharpness by PhSh and interpolation, and sharpen it once more.
The lack of aperture ring is sometimes a small problem. Only 16mm must be corrected in any cases, isn't it?
A very good lens - much more better than the standard zoom lenses of the 3 big professional brands with fat CAs in corners - and overrated test results !!! So this Lens, and the old Panasonic 14-45, and Pentax 18-55 WR, and Samsung NX 20-50 are the better 4 standard lenses for digital photography ! In summary - actually, FUJI is the best alterativelesss system in dig. photography because of its lenses, the high ISO performance and the value / prices. As former teacher of photogr. I'm using x-e1 and x-T100 with changed programs (highest color saturation, highest sharpness and highest contrast) for totally 700.- (2 bodies and the 16-50 lens, all new), additionally many vintage lenses with adapters - which could concurate with serveral full size cameras of other brands, especially my razor sharp x-T100 with old FUJINIONs!!! -
Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL1855
6 out of 10 points and recommendedstopped down fair sharpnesswhat a terrible lens full of CAs - 18 mm not to use wide openThis brand is sold by public relation and its names reputation - but the results are not fitted to the name and its over-rated standard lenses !
reviewed March 17th, 2022 (purchased for $150)
O/+ fair sharpness, stopped down
-/O this lens has a big CA problem
- - terrible CAs wide open at 18mm
It is the worst standard lens of all brands, unfortunally. Not for posters, for beginners images up to 20 x 30 cm - it's okay !
What may be the purpose of the manufactorer?
1. to buy a well known SONY camera
2.to buy a much more expensive better SONY lens afterwards - this is good marketing strategy - but not equivalent to the fine, excellent Sony bodies !!!
PS. For test images "elimination of CAs" is switched on in program. -
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro APO
10 out of 10 points and recommendedstopped down a very sharp lensAF in macro mode (but this is a problem of many lenses)++ no visible CA between 70 and 135 mm (this result is better than some actual zooms)
reviewed August 1st, 2022 (purchased for $50)
++ perfect sharpness in macro mode - stopped down to f 13
++ high contrast
++ very good color rendition
+/++ sometimes problems with AF in macro mode
(most lenses have problems with AF in macro mode) - totally 9.5 points - highly recommended by me