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05-08-2010, 07:33 PM   #1
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FA*28-70mm/f2.8 takes on the FA limiteds(Multiple BORING Test samples-Dial-upWARNING)

This test is not meant to be scientific and could be full of faults, but it helps me and I am sharing it so it might help others as well.

All tests done on a tripod, under incandescent light with the 2 sec timer. Used LV and manual focus under max. magnification. EXIF should be intact with the 100% crops.

The shot taken with the 31mm FA limited was always brighter by almost 1-stop even though the iso, aperture and shutter were the same, and thus the exposure was reduced by 1 stop in PP (I know it's unfair, it totally baffles me why the FA31 image is so much brighter and has the histogram shifted to the right by 1-stop when the camera exposure is set identical ???????).

Here are the Images, what a surprise.

FA31 limited at f2.8 the whole image


FA*28-70 at 31mm f2.8 the whole Image


FA31,f2.8 100% crop


FA*28-70 at 31mm f2.8 100% crop


FA43 at f2.8 the whole Image


FA*28-70 at 43mm f2.8 the whole Image


FA43 at f2.8 100% crop (Looks like a mis-focus)


FA*28-70 at 43mm f2.8 100% crop



(Photozone measured the highest MTF value of any lenses with the FA43 at f4, it was beyond the scale and out resolved the K10D sensor in that test)

With the doll at an angle to eliminate BF/FF focus issue)

FA43 at f4 100%


FA*28-70 at f4 at 100% crop


FA77 at f2.8 full image


FA28-70 at 70mm f2.8 full image


FA77 at f2.8 100% crop


FA28-70 at 70mm f2.8 100% crop-Possible misfocus, I will test this further


CONCLUSION

(Even though I used the LV and did MF, I would not trust the 100% crops too much as there is so much that can go wrong with them. I would rely more on the full images for rendering, and use the 100% crops just as a guide.)

Everyone knows how great the FA limiteds are, and I can say of the many lenses I've used, the FA limteds have easily lived up to their reputation and they are easily the best lenses I've ever used. I am shocked beyond belief how the FA* 28-70 f2.8 has performed against them...UNREAL.


Last edited by pcarfan; 05-08-2010 at 07:41 PM.
05-08-2010, 09:18 PM   #2
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I suppose the zoom can't open as wide. It's wide open where the magic comes in for the FA limiteds.
05-08-2010, 11:48 PM   #3
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I only have two things to say:

1. the 28-70mm is amazing, as is the 31mm. For a zoom, the 28-70mm definitely lives up to the name of the series.
2. nobody uses dial-up

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05-09-2010, 12:32 AM   #4
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If only it wasn´t so bloody big lens. It definitely seems a great performer.
But I think your 43ltd @ f2,8 is misfocussed

05-09-2010, 02:49 AM   #5
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Would be interesting if someone with a last version of Nikkor 24-70 and a set of FA limiteds would perform a similar test.

Nikkor is said to offer incredible resolution performance across the frame.
05-09-2010, 03:16 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by scorpioh Quote
I suppose the zoom can't open as wide. It's wide open where the magic comes in for the FA limiteds.
The zoom at f2,8 is wide open so yes, it can't go wider. it sharpens a hell of a lot more at f4 and f5.6 and I am certain the maximum resolution of the zoom will destroy even the FA43 at F4 (Which is the highest MTF figure obtained in photozone for a Pentax lens).

Having said that. You are absolutely right about the Limiteds. They are amazing wide open. Also, I have a feeling the FA31 and FA43 does better close to infinity focus as well (need to this test later). I still prefer the FA limiteds.

QuoteOriginally posted by axl Quote
If only it wasn´t so bloody big lens. It definitely seems a great performer.
But I think your 43ltd @ f2,8 is misfocussed
Peter,

I know you would find this interesting as you had started a thread on it. My comments there clearly showed I did not have a high regard for the zoom. But, then actual users of the lens had mentioned how great the zoom was and one even preferred the zoom over the FA limteds. So, your thread was the cause of my FA*28-70 LBA.

I know the 43 f2.8 shot is a misfocus (Actually I had mentioned it in my original post ).

The F4 shot I had posted was the third one as in the frist two the zoom smoked the limited, and i knew that couldn't be right

It is a behemoth of a lens, but it is definitely worth hauling it

P.S: Here is the image I took straight ON, with the FA43 and the FA* at f4, and focused with LV at high magnification in the VF. I took the sharpest part of the image close to the focus spot. I think it is possible the zoom is sharper than the sharpest lens tested by photozone even at f4. Either way, that is amazing for a 100% crop no matter what, and the K-7 sensor is darn good too......

FA 43


FA* 28-70 at 43mm and f4


Last edited by pcarfan; 05-09-2010 at 03:43 AM.
05-09-2010, 03:21 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by ilya80 Quote
Would be interesting if someone with a last version of Nikkor 24-70 and a set of FA limiteds would perform a similar test.

Nikkor is said to offer incredible resolution performance across the frame.
After I completed my test, I was itching to know this as well. Or at least a comparison of the FA* 28-70 against the incredible Nikon. The 24mm focal length is phenomenal, so the Nikon justifies the $500-700 premium it fetches right there. Other than that the Nikon may have nothing on the FA*.


Last edited by pcarfan; 05-09-2010 at 03:39 AM.
05-09-2010, 06:37 AM   #8
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QuoteQuote:
Would be interesting if someone with a last version of Nikkor 24-70 and a set of FA limiteds would perform a similar test.

Nikkor is said to offer incredible resolution performance across the frame.
Actually, I'd be equally interested to see how the FA*28-70 compares to the DA*16-50, especially by f/4.
05-09-2010, 06:40 AM   #9
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If the FA* went down to 24, I would have bought it by now as well :-)
Sometimes it looks like the DOF is different in the comparisons, but that's not surprising w/ zooms. At 2.8, it looks craploads better than the 3 copies of the Tamron 28-75 I tried :-P
And from what I've seen out of the Nikon 24-70, it's sharper than the FA*28-70 wide open...
05-10-2010, 06:39 AM   #10
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it's fascinating to see the difference even at f/2.8 between the FA limited lenses and the FA*zoom lens. they FA Limiteds look "richer" which is a bit ironic because they require a photographer to be rich in order to own one.
05-11-2010, 08:00 AM   #11
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Thanks for the re-post of 43 vs zoom at f4...
I was really interested in this FA* lens, but it is big and heavy but one shop close to my work still has it... asking price though: 799GBP... it´s been sitting there on the shelf for 6 months now (and for that price I´m not surprised) so I´m confident I could push the price down... But I´d still have to sell and I´m not ready to say goodbye to my ltds... far from it, I´m eyeing 77 now just waiting for silver used copy to come around in EU or UK for good price

anyway, I have to say that IMHO your 43 is messed up or something. My copy spanks my 31 (even wide open) and even Ks I have (50+55) basically at any f stop!
But then maybe the worker who was assmbling my copy forgot himself and put bit more of the pixie dust in
05-11-2010, 08:21 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by axl Quote
...anyway, I have to say that IMHO your 43 is messed up or something...
I doubt that: that was the lens pcarfan used for the "Frog"...
05-11-2010, 08:29 AM   #13
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Thanks for the test! No thanks for the LBA kick!

In the 43 crop, it looks like it might be back-focused. In the top right corner it starts to get a little more definition.

I actually found the K20 Live View easier because it went all crazy with the moire patterns when something was in focus. The K-7 screen is smoother so you can't use that to your advantage. I'd try some regular AF shots too, just to see.
05-11-2010, 08:59 AM   #14
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As others have said something is wrong with your 43mm Limited. Mine is sharper than that even wide open. At f/4 it beats any other out there. But no doubt the 28-70mm f/2.8 is a great zoom lens, one of Pentax best.
05-11-2010, 09:02 AM   #15
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''Actually, I'd be equally interested to see how the FA*28-70 compares to the DA*16-50, especially by f/4''

Me too (f2,8 & f4,0 with 28mm, 39mm, 50mm).

Unfortunately I can not do that by myself, because I don't own both of those lenses. Despite of that I have quite strong guess about the possible results...so somehow...sorry Pentax .

Last edited by Harmonica; 05-11-2010 at 09:18 AM.
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