Pentax DA HD Limited 35mm f/2.8 Macro Aperture Series: 'Map' (Pentax K1 SuperRes)
Related: Adobe, Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Camera Raw Super Resolution, digital sensor, Knut, Pentax, Pentax DSLR, Pentax HD DA, Pentax HD DA Limited 35mm f/2.8 Macro, Pentax K, Pentax K-1, Pentax K-1 Mark II, Pentax Lenses
See my Pentax K1 wish list at B&H Photo.
A macro lens should perform at very high level in macro range, along with a flat field (strictly controlled field curvature). This finely detailed map was shot at a reproduction ratio of about 1:10 to test that case. Previously, I showed the same subject using the Pentax smc FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro as well as with the Pentax 50mm f/2.8 macro.
The Pentax DA HD Limited 35mm f/2.8 is designed for an image circle to cover an APS-C sensor. However, as seen in the Zeiss Touit examples (“Usage on full frame sensor...”), lenses designed for APS-C often have a much larger image circle than the APS-C sensor area, and good quality too, at least when stopped down.
I forgot to retract the lens hood for the first shoot, so I’ve kept that page and shot again, but with the lens hood retracted, for a useful comparison with/without the hood in use.
Here the Pentax 35/2.8 Macro is tested on the full-frame sensor of the Pentax K1.
- Pentax 35/2.8 Macro Aperture Series: 'Map of the World' (Pentax K1 SuperRes, Shade Extended)
- Pentax 35/2.8 Macro Aperture Series: 'Map of the World' (Pentax K1 SuperRes, Shade Retracted)
Images up to 28 megapixels with large crops, all from f/2.8 through f/16. This provides a detailed look at the “whole package” (lens and camera in SuperRes mode). SuperRes pixel shift mode of the Pentax K1 was used, for maximum image quality. Images include overlay lines showing the APS-C sensor area as well as a larger area deemed usable on full frame (with some stopping down). The appropriate apertures and usable sensor area is shown.
Image below with the lens hood fully extended.
PENTAX K-1 + HD PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
[low-res image for bot]
Knut writes:
VERY interesting that the DA 35 covers full frame. I'm not aware of another 35mm macro that covers full frame (Novoflex used to have one but it is long out of production and it had very poor contrast).
When shooting miniature landscapes (model trains etc.) using a wider angle is much more immersive. it allows showing the subject within it's environment.
Macro lenses in the 90-180mm range yield a perspective that is close to a tele lens in real life.
DIGLLOYD: Agreed—so many macro shots exclude all context.
