DA21 plus K-X - focusing OK?

timo · 03-29-2010, 10:31 AM

Like many others, I have a DA21 lens which had focusing issues with the K10D, back-focusing at wide apertures up to f5.6. Are there any owners out there who experienced that problem with the DA21 who are now using the same lens on a K-X? Does the issue persist or does the lens behave itself better with the K-X?

(I'm wondering if I can do without the individual lens focusing adjustments available on the K-7 but not the K-X).

Thank you for input.

Tim

GeneV · 03-30-2010, 09:56 AM

I just happened to have posted this photo on another thread, but the DA21 and K-x are one of my favorite combos (after the DA40):

Bear in mind that you do need to be aware of where the focus points has been set. I keep mine in the middle, and on these shots that did not require locking and recomposing. Below are two of those lovely eggs the next day. The first shot is wide open, and the second is at F:4.

sterretje · 03-30-2010, 11:39 AM

I don't think that there is any guarantee that it does or does not happen on another camera. Even if 20 (or 200 or 2000 for that matter) people report no issues, you might have it.

Personally I feel that Pentax should put user accessible AF adjustments in every model. For the entry levels they can limit it to a few lenses (e.g. 4) and for the (semi-)pro they can set a higher limit.
The second best option is to allow dealers to use the special software that seems to be required so if I buy a lens in the shop and I bring the camera in, it can be adjusted while I buy; maybe this option already exists, not sure.

henryjing · 03-30-2010, 12:00 PM

K-x+DA21=the most tiny combo with the most classic view angle

timo · 03-30-2010, 11:12 PM

Originally posted by sterretje

I don't think that there is any guarantee that it does or does not happen on another camera. Even if 20 (or 200 or 2000 for that matter) people report no issues, you might have it.

Personally I feel that Pentax should put user accessible AF adjustments in every model. For the entry levels they can limit it to a few lenses (e.g. 4) and for the (semi-)pro they can set a higher limit.
The second best option is to allow dealers to use the special software that seems to be required so if I buy a lens in the shop and I bring the camera in, it can be adjusted while I buy; maybe this option already exists, not sure.

My point was that early DA21s had a very specific issue on the K10D (there were endless threads on DPR about it in the past) - it wasn't just the usual variation you expect with a variety of lens/body combinations. Apparently Pentax sorted the problem in DA21s of later manufacture (or so the rumour goes). So my query was very particularly aimed at people whose DA21s behaved in this way - i.e. backfocusing at apertures up to f/5.6, and refocusing when reset to f/8. That's certainly what mine did on the K10D, and other people reported exactly the same thing. I was interested to know if lenses which had exhibited that behaviour, and had not been fixed or replaced by Pentax, did the same thing on the K-x.

Apparently later DA21s don't do it and I would totally agree with other posters that this lens plus the K-x would be a near-ideal combination for many things.

Incidentally, although I don't know if it applies to the K-x, service agents can make individual adjustments for specific lens models on the K10D - but I think they can only put a very limited number of lenses in the camera's memory, and it's not user-accessible even in debug mode.

timo · 03-30-2010, 11:16 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I just happened to have posted this photo on another thread, but the DA21 and K-x are one of my favorite combos (after the DA40):

Bear in mind that you do need to be aware of where the focus points has been set. I keep mine in the middle, and on these shots that did not require locking and recomposing. Below are two of those lovely eggs the next day. The first shot is wide open, and the second is at F:4.

Great pics but for me just one problem ... I'm allergic to eggs - the inside of my mouth turns into something with the contours of a duvet

GeneV · 03-31-2010, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by timo

Great pics but for me just one problem ... I'm allergic to eggs - the inside of my mouth turns into something with the contours of a duvet

Then this is the best way for you to enjoy them.

GeneV · 03-31-2010, 05:53 AM

Originally posted by henryjing

K-x+DA21=the most tiny combo with the most classic view angle

But not in your list of lenses.

I would not be without it. I was apprehensive about its "in-between" FOV coming from the film world, but splitting the difference between the FOV of my beloved 28mm and the 35mm on film has turned out very well.

henryjing · 03-31-2010, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

But not in your list of lenses.

I would not be without it. I was apprehensive about its "in-between" FOV coming from the film world, but splitting the difference between the FOV of my beloved 28mm and the 35mm on film has turned out very well.

I always wanna get a DA21mm, but the price is too high here in US. Generally, most lens here is cheaper than the ones in my hometown SHANGHAI. But the DA21 is only about $390 for a new one, so I might get one when I am back to SHANGHAI for the EXPO 2010.

03-29-2010, 10:31 AM	#1
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	DA21 plus K-X - focusing OK? Like many others, I have a DA21 lens which had focusing issues with the K10D, back-focusing at wide apertures up to f5.6. Are there any owners out there who experienced that problem with the DA21 who are now using the same lens on a K-X? Does the issue persist or does the lens behave itself better with the K-X? (I'm wondering if I can do without the individual lens focusing adjustments available on the K-7 but not the K-X). Thank you for input. Tim

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03-30-2010, 09:56 AM	#2
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I just happened to have posted this photo on another thread, but the DA21 and K-x are one of my favorite combos (after the DA40): Bear in mind that you do need to be aware of where the focus points has been set. I keep mine in the middle, and on these shots that did not require locking and recomposing. Below are two of those lovely eggs the next day. The first shot is wide open, and the second is at F:4.

03-30-2010, 11:39 AM	#3
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	I don't think that there is any guarantee that it does or does not happen on another camera. Even if 20 (or 200 or 2000 for that matter) people report no issues, you might have it. Personally I feel that Pentax should put user accessible AF adjustments in every model. For the entry levels they can limit it to a few lenses (e.g. 4) and for the (semi-)pro they can set a higher limit. The second best option is to allow dealers to use the special software that seems to be required so if I buy a lens in the shop and I bring the camera in, it can be adjusted while I buy; maybe this option already exists, not sure.

03-30-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
henryjing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United States Posts: 467	K-x+DA21=the most tiny combo with the most classic view angle

03-30-2010, 11:12 PM	#5
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431 Original Poster	Originally posted by sterretje I don't think that there is any guarantee that it does or does not happen on another camera. Even if 20 (or 200 or 2000 for that matter) people report no issues, you might have it. Personally I feel that Pentax should put user accessible AF adjustments in every model. For the entry levels they can limit it to a few lenses (e.g. 4) and for the (semi-)pro they can set a higher limit. The second best option is to allow dealers to use the special software that seems to be required so if I buy a lens in the shop and I bring the camera in, it can be adjusted while I buy; maybe this option already exists, not sure. My point was that early DA21s had a very specific issue on the K10D (there were endless threads on DPR about it in the past) - it wasn't just the usual variation you expect with a variety of lens/body combinations. Apparently Pentax sorted the problem in DA21s of later manufacture (or so the rumour goes). So my query was very particularly aimed at people whose DA21s behaved in this way - i.e. backfocusing at apertures up to f/5.6, and refocusing when reset to f/8. That's certainly what mine did on the K10D, and other people reported exactly the same thing. I was interested to know if lenses which had exhibited that behaviour, and had not been fixed or replaced by Pentax, did the same thing on the K-x. Apparently later DA21s don't do it and I would totally agree with other posters that this lens plus the K-x would be a near-ideal combination for many things. Incidentally, although I don't know if it applies to the K-x, service agents can make individual adjustments for specific lens models on the K10D - but I think they can only put a very limited number of lenses in the camera's memory, and it's not user-accessible even in debug mode.

03-30-2010, 11:16 PM	#6
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeneV I just happened to have posted this photo on another thread, but the DA21 and K-x are one of my favorite combos (after the DA40): Bear in mind that you do need to be aware of where the focus points has been set. I keep mine in the middle, and on these shots that did not require locking and recomposing. Below are two of those lovely eggs the next day. The first shot is wide open, and the second is at F:4. Great pics but for me just one problem ... I'm allergic to eggs - the inside of my mouth turns into something with the contours of a duvet

03-31-2010, 05:49 AM	#7
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by timo Great pics but for me just one problem ... I'm allergic to eggs - the inside of my mouth turns into something with the contours of a duvet Then this is the best way for you to enjoy them.

03-31-2010, 05:53 AM	#8
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by henryjing K-x+DA21=the most tiny combo with the most classic view angle But not in your list of lenses. I would not be without it. I was apprehensive about its "in-between" FOV coming from the film world, but splitting the difference between the FOV of my beloved 28mm and the 35mm on film has turned out very well.

03-31-2010, 08:00 AM	#9
henryjing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United States Posts: 467	Originally posted by GeneV But not in your list of lenses. I would not be without it. I was apprehensive about its "in-between" FOV coming from the film world, but splitting the difference between the FOV of my beloved 28mm and the 35mm on film has turned out very well. I always wanna get a DA21mm, but the price is too high here in US. Generally, most lens here is cheaper than the ones in my hometown SHANGHAI. But the DA21 is only about $390 for a new one, so I might get one when I am back to SHANGHAI for the EXPO 2010.