Hin's Photo Corner: fast lens

Showing posts with label fast lens. Show all posts

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II

2009-03-02 Posted by Hin Man

I recently get a copy of Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II as a replacement for the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 limited. Mine is the older copy with 58mm filter size and it does not do close up like the latest version. I like this older version for the smaller size, not that much bigger than my Pentax DA 35mm 1:1 limited. My copy is all plastic, which I don't mind for the inexpensive cost to get. AF is pretty fast as the focus throw is small about 1/4 to 1/8 turn. It is quite good in street shooting from day to night.

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II next to Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 limited

I only took it for a weekend trip in San Francisco China town in Clement street and later visited the ocean beach on highway 1. The maximum aperture is f/1.7 instead of f/1.8 when used on K20D.

1/13 sec, f/2.8 28mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/13 sec, f/1.7, 28mm, iso 200, 0 Ev

photo taken with Sigma 28mm f/1.8 and Pentax K20d

1/125sec, f/5.6, 28mm, iso 200, +0.3 Ev

1/320 sec, f/5.6, 28mm, iso 200, +0.3 Ev

1/6 sec, f/2.2, 28mm, iso 400, -0.7 Ev

1/30 sec, f/2.0, 28mm, iso 400, 0 Ev

1/6 sec, f/2.2, 28mm, iso 400, -0.7 Ev

Initial Impressions & Notes

It may be too early for me to give assessment to the lens as I have only managed to use this lens for once with Pentax K20D. My impressions have been on the positive side. While shooting similar scenes in a weekend with the Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5 adaptall-2 19AH zoom, I can find many shots with hinting of PF/CA in the Tamron 19AH zoom but none in the Sigma prime.

Filter size is 58mm
Small and lightweight
Focus throw too short for manual focusing. AF speed is adequate.
Shooting in low light have been satisfactory. AF seems capable on K20D with this lens in low lighting
Build is all plastic but seems sturdy and small enough for street shooting with emphasis on fast speed.
Though specification listed as f/1.8, I got maximum aperture of f/1.7 in Av mode
Wide open aperture seems usable. I only tried it once and it is too early to tell if wide open aperture has reasonable sharpness
Shooting in f/2.0 and f/2.2 after sunset seems very capable for nighttime shooting.
Flare and CA/PF seems to be non-existent in my first shooting.
Lens hood is decent and it can be mounted in reverse direction
Sharpness and color seems pleasant when I tested it in f/5.6 and f/8.0.
28mm seems to do a better job for me on street scenes as compared to 35mm.

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 with +4 Close-up

2008-12-29 Posted by Hin Man

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 with Hoya +4 close-up filter

58mm metal lens hood

My Cosina 55mm f/1.2 has become one of my favorite prime. But it is lacking on two things in my usage with the fast lens

A good lens hood for protection
Close up on flowers

And I enhance the Cosina fast prime with few accessories from ebay

A 58mm metal lens hood with 62mm lens cap
- ebay seller heavystar -- 58mm metal lens hood with cap
- Ebay seller heavystar
- Search for "58mm metal lens hood"
A step up ring from 58mm to 62mm
- also bought from Heavystar in ebay
- not needed if you mount lens hood first
A used Hoya close up filter set in 62mm with +1, +2, and +4 magnification
- bought from ebay for about $15

I share the close up with few other lens in 62mm filter thread. As it turned out, I don't actually need the step up ring if I mount the hood first followed by the close-up filter. Since the filter is mounted in front of the hood, I lose the flare protection.

mounting 58mm hood first
then 62mm Hoya close-up filter on top

Test Shots with +4 Close up

My favorite fish in Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sea Dragon in Monterey Bay Aquarium

While the combo with +4 get me closer to the fish in aquarium, I find the combo more effective in taking close up with flowers as you can have more control on the flowers as opposed to the moving fish in the aquarium which frequently move out of the narrorw DOF after the close up is mounted.

Impressions & Notes

The metal lens hood from heavystar is highly recommended as it comes with 62mm lens cap and I can have it mounted permanently on the Cosina lens for lens protection
The step up ring from 58mm to 62mm costs about $3 from heavystar and I still find it a good buy when the lens hood is getting in the way when I shoot close-up on moving fish in aquarium. With the lens hood mounted, I am farther away from the fish by the lens hood length.
With the Hoya +4 close up, I am close to to 1:3 and 1:2 in magnification. It is an inexpensive accessory to get for the Cosina lens. A Raynox 150 or 250 will do a similar job.
The add-on with the +4 close up is found effective on flowers

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in aquarium

2008-12-01 Posted by Hin Man

I found Cosina 55mm f/1.2 quite usable in wide open aperture, but I use more often the lens with better sharpness in f/2.0. When it is really dark, the lens has given me confidence to go wide open. Sometime, I actually attempt to shoot in f/1.4 in turning the aperture ring in between the f/1.2 and f/2.0 markings.

I used the Cosina f/1.2 over the long weekend in Monterey Bay Aquarium and I find AF with other lens very frustrating to picture swift fish swimming across the fish tank with beautiful colors and the lens served me well and the MF overcome the issues that I find with AF lacking for fast moving fish. I used mostly f/2.0 in the aquarium with ISO 400 and 800.

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 -- my "Big Eye" lens

#1

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

#3
This fish is the 2nd fast in the tank
the fastest one is behind it in blue color
All attempts with AF fail on this fish

#5
This fish is the fastest in the tank
All attempts with AF fail on this fish

#6
this is the slowest but most colorful fish in another tank
perhaps the easiest to shoot among the rest

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 Test Shots

2008-11-24 Posted by Hin Man

I have tested my copy of Cosina 55mm f/1.2. I am very happy with the lens. This is my 3rd fast 50mm lens after my Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 and Pentax A 50mm f/1.7.

Is it oustanding? Yes

How is the bokeh? I really like the smooth bokeh and the excellent speed in f/1.2

How is the build? I would call it quite outstanding for the $200 price range.

Can it replace your FA 50 f/1.4 and my A 50 f/1.7? No!

I answer 'no' due to the absence of 'A' and autofocus. I discussed with Mis and Igillian and I explain the reasons and happiness that the lens doesn't have AF and 'A' setting; otherwise, it would be a serious blow to my love of FA 50 f/1.4 and A 50 f/1.7. It is my LBA excuses to keep three similar focal range in 50mm/55mm.

I only do some snapshot testing on the lens

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 Purchase

1/4 sec, f/1.2, hand-held in iso 400 with K20D

breakfast in an Inn which is dim in the morning

indoor is great

Outdoor is excellent -- a normal lens
with large aperture

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 Purchase

The lens has served me well as the fastest lens in my gear. It has smooth and very good bokeh, color and great DOF with K10D/K20D. But i would not trade in my FA 50 f/1.4 or A 50 f/1.7 for reasons of missing AF and 'A' setting.

I also noted the oval shaped ringed lights in bokeh. My iris is oval shaped instead of circular. It does not bother me as I love my lens to be a bit different than others. I see imperfection as the greatest opportunity for a picture difference.

Impressions & Notes:

Love the smooth bookeh from this fast lens
Outstanding color in both daytime and night time
Oval shaped ringed lights, not sure if it is due to aperture blades design or fast aperture
Gained speed invaluable for night time shooting. Instead of ISO 400, some shots can be done in f/1.2 in ISO 200. A much welcome addition especially to complement with noise control in high iso setting
Lens can't replace FA 50 mm f/1.4 or my A 50 f/1.7 due to missing AF and 'A' settings. I see it as a plus as it give me reason to hold on to 3 similar 50/55mm lens

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited is insanely good

I told a couple of my Pentaxians friends who discussed vividly on my choice of getting both FA 77mm limited while getting DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 zoom. I told them that the two lens are totally different and I can assure you that I will keep both longer than my other lens. I have not used my DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 yet. I bought way too many good lens again. But this round, my purchase pattern shows a significant differenece as I snap up the good pricey lens in the used market when many are dumping the good lens for another brand or the economic down turn. All test shots are done hand-held, many are in f/1.8 wide open in iso 200 and iso 400, some in iso 800 with Pentax K20D, and yes, I snap up a used K20D too.

Pentax FA 77mm f1.8 limited Purchase

We found Nemo

Impressions & Notes:

I have gotten three Pentax limited lens in 21mm f/3.2, 31mm f/1.8 and this 77mm f/1.8 and I found this limited lens the most valuable.
Great portrait lens for my family who deserve the best from me and my gear.
Superb color, bokeh and great in sharpness
Some PF noted but moderate
Great for indoor shooting
As good as for night time shooting as my FA 50 f/1.4
Though not as small as Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited or DA 70mm f/2.4, the 77mm is still very small in size and compact for traveling
I don't see this lens as a duplicate for DA* 50-135 as the lens are very different. I will always bring my 77mm for portrait.
The same argument goes with Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 but I see prime as the best for the fixed focal length while the zoom can serve better purpose for flexibility in the focal range. In terms of night shooting, the FA 77mm f/1.8 will win over both zoom lens in Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and DA* 50-135.
Expensive to get but I have no regret for this lens. Well worth the money!

Hin's Photo Corner

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 II

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 with +4 Close-up

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 in aquarium

Cosina 55mm f/1.2 Test Shots

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 limited is insanely good

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