Pergear 35mm f1.2

[retiredfromlife]

I don't understand how that system works with "putting it away till Xmas"?.... it's not like it going to be a surprise or something

It's what happens when I am perceived to overspend on my gear.

 

[gnarlydog australia]

I believe this lens gives me just the right amount of background blur for mid distance subjects to separate them and make them pop.
In many cases I could go away with the M.Zuiko 45mm f1.8 to achieve similar result but I would have to step back a bit, something no always possible. But there is something about a proper mechanical helicoid (not drive-by-wire) that just feels better in my hand.

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pipeline view by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[PakkyT]

I don't understand how that system works with "putting it away till Xmas"?.... it's not like it going to be a surprise or something

There is no 'splaining those crazy cat people. Maybe it will be a surprise after a couple months.

 

[Snowonuluru]

"putting it away till Xmas"?.... it's not like it going to be a surprise or something

Ah, i think in some instances, the other half might not complain as much if such things are found under the Xmas tree!

 

[shreebles]

More competition underway

TTartisan releases an $80 35mm F1.4 lens for APS-C mirrorless camera systems: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 

[WhidbeyLVR]

This lens came in a few days ago. I am still checking it out. This morning, I spent some time in our living room using available light and taking photos of some of our "accumulated stuff".* I just wanted a feel for the character of the lens rather than its technical qualtities. The aperture setting ranged from wide open to f4. You'll have to guess which is which, as I didn't write them down.

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I am pretty happy with what I am seeing so far, for a $100 pandemic toy. For portraiture and other close-up shots, where the shallow DoF is useful and sharpness is not the key characteristic, I think it shows promise!


* Signifigant Other calls them objets d'art.

​

 

[frankmulder]

Thanks for the sample photos.

In the meantime, I have also found this review (tested on MFT):

 

[gnarlydog australia]

Thanks for the sample photos.

In the meantime, I have also found this review (tested on MFT):

I think this review is fair and does address the problem of flare, which I have alleviated by mounting a screw-on deep hood ( I have that on all of my lenses, including M.Zuiko or Panasonic)
I also do wish the helicoid would have a longer throw than just 90 degrees, a 180 one would help with focusing at infinity

Here stopped down a bit (probably f4?)

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approaching rain by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[WhidbeyLVR]

I caught my S.O. in a good -- or at least, tolerant -- mood this morning. She endured my fumbling with manual focus and limited pose directions, and just sat in the soft northern light from the dining room window while I took a few photos. Lightly edited from raw in DxO PL3. Sight crops and color/exposure mods.

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Aperture ~ f/5.6

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Aperture ~ f/2.0

Her main complaint? "I wasn't wearing any earrings!"

 

[gnarlydog australia]

I still like the flare this lens produces, when asked for.
A structured flare with "rays" of light instead of just overall milkiness that I get from other vintage lenses

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Triumph tank by gnarlydog, on Flickr

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sunset on the Triple by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[aw614]

More competition underway

TTartisan releases an $80 35mm F1.4 lens for APS-C mirrorless camera systems: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

I bought this one and it finally came, worked for one day and the aperture blade seized up and no longer works, currently in talks with the vendor in China about doing an exchange, so I haven't gotten many shots out of it. Usually I've had reasonable luck with the cheap lenses, but this was my first time having one give me issues

 

[Erich_H]

I so wanted to go that route too: slap a focal reducer on a Takumar 50/1.4 but not sure if I can get one for M42 thread mount?
Then again the SLR lens is a bit more bulky and compact/light is paramount for me. I almost feel the Pergear is too bulky/heavy, being spoiled by the M.Zuiko 45/1.8

Isn't there a focal reducer for PK?
Then just put an M42 to PK adapter on the Tak! Voila! Good to go with one of the greatest lenses of all time! Although I feel that using a focal reducer on the Tak would screw up the optical recipe.

Disclaimer: I'm reading this thread in chronological order. Maybe the answer is posted already. Later in thread and after this point, where I currently am at.

 

[gnarlydog australia]

Isn't there a focal reducer for PK?
Then just put an M42 to PK adapter on the Tak! Voila! Good to go with one of the greatest lenses of all time! Although I feel that using a focal reducer on the Tak would screw up the optical recipe.

Disclaimer: I'm reading this thread in chronological order. Maybe the answer is posted already. Later in thread and after this point, where I currently am at.

I am not aware of a focal reducer for M42 screw mount and never looked into a PK mount
Besides, the Tak is a bit more bulky than the Pergear and doesn't have a circular aperture for round bokeh balls in speckled highlights

 

[Erich_H]

I am not aware of a focal reducer for M42 screw mount and never looked into a PK mount
Besides, the Tak is a bit more bulky than the Pergear and doesn't have a circular aperture for round bokeh balls in speckled highlights

Of course I meant the other way around!
M42 to PK to focal reducer!

And, as you know, no glass in the M42 to PK adapter. Bless you Pentax for the 45.46 mm focal flange!

Sorry. Getting very late (early) here in Ultima Thule...

 

[Erich_H]

Been doing a bit of googling tonight on this taking a test image of a brick wall. Seems a common way of testing a lens, so I thought there must be a technique to doing it. seems not.
Now if you are going to test a lens and potentially return it if one side is not as sharp as the other, or using another test there must be a verifiable way way of guaranteeing your set up is correct.

How do others do this test ?

I was thinking of a really large carpenter's square, in combination with a couple of spirit levels and a good tripod.

That would help solving it, wouldn't it?

 

[Erich_H]

Well I have not tried a brick wall test, but managed to take a few shots outside to test it before it was confiscated by the other half. My excuse for buying it was a Christmas present to me from the cats. Looks like I have to keep my end of the bargain and put it away for Christmas. I have not been forgiven for buying the EM1.3 yet, oh well.

Taken in my back yard E-P5 no stabilization. Did not remember were to set it up. SOOC no processing or cropping at all. About 15 feet away. Focused on the face, but looks like I may have been a bit out. Probably should have used magnify instead of peaking.

First one wide open
View attachment 853071

Second one below stopped down a stop or so
View attachment 853072


Third one below about F8, bit hard to tell exactly with no stops
View attachment 853073


You can see the gradual increase in DoF as I stopped down.
Is my copy a good, I will never know, but I will have fun using it [when I finally get it] wonder if it would have been better if I did not say it was a present from the cats
Some people never learn

Edit
One thing this lens is a lot easier to use than my Fujian lenses

I'll have to show this to my cats!

 

[retiredfromlife]

I'll have to show this to my cats!

Never know your luck

 

[ektar]

Regarding PK or M42 focal reducers- When I did my research, the path I took was an EOS to M4/3 reducer, and then PK, M42, OM and Nikon F to EOS adapters. I have an SR (MD) to EOS adapter that incorporates an optical element to allow for infinity focus, but haven't used it much. The same need exists if you try to go from FD to EOS.

On a side note: When you attach the lens to the PK-EOS adapter, watch how it latches. Getting it off can induce some pretty creative profanity if you don't see where the catch is and how to release it.

 

[gnarlydog australia]

Bright and sunny, enough that a cooling vest was warranted (34C temps).
Wide open

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adventure bike by gnarlydog, on Flickr

 

[Enoch]

My experience is that this lens is significantly, noticably sharper than the 7 Artisans 35mm f0.95. Obviously the depth of field is less and there is some apparent CA, but this is definitely a sharper lens wide open with the copies that I owned. And the closer mfd is helpful too.