Chasseur d'Images test of 20 Pentax lenses on the K20D

[thibs]

Anyone owning a K20D should buy this magazine IMO.

Lots of optics tested here: from FA* 27-70/2.8, FA*85/1.4 to all Limiteds, DA*, the new DA17-70 SDM etc...

Most lenses are quite good and a couple numbers simply excellent !!

Talking about recent lenses:

- DA 17-70 SDM: it is good, vingettes a lot at 17 but it very nice upgrade over the kit lens. They say there's no focus touch up (!! to be confirmed) but there's indeed weather sealing.

- DA*200/2.8: excellent !!

- DA*300/4: excellent !!

- DA35/2.8 macro: excellent !

DA* 50-135 and DA* 16-50/2.8: centering defects but otherwise very good.

A lot more lenses tested, you should really buy this magazine.
More when I can buy one.

[gamgee]

Is there an english language version?

[thibs]

Originally Posted by gamgee

Is there an english language version?

unfortunately not

[Asahiflex]

Can you say something about the FA Limited trio (31, 43, 77)?

[Matjazz]

What is centering defect?

[volosong]

Originally Posted by gamgee

Is there an english language version?

I'll take the French. Is it available for purchase in the States?

[kenyee]

Originally Posted by Matjazz

What is centering defect?

This is an example of how bad it can get:
Testing the Sigma 17-70 - Pentax Lenses - Digital SLR Cameras - Steves-digicams.com Forums

A lens has multiple lens elements inside...if any of them aren't aligned exactly parallel, you'll get a "centering defect". What's worse is that you can have this at specific focal lengths and distances as was the case w/ my Sigma 17-70...

[ankit]

Originally Posted by Asahiflex

Can you say something about the FA Limited trio (31, 43, 77)?

I am curious about the limiteds also. What about the 55-300?

[thibs]

Originally Posted by ankit

I am curious about the limiteds also. What about the 55-300?

DA55-300 not tested AFAIR but an older FA (75-300 or something similar) which gets demolished (not surprising).

I think there's was one FA Limited which was "only quit good" the others were all very good/excellent

Honestly,I was quite surprised by the results, it shows Pentax as a f****ing good optical manufacturer... at least ! Just get a copy and read it... graphs or easy to understand

[clawhammer]

I really hope the 17-70 turns out to be a winner- I really need an upgrade of my 20-35, and I'm drooling over the SDM after playing with my brother's sony a700 and the in-lens motor of the sony 17-70. Made my 18-55 and 20-35 sound incredibly loud (and seem incredibly slow). Thanks for the heads up!

[JAZZer]

Was DA12-24/4 tested ?

[thibs]

Originally Posted by JAZZer

Was DA12-24/4 tested ?

No, it was not

Oh ant btw, sorry for the wrong category posting.

[thibs]

Here are the tested lenses and a couple comments about those:

DA17-70 SDM

*Vignetting visible at 17mm and 70mm where you need to close aperture two notches to eliminate it.

*First half of zooming range gets chromatic aberation of red/blue fringes, very visible. It is THE drawback of that lens. Not better than 16-45 it seems on that point.

*Distortion: very noticeable until 21 where it becomes less intrusive and is pretty workable.

*Sharpness: performance level exceptional until 50mm where it goes down, especially wide open.

Overal: global quality and potentional a lot better than kit lens (18-55). SDM brings silence and reactivity and weather sealing is a nice add. Very good 'expert' choice.

weight: 485g
filter thread: 67mm
Price: not communicated.
Minimal focussing distance: 28cm
Dimensions: 75mm x 94mm

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

[thibs]

DA*200/300:

Precise focussing, exceptionnal performance, almost no vignetting, chromatic aberation or distorsion at all. Performance level exceptionnal. Very good mechanical quality.

They say it can not be compared to a high level bright zoom: those are much better.

Rating: 5 stars or out of 5 for both lenses.

DA21:

Marked vignetting until f/5.6, chromatic aberation visible but OK, distorsion visible but workable (forget architecture pictures), performace OK wide open, excellent by f/5.6 and up.

Rating: 4 satrs out of 5

DA35 macro:

Vigneting visible wide open on bright background, this is the only negative point of this lens. Very sharp, focussing ring very smooth, very good mechanical quality.

Well simply they love this lens. 5 stars out of 5.

DA40

Moderate vigneting, no chromatic aberation, very moderate distorsion. Very sharp performance from wide open to f/22. Nice smooth focussing ring.

5 stars out of 5.

[Matjazz]

Originally Posted by thibs

DA*200/300:
They say it can not be compared to a high level bright zoom: those are much better.

Are they saying zooms are better than DA* primes or did I get it wrong? And which zooms are they talking about?