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06-30-2011, 04:13 AM   #16
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Nikon does have more current lenses and in particular more long lenses. To me, it doesn't really make a big difference for most photographers, since they will never buy them anyway. But if you want an 85mm f1.4 autofocus lens, with Pentax you have to go to Sigma to find a lens in production or, buy a used FA 85.

At the same time, Nikon prices are amazingly high for their high end lenses. Their 70-200 f2.8 VR II currently sells for north of 2000 dollars. I can contemplate purchasing the DA * lenses (and own a few), but as nice a lens as that is, I'm afraid I would be shooting with Sigma or Tamron lenses if I owned a Nikon full frame.

06-30-2011, 05:39 AM   #17
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I prefer to stay away from those threads because apart from the few knowledgeable in those discussions the rest are usually like me, point and shoot people who know absolutley nothing about how photography works and the way the tools are suppose to function. So in the end discussions become arguments to full out flame wars which puts you back at the beginning of the discussion...one vicious cycle
06-30-2011, 06:07 AM   #18
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Argument is a bit valid considering new lenses. Better number of 3rd party new lenses too.
Not all people want old stuff for various reasons, esp. the newbies and young folks (newer is better for the less well informed)
There are ppl out there w/o know little and want little to do with ebay and the likes for 2nd hand stuff.

However, a knowledgeable person will know that the focal lengths presented by Pentax is enough for general photography.
06-30-2011, 07:11 AM   #19
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85% of the lenses that Nikon has, that Pentax does not, are well over 2 grand.

No thanks .

06-30-2011, 07:47 AM   #20
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step back?

QuoteOriginally posted by geekette Quote
Ok, I guess I'll just have to step back a little further than a Nikonian
There are situations when zooming with foot is not always possible, also bear in mind the perpective 'de-compresion'. So that is not a valid argument, if it really was, than all we need would be one fast 50mm lens or so.
It is not that hard to admit that in Nikon land there is more options for good glass. Then in Pentax land there are beautifully crafted Limiteds, in Canon land they shine with Canon L lenses. Everybody chooses what suits him, no need for brand wars. I see it that Pentax offers quite a lot for a price....that's the reason I picked it up. I'm not going to argue with Canon guys that my 77limited will destroy their Canon 85 1.2, because that would be ridiculous. But still my Canon friends show some respect to 77 limited and really like it's compactness and the way it is crafted. As an example.....
So if Nikon guys are saying they have more choices with Nikkors, they are not lying. On the other hand how much lenses one really needs?
06-30-2011, 08:00 AM - 1 Like   #21
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Pentax is lacking in some areas of their current lens line up so I can fault nobody for buying Nikon gear. If your photography relies on flash, you have even more reasons to buy Nikon. Of course, many of the people who say the bought a Nikon because of all those lenses and only have a 2 lens kit don't make much sense. A lot of that Nikon glass is very expensive, much more than Pentax. You will pay more for their better bodies also. The K5 is priced lower than a D300 or D7000 which are comparable cameras. The odd thing is that at one time, people bought Pentax because of the huge choice of lenses available. Pentax has really dropped the ball in the US as a whole generation has grown up not knowing Pentax and its history. I'll agree also that most new DSLR buyers aren't interested in old manual glass. It's something they grow into after they have been shooting for a while.
06-30-2011, 08:28 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by geekette Quote
How about the Pentax FA 28-70/2.8 ? Is there that much of a difference between 24mm and 28mm?
I have changed from truly outstanding copy of Tamron 28-75/2.8 to Sigma 24-60/2.8 (also very good copy) just for that reason. There were additional reasons but they were secondary.

YMMV of course.

06-30-2011, 08:41 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by geekette Quote
Also the built in autofocus motor and image stabilization of the Pentax is very appealing. Not to mention that it can meter old glass (APS-C Nikons can't at all).

I just don't see how Nikon has Pentax beat with respect to lenses.
You can buy a lens for Nikon on virtually every streetcorner. The same can't be said for Pentax, unfortunately.

I agree WRT Pentax's IS - a primary reason I initially bought into the system.

Nikon D7000 has a focus motor and can meter with old glass.

QuoteOriginally posted by geekette:
Side note: I can say that Canon has em all beat with respect to lens availability since so many good glassless adapters exist for various brands of lenses, but you have to spend a fortune to get a camera that has image quality on par with a Pentax K-X.
Get a Canon T1i. Similar IQ to the K-x, costs "only" - a relative term - $150 more, so not a fortune. Better AF, larger higher-res LCD, more accessories (like a grip), etc. Too bad the build quality is crap.
06-30-2011, 08:47 AM   #24
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I've recently built up a large kit of Nikkor Ai and Ai-s lenses for use with my D700, and I have to say these lenses were plentiful and cheap on the used market. They're also spectacularly good, IQ-wise.

As far as choice of modern lenses goes, Nikon handily whips Pentax. As far as first-party legacy lenses goes, they're neck and neck (though Nikon loses a bit when it comes to dSLR body compatibility). The third-party and third-party-mount category goes easily to Pentax.

EDIT: One feature that also often goes unmentioned is how much easier/more enjoyable it is to shoot manual focus lenses on the D700 than on any Pentax dSLR I've used so far. They have a perfect implementation of focus confirmation in that camera. Makes the backward compatibility with legacy lenses more valuable to me in my Nikon kit than it is in my Pentax kit.
06-30-2011, 09:08 AM   #25
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There are people like me that do not see the value in old antique lenses. Give me a modern lens with modern features anytime. No matter how cheap the M42 lenses are, I would rather just not bother with them.

Nikon have more lenses that are still in production, no sense to argue otherwise. Pentax does have its advantages, that is why I bought a Pentax, but I don't count lens availability as one of them.
06-30-2011, 09:31 AM   #26
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If lens availability is a reason to choose a certain system over another, i hardly can believe pentax will win such a contest to nikon.

I am happy with my recently bought old pentax FA* 80-200mm, but to say that is cheap compared to the new 70-200 f2.8 VR II? Not really...as the 60-250 isnt cheap either. Both pentax lenses lacking internal stabilisation.

I am a pentax fanboy, but i am not blind.
06-30-2011, 09:34 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by Verglace Quote
There are people like me that do not see the value in old antique lenses. Give me a modern lens with modern features anytime. No matter how cheap the M42 lenses are, I would rather just not bother with them.

Nikon have more lenses that are still in production, no sense to argue otherwise. Pentax does have its advantages, that is why I bought a Pentax, but I don't count lens availability as one of them.
Some people prefer the "look" of the rendering of old glass. Also, some folks are looking for a specific focal length (using a prime lens) that just isn't available in newer glass.

And of course, some people simply want a bargain.
06-30-2011, 09:39 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by JoostW Quote
If lens availability is a reason to choose a certain system over another, i hardly can believe pentax will win such a contest to nikon.

I am happy with my recently bought old pentax FA* 80-200mm, but to say that is cheap compared to the new 70-200 f2.8 VR II? Not really...as the 60-250 isnt cheap either. Both pentax lenses lacking internal stabilisation.

I am a pentax fanboy, but i am not blind.
This doesn't really make sense. The 60-250 is half the price of the Nikon but has SR from in-camera. Can't really compare those two lenses though as they are apples and oranges and have totally different functions, however it's still worth pointing out.

I don't really think it's a matter of who has the greatest number of lenses either. Whether it's Canon, Nikon or Pentax then 99% of people will find each system can supply them (either direct, legacy or 3rd party) with suitable lenses to match their requirements - there aren't many gaps in any of those systems and those that are are usually for specialist purposes.
06-30-2011, 09:41 AM   #29
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true that they have a lot of currently available lenses on their arsenal in the market and I found some of them really good and affordable at the same time. however, they don have the LTDs that Pentax offers. so it's a toss-up between lens options and focal length availability versus having that LTD quality build and optical rendering.
06-30-2011, 09:48 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxor Quote
true that they have a lot of currently available lenses on their arsenal in the market and I found some of them really good and affordable at the same time. however, they don have the LTDs that Pentax offers. so it's a toss-up between lens options and focal length availability versus having that LTD quality build and optical rendering.
They have lenses that are the match of the Limiteds in terms of IQ and build.
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