Crude kit lens test

altopiet · 10-27-2010, 06:40 AM

I've always got all 4 lenses mentioned above in my bag, and use all of them for specific shots that I plan, but due to sometimes very dry and dusty winds, it is not always possible to change lenses if you are outside in the Karoo, for obvious reasons. That is why I have to decide on one lens that will be on my Kx most of the time.
I'll try a few shots at 18+35mm to see if it might be sharper compared to 50mm.
As I am new with the the DSLR and AF lenses, it might be just a question of me learning where the kit lenses will give me the best shots and under what conditions.
It is however still nice to hear all your opinions, it makes the transition from SLR to DSLR much easier. Thanks

richardm · 10-28-2010, 07:43 AM

I think my 18-55 is about the same as yours.

My 50-200 kit lens, OTOH, makes angels weep. I've never taken a single shot that was this sharp, and it's FAR worse at 50mm than my 18-55 is. I'll dig up some samples... I think I need to warranty it. It's frustrating to read how much people like the 50-200 DA-L. Mine is crap.

Yes, I've calibrated and re-calibrated the focus.

altopiet · 10-28-2010, 08:08 AM

If i get to it this weekend, I'll take a few shots through the whole range, and post them next week. This time I'll go fully manual on everything, even focus. Hope I am lucky and get better results than you!

altopiet · 11-08-2010, 08:05 AM

Sorry for the wait, I eventually got to it. All shots taken on manual, WB "sunny" f16, 1/125, DA L 50-200 ISO 200 and DA L18-55 ISO 100. Hand held, AF. Shot in RAW, cropped and resized to 800p and converted to JPEG, no other PP
Replaced photo's, see page 3
It looks as if I got a bad copy of the 18-55, and a much better 50-200?

Last edited by altopiet; 11-10-2010 at 10:07 PM.

richardm · 11-08-2010, 08:12 AM

Do you have the original uncropped photo available to post?

altopiet · 11-08-2010, 08:33 AM

I do. Shall do a 800p resize of original, to JPEG. As I am just a new member, I'll have to remove the cropped ones, not enough space. shall I do that?

richardm · 11-08-2010, 08:50 AM

hmm. maybe some other people want to see those...

I'm curious about the originals because I want to see the overall image quality. Do have a Flickr or Smugmug account?

dragonfly · 11-08-2010, 09:06 AM

I'm not much of a fan of the kit lens. I use it only when I need something wider than 40mm, my next widest lens.

Your second test with your shoe as the subject is questionable at f.16. This is not the sharpest stop, but it is useful for wide depth of field.

Your kit lens doesn't appear to be as sharp as the zoom lens. You might consider seeing if you can actually get a sharp pic from your kit lens in any conditions. If not, don't use it.

richardm · 11-08-2010, 09:20 AM

I have seen people get reasonably sharp images from these two lenses. What's the threshold for making a warranty claim? Just how unsharp do they have to be? Is there an objective standard?

altopiet · 11-08-2010, 09:59 PM

Originally posted by richardm

hmm. maybe some other people want to see those...

I'm curious about the originals because I want to see the overall image quality. Do have a Flickr or Smugmug account?

I'll post them on flickr

Originally posted by dragonfly

Your second test with your shoe as the subject is questionable at f.16. This is not the sharpest stop, but it is useful for wide depth of field.

You can look at the EXIF altopiet's Album: Kit lens test - PentaxForums.com

I'll also try some more shots with the 18-55

Thanks again to you all for trying to help me solve this

civiletti · 11-08-2010, 10:20 PM

The M50 is defnitely sharpest.

I get some quite sharp images from the 18-55, and some that are not so sharp.

altopiet · 11-08-2010, 11:54 PM

Flickr: altopiet's Photostream

Here you will see the original shoe shots, and I've added 3 more, of a chain around a tree, that might give a better indication. The new shots were taken in manual mode, ISO100, f16,1/125, WB "sunny". AF reset after each shot

No PP, just resized to 800p

altopiet · 11-09-2010, 12:13 AM

Having looked at it again, the new shots of the chain and tree looks a little bit better compared to the shoes, at 55mm, but gets worse as you go lower, and with 18mm plain bad?

altopiet · 11-09-2010, 12:20 AM

Originally posted by civiletti

The M50 is defnitely sharpest.

I get some quite sharp images from the 18-55, and some that are not so sharp.

Hi civiletti, I agree with you, my 50-M definitely also sharpest of the lot, but sometimes the AF comes in handy.
If I compare the 18-55 and 50-200, I don't think the 18-55 will be on my Kx again

richardm · 11-10-2010, 05:05 AM

Want to see an absolute disaster? Granted, this is with the lens wide open and at 200mm, but it shows just how bad the photos can get if you aren't careful.... Nice fringe around the tree trunks....

11-10-2010, 05:05 AM	#30
richardm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morges, Switzerland Posts: 41	Want to see an absolute disaster? Granted, this is with the lens wide open and at 200mm, but it shows just how bad the photos can get if you aren't careful.... Nice fringe around the tree trunks.... Attached Images

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
k-x lens , kit 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL , what 50mm f1.4 can do over kit lens?	crossing	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	19	01-15-2010 03:23 PM
Nature This is what a kit lens can do (K20D+kit)	vulcanman	Photo Critique	8	12-31-2009 06:52 PM
For Sale - Sold: WTT Pentax 18-55 AL II kit lens for 18-55 AL kit lens + money	wallyb	Sold Items	2	11-11-2009 02:26 PM
Crude AF spot beam - want to build one	PentHassyKon	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	17	03-06-2009 05:39 AM
kit lens test shots with question	hinman	Post Your Photos!	4	04-25-2007 02:21 AM

10-27-2010, 06:40 AM	#16
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	I've always got all 4 lenses mentioned above in my bag, and use all of them for specific shots that I plan, but due to sometimes very dry and dusty winds, it is not always possible to change lenses if you are outside in the Karoo, for obvious reasons. That is why I have to decide on one lens that will be on my Kx most of the time. I'll try a few shots at 18+35mm to see if it might be sharper compared to 50mm. As I am new with the the DSLR and AF lenses, it might be just a question of me learning where the kit lenses will give me the best shots and under what conditions. It is however still nice to hear all your opinions, it makes the transition from SLR to DSLR much easier. Thanks

10-28-2010, 07:43 AM	#17
richardm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morges, Switzerland Posts: 41	I think my 18-55 is about the same as yours. My 50-200 kit lens, OTOH, makes angels weep. I've never taken a single shot that was this sharp, and it's FAR worse at 50mm than my 18-55 is. I'll dig up some samples... I think I need to warranty it. It's frustrating to read how much people like the 50-200 DA-L. Mine is crap. Yes, I've calibrated and re-calibrated the focus.

10-28-2010, 08:08 AM	#18
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	If i get to it this weekend, I'll take a few shots through the whole range, and post them next week. This time I'll go fully manual on everything, even focus. Hope I am lucky and get better results than you!

11-08-2010, 08:05 AM	#19
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Sorry for the wait, I eventually got to it. All shots taken on manual, WB "sunny" f16, 1/125, DA L 50-200 ISO 200 and DA L18-55 ISO 100. Hand held, AF. Shot in RAW, cropped and resized to 800p and converted to JPEG, no other PP Replaced photo's, see page 3 It looks as if I got a bad copy of the 18-55, and a much better 50-200? Last edited by altopiet; 11-10-2010 at 10:07 PM.

11-08-2010, 08:12 AM	#20
richardm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morges, Switzerland Posts: 41	Do you have the original uncropped photo available to post?

11-08-2010, 08:33 AM	#21
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	I do. Shall do a 800p resize of original, to JPEG. As I am just a new member, I'll have to remove the cropped ones, not enough space. shall I do that?

11-08-2010, 08:50 AM	#22
richardm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morges, Switzerland Posts: 41	hmm. maybe some other people want to see those... I'm curious about the originals because I want to see the overall image quality. Do have a Flickr or Smugmug account?

11-08-2010, 09:06 AM	#23
dragonfly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: on the wall Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	I'm not much of a fan of the kit lens. I use it only when I need something wider than 40mm, my next widest lens. Your second test with your shoe as the subject is questionable at f.16. This is not the sharpest stop, but it is useful for wide depth of field. Your kit lens doesn't appear to be as sharp as the zoom lens. You might consider seeing if you can actually get a sharp pic from your kit lens in any conditions. If not, don't use it.

11-08-2010, 09:20 AM	#24
richardm Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morges, Switzerland Posts: 41	I have seen people get reasonably sharp images from these two lenses. What's the threshold for making a warranty claim? Just how unsharp do they have to be? Is there an objective standard?

11-08-2010, 09:59 PM	#25
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Originally posted by richardm hmm. maybe some other people want to see those... I'm curious about the originals because I want to see the overall image quality. Do have a Flickr or Smugmug account? I'll post them on flickr Originally posted by dragonfly Your second test with your shoe as the subject is questionable at f.16. This is not the sharpest stop, but it is useful for wide depth of field. You can look at the EXIF altopiet's Album: Kit lens test - PentaxForums.com I'll also try some more shots with the 18-55 Thanks again to you all for trying to help me solve this

11-08-2010, 10:20 PM	#26
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	The M50 is defnitely sharpest. I get some quite sharp images from the 18-55, and some that are not so sharp.

11-08-2010, 11:54 PM	#27
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Flickr: altopiet's Photostream Here you will see the original shoe shots, and I've added 3 more, of a chain around a tree, that might give a better indication. The new shots were taken in manual mode, ISO100, f16,1/125, WB "sunny". AF reset after each shot No PP, just resized to 800p

11-09-2010, 12:13 AM	#28
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Having looked at it again, the new shots of the chain and tree looks a little bit better compared to the shoes, at 55mm, but gets worse as you go lower, and with 18mm plain bad?

11-09-2010, 12:20 AM	#29
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307 Original Poster	Originally posted by civiletti The M50 is defnitely sharpest. I get some quite sharp images from the 18-55, and some that are not so sharp. Hi civiletti, I agree with you, my 50-M definitely also sharpest of the lot, but sometimes the AF comes in handy. If I compare the 18-55 and 50-200, I don't think the 18-55 will be on my Kx again