Tamron 17-50 non-vc
Posted 03/02/2014 - 10:56 - Helpful Comment
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It should be good. Beating the 18-55 and getting close to the DA35. (rebuy the DA35 )
Check the front element isn't loose, this affects focus.
Try calibrating front back focus adjustment. I've had mine at +8 and +max too. Even after a service. I last did mine pointing about 3m from an angled tree trunk, focusing on a knot then reviewing the image and adjusting.
Aperture mode, f5 or f5.6 it should be sharp. If not send it back.
Check the front element isn't loose, this affects focus.
Try calibrating front back focus adjustment. I've had mine at +8 and +max too. Even after a service. I last did mine pointing about 3m from an angled tree trunk, focusing on a knot then reviewing the image and adjusting.
Aperture mode, f5 or f5.6 it should be sharp. If not send it back.
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 03/02/2014 - 11:01
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Thanks Doug
I think that the lens just doesn't do it for me as the other lenses mentioned do.
The focus seems fine- I think it's the lack of contrast compared to e prime.
Cheers
Mac
I think that the lens just doesn't do it for me as the other lenses mentioned do.
The focus seems fine- I think it's the lack of contrast compared to e prime.
Cheers
Mac
Posted 03/02/2014 - 11:11 - Helpful Comment
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Most if the time I have either the DA35 or DA50 on the front and I'm happy. The Tamron is on if I need a zoom.
You have probably been spoilt by the 35.
The Tamron is a sharp zoom I'll have a look tonight and do a comp at 35mm.
There will be variations in individual lenses. You have checked for haze?
The loose front element can cause oof in parts of the image.
You have probably been spoilt by the 35.
The Tamron is a sharp zoom I'll have a look tonight and do a comp at 35mm.
There will be variations in individual lenses. You have checked for haze?
The loose front element can cause oof in parts of the image.
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 03/02/2014 - 12:02
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Have a look on photozone.de the Tamron from the nikon dx section. The DA35 is 2478 wide open and 2723 at f4 compared with Tamron at about 2150,
You're spoilt.!
Or is that sensor resolution?
You're spoilt.!
Or is that sensor resolution?
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 03/02/2014 - 22:14 - Helpful Comment
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The DA35 is softer than I anticipated at 2.8. The Tamron is sharper than I anticipated at f5!!!! Anyway I could probably do with calibrating them both at the same time and doing it again.
Camera on a tripod, 6 feet away from the books, Live View focus on the Patrick Suskind book, I retook the f2.8 one as I wasn't happy with it. DNGs viewed in Lightroom 3 on a Mac and XY comps viewed at 1:1 pixel resolution and grabbed. So no sharpening. ISO 400 so a bit more to squeeze at 100
From this you should be pretty happy with the sharpness of the Tamron and the contrast ( I know it's flash light ).
If you want the full size files and/or RAWs drop me a PM they are reasonably big.
screen cap of comparison (resized for screen capture).
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/foo03022014215720_zpse2b385d4.jpg~original[/IMG]
f2.8 DA35 on left, Live View focus on Partick Suskind Perfume book, Flash used, slightly oblique angle to stop reflected flash.
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/f28version2DA35onleft_zps3c2301d6.jpg~original[/IMG]
f5 DA35 on left
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/f5da35onleft_zps53259192.jpg~original[/IMG]
The full frame DA35 at f5
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/IM5G0051_fullpic_zpse4555235.jpg~original[/IMG]
Camera on a tripod, 6 feet away from the books, Live View focus on the Patrick Suskind book, I retook the f2.8 one as I wasn't happy with it. DNGs viewed in Lightroom 3 on a Mac and XY comps viewed at 1:1 pixel resolution and grabbed. So no sharpening. ISO 400 so a bit more to squeeze at 100
From this you should be pretty happy with the sharpness of the Tamron and the contrast ( I know it's flash light ).
If you want the full size files and/or RAWs drop me a PM they are reasonably big.
screen cap of comparison (resized for screen capture).
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/foo03022014215720_zpse2b385d4.jpg~original[/IMG]
f2.8 DA35 on left, Live View focus on Partick Suskind Perfume book, Flash used, slightly oblique angle to stop reflected flash.
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/f28version2DA35onleft_zps3c2301d6.jpg~original[/IMG]
f5 DA35 on left
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/f5da35onleft_zps53259192.jpg~original[/IMG]
The full frame DA35 at f5
[IMG]http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/df8/IM5G0051_fullpic_zpse4555235.jpg~original[/IMG]
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 03/02/2014 - 23:27
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Pentaxophile wrote:
Knowing it was you Doug, my eyes immediately scanned the shelf for a Vonnegut book. And sure enough! Not sure why, but had a hunch you may read his stuff.
, the wife is the brainy one, her books outnumber mine 8 to 1, I read vicariously, infrequently, osmotically and I'll read the Vonnegut next. I think the last one I read was "The Road to Wigan Pier" and I've a Carl Hiassen lined up. I mostly read reviews of lenses ..........Knowing it was you Doug, my eyes immediately scanned the shelf for a Vonnegut book. And sure enough! Not sure why, but had a hunch you may read his stuff.
We should perhaps have a thread with images of the books we're reading at the moment, or one for what we're drinking etc etc
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 04/02/2014 - 06:10
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Thank you Doug
This may be irrelevant but I checked the front element last night and the circular plastic clip that keeps it there I gently pushed and it clicked down in two places. Any thoughts?
Cheers
Mac
This may be irrelevant but I checked the front element last night and the circular plastic clip that keeps it there I gently pushed and it clicked down in two places. Any thoughts?
Cheers
Mac
Posted 04/02/2014 - 09:24 - Helpful Comment
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I'm mobile so limited.
There are some instructions how to remove the bezel and tighten the screws for the front. Not sure where though.
However if you suspect it's not up to snuff you and the seller might like to agree how to take it forward. No point messing it up. It should be better than the wr kit and slightly worse than the DA35, so you know where your IQ should sit.
Good luck
There are some instructions how to remove the bezel and tighten the screws for the front. Not sure where though.
However if you suspect it's not up to snuff you and the seller might like to agree how to take it forward. No point messing it up. It should be better than the wr kit and slightly worse than the DA35, so you know where your IQ should sit.
Good luck
Lurking is shirking.!
Posted 04/02/2014 - 11:20 - Helpful Comment
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This lens is a funny beast. It's sharp even wide open, with great contrast and capable of producing pictures with a nice 3D "pop"
However...
1. Many copies are said to front focus or back focus, and perhaps by different amount depending on the focal length it's set to
2. There is said to be quite a wide variance in quality control, so some copies may be sharper than others
3. I also use mine on a K200D, and certainly with that camera, focus is often wrong. The K200D does not have the most reliable AF, so I blame the camera more than the lens.
With a good copy, when it performs well, the lens is excellent and very useful, but it can be tricky.
However...
1. Many copies are said to front focus or back focus, and perhaps by different amount depending on the focal length it's set to
2. There is said to be quite a wide variance in quality control, so some copies may be sharper than others
3. I also use mine on a K200D, and certainly with that camera, focus is often wrong. The K200D does not have the most reliable AF, so I blame the camera more than the lens.
With a good copy, when it performs well, the lens is excellent and very useful, but it can be tricky.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 04/02/2014 - 11:33
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Took this this morning, far happier!
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716 posts
14 years
Birmingham
I would welcome any tips on using this lens.....
I think I stupidly sold an 18-55 Pentax WR and a Pentax 35 2.4 to get this----I am disappointed with the results. Used on a K200D and Kr body.
Thoughts? I don't use wide open, I use a fast enough shutter speed at close to base ISO.
Cheers
Mac
www.500px.com/simac