What is the absolutely sharpest lens available for Pentax?

Fat Albert · 07-10-2015, 06:52 AM

My current sharpest lenses are the DFA-100 f/2.8 Macro WR and A-50 f/28 Macro. They are brutally sharp. Come to think of it, all of my fifties are incredibly sharp.

I recently sold my SMC DA 35 f/2.8 Macro, and frankly I'm kicking myself over it. Not only was it amazingly sharp, it also had the benefit of being extremely versatile. Its construction was also a dream.

**ivanvernon** · 07-10-2015, 07:22 AM

Absolutely sharpest in my kit is the SMC Pentax D FA 50 mm f 2.8 macro. Somewhere I have seen an analytical study suggesting that its resolution is the highest of any Pentax lens, but I cannot put my finger on the study at the moment.

wissink · 07-10-2015, 07:28 AM

My DA 35 is probably my sharpest across the board, also my most used lens. I have the DA 70, had the FA 100 2.8 macro, and had the DA 50 1.8. I too have bad eyesight (started at age 8, I'm now 30) and wanted to reduce faulty images caused by faulty eyes. Good light, slowing down, good technique and quality glass all work in tandem here.

**frogoutofwater** · 07-10-2015, 07:28 AM

All these people who love their 50mm macros. I have that lens but I consistently have trouble getting it to work in AF mode - except when I take it in for repair and then there's no problem. (Maybe the contacts need cleaning.)

Cambo · 07-10-2015, 07:30 AM

Fabulous thing. A close second from my current lenses would be the FA* 85mm at F4 or better. But my time with the FA50mm macro did prove it was INCREDIBLY sharp.

Pentax makes a LOT of very good lenses, and especially the new ones; have we witnessed a 'dog' lately? They've all been stellar, from the 18-55 II WR on up.

Cheers,
Cameron

wissink · 07-10-2015, 07:32 AM

Oh by the way, my mom likes to encourage me with success stories. I don't often read them, but here's one that may interest folks Legally blind photographer defies critics with successful business | Ottawa Citizen.

K57XR · 07-10-2015, 08:19 AM

For me the DA*55 hands down is the sharpest lens I’ve ever used. Not only it’s sharp across the board but there is something about the rendering of this lens that is just amazing to say the least.

Stavri · 07-10-2015, 08:46 AM

I've owned quite a few Da/DA* and F/FA primes, in my experience the DA 50/f2.8 macro beats the pants off the 35/f2.8 ltd (a lens which I love equally) on a pixel-peeping level. DA 50/f2.8 macro gets the vote for me...

ofer4 · 07-10-2015, 09:03 AM

+1 for the 50/2.8 macros

fwcetus · 07-10-2015, 09:37 AM

There have been several mention of "50 Macros", with only some being specific as to which model (Tak?, Super Tak?, K?, M?, A?, F?, FA?, D?, FA?, f/4?, f/2.8?). While I believe that all Pentax "50 Macros" are pretty sharp, there are indeed some differences, no?

I have experience with only three "50 Macros", the A 50/2.8, the F 50/2.8, and the FA 50/2.8. The F and the FA 50/2.8's (optically identical as far as I can tell) are the sharpest. The A 50/2.8 is not quite as bitingly sharp (although it is my preferred "50 macro" to use for MF use - it's simply just more fun to focus manually).

[EDIT: Actually, make that ~four~ "50 Macros" -- I once had an M 50/4 Macro many moons ago, and it was nearly as sharp as the A 50/2.8 Macro (which was not quite as sharp as the F and FA 50/2.8 Macros).]

I suspect that the D FA 50/2.8 is basically the same optically as the F and FA 50/2.8's, and its appearance is certainly (to me - YMMV) more appealing -- if I ever felt the "need" (LOL) for a new "50 macro", I would like to try the D FA 50/2.8.

fwcetus · 07-10-2015, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Cambo

[F* 300/4.5] Fabulous thing.

This is outside the OP's preferred FL range, but the F* 300/4.5 is indeed a "Fabulous thing".

It's a good thing that it's an AF lens, or I'd need a lot more band-aids when using it...

**savoche** · 07-10-2015, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by Bagga_Txips

The 50 1.8 is that good? It's dead cheap here in China, about 125 dollars...

For sharpness? Yes. It is very sharp.

Not quite DFA100 sharp, I think. But still one of the sharpest I have. (The FA43 makes better images, though...)

Mistlefoot · 07-10-2015, 12:17 PM

Measured Resolution Numbers
f/8 FA 50/2.8 Macro

I know this data doesn't include 'modern' lenses, but the 50mm 2.8 Macro sure seems to be the winner here.

bassek · 07-10-2015, 12:33 PM

My Sigma EX 180macro is really sharp. But so is the M135/3.5 stopped down a notch or two. And all my fifties.

Seb

Nicolas06 · 07-10-2015, 12:39 PM

The macro ones are the sharpest in general. This give you DA35 ltd, DFA50, sigma 70 macro, tamron 90, DFA100 macro...

Still once closed down a bit, FA31, DA35 f/2.4, DA40, FA43, FA/DA50, your DA70, FA77 are all really sharp.

For wide angle there nothing really sharp from Pentax. If you want something really sharp <31mm as a prime, that's samyang. Models like 16mm f/2 are really nice.

07-10-2015, 07:22 AM	#17
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Sharpest lens Absolutely sharpest in my kit is the SMC Pentax D FA 50 mm f 2.8 macro. Somewhere I have seen an analytical study suggesting that its resolution is the highest of any Pentax lens, but I cannot put my finger on the study at the moment.

07-10-2015, 07:30 AM	#20
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	*F 300 f4.5** Fabulous thing. A close second from my current lenses would be the FA* 85mm at F4 or better. But my time with the FA50mm macro did prove it was INCREDIBLY sharp. Pentax makes a LOT of very good lenses, and especially the new ones; have we witnessed a 'dog' lately? They've all been stellar, from the 18-55 II WR on up. Cheers, Cameron

07-10-2015, 09:37 AM	#25
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	"50 Macros" There have been several mention of "50 Macros", with only some being specific as to which model (Tak?, Super Tak?, K?, M?, A?, F?, FA?, D?, FA?, f/4?, f/2.8?). While I believe that all Pentax "50 Macros" are pretty sharp, there are indeed some differences, no? I have experience with only three "50 Macros", the A 50/2.8, the F 50/2.8, and the FA 50/2.8. The F and the FA 50/2.8's (optically identical as far as I can tell) are the sharpest. The A 50/2.8 is not quite as bitingly sharp (although it is my preferred "50 macro" to use for MF use - it's simply just more fun to focus manually). [EDIT: Actually, make that ~four~ "50 Macros" -- I once had an M 50/4 Macro many moons ago, and it was nearly as sharp as the A 50/2.8 Macro (which was not quite as sharp as the F and FA 50/2.8 Macros).] I suspect that the D FA 50/2.8 is basically the same optically as the F and FA 50/2.8's, and its appearance is certainly (to me - YMMV) more appealing -- if I ever felt the "need" (LOL) for a new "50 macro", I would like to try the D FA 50/2.8. Last edited by fwcetus; 07-11-2015 at 09:29 AM. Reason: slow recollection due to poor memory (LOL)

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07-10-2015, 06:52 AM	#16
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	My current sharpest lenses are the DFA-100 f/2.8 Macro WR and A-50 f/28 Macro. They are brutally sharp. Come to think of it, all of my fifties are incredibly sharp. I recently sold my SMC DA 35 f/2.8 Macro, and frankly I'm kicking myself over it. Not only was it amazingly sharp, it also had the benefit of being extremely versatile. Its construction was also a dream.

07-10-2015, 07:28 AM	#18
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	My DA 35 is probably my sharpest across the board, also my most used lens. I have the DA 70, had the FA 100 2.8 macro, and had the DA 50 1.8. I too have bad eyesight (started at age 8, I'm now 30) and wanted to reduce faulty images caused by faulty eyes. Good light, slowing down, good technique and quality glass all work in tandem here.

07-10-2015, 07:28 AM	#19
frogoutofwater Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	All these people who love their 50mm macros. I have that lens but I consistently have trouble getting it to work in AF mode - except when I take it in for repair and then there's no problem. (Maybe the contacts need cleaning.)

07-10-2015, 07:32 AM	#21
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	Oh by the way, my mom likes to encourage me with success stories. I don't often read them, but here's one that may interest folks Legally blind photographer defies critics with successful business \| Ottawa Citizen.

07-10-2015, 08:19 AM	#22
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	For me the DA*55 hands down is the sharpest lens I’ve ever used. Not only it’s sharp across the board but there is something about the rendering of this lens that is just amazing to say the least.

07-10-2015, 08:46 AM	#23
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	I've owned quite a few Da/DA* and F/FA primes, in my experience the DA 50/f2.8 macro beats the pants off the 35/f2.8 ltd (a lens which I love equally) on a pixel-peeping level. DA 50/f2.8 macro gets the vote for me...

07-10-2015, 09:03 AM	#24
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	+1 for the 50/2.8 macros

07-10-2015, 09:59 AM	#26
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by Cambo [F* 300/4.5] Fabulous thing. This is outside the OP's preferred FL range, but the F* 300/4.5 is indeed a "Fabulous thing". It's a good thing that it's an AF lens, or I'd need a lot more band-aids when using it...

07-10-2015, 10:05 AM	#27
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Bagga_Txips The 50 1.8 is that good? It's dead cheap here in China, about 125 dollars... For sharpness? Yes. It is very sharp. Not quite DFA100 sharp, I think. But still one of the sharpest I have. (The FA43 makes better images, though...)

07-10-2015, 12:17 PM	#28
Mistlefoot Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia Photos: Albums Posts: 328	Measured Resolution Numbers f/8 FA 50/2.8 Macro I know this data doesn't include 'modern' lenses, but the 50mm 2.8 Macro sure seems to be the winner here.

07-10-2015, 12:33 PM	#29
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	My Sigma EX 180macro is really sharp. But so is the M135/3.5 stopped down a notch or two. And all my fifties. Seb

07-10-2015, 12:39 PM	#30
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	The macro ones are the sharpest in general. This give you DA35 ltd, DFA50, sigma 70 macro, tamron 90, DFA100 macro... Still once closed down a bit, FA31, DA35 f/2.4, DA40, FA43, FA/DA50, your DA70, FA77 are all really sharp. For wide angle there nothing really sharp from Pentax. If you want something really sharp <31mm as a prime, that's samyang. Models like 16mm f/2 are really nice.