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tonyrodgers · 02-03-2013, 01:52 AM

I've just bought one of these (brand-new) and am a bit surprised at how bad the PF is - from F2.8 right up to about 5.6

Is this normal for this lens? or do I have a defective copy?

Adam · 02-03-2013, 01:57 AM

Can't comment on the DA* 200mm but the FA* 200mm was pretty bad in this respect. So if Pentax recycled the design (which is likely as the optical specs are the same), then you're just going to have to live with it

I think the DA* 60-250mm has much less fringing. I also briefly used the A* 200mm and didn't find it to be as problematic, but the manual focus ended up being really annoying on digital.

tonyrodgers · 02-03-2013, 02:07 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Can't comment on the DA* 200mm but the FA* 200mm was pretty bad in this respect. So if Pentax recycled the design (which is likely as the optical specs are the same), then you're just going to have to live with it

I think the DA* 60-250mm has much less fringing. I also briefly used the A* 200mm and didn't find it to be as problematic, but the manual focus ended up being really annoying on digital.

Yes the 60-250 gets better reviews - pity it weighs (& costs) half as much again as the DA* 200 :-(

I picked this lens to be able to do hand-held - wandering about in the bush for opportunistic wildlife shots. I don't think that would work too well with the 60-250

VisualDarkness · 02-03-2013, 02:18 AM

It seems like it handles PF pretty bad from what I've read, totally different from for example the DA*300/4. Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report - Analysis
Also I can not understand why the AF is so slow with the lens when the DA*300 is pretty fast.

Adam · 02-03-2013, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by tonyrodgers

Yes the 60-250 gets better reviews - pity it weighs (& costs) half as much again as the DA* 200 :-(

I picked this lens to be able to do hand-held - wandering about in the bush for opportunistic wildlife shots. I don't think that would work too well with the 60-250

The zoom is only 300g heavier, but it gets much bigger when zoomed in, so I guess overall it wouldn't be as convenient handling-wise.

You should be able to import one for around $1200 if you decide that the prime isn't right for you, though.

goubejp · 02-03-2013, 02:54 AM

Yes I have a DA*200 and have the same issue; nevertheless I like the lens very much, I simply never use it wide open...

DSims · 02-03-2013, 02:56 AM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Also I can not understand why the AF is so slow with the lens when the DA*300 is pretty fast.

Yes, this was the reason I sold mine after less than 2 weeks. I wanted it specifically for sports photography, and it just wouldn't cut it. Otherwise it was nice.

It still took pretty nice images, though not quite up to the standard of the F*300 (or even the K200/2.5). But if the AF speed is fast enough for you, it's a nice size with good overall IQ.

Many people love the DA*60-250, but it's never impressed me that much - both the images I've seen and when I tried it. However, PF usually doesn't bother me that much, whereas other image characteristics make a big difference to me. Nevertheless, PF two full stops in seems a bit excessive. IIRC I was doing fairly well by f/4, although I see photozone still got some: http://images.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_200_28/samples/IMGP0901.jpg

Last edited by DSims; 02-03-2013 at 03:10 AM.

**Rondec** · 02-03-2013, 03:50 AM

Purple fringing is pretty bad with the DA 200. The nice thing is that it is really easy to fix in Lightroom 4 and not a big deal (FA 77 and D FA 100 both fringe worse, in my experience).

hoanpham · 02-03-2013, 04:23 AM

My has PF too, but better than the K200/2.5.
It is slow, and I ended in most of the time using it in manual focus.
Also I rarely use wide open in day light. It has weaknesses but also strengths.

goubejp · 02-03-2013, 04:51 AM

My copy has pretty fast AF, I use it for sports and birds in flight too. But PF is an issue, the optical design is exactly the same as the FA200, designed for film.
Sample shots, rugby :

Robin

Seagull attack

Friend portrait

goubejp · 02-03-2013, 04:58 AM

Purple fringing wide open on a K7; at F4 issue is largely reduced; K5IIs seems less prone to PF, though

At F4

**Kerrowdown** · 02-03-2013, 02:55 PM

Nowadays it's a fairly simple fix in PP with either LR4 or CS6 and I'm guessing various other PP software as well.

02-03-2013, 01:52 AM	#1
tonyrodgers Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 42	*Purple Fringing with DA 200mm** I've just bought one of these (brand-new) and am a bit surprised at how bad the PF is - from F2.8 right up to about 5.6 Is this normal for this lens? or do I have a defective copy?

02-03-2013, 01:57 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Can't comment on the DA* 200mm but the FA* 200mm was pretty bad in this respect. So if Pentax recycled the design (which is likely as the optical specs are the same), then you're just going to have to live with it I think the DA* 60-250mm has much less fringing. I also briefly used the A* 200mm and didn't find it to be as problematic, but the manual focus ended up being really annoying on digital. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-03-2013, 02:18 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by tonyrodgers Yes the 60-250 gets better reviews - pity it weighs (& costs) half as much again as the DA* 200 :-( I picked this lens to be able to do hand-held - wandering about in the bush for opportunistic wildlife shots. I don't think that would work too well with the 60-250 The zoom is only 300g heavier, but it gets much bigger when zoomed in, so I guess overall it wouldn't be as convenient handling-wise. You should be able to import one for around $1200 if you decide that the prime isn't right for you, though. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-03-2013, 02:07 AM	#3
tonyrodgers Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 42 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Can't comment on the DA* 200mm but the FA* 200mm was pretty bad in this respect. So if Pentax recycled the design (which is likely as the optical specs are the same), then you're just going to have to live with it I think the DA* 60-250mm has much less fringing. I also briefly used the A* 200mm and didn't find it to be as problematic, but the manual focus ended up being really annoying on digital. Yes the 60-250 gets better reviews - pity it weighs (& costs) half as much again as the DA* 200 :-( I picked this lens to be able to do hand-held - wandering about in the bush for opportunistic wildlife shots. I don't think that would work too well with the 60-250

02-03-2013, 02:18 AM	#4
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	It seems like it handles PF pretty bad from what I've read, totally different from for example the DA300/4. Pentax SMC DA 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report - Analysis Also I can not understand why the AF is so slow with the lens when the DA*300 is pretty fast.

02-03-2013, 02:54 AM	#6
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	Yes I have a DA*200 and have the same issue; nevertheless I like the lens very much, I simply never use it wide open...

02-03-2013, 02:56 AM	#7
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Also I can not understand why the AF is so slow with the lens when the DA300 is pretty fast. Yes, this was the reason I sold mine after less than 2 weeks. I wanted it specifically for sports photography, and it just wouldn't cut it. Otherwise it was nice. It still took pretty nice images, though not quite up to the standard of the F300 (or even the K200/2.5). But if the AF speed is fast enough for you, it's a nice size with good overall IQ. Many people love the DA60-250, but it's never impressed me that much - both the images I've seen and when I tried it. However, PF usually doesn't bother me that much, whereas other image characteristics make a big difference to me. Nevertheless, PF two full stops in seems a bit excessive. IIRC I was doing fairly well by f/4, although I see photozone still got some: http://images.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_200_28/samples/IMGP0901.jpg Last edited by DSims; 02-03-2013 at 03:10 AM.*

02-03-2013, 03:50 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	Purple fringing is pretty bad with the DA 200. The nice thing is that it is really easy to fix in Lightroom 4 and not a big deal (FA 77 and D FA 100 both fringe worse, in my experience).

02-03-2013, 04:23 AM	#9
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	My has PF too, but better than the K200/2.5. It is slow, and I ended in most of the time using it in manual focus. Also I rarely use wide open in day light. It has weaknesses but also strengths.

02-03-2013, 04:51 AM	#10
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	My copy has pretty fast AF, I use it for sports and birds in flight too. But PF is an issue, the optical design is exactly the same as the FA200, designed for film. Sample shots, rugby : Robin Seagull attack Friend portrait

02-03-2013, 04:58 AM	#11
goubejp Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France Photos: Albums Posts: 804	Purple fringing wide open on a K7; at F4 issue is largely reduced; K5IIs seems less prone to PF, though At F4

02-03-2013, 02:55 PM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Nowadays it's a fairly simple fix in PP with either LR4 or CS6 and I'm guessing various other PP software as well.

Purple Fringing with DA* 200mm

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