Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**Rondec** · 04-18-2011, 05:03 AM

Nice review. Do you have any comments on border sharpness at longer focal lengths? This seemed to be the issue that Photozone found with this lens, but I don't sense nearly as much issue with it in your sample. Not sure of Klaus has a bad copy, or if you just can't see these sorts of things easily at web resolution.

pinholecam · 04-19-2011, 12:02 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Nice review. Do you have any comments on border sharpness at longer focal lengths? This seemed to be the issue that Photozone found with this lens, but I don't sense nearly as much issue with it in your sample. Not sure of Klaus has a bad copy, or if you just can't see these sorts of things easily at web resolution.

Thanks.
I was really trying no to get mired in these 100% crops of everywhere as they are tedious to do and imo not the greatest criteria for a good photo

To me a photo is usually more 'happening' within the center/off-centre ('rule of thirds') area.
The eye naturally zones in on the interesting areas.
I almost always won't go nit-picking on the edge of the screen on any photo by anyone.

A BIG disclaimer before showing some of the crops. As mentioned before I never intended to do edge crops for my test shots.
As such my calendar test shots did not care much about perfect parallel alignment to the camera sensor, though I at least eye balled it.
The calendar is also the standing type, so it tapers at the top.
Therefore, I won't be surprised that some tilt/skew was present and the resultant loss in DOF may cause a further loss in edge sharpness.

So take these as reference with some pinch of salt.

Here they are from the 135mm f8 shot.
JPEG w/o sharpening and any PP.

Actual shot

Center for reference

Bottom left 1

Bottom left 2

Top right 1

Top right 2
Center for reference

If based on the photo in this case, the less sharp area would be perhaps the outer 1/8 of the photo.

**choschiba** · 10-26-2011, 01:08 AM

Hello pinholecam,

I love your review.
The lens is really great.
I bought it as a kit together with a Pentax K-5
The lens is really excellent.
Your pictures are really great!!

regards from Katja

10-26-2011, 01:08 AM	#18
choschiba Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Gamprin Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 30	I love your review!! Hello pinholecam, I love your review. The lens is really great. I bought it as a kit together with a Pentax K-5 The lens is really excellent. Your pictures are really great!! regards from Katja

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need advice: Pentax SMCP-FA 135mm f/2.8 vs smc PENTAX DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED	bladerunner0427	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	12-03-2010 07:17 AM
SMC Pentax-FA 135mm F2.8 [IF] mini-review	rob1234	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	11-17-2010 05:54 AM

04-18-2011, 05:03 AM	#16
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	Nice review. Do you have any comments on border sharpness at longer focal lengths? This seemed to be the issue that Photozone found with this lens, but I don't sense nearly as much issue with it in your sample. Not sure of Klaus has a bad copy, or if you just can't see these sorts of things easily at web resolution.

04-19-2011, 12:02 AM	#17
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by Rondec Nice review. Do you have any comments on border sharpness at longer focal lengths? This seemed to be the issue that Photozone found with this lens, but I don't sense nearly as much issue with it in your sample. Not sure of Klaus has a bad copy, or if you just can't see these sorts of things easily at web resolution. Thanks. I was really trying no to get mired in these 100% crops of everywhere as they are tedious to do and imo not the greatest criteria for a good photo To me a photo is usually more 'happening' within the center/off-centre ('rule of thirds') area. The eye naturally zones in on the interesting areas. I almost always won't go nit-picking on the edge of the screen on any photo by anyone. A BIG disclaimer before showing some of the crops. As mentioned before I never intended to do edge crops for my test shots. As such my calendar test shots did not care much about perfect parallel alignment to the camera sensor, though I at least eye balled it. The calendar is also the standing type, so it tapers at the top. Therefore, I won't be surprised that some tilt/skew was present and the resultant loss in DOF may cause a further loss in edge sharpness. So take these as reference with some pinch of salt. Here they are from the 135mm f8 shot. JPEG w/o sharpening and any PP. Actual shot Center for reference Bottom left 1 Bottom left 2 Top right 1 Top right 2 Center for reference If based on the photo in this case, the less sharp area would be perhaps the outer 1/8 of the photo.

Review of the SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!