HD DA 21mm Ltd Lens Not Sharp Enough, or Just My Focusing Error?

CPLTarun · 03-16-2018, 08:46 PM

I took a few more test images to test out my lens' focus/resolution. Just want to make sure that I don't have a faulty or unusually soft lens or anything, the possibility of which has been nagging me.

Update your browser to use Google Drive - Google Drive Help

They were all taken at f/8. With the image of the tree, I used center spot focus and focused on the middle branch. For the three identical landscapes, I used f/8 and focused on the foreground grass, middle of the frame, and distant buildings, respectively. These are unsharpened and unedited. I think it's safe to rule out that I have a bad lens, and just need to master my focusing and technique? I also did a basic indoor focus test with a printout of a focus chart, and I don't seem to have any front or back focusing issue.

pschlute · 03-16-2018, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by CPLTarun

These are unsharpened and unedited.

Raw files need to be processed. Importantly they need to be sharpened, usually in two stages, capture sharpening which is done early in the process by the raw converter, and lastly by output sharpening once the final image has been resized. Any unprocessed raw file will by it's very nature be soft.

**StiffLegged** · 03-17-2018, 01:04 PM

Nothing wrong there. There was a tiny bit of cyan fringing which was very easily removed, but the image I looked at was all I could have wished for in sharpness. Get to know your camera and lens now and enjoy!

zapp · 03-17-2018, 01:29 PM

My DA 21 mm had focus trouble twice, and I know of others having the same problem. It can happen that the interior focussing becomes lose. In that case you lens will not proberly focus to infinity. Check sharpness for close and far objects. Check live view vs. AF. The problem can be fixed by yourself or by service at liow cost. Make tests to ensure that you have a mimsfocus problem and any other more general problem.

robjmitchell · 03-17-2018, 03:08 PM

Don’t be afraid to use f11 on the 21, peak sharpness may be at F8 but F11 is still sharper than apertures larger than F5.6.
Its especially good for hyperfocal focusing, just adjust the F11 hyperfocal mark to the infinity distance and everything is in focus from 1m.

**AJF** · 11-20-2023, 03:37 PM

Still hoping to learn to love this lens - appreciate the tips in here

northcoastgreg · 11-21-2023, 09:49 AM - **1 Like**

The DA 21 was not designed to provide the ultimate in sharpness. It's goal is to provide excellent color and contrast and natural rendering of detail. I know the in terms of measured sharpness it's supposedly doesn't get sharp until stopped way down, but that's not been my experience. It seems plenty sharp to me (although admittedly not hyper sharp) at most apertures.

At f3.2:

At f4.5

At f8:

**Mikesul** · 11-21-2023, 01:12 PM

Great examples of the DFA 21 in use. Is that Navajo Mountain on the distant horizon?

03-16-2018, 08:46 PM	#16
CPLTarun Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 49 Original Poster	Some More Test Images to Test Focus & Sharpness I took a few more test images to test out my lens' focus/resolution. Just want to make sure that I don't have a faulty or unusually soft lens or anything, the possibility of which has been nagging me. Update your browser to use Google Drive - Google Drive Help They were all taken at f/8. With the image of the tree, I used center spot focus and focused on the middle branch. For the three identical landscapes, I used f/8 and focused on the foreground grass, middle of the frame, and distant buildings, respectively. These are unsharpened and unedited. I think it's safe to rule out that I have a bad lens, and just need to master my focusing and technique? I also did a basic indoor focus test with a printout of a focus chart, and I don't seem to have any front or back focusing issue.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
People If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough,” Robert Capa	Kerrowdown	Post Your Photos!	35	07-08-2018 12:46 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K5 IIs + Grip + FA43mm LTD + HD DA 21mm LTD + DA10-17mm Fisheye	Duplo	Sold Items	11	08-11-2017 10:09 AM
Is the Pentax DA* 300mm f4 lens sharp enough for wildlife?	Theov39	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	31	11-21-2016 11:25 PM
For Sale - Sold: DA 21mm Ltd Black, DA 70mm Ltd Black (ISO: 31mm Ltd Black)	Evolution	Sold Items	3	07-29-2011 08:03 PM
For Sale - Sold: DA 21mm LTD, FA 31mm LTD, and FA 77mm LTD (US)	happygui	Sold Items	6	10-17-2010 11:37 AM

03-16-2018, 10:27 PM	#17
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,182	Originally posted by CPLTarun These are unsharpened and unedited. Raw files need to be processed. Importantly they need to be sharpened, usually in two stages, capture sharpening which is done early in the process by the raw converter, and lastly by output sharpening once the final image has been resized. Any unprocessed raw file will by it's very nature be soft.

03-17-2018, 01:04 PM	#18
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,610	Nothing wrong there. There was a tiny bit of cyan fringing which was very easily removed, but the image I looked at was all I could have wished for in sharpness. Get to know your camera and lens now and enjoy!

03-17-2018, 01:29 PM	#19
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	My DA 21 mm had focus trouble twice, and I know of others having the same problem. It can happen that the interior focussing becomes lose. In that case you lens will not proberly focus to infinity. Check sharpness for close and far objects. Check live view vs. AF. The problem can be fixed by yourself or by service at liow cost. Make tests to ensure that you have a mimsfocus problem and any other more general problem.

03-17-2018, 03:08 PM	#20
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	Don’t be afraid to use f11 on the 21, peak sharpness may be at F8 but F11 is still sharper than apertures larger than F5.6. Its especially good for hyperfocal focusing, just adjust the F11 hyperfocal mark to the infinity distance and everything is in focus from 1m.

11-20-2023, 03:37 PM	#21
AJF Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 18	Still hoping to learn to love this lens - appreciate the tips in here

11-21-2023, 09:49 AM - 1 Like	#22
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,168	The DA 21 was not designed to provide the ultimate in sharpness. It's goal is to provide excellent color and contrast and natural rendering of detail. I know the in terms of measured sharpness it's supposedly doesn't get sharp until stopped way down, but that's not been my experience. It seems plenty sharp to me (although admittedly not hyper sharp) at most apertures. At f3.2: At f4.5 At f8:

11-21-2023, 01:12 PM	#23
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,591	Great examples of the DFA 21 in use. Is that Navajo Mountain on the distant horizon?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search