Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 not sharp... well I don't think so!

SimonC · 05-05-2021, 08:30 AM

Around Christmas time I got a Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 to use with my Samsung GX10 and I'm really disappointed with the sharpness of the imagess. I've attached links to a few photos I took down at Trearddur Bay this afternoon, could someone take a look and comment on what (if anything) is wrong or maybe what I'm doing wrong please!?

The images are untouched RAW files at around 17mb each.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Thanks

Simon

Last edited by SimonC; 05-05-2021 at 08:49 AM.

**sergysergy** · 05-05-2021, 08:59 AM - **1 Like**

Hi Simon. The 1st is probably the softest. The other 2 don't look bad to me. Do you have any with closer subjects? It is difficult to tell whether it has to do with the lens or magnification.

house · 05-05-2021, 09:05 AM - **1 Like**

They look fine to me. 100% crop from 1126 below.

The files are a little bit noisy compared to new gear but the lens is resolving the sensor alright

*hmm seems the image got a bit compressen on upload looks a bit better in the raw development software

3by2 · 05-05-2021, 09:12 AM - **1 Like**

Image 1 looks to have the focus on the house on the left forward of the main village on the right, the other two look OK. I used to have that lens and I would say those landscapes look about right for it.

house · 05-05-2021, 09:15 AM - **2 Likes**

My copy of the DA35 is pretty much the sharpest lens I have for apsc.

**UncleVanya** · 05-05-2021, 09:36 AM - **1 Like**

When I owned that lens it seemed very sharp - but I was never in love with it. That’s on me not the lens I think.

SimonC · 05-05-2021, 10:01 AM

Thanks for the replies, I did wonder if I was expecting too much!

I've attached a closer shot, which I still wasn't overly convinced about and I am now wondering about whether or not it is viewing the files on my laptop as opposed to the desktop!? I don't get to see much of th desktop as my wife is working from home and pretty much dominates it:-)

Closer Image

Thanks again for your thoughts and comments.

Simon

vector · 05-05-2021, 10:17 AM - **1 Like**

How are you focusing for these shots? To my eye it seems that focus is closer up in the scene and distant objects seem out of focus. I have 2 copies of the DA35 and they are both very sharp. However, every lens I own needs some degree of focus fine tuning and I found the DA35 to be sometimes inconsistent nailing auto focus. Actually to be frank I found it terribly inconsistent on my K5. K3 and K1 remarkably better but still it sometimes just blatantly and obviously fails. In the end I most often used it on my K1 on a tripod using live view for manual focus landscape shots where it is bitingly sharp. I decided I really like 35mm on APSC and FF so I bought the HDFA 35mm f2 when it came out, and I love it. It is so close to what the DA35 is but better build and it's screw drive AF is more precise, consistent and decisive.

**Michail_P** · 05-05-2021, 10:27 AM - **1 Like**

The photos look reasonably sharp to me....

3by2 · 05-05-2021, 10:27 AM - **1 Like**

As per above, the da35 on my k5 wouldn't always nail focus, it was one of the reasons it eventually went. I used to refocus several times and take a few shots.

vector · 05-05-2021, 10:38 AM - **1 Like**

Example of why I asked how you are focusing. It looks to me in this shot that the beach, or more so the rocks on the beach, are the sharpest part of the picture and most likely where you focused. Farther back in the image everything is slightly out of focus. If you want it sharp all the way back there are things you can do. Focus at infinity to get the buildings, use F11 or F16, choose a spot deeper in to to split the difference on the focus... anyway the images certainly aren't bad but there could be AF inconsistency with this lens or just better apertures or focus points to get a little more out of it.

SimonC · 05-05-2021, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by vector

How are you focusing for these shots? To my eye it seems that focus is closer up in the scene and distant objects seem out of focus. I have 2 copies of the DA35 and they are both very sharp. However, every lens I own needs some degree of focus fine tuning and I found the DA35 to be sometimes inconsistent nailing auto focus. Actually to be frank I found it terribly inconsistent on my K5. K3 and K1 remarkably better but still it sometimes just blatantly and obviously fails. In the end I most often used it on my K1 on a tripod using live view for manual focus landscape shots where it is bitingly sharp. I decided I really like 35mm on APSC and FF so I bought the HDFA 35mm f2 when it came out, and I love it. It is so close to what the DA35 is but better build and it's screw drive AF is more precise, consistent and decisive.

I did use auto focus. As pretty much all of the photos I took this afternoon were landscape, would I have been better having it in manual focus?

I'll try smaller apertures as suggested.

I've now opened up the images on the desktop and there is also a noticeable difference for the better from the laptop.

Thanks again

Simon

AfterPentax Mark II · 05-05-2021, 11:25 AM - **1 Like**

I do not think that you do anything wrong, but the Samsung GX-10 is a bit choosy on the lens-you-use side. I own this camera and not every lens I attach to it results in a good combination. Tomorrow I shall take this combination out and make a few pictures. As far as I can see there is nothing absolutely wrong with the pictures. Perhaps you must pay more attention to the focus points in the OVF. Maybe you aim for something and the camera takes another point to focus on. I have this lens constantly on my K-01 and the results are amazing. But with the K-01 you always shoot in LV and then AF usually gives sharper pictures.

**Kevin B123** · 05-05-2021, 11:32 AM - **1 Like**

To me the first three do look soft, I've had better from a zoom lens. Have you put a filter on the lens?

SimonC · 05-05-2021, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

To me the first three do look soft, I've had better from a zoom lens. Have you put a filter on the lens?

There is a UV filter attached.

05-05-2021, 08:30 AM	#1
SimonC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Trearddur Bay, Isle of Anglesey Posts: 466	Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 not sharp... well I don't think so! Around Christmas time I got a Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 to use with my Samsung GX10 and I'm really disappointed with the sharpness of the imagess. I've attached links to a few photos I took down at Trearddur Bay this afternoon, could someone take a look and comment on what (if anything) is wrong or maybe what I'm doing wrong please!? The images are untouched RAW files at around 17mb each. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Thanks Simon Last edited by SimonC; 05-05-2021 at 08:49 AM.

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05-05-2021, 08:59 AM - 1 Like	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	Hi Simon. The 1st is probably the softest. The other 2 don't look bad to me. Do you have any with closer subjects? It is difficult to tell whether it has to do with the lens or magnification.

05-05-2021, 09:05 AM - 1 Like	#3
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	They look fine to me. 100% crop from 1126 below. The files are a little bit noisy compared to new gear but the lens is resolving the sensor alright *hmm seems the image got a bit compressen on upload looks a bit better in the raw development software

05-05-2021, 09:12 AM - 1 Like	#4
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819	Image 1 looks to have the focus on the house on the left forward of the main village on the right, the other two look OK. I used to have that lens and I would say those landscapes look about right for it.

05-05-2021, 09:15 AM - 2 Likes	#5
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	My copy of the DA35 is pretty much the sharpest lens I have for apsc.

05-05-2021, 09:36 AM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	When I owned that lens it seemed very sharp - but I was never in love with it. That’s on me not the lens I think.

05-05-2021, 10:01 AM	#7
SimonC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Trearddur Bay, Isle of Anglesey Posts: 466 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies, I did wonder if I was expecting too much! I've attached a closer shot, which I still wasn't overly convinced about and I am now wondering about whether or not it is viewing the files on my laptop as opposed to the desktop!? I don't get to see much of th desktop as my wife is working from home and pretty much dominates it:-) Closer Image Thanks again for your thoughts and comments. Simon

05-05-2021, 10:17 AM - 1 Like	#8
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	How are you focusing for these shots? To my eye it seems that focus is closer up in the scene and distant objects seem out of focus. I have 2 copies of the DA35 and they are both very sharp. However, every lens I own needs some degree of focus fine tuning and I found the DA35 to be sometimes inconsistent nailing auto focus. Actually to be frank I found it terribly inconsistent on my K5. K3 and K1 remarkably better but still it sometimes just blatantly and obviously fails. In the end I most often used it on my K1 on a tripod using live view for manual focus landscape shots where it is bitingly sharp. I decided I really like 35mm on APSC and FF so I bought the HDFA 35mm f2 when it came out, and I love it. It is so close to what the DA35 is but better build and it's screw drive AF is more precise, consistent and decisive.

05-05-2021, 10:27 AM - 1 Like	#9
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	The photos look reasonably sharp to me....

05-05-2021, 10:27 AM - 1 Like	#10
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819	As per above, the da35 on my k5 wouldn't always nail focus, it was one of the reasons it eventually went. I used to refocus several times and take a few shots.

05-05-2021, 10:38 AM - 1 Like	#11
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	Example of why I asked how you are focusing. It looks to me in this shot that the beach, or more so the rocks on the beach, are the sharpest part of the picture and most likely where you focused. Farther back in the image everything is slightly out of focus. If you want it sharp all the way back there are things you can do. Focus at infinity to get the buildings, use F11 or F16, choose a spot deeper in to to split the difference on the focus... anyway the images certainly aren't bad but there could be AF inconsistency with this lens or just better apertures or focus points to get a little more out of it.

05-05-2021, 11:25 AM	#12
SimonC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Trearddur Bay, Isle of Anglesey Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by vector How are you focusing for these shots? To my eye it seems that focus is closer up in the scene and distant objects seem out of focus. I have 2 copies of the DA35 and they are both very sharp. However, every lens I own needs some degree of focus fine tuning and I found the DA35 to be sometimes inconsistent nailing auto focus. Actually to be frank I found it terribly inconsistent on my K5. K3 and K1 remarkably better but still it sometimes just blatantly and obviously fails. In the end I most often used it on my K1 on a tripod using live view for manual focus landscape shots where it is bitingly sharp. I decided I really like 35mm on APSC and FF so I bought the HDFA 35mm f2 when it came out, and I love it. It is so close to what the DA35 is but better build and it's screw drive AF is more precise, consistent and decisive. I did use auto focus. As pretty much all of the photos I took this afternoon were landscape, would I have been better having it in manual focus? I'll try smaller apertures as suggested. I've now opened up the images on the desktop and there is also a noticeable difference for the better from the laptop. Thanks again Simon

05-05-2021, 11:25 AM - 1 Like	#13
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,461	I do not think that you do anything wrong, but the Samsung GX-10 is a bit choosy on the lens-you-use side. I own this camera and not every lens I attach to it results in a good combination. Tomorrow I shall take this combination out and make a few pictures. As far as I can see there is nothing absolutely wrong with the pictures. Perhaps you must pay more attention to the focus points in the OVF. Maybe you aim for something and the camera takes another point to focus on. I have this lens constantly on my K-01 and the results are amazing. But with the K-01 you always shoot in LV and then AF usually gives sharper pictures.

05-05-2021, 11:32 AM - 1 Like	#14
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	To me the first three do look soft, I've had better from a zoom lens. Have you put a filter on the lens?

05-05-2021, 11:42 AM	#15
SimonC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Trearddur Bay, Isle of Anglesey Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kevin B123 To me the first three do look soft, I've had better from a zoom lens. Have you put a filter on the lens? There is a UV filter attached.