Friday, November 23, 2007

SMCP DA 70mm 2.4


I got it Wednesday before thanksgiving and though I haven't shot too much with it yet, I did grab a test portrait of my daughter sitting by the window.

You need to view the full frame image to appreciate the quality of the lens. It picks up the fine details but doesn't make them appear harsh like a macro lens would.

I think I'm going to enjoy shooting portraits and all else with this lens.

4 comments:

Brandi Sims said...

hi. i found your blog through flickr just now.
i just wanted to say thanks for creating it!

i will be purchasing the K10D after the first of the year and am very excited!

i keep reading conflicting reviews on whether or not one should buy the body only or the one with the lens kit.

this will be my first really nice camera. right now i'm using my very first digital camera (an old sony cybershot 1.3 mp!) i have gotten some decent shots from it (there are a few in my blog), but i crave a camera that i can really mess around with.

i held the K10D 2 days ago. it felt great in my hands. :D
the lady said i should wait til after the first of the year for sales (which is what i'm doing anyways).

i don't really know alot about photography..i just have fun with it. but, i know i should learn about all the settings, different lenses (and which ones i can use with the K10D) and such.

but anyway, thanks for creating this blog..i will keep reading!

peace!

My BBB Projects said...

The kit lens is an OK lens, but it is not the greatest. I got one with my DL along with a 3rd party 75-300mm zoom. They both produced great images if used within their MTF.

If you can afford to buy the body alone and then splurge for the DA 16-45 f4 ED/AL you might be happier with the results of the camera. It's supposed to be a better lens. My take on lenses is (having learned from purchasing consumer lenses) is the lens is where you should splurge and the body is where you should budget. If money is an object consider a 100D Super along with the 16-45 lens.

If you have even more cash, spurge further and get the DA* version, or get the DA 16-45 and the DA 50-200 together. That will give you 2 better lenses and a wide focal range from 16 to 200 mm.

Also, look around on ebay and try to pick up an SMC M 50mm 1.7. It's a very nice lens that shouldn't cost you too much. I paid under $40 for mine, just keep trying different auctions and you should get one in that price range. You could get a 1.4 or 1.2, but the prices go way up. If you can't find a 1.x lens in your price range the 50mm 2.0 is a good lens too but the 1.x are a little better in low light. You should find a 2.0 cheaper than any of the 1.* lenses.

If you don't have the extra money to spend the kit lens will get you started at least and you can save up to buy a better zoom later.

Every lens ever made for the Pentax K mount and also the M42 thread lenses (requires an adapter) will work to some degree with any modern Pentax camera, digital or film.

That is what makes the Pentax camera so popular with a lot of people.

The M lenses can only be used in manual (M) mode while the A lenses can be used in any of the *v modes. The M and A lenses are manual focus only. The FA lenses are auto exposure and auto focus. The DA lenses are designed to work with the smaller digital sensors but don't think for a minute the older film (FA) lenses won't work on the digital. They work great. The DA lenses are not designed to work with 35mm film cameras very well. They will physically fit and function, but the image size from the DA lenses is smaller than the 35mm film plane.

The best way to learn the camera is to buy it and use it while adjusting one setting at a time and comparing the results.

I'm about to embark on an adventure like that as soon as I get through all the camera menu functions. I will be posting the results in my blog.

Stay tuned.

Brandi Sims said...

thank you so much for the info! i really do appreciate it.

i will definitely look in to buying just the body & seeing what other lenses i can afford.

what you said about taking pictures one at a time with different settings is exactly what i plan on doing for a while. i think i learn better by "hands on" and playing around with it will be fun for me. i would never be able to memorize all the settings for every situation (but i will try to at least learn a few for different lighting situations, etc.).

will continue to read your blog!

Rajind Ruparathna said...

Hi greaat reading your blog