Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Pentax
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Samples Images

Here're some sample images taken with the K10D and RAW-converted via ACR 3.7. Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE (=several megabytes) which requires quite some bandwidth for downloading so please don't waste the limited resources here.

Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/4.0 @ 1/800s
Size 3872x2592
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/2000s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/800s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/4.0 @ 1/800s
Size 3872x2592
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/1000s
Size 3872x2592
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/2.8 @ 1/2000s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/3.5 @ 1/3200s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 200.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/1600s
Size 2592x3872

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM is a very welcome addition to the Pentax lineup. The performance is generally on a very high level. In terms of resolution and contrast the lens is able to produce very good results straight from the max. aperture setting. The level of distortions is absolutely negligible and vignetting and lateral chromatic aberrations (CAs) are not overly field relevant. The quality of the bokeh (out-of-focus blur) is very decent. However, there are also flaws. In critical scenes (extreme contrast) the lens shows a rather high amount of purple fringing and longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LoCA), colored out-of-focus halos, are also higher than average. These two issues do probably originate in the rather old base design of the lens dating back to 1993. The mechanical quality of the lens is absolutely exceptional thanks to high quality materials and seals against dust and moisture. The new ultrasonic AF drive (SDM) works like a breeze - it's both fast and almost silent. All-in-all a quite sound offer although a comparatively expensive one.

Optical Quality:
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:

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