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07-01-2016, 05:50 PM   #16
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I keep testing, can't tell I like it very much after Sigma 30mm I sold.
I don't like it till f2.5, and so far I'm not sure I can be ok with that. I do have sharper old lenses wide open which cost a small portion of this lens. I'm just surprised that for the price I have to compromise at least 3 stops... hm. Not like I'm going to shot wide open all the time, but not having that option at all seems a bit odd.

07-01-2016, 09:40 PM   #17
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Well, my 31Ltd is sharp (at 5.6 to 8) and with nice gradation in not contrast scenery.
But in bright high contrast out door situations it exhibits heavy purple fringing. Even at higher aperture values.
07-01-2016, 09:48 PM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by micromacro Quote
I keep testing, can't tell I like it very much after Sigma 30mm I sold.
I don't like it till f2.5, and so far I'm not sure I can be ok with that. I do have sharper old lenses wide open which cost a small portion of this lens. I'm just surprised that for the price I have to compromise at least 3 stops... hm. Not like I'm going to shot wide open all the time, but not having that option at all seems a bit odd.
F/2.5 is only one stop from f/1.8; 3 stops would be f/5~5.1 if it is that bad you may have a lemon. Maybe you can post some shots that don't meet expectations along with some that do with full res crops and exif.
07-02-2016, 02:15 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
F/2.5 is only one stop from f/1.8; 3 stops would be f/5~5.1 if it is that bad you may have a lemon. Maybe you can post some shots that don't meet expectations along with some that do with full res crops and exif.
My fault, I meant f-stops aka 1.8-2-2.2-2.5- etc., not full stops.
For the full stops, the lens became deliver good results around f4 without need of editing.
Gonna play one more day today. For the money I can get new zoom for K-1 instead.

---------- Post added 07-02-16 at 02:16 AM ----------

This. That's what I got, pretty much.

07-02-2016, 03:17 AM   #20
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The ePhotozine.com measurements are below.

Takes until f4 to really get through to that 2000 LW/PH on their K-5.

07-02-2016, 04:53 AM   #21
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I know I try to compare apples to oranges, but still, here is SuperTak 50mm vs FA31mm taken just now, two crops, no editing, both at f2.8

SuperTak, MF in VF:


original size: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47185107@N02/27932887402/sizes/o/

FA31mm, AF in VF:


original: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47185107@N02/27957622141/sizes/o/

---------- Post added 07-02-16 at 05:40 AM ----------

FA 31mm at f4




SuperTak 50mm at f4



---------- Post added 07-02-16 at 05:42 AM ----------

Ok, I'm packing the lens, and sending it back.
Maybe, it's just my copy (AIV), maybe I don't have skills to see how special this lens is, but I can't be happy with this.
07-02-2016, 05:49 AM   #22
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Anyone who doesn't think the FA31 is sharp wide open hasn't focussed it properly.

Something has to be in focus here, and that something is pretty sharp all the way to the edges of the APS-C frame at least.



Another. OK in the centre, and bokeh to burn.



I missed focus here, but the bits that are in focus are pretty good.



And this one seems OK wide open.



07-02-2016, 05:58 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
Anyone who doesn't think the FA31 is sharp wide open hasn't focussed it properly.
Before I pack the lens, can you please tell how to focus properly with this lens?

I thought for the price it should not be so difficult, right? It's not a manual focus dirt cheap lens, and I need reliability, not the occasionally in focus shot. Yes, I tried fine adjustment, it does not help with softness. I don't have problem with any other limited lenses I own: DA 15mm, 21mm, 70mm, and FA 77mm. This is the first limited lens I don't know how to handle.
For the challenge focusing I have plenty of MF lenses.
07-02-2016, 06:56 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by micromacro Quote
I know I try to compare apples to oranges, but still, here is SuperTak 50mm vs FA31mm taken just now, two crops, no editing, both at f2.8

SuperTak, MF in VF:


original size: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47185107@N02/27932887402/sizes/o/

FA31mm, AF in VF:


original: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47185107@N02/27957622141/sizes/o/

---------- Post added 07-02-16 at 05:40 AM ----------

FA 31mm at f4




SuperTak 50mm at f4



---------- Post added 07-02-16 at 05:42 AM ----------

Ok, I'm packing the lens, and sending it back.
Maybe, it's just my copy (AIV), maybe I don't have skills to see how special this lens is, but I can't be happy with this.
Yeah, that looks not so good.
07-02-2016, 07:12 AM   #25
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Maybe you got a bum lens? I know I was a bit disappointed comparing the sharpness of the FA 31 to the FA 43 but overall I like the FA 31 better. And the FA 43 is known for it's cutting knife sharpness.

Heres one at F 2.4

07-02-2016, 07:32 AM   #26
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Yep, I think my copy should be returned. It's not what I see from the posted samples here.
07-02-2016, 07:54 AM   #27
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Nothing like finding out how the lens is supposed to work..... once again the Pentax forum comes through.
07-02-2016, 08:03 AM - 1 Like   #28
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The squirrel shot is very nice, although there is a fair bit of purple/green CA, and the focal plane is a little forward of the eye.

In the two cat shots, the focal plane is miles out.
07-02-2016, 12:18 PM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
The squirrel shot is very nice, although there is a fair bit of purple/green CA, and the focal plane is a little forward of the eye.

In the two cat shots, the focal plane is miles out.
exactly... in both shots of the cat sitting on the patio, the grass two feet in front of the cat is clearly in better focus, than the area next to where the cat is sitting.

why is it that no one else on this forum can see what we see in those pics? it's really obvious.

the o.p. could easily trim the af point compensation in the camera, using those pics at 100% view in the lcd, as the determining factor.
07-02-2016, 12:19 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
Nothing like finding out how the lens is supposed to work..... once again the Pentax forum comes through.
Yep, exactly that
I sent the lens back today, thank you, guys.
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