joe88's reviews

  • Pentax 100mm f/3.5 Macro SMC P-FA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    extremely sharp macro shootings no CAs
    plastic housing

    my first shot with this lens were surpisingly extreme sharp at f 8-11. No CA's visible

    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

    reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $50)

  • Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL SMC DA WR

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    for a kit lens really very sharp
    nothing

    I've got the white WR edition

    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.

    reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $50)

  • Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA*

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    wide open even enough sharp, f 2 very sharp, f 2,8 extremely sharp,less CA's
    plastic plastic plastic

    this lens is quite better than my old FA 1.4/50, which I can use
    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

    reviewed January 31st, 2015

  • Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical IF Macro AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    big zoom range and very sharp between 50 and 135mm, stopped down - suitable for macro shootings with macro ring, too
    some CA's, sometimes visible, not so sharp at the long end

    it 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.

    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

    reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)

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

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    good marco shootings possible, nice colors, high contrast, good sharpness
    long tele range is not so sharp

    this lens has been often "underjudged", inspite of its fine construction. Most of tele zoom have lower results at the high tele ende.

    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

    reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)

  • Pentax 28mm f/2.8 AL SMC P-FA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp lens
    very small CA's wide open

    extremely sharp stopped down a few to f 5.6-11

    love it very much because of its nice colors, high contrast and
    its sharpness.

    this "old" lens is a hot tip. very highly recommended

    reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $80)

  • Tamron 2X F AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp 7/5 element AF-converter
    aperture information is done to Pentax cam's

    this is my favorite converter for macro shootings

    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

    reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $50)

  • Kenko 2X Teleplus MC7 AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp 7/5 element AF-converter
    very small CA's wide open

    for this low price a very good 2x converter

    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

    reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $45)

  • Kenko 2X Teleplus MC7 DG AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp 7/5 element AF-converter
    very small CA's

    very good contrast, nice colors ad good sharpness

    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

    reviewed January 30th, 2015 (purchased for $70)

  • Panasonic 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH MEGA OIS LUMIX G VARIO

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp at f 5,6-8,very nice bokeh, excellent colors
    plastic buidt

    this lens is much more better than 14-42.

    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

    reviewed January 3rd, 2015 (purchased for $100)

  • Samsung 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ED II NX

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    excellent set lens, nearly no CA's, very sharp stopped down to f 8
    wide 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.

    excellent color rendition, very nice bokeh and high contrast.

    very content with my item.

    reviewed July 25th, 2014 (purchased for $100)

  • Pentax 35mm f/2.4 AL SMC DA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    extremely sharp single lens at professional high level
    plastic buildt, lack of aperture ring

    this is a hot tip for engaged photographers.

    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 !

    reviewed June 20th, 2014 (purchased for $130)

  • Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SMC P-DA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp between 24 and 55 mm, high contrast, good colors
    some CA's on wide angle 18mm

    for 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

    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."elíminate CA's!! very important.

    with this lens you can get huge posters, when sharpening and interpolating after with PhSh

    reviewed April 27th, 2014

  • Pentax 50mm f/1.8 SMC DA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    from f2,8 very sharp, f 4-f 11 extremely sharp shootings and interpolated big posters possible
    nothing, perhaps plastic housing and lack of aperture ring

    one of the best lenses, PENTAX ever has buildt.

    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 !

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $130)

  • Tamron 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR Aspherical IF Macro AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    big zoom range, sharp photos, 135mm very sharp with f11 and additional macro ring
    plastic body

    a very good zoom lens for travelling, sports, family etc.

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $100)

  • Tamron 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp wide angle zoom lens,high contrast,a lens for big posters
    some few CA's (negligable)

    I use ist for 35mm and digital (Pentax k-x,k200).

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $65)

  • Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    really sharp lens, stopped down a few very sharp
    some CA's

    for this low price good sharpness, stopped down to f 8-11 very sharp,

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $45)

  • Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

    6 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharp lens in center, good macro
    some visible CA's, corners not so sharp

    not excellent, but not bad;too

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $60)

  • Sigma 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    big zoom range, sharp photos, 135mm very sharp with f8-11 for close-ups
    some visible CA's, corners not so sharp

    good sharpness, stopped down to f 8-11

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $65)

  • Sigma 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 DG Macro

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    really decent sharp lens, nice colors,good contrast stopped down a few
    plastic body and visible CA's

    very similar to Tamron's equivalent.

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $70)

  • Vivitar 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Series 1 AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp zoom lens
    some few CA's, but not to much

    very usefull,not expensive,high optic performance

    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

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $85)

  • Vivitar 28-210mm f/4.2-6.5 Series 1 AF

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very easy to use and best photos for this big zoom range
    some few CA's on tele 200mm

    I love it.As teacher of digital phtography I had the opportunity to buy a lot of lenses.Among them this lens.

    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.

    reviewed April 27th, 2014 (purchased for $55)

  • Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS II

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    stopped dowm a few very sharp
    nothing

    with fujifilm x-T100 and fitted programm to sharpest pictures, highest contrast, velvia saturation and elimination of CA extreme sharp photos.

    I take my photos with f 8-11. So I've got very sharp photos up to the corners

    reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $100)

  • Pentax 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II SMC DA

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    really 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 Fuji
    small CA's, but visible at 18mm, plastic housing, lack of aperture ring

    For a kit lens a very good lens. High contrast and nice colors,

    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.

    reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $50)

  • Pentax 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8 SMC P-FA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp and few CA's
    with telephoto converter: resolution not so good

    normally, telephoto zooms are not so sharp at 300mm, but not this Pentax lens.

    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.

    reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $100)

  • Pentax 50mm f/1.4 SMC P-FA

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very, very sharp stopped down a few
    few CA's wide open and stopped down a few

    For portraits optimal

    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

    reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $100)

  • Tokina 19-35mm f/3.5-4.5 AF 193

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp wide angle zoom
    few CA's

    when stopped down to f8-11, sharpness is really high.

    beautiful colors and bokeh

    reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $130)

  • Vivitar 100mm f/3.5 AF Macro

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    very sharp macro lens, CA's nearly none
    plastic construction

    for the very low price phantastic results.

    macro shootings with f11 are very sharp

    reviewed January 31st, 2014 (purchased for $70)

  • Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

    6 out of 10 points and recommended
    sharp in centre
    wide open wide angle not so sharp in the corners; CA's

    suitable 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 recommended
    very sharp, nearly no CA's
    nothing, perheaps plastic housing and lack of aperture ring

    most of tele zooms are weak in extreme tele position, but not this lens.

    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. :-)

    reviewed August 31st, 2019 (purchased for $100)

  • Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    excellent correction of CAs from 24 to 50 mm very good sharpness with f 5.6-11
    - plastic housing - lack of aperture ring - 16mm distorsion

    Unbelievable bad recensions - what a shame ! Perhaps a Monday production ?

    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!!!

    reviewed March 17th, 2022 (purchased for $100)

  • Sony E 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS SEL1855

    6 out of 10 points and recommended
    stopped down fair sharpness
    what a terrible lens full of CAs - 18 mm not to use wide open

    This 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 !

    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.

    reviewed March 17th, 2022 (purchased for $150)

  • Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro APO

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    stopped down a very sharp lens
    AF 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)

    ++ 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

    reviewed August 1st, 2022 (purchased for $50)