Sharp lens

geoffw · 02-04-2014, 05:08 AM

Hi all. Can anybody recommend a sharp DSLR standard zoom lens or short to medium prime lens that is as sharp as the MX-1 please. Thanks.

**boriscleto** · 02-04-2014, 05:23 AM

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-F 24-50mm F4 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-F 35-135mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Or pretty much any prime lens. But a wide angle prime isn't cheap on APS-C. The A 28/2.8 is a very nice manual focus lens, but is a 43mm equivalent on APS-C. So somewhere in the middle of the MX-1 zoom range.

**savoche** · 02-04-2014, 06:21 AM

Might add some Sigmas too:
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM (No Stabilizer) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

And as Boris says, it's hard to find a prime that's not sharp.

This one is well regarded if you want auto focus.
SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

FrankC · 02-04-2014, 09:54 AM

To get a rough idea on how well lenses perform with actual images and scientific evaluations, go to photozone.de. Just be aware that the resolutions will vary depending on the megapixel count of the camera used. You can see this plainly as there are reviews of the same lens on different bodies.

Na Horuk · 02-04-2014, 11:30 AM

Hey, welcome! Please tell us some more. What lenses do you already have? What do you want to take photos of?

A favourite budget zoom is the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. But I would suggest a prime like DA 35mm f2.4 or DA 50mm f1.8. Zooms give you flexibility, primes give you image quality and brightness.

geoffw · 02-04-2014, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the replies. My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo. It's just that the MX-1 seems that bit crisper on the focusing. Oh. On a k200d & a k5.

6BQ5 · 02-04-2014, 12:48 PM

The apparent lack of crispness can come from many different sources.

1) Is your DSLR focusing properly? No front/back focus issues?
2) Are you shooting wide open or stopping down a bit?
3) What kind of sharpening or post processing are you doing?'

I am a raw shooter and I noticed that the images coming out of my Q are very soft. With some minimal post processing in Aperture I can crisp them up just fine.

I will second the F 35-70 mentioned by boriscleto and I will also add the F 28-80mm f/3.5-f/4.5 to the general list here. Both film era lens are readily available on eBay and even come with a free film camera in some cases!

*** edit: Sample picture of the 28-80mm in action.

agsy · 02-04-2014, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by geoffw

My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo.

I owned at one point the DA-L II and it was a very nice lens, optically sharper than the kit lens (at least my copy). I also hear good things about the Sigma 10-20 but I didn't have the chance to try one myself.

**boriscleto** · 02-04-2014, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by geoffw

Thanks for the replies. My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo. It's just that the MX-1 seems that bit crisper on the focusing. Oh. On a k200d & a k5.

Try using the K-5 in Live View. Contrast Detect AF may be more accurate than Phase Detect.

JinDesu · 02-04-2014, 01:38 PM

You have a FA 50 F1.4 in your list. How do you like the image quality from that lens? Your response will help us to understand your preferences.

geoffw · 02-04-2014, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by agsy

I owned at one point the DA-L II and it was a very nice lens, optically sharper than the kit lens (at least my copy). I also hear good things about the Sigma 10-20 but I didn't have the chance to try one myself.

Ooops. Sorry Agsy, I got that wrong. Its only the DA ii, not the DAL. 6BQ5. I will try the back/front focus adjustment, just in case something is amiss. Never knew there was an adjustment option of the K5. only had the camera a week. Have tried stopping down, normally to around the middle of the lens. I've been looking at images from cameras with out any post alterations. I have read the link on back/front and I'm more than likely over analizing perhaps. As the link states, in the days of film, things were looked at from a distance. So off to take a 'chill pill' and be more focussed, pardon the pun, on picture content. This is the problem of lousy weather and no WR lenses. I do prefer to be outside

geoffw · 02-04-2014, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

You have a FA 50 F1.4 in your list. How do you like the image quality from that lens? Your response will help us to understand your preferences.

Hi JinDesu. All the images I've been getting, apart from my major errors that have occurred in the past, have been to my liking, and other people have like them too, which I greatly appreciate. Its just this thing where I think the MX-1 seems sharper. Having looked at the comments, I reckon it's me getting my knickers in a twist over an issue that should be ignored, and generally keep an eye on my technique. Hope you all don't mind but I've had a look at your pics in the gallery. Very inspiring. thanks.

agsy · 02-04-2014, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Try using the K-5 in Live View.

I agree. Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF.

My K-x was front focusing on every lens and that's how I figured it out. Fixed it in debug mode.

An another way to check you focus is with the focus test sheet.

It will show if you are front/back focusing.

geoffw · 02-04-2014, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by agsy

I agree. Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF.

My K-x was front focusing on every lens and that's how I figured it out. Fixed it in debug mode.

An another way to check you focus is with the focus test sheet.

It will show if you are front/back focusing.

Thanks agsy. I gonna sound really thick by asking this. What does this mean 'Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF'.

agsy · 02-04-2014, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by geoffw

Thanks agsy. I gonna sound really thick by asking this. What does this mean 'Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF'.

Sorry, I didn't really explain myself there.

This was my own experiment: I would manual focus on a subject with the camera on a tripod using live view until your subject is perfectly in focus. Then, you can mark your spot on the focusing ring compared to the distance scale (I'm thinking your lens has one). After that, you switch back to auto focus and turn live view off. Now try to focus again, see if your focus ring ends up in a different position. If it does, that means that you have to fine tune your focus.

For you the focus chart might work better...

02-04-2014, 05:08 AM	#1
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193	Sharp lens Hi all. Can anybody recommend a sharp DSLR standard zoom lens or short to medium prime lens that is as sharp as the MX-1 please. Thanks.

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02-04-2014, 05:23 AM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-F 24-50mm F4 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-F 35-135mm F3.5-4.5 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Or pretty much any prime lens. But a wide angle prime isn't cheap on APS-C. The A 28/2.8 is a very nice manual focus lens, but is a 43mm equivalent on APS-C. So somewhere in the middle of the MX-1 zoom range.

02-04-2014, 06:21 AM	#3
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Might add some Sigmas too: Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM (No Stabilizer) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database And as Boris says, it's hard to find a prime that's not sharp. This one is well regarded if you want auto focus. SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

02-04-2014, 09:54 AM	#4
FrankC Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	To get a rough idea on how well lenses perform with actual images and scientific evaluations, go to photozone.de. Just be aware that the resolutions will vary depending on the megapixel count of the camera used. You can see this plainly as there are reviews of the same lens on different bodies.

02-04-2014, 11:30 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Hey, welcome! Please tell us some more. What lenses do you already have? What do you want to take photos of? A favourite budget zoom is the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. But I would suggest a prime like DA 35mm f2.4 or DA 50mm f1.8. Zooms give you flexibility, primes give you image quality and brightness.

02-04-2014, 12:19 PM	#6
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo. It's just that the MX-1 seems that bit crisper on the focusing. Oh. On a k200d & a k5.

02-04-2014, 12:48 PM	#7
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	The apparent lack of crispness can come from many different sources. 1) Is your DSLR focusing properly? No front/back focus issues? 2) Are you shooting wide open or stopping down a bit? 3) What kind of sharpening or post processing are you doing?' I am a raw shooter and I noticed that the images coming out of my Q are very soft. With some minimal post processing in Aperture I can crisp them up just fine. I will second the F 35-70 mentioned by boriscleto and I will also add the F 28-80mm f/3.5-f/4.5 to the general list here. Both film era lens are readily available on eBay and even come with a free film camera in some cases! *** edit: Sample picture of the 28-80mm in action.

02-04-2014, 12:49 PM	#8
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	Originally posted by geoffw My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo. I owned at one point the DA-L II and it was a very nice lens, optically sharper than the kit lens (at least my copy). I also hear good things about the Sigma 10-20 but I didn't have the chance to try one myself.

02-04-2014, 01:31 PM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by geoffw Thanks for the replies. My lens list is as follow. Pentax 18-55dal2, FA 50 f1.4, sigma 10-20 f 4-5.6 & 70-300apo. It's just that the MX-1 seems that bit crisper on the focusing. Oh. On a k200d & a k5. Try using the K-5 in Live View. Contrast Detect AF may be more accurate than Phase Detect.

02-04-2014, 01:38 PM	#10
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	You have a FA 50 F1.4 in your list. How do you like the image quality from that lens? Your response will help us to understand your preferences.

02-04-2014, 01:44 PM	#11
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by agsy I owned at one point the DA-L II and it was a very nice lens, optically sharper than the kit lens (at least my copy). I also hear good things about the Sigma 10-20 but I didn't have the chance to try one myself. Ooops. Sorry Agsy, I got that wrong. Its only the DA ii, not the DAL. 6BQ5. I will try the back/front focus adjustment, just in case something is amiss. Never knew there was an adjustment option of the K5. only had the camera a week. Have tried stopping down, normally to around the middle of the lens. I've been looking at images from cameras with out any post alterations. I have read the link on back/front and I'm more than likely over analizing perhaps. As the link states, in the days of film, things were looked at from a distance. So off to take a 'chill pill' and be more focussed, pardon the pun, on picture content. This is the problem of lousy weather and no WR lenses. I do prefer to be outside

02-04-2014, 02:01 PM	#12
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by JinDesu You have a FA 50 F1.4 in your list. How do you like the image quality from that lens? Your response will help us to understand your preferences. Hi JinDesu. All the images I've been getting, apart from my major errors that have occurred in the past, have been to my liking, and other people have like them too, which I greatly appreciate. Its just this thing where I think the MX-1 seems sharper. Having looked at the comments, I reckon it's me getting my knickers in a twist over an issue that should be ignored, and generally keep an eye on my technique. Hope you all don't mind but I've had a look at your pics in the gallery. Very inspiring. thanks.

02-04-2014, 02:03 PM	#13
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	Originally posted by boriscleto Try using the K-5 in Live View. I agree. Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF. My K-x was front focusing on every lens and that's how I figured it out. Fixed it in debug mode. An another way to check you focus is with the focus test sheet. It will show if you are front/back focusing.

02-04-2014, 02:11 PM	#14
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by agsy I agree. Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF. My K-x was front focusing on every lens and that's how I figured it out. Fixed it in debug mode. An another way to check you focus is with the focus test sheet. It will show if you are front/back focusing. Thanks agsy. I gonna sound really thick by asking this. What does this mean 'Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF'.

02-04-2014, 02:29 PM	#15
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	Originally posted by geoffw Thanks agsy. I gonna sound really thick by asking this. What does this mean 'Check the focus ring location using live view and compare it to the contrast detect location after AF'. Sorry, I didn't really explain myself there. This was my own experiment: I would manual focus on a subject with the camera on a tripod using live view until your subject is perfectly in focus. Then, you can mark your spot on the focusing ring compared to the distance scale (I'm thinking your lens has one). After that, you switch back to auto focus and turn live view off. Now try to focus again, see if your focus ring ends up in a different position. If it does, that means that you have to fine tune your focus. For you the focus chart might work better...