moedius

Not bad. I think you're doing OK with the sharpening; it seems to me like you've found the line to edge up to.  More would probably be too much.

Minolta had a few Xi lenses with motors that came out in the 90's, but they never became standard, and I'm not sure whether the motor was just an early power zoom or if it was used for AF as ...

I could see it working fine in a monocular setup.  I typically use my Minolta 200\2.8 for that purpose, though my mono adapter is an older MD mount one, so my options were limited to begin with.  ...

I don't know off-hand, but if you're still interested in the results I'm sure I can run the light point check, I just have to remember to do it when I'm home!

my copy at least does get a little soft fully zoomed wide open, but it you pull it back just a little or stop it down a notch or two it recovers mostly.  and even a little softer is decent. I also ...

I must admit, I've done the same, and unless the lens really needs a deep hood, I typically buy the ones that I like them look of rather than most functional. For skins or wraps, I've used them ...

Samyang 85/1.4 AF is one of the very few lenses I've bought brand new, and I haven't regretted it one bit. I've had a couple older lenses of theirs that had come in lots I think, and they were bad ...

I have it in Jintu. it's really not awful for the absurdly low price, but it also holds up very poorly against just about anything comparable - even the very cheap and compact A-mount 85/2.8. Haven ...

When you are drawing or painting (including digitally) you can create anything you want, any perspective or angle, any subject, any combination of composition and colors and everything else. ...

I haven't looked at prices recently, but I assume they're still available under 200: Tokina ATX-SD 100-300/F4 Canon nFD 400/4.5 Both of the above are capable of being quite sharp and taking ...

Can't argue with your findings either, had the same results. That said they can work as a stop-gap measure, so that you have something to work with while you save up for something nicer.  They'll ...

It may be apocryphal, but my understanding was that it was brought over by a European immigrant who missed seeing the huge flocks doing their crazy murmurations.  It's too late now, but that ...

Great image. I've always thought it was equal parts persistence, patience, and luck, with the remainder all about being prepared for those fleeting moments when they come.  At least for a fumbling ...

+1 I'm curious why OP would want to focus wide open if the camera has a digital viewfinder; I thought that 'automati c' mechanism was due to the need for light when focusing with an optical VF.