Re: Pentax *ist D - Soft images ???

[Paul Stenquist]

Isn't it true that the results are subject to the lens being used? I 
thought I remember reading that the Pentax tests were done with the J 
18-45. I've made some 12 x18 prints of finely detailed subjects shot 
with some of my favorite lenses, like the K85/1.8 and the A 400/5.6,  
that were extremely sharp. I would be surprised if they could be 
improved upon without going to medium format.
Paul

On Sep 10, 2004, at 3:58 PM, Dario Bonazza wrote:
Jens,
As you know, I am one of those bad guys.
Maybe soft is not correct for describing the core problem, although 
that's
often the most evident result of the (IMO) excessive anti-alias filter 
of
the *istD.
To see if any perceived problem must be considered true, some 
comparison
with other similar class products helps a lot in getting the idea.
For a good idea of what I mean, see the following comparison:
http://www.pbase.com/image/27208228/original

Such test image has been posted here again and again, but it is 
evident some
refresh is necessary from time to time.

That doesn't mean you cannot get satisfactory results with the *ist D. 
I
take a lot of exciting pictures with my *istD, which I bought being 
well
aware of the problem. That's the reason it took me several months to 
decide.
However, with a better calibrated anti-alias filter in front of the 
CCD, the
*istD performance will be even better. That's my opinion.

Maybe the *istDS will settle the problem, who knows? Or maybe they will
overcorrect it introducing excessive moire, like Nikon did with the 
D70 (see
that comparison chart again).
IMO, the best filter balance, hence the best resolution/sharpness with 
still
acceptable moire (among 6MP class DSLR's) are the 10D and the 300D.

Bye,
Dario
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jens Bladt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 9:01 PM
Subject: PAW: Pentax *ist D - Soft images ???

It has been said, that the Pentax *ist D produces soft (unsharp) 
images. I
beg to differ!
This photograph was shot this morning. I have croped it and converted 
it
from TIFF to JPEG. Nothing else!
http://gallery46369.fotopic.net/p7438173.html

I have used:
Pentax *ist D, shutterspeed app. 1/100 sec. (Is the EXIF info not
available
in TIFF???)
Pentax-F 1.7x AF Adapter
Pentax SMC K 2.5/135mm at f8 or f11
Manfrotto 334B Monopod
I don't think sthis is soft! Do you?
Sorry to publish this flower a lot. I'm loving it!
Jens

Jens Bladt
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt