K-50 & 18-55mm AL WR lens image quality
The images I sent were each about 7mb. The ones on the forum are 500k. With that reduction in size and resolution, I don't think you will be able to see the differences I was referring to.
if so you can tell by the beach hedge for starters
Before - f5.6, 1/100 sec, iso 100, 50mm
After - f8, 1/80 sec, iso 200, 50mm
My DA18-55WR still gets used
There could also be some camera shake involved causing a softer image in picture 1, plus the lens will be sharper stopped down to f/8 compared to f/5.6.
However, adjusting the AF is commonly done these days and can make a big difference. It's not always necessary by a long way, but when it is it's worth attending to.
Perhaps what Pentax should do is make the likely need for adjustment more obvious and easier, as many new togs, or togs not familiar with DSLRs, simply won't know about the need to do it, or how.
Could the tolerances be made tighter by adjustment before leaving the factory? Of course. But this will result in more expensive bodies and lenses.
There are a number of factors at work. One is that compact cameras are over-sharpened and will often look crisper than a DSLR image, which is intended for further processing. This tweaking can also be done in camera using the parameters for JPEG files.
There could also be some camera shake involved causing a softer image in picture 1, plus the lens will be sharper stopped down to f/8 compared to f/5.6.
I would agree with John, the whole of the focus on first shot is not a patch on the second which as John suggests may suggest an element of camera shake.
The lens is a much underrated one, and you will get fine results with it.
I use my DA 18-55 AL lens on my K50 quite a bit and I like it a lot. I only shoot in jpeg as I don't have LR or any raw editing programmes.
Here are a few pics using the 18-55mm. The sunrise is two images stitched together.
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6 posts
7 years
I returned the camera to Pentax service who adjusted the back focus. The images taken with the 18-55mm lens are now better than the compact camera, and appear to be the equal of images taken with the SMC Pentax-A 50mm prime lens from my P30.
I have read elsewhere about quality control problems with current day Pentax cameras, so if you suspect something is wrong with your new Pentax, my advice is to get straight back to them and ask for it to be fixed.