I have the the Takumar version of this lens but the Pentax is the same optical configuration. The design is a simple five element reversed telephoto configuration that is typical of SLR wide angles. Even with so few elements, this lens produces tack sharp images. It is one of the sharpest lenses in the Pentax line. It is easily as sharp as the 90mm or 105mm. The depth of field scale on the lens barrel is very accurate compared with Pentax's other lenses. Prints of 16x20 can easily be made using the depth of field scale on the barrel. This is an easy lens to use because it is inner bay mounted and has automatic diaphram. There is no lens hood built in but they are available. Contrast and color saturation seem to be excellent compared with the 300 Takumar. Overall, an excellent lens for shooters that need to fill that slightly wide angle category. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), July 12, 1998

Answers

I have had some problems in the past with slow f/4.5 focal ratio in situations where I am taking a group portrait outdoors with no shadows, hand held. I switch to a higher speed film to solve this(100VS or 100SW) sometimes pushing it one stop. If I have slow film in my camera, I will switch to my 105mm. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), July 04, 1999.

Steve,

What about the gruesome lens speed? Sometimes I like to shoot with low natural soft light. Outside in full sun f4.5 is no problem- but no one would want to get a lens that was only great for that...

Have you had any issues with the slow lens speed?

Paul

-- Paul Rumohr (paulr@loop.com), July 01, 1999.