Super soft edges on DA 15mm Ltd

chrisfer · 03-08-2016, 10:55 AM - **2 Likes**

Here some Raw :

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8895.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_4822.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_0596.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_2107.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8495.DNG

Last edited by chrisfer; 03-08-2016 at 11:05 AM.

**BigMackCam** · 03-08-2016, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by chrisfer

Here some Raw :

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8895.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_4822.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_2107.DNG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8495.DNG

Nice shots! I just had a quick look at the first two, and your DA15 performs much the same as mine, which is to say - sharp as can be in the centre, good in the mid sections and not too great in the very corners. However - that's viewed at 1:1 reproduction. Viewed at 1:2 or 1:3 - a far more realistic scenario - you really wouldn't notice that corner softness unless you were looking for it. I didn't look specifically for de-centering on yours, but if there is any, it certainly wasn't obvious from casual viewing of the images.

Again, *nice* photos - I enjoyed looking at these. Great use of the DA15!

Fenwoodian · 03-08-2016, 11:06 AM

This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens).

I did a number of side by side comparisons of the same images taken with both lenses on my K3ii (manual focus, tripod, 2 second delay, identical settings, etc. etc.). Images were viewed at 100% on my 27" NEC monitor.

The the photos using the Vivitar lens were overall sharper, and had much better corners than the Pentax lens. I value sharpness more than most because I shoot my photos primarily to print "large".

After this test I immediately sold my Pentax 15mm lens.

**BigMackCam** · 03-08-2016, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens).

I did a number of side by side comparisons of the same images taken with both lenses on my K3ii (manual focus, tripod, 2 second delay, identical settings, etc. etc.). Images were viewed at 100% on my 27" NEC monitor.

The the photos using the Vivitar lens were overall a bit sharper, and had much better corners than the Pentax lens. I value sharpness more than most because I shoot photos primarily to print "large".

After this test I immediately sold my Pentax 15mm lens.

Both the Samyang / Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 and DA15 get mixed reviews - good press from those that get a decent one, and not such good press from those who don't (and quite understandably so)... I've never tried the Samyang, but good ones do seem to perform well by all accounts...

npc · 03-08-2016, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by chrisfer

Here some Raw :

Thanks a lot !!!

**clackers** · 03-08-2016, 05:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kh1234567890

But not full sized. All I see are Google-mangled 900odd pixel wide versions ...

You may be drowning, Kh, but it's still unbecoming of you to clutch at straws like that.

If you still believe that the DNG files Chrisfer has provided will contradict his posted JPEGs, can I suggest "Should've gone to Specsavers"?

**clackers** · 03-08-2016, 05:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens).

Fenwoodian, I own both the Samyang 14mm and the DA15, because they perform different missions.

The Korean lens is a big hunk of sharp glass that covers full frame and won't take screw in filters.

The DA15 is less than 200g with a 49mm cap size!

For every Limited in the lineup, there is a big alternative on the market.

But do I *have* to leave my car lugging my Samyang 14mm, Sigma 35mm Art and Samyang 85mm, or can I just pop my DA15, DA35 and FA77 into the bag instead?

Last edited by clackers; 03-08-2016 at 05:12 PM.

Nicolas06 · 03-09-2016, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by npc

Seems that way too many people (myself included) whent through few copies then settled for one that's "acceptable but not perfect" ... would be nice if somebody who believes his copy is "perfect" can post a full-sized/uncropped sample at f8 for reference.

In the meantime, all the shots I include are available full size on flickr, so everybody can check for himself at K3 resolution. My new sample not perfect (no lens is perfect) but give great results.

ntrao · 03-11-2016, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by chrisfer

Here some Raw :

I really envy your copy of the lens. Great sharp pics!!

chrisfer · 03-11-2016, 10:25 AM

The light is good in that pics, it's at f/7.1 and the corner are not so good.

Nevertheless, the quality is good, enough for me, it's one of my favorite lens, for its compactness and manufacturing quality.

**Madaboutpix** · 03-21-2016, 03:39 AM

Man, the corners on my copy of smc DA15 are so soft they're close to UNUSABLE!! What shall I do?!

Well, actually I've never owned an ultrawide that produced more satisfying images. Does DA15 control my mind? I wouldn't go that far, given that there are so many nice lenses in Pentaxland, but I sure like it and what it does. Maybe I was extremely lucky with my copy, or I wasn't in particular - who am I to tell? Possibly, quite a few decentred copies may have made it past QC, which would be annoying enough. Otherwise, it was designed for capturing photographs, not primarily resolution charts ...

Yep, the sample shots are postprocessed (in DxO OpticsPro 10) to my liking. If you care to look at larger versions:

https://500px.com/photo/128188191/untitled-by-marc-synwoldt?ctx_page=2&from=...ser_id=2738079

https://500px.com/photo/128278287/untitled-by-marc-synwoldt?ctx_page=2&from=...ser_id=2738079

https://500px.com/photo/128801517/untitled-by-marc-synwoldt?ctx_page=1&from=...ser_id=2738079

https://500px.com/photo/117569169/reaching-for-the-stars-by-marc-synwoldt?ct...ser_id=2738079

03-08-2016, 11:06 AM	#48
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens). I did a number of side by side comparisons of the same images taken with both lenses on my K3ii (manual focus, tripod, 2 second delay, identical settings, etc. etc.). Images were viewed at 100% on my 27" NEC monitor. The the photos using the Vivitar lens were overall sharper, and had much better corners than the Pentax lens. I value sharpness more than most because I shoot my photos primarily to print "large". After this test I immediately sold my Pentax 15mm lens. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 03-08-2016 at 11:47 AM.

03-08-2016, 05:02 PM - 1 Like	#51
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by kh1234567890 But not full sized. All I see are Google-mangled 900odd pixel wide versions ... You may be drowning, Kh, but it's still unbecoming of you to clutch at straws like that. If you still believe that the DNG files Chrisfer has provided will contradict his posted JPEGs, can I suggest "Should've gone to Specsavers"? Last edited by clackers; 03-08-2016 at 05:15 PM.

03-09-2016, 01:06 AM	#53
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by npc Seems that way too many people (myself included) whent through few copies then settled for one that's "acceptable but not perfect" ... would be nice if somebody who believes his copy is "perfect" can post a full-sized/uncropped sample at f8 for reference. In the meantime, all the shots I include are available full size on flickr, so everybody can check for himself at K3 resolution. My new sample not perfect (no lens is perfect) but give great results. Last edited by Nicolas06; 03-09-2016 at 01:14 AM.

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03-08-2016, 10:55 AM - 2 Likes	#46
chrisfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Albi, Tarn, France Photos: Albums Posts: 101	Here some Raw : https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8895.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_4822.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_0596.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_2107.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8495.DNG Last edited by chrisfer; 03-08-2016 at 11:05 AM.

03-08-2016, 11:05 AM	#47
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,673	Originally posted by chrisfer Here some Raw : https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8895.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_4822.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_2107.DNG https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/104904254/K52_8495.DNG Nice shots! I just had a quick look at the first two, and your DA15 performs much the same as mine, which is to say - sharp as can be in the centre, good in the mid sections and not too great in the very corners. However - that's viewed at 1:1 reproduction. Viewed at 1:2 or 1:3 - a far more realistic scenario - you really wouldn't notice that corner softness unless you were looking for it. I didn't look specifically for de-centering on yours, but if there is any, it certainly wasn't obvious from casual viewing of the images. Again, nice photos - I enjoyed looking at these. Great use of the DA15!

03-08-2016, 11:28 AM	#49
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,673	Originally posted by Fenwoodian This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens). I did a number of side by side comparisons of the same images taken with both lenses on my K3ii (manual focus, tripod, 2 second delay, identical settings, etc. etc.). Images were viewed at 100% on my 27" NEC monitor. The the photos using the Vivitar lens were overall a bit sharper, and had much better corners than the Pentax lens. I value sharpness more than most because I shoot photos primarily to print "large". After this test I immediately sold my Pentax 15mm lens. Both the Samyang / Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 and DA15 get mixed reviews - good press from those that get a decent one, and not such good press from those who don't (and quite understandably so)... I've never tried the Samyang, but good ones do seem to perform well by all accounts...

03-08-2016, 11:34 AM	#50
npc Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 313	Originally posted by chrisfer Here some Raw : Thanks a lot !!!

03-08-2016, 05:05 PM - 1 Like	#52
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Fenwoodian This summer I owned both the Pentax 15mm Limited and the Vivitar Series 1 13mm lens (believed to be the same optics and manufacturer as the Samyang 14mm lens). Fenwoodian, I own both the Samyang 14mm and the DA15, because they perform different missions. The Korean lens is a big hunk of sharp glass that covers full frame and won't take screw in filters. The DA15 is less than 200g with a 49mm cap size! For every Limited in the lineup, there is a big alternative on the market. But do I have to leave my car lugging my Samyang 14mm, Sigma 35mm Art and Samyang 85mm, or can I just pop my DA15, DA35 and FA77 into the bag instead? Last edited by clackers; 03-08-2016 at 05:12 PM.

03-11-2016, 07:14 AM	#54
ntrao Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: India Photos: Albums Posts: 384	Originally posted by chrisfer Here some Raw : I really envy your copy of the lens. Great sharp pics!!

03-11-2016, 10:25 AM	#55
chrisfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Albi, Tarn, France Photos: Albums Posts: 101	The light is good in that pics, it's at f/7.1 and the corner are not so good. Nevertheless, the quality is good, enough for me, it's one of my favorite lens, for its compactness and manufacturing quality.