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12-08-2010, 11:54 PM   #61
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So, I've finally decided. I found two great deals on the Pentax DA 15/4 Limited. So, I will be selling the Pentax DA 16-45/4 to finance that purchase. After that, I will add the Pentax DA* 55/1.4 and then cool it for a while. I wanted to get the Pentax DA* 200/2.8, but after evaluating the performance of my Pentax DA 55-300/3.5-5.8, I don't think it's necessary at the moment. The latter is one of the most stellar zooms I've had the pleasure of using, and I don't know how much better the prime will do at that focal length.

12-09-2010, 12:03 AM   #62
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The DA55-300 is pretty good, a bit slow but it always delivers when it needs to, I know I would be very slow to let my one go Good to see you have a short term plan in place for your LBA
Enjoy the new purchases and post some shots....
12-09-2010, 07:51 AM   #63
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QuoteOriginally posted by abacus07 Quote
Or it might not be possible to zoom with your feet due to the landscape.
I go further: The whole concept of "zoom with your feet" is conceptually flawed. Changing your position relative to your subject changes your perspective while zooming does not. The two effects are completely different.

QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
I wanted to get the Pentax DA* 200/2.8, but after evaluating the performance of my Pentax DA 55-300/3.5-5.8, I don't think it's necessary at the moment. The latter is one of the most stellar zooms I've had the pleasure of using, and I don't know how much better the prime will do at that focal length.
The main benefit of the prime is that you gain a stop of light. But of course you lose the focal length flexibility. From what I have seen the IQ is similar. Yes, the prime has a slight edge but it would not impact most shots. Depends on your needs of course.
12-09-2010, 09:27 AM   #64
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QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
So, I've finally decided. I found two great deals on the Pentax DA 15/4 Limited. So, I will be selling the Pentax DA 16-45/4 to finance that purchase. After that, I will add the Pentax DA* 55/1.4 and then cool it for a while. I wanted to get the Pentax DA* 200/2.8, but after evaluating the performance of my Pentax DA 55-300/3.5-5.8, I don't think it's necessary at the moment. The latter is one of the most stellar zooms I've had the pleasure of using, and I don't know how much better the prime will do at that focal length.

Well, those are great choices for your first two. As for the 55-300, I would caution that if you are like me (and hopefully, you're not), there may come a time when it just won't quite be enough for you. That lens may be the biggest bargain in the entire Pentax line-up, but to me it is missing that nth degree of sharpness. Unfortunately, to get that missing sharpness takes a major commitment in both cost and size/weight. I would advise you to fight that urge, if it does indeed surface, and build the rest of your kit first.

12-09-2010, 10:51 AM   #65
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I think prime vs. zoom is more determined by your shooting style, rather than anything else.
12-11-2010, 11:01 PM   #66
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So, question. Would you guys pick the DA* 200/2.8 and the DA* 300/4 or just the DA* 60-250/4?
12-12-2010, 12:24 AM   #67
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QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
I think prime vs. zoom is more determined by your shooting style, rather than anything else.
Your definitely right about that!
I'm on the same boat as you. Except I don't have the 15/4 yet and the 40 limited instead of the 35. I think I have LBA
What I've come to realize is that primes add to the portability factor while tele add to convenience.
Now I usually shoot with my 16-45mm, now 17-50mm and I rarely shoot over 50mm. I rarely use my 55-300mm - twice for concerts. (I should definitely utilize it more for nature etc)
Therefore, for me, primes in the low focal range and tele in the long ranges are good for me.
The 40 prime is perfect for me. I'm really thinking about picking up a 15 prime as well.
If I want to get into portraits, I really don't need a 70 prime or 77 prime for portability. What I need is a like a 50-135 2.8, 50-150 2.8 or even a 70-200 2.8. 60-250 4 is too slow for indoor portraits IMO. It's too huge for outdoors for me. And that's only if I want to do portraits. Some have said that the 70 in the 50-135 is as good as the 70 prime and I've read a couple of posts where people sell their 70 for the 50-135. Maybe I should do a search on 77mm vs 50-135. Uh oh I sense symptoms of LBA again.

Hope this helps!

12-12-2010, 12:39 PM   #68
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QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
So, question. Would you guys pick the DA* 200/2.8 and the DA* 300/4 or just the DA* 60-250/4?
You are talking different shades of perfection so what functionality do you need? If you absolutely need another stop of speed and 200mm is enough reach, then go for that lens. If you need more reach but prefer primes, then the DA* 300mm is your choice. If you want flexibility then the DA* zoom is your man.

Shots I have seen with the zoom are incredible. There would be no reason to blame your lens for any faults in the resulting photos. Photozone loves it too.
12-22-2010, 09:13 PM   #69
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So, here's a question. If you know that you don't use zooms, as in you've had a zoom, but always opted for a prime in that range, and you had the following lenses, would you feel like you've got your bases covered for almost everything?

Pentax DA 15/4 Limited
Pentax DA 35/2.8 Limited
Pentax DA* 55/1.4
Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited
Pentax DA* 200/2.8
12-22-2010, 09:20 PM   #70
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I don't use zooms often at all. But the one exception is in the wide end, since I do not want (and cannot in any case) carry 8 primes to do the work of the DA12-24mm.
12-22-2010, 09:23 PM   #71
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That's true, although I've found that my DA 15/4 Limited allows me to cover the wide end with satisfaction. The reason I was asking about the kit is because there is a relatively large gap between the FA 77/1.8 Limited and the DA* 200/2.8, but I can't think of anything else that should be there.
12-22-2010, 09:38 PM   #72
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I would love to have your lenses but if I did I might get a general purpose zoom like the 18-135 WR for random conditions. Like bad weather, outdoor fun events where photography is a 2nd or 3rd objective or whatever else might not suited for your really nice primes.
12-23-2010, 06:47 AM   #73
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QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
The reason I was asking about the kit is because there is a relatively large gap between the FA 77/1.8 Limited and the DA* 200/2.8, but I can't think of anything else that should be there.
I have the Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 macro and would say something of that order should be in a working lens system. I also have a Pentacon 135mm f/2.8 preset and find that focal length to be useful. I have recently blogged a few articles about 135mm lenses.

I could easily sell all my other lenses and keep these, if focal length coverage was the issue:
DA 12-24
Vivitar Close Focus 28/2
FA 43
FA 77
Vivitar Series 1 105 macro
DA 55-300

I could do without the tele zoom as well, but that's just me.
12-23-2010, 08:50 AM   #74
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QuoteOriginally posted by baig.sabeeh90 Quote
Would you guys pick the DA* 200/2.8 and the DA* 300/4 or just the DA* 60-250/4?
It depends on what you want to shoot with them. If I were primarily shooting wildlife, I would take the DA* 300. (If you try to shoot wildlife with the 60-250, you'll mostly be using the lens at 250mm, so you'd probably be better off with a prime in any case.) If you need to shoot a multiple focal lengths, then the 60-250 becomes more compelling. Generally speaking, one should only get a zoom if one plans to use it at multiple focal lengths (and not just occasionally, but routinely). I have always found that whenever I went shooting with a telephoto zoom, I was using it almost exclusively at the long end of the zoom (and wishing it went out further); which is why I no longer shoot with such lenses.
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