[superdave]

The HD coating also seems to hurt starbursts. They're still there, but not as impressive as with my FA Limited lenses.

Yeah, sad as this lens was not release as SMC with straight aperture blades, it would have been the perfect lens for my needs... I only own the smc 70mm limited and its starbursts are really beautiful.

[clackers]

Yeah, sad as this lens was not release as SMC with straight aperture blades, it would have been the perfect lens for my needs... .

Use legacy glass for this, Dave, manufacturers are not out to make straight bladed lenses without great coatings any more.

Smooth bokeh is desired.

[superdave]

Use legacy glass for this, Dave, manufacturers are not out to make straight bladed lenses without great coatings any more.

Smooth bokeh is desired.

I fear you right... even the new 15-30mm has rounred bladed.. what the point of having rounded blades in a landscape lens?

I'm also looking into the the smc DA 40mm instead of the 20-40mm. I bought a used DA 40mm last week but it was a such bad copy that I returned to the vendor... soft everywhere and heavy back focus issues.

It's not an easy choice, on one hand I think the 40mm have similar starbursts than my 70mm, but on the other hand, the 20-40 zoom capabilities is useful for landscape work. If starbursts are acceptable with the 20-40, I think I will go for it...

That's why I would be very interrested to see samples of starbursts with the 20-40mm... anyone?

[clackers]

I think ultra wides get called on for all kinds of shooting now.

That new 15mm Iaowa is a 'macro', isn't it.

[cxzj]

here you go:

[superdave]

here you go:

Thanks a lot cxzj

The first one looks quite nice; but I'm not very fond of the second one.. may be because of the moon which is too big/bright.
Any chance you got something like a city at night in your collection?

[Nessie]

You won't like what I'm about to say. For very beautiful starbursts at decent apertures there's no way around a SMC DA 15 or SMC DA 21.


My SMC DA 21's starbursts are spectacular already at 5.6

Attached Images

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Last edited by Nessie; 12-19-2016 at 10:38 AM. Reason: Re-uploaded the image because exif data was missing

[kh1234567890]

My DA16-45 does starbursts even wide open, defying the laws of physics, apparently ...

Code:

Make                            : PENTAX
Camera Model Name               : PENTAX K-5 II
Exposure Time                   : 1/30
F Number                        : 4.0
Exposure Program                : Shutter speed priority AE
ISO                             : 6400
Shutter Speed Value             : 1/30
Aperture Value                  : 4.0
Exposure Compensation           : 0
Metering Mode                   : Multi-segment
Flash                           : Off, Did not fire
Focal Length                    : 16.0 mm
Exposure Mode                   : Auto
White Balance                   : Auto
Lens Info                       : 16-45mm f/4
Lens Model                      : smc PENTAX-DA 16-45mm F4 ED AL

[lightbox]

You won't like what I'm about to say. For very beautiful starbursts at decent apertures there's no way around a SMC DA 15 or SMC DA 21.

That, along with the finding in the lens review article here that there was no real difference in flare and ghosting between the two DA 15 Limiteds, and the bokeh difference is minor... seems to seal the deal for the SMC copy of this lens.

The rest of the DA Limiteds showed more obvious advantages with the HD coatings.

[bdery]

Use legacy glass for this, Dave, manufacturers are not out to make straight bladed lenses without great coatings any more.

That's why I think I'll hold on to my 21.

I'm also looking into the the smc DA 40mm instead of the 20-40mm.

The 40 is superb, but only average for starbursts.

It's not an easy choice, on one hand I think the 40mm have similar starbursts than my 70mm

The two best lenses that I know of for starbursts are the DA15 and DA21. They are in a league of their own.

I've been looking at options to replace my 21 with a full frame equivalent, able to deliver comparable starbursts, and so my far my search has been fruitless.

[superdave]

You won't like what I'm about to say. For very beautiful starbursts at decent apertures there's no way around a SMC DA 15 or SMC DA 21.

My SMC DA 21's starbursts are spectacular already at 5.6

That's exactly the kind of starburst that I am looking for, but as I already own the 12-24mm, I am looking for a 40mm or the 20-40 if it's good enough.

My DA16-45 does starbursts even wide open, defying the laws of physics, apparently ...

The 16-45 produce starburst but too blury to my mind, I am looking for clean starbursts.

That, along with the finding in the lens review article here that there was no real difference in flare and ghosting between the two DA 15 Limiteds, and the bokeh difference is minor... seems to seal the deal for the SMC copy of this lens.

The rest of the DA Limiteds showed more obvious advantages with the HD coatings.

Sure the 15mm is fantastic but I don't have money at the moment to duplicate a focal that I already own (here the 12-24mm).

The 40 is superb, but only average for starbursts.

I am not interested to biggest starbursts, if they're well defined that's ok for me. Here starbursts from my 70mm Limited, the 40mm has 9 blades too, can it do the same?

[chrisfer]

Pentax K-5 II & HD 20-40mm @ 20 mm f/8 4s 80 ISO

Not very well defined, Unfortunately a little slobbery...


Same bridge, same hour, with the 15mm :
Pentax K-5 II & SMC 15mm @ f/6,7 30s 80 ISO

[kh1234567890]

The 16-45 produce starburst but too blury to my mind, I am looking for clean starbursts

The point being that with a circular aperture at f4 there shouldn't be any. Starbursts are naff anyhow, you can always photoshop them in.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/310177-best...ml#post3466173

[slartibartfast01]

Thanks a lot cxzj

The first one looks quite nice; but I'm not very fond of the second one.. may be because of the moon which is too big/bright.
Any chance you got something like a city at night in your collection?

The big bright moon looks like the sun to me .

[bdery]

I am not interested to biggest starbursts, if they're well defined that's ok for me. Here starbursts from my 70mm Limited, the 40mm has 9 blades too, can it do the same?

Here's an example of the SMC DA40:



It doesn't compare at all with what you'd get with a SMC DA15 or DA21. Closing down the aperture could help, but it's not a fair comparison. The closest you'll get is probably the FA31 which has 9 straight blades. Even if it cannot compare to the two best, it's better than most.

Starbursts are naff anyhow, you can always photoshop them in.

You can always photoshop Barak Obama at your birthday party. It's much nicer, to me, to capture the image I see in my mind, or try to.