[yygomez]

I don't know if it is just me, but I have been reviewing images taken with the HD Pentax-D FA 15-30mm and the IQ is not really at the level it should be (for the asking price), I was expecting something closer to the Nikon 14-24

I don't know if it is just me, but I have been reviewing images taken with the HD Pentax-D FA 15-30mm and the IQ is not really at the level it should be (for the asking price), I was expecting something closer to the Nikon 14-24

Any examples? I find it to be quite sharp all the way out in the corners...

[kenspo]

My version is better then the Nikon!

@15mm



---------- Post added 10-05-16 at 09:28 PM ----------

@30mm

[biz-engineer]

My DFA15-30 is really sharp, produced stunning images on K1. When I bought it, I opened the box on the desk in from of the salesman and tried it on the K1 with 100% dig. zoom. I think what I now have on K1 are the highest definition image I even had. But, I honestly find rather dubious some of the recent discontent comments about Pentax FF combo... I guess we are crossing a weird era of photography: either there is higher than normal competition between camera companies maybe trolling each others, or customer expectations went unrealistic (borderline pixel peepers' syndrome), I don't know, but all I know is that it does not give me a good feeling. When I look at the K1 and what it packs in terms of features and imaging capabilities (2 crop modes 1:1, apsc, pixel shift, EFCS, etc etc) and all that works along with 36Mpixels 24x36 sensor with one of the highest DR of all cameras, I just feel bad for the Pentax team who developed that product line.

[mikeSF]

Yeah, I find it a good zoom, but it just does not compare to my DA21, FA31 nor DA15.

[yygomez]

@15mm



---------- Post added 10-05-16 at 09:28 PM ----------

@30mm

On the 15mm shot, The lower left corner (of the pier) does not look too sharp to me, maybe it is just not enough DOF on this case

[MJKoski]

Online reviews give wrong impression of the 15-30. Good copy is at Nikkor 14-24 level when shooting test targets but that is it. 15mm Distagon 2.8 and 21mm Loxia / 21mm Distagon just trash it in any way you look at real pictures (The Zeiss Punch).

It depends on your experience with other gear how you look at it. Pentax should have made their own designs (like 70-200 is) to earn users' respect. Or sell Tamron lenses at The Right Price.

[biz-engineer]

On the other hand, you have people who have started a thread with intense arguing and are complaining that the Tamron 150-600 isn't available in k mount. Some people are not content because lens resolution is no enough while others complaining that low end lens isn't offered in k mount. Go figure..

[yygomez]

Online reviews give wrong impression of the 15-30. Good copy is at Nikkor 14-24 level when shooting test targets but that is it. 15mm Distagon 2.8 and 21mm Loxia / 21mm Distagon just trash it in any way you look at real pictures (The Zeiss Punch).

It depends on your experience with other gear how you look at it. Pentax should have made their own designs (like 70-200 is) to earn users' respect. Or sell Tamron lenses at The Right Price.

Agree 100%

[rawr]

I was expecting something closer to the Nikon 14-24

I think that at a minimum, the Pentax 15-30 would perform at the same level as the Tamron 15-30 against the Nikon 14-24 on a D810.

Which means the Pentax 15-30 should be a little sharper than the Nikon 14-24, and have less CA and vignetting too.

On the 15mm shot, The lower left corner (of the pier) does not look too sharp to me, maybe it is just not enough DOF on this case

Yes, not enough DOF. The softness is equal on the bottom, not more or less sharp in the corners.

[yygomez]

I think that at a minimum, the Pentax 15-30 would perform at the same level as the Tamron 15-30 against the Nikon 14-24 on a D810.

Which means the Pentax 15-30 should be a little sharper than the Nikon 14-24, and have less CA and vignetting too.

Well I was expecting the same from the measurements, but is not what I see so far on the real life images, looks like the Tamron is way softer on the corners than the Nikon, even on the measurements:

Looking on the Tamron charts is not correct since the glass and coatings are Pentax, not Tamron.

[rawr]

looks like the Tamron is way softer on the corners than the Nikon

I don't think so. Try f4 on both lenses at their widest: