pentax lenses tests on K1

Sagala · 11-23-2016, 04:24 AM - **2 Likes**

Le Monde de la photo, Do not know if this has already been posted.

shahnm · 11-23-2016, 06:02 AM - **1 Like**

Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français.

DimC · 11-23-2016, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by shahnm

Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français.

Nope, only a french version but you can try Google translate.

Sagala · 11-23-2016, 06:51 AM

Google translation

normhead · 11-23-2016, 07:02 AM

Excellent results, and also impressive how fast DxO has apparently found a way to test the new lenses and older lenses on the K-1. Is this the fastest DxO response ever?

I may have to stop calling them idiots, although that would be a little extreme.

The old FA* 80-200 sure didn't have a good day in the lab. I wonder if they got a damaged lens. But then I've never seen many images taken with this lens, all I know is people want way to much money for it. Given the excellence of the Tamron option, it should be going for half the price of the Tamron.

**UncleVanya** · 11-23-2016, 07:08 AM

Wow. The fa* 80-200 did not fare well in testing. My own tests on the k-3 seemed better than that. But k-1 is a different animal using the entire image circle.

CarlJF · 11-23-2016, 07:34 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by shahnm

Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français.

Actually, the text only describe the figures, without telling much more. So, you don't miss much by not reading the text, unless you like to read things like: "is sharp in the center but corners are soft at wide aperture...". Everything is in the figures.

The main conclusions are that they're all recommandable. The 15-30 is excellent with almost prime like IQ, the 24-70 is one of the sharpest they tested, the 70-200 is near the Nikon but somewhat soft in the corners at 2.8.

The FA31,43 and 77 are all "pro level" (whatever it means). The 100mm macro is excellent at all apertures, and is also a high level lens.

What's interesting is that they also tested the older FA* 28-70 and 80-200. The 80-200 just isn't good enough to be used on a 36MP DSLR. If you can't get the DFA, you're better to look at third party offerings than getting this old lens. On the other hand, the 28-70 is still very usable as long as you close the aperture a bit, and even is excellent in the middle of the focal range.

As a sidenote, they also say they tested the DA40 and DA70. The IQ in the center is excellent but degrades significantly outside the APS-C circle. Their conclusion is that although they're usable on the K-1, they should only be seen as stop gap solutions before getting FA lenses.

Last edited by CarlJF; 11-23-2016 at 07:42 AM.

normhead · 11-23-2016, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by CarlJF

As a sidenote, they also say they tested the DA40 and DA70. The IQ in the center is excellent but degrades significantly outside the APS-C circle. Their conclusion is that although they're usable on the K-1, they should only be seen as stop gap solutions before getting FA lenses.

I wonder if all DA lenses are like that. Most of my lenses are FA or in the case of the DA*200 and DA* 60-250, they were both Full Frame designs, so I'm not going to take their word for it until they've actually tested those lenses. It's not clear from the DA designation which were designed for a full frame circle and which weren't.

Kunzite · 11-23-2016, 07:52 AM

Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's:
Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review

**ffking** · 11-23-2016, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's:

and my experience, as well - no way is it inferior to the 24-70 - I think they need another colour for 'stunning' for the best resolution of the lens

normhead · 11-23-2016, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's:
Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review

The testers can't agree with each other, yet we are supposed to look at their work as definitive... just saying.

Quote:

and my experience, as well - no way is it inferior to the 24-70 - I think they need another colour for 'stunning' for the best resolution of the lens

Maybe they should have borrowed your lenses for the test.

I'm suspicious of anyone using a sample size of less than 10 lenses...
I'm dismissive of anyone testing less than 5.

What I want to see in a lens test, is the result from testing with a grouping. What is the best I might get? what is the worst I might get? Is there a cluster of lenses in the middle of the curve and if so what are the averages across that cluster? Because that would be what I would be most likely to get.) That would be lens testing. This nonsense, not so much.

This type of testing is often available form lensrentals.com for the lenses they rent out.

And even they don't go ito the important stuff. From what lenses do people actually prefer the images and how strong are those preferences? Lens performance is subjective, a lens could have all the best specs ever, and still not be liked by a lot of people. Until these tests are couple with how real human beings respond to the images, they mean nothing.

Anyone testing one lens, has information on that lens. While that may be more than most of us know, it still is not enough to draw a conclusion about the group of lenses with that designation taken as a whole.

The thing is, I never have a problem looking at these tests and saying my copy is better or worse than that. Sample variation is known it's documented, and once lenses get out of the lab and experience some real life bumps and rinds, like the FA*80-200 they tested, it only gets worse.

I know folks like DxO and these magazines pump this rogue testing for all it's worth, but, trust it at your peril. It's not real science. It's science applied without knowledge of statistics or probability in single subject trials. Imagine if you tried to get a drug approved with trials like that .

Buy your lens for the price, quality, focal lengths and aperture that you need, and make it work. The thing I find most irritating, these guys are researchers, they know the limitations of their tests. yet , no fine print, no disclaimers, throw it out here and make like you're some kind of authority. I guess that's what makes them money.

surfar · 11-23-2016, 10:11 AM

I find the best information is from the lens reviews here on the forum, there are many images posted so we see what that particular item is capable of.

CarlJF · 11-23-2016, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I wonder if all DA lenses are like that. Most of my lenses are FA or in the case of the DA*200 and DA* 60-250, they were both Full Frame designs, so I'm not going to take their word for it until they've actually tested those lenses. It's not clear from the DA designation which were designed for a full frame circle and which weren't.

I've no idea if all DA lenses are like that. But I guess we should expect significant variation between copies since QC for FF circle certainly isn't done on these lenses...

Anyway, I think their recommandation is just common sense. What they basically say is that with the K-1, unless you already have the DA lenses, you're probably better to buy FA lenses rather than trying your luck with DA lenses. In the specific cases of the DA40 and DA70, they just mean that you should aim for the FA43 and FA77 if you want to get best out of the K-1.

normhead · 11-23-2016, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's:
Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review

Originally posted by CarlJF

I've no idea if all DA lenses are like that. But I guess we should expect significant variation between copies since QC for FF circle certainly isn't done on these lenses...

Anyway, I think their recommandation is just common sense. What they basically say is that with the K-1, unless you already have the DA lenses, you're probably better to buy FA lenses rather than trying your luck with DA lenses. In the specific cases of the DA40 and DA70, they just mean that you should aim for the FA43 and FA77 if you want to get best out of the K-1.

Not one of those lenses is under $1000 in Canada. There may be a lot of us trying to find cheaper ways to work this out.

I think I need a "K-1 on a budget" club. I just can't hang with all the big spenders.

curlednoodles · 11-29-2016, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by surfar

I find the best information is from the lens reviews here on the forum, there are many images posted so we see what that particular item is capable of.

Im not so certain. Whilst I love having access to the user reviews and find them helpful, I find many of them to be biased so I take them with a grain of salt (unless images are provided). The number of 10/10 for sharpness that I see is way too high.

11-23-2016, 04:24 AM - 2 Likes	#1
Sagala Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Montréal Photos: Gallery Posts: 101	pentax lenses tests on K1 Le Monde de la photo, Do not know if this has already been posted.

11-23-2016, 07:02 AM	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Excellent results, and also impressive how fast DxO has apparently found a way to test the new lenses and older lenses on the K-1. Is this the fastest DxO response ever? I may have to stop calling them idiots, although that would be a little extreme. The old FA* 80-200 sure didn't have a good day in the lab. I wonder if they got a damaged lens. But then I've never seen many images taken with this lens, all I know is people want way to much money for it. Given the excellence of the Tamron option, it should be going for half the price of the Tamron. Last edited by normhead; 11-23-2016 at 07:14 AM.

11-23-2016, 07:48 AM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by CarlJF As a sidenote, they also say they tested the DA40 and DA70. The IQ in the center is excellent but degrades significantly outside the APS-C circle. Their conclusion is that although they're usable on the K-1, they should only be seen as stop gap solutions before getting FA lenses. I wonder if all DA lenses are like that. Most of my lenses are FA or in the case of the DA200 and DA 60-250, they were both Full Frame designs, so I'm not going to take their word for it until they've actually tested those lenses. It's not clear from the DA designation which were designed for a full frame circle and which weren't. Last edited by normhead; 11-23-2016 at 07:55 AM.

11-23-2016, 08:44 AM	#11
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Quote: Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's: Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review The testers can't agree with each other, yet we are supposed to look at their work as definitive... just saying. Quote: and my experience, as well - no way is it inferior to the 24-70 - I think they need another colour for 'stunning' for the best resolution of the lens Maybe they should have borrowed your lenses for the test. I'm suspicious of anyone using a sample size of less than 10 lenses... I'm dismissive of anyone testing less than 5. What I want to see in a lens test, is the result from testing with a grouping. What is the best I might get? what is the worst I might get? Is there a cluster of lenses in the middle of the curve and if so what are the averages across that cluster? Because that would be what I would be most likely to get.) That would be lens testing. This nonsense, not so much. This type of testing is often available form lensrentals.com for the lenses they rent out. And even they don't go ito the important stuff. From what lenses do people actually prefer the images and how strong are those preferences? Lens performance is subjective, a lens could have all the best specs ever, and still not be liked by a lot of people. Until these tests are couple with how real human beings respond to the images, they mean nothing. Anyone testing one lens, has information on that lens. While that may be more than most of us know, it still is not enough to draw a conclusion about the group of lenses with that designation taken as a whole. The thing is, I never have a problem looking at these tests and saying my copy is better or worse than that. Sample variation is known it's documented, and once lenses get out of the lab and experience some real life bumps and rinds, like the FA80-200 they tested, it only gets worse. I know folks like DxO and these magazines pump this rogue testing for all it's worth, but, trust it at your peril. It's not real science. It's science applied without knowledge of statistics or probability in single subject trials. Imagine if you tried to get a drug approved with trials like that . Buy your lens for the price, quality, focal lengths and aperture that you need, and make it work. The thing I find most irritating, these guys are researchers, they know the limitations of their tests. yet , no fine print, no disclaimers, throw it out here and make like you're some kind of authority. I guess that's what makes them money. Last edited by normhead; 11-23-2016 at 10:18 AM.*

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
sigma lenses scratching on k1	yozza	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	14	11-20-2016 06:09 AM
Question regarding older Pentax lenses on K1	CDW	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	06-24-2016 01:29 PM
Three 85mm lenses on K1	Fenwoodian	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	9	06-11-2016 05:49 AM
Voiglander Lenses in Pentax Mount on the K1, but No Way to Change Aperture	MichaelErlewine	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	22	05-31-2016 09:08 PM
Reviewer tests Pentax 60-250 lens on K1 - nice results!	Fenwoodian	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	05-21-2016 05:04 PM

11-23-2016, 06:02 AM - 1 Like	#2
shahnm Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 26	Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français.

11-23-2016, 06:39 AM	#3
DimC Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 813	Originally posted by shahnm Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français. Nope, only a french version but you can try Google translate.

11-23-2016, 06:51 AM	#4
Sagala Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Montréal Photos: Gallery Posts: 101 Original Poster	Google translation

11-23-2016, 07:08 AM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Wow. The fa* 80-200 did not fare well in testing. My own tests on the k-3 seemed better than that. But k-1 is a different animal using the entire image circle.

11-23-2016, 07:34 AM - 2 Likes	#7
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	Originally posted by shahnm Y at-il une version anglaise? Je ne parle pas un mot de français. Actually, the text only describe the figures, without telling much more. So, you don't miss much by not reading the text, unless you like to read things like: "is sharp in the center but corners are soft at wide aperture...". Everything is in the figures. The main conclusions are that they're all recommandable. The 15-30 is excellent with almost prime like IQ, the 24-70 is one of the sharpest they tested, the 70-200 is near the Nikon but somewhat soft in the corners at 2.8. The FA31,43 and 77 are all "pro level" (whatever it means). The 100mm macro is excellent at all apertures, and is also a high level lens. What's interesting is that they also tested the older FA* 28-70 and 80-200. The 80-200 just isn't good enough to be used on a 36MP DSLR. If you can't get the DFA, you're better to look at third party offerings than getting this old lens. On the other hand, the 28-70 is still very usable as long as you close the aperture a bit, and even is excellent in the middle of the focal range. As a sidenote, they also say they tested the DA40 and DA70. The IQ in the center is excellent but degrades significantly outside the APS-C circle. Their conclusion is that although they're usable on the K-1, they should only be seen as stop gap solutions before getting FA lenses. Last edited by CarlJF; 11-23-2016 at 07:42 AM.

11-23-2016, 07:52 AM	#9
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's: Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review

11-23-2016, 08:15 AM	#10
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by Kunzite The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's: and my experience, as well - no way is it inferior to the 24-70 - I think they need another colour for 'stunning' for the best resolution of the lens

11-23-2016, 10:11 AM	#12
surfar Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: mid nth coast,nsw Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,141	I find the best information is from the lens reviews here on the forum, there are many images posted so we see what that particular item is capable of.

11-23-2016, 10:21 AM	#13
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	Originally posted by normhead I wonder if all DA lenses are like that. Most of my lenses are FA or in the case of the DA200 and DA 60-250, they were both Full Frame designs, so I'm not going to take their word for it until they've actually tested those lenses. It's not clear from the DA designation which were designed for a full frame circle and which weren't. I've no idea if all DA lenses are like that. But I guess we should expect significant variation between copies since QC for FF circle certainly isn't done on these lenses... Anyway, I think their recommandation is just common sense. What they basically say is that with the K-1, unless you already have the DA lenses, you're probably better to buy FA lenses rather than trying your luck with DA lenses. In the specific cases of the DA40 and DA70, they just mean that you should aim for the FA43 and FA77 if you want to get best out of the K-1.

11-23-2016, 10:34 AM	#14
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Kunzite Interesting results - the D FA 15-30 and 24-70 seems to be about perfect, while the D FA* 70-200 is quite good but with poor corners wide open. The D FA* test appears to disagree with ephotozine's: Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Review Originally posted by CarlJF I've no idea if all DA lenses are like that. But I guess we should expect significant variation between copies since QC for FF circle certainly isn't done on these lenses... Anyway, I think their recommandation is just common sense. What they basically say is that with the K-1, unless you already have the DA lenses, you're probably better to buy FA lenses rather than trying your luck with DA lenses. In the specific cases of the DA40 and DA70, they just mean that you should aim for the FA43 and FA77 if you want to get best out of the K-1. Not one of those lenses is under $1000 in Canada. There may be a lot of us trying to find cheaper ways to work this out. I think I need a "K-1 on a budget" club. I just can't hang with all the big spenders.

11-29-2016, 09:06 PM	#15
curlednoodles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Far North Qld, Australia Posts: 184	Originally posted by surfar I find the best information is from the lens reviews here on the forum, there are many images posted so we see what that particular item is capable of. Im not so certain. Whilst I love having access to the user reviews and find them helpful, I find many of them to be biased so I take them with a grain of salt (unless images are provided). The number of 10/10 for sharpness that I see is way too high.