Originally posted by Ron Boggs Actually, my FA*200 macro is now even better with the cropped format. Super for reptiles and zoo work as well as flower/bug stuff. I had the A*200 before the FA* came out...sold the A* to a forum member here. Both lenses rock!
The reason Pentax hasn't jumped to get this into DA* production is very few Pentaxians are willing to spend the money. Bought mine new from B&H about 10 or 12 years ago for only $1350 ish and it's worth 3x that now. Very few people bought it then and very few would buy it now. It's kind of like the new 560 telephoto...lots of folks willing to say that Pentax needs this in the line up, but haven't seen a single post on this forum from anyone planning to buy one--though at $7000 msrp it's half the price of the faster big teles from other companies. (I'm not buying the 560 because my FA*600/4 works just fine). Simple market planning...if thousands will sell the first year then they will make it. Since thousands didn't sell back when it was cheap, no reason to presume that thousands will sell now at upwards of $2000.
Thank you much for your response Ron. I did not know that was the case. I guess I was deluding myself into thinking that just because I wanted that lens, I assumed everyone did. Normally I am not guilty of that.
Lucky you to have owned both. I keep seeing the A* versions on ebay but do not know if I should shuck out the 2.5k bucks for it. That is a lot of money for a used lens though I am sure it would get constant use. So you sold off the A* for the FA huh? Was it a noticeable step up?
Sounds like you have quite the lens collection.
I have noticed that with the 560 but even though it is cheaper than other telephoto lenses out there on the market, 7k bucks is still 7k bucks. 1-3k for a lens is a tremendous difference but I definitely see your point.
I definitely hear you on how many people say that certain lenses need to be in the lineup but will not run out to get them when they are produced. Believe me, I would grab that 560 if I had the disposable income to do so. I am eager to see a review on it. I should say a regular user review rather than just a review site testing it for a day or a few hours before putting out their two cents.
Thanks again Ron. Good info