Pentax K1 + Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 SuperRes Aperture Series @ 15mm (Includes StdRes Comparison)
See my Pentax K1 wish list at B&H Photo.
In my review of the Pentax K1, this aperture series evaluates the Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR from f/2.8 through f/11 on a very demanding target in SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode (“PSM”), including a frame at f/9 shot without pixel shift. Thus it evaluates several behaviors together under real world conditions:
- Performance of Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR across its aperture range on an extremely demanding real-world outdoor subject.
- Distortion of the Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR.
- Comparison of SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode to regular exposure at the optimal aperture of f/9 including color balance differences.
- Whether SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode has benefits at wider apertures where performance may be less.
- Whether SuperRes Pixel Shift Mode eliminates any aliasing or moiré.
Pentax 15-30/2.8 Aperture Series @ 15mm, with Pixel Shift: Mosaic (Pentax K1)
Includes ACR processing settings, images up to 28 megapixels, and large crops, all from f/2.8 through f/11. The entire series is shot in pixel shift mode to critically evaluate both the K1 SuperRes mode as well as the Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8. Also includes an f/9 exposure in StdRes mode for comparison to SuperRes mode—a nice real world look at the advantages of SuperRes mode.
The Pentax K1 in pixel shift mode sets a new quality bar for full frame 35mm images.
Distortion is obviously not the strong suite of the Pentax 15-30/2.8 @ 15mm.