Sigma Pantel Lens - Useful Feature or Gimmick?

In amongst a bunch of stuff I bought for £10 last week was an Olympus OM10 fitted with a 135mm Sigma Pantel lens.

From what I can work out, the 'Pan64' setting of this lens is just an f64 aperture to give huge depth of field. I would have thought that diffraction would have taken over at that point negating any gains made elsewhere.

So has anyone used one of these lenses at its 'Pan64' setting? And is it a useful setting or just a marketing gimmick?

Any idea of the origins of the 'Pantel' name?


Steve.

I cant comment on this lens, but I modded a zuiko 50mm with an aperture plate for f50 and it seems to work alright. At least it got a dead lens to be useful.

I suppose I should try it out. I don't think I will use it or the OM10 much though as most of my 35mm stuff is Nikon, Minolta and M42 mount.

I may end up giving it away. If you're interested - watch this space!


Steve.

hell, i'll take it

i <3 new gear