Newsgroups: rec.photo
Subject: Summary: 400/5.6 lenses
From: dporter@altair.csustan.edu (Darren Porter)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 17:05:17 GMT
Organization: California State University, Stanislaus
Originator: dporter@altair.csustan.edu

I had posted a couple of weeks ago about 400mm f/5.6 lenses in either manual or
autofocus Pentax mounts.  I got several responses for which I am very thankful.

I decided to buy, and bought, a Tokina 400/5.6 AT-X AF which has SD glass and is
APO.  It also close focuses down to 8.3 feet, which was probobly the biggest
factor I went on.  I ordered it from Camera World of Oregon and should receive
it any day now.  I did not get any info on this lens from my post, but through
advertising and a dealer's recommendation, I decided on the Tokina.

Thanks to all who sent me info!

Summary:
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From: dp@world.std.com (Jeff DelPapa)
Message-Id: <9208050316.AA26670@world.std.com>

I have the sigma APO 400 [mine is MF, but the AF is identical glass]
It is *VERY* good optically (another owner had his checked at a camera
clinic (projection test) and it resolved in the 140-150 lp/mm range)
it is reasonable mechanicaly, tho I did have one screw in the tripod
collar loosen up a little - it still functioned, and when I got it to
a toolbox, I tightened it, and all was fine - it hasn't come loose
since...

I would buy another happily; It performs well even wide open, I like
the IF, the built in hood is good, and the weight/balance is
reasonable. It is a little tall for my domke F1X, but my 80-200 has
the sme problem... My only real gripe is that it won't work with my OM
1.4x multiplier [which has some of the optics protruding past the
front flange], but there are a number of other lenses (including OM
ones) in my collection for which that is true...

Sigma has been trying hard lately, they seem to be trying to improve
their image in the marketplace, and have been taking more risks with
their product list to get there. They now occupy the extremes of my
lens collection (I have their 14mm as well - which is nice, but treat
it as possesing f8-f11 only - wide open is only for getting a bright
image to compose with, not for use with film).

Feel free to post in summary...
<dp>

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From: lannert@uni-duesseldorf.de (Detlef Lannert)
Message-Id: <lannert.38.712999449@uni-duesseldorf.de>

I'm still using a 15-year-old Pentax SMC Takumar 400/5.6. It is very
sharp, sturdily built and reliable. UV absorption seems to be good;
in most cases I couldn't improve a picture by using a skylight filter
but rather got a more natural colour rendition without one.

The SMC-A 400/5.6 is an improved design with an additional back element
which allows closer focusing; I don't have any experience with that one.
(The SMC-M seems to be identical to the M42 lens except for the mount.)

Sorry, that's all I can contribute to your request; maybe you could
post a summary?

Happy photographing!
Detlef

--
Detlef Lannert      DC3EK      E-Mail: tsos@rz.uni-duesseldorf.de
"Ab morgen wird gearbeitet."

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From: dp@world.std.com (Jeff DelPapa)
Message-Id: <9208051259.AA28418@world.std.com>

The OM 1.4x is the only one which I have seen that does this. It would
work with the OM if the opening at the back of the lens were very
slightly bigger... I would suggest trying it before you buy either
peice...

note the sigma: the APO is the only one to consider - the non apo is
run-of-the-mill.. 

<dp>

---

From: Detlef Lannert <TSOS@ze8.rz.uni-duesseldorf.de>

You said you had seen the Takumar 400/5.6 and could use it with the
screw-mount adapter (this is what I do...), but were not sure about
the auto features.

I don't remember what camera you have; but with any Pentax you have
to expect that
- there will be no automatic aperture (that does not matter at all
  because the Takumar only has manual aperture setting!)
- TTL metering is only possible at the working aperture (but you'd
  have to stop it down manually before the exposure anyway)
- auto exposure with aperture priority is no problem: you select the
  f-stop and the camera the shutter speed accordingly
- shutter priority AE is not possible
- there is no AF, of course
- TTL flash metering will theoretically work (but I guess that's not
  often used with a 400mm lens).

So the lens behaves like any SMC-M lens except that you have to open
the aperture for pointing and focusing and close it before metering
and shooting - and that a lens change takes a bit more time...

Regards, Detlef.

---

From: scd@ixhawk.att.com (Steven C Dittmann)

I assume your camera is Pentax K bayonet mount.

A possible cheap solution to your quest for a 400mm lens:

Jerry Noble
Noble Enterprises
P.O. Box 46
Marion, IA  52302

Send Jerry a 29cent stamp.
He will send you his camera list.
He listed a used 400mm Mamiya F6.3 screw-mount lens for around $60

Then get a Pentax K mount to screw mount adapter,
for $15 available from:

W.P. Bill Adams
23255 27th Ave
Des Moines, WA  98198
(206) 824-0183 ( 6pm to 10pm PDT)
Fax 206-941-8904

good luck.

Steve

-- 
______________________________________________________________________
|Darren T. Porter                        |  internet mail:           | 
|Mathematics Student                     |       dporter@csustan.edu |
|California State University, Stanislaus | 			     |