-- -----Original Message----- -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] -- Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 12:14 AM -- -- You know I can't help reading all these posts and shake my -- head. I know we -- need something to talk about here and this is as good a -- topic as any but I -- fear that some new photographer is going to read this -- discussion and think -- that if they don't have a ltd lens, a prime lens of every -- focal length, FA* -- lenses ... they can never hope to get good pictures. -- At the risk of ticking off many on this list, let me say -- this (especially to -- new list members) -- These are all my opinion--- not bothering with any facts. -- -- 1) All Pentax lenses are very good. Most are great. Some are -- excellent. -- 2) You, I and 90 per cent of the people on this list could -- not tell the -- difference between a picture taken with the worst Pentax -- lens and the best -- when viewing a 4X6 inch print. That figure goes to 95 -- percent if the picture -- is viewed on the Web and 100 per cent if proper technique is -- not used. -- 3) Generally speaking, many high-quality third party lenses -- are as good and -- sometimes better than Pentax lenses. -- 4) People who own a particular lens will rarely speak poorly -- about it. The -- amount of praise is directly related to how much they paid for it. -- 5) The best lenses in the world are no better than the worst -- lenses in the -- world without the proper technique. -- 6) People who talk ad-nauseum about lenses (And we all fall -- into this at -- times) are more likely to be collectors rather than shooters. -- 7) It is better to be a shooter than a collector. -- 8) Most people on this list (myself included) tend to be -- collectors as much -- as shooters. -- 9) The best lenses are the ones you use. -- 10) A good tripod and ball head can turn a $150 lens into a -- $1,000 lens . -- 11) If you don't want to use a tripod, don't waste your -- money on very -- expensive lenses. -- 12) If you are just starting out and are shooting for the -- fun of it, spend -- your money on film not gadgets and lenses. There's lots of -- time to become a -- collector. -- -- Vic --
Vic, No doubt you bring up good points. I started out usually mostly zooms. Only had a 50mm as my only prime. Many praised me on my shots and I was very happy with the results. I would not hesitate to use any of my Pentax lenses. Especially with their excellent flare control. I have shot Nikon lenses in comparison and shot alongside friends with both Minolta and Canon gear. The one lens I am the least happy about is one where I noted the lack of sharpness on an enlargement I was having made. Noticeable on the slide if I inspect with a loupe, but who views them that way :') That lens is still used when shooting finish line for 'hire'. Nowadays I have been spoiled by using fast lenses and the bright viewfinder it gives me. I also tend to shoot a lot of available light. Probably a good reason why I use my LXen a lot. I will disagree with number 12 though. I own two Limited lenses. I also own an A*300/4. I recently picked up an FA*24/2. I rarely use a tripod. Many have marveled at the shots I have taken - especially sports shots with the A*. I find these lenses worth the cost. I have not thought about the 49 because it is not a focal length I tend to use much. And when I do I usually use the 50/1.2 for speed. But I do agree that as one becomes a better photographer - to whatever standard you wish to use - there is a leaning towards better 'more' gear, faster lens, better feel, specific focal lengths. Cesar Panama City, Florida in Dayton, Ohio
