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.