HD vs. SMC

BlakeShellman · 11-26-2014, 09:56 AM

What are the differences the two coatings have on photos? There are photos I've seen that were taken with lenses with the SMC coatings that I hope will at least be close with the HD coating.

**luftfluss** · 11-26-2014, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by BlakeShellman

What are the differences the two coatings have on photos? There are photos I've seen that were taken with lenses with the SMC coatings that I hope will at least be close with the HD coating.

Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Na Horuk · 11-26-2014, 10:48 AM - **2 Likes**

According to reviews so far, the HD coatings are better than the SMC, but the SMC was good to begin with, so the difference is not as dramatic. A bigger change is that the HD lenses have rounded aperture blades. This means the bokeh is smoother when the lens is stopped down, which is great. But it also means that starbursts on light sources do not appear as sharp stars anymore. This is something that some photographers dont like. Particularly with the DA 15mm ltd, which was famous for its wonderful wide angle and starbursts with many points. But for lenses like DA 35mm ltd macro, DA 40mm ltd, DA 70mm ltd, there is no practical downside, even when it comes to taste

AquaDome · 11-26-2014, 11:14 AM

SMC has a green ring. HD has a red ring.
Mix & match, or buy a full set of each.

BlakeShellman · 11-26-2014, 01:57 PM - **1 Like**

I just ordered the HD DA 15 and it already shipped. I guess I'll have to learn to like it though one of the photos that sealed the deal on the lens was one that had a multi pointed sunburst in it.

Na Horuk · 11-26-2014, 04:25 PM

Ha, well I doubt you will regret it! The HD coatings supposedly give slightly better contrast (though the Pentax LTD lenses usually have amazing contrast anyway) and better flare resistance (this can be helpful with ultra wides like 15mm). Be sure to post some shots when you get it

Omestes · 12-01-2014, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

and better flare resistance (this can be helpful with ultra wides like 15mm)

Wait, the SMC 15 flares? :P

kh1234567890 · 12-02-2014, 02:46 AM

Some good examples of the difference between the SMC and HD DA15 have recently been posted here.

bdery · 12-02-2014, 06:01 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

According to reviews so far, the HD coatings are better than the SMC, but the SMC was good to begin with, so the difference is not as dramatic. A bigger change is that the HD lenses have rounded aperture blades. This means the bokeh is smoother when the lens is stopped down, which is great. But it also means that starbursts on light sources do not appear as sharp stars anymore. This is something that some photographers dont like. Particularly with the DA 15mm ltd, which was famous for its wonderful wide angle and starbursts with many points. But for lenses like DA 35mm ltd macro, DA 40mm ltd, DA 70mm ltd, there is no practical downside, even when it comes to taste

Couldn't have said it better, except to add the DA21 to the list of lenses having lost starbursts.

Driline · 12-02-2014, 08:02 AM

I would only buy the SMC because it offers fantastic starbursts unlike the HD version which killed them. Unless of course you don't care about starbursts. I had the DA 21 and it was wonderful creating starbursts.

11-26-2014, 09:56 AM	#1
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224	HD vs. SMC What are the differences the two coatings have on photos? There are photos I've seen that were taken with lenses with the SMC coatings that I hope will at least be close with the HD coating.

11-26-2014, 10:48 AM - 2 Likes	#3
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	According to reviews so far, the HD coatings are better than the SMC, but the SMC was good to begin with, so the difference is not as dramatic. A bigger change is that the HD lenses have rounded aperture blades. This means the bokeh is smoother when the lens is stopped down, which is great. But it also means that starbursts on light sources do not appear as sharp stars anymore. This is something that some photographers dont like. Particularly with the DA 15mm ltd, which was famous for its wonderful wide angle and starbursts with many points. But for lenses like DA 35mm ltd macro, DA 40mm ltd, DA 70mm ltd, there is no practical downside, even when it comes to taste Last edited by Na Horuk; 11-26-2014 at 10:54 AM.

12-02-2014, 08:02 AM	#10
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	I would only buy the SMC because it offers fantastic starbursts unlike the HD version which killed them. Unless of course you don't care about starbursts. I had the DA 21 and it was wonderful creating starbursts. Last edited by Driline; 12-02-2014 at 09:21 AM.

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11-26-2014, 10:05 AM	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by BlakeShellman What are the differences the two coatings have on photos? There are photos I've seen that were taken with lenses with the SMC coatings that I hope will at least be close with the HD coating. Review: HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

11-26-2014, 11:14 AM	#4
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	SMC has a green ring. HD has a red ring. Mix & match, or buy a full set of each.

11-26-2014, 01:57 PM - 1 Like	#5
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224 Original Poster	I just ordered the HD DA 15 and it already shipped. I guess I'll have to learn to like it though one of the photos that sealed the deal on the lens was one that had a multi pointed sunburst in it.

11-26-2014, 04:25 PM	#6
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Ha, well I doubt you will regret it! The HD coatings supposedly give slightly better contrast (though the Pentax LTD lenses usually have amazing contrast anyway) and better flare resistance (this can be helpful with ultra wides like 15mm). Be sure to post some shots when you get it

12-01-2014, 09:29 PM	#7
Omestes Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 207	Originally posted by Na Horuk and better flare resistance (this can be helpful with ultra wides like 15mm) Wait, the SMC 15 flares? :P

12-02-2014, 02:46 AM	#8
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Some good examples of the difference between the SMC and HD DA15 have recently been posted here.

12-02-2014, 06:01 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Na Horuk According to reviews so far, the HD coatings are better than the SMC, but the SMC was good to begin with, so the difference is not as dramatic. A bigger change is that the HD lenses have rounded aperture blades. This means the bokeh is smoother when the lens is stopped down, which is great. But it also means that starbursts on light sources do not appear as sharp stars anymore. This is something that some photographers dont like. Particularly with the DA 15mm ltd, which was famous for its wonderful wide angle and starbursts with many points. But for lenses like DA 35mm ltd macro, DA 40mm ltd, DA 70mm ltd, there is no practical downside, even when it comes to taste Couldn't have said it better, except to add the DA21 to the list of lenses having lost starbursts.