HD Pentax D FA 1:2.8 15-30mm ED SDM WR lens club!

**Rondec** · 12-31-2018, 06:54 AM - **2 Likes**

Sunset at Deep Creek Lake (DFA 15-30mm/pixel shift)

TerryL · 12-31-2018, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

It really isn't hard. At 15 mm and f11 your hyperfocal distance is about 2 feet. When shooting landscape, I typically use live view (I use pixel shift a lot) and choose a spot a couple of feet in front of me and focus on that. It seems to work well. You can do the same thing in the viewfinder.

Wow, I'm surprised it's only 2 feet. Do I focus on 2 feet at f/11, then recompose? This is pretty much what I was going to do, when it stops raining. I have't even tried it out yet.
Terry

**Rondec** · 12-31-2018, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by TerryL

Wow, I'm surprised it's only 2 feet. Do I focus on 2 feet at f/11, then recompose? This is pretty much what I was going to do, when it stops raining. I have't even tried it out yet.
Terry

I think technically it is 2.5 feet, but regardless, if I am on a tripod, I typically use live view and choose a focus point that is at the lower edge of the focus points available. If I am using the OVF, then I choose one of the lower points (usually at the edge), point the camera down slightly, focus, and then recompose.

You'll figure it out really fast.

The hard part isn't the focus, it is taking photos that have good composition elements. Really wide angles tend to make close things look big and far away things look tiny. They also can really distort edge things if you aren't careful. But you'll figure it out quickly enough. Looking forward to your contribution to this thread!

TerryL · 01-02-2019, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

It really isn't hard. At 15 mm and f11 your hyperfocal distance is about 2 feet. When shooting landscape, I typically use live view (I use pixel shift a lot) and choose a spot a couple of feet in front of me and focus on that. It seems to work well. You can do the same thing in the viewfinder.

Rondec,
The only part of this I don't understand is at what point do I set the camera on f/11? I'll be using back button focus.
Thank you,
Terry

**Rondec** · 01-03-2019, 10:08 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by TerryL

Rondec,
The only part of this I don't understand is at what point do I set the camera on f/11? I'll be using back button focus.
Thank you,
Terry

Just shoot in Av mode and leave it on f8 or f11. Either one should be fine for most purposes.

Tree and Sunburst (DFA 15-30)

Wisp at Sunset (DFA 15-30)

both are pixel shifted.

TerryL · 01-03-2019, 03:24 PM

I will do that. Thank you for the help.
Terry

TerryL · 01-08-2019, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

Just shoot in Av mode and leave it on f8 or f11. Either one should be fine for most purposes.

Tree and Sunburst (DFA 15-30)

Wisp at Sunset (DFA 15-30)

both are pixel shifted.

Really nice. Is that a ski slope? If so, where is it? BTW, I tested my lens using the hyperlocal scale .that is on my Irix 15. f/16 worked best for my quick test. The lens is definitely a keeper. I'll still keep my Irix. It's so beautiful and fun to use. I have a nice 100mm filter set for it, too.
Regards,
Terry

**Rondec** · 01-08-2019, 03:00 PM

Originally posted by TerryL

Really nice. Is that a ski slope? If so, where is it? BTW, I tested my lens using the hyperlocal scale .that is on my Irix 15. f/16 worked best for my quick test. The lens is definitely a keeper. I'll still keep my Irix. It's so beautiful and fun to use. I have a nice 100mm filter set for it, too.
Regards,
Terry

Glad you have a good copy.

It is a little ski slope in western Maryland called "Wisp" that is near the town of McHenry.

TerryL · 01-09-2019, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Glad you have a good copy.

It is a little ski slope in western Maryland called "Wisp" that is near the town of McHenry.

Well, I hope it's a good copy. I would say that I shot enough to really say. I hate testing lenses. I can say that it is sharp enough. What's the next test I should do before my 30 days is over?
Thank you,
Terry

**Rondec** · 01-12-2019, 06:19 AM - **2 Likes**

Before Sunrise (DFA 15-30/pixel shift)

**Rondec** · 01-13-2019, 11:22 AM - **1 Like**

Sunrise (DFA 15-30mm)

TerryL · 01-15-2019, 06:34 AM

That is a great shot. Where did you focus on this shot?
Terry

**Rondec** · 01-15-2019, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by TerryL

That is a great shot. Where did you focus on this shot?
Terry

I don't remember specifically, but typically in this sort of shot, I shoot in live view and focus in the lower left or right hand corner.

**mattb123** · 01-15-2019, 09:05 AM - **2 Likes**

K-1ii & 15-30

TerryL · 01-15-2019, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't remember specifically, but typically in this sort of shot, I shoot in live view and focus in the lower left or right hand corner.

I could have guessed that. It seems reliable, too. I love focusing that way. Thank you for your help, Rondec.
Terry

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12-31-2018, 06:54 AM - 2 Likes	#436
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Sunset at Deep Creek Lake (DFA 15-30mm/pixel shift)

12-31-2018, 03:06 PM	#437
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by Rondec It really isn't hard. At 15 mm and f11 your hyperfocal distance is about 2 feet. When shooting landscape, I typically use live view (I use pixel shift a lot) and choose a spot a couple of feet in front of me and focus on that. It seems to work well. You can do the same thing in the viewfinder. Wow, I'm surprised it's only 2 feet. Do I focus on 2 feet at f/11, then recompose? This is pretty much what I was going to do, when it stops raining. I have't even tried it out yet. Terry

12-31-2018, 03:27 PM	#438
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by TerryL Wow, I'm surprised it's only 2 feet. Do I focus on 2 feet at f/11, then recompose? This is pretty much what I was going to do, when it stops raining. I have't even tried it out yet. Terry I think technically it is 2.5 feet, but regardless, if I am on a tripod, I typically use live view and choose a focus point that is at the lower edge of the focus points available. If I am using the OVF, then I choose one of the lower points (usually at the edge), point the camera down slightly, focus, and then recompose. You'll figure it out really fast. The hard part isn't the focus, it is taking photos that have good composition elements. Really wide angles tend to make close things look big and far away things look tiny. They also can really distort edge things if you aren't careful. But you'll figure it out quickly enough. Looking forward to your contribution to this thread!

01-02-2019, 09:17 AM	#439
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by Rondec It really isn't hard. At 15 mm and f11 your hyperfocal distance is about 2 feet. When shooting landscape, I typically use live view (I use pixel shift a lot) and choose a spot a couple of feet in front of me and focus on that. It seems to work well. You can do the same thing in the viewfinder. Rondec, The only part of this I don't understand is at what point do I set the camera on f/11? I'll be using back button focus. Thank you, Terry

01-03-2019, 10:08 AM - 1 Like	#440
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by TerryL Rondec, The only part of this I don't understand is at what point do I set the camera on f/11? I'll be using back button focus. Thank you, Terry Just shoot in Av mode and leave it on f8 or f11. Either one should be fine for most purposes. Tree and Sunburst (DFA 15-30) Wisp at Sunset (DFA 15-30) both are pixel shifted.

01-03-2019, 03:24 PM	#441
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	I will do that. Thank you for the help. Terry

01-08-2019, 01:20 PM	#442
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by Rondec Just shoot in Av mode and leave it on f8 or f11. Either one should be fine for most purposes. Tree and Sunburst (DFA 15-30) Wisp at Sunset (DFA 15-30) both are pixel shifted. Really nice. Is that a ski slope? If so, where is it? BTW, I tested my lens using the hyperlocal scale .that is on my Irix 15. f/16 worked best for my quick test. The lens is definitely a keeper. I'll still keep my Irix. It's so beautiful and fun to use. I have a nice 100mm filter set for it, too. Regards, Terry

01-08-2019, 03:00 PM	#443
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by TerryL Really nice. Is that a ski slope? If so, where is it? BTW, I tested my lens using the hyperlocal scale .that is on my Irix 15. f/16 worked best for my quick test. The lens is definitely a keeper. I'll still keep my Irix. It's so beautiful and fun to use. I have a nice 100mm filter set for it, too. Regards, Terry Glad you have a good copy. It is a little ski slope in western Maryland called "Wisp" that is near the town of McHenry.

01-09-2019, 10:52 AM	#444
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by Rondec Glad you have a good copy. It is a little ski slope in western Maryland called "Wisp" that is near the town of McHenry. Well, I hope it's a good copy. I would say that I shot enough to really say. I hate testing lenses. I can say that it is sharp enough. What's the next test I should do before my 30 days is over? Thank you, Terry

01-12-2019, 06:19 AM - 2 Likes	#445
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Before Sunrise (DFA 15-30/pixel shift)

01-13-2019, 11:22 AM - 1 Like	#446
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Sunrise (DFA 15-30mm)

01-15-2019, 06:34 AM	#447
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	That is a great shot. Where did you focus on this shot? Terry

01-15-2019, 06:49 AM	#448
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by TerryL That is a great shot. Where did you focus on this shot? Terry I don't remember specifically, but typically in this sort of shot, I shoot in live view and focus in the lower left or right hand corner.

01-15-2019, 09:05 AM - 2 Likes	#449
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	K-1ii & 15-30

01-15-2019, 01:42 PM	#450
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by Rondec I don't remember specifically, but typically in this sort of shot, I shoot in live view and focus in the lower left or right hand corner. I could have guessed that. It seems reliable, too. I love focusing that way. Thank you for your help, Rondec. Terry