with hood and cap
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without hood
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More in this Photo Set in Flickr
I recently took it out and have a Friday morning date with my wife over coffee. The lens is similar to my 1st copy. I lose the focus trap and in many test shots, I have off focus errors and I will try another time adding a small piece of aluminum foil around the lens mount to enable focus trapping.
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likely at f/2.8
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at f/8.0
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Impressions & Notes:
Related:
without hood
More in this Photo Set in Flickr
I recently took it out and have a Friday morning date with my wife over coffee. The lens is similar to my 1st copy. I lose the focus trap and in many test shots, I have off focus errors and I will try another time adding a small piece of aluminum foil around the lens mount to enable focus trapping.
at f/2.8
likely at f/2.8
at f/8.0
Impressions & Notes:
- A bit heavy for a 180mm lens. Last time I check on it, it is about 3.5 lb. This lens does take some time to get used to. I thought it is too heavy to carry around it for long but I was okay in the shooting. The lens is actually short and bulky. Compared to my photosniper, this lens is easier to handle as it is shorter in length and I don't get pulled down in shooting in an horizon
- The lost of focus trap leads me to some focusing errors
- I have been shooting straight in Av mode. In f/2.8, I find that I need to +0.3 to +0.7 for Ev compensation
- Sharpness is decent for this lens. When I stopped down to f/8.0, color and contrast are better.
- In 180mm focal length, shallow DOF seems to help isolating the person better from the blurred background.
- Minimal focusing distance is about 5.5 feet and 1.7m
- Weight is 3.5 lb
- I don't have a filter on the 2nd copy and I would guess about 82mm in filter size.
- It is difficult to carry this lens in my current backpack.
- I hesitate in selling this lens as it is a sheer beauty to use. Unless I can put it into good use, I feel the guilt in having it in my gear list not frequently used.
Related:
- 1st copy of Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 Purchase
- Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 -- Initial Test Shots
- Genuine Pentax M42 to K adapter
- Hin's Camera Gear
4 comments:
Hi Hin!
I also got this sweet lens and I have to say that this is probably my favorite lens.
Here's a image I took earlier this spring: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alopex/3712574309/in/set-72157621210399949/
I also want to mention that your blog rocks! :o)
My best regards!
/Lars Dahlin
Ostersund, Sweden
Lars, thank you so much for your visit and your encouraging comment. I almost sold my 2nd copy of this lens, I am glad no one show interest and I am keeping it for myself.
Hey Hin Man,
Appreciate if you could please let me know if focus trap works for this lens on the new Pentax DSLR? I am thinking of buying CZ MC 135mm f3.5
Appreciate your blog....very helpful.
Can you explain why a focus trap adjustment was necessary on this 2nd lens, and apparently unnecessary for your 1st lens. And appreciate if you can describe what "focus trap" means.
Thx
Mike
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