This is not a fast lens.
This lens is sharp, but not sharp like a modern lens.
So what is the fuss about? Ok, here we go then, let’s see if I can explain well enough.
First let me say that I am not such a big fan of long lenses usually and on the LUMIX GX 85 I used this on, it has the field of view of a 400mm lens. Pretty long!
So what I do like however, is quality manufacturing, the lens is kind of heavy, smooth operating and reassuring to use, albeit with a rather too long focus throw, for me.
On a sidenote, it's hardly the kind of set up which allows you to disappear, its far from big for a 200mm, but it is long paired with digital and the required adapters. This is lens attached to a M42- EOS adapter which in turn is attached to an EOS to Micro 4/3 adapter and on to the Lumix gX85. This is still a kind of small setup, straight onto a Canon 5D is interesting too though, utilising full from and bringing the field of view down to the 200mm it was always supposed to be.
What I like even more, is unusually nice focus fall off (or bokeh), and on this one it is really nice. It is soft and watercoloury, melting the background into a great big pool of smudgey goodness! The number and shape of the aperture blades is what does this, open that sucker right up and shoot!
What I like most of all is how the lens renders the colours, truly gorgeous when the light is right! Now we come to the caveat.
Shooting into the light with my version of this lens makes the image muted and lacking contrast, even shooting under strong sunlight did the same. You need to shoot it into the shade, then it rocks!
But how about I just show you some images instead?
Cheers
L
