Backfocussing 35 mm macro limited
I would be more inclined to ask for a replacement and check it thoroughly before taking it away though. Not unreasonable to expect an expensive item to work perfectly from the box!
Matt
Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
Mine appeared to be back focusing only coming good above F4 even at infinity focus. However in my case it turned out to be my K10D that was back focusing.
I think this lens is very sensitive to camera focus alignment. This is probably because it is a macro and has the focus ring movement designed to maximise control over short distances. There is very little focus movement between 0.5M and infinity so I think it is susceptible to camera miss alignment at longer distances.
I'm now using a K-7 and the same lens is working perfectly on this camera.
Glyn
DSLR: K200D + grip, Flash: Metz 48AF-1, Lenses; DA18-55, DA50-200, DA35/2.8 macro Limited, M28/2.8, M50/1.2, M50/1.7, M300/4, Takumar 135/2.5, Sigma EX DC10-20, Sigma APO DG 70-300, Vivitar macro-teleconverter, Scoptic FD-PK converter, FD50 macro, FD100 macro, FD50/1.4, FD135/2.0
Thanks for all hypotheses. My only DSLR is the K200D. It never ever in 3 years showed focusing problems. I think the camera is OK. I hope to get my lens back soon and repaired. I will certainly test it thoroughly in the store!
It has never showed focusing problems, but (according to your signature) you don't have any other f2.8 AF lenses. So maybe you didn't notice before because of the greater 'leeway' for focus accuracy at smaller apertures?
if you grab the focussing ring and try to wobble it, is there any play? i.e. not if you try to turn it, but if you try to push it up and down in the way that it's not meant to go. it should be pretty sturdy and stable. it should hardly move in that direction. if it does move, then you likely have the same problem that i did, and your lens needs to be repaired.
k7, 15/4, 31/1.8, 70/2.4, 200/2.8, Metz 58
jho01
Member
Deventer
But; infinity causes problems. With autofocus it's mostly OK, but on bleak rainy winterdays it'not. Things like windows and signs on buildings maybe 100-200 meters away are not sharp. Not even using 5.6 or 6.7 apertures with speeds up to 1/125. Using manual focussing things get worse; when I turn the ring until the mechanical stop at infinity, pictures are 100% out of focus. When I stop the ring, about 2 or 3 mm before the mechanical end, pictures are deadsharp even at infinity!
I returned the lens to the shop and have been waiting for 4 weeks now.
It's a Limited lens, meaning handmade, but does this hand belong to a drunk brain, or is backfocussing a 'normal' procedure at the Pentax plant?
DSLR: K200D + grip, Flash: Metz 48AF-1, Lenses; DA18-55, DA50-200, DA35/2.8 macro Limited, M28/2.8, M50/1.2, M50/1.7, M300/4, Takumar 135/2.5, Sigma EX DC10-20, Sigma APO DG 70-300, Vivitar macro-teleconverter, Scoptic FD-PK converter, FD50 macro, FD100 macro, FD50/1.4, FD135/2.0