Lens Comparison.

[Coldamus]

I have been using the Tamron 28-200mm lens from my film camera with a Pentax K100D. However I haven't been quite happy with the combination. The Tamron seems a little soft and doesn't do macro.

So, when a good deal came along on a new SMC Pentax FA 100-300mm, I could not resist it. This is not officially a macro lens either but focuses down to 1.5 metres.

The first two images were taken recently with the Tamron and the others yesterday with the Pentax.

[clubbyr8]

Hi Coldamus,

Nice shots and I agree the Tamron looks a little soft. Was is the Exif data on the shots?

If you want to have a look at a site that reviews Pentax lenses then look here - http://stans-photography.info/

Bob

[clubbyr8]

This is a shot (in high wind) of a Jacaranda tree. I'm using a Tamron SP 70-210mm lens model number 52A. Focal length is set about 200mm, aperture is set at f5.6, speed is 1/800th sec, ISO is set at 100. Focus is manual so it's a bit blurry. AF confirm sort of worked but the wind is blowing.

Bob

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/clubbyr8v8/IMG_4314_1.jpg

[Coldamus]

Hi Coldamus,

Nice shots and I agree the Tamron looks a little soft. Was is the Exif data on the shots?

If you want to have a look at a site that reviews Pentax lenses then look here - http://stans-photography.info/

Bob

Comparing the shots of the two flowers, both were taken with manual focus. The Tamron was at 200mm and 1/350th sec. at F8, iso 200 while the Pentax was at 270mm and 1/350th sec. at F8, iso 400. It was a dull day yesterday and the rain drops on the flower were real. However it was very calm.

I took a shot of a Jacaradah too but only from a distance. That is when I discovered a disadvantage of the 100-300. On a digital, it is equivalent to 150-450mm. Even at the short end, you need to back off 50 to 100 metres to fit a whole tree in the picture. Also it is long and heavy. After half an hour trying to take pictures of birds and animals, my arms were aching.

The Tamron 28-200 is great on a film camera because there is hardly ever any need to carry another lens. On a digital, it translates to 42-300mm, which doesn't cover the wide-angle end. I don't expect it to be as sharp as your 70-210 because it is more of a compromise.

The pet and animal expo is on next weekend and for that I will be taking the Tamron.

I had seen that Pentax lens site but my lens is not listed there. It is a later model F4.7-5.8. The following site has actual pictures taken with each lens. Again mine is not listed but is the sister lens to the FA J75-300 except that the J model does not have an aperture ring. The shot that sold me was the one of the mandrill.
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=EXIF-LENS&subSection=1410&subSubSection=113784&language=EN