Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
On Sat, 1 Aug 2009 09:13:29 -0400 paul stenquist wrote: From among many Pentax purchases, both used and new, I've only had serious problems with one item. My first DA* 16-50 couldn't achieve a flat focus field. It was replaced by BH. The second one was excellent. I still have my first one, it has a minor problem in that it does not focus perfectly to infinity at 16mm, otherwise it is great. I decided to keep it as is. The problem is easy to work arround. (and no problem at f/8 or so :-) When I first bought my 20D I noticed front focus problems with the FA 50/1.4, so I tested all my lenses and fine tuned the focus. Most required slight adjustment. I haven't noticed any focus discrepancy with the K7D, so I have yet to perform any tests. But I'll probably do a bit of testing when I have time. I had the K10D, before so no good way to correct. Now with the K-7, I did a check for my faster/longer lenses and was a bit shocked that the first try (with the FA 31mm) needed the FULL -10 correction (end of scale). Going through the rest, it got somewhat better, but many showed a quite noticable improvement in a brick-wall check after dialing in the measured correction. So it certainly it is worth the time and effort (took me about half a day for all lenses). Just FYI, these are te corrections I needed: FA 31mm 1.8 -10 FA 43mm 1.9 -2 FA 50mm 1.4 -7 DA 70mm 2.4 -6 FA 77mm 1.8 0 FA 85mm 1.4 -5 FA 50mm 2.8 macro -4 DFA 100mm 2.8 macro +2 FA 200mm 2.80 DA 300mm 4.0+5 FA 400mm 5.6+5 FA 28-105 PZ-4 FA 24-90-4 DA 16-50-7 DA 50-135 0 Front/Back focssing checked with a ruler-like A4 print under 45 degrees with a single bold line to focus on. Regards, JvW -- Jan van Wijk; http://www.dfsee.com/gallery -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
William Robb wrote: I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. That has to be a Mark! I have both the DA55 and the 58 Nok. Certainly, I think the 55 is the more advanced lens, but I'm keeping the Nok because the focusing feels so sexy. And if/when I get the 20/3.5, the three will make a nice set. D -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Derby, it would be interesting if you could take few shots with both lenses. Thanks, --Sasha On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 11:34 PM, Derby Changder...@iinet.net.au wrote: William Robb wrote: I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. That has to be a Mark! I have both the DA55 and the 58 Nok. Certainly, I think the 55 is the more advanced lens, but I'm keeping the Nok because the focusing feels so sexy. And if/when I get the 20/3.5, the three will make a nice set. D -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Sure, what feature would you like to see? I'm not very good at web500/KR reviews. D Sasha Sobol wrote: Derby, it would be interesting if you could take few shots with both lenses. Thanks, --Sasha On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 11:34 PM, Derby Changder...@iinet.net.au wrote: William Robb wrote: I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. That has to be a Mark! I have both the DA55 and the 58 Nok. Certainly, I think the 55 is the more advanced lens, but I'm keeping the Nok because the focusing feels so sexy. And if/when I get the 20/3.5, the three will make a nice set. D -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Derby, I am not interested in charts or figures. I would rather kindly ask you to use both lenses next time you will be inclined to use one of them. I would like to see live pictures, may be with some comments of you (how it felt,etc.) Thanks, --Sasha On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 12:27 AM, Derby Changder...@iinet.net.au wrote: Sure, what feature would you like to see? I'm not very good at web500/KR reviews. D Sasha Sobol wrote: Derby, it would be interesting if you could take few shots with both lenses. Thanks, --Sasha On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 11:34 PM, Derby Changder...@iinet.net.au wrote: William Robb wrote: I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. That has to be a Mark! I have both the DA55 and the 58 Nok. Certainly, I think the 55 is the more advanced lens, but I'm keeping the Nok because the focusing feels so sexy. And if/when I get the 20/3.5, the three will make a nice set. D -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Okey-doke. Should be able to arrange a gig shoot sometime soon. D Sasha Sobol wrote: Derby, I am not interested in charts or figures. I would rather kindly ask you to use both lenses next time you will be inclined to use one of them. I would like to see live pictures, may be with some comments of you (how it felt,etc.) Thanks, --Sasha On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 12:27 AM, Derby Changder...@iinet.net.au wrote: Sure, what feature would you like to see? I'm not very good at web500/KR reviews. D -- der...@iinet.net.au http://members.iinet.net.au/~derbyc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Hi, actually I disagree about this much improved part, as FA50/1.4 is not a lens that can be much improved... I tested DA*55 when it came out and I made 4 pairs of A3 prints of the same scenes (one portrait, one town view, one flower closeup and one sunset). I still watch 'em time to time. They're a bit different, but I can not say that photos made with one or another lens are clearly better. Just one exception - background rendering on DA*55 portrait sample is smoother. The same time, if I compare non-picture qualities, FA50 wins hands down - it's much less expensive, smaller and lighter. If there are already DA*16-50 and DA* 60-250 in my camera bag, I may add FA50 (just in case, maybe I'll need it), but definitely no DA*55. BR, Margus Bruce Walker wrote: dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Margus, what are your findings about sharpness, specially wide open? Supposedly (I insist, I can't compare myself) the FA50 is soft wide open and DA*55 is quite sharp even wide open. What is your take on this? Thank you. -- Thibault Massart aka Thibouille -- Photo: K10D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... Thinkpad: X23+UB,X60+UB Programing: D7 user (trying out D2007) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
No wonder they don't like you on the PentaxForums ;-) Steve Desjardins On Jul 31, 2009, at 8:33 PM, William Robb war...@gmail.com wrote: - I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. Everything I buy seems to work as it is supposed to. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
From among many Pentax purchases, both used and new, I've only had serious problems with one item. My first DA* 16-50 couldn't achieve a flat focus field. It was replaced by BH. The second one was excellent. When I first bought my 20D I noticed front focus problems with the FA 50/1.4, so I tested all my lenses and fine tuned the focus. Most required slight adjustment. I haven't noticed any focus discrepancy with the K7D, so I have yet to perform any tests. But I'll probably do a bit of testing when I have time. Paul On Aug 1, 2009, at 9:03 AM, Desjardins, Steve wrote: No wonder they don't like you on the PentaxForums ;-) Steve Desjardins On Jul 31, 2009, at 8:33 PM, William Robb war...@gmail.com wrote: - I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. Everything I buy seems to work as it is supposed to. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
- Original Message - From: Thibouille Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Margus, what are your findings about sharpness, specially wide open? Supposedly (I insist, I can't compare myself) the FA50 is soft wide open and DA*55 is quite sharp even wide open. This is what I found. I'm not sure if I'd call the FA50 to be soft wide open, but it certainly lost a lot of sharpness wider than f/2.8. The DA* lens is only very slightly less sharp wide open than it is stopped down to f/4 (where it sings). By f/8 there isn't much to say between the two, so if you spend your life stopped down to 5.6 or smaller, the DA* is probably not the lens for you. However, if you like to shoot wide open and have decent sharpness, then you have to decide if you can stomach the cost of admission. The DA* does come with a very impressive lens hood. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
- Original Message - From: Desjardins, Steve Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. Everything I buy seems to work as it is supposed to. No wonder they don't like you on the PentaxForums ;-) That and I tend to be an ass about it William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
IT confirms what I thought, I will have to chose between it and 60-250. Ouch !! Thank you William. On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 5:01 PM, William Robbwar...@gmail.com wrote: - Original Message - From: Thibouille Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Margus, what are your findings about sharpness, specially wide open? Supposedly (I insist, I can't compare myself) the FA50 is soft wide open and DA*55 is quite sharp even wide open. This is what I found. I'm not sure if I'd call the FA50 to be soft wide open, but it certainly lost a lot of sharpness wider than f/2.8. The DA* lens is only very slightly less sharp wide open than it is stopped down to f/4 (where it sings). By f/8 there isn't much to say between the two, so if you spend your life stopped down to 5.6 or smaller, the DA* is probably not the lens for you. However, if you like to shoot wide open and have decent sharpness, then you have to decide if you can stomach the cost of admission. The DA* does come with a very impressive lens hood. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Thibault Massart aka Thibouille -- Photo: K10D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... Thinkpad: X23+UB,X60+UB Programing: D7 user (trying out D2007) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. What struck me was that all three samples tested by DPReview had problems. Also, Andy Westlake, the DPReviewer, stated that DPReview has not seen problems of this kind in the 50mm Canon or Nikon lens that they have tested. Here's his post: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036message=32551606 Here's the key quote from the end of the post: Over the past few years I've looked in some detail at a lot of lenses from all manufacturers. From Pentax we've had a disproportionate number of bad samples - most notably 16-50s and 17-70s - and they really need to sort out their QC. This is a pity, because their lineup for APS-C is (as I've said before) the most coherent of any manufacturer, especially with those lovely Limited primes. --Mark -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
All manufactures send review copies of their equipment to large outlets such as DPReview. I would not be at all surprised if Nikon and Canon did extra special QC on the lenses they send out and Pentax just grabbed them of the line. That would jibe with the whole marketing ans sales as an afterthought mentality exhibited until just lately. Mark Erickson wrote: P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. What struck me was that all three samples tested by DPReview had problems. Also, Andy Westlake, the DPReviewer, stated that DPReview has not seen problems of this kind in the 50mm Canon or Nikon lens that they have tested. Here's his post: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036message=32551606 Here's the key quote from the end of the post: Over the past few years I've looked in some detail at a lot of lenses from all manufacturers. From Pentax we've had a disproportionate number of bad samples - most notably 16-50s and 17-70s - and they really need to sort out their QC. This is a pity, because their lineup for APS-C is (as I've said before) the most coherent of any manufacturer, especially with those lovely Limited primes. --Mark -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog. --G. K. Chesterton -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Thibouille wrote: Margus, what are your findings about sharpness, specially wide open? Supposedly (I insist, I can't compare myself) the FA50 is soft wide open and DA*55 is quite sharp even wide open. What is your take on this? Thank you. Actually I would say they're both equally soft at max. aperture, but if you stop down to f/2.0, FA is better at corners. If you put 'em side-to-side at dpreview test, you'll see the same: http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/widget/Fullscreen.ashx?reviews=51,36fullscreen=trueav=1,1fl=55,50vis=VisualiserSharpnessMTF,VisualiserSharpnessMTFstack=horizontallock=config=/lensreviews/widget/LensReviewConfiguration.xml%3F4 I made quite many tests as I had an opportunity to get DA* at very good price + sell immediately my FA. I still have my FA50... BR, Margus -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
P. J. Alling wrote: All manufactures send review copies of their equipment to large outlets such as DPReview. I would not be at all surprised if Nikon and Canon did extra special QC on the lenses they send out and Pentax just grabbed them of the line. That would jibe with the whole marketing ans sales as an afterthought mentality exhibited until just lately. Another quote directly from Andy's post that answers the same concern: Given the fact that the Canon 50/1.4 USM and Nikon 50/1.4D I tested were bought by Phil years ago through normal retail channels for camera testing, this idea can safely be discounted. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
William Robb wrote: The DA* does come with a very impressive lens hood. Yes, it's a real good one. I made not much less impressive hood for my FA50 myself :) You need FA35 bayonet hood (I got mine from *bay for real cheap) and 49-52mm filter conversion ring. Cut off a bayonet part and glue the ring instead. Be sure the hood stops at right position. Right shape, cut-off for polarizer and everything. Fits great also FA28. The only backside - you'll need 52mm filters instead of 49mm. Much later I discovered that also DA70L hood fits FA50. BR, Margus -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
MMm intersting as this isn't the same feedback as William's, at all. Could it be that your lens woud show an alignment problem is DPRs lens? Maybe your FA is very good :) More food for thoughts (for me)... -- Thibault Massart aka Thibouille -- Photo: K10D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... Thinkpad: X23+UB,X60+UB Programing: D7 user (trying out D2007) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
For those two particuliar lenses, yes. Good testers (specially those who can afford and DPR most probably can) get lenses from shops, not from the manufacturers. This really is simple thing to avoid any problem. Manufactures do this kind of things in every industrial markets: CPUs, GPUs always hand picked samples. If I had to make a demonstration of a software I developped and end the demostration by saying that it will work as well as that for my customers, promised. Would you trust me just because I said so? This is BS. I don't try to defend Pentax, they have issue and they have to deal with it. They'd better. But DPR are really amateurish at best. On Sat, Aug 1, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Mark Ericksonm...@westerickson.net wrote: Given the fact that the Canon 50/1.4 USM and Nikon 50/1.4D I tested were bought by Phil years ago through normal retail channels for camera testing, this idea can safely be discounted. -- Thibault Massart aka Thibouille -- Photo: K10D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... Thinkpad: X23+UB,X60+UB Programing: D7 user (trying out D2007) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
Not that QC was better years ago when Phil wouldn't have been caught dead with a Pentax Lens... If you are going to recommend current equipment based historical purchases, you've invalidated your test. It's a subtle bias that sounds plausible until you examine it critically. Andy either has no historical perspective, didn't think it through or is biased, take your pick. As I said spend a little time reading the Canon and Nikon Fora. Mark Erickson wrote: P. J. Alling wrote: All manufactures send review copies of their equipment to large outlets such as DPReview. I would not be at all surprised if Nikon and Canon did extra special QC on the lenses they send out and Pentax just grabbed them of the line. That would jibe with the whole marketing ans sales as an afterthought mentality exhibited until just lately. Another quote directly from Andy's post that answers the same concern: Given the fact that the Canon 50/1.4 USM and Nikon 50/1.4D I tested were bought by Phil years ago through normal retail channels for camera testing, this idea can safely be discounted. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog. --G. K. Chesterton -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: Three samples were all bad (was: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM)
Chalk that up to philosophical transitioning between cultures.. On Aug 1, 2009, at 08:57 , P. J. Alling wrote: All manufactures send review copies of their equipment to large outlets such as DPReview. I would not be at all surprised if Nikon and Canon did extra special QC on the lenses they send out and Pentax just grabbed them of the line. That would jibe with the whole marketing ans sales as an afterthought mentality exhibited until just lately. Mark Erickson wrote: P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. What struck me was that all three samples tested by DPReview had problems. Also, Andy Westlake, the DPReviewer, stated that DPReview has not seen problems of this kind in the 50mm Canon or Nikon lens that they have tested. Here's his post: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp? forum=1036message=32551606 Here's the key quote from the end of the post: Over the past few years I've looked in some detail at a lot of lenses from all manufacturers. From Pentax we've had a disproportionate number of bad samples - most notably 16-50s and 17-70s - and they really need to sort out their QC. This is a pity, because their lineup for APS-C is (as I've said before) the most coherent of any manufacturer, especially with those lovely Limited primes. Joseph McAllister pentax...@mac.com Gaudeamus igitur, juvenes dum sumus... http://tinyurl.com/ndmfhb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Thibouille wrote: MMm intersting as this isn't the same feedback as William's, at all. Could it be that your lens woud show an alignment problem is DPRs lens? Maybe your FA is very good :) More food for thoughts (for me)... Hard to say. The sample of DA*55 I've tested wasn't definitely a bad one, but maybe also not a stellar. OTOH, my FA50 was really selected as best of three available when I got it for my Z-1p (i.e. many years ago). OK then - my FA50 is very good - I like it this way ;) BR, Margus -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
If this defect rate is true, its absurd for a lens markded as a DA * STAR lens or a lens as expensive as it is. For that kind of money, you are paying not only for a quality lens, but also for professional testing of that lens. Amateurs do not have the proper gear to do verification testing of lenses, it should be included in the high price. Back in the day all lenses were tested, some twice. Im still waiting for the comparison test between the SMCK 55mm /F1.8-2.0 lens and the DA*55mm/1.4. Why, because the SMCK 55mm sells for about 1/10 the price on the used market. It would be nice to know what the differences are ( assuming good samples of each, easy to find on the SMCK , difficult apparently on the DA* version). -- J.C. O'Connell (mailto:hifis...@gate.net) Home Page - www.jchriso.com Join the Audio CD PLAYER DISCUSSION list - http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/cdplayers/ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Thanks, William. Sounds like good advice. I bet the bokeh is a lot nicer on the DA* than FA too. I shall keep saving I think. :-) Cheers, Christine - Original Message - From: William Robb war...@gmail.com To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM - Original Message - From: Thibouille Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Margus, what are your findings about sharpness, specially wide open? Supposedly (I insist, I can't compare myself) the FA50 is soft wide open and DA*55 is quite sharp even wide open. This is what I found. I'm not sure if I'd call the FA50 to be soft wide open, but it certainly lost a lot of sharpness wider than f/2.8. The DA* lens is only very slightly less sharp wide open than it is stopped down to f/4 (where it sings). By f/8 there isn't much to say between the two, so if you spend your life stopped down to 5.6 or smaller, the DA* is probably not the lens for you. However, if you like to shoot wide open and have decent sharpness, then you have to decide if you can stomach the cost of admission. The DA* does come with a very impressive lens hood. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
- Original Message - From: Christine Aguila Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Thanks, William. Sounds like good advice. I bet the bokeh is a lot nicer on the DA* than FA too. I shall keep saving I think. :-) My FA50 is on it's way back to me due to an unnoticed defect (the darn thing won't infinity focus). Perhaps after I get it repaired and before I offer it for sale again I will do a more formal comparison between it and the DA. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Their reservations are: 1. Price 2. Lousy Pentax QC again--they had to try 3 samples before they got one with an even focus plane, and not even that one would work on all Pentax bodies. When they recommend Smegma ahead of Pentax, you know there's a problem. Sheesh. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW --- On Fri, 7/31/09, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com Subject: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 9:24 AM dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
I'm starting to think of those lens plants near Hanoi, the assembly plant in the Philippines, and perhaps Pentax as a whole as something like the Iraqi army. It's just never going to straighten itself out. I was hoping that Hoya was going to correct these problems, but apparently not. Joe Their reservations are: 1. Price 2. Lousy Pentax QC again--they had to try 3 samples before they got one with an even focus plane, and not even that one would work on all Pentax bodies. When they recommend Smegma ahead of Pentax, you know there's a problem. Sheesh. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW --- On Fri, 7/31/09, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com Subject: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 9:24 AM dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. Joseph Tainter wrote: I'm starting to think of those lens plants near Hanoi, the assembly plant in the Philippines, and perhaps Pentax as a whole as something like the Iraqi army. It's just never going to straighten itself out. I was hoping that Hoya was going to correct these problems, but apparently not. Joe Their reservations are: 1. Price 2. Lousy Pentax QC again--they had to try 3 samples before they got one with an even focus plane, and not even that one would work on all Pentax bodies. When they recommend Smegma ahead of Pentax, you know there's a problem. Sheesh. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW --- On Fri, 7/31/09, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com Subject: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 9:24 AM dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog. --G. K. Chesterton -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:31:47PM -0400, P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. You can probably make the economic justification that most end users won't notice a lot of the problems with image quality, so it isn't worth spending the money to not sell an item that the purchaser may not find the problem with anyways. Joseph Tainter wrote: I'm starting to think of those lens plants near Hanoi, the assembly plant in the Philippines, and perhaps Pentax as a whole as something like the Iraqi army. It's just never going to straighten itself out. I was hoping that Hoya was going to correct these problems, but apparently not. Joe Their reservations are: 1. Price 2. Lousy Pentax QC again--they had to try 3 samples before they got one with an even focus plane, and not even that one would work on all Pentax bodies. When they recommend Smegma ahead of Pentax, you know there's a problem. Sheesh. Rick http://photo.net/photos/RickW --- On Fri, 7/31/09, Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com wrote: From: Bruce Walker bruce.wal...@gmail.com Subject: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 9:24 AM dpreview.com has released their full review of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm 1:1.4 SDM lens ... http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_55_1p4_p15/ Much moaning about AF; loved the lens hood. :-) General agreement that it's much improved in most ways over the FA 50. Recommended (with reservations) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- The free man owns himself. He can damage himself with either eating or drinking; he can ruin himself with gambling. If he does he is certainly a damn fool, and he might possibly be a damned soul; but if he may not, he is not a free man any more than a dog. --G. K. Chesterton -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- The first step is learning to take great photos, the second step is learning to throw away ones that are merely good. Larry Colen l...@red4est.comhttp://www.red4est.com/lrc -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 10:00:11AM -0700, Larry Colen wrote: On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:31:47PM -0400, P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. You can probably make the economic justification that most end users won't notice a lot of the problems with image quality, so it isn't worth spending the money to not sell an item that the purchaser may not find the problem with anyways. It's far simpler than that. People buy based almost entirely on price. They won't pay an extra $50 to get a product that is tested before shipping, because they don't expect that they will get the defective merchandise. The same logic means people buy by mail order, not from a local store. For the manufacturer it's far cheaper to ship them all and deal with the occasional return of an item that isn't working (or not working correctly). -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
Btw, does anybody have both the DA* 55 1.4 SDM and Voigtlander 58mm 1.4? On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM, John Francisjo...@panix.com wrote: On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 10:00:11AM -0700, Larry Colen wrote: On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:31:47PM -0400, P. J. Alling wrote: The end user is the final QC. That's true of every manufacture these days. Read the Canon and Nikon Fora if you think their QC is any better. You can probably make the economic justification that most end users won't notice a lot of the problems with image quality, so it isn't worth spending the money to not sell an item that the purchaser may not find the problem with anyways. It's far simpler than that. People buy based almost entirely on price. They won't pay an extra $50 to get a product that is tested before shipping, because they don't expect that they will get the defective merchandise. The same logic means people buy by mail order, not from a local store. For the manufacturer it's far cheaper to ship them all and deal with the occasional return of an item that isn't working (or not working correctly). -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
- Original Message - From: Sasha Sobol Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Btw, does anybody have both the DA* 55 1.4 SDM and Voigtlander 58mm 1.4? I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
That's what I thought. Thanks! LBA attacks back :P --Sasha On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:40 PM, William Robbwar...@gmail.com wrote: - Original Message - From: Sasha Sobol Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Btw, does anybody have both the DA* 55 1.4 SDM and Voigtlander 58mm 1.4? I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
For what I read from various sources, the DA*55 is as sharp as a lens can be. In fact some do find the lens too sharp for its supposedly portrait purpose, showing too easily things you might want to hide under softness ;) On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 10:12 PM, Sasha Sobolsa...@asobol.com wrote: That's what I thought. Thanks! LBA attacks back :P --Sasha On Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 12:40 PM, William Robbwar...@gmail.com wrote: - Original Message - From: Sasha Sobol Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM Btw, does anybody have both the DA* 55 1.4 SDM and Voigtlander 58mm 1.4? I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- Thibault Massart aka Thibouille -- Photo: K10D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... Thinkpad: X23+UB,X60+UB Programing: D7 user (trying out D2007) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
2009/7/31 William Robb war...@gmail.com: I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb Really William? I read somewhere that it didn't focus correctly... ;-) --M. -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.EnticingTheLight.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
- Original Message - From: Miserere Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM 2009/7/31 William Robb war...@gmail.com: I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb Really William? I read somewhere that it didn't focus correctly... ;-) I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. Everything I buy seems to work as it is supposed to. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM
2009/7/31 William Robb war...@gmail.com - Original Message - From: Miserere Subject: Re: DPReview vs the DA* 55 1.4 SDM 2009/7/31 William Robb war...@gmail.com: I don't any longer. After doing a couple of shoots with the DA*55, I decided that the Nokton should go to a new home. The Voigtlander is a fine lens, the DA* is a better lens. William Robb Really William? I read somewhere that it didn't focus correctly... ;-) I'm either really lucky or else I have very low standards. Everything I buy seems to work as it is supposed to. William Robb I know what you mean...I seem to have the same problem! It's come to the point where I rarely trust reviews unless they're from somebody who I know reasonably well and can trust they know what they're talking about. That said, QC problems are becoming all too common with Pentax and are beyond anecdotal. --M. -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- http://www.EnticingTheLight.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
