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06-03-2011, 06:32 AM   #1
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photozone re-test

hi peoples,

were you aware that the da 40 + da 70 were re-tested by klaus?

Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited - Review / Lab Test

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited - Review / Lab Test

regards,
ty

06-03-2011, 06:44 AM   #2
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06-03-2011, 06:48 AM   #3
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Good to see my DA 70/2.4 still gets a big thumbs up.

I bought the lens based on the earlier review and I've not been disappointed.

Tom G
06-03-2011, 06:55 AM   #4
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yep, it's been there for some time now

06-03-2011, 08:36 AM   #5
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According to the test, Da40 has a focus shift. Did you notice it in real world situations?

Or did they test a bad copy?
06-03-2011, 10:18 AM   #6
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I agree completely with the DA 40 review. It's still a magnificent lens, however it's not the best for low DOF stuff, as the bokeh was not exactly up to par with lenses like the FA 50 / FA 43, etc. I think it's due to the tessar design. Then again, it's not really designed for low DOF stuff anyways so this is a pretty acceptable shortcoming in my eyes.

The 70 is certainly the winner between the two in my eyes .
06-03-2011, 10:35 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by paperbag846 Quote
as the bokeh was not exactly up to par with lenses like the FA 50 / FA 43, etc. I think it's due to the tessar design. .
The quality of the bokeh of the DA 40 is superior to FA 43, in some situations. Although, in some cases, apparently, you do get the Tessar "nipples" with DA 40.

Here's FA 43:




Here's DA 40:


06-03-2011, 10:48 AM   #8
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Yes, this is true. I actually like the FA 50 the best out of the 3 when bokeh is your concern. The DA 40 gives some nipples, but it's generally quite pleasing. I think the FA 43 is quite temperamental. It can look the best of the 3, or the worst. I suppose that also depends on your preferences (not everyone loves smooth bokeh).

FA 50:

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DA 40:
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06-03-2011, 10:52 AM   #9
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The new results are absolutely stunning. Excellent image quality from these tiny lenses!
06-03-2011, 10:32 PM   #10
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asdf,

From the photos you posted, i prefer the bokeh of the da40, whereas the bokeh of the 43 seems disturbing to look at.
06-03-2011, 10:51 PM   #11
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Retesting was done on the K-5, as opposed to the old tests on the K10D.
06-04-2011, 08:31 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ash Quote
Retesting was done on the K-5, as opposed to the old tests on the K10D.
Interesting to see the jump in the mtf numbers on the K5 compared to the K10. Hopefully over time Klaus can retest some of the FA limiteds as well. I guess probably the important thing to look at is where peak sharpness is. Looks like the DA 70 gets there by f4, while, the 40 doesn't get there till f5.6.
06-04-2011, 11:31 AM   #13
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QuoteQuote:
The quality of the bokeh of the DA 40 is superior to FA 43, in some situations. Although, in some cases, apparently, you do get the Tessar "nipples" with DA 40.
Could you please tell us the apertures used in the FA43 and DA40 shots? If it is f1.9 vs. f2.8, then it is not a meaningful comparison.

Rob
06-04-2011, 12:31 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by robgo2 Quote
Could you please tell us the apertures used in the FA43 and DA40 shots? If it is f1.9 vs. f2.8, then it is not a meaningful comparison.
Could you explain this one? We aren't comparing sharpness.
06-04-2011, 01:50 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by robgo2 Quote
Could you please tell us the apertures used in the FA43 and DA40 shots? If it is f1.9 vs. f2.8, then it is not a meaningful comparison.

Rob
They were both wide open, and I agree, that makes it a considerably less meaningful comparison. Optical eyesores that are visible in a lens wide open often resolve themselves when the lens is stopped down -- what we'd really need to see is the FA43 at f/2.8 vs the DA40 at f/2.8 in this situation. Presently the only thing these images tell us is that the 43 is capable of f/1.9 and the 40 is not.
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