21mm Limited Back Focus Issue

Just got the response from Pentax via their head office in Germany. They confirmed that there is a back focussing problem with the 21mm Limited exclusively. They offered to set up one of my bodies to work in conjunction with the lens, which I refused. I do not wish to take up one body exclusively for that lens. I am waiting on a firmware fix or a chip set change for the lens. I will use it in manual focus only. They are sending me back the two bodies and the two lenses i.e. the 21 and the 16-45 which didn't have a problem and focussed perfectly on the "0" calibration point. I will wait for the 16-50 f2.8 which I should have in ten days to use in lieu of the 21mm Limited. If it is anything like the Canon 17-40L lens which I used on 80 percent of my magazine work, I will probably do the same with it.

Ben

Interesting stuff Ben.

Out of interest, have you tried the SMC-FA 50/f1.4 yet? Maybe a little on the long side for your uses, but it's a lens that never disappoints me with beautiful bokeh and stunning sharpness. I'd be most interested in knowing how the new 16-50 compares against both the 16-45 and the 50/f1.4 for portraiture and the like (e.g. this and this )

As if you didn't have enough to do already
Matt

Matt;

I particularily love the Guitar Image you took. I love the way you framed it. As to shooting wide open, I really love my 40 Limited. I haven't asked Pentax for a 50mm. I don't think I will though, as my shooting style is more often than not using "Strobe" even if I shoot outdoors.

Ben,
Thanks for the comments. Unlike you I rarely have strobes set up, and usually shoot with available light
Out of interest, just how many lights do you use??
Matt

Hello Matt;

It really depends on the shoot. On average about two to five heads. But that is not important in some of my lighting situations like the "Divine Inspiration" which was all bounced light. This weekend, it will be quite a simple set up. Two raw heads for the backdrop and one Opalite for the model at 90 degrees and at about 30 degrees above her. Shot at 1/4 of a second with a half blue gelatine.

Hi Ben,
Thanks for that - it makes sense. You've got an amazing control over the light!
So... do we get to see the results of the simple setup as well?! Hope so
Thanks!
Matt

Yes Matt, once PP is done...

What exactly did they confirm? That there is a BF problem with your lens or with the DA21 in general?
I shoot a lot with the DA21/K10 and never had this problem. I recently tested it extensively because someone reported a front focus problem at short distances.
No problems so far.

With my lens only...