Hi Boz,
> SMC-FA 50/2.8 Macro What is your opinion of this lens? Is it any good?
Optically it is the best Pentax lens I own...
> What do you use it for?
Macro work of course, and sometimes also as a normal lens. If I can take
only one lens with me, I often choose this lens...
> What do you like about it?
Optical quality. Compact size. Solid feel.
> How well built is it?
The lens feels solid, as good as it can get with non-star FA lenses. The
barrel seems to be a mixture of metal and polycarbonate. However, I had to
bring the lens to Pentax once because of mechanical focusing problems.
> How is the lens handling (weight, size, etc.)?
Weight and size are just right for a 50mm macro lens. AF is very fast.
Manual focusing feel is good and smooth with tightened "clamp" screw,
however, that screw will not stay permanently in the clamp "on" position. A
switch or FA*-lens type focusing clutch would be much better
> How about optical qualities: resolution,
Best resolution of all my lenses (veryfied by my own formal resolution
tests) Very good even wide open. Equally good at infinty and at 1:1. Very
homogeneous from corner to corner.
> contrast, color,
Perfect
> distortion,
None
> bokeh,
Very smooth. Very little double image
> light fall-off, etc.?
Hardly noticable little light fall-off
Flare: One has to have the sun in the frame to be able to notice any flare.
One of the very best Pentax lens coatings.
> Can you make a better picture of it than the one that I already have on
> the KMP?
I like the picture just like it is...
> Is there any piece of information about the lens that I am missing that
> you can provide?
Yes: I will never let go of mine! A 100 mm lens may be nice for its bigger
working distance, but it is much larger, too. Might be a nice addition,
though...
> Please post your answers to the PDML.
I do.
Arnold
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