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09-16-2012, 09:03 AM   #1
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I thought it over and here's my response to the 560

I can buy a second hand FA* 250-600 for that money. For me, that's pretty much the end of the discussion.

09-16-2012, 09:14 AM   #2
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If you can find a copy. Same for the FA 600/4.
09-16-2012, 09:58 AM   #3
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How can you judge over a lens that isn't out or reviewed yet?
09-16-2012, 10:02 AM   #4
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I was kind of hoping for a somewhat affordable telephoto. I realize nothing long and good comes cheap but $7000? Is anybody really going to buy one? Will any of the lens rental places even buy one so we could rent one?

09-16-2012, 10:22 AM   #5
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QuoteQuote:
How can you judge over a lens that isn't out or reviewed yet?
You really think it's going to be superior to the FA* 250-600. You might want to read a few reviews, it'll help you understand what the odds are. You can also get a FA 1000mmm for about that.
09-16-2012, 10:31 AM   #6
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On the plus side, the DA 560 is about half the weight, but t's hard to imagine the new ultra tele producing better IQ than the big FA* zoom from what I've seen from the latter, and the zoom gives you incredible quality plus versatility in the ultra tele range. The major downside for me with the DA 560 is its MFD at 18+ feet compared to the 13 feet of the FA* 250-600/5.6 and the FA* 600/4.

Personally, I'm very satisfied with what I can get with my FA* 300/2.8 + F1.7x AFA at 510mm f4.8. It's faster, smaller, weighs about the same, but focuses to a bit over 6 feet at about 1/3 the cost -- much more suited to my use.

Scott
09-16-2012, 10:36 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
You really think it's going to be superior to the FA* 250-600. You might want to read a few reviews, it'll help you understand what the odds are. You can also get a FA 1000mmm for about that.
The 560 is a good idea gone wrong. How people compare it to other long lenses on the market is beyond me.
Pentax does have a past of great long lenses and should have revived those with some modernisation.
Then they could have made the 560 as it was intended, a budget lens. It now is a lens that, on paper, has worse attributes than any of the other long lenses by the competition. Sure, it weighs a little less than some, and it's not as expensive as some. But it sucks where it matters, speed and close focus distance.
What a chance lost for Pentax.

09-16-2012, 10:37 AM   #8
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I keep seeing an A 400 on kijiji for about $750 not far from where I live. Now that I've seen the price of the 560, I'm thinking that's the way to go. That plus my 1.7 TC gives me all the reach I could ever need. I think it might be time to pony up on that one. Not only that that combination will work on an FF if that day ever comes.
09-16-2012, 10:56 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
I keep seeing an A 400 on kijiji for about $750 not far from where I live.
If that's the A400/5.6, it's a bit overpriced (unless it's truly mint). If it's the A400/2.8, it's an absolute steal unless it's badly damaged!
09-16-2012, 11:03 AM   #10
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Of course the classics simply won't be around. I own a couple of them, but it took me years to find them.

but you can get nice photos if you have one.




this is from the Petax 600 f/4.
09-16-2012, 11:10 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
You really think it's going to be superior to the FA* 250-600. You might want to read a few reviews, it'll help you understand what the odds are. You can also get a FA 1000mmm for about that.
Odds that it can compete with the FA* you mean? Well can you say how good it will be?
Well like has been said, try to find a FA*250-600 or FA*600, good luck.
09-16-2012, 11:28 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by baro-nite Quote
If you can find a copy. Same for the FA 600/4.
But the FA*600 weights more than twice as much. If I didn't already own one I would have gone for the 560....
09-16-2012, 11:30 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by reeftool Quote
I was kind of hoping for a somewhat affordable telephoto. I realize nothing long and good comes cheap but $7000? Is anybody really going to buy one?
Well, Pentax is going to make 400 units a month according to their web site....they must expect someone to buy it
You must remember that the dollar have become almost worthless since the FA* days...
09-16-2012, 11:34 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by baro-nite Quote
If that's the A400/5.6, it's a bit overpriced (unless it's truly mint). If it's the A400/2.8, it's an absolute steal unless it's badly damaged!
Amen. I've never seen a lot of value in the a400f5.6 as I see it too slow for an extender. OTOH the a400/2.8 is a dream of a lens.
It's fast enough to use any extender you want or even stack them, I used to have the a400-2/.8 and the a600-5.6 and the latter
was a real disappointment. --- not for its optical quality, but because teh 400 and a couple of converters would provide a variety
of choices of different focal lengths and it was still there if the light went low.
09-16-2012, 12:19 PM   #15
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QuoteQuote:
Well like has been said, try to find a FA*250-600 or FA*600, good luck.
I passed on one last year...

I've never seen a lot of value in the a400f5.6 as I see it too slow for an extender.

My 60-250 with the 1.7 is f6.3 with degraded IQ and that gives me 425, so the 400 5.6 would defintley give me better IQ than I have. The guys started at 900 for the 400 5.6, he's down to 750. I've written him and told him when he gets to $500 I'll take it.
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