Originally posted by audiobomber A couple of questions for clarification.
- Did you use the timed shutter delay (w/ mirror lockup) on the Pentax?
- How did you convert from raw? Different programs use different defaults for a particular camera.
- The FA 35 has been tested as one of Pentax's sharpest lenses. Maybe your copy is not up to scratch?
1.> Yes, I did a 2 sec timed shutter delay with mirror lockup. however, even if I didn't do a mirror-lock-up, with a shutterspeed of 1/500 fixed on a tripod would eliminate any vibration that would cause the image to be off-focus a bit.
2.> I used the recent LR 3.4 for both systems. the RAW format for the NX which is SRW will be automatically converted to conventional DNG raw same as that of what I'm using for the Pentax. the automatic conversion is done during import which took a long time to process. ColorSpaces although not that related to the question are both Adobe RGB just for information. what is interesting however is that the file size for the SRW is 26MB which is slightly twice as big as the convential DNG format which is about 12MB. whether this has an effect on the image data, I'm not sure. but once the SRW is converted to DNG, the file size is compressed or reduced to 12MB same as the Pentax DNG.
I also made sure that the parameters from both cameras are the same. from contrast, color, sharpness, etc...
3.> I considered that idea only when I made the comparison with the NX30. I was atleast expecting the difference to be minimal or atleast close with a slight edge to the NX30, but never thought of it to be a runaway or that much difference.
I even suspected my copy to be a dud to be honest when I saw the difference. but then again, I remembered dong some tests in the past pitting the FA35 against 50/1.7 which is known for it's sharpness at wide open as well. in that result, both lenses rendered the same level of sharpness at wide open which are really sharp. so it can't be the FA35 do be a dud. otherwise, my 50/1.7 could be a dud as well? I doubt it.
I don't blame anyone to be doubtful because I myself have some doubts considering the FA35's stature as a sharp lens. seeing how it got simply manhandled in the comparison would make anyone say "no freakin way" or "that's impossible". it just can't be that good.....better. having said that, I'm just happy/glad to have both lenses.
but this is not the end of it. I would still make one final test once my PK/NX adapter arrives. who knows, the tides might change or equalized.
note: I took several FA35 similar shots and chose the best shot of the image I could get from it.