How Do I Tell If My DA* 50-135 Is Too Soft?

Christopher M.W.T · 04-04-2010, 12:18 AM

I was playing with mine today, I seem to just struggle getting ultra sharp images much of the time so I'm not sure if it's just users error or not.

Today I was using my FA50 1.4 and I found at f4 the FA50 was FAR FAR sharper than the DA* at the same settings.

This is a replacement copy for one that had an issue, I've also noticed (but I might be imagining) that this copy seems to show more CA than my previous copy, hrmmm any thoughts?

wlachan · 04-04-2010, 12:19 AM

AF accuracy is the 1st thing to check.

axl · 04-04-2010, 01:01 AM

as wlachan, I would recommend AF accuracy check. It's easy if you have split prism focusing screen. CAs are quite often the give away of misfocused shot. I used to have the DA* and F50/1.7. At 2.8 the prime should be better but by f4 there shouldn't really be difference in sharpness IMO.

Christopher M.W.T · 04-04-2010, 01:31 AM

I ended up adjusting the AF to +10 and it seems to have improved it a fair bit.

Christopher M.W.T · 04-04-2010, 03:41 AM

I fear I am been overly anal about it all. I was almost ready to just trade my 50-135 for a Sigma 70-200

mcjm78 · 04-04-2010, 05:56 PM

Why don't you move your sensor a bit (like +2) using debug mode so that the AF adjustment can be +8 instead of +10?

Then you can still test whether additional adjustment will make it sharper or not.

Christopher M.W.T · 04-04-2010, 07:25 PM

I thought about that but my FA50 is pretty damn sharp now.

systemA · 04-08-2010, 12:32 PM

I had initially thought my DA*50-135mm was extremely soft wide open, but after dialing +2, I had dramatically better results.

04-04-2010, 12:18 AM	#1
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	*How Do I Tell If My DA 50-135 Is Too Soft?** I was playing with mine today, I seem to just struggle getting ultra sharp images much of the time so I'm not sure if it's just users error or not. Today I was using my FA50 1.4 and I found at f4 the FA50 was FAR FAR sharper than the DA* at the same settings. This is a replacement copy for one that had an issue, I've also noticed (but I might be imagining) that this copy seems to show more CA than my previous copy, hrmmm any thoughts?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Soft Place: Post Your Soft Focus Images	jeffkpotter	Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories	64	04-22-2014 05:39 PM
For Sale - Sold: Tokina 80-200/2.8 KA; K 135/2.5; M 200/4; Tamron 70-150/2.8 soft	thomasxie	Sold Items	6	02-26-2010 11:08 AM
The Soft Place: Post Your Soft Focus Images	jeffkpotter	Post Your Photos!	22	04-23-2009 09:04 PM
is my 50-135 too soft a 2.8	qksilver	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	04-21-2008 07:47 PM

04-04-2010, 12:19 AM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	AF accuracy is the 1st thing to check.

04-04-2010, 01:01 AM	#3
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	as wlachan, I would recommend AF accuracy check. It's easy if you have split prism focusing screen. CAs are quite often the give away of misfocused shot. I used to have the DA* and F50/1.7. At 2.8 the prime should be better but by f4 there shouldn't really be difference in sharpness IMO.

04-04-2010, 01:31 AM	#4
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689 Original Poster	I ended up adjusting the AF to +10 and it seems to have improved it a fair bit.

04-04-2010, 03:41 AM	#5
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689 Original Poster	I fear I am been overly anal about it all. I was almost ready to just trade my 50-135 for a Sigma 70-200

04-04-2010, 05:56 PM	#6
mcjm78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 268	Why don't you move your sensor a bit (like +2) using debug mode so that the AF adjustment can be +8 instead of +10? Then you can still test whether additional adjustment will make it sharper or not.

04-04-2010, 07:25 PM	#7
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689 Original Poster	I thought about that but my FA50 is pretty damn sharp now.

04-08-2010, 12:32 PM	#8
systemA Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 385	I had initially thought my DA*50-135mm was extremely soft wide open, but after dialing +2, I had dramatically better results.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search