Initial lens testing

River Rat · 04-25-2021, 08:40 AM - **5 Likes**

Here's some of my initial findings regarding the K3iii using various lenses. I've tried the following thus far: DFA 150-450, DFA 70-200, DA 18-135, DA* 16-50 SDM, DA35 f2.4 FA 28-200, Sigma 105mm macro.
All of the DA lenses seem to focus nearly equally well and with nearly a 100% accuracy! In every case I experienced I'd attribute the misses to the photographer. I tested the DA* 16-50 SDM at f2.8 with excellent results.
The Sigma and the FA 28-200 are both screw drive and I found they are not capable of reliably keep up with quickly approaching subjects. The Sigma was maybe 50-60% keepers while the FA 20-200 was mostly unusable for fast action.
My opinion is based on 50 years of experience starting with the K1000 and MX. Digital starting with the KR, K5ii,K5iis, K3ii. I've never used the K1 or K70 and know they each have improvements over my K3ii experience.
I cooked up this photo taken with the K3iii, DA* 16-50, 1/4000 sec., f3.5 at 50mm.

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**jpzk** · 04-25-2021, 08:53 AM

Excellent action shot of this motocross going fast.
A bit OOF (very slightly so) but generally well done.
Seems like the DA*16-50 (which I also own) does well with the K3III.

gatorguy · 04-25-2021, 09:28 AM

Thanks for verifying what was being assumed. More recent SDM and PLM's will garner the best tracking results.

**jerryleejr** · 04-25-2021, 09:41 AM

I’m debating the DA 18-135 or DFA 28-105 myself...

JJ

gatorguy · 04-25-2021, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by jerryleejr

I’m debating the DA 18-135 or DFA 28-105 myself...

JJ

My opinion go with the 18-135. the DFA 28-105 is a better range match for full-frame than APS-C. I owned it twice and both times sold it off, but that was before I bought a K-1.

But might I suggest looking at a Tamron 70-200 2.8 and a Sigma 17-50 2.8 instead? Both are far better glass than the 18-135 and cover a better range too. I'd guess you can get both for around $600 with a little careful shopping, so not really all that much more than the Pentax in the larger scheme of things if bought new.

**Belnan** · 04-25-2021, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by River Rat

Here's some of my initial findings regarding the K3iii using various lenses. I've tried the following thus far: DFA 150-450, DFA 70-200, DA 18-135, DA* 16-50 SDM, DA35 f2.4 FA 28-200, Sigma 105mm macro.
All of the DA lenses seem to focus nearly equally well and with nearly a 100% accuracy! In every case I experienced I'd attribute the misses to the photographer. I tested the DA* 16-50 SDM at f2.8 with excellent results.
The Sigma and the FA 28-200 are both screw drive and I found they are not capable of reliably keep up with quickly approaching subjects. The Sigma was maybe 50-60% keepers while the FA 20-200 was mostly unusable for fast action.
My opinion is based on 50 years of experience starting with the K1000 and MX. Digital starting with the KR, K5ii,K5iis, K3ii. I've never used the K1 or K70 and know they each have improvements over my K3ii experience.
I cooked up this photo taken with the K3iii, DA* 16-50, 1/4000 sec., f3.5 at 50mm.

Great shot, making the 16-50 look nice.... which it is.

wkadruje · 04-26-2021, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

My opinion go with the 18-135. the DFA 28-105 is a better range match for full-frame than APS-C. I owned it twice and both times sold it off, but that was before I bought a K-1.

But might I suggest looking at a Tamron 70-200 2.8 and a Sigma 17-50 2.8 instead? Both are far better glass than the 18-135 and cover a better range too. I'd guess you can get both for around $600 with a little careful shopping, so not really all that much more than the Pentax in the larger scheme of things if bought new.

18-135 is my fav walkabout (including rainy weather), 2.8s for when I need 2.8

redpit · 04-26-2021, 02:17 AM

Thank you for your feedback and the photo! It would be nice to see samples from other lenses too

;-)

repaap · 04-26-2021, 02:33 AM

My DA*16-50 is waiting to get out there with my DFA 28-105 and *70-200. To try out fast things...so much looking forward. Thank you for the report...looking forward of more pictures too

**MrNPhoto** · 04-26-2021, 04:08 AM

Glad to hear that you're noticing improved AF across your lens collection - shooting action with the 16-50 has always been a mixed bag on my K3, so hope for better results with the iii.

repaap · 04-27-2021, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by MrNPhoto

Glad to hear that you're noticing improved AF across your lens collection - shooting action with the 16-50 has always been a mixed bag on my K3, so hope for better results with the iii.

It sure is/has been.

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04-25-2021, 08:53 AM	#2
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Excellent action shot of this motocross going fast. A bit OOF (very slightly so) but generally well done. Seems like the DA*16-50 (which I also own) does well with the K3III.

04-25-2021, 09:28 AM	#3
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,093	Thanks for verifying what was being assumed. More recent SDM and PLM's will garner the best tracking results.

04-25-2021, 09:41 AM	#4
jerryleejr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: TN Posts: 774	I’m debating the DA 18-135 or DFA 28-105 myself... JJ

04-25-2021, 10:40 AM	#5
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,093	Originally posted by jerryleejr I’m debating the DA 18-135 or DFA 28-105 myself... JJ My opinion go with the 18-135. the DFA 28-105 is a better range match for full-frame than APS-C. I owned it twice and both times sold it off, but that was before I bought a K-1. But might I suggest looking at a Tamron 70-200 2.8 and a Sigma 17-50 2.8 instead? Both are far better glass than the 18-135 and cover a better range too. I'd guess you can get both for around $600 with a little careful shopping, so not really all that much more than the Pentax in the larger scheme of things if bought new.

04-25-2021, 01:42 PM	#6
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	Originally posted by River Rat Here's some of my initial findings regarding the K3iii using various lenses. I've tried the following thus far: DFA 150-450, DFA 70-200, DA 18-135, DA* 16-50 SDM, DA35 f2.4 FA 28-200, Sigma 105mm macro. All of the DA lenses seem to focus nearly equally well and with nearly a 100% accuracy! In every case I experienced I'd attribute the misses to the photographer. I tested the DA* 16-50 SDM at f2.8 with excellent results. The Sigma and the FA 28-200 are both screw drive and I found they are not capable of reliably keep up with quickly approaching subjects. The Sigma was maybe 50-60% keepers while the FA 20-200 was mostly unusable for fast action. My opinion is based on 50 years of experience starting with the K1000 and MX. Digital starting with the KR, K5ii,K5iis, K3ii. I've never used the K1 or K70 and know they each have improvements over my K3ii experience. I cooked up this photo taken with the K3iii, DA* 16-50, 1/4000 sec., f3.5 at 50mm. Great shot, making the 16-50 look nice.... which it is.

04-26-2021, 12:36 AM	#7
wkadruje Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 145	Originally posted by gatorguy My opinion go with the 18-135. the DFA 28-105 is a better range match for full-frame than APS-C. I owned it twice and both times sold it off, but that was before I bought a K-1. But might I suggest looking at a Tamron 70-200 2.8 and a Sigma 17-50 2.8 instead? Both are far better glass than the 18-135 and cover a better range too. I'd guess you can get both for around $600 with a little careful shopping, so not really all that much more than the Pentax in the larger scheme of things if bought new. 18-135 is my fav walkabout (including rainy weather), 2.8s for when I need 2.8

04-26-2021, 02:17 AM	#8
redpit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greece Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,857	Thank you for your feedback and the photo! It would be nice to see samples from other lenses too ;-)

04-26-2021, 02:33 AM	#9
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	My DA16-50 is waiting to get out there with my DFA 28-105 and 70-200. To try out fast things...so much looking forward. Thank you for the report...looking forward of more pictures too

04-26-2021, 04:08 AM	#10
MrNPhoto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 276	Glad to hear that you're noticing improved AF across your lens collection - shooting action with the 16-50 has always been a mixed bag on my K3, so hope for better results with the iii.

04-27-2021, 12:45 PM	#11
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by MrNPhoto Glad to hear that you're noticing improved AF across your lens collection - shooting action with the 16-50 has always been a mixed bag on my K3, so hope for better results with the iii. It sure is/has been.