[Frogfish]

Seems to me you need to take a long hard look at the K5.

Better reviews than the D7000 and it's DR even exceeds Nikon's big gun the US$5,000 FF D3. High ISO's lag just a little behind it though (but still superb) - not bad for a camera less than 1/3 of the price !

High ISO shots : Preston Parker Photographic Artistry - K5 ISO Test

[paperbag846]

Seems to me you need to take a long hard look at the K5.

Better reviews than the D7000 and it's DR even exceeds Nikon's big gun the US$5,000 FF D3. High ISO's lag just a little behind it though (but still superb) - not bad for a camera less than 1/3 of the price !

High ISO shots : Preston Parker Photographic Artistry - K5 ISO Test

Pick between the K5 an D7000 based on the lens line. They are very different. You either want what Pentax has, or you don't. Not everything can be summed up on a spec sheet.

[Framed]

Pick between the K5 an D7000 based on the lens line. They are very different. You either want what Pentax has, or you don't. Not everything can be summed up on a spec sheet.

Yes there is the rub. If not for the AF situation my decision would already be made after all the points here. Well that and my lust for an 85 1.4 and a Pentax brand 24-70. But those could be over come if I trusted Pentax's focus system.

[Lowell Goudge]

By fast I mean 1.4 or 1.8. I have the 50m 1.4 and it rarely leaves my camera. However I want a fast zoom so bad I'm about to jump ship. I love my Pentax cameras but want/need some fast lens options. I'm ready to upgrade my camera body so I'm seriously considering a switch in brands just to have some fast lens options.
Talk me out of it...tell me there is a wonderful fast zoom or prime option out there that I am over looking.
TIA!

If this is your reason for switching brands, you will be dissatisfied with every brand out there.

There are no zooms faster than F2.8.

fast lenses, i.e. F2 and faster are the world of primes

[einstrigger]

I'm actually looking at either the d700 or the d7000 and the d300s popped up as a possibility as well. Cost is an issue so I'm leaning toward a crop sensor with the full frame lens. It is a pricey lens but it is a gorgeous piece of glass. Puts my Sigma 24-70 2.8 to shame on either of my friends bodies. That is the range I'd like to cover right now, along with maybe a fast 85 or longer prime as well.

Which Nikon does your friend shoot with? The D7k or D700? Because the lens you are coveting (24-70mm) is going to be different between the cropped sensor vs. the full frame of the D700. But I'm sure you already knew that. Like someone else mentioned, that 24-70mm equivalent in cropped format would be the Pentax 16--50mm f/2.8 zoom.

I agree about the 85mm though. Pentax does not have anything currently in production at that length. A used Pentax FA 85mm f/1.4 cost just as much as a brand new Nikon 85mm f/1.4D if not more. Either way, if you're looking at a new body plus lens in that range, it's not going to come cheap.

From B&H prices, items in cart:
Pentax K-5 (body-only) + 16-50mm f/2.8 = $2169.86
Nikon D7000 (body-only) + 24-70mm f/2.8G = $2899.90
Nikon D700 (body-only) + 24-70mm f/2.8G = $3748.95 (w/ B&H bundled discount of $300)

[Ash]

The main issue with Pentax for you will be the availability of fast primes - there are a number of historical f/1.4-f/2.8 lenses, most updated for APS-C and in the order of f/2.4-f/3.2

If the faster primes were still in production, I wonder whether Pentax would have a firmer pro following...

[Pentaxor]

for portrait lenses look for an FA31/1.8, A50/1.2 and a DA* 55/1.4. for the body, Pentax K-5.

if this combo still doesn't satisfy you, then you should get a Leica.

[CWyatt]

Unfortunately for Pentax there's nothing really fast under the 31mm offered by the FA from Pentax lenses. I think a lot of people would love something that gives a classic 28mm or 35mm (35mm equivalent) field of view at under f/2. I know I'd shell out good money for a 24mm f/1.4 or f/1.8.

There are no zooms faster than F2.8.

Olympus Lens: Zooms - Olympus 35-100mm f/2 PRO ED Zuiko Digital - SLRgear.com!

Using the smaller sensor probably helps.

With the low noise high ISO bodies, fast lenses are becoming obsolete.

Obsolete!? Have I missed something?

[Frogfish]

Obsolete!? Have I missed something?

I'm sure what he meant was you can now achieve the same result using a higher ISO setting rather than having to go low (and often softer) meaning there undoubtedly will be less demand for super fast lenses, which may soon become specialist lenses rather than everyday low light lenses.

There are plenty of fast lenses out there for Pentax - especially with a K5 or Kr in your kit. Then 2.4 / 2.8 becomes very fast.

Starting with the 14/2.8 , 21/3.2 and 24/2.0 then there are about 5 versions of the 28/2 to choose from, with 31 Ltd /1.8, 35/2.4, M35/1.4, 43 Ltd / 1.9, 50/1.4, 55/1.4, 70/2.4, 77 Ltd / 1.8 or add either an older Pentax 85 / 1.4 or even the new Samyang 85 / 1.4 ( a much cheaper option !) , 135/2.8 and a 200/2.8 or 300/4 at the long end. The Samyang aside other 3rd party lenses, whether new or out of production, haven't even been considered yet !

If you can't pick a prime set from that - then you will never be satisfied !

[nulla]

The main issue with Pentax for you will be the availability of fast primes - there are a number of historical f/1.4-f/2.8 lenses, most updated for APS-C and in the order of f/2.4-f/3.2

If the faster primes were still in production, I wonder whether Pentax would have a firmer pro following...

Ash

which primes are you referring to that are no longer in production?

Cheers

Neil

[dgaies]

Ash

which primes are you referring to that are no longer in production?

Cheers

Neil

I assume he's referring to the FA*24/2 and FA*85/1.4 (and maybe also the FA35/2 and FA135/2.8).

[Ash]

I assume he's referring to the FA*24/2 and FA*85/1.4 (and maybe also the FA35/2 and FA135/2.8).

Got it in one. Thanks mate.
Look at the FA* 200/2.8, 300/2.8 and 600/4 as well for fast (long) glass.
Just about all the FA*s were classic.

[nulla]

Got it in one. Thanks mate.
Look at the FA* 200/2.8, 300/2.8 and 600/4 as well for fast (long) glass.
Just about all the FA*s were classic.

Yeah, fair enough though I do feel that Pentax offers a very good range of fast primes.

I would though love to have an 85 1.4... used a mates once and it is brilliant.

Cheers

Neil

[Frogfish]

Yeah, fair enough though I do feel that Pentax offers a very good range of fast primes.

I would though love to have an 85 1.4... used a mates once and it is brilliant.

Cheers

Neil

I've heard nice things about the Samyang 85/1.4 and over here there is also a Walmex 85/1.4 (which I am assuming is the same lense rebadged).

A quick check and I found (all 85/1.4) FA for US$1,200, Samyang US$380, Rokinon US$300 and Walmex US$400, the Nikon is US$1,1,00, Sigma US$800, Sony US$1,400, Planar T US$1,100, Contax Zeiss US$700 - 1,100 : adaptors for some of these run around US$100 over here).

[Rondec]

Pentax has seemingly had a quest for small lenses and is willing to sacrifice a little speed to get there. I am convinced that that is why the DA 40 is only f2.8 and not f2. They wanted the smallest form factor that they could get. As others have mentioned, there are a lot of third party options -- mainly from Sigma and there are options on the used market as well.

I do think that with higher iso being a reasonable option, that shooting at f1.4 is less necessary than it was in the "old days." Narrow depth of field was often more of a side effect of getting a fast enough shutter speed, rather than a specifically sought effect.