First shots with FA135/2.8 on my K-1

philzucker · Dec 31, 2020

Finally got around to PP some first shots I did with my newly acquired FA135/2.8 (used of course, but in very nice condition). I absolutely love its compact size, but have some mixed feelings about the built in hood - yes, it's impossible to loose, but I have to remind myself all the time to extend it while using the lens.

Aside from that I'm very pleased with what the lens has to offer. Haven't been using it fully open yet, but IMO the bokeh is also absolutely okay if stopped down a bit - like in this indoor shot at f5.0:

Let's move outdoors - great detail at f5.6 (cropped at the top):

And capable of very moody renditions like this one, again at f5.6:

Isolating a person is no problem at that focal length, even (again) at f5.6:

Another f5.6 one showing the bokeh - not perfect, but pleasing enough IMO:

Finally some birding - here some geese in flight (cropped):

And here - almost - the whole flock of 'em (much farther away this time, and uncropped):

Enjoy!

And have a very happy new year everyone. We sure all could use a happy one ...

Phil

--
GMT +1
Gallery: http://photosan.smugmug.com

philzucker · Jan 1, 2021

Jack Simpson said:
HappyNewYear, Phil, and a cracking set of photos .

Thanks very much, Jack, and a happy New Year to you too!

Jack Simpson said:
I had the FA135/2.8 for a few weeks and, then, promptly lost it :-O I put it on a handrail when changing lenses, started shooting with the other lens and changed my position and never went back

Ahhh, what a sad story. Sometimes small & compact has its disadvantages - can be overlooked too easily.

Jack Simpson said:
Cheers and it wasn't even 2020

Maybe 2021 will get you another copy!

Phil

philzucker · Jan 1, 2021

bob5050 said:
drummercam said:

You really have to correct purple fringing with that one. Tree lane, right side. I was excoriated here several years ago for posting a shot with that lens that was PF-awful, and never forgot it.

Click to expand...

That's too bad. But if PF is a lens characteristic, then posting only perfect PP corrections would be setting someone up with unrealistic expectations.

Indeed it would. You have a point here, but Mark IMO also has a good one - I should have had an eye on the PF.

I combined the PF shot and the cleaned up one in this later post https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/64709942 - would've been a good idea to do so in the original post already.

Phil

timo · Jan 1, 2021

I've got an FA125/2.8 which, although very beaten up externally, works fine. It's true that purple fringing is a big issue in some circumstances - you have to watch those contrasty edges. But in general it's a great lens. The only thing I don't like about it is the flimsy focusing ring.

drummercam · Jan 1, 2021

philzucker said:
Happy New Year everyone! Hope you got into it safe & sound.

First thing to do in 2021 for me was to clean up that tree shot - not much of an effort in LR, and I think the result is satisfactory.

Before:

After:

So thanks to Mark (drummercam) I'll keep an eye open to those high contrast edges and will remember to PP accordingly. There is no lens profile in LR for the FA135, but the manual lens correction panel works without problems.

Phil

Yes, the clean-up in LR is very easy. I would re-post my awful shot from years back, but, thank goodness, I apparently purged it from my gallery long ago.
-------------------
"Elegance of operation" -- Pentax
"Heavy for its size" -- DPR

M R Padmaraju · Jan 1, 2021

Congrats , Phil . No.3 and 5 are for me . Beautiful set .

Regards ,

mrp .

Jack Simpson · Jan 1, 2021

philzucker said:
Jack Simpson said:

HappyNewYear, Phil, and a cracking set of photos .

Click to expand...

Thanks very much, Jack, and a happy New Year to you too!

Thank you sir

philzucker said:
philzucker said:

I had the FA135/2.8 for a few weeks and, then, promptly lost it :-O I put it on a handrail when changing lenses, started shooting with the other lens and changed my position and never went back

Click to expand...

Ahhh, what a sad story. Sometimes small & compact has its disadvantages - can be overlooked too easily.

Like you, I got an extremely good deal, I traded my FA 35/2 and, if memory serves, I paid about $20 CDN .... and, whilst I loved the small size, I should have pocketed it, but ...

...all part of the joy of photography ;-)

philzucker said:
philzucker said:

Cheers and it wasn't even 2020

Click to expand...

Maybe 2021 will get you another copy!

Well, I'll definitely cross my fingers for that, Phil

Cheers,

Jack

philzucker said:
Phil

lutzk · Jan 2, 2021

My FA 135 looks very used, because it is one of my favourite lenses. Very sharp when stopped down. The purple fringing is easily dealt with in LR. AF is fast, the design compact. I wish, Ricoh would bring a new, modern, version of this lens.

The built-in hood is much more useful compared to the larger and awkward to attach hoods that usually come with most lenses.

Lutz

philzucker · Jan 3, 2021

lutzk said:
Very sharp when stopped down. The purple fringing is easily dealt with in LR. AF is fast, the design compact. I wish, Ricoh would bring a new, modern, version of this lens.

Agree to all of that!

lutzk said:
The built-in hood is much more useful compared to the larger and awkward to attach hoods that usually come with most lenses.

Well, I still have to come to terms with it. I'm used to hoods I can leave on all the time (and that offer a bit more "collision protection" - the built-in hood retracts when colliding with something, even if not too easily). But the built-in one sure saves space.

Thanks for looking, Lutz!

Phil

philzucker · Jan 3, 2021

M R Padmaraju said:
Congrats , Phil . No.3 and 5 are for me . Beautiful set .

Glad you like those two! And thanks for your kind comment.

Phil

philzucker · Jan 3, 2021

timo said:
I've got an FA125/2.8 which, although very beaten up externally, works fine. It's true that purple fringing is a big issue in some circumstances - you have to watch those contrasty edges. But in general it's a great lens.

I do agree!

timo said:
The only thing I don't like about it is the flimsy focusing ring.

I actually have no big problems using it - I find it easy and precise enough to work with, only the position in front part of the lens is a bit awkward IMO.

Thanks for your comment, Timo!

Phil

Search

First shots with FA135/2.8 on my K-1

philzucker

Forum Pro

philzucker

Forum Pro

philzucker

Forum Pro

timo

Veteran Member

drummercam

Senior Member

M R Padmaraju

Veteran Member

Jack Simpson

Forum Pro

lutzk

Active member

philzucker

Forum Pro

philzucker

Forum Pro

philzucker

Forum Pro

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts