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D-FA 15-30 focus direction

Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 14:45 Link
Having just got one of these lenses, I've noticed something which I can't recall being in any of the reviews. The focus works the "wrong" way compared to just about all the other Pentax lenses. I could understand it if it were a 3rd party lens but it seems odd that Ricoh should do this unless there were some design reason why it couldn't be made the "right" way.

I am finding it a real PITA as it goes against "instinct" and every time I try to fine tune the focus, I initially go the wrong way. Anybody else find this?
JAK
Posted 30/11/2018 - 17:25 Link
Mentioned in JR's review at ePhotozine https://www.ephotozine.com/article/hd-pentax-d-fa-15-30mm-f2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-... .... fourth paragraph.

Surely its not really a problem given it's a very wide angle with AF ?

JR wrote:
The number of times I would want to manually focus this lens are few and far between, so it may no longer be an issue at all.

John K
Edited by JAK: 30/11/2018 - 17:29
Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 17:36 Link
JAK wrote:
Mentioned in JR's review at ePhotozine https://www.ephotozine.com/article/hd-pentax-d-fa-15-30mm-f2-8-ed-sdm-wr-review-... .... fourth paragraph.

Surely its not really a problem given it's a very wide angle with AF ?

JR wrote:
The number of times I would want to manually focus this lens are few and far between, so it may no longer be an issue at all.


It's a game stopper for me. Been trying to use the lens today and I just can't get on with it. So it will have to go.
RobL
Posted 30/11/2018 - 18:26 Link
Stick with it, don’t be hasty, it’s a fine lens.
Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 18:48 Link
RobL wrote:
Stick with it, don’t be hasty, it’s a fine lens.

Performance wise, it is a fine lens. But for me, the handling sucks. If I keep it, it will never or only very rarely be used so it will go as soon as the all the deals are over.
pschlute
Posted 30/11/2018 - 18:58 Link
Whenever I manually focus I move the ring back and forward around the focus point until it is sharpest. Cannot say i even notice if I am turning clock or anti-clock wise.
Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 19:02 Link
pschlute wrote:
Whenever I manually focus I move the ring back and forward around the focus point until it is sharpest. Cannot say i even notice if I am turning clock or anti-clock wise.

In a way, that is exactly my point. I use manual focus a lot. Generally I do not need to think about which way to turn it. It has become "ingrained" so that it goes the right way -EXCEPT - with this lens. If I had bought it from anywhere but SRS it would be already on it's way back under the distance selling rules. However Chris does a lot to look after us on this Forum and so I will not use that in this case.
barkin
Posted 30/11/2018 - 20:15 Link
pschlute wrote:
Whenever I manually focus I move the ring back and forward around the focus point until it is sharpest. Cannot say i even notice if I am turning clock or anti-clock wise.

Me too. I've some lenses that focus (and zoom) the same way as Pentax ones, and some that are opposite.
I can't say that it's something that I ever think about - I just twist back n forth 'til I get there
Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 20:36 Link
barkin wrote:
pschlute wrote:
Whenever I manually focus I move the ring back and forward around the focus point until it is sharpest. Cannot say i even notice if I am turning clock or anti-clock wise.

Me too. I've some lenses that focus (and zoom) the same way as Pentax ones, and some that are opposite.
I can't say that it's something that I ever think about - I just twist back n forth 'til I get there

A question? By this do you mean you autofocus and then make any adjustment by turning back and forth? Or are you talking about manually focussing with the AF off as I am?
Kim C
Posted 30/11/2018 - 21:42 Link
Maybe this is why it focusses the wrong way.

Comment Image
HarisF1
Posted 01/12/2018 - 10:49 Link
Yep it's due to the base lens being made by Tamron. I noticed that the switching between the focus and zoom rings in newer designs has caused me a bit of annoyance in recent times too.
All the gear with no idea
Kim C
Posted 01/12/2018 - 11:01 Link
HarisF1 wrote:
Yep it's due to the base lens being made by Tamron. I noticed that the switching between the focus and zoom rings in newer designs has caused me a bit of annoyance in recent times too.

More than the "base lens". The lenses are MIJ. Ricoh hasn't had a factory in Japan for some time. The lenses along with the 24-70 are made in Japan by Tamron with the Pentax mods and different finish/coatings for Pentax. Probably quite lucrative for both Pentax and Tamron. Maybe the reason Tamron sells the lenses under in own name for Canikion but markets such a "poor" selection for K Mount.
barkin
Posted 01/12/2018 - 11:23 Link
Kim C wrote:
barkin wrote:
Quote:
Whenever I manually focus I move the ring back and forward around the focus point until it is sharpest. Cannot say i even notice if I am turning clock or anti-clock wise.

Me too. I've some lenses that focus (and zoom) the same way as Pentax ones, and some that are opposite.
I can't say that it's something that I ever think about - I just twist back n forth 'til I get there

A question? By this do you mean you autofocus and then make any adjustment by turning back and forth? Or are you talking about manually focussing with the AF off as I am?

Both really. But I mainly only manually focus with old K/M manual lenses. I don't really enjoy the MF experience with most AF lenses, whichever way the ring turns...
barkin
Posted 01/12/2018 - 11:27 Link
HarisF1 wrote:
I noticed that the switching between the focus and zoom rings in newer designs has caused me a bit of annoyance in recent times too.

I find that far more of a PITA than than the zoom/focus direction.
DoctorJeff
Posted 02/12/2018 - 15:34 Link
I have to agree with KimC
The question of focus direction has been going on for years, and I certainly remember it being a topic back in the '70s.
The general view was that Pentax and Nikon went one way, while Canon, Leica. and Minolta went the other.
3rd party lenses? My guess is that it depended on sales volume - those that I have handy in Pentax K mount work in the direction that Kim would expect - even a Vivitar mirror lens in T-1 mount. Of course, the distance from lens to film plane could be a factor when deciding which mounts to market a lens for (or in).
What was considered of equal importance was the focus "throw", or the amount the focus ring had to be turned from closest to infinity.
I have a Tamron A2 lens 24mm/f=2.4 which moves in the Pentax direction, with a short throw, and it will take a **non clamp-on lens hood on the focus ring, the clamp screw is long enough to make a handy focus lever.
Made a handy walk round lens when I could still walk.
Geoff
Water can wear away a stone - but it can't cook lunch
X-5
istDS
K2000
P50.
Lenses Digital: 50-200, 18-55 KAF: 28-80.
Lenses KA & K: SMC-KA f2.0, SMC-K f1.4, SMC-K f1.7 Tokina KA 28-70 , SMC Pentax 70-210 F4, Sigma KA 75-300 , Hanimex 500mm Mirror, and the Tamron Adaptall-2 stuff.
and then there's all the M42 kit, and the accessories ...
Edited by DoctorJeff: 02/12/2018 - 15:36

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