Upgrading, need help, has anyone tested SDM lens on a K-30 body before?

PentaxSX · 10-17-2012, 02:57 AM

Hi all:

Need some help here, I am planning to upgrade my camera around Xmas.

I am sure K5II and K5IIs will be out by then, however I still think K-30 give you the best bang for your buck, it's only $683 on Amazon.

It has upgraded focus system, peak focusing and Prime M.

Compare to K5 the 14 bit raw and better build body really doesn't mean much too me. (I don't need this camera to last forever :P )

K5II might have better focus and better image quality, however it's almost doubled the price, K5IIs is even more expensive.

Now, here's my question, has anyone tested a SDM lens on the K30 before?

Can we really feel the improvement or it is really marginal improvement, only look good on paper?

Many thanks

Stan.

Na Horuk · 10-17-2012, 04:13 AM

Do you mean SDM compared to non-SDM, or do you mean SDM on K-30 compared to K-5ii?
I think the K-30 is a great mid-level DSLR, is WR, has focus peaking, basically the same sensor as K-5 (fewer bits, but I think I can live with that), all the important functions and shooting modes.. I would go for K-30 myself, because it has focus peaking, which allows the fastest and most accurate focusing of them all - manual

PentaxSX · 10-17-2012, 05:02 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Do you mean SDM compared to non-SDM, or do you mean SDM on K-30 compared to K-5ii?
I think the K-30 is a great mid-level DSLR, is WR, has focus peaking, basically the same sensor as K-5 (fewer bits, but I think I can live with that), all the important functions and shooting modes.. I would go for K-30 myself, because it has focus peaking, which allows the fastest and most accurate focusing of them all - manual

thanks for your post, glad to know I'm not the only one think that way.
based on review, K 30 can improve non SDM lens proformance. I am interested to konw if K30 can improve sdm lens as well?

**DDoram** · 10-17-2012, 06:04 AM - **1 Like**

I have a K30 and compared to the K5 the AF is slightly faster and I would say more accurate. Somehow the AF hunts less on the K30. With SDM though the speed limitation is the SDM motor itself.

Dale

PentaxSX · 10-17-2012, 02:50 PM

Thanks for sharing Dale;

good point about the SDM.

Adam · 10-17-2012, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by PentaxSX

Hi all: Need some help here, I am planning to upgrade my camera around Xmas. I am sure K5II and K5IIs will be out by then, however I still think K-30 give you the best bang for your buck, it's only $683 on Amazon. It has upgraded focus system, peak focusing and Prime M. Compare to K5 the 14 bit raw and better build body really doesn't mean much too me. (I don't need this camera to last forever :P ) K5II might have better focus and better image quality, however it's almost doubled the price, K5IIs is even more expensive. Now, here's my question, has anyone tested a SDM lens on the K30 before? Can we really feel the improvement or it is really marginal improvement, only look good on paper? Many thanks Stan.

The K-30's PDAF performance is about the same as that of the K-5. I think it's more of a marketing thing than anything...the CDAF on, the other hand, is much better thanks to PRIME M.
See the detailed AF tests posted here: Pentax K-30 Camera Review - Autofocus Tests - PentaxForums.com

The 18-135mm focuses very quickly on the K-30. I think it's one of the few SDM lenses that focuses faster than a screwdrive lens.

Overall, I think the K-30 is a fantastic camera, and yes, I can recommend that you get it over the K-5 if you don't care about the grip or top LCD. When I used the K-30 to shoot photokina, I didn't even notice that the top LCD was gone (it's usually only helpful when shooting on a tripod IMO), and the only thing that pissed me off about the camera was that the LV button and the playback button were laid out in a silly way; you basically need to use your other hand to activate it.

Also, please don't post questions in the news and rumors forum, or else we're going to have to force moderation of all new threads posted here...I've moved your thread to the K-30 forum.

SteveB · 10-18-2012, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by Adam

The 18-135mm focuses very quickly on the K-30. I think it's one of the few SDM lenses that focuses faster than a screwdrive lens.

It's not an SDM lens, it's the newer DC type.

Pheo · 10-19-2012, 02:18 AM

I think thats splitting hairs a bit, in that most people say USM/HSM/SDM etc all interchangably, and they mean Motor-in-Lens rather than Screwdrive. But you are of course correct.

I've been very happy with how fast focusing my 18-135mm DC lens is - I wish they made a DC lens with a faster aperture (as I won't touch the SDM stuff due to all the stories of repeated failures - I don't see the advantage of SDM over DC to be honest, the DC motor is quiet, fast etc.

I'm happy with the autofocus on my K30 - as you mention, in the price range it performs very well. Sure if I went out and bought a D800/1DmkIII etc maybe they would be marginally better in certain scenarios. I'd also have paid 4x as much.

PentaxSX · 10-19-2012, 02:33 AM

Hi guys, thanks for your post.
Just ordered one, can't wait to receive my K30.
Well the reason I want to know SDM's performance is because I have a da1650.
It is not that sharp, however i love the colour out of this lens.
It is a bonus if the focus speed can improve a bit with the new machine.

loco · 10-19-2012, 05:17 AM

I have a DA*55 I've used with my K-30 and I don't see any difference in focusing speed or accuracy with this lens between the K-30 and K-r. I have found some lenses to focus faster and more accurately on the K-30 but not this one. However, it was always a very accurate focusing lens on my K-r, so that's not really a bad thing.

SDM lenses are no speed demons when it comes to autofocus. But generally speaking, they are fast enough and I wouldn't trade the DA*55 for anything.

10-17-2012, 02:57 AM	#1
PentaxSX Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 16	Upgrading, need help, has anyone tested SDM lens on a K-30 body before? Hi all: Need some help here, I am planning to upgrade my camera around Xmas. I am sure K5II and K5IIs will be out by then, however I still think K-30 give you the best bang for your buck, it's only $683 on Amazon. It has upgraded focus system, peak focusing and Prime M. Compare to K5 the 14 bit raw and better build body really doesn't mean much too me. (I don't need this camera to last forever :P ) K5II might have better focus and better image quality, however it's almost doubled the price, K5IIs is even more expensive. Now, here's my question, has anyone tested a SDM lens on the K30 before? Can we really feel the improvement or it is really marginal improvement, only look good on paper? Many thanks Stan.

10-17-2012, 06:04 AM - 1 Like	#4
DDoram Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 632	K30 AF with SDM I have a K30 and compared to the K5 the AF is slightly faster and I would say more accurate. Somehow the AF hunts less on the K30. With SDM though the speed limitation is the SDM motor itself. Dale

10-17-2012, 02:57 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by PentaxSX Hi all: Need some help here, I am planning to upgrade my camera around Xmas. I am sure K5II and K5IIs will be out by then, however I still think K-30 give you the best bang for your buck, it's only $683 on Amazon. It has upgraded focus system, peak focusing and Prime M. Compare to K5 the 14 bit raw and better build body really doesn't mean much too me. (I don't need this camera to last forever :P ) K5II might have better focus and better image quality, however it's almost doubled the price, K5IIs is even more expensive. Now, here's my question, has anyone tested a SDM lens on the K30 before? Can we really feel the improvement or it is really marginal improvement, only look good on paper? Many thanks Stan. The K-30's PDAF performance is about the same as that of the K-5. I think it's more of a marketing thing than anything...the CDAF on, the other hand, is much better thanks to PRIME M. See the detailed AF tests posted here: Pentax K-30 Camera Review - Autofocus Tests - PentaxForums.com The 18-135mm focuses very quickly on the K-30. I think it's one of the few SDM lenses that focuses faster than a screwdrive lens. Overall, I think the K-30 is a fantastic camera, and yes, I can recommend that you get it over the K-5 if you don't care about the grip or top LCD. When I used the K-30 to shoot photokina, I didn't even notice that the top LCD was gone (it's usually only helpful when shooting on a tripod IMO), and the only thing that pissed me off about the camera was that the LV button and the playback button were laid out in a silly way; you basically need to use your other hand to activate it. Also, please don't post questions in the news and rumors forum, or else we're going to have to force moderation of all new threads posted here...I've moved your thread to the K-30 forum. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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10-17-2012, 04:13 AM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Do you mean SDM compared to non-SDM, or do you mean SDM on K-30 compared to K-5ii? I think the K-30 is a great mid-level DSLR, is WR, has focus peaking, basically the same sensor as K-5 (fewer bits, but I think I can live with that), all the important functions and shooting modes.. I would go for K-30 myself, because it has focus peaking, which allows the fastest and most accurate focusing of them all - manual

10-17-2012, 05:02 AM	#3
PentaxSX Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Originally posted by Na Horuk Do you mean SDM compared to non-SDM, or do you mean SDM on K-30 compared to K-5ii? I think the K-30 is a great mid-level DSLR, is WR, has focus peaking, basically the same sensor as K-5 (fewer bits, but I think I can live with that), all the important functions and shooting modes.. I would go for K-30 myself, because it has focus peaking, which allows the fastest and most accurate focusing of them all - manual thanks for your post, glad to know I'm not the only one think that way. based on review, K 30 can improve non SDM lens proformance. I am interested to konw if K30 can improve sdm lens as well?

10-17-2012, 02:50 PM	#5
PentaxSX Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Thanks for sharing Dale; good point about the SDM.

10-18-2012, 02:47 PM	#7
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	Originally posted by Adam The 18-135mm focuses very quickly on the K-30. I think it's one of the few SDM lenses that focuses faster than a screwdrive lens. It's not an SDM lens, it's the newer DC type.

10-19-2012, 02:18 AM	#8
Pheo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brighton, United Kingdom Photos: Gallery Posts: 311	I think thats splitting hairs a bit, in that most people say USM/HSM/SDM etc all interchangably, and they mean Motor-in-Lens rather than Screwdrive. But you are of course correct. I've been very happy with how fast focusing my 18-135mm DC lens is - I wish they made a DC lens with a faster aperture (as I won't touch the SDM stuff due to all the stories of repeated failures - I don't see the advantage of SDM over DC to be honest, the DC motor is quiet, fast etc. I'm happy with the autofocus on my K30 - as you mention, in the price range it performs very well. Sure if I went out and bought a D800/1DmkIII etc maybe they would be marginally better in certain scenarios. I'd also have paid 4x as much.

10-19-2012, 02:33 AM	#9
PentaxSX Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 16 Original Poster	Hi guys, thanks for your post. Just ordered one, can't wait to receive my K30. Well the reason I want to know SDM's performance is because I have a da1650. It is not that sharp, however i love the colour out of this lens. It is a bonus if the focus speed can improve a bit with the new machine.

10-19-2012, 05:17 AM	#10
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I have a DA55 I've used with my K-30 and I don't see any difference in focusing speed or accuracy with this lens between the K-30 and K-r. I have found some lenses to focus faster and more accurately on the K-30 but not this one. However, it was always a very accurate focusing lens on my K-r, so that's not really a bad thing. SDM lenses are no speed demons when it comes to autofocus. But generally speaking, they are fast enough and I wouldn't trade the DA55 for anything.