DA 18-135 same IQ as DA 21mm ?

kh1234567890 · 04-03-2013, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Driline

I'm going to go out this week and take more shots with the 18-135 in the 21mm range, or as close as I can get. Maybe I could post a few here......

Remember that the field of view with the 18-135 set at 21mm may not be the same as that of the DA21, except maybe at infinity

twitch · 04-03-2013, 01:11 PM

If you'd asked about the da70 the answers I suspect would have been very different, certainly mine would have been. It happens though that the iq of the prime in this case is not great (for a prime) and you are comparing the focal length in which the iq of the zoom is very good (for a zoom).

Driline · 04-03-2013, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by twitch

If you'd asked about the da70 the answers I suspect would have been very different, certainly mine would have been. It happens though that the iq of the prime in this case is not great (for a prime) and you are comparing the focal length in which the iq of the zoom is very good (for a zoom).

I understand. That's why I asked the question. So it seems keeping the DA 18-135 zoom may yet be the best option. Especially if I'm not going to see any " bang for my buck" as it were.

Driline · 04-04-2013, 07:29 PM

Ok, Here's a shot at 21mm using my Da 18-135mm with NO PP in RAW format. F4 iso 400. Is it equal in IQ to the Prime 21mm?
Your thoughts......
(Sorry about the bland picture)

twitch · 04-05-2013, 04:21 PM

Why not buy it, try it, and return it if its no better than your 18-135.

Driline · 04-05-2013, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Why not buy it, try it, and return it if its no better than your 18-135.

I'd probably buy it on flea bay so no return for me. I'd like a nice wide angle lens but not sure if this is the way to go. I see the Tamron 28-75 gets good reviews, its sort of wide.

normhead · 04-05-2013, 04:50 PM

Ok, the next lens out the door, (because the 18-135 is always on my camera, would be either the Sigma 70 macro, or Tamron 90 macro... They both have great macro capability, as in really 1:1 macro, and are stron where the 18-135 might be weaker, border to border.

My preferred hiking bag these days

Sigma 8-16
DA 18-135
Sigma 70 macro
SMC A-400 with Pentax 1.7 TC

A four lens bag that covers everything well. I could add my DA*60-250, but I find it un-necssarily heavy. When there is a nice light, compact 200mm F4 prime, I'll consider that too.

kh1234567890 · 04-05-2013, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Ok, Here's a shot at 21mm using my Da 18-135mm with NO PP in RAW format. F4 iso 400. Is it equal in IQ to the Prime 21mm?
Your thoughts......
(Sorry about the bland picture)

For some reason I don't seem to have any really bland and boring shots taken with the DA21 at f4

Will f4.5 do ?

Driline · 04-05-2013, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by kh1234567890

For some reason I don't seem to have any really bland and boring shots taken with the DA21 at f4

Will f4.5 do ?

I like it! Nice and contrasty. Corners look sharp too.
Any PP on that image?

kh1234567890 · 04-05-2013, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by Driline

I like it! Nice and contrasty. Corners look sharp too.
Any PP on that image?

Just what I would usually do in Silkypix Pro 5 - a bit of exposure and colour balance tweak, CA and distortion correct etc. - I always shoot RAW so there is always PP.

The PEF file is here if you want to play.

Mr_Canuck · 04-22-2013, 01:50 PM

I wouldn't get the DA21 strictly for image quality. You get it because it's the most teeny tiny lens in that range on the market, and it's beautifully made, with the coolest hood anywhere. It's probably better, but I've also gotten some really nice shots in that range from the 18-135. Let me rephrase that, at around 28mm I've gotten great shots on the 18-135. As soon as you hit about 22mm it starts to go down. Fine but not amazing. You'll notice a difference. But the biggest difference is do you want a zoom or some wee small primes?

Driline · 04-22-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Mr_Canuck

But the biggest difference is do you want a zoom or some wee small primes?

Wee small primes ehhh.......
I've been looking at an F28 as well.

bass3587 · 05-22-2013, 09:11 PM

If you ever find the F28 let me know. I've been looking for it myself

bdery · 05-23-2013, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by Driline

I've been looking at an F28 as well.

I've compared the FA28 and DA21. Optically the 28 is great, a close match (though lacking some punch, maybe, its colours are more subdued). I prefered the focal length of the 21, however.

Driline · 05-23-2013, 05:45 AM

Yep, the 21 will be my next purchase. I would have bought it a few weeks ago, but a DA*50-135 fell into my lap at a great price and I couldn't say no. What a great lens. I can't wait to try out the DA 21 when I get it.

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04-03-2013, 12:56 PM	#16
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Driline I'm going to go out this week and take more shots with the 18-135 in the 21mm range, or as close as I can get. Maybe I could post a few here...... Remember that the field of view with the 18-135 set at 21mm may not be the same as that of the DA21, except maybe at infinity

04-03-2013, 01:11 PM	#17
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	If you'd asked about the da70 the answers I suspect would have been very different, certainly mine would have been. It happens though that the iq of the prime in this case is not great (for a prime) and you are comparing the focal length in which the iq of the zoom is very good (for a zoom).

04-03-2013, 01:20 PM	#18
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch If you'd asked about the da70 the answers I suspect would have been very different, certainly mine would have been. It happens though that the iq of the prime in this case is not great (for a prime) and you are comparing the focal length in which the iq of the zoom is very good (for a zoom). I understand. That's why I asked the question. So it seems keeping the DA 18-135 zoom may yet be the best option. Especially if I'm not going to see any " bang for my buck" as it were.

04-04-2013, 07:29 PM	#19
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Ok, Here's a shot at 21mm using my Da 18-135mm with NO PP in RAW format. F4 iso 400. Is it equal in IQ to the Prime 21mm? Your thoughts...... (Sorry about the bland picture)

04-05-2013, 04:21 PM	#20
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Why not buy it, try it, and return it if its no better than your 18-135.

04-05-2013, 04:32 PM	#21
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Why not buy it, try it, and return it if its no better than your 18-135. I'd probably buy it on flea bay so no return for me. I'd like a nice wide angle lens but not sure if this is the way to go. I see the Tamron 28-75 gets good reviews, its sort of wide.

04-05-2013, 04:50 PM	#22
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Ok, the next lens out the door, (because the 18-135 is always on my camera, would be either the Sigma 70 macro, or Tamron 90 macro... They both have great macro capability, as in really 1:1 macro, and are stron where the 18-135 might be weaker, border to border. My preferred hiking bag these days Sigma 8-16 DA 18-135 Sigma 70 macro SMC A-400 with Pentax 1.7 TC A four lens bag that covers everything well. I could add my DA*60-250, but I find it un-necssarily heavy. When there is a nice light, compact 200mm F4 prime, I'll consider that too.

04-05-2013, 05:57 PM	#23
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Driline Ok, Here's a shot at 21mm using my Da 18-135mm with NO PP in RAW format. F4 iso 400. Is it equal in IQ to the Prime 21mm? Your thoughts...... (Sorry about the bland picture) For some reason I don't seem to have any really bland and boring shots taken with the DA21 at f4 Will f4.5 do ?

04-05-2013, 05:59 PM	#24
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Originally posted by kh1234567890 For some reason I don't seem to have any really bland and boring shots taken with the DA21 at f4 Will f4.5 do ? I like it! Nice and contrasty. Corners look sharp too. Any PP on that image?

04-05-2013, 06:45 PM	#25
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Driline I like it! Nice and contrasty. Corners look sharp too. Any PP on that image? Just what I would usually do in Silkypix Pro 5 - a bit of exposure and colour balance tweak, CA and distortion correct etc. - I always shoot RAW so there is always PP. The PEF file is here if you want to play.

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04-22-2013, 01:50 PM	#26
Mr_Canuck Guest	I wouldn't get the DA21 strictly for image quality. You get it because it's the most teeny tiny lens in that range on the market, and it's beautifully made, with the coolest hood anywhere. It's probably better, but I've also gotten some really nice shots in that range from the 18-135. Let me rephrase that, at around 28mm I've gotten great shots on the 18-135. As soon as you hit about 22mm it starts to go down. Fine but not amazing. You'll notice a difference. But the biggest difference is do you want a zoom or some wee small primes?

04-22-2013, 03:25 PM	#27
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mr_Canuck But the biggest difference is do you want a zoom or some wee small primes? Wee small primes ehhh....... I've been looking at an F28 as well.

05-22-2013, 09:11 PM	#28
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	If you ever find the F28 let me know. I've been looking for it myself

05-23-2013, 05:10 AM	#29
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Driline I've been looking at an F28 as well. I've compared the FA28 and DA21. Optically the 28 is great, a close match (though lacking some punch, maybe, its colours are more subdued). I prefered the focal length of the 21, however.

05-23-2013, 05:45 AM	#30
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,695 Original Poster	Yep, the 21 will be my next purchase. I would have bought it a few weeks ago, but a DA*50-135 fell into my lap at a great price and I couldn't say no. What a great lens. I can't wait to try out the DA 21 when I get it.