Are there difference in Limiteds/Premiums?

[hamustar]

I've been into budget lenses and off-brand ones. Now i'm contemplating getting a good glass.
Is there really a difference? Is the difference manifested in sharpness, colour, bokeh, or what?

i.e.
1) 31mm Limited vs 18-55 kit@31mm, both at f/4.
- or vs 16-50@f/2.8

2) 43Ltd vs M/A/FA50 1.4 , both at f/2.

etc....

Appreciate if some of you who have both premium and entry-lvl lenses, can demonstrate the differences in un-PPed images.

[flowerpot]

Yes... go buy all the limiteds now... b4 they become very expensive next Feb...

[airconvent]

Yes. Sharpness is one. I stopped using zoom lens for general use.
If you have budget, then get one for general use. Something in the range from 18-28mm (eg DA21mm). That is wide enough for walk around and group portraits. Next is the DA40mm/FA43mm/FA50mm1.4.
The 70/77mm should be last IMHO if you are taking family shots on outings.

[scorpioh]

The premium you pay for the Llimited lenses is due to the construction/material/machining and consistent optical quality across different settings (aperture, focus range and zoom range). A good lens maintains its optical quality across its entire zoom and aperture range. Of cos you can still get very good optical quality from an entry zoom say you stop down to at least f5.6, using the mid of the zoom range (typically) and focusing on a mid-distance object in good light. Performance may drift significantly as you get to either extremities of the entry lens but would some what remain consistent for premium lenses. It is this consistency that you are paying for in good lenses. For example, I have no qualms using my FA77 at f1.8 but would consider twice with my FA50 at that setting. There's also things like purple fringing, chromatic aberrations, vignetting, pincushion/barrel distortions and premium lenses usually have these well-controlled.

Apart from the above technicalities, there are also the color rendition and bokeh - the "soft" side of lenses that one may want to consider. The FA limited renders really well. It's just not what you'll get in typical entry-level zooms.

To sum up, there is a difference. Especially if you know what you are looking for. Embrace the magic!!!

[Gengh]

Here're some un-PPed images as requested! They are all taken with the K100D on jpg *** quality, ISO400, F4. No processing in the computer except to reduce their sizes to what you see using PS Elements so that I can upload them to CS gallery.

Full pic from Tamron 90mm


Full pic from Tamron 70-300mm


Full pic from DA*50-135mm


100% crop comparison


I did the test at F8 as well, but some handshake messed it up, so the pictures can't be used.

I think the difference in optical quality is pretty clear (sharpness, contrast, purple fringing, etc), even without zooming in to 100% and just viewing the photos in full screen mode. That's why I now swear by my pair of DA* zooms, hehe... Don't dare to touch the Limiteds yet, or I'll have a long battle to fight with the BBB virus again.

Agree with what scorpioh said too, especially about the bokeh and how you might think twice about using a cheap lens wide open or zoomed all the way in.

[hjbyeo]

Originally Posted by Gengh Here're some un-PPed images as requested! They are all taken with the K100D on jpg *** quality, ISO400, F4. No processing in the computer except to reduce their sizes to what you see using PS Elements so that I can upload them to CS gallery. 100% crop comparison I did the test at F8 as well, but some handshake messed it up, so the pictures can't be used. I think the difference in optical quality is pretty clear (sharpness, contrast, purple fringing, etc), even without zooming in to 100% and just viewing the photos in full screen mode. That's why I now swear by my pair of DA* zooms, hehe... Don't dare to touch the Limiteds yet, or I'll have a long battle to fight with the BBB virus again. Agree with what scorpioh said too, especially about the bokeh and how you might think twice about using a cheap lens wide open or zoomed all the way in.

Bro! Stuff! The DA*s are pretty good, and if you get 1 in the 2nd hand market (with Warranty for a while will be good), it's still way cheaper than those in the C and N camp... (performance not included).

[othello]

gengh : wow ! picture sure tells everything !! planning to get another lens ( prob 50 -200) for my k100D and have been surfing ard for more info on 3rd party ones .... now have to re-evaluate liao

[Gengh]

Just to add that 3rd party doesn't necessarily mean that they're no good. Just take for example, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8. I think what I've seen so far from that lens is really impressive! And the Tamron 70-300mm is really a budget lens that's known for purple fringing problems, so I'm guessing most "higher class" tele-zooms like the DA50-200mm should perform better.

Ultimately, the general rule is more like "pay peanuts, get monkeys". Brand? Not so much of an issue for me.

othello: There's a DA*50-135mm in the B&S section I think, good to take into consideration when doing your re-evaluation.

[hamustar]

Gengh! You're da man! Thanks for the effort put in! especially the part where you stitched the 3 crops together.

There's really a difference. Most obvious is the purple fringing between the tamron zoom vs the DA*. The superior coating perhaps also contributed to result.

Comparing the Tammy 90mm and DA*, there seems also a difference in contrast.

[Gengh]

Originally Posted by hamustar Gengh! You're da man! Thanks for the effort put in! especially the part where you stitched the 3 crops together. There's really a difference. Most obvious is the purple fringing between the tamron zoom vs the DA*. The superior coating perhaps also contributed to result. Comparing the Tammy 90mm and DA*, there seems also a difference in contrast.

You're welcome. Recovering from flu at home today, so got lots of spare time to do this sort of thing...

I was surprised at the lower contrast of the Tamron 90mm myself, 'cos I haven't noticed such a problem when I used it for macros. But I do know that it doesn't handle bright backgrounds well. Maybe it's all linked.

Anyway, hope that helps you in whatever contemplation you're having.

[airconvent]

whoa...even a zoom lens can outperform a prime...
The * lens does look like they are worth every cent. Chromatic abberration is almost non existant on the * but you can still detect a little of it on the Tamron. And the details and contrast!

[scorpioh]

The da*50-135 is indeed one of the best modern zooms by Pentax and if needs be, I would recommend it as well.

[creampuff]

Aside from the purple fringing, the Tamron 70-300mm doesn't look so bad. It beats the 90mm macro in resolving fine detail and I think doesn't look so bad compared to the DA*. Obviously the DA* is about 4 to 5 times the price so it had better be able to deliver in all departments.

One thing that isn't shown here is resistance to flare. Here, primes typically do much better than zooms.

[airconvent]

My DA70mm was seldom used so I have been thinking of selling it off.
But today I brought it to Henderson Wave and tried it out and man, I almost slapped myself for even considering selling it off. The images were sharp and bokeh were fantastic.
That one stays in my dry box now! Not as a walk about lens though but as a portrait lens such as how I used it today.

My take, once you get a DA Limited, don't let it go unless its to get an FA Limited or * lens

[le petit prince]

Originally Posted by airconvent My DA70mm was seldom used so I have been thinking of selling it off. But today I brought it to Henderson Wave and tried it out and man, I almost slapped myself for even considering selling it off. The images were sharp and bokeh were fantastic. That one stays in my dry box now! Not as a walk about lens though but as a portrait lens such as how I used it today. My take, once you get a DA Limited, don't let it go unless its to get an FA Limited or * lens

Mostly for portrait, but I do use the 70mm as a landscape and walkabout lens too. For tight framing and details-oriented shots, it shines. Because sometimes, wide-angle just doesn't work too well..

Example of 70mm landscape..