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06-26-2017, 09:02 PM   #1
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When and if I do it... The next telephoto...

So I am very much enjoying my current Pentax gear. I am largely free of LBA... But I am down for the new DFA 85 * when released but am seriously considering another "fast" telephoto zoom for my kit sometime for the KP and K3II.

I have...
DA HD 15 Limited
DA HD 16-85
DA HD 20-40 Limited
DA HD 35 Limited Macro
DA SMC 50
DA SMC 55 *
DA HD 55-300 (screw drive)
DA SMC 300 *

I am considering the 70-200 HD DFA *, 50-135 SMC DA * and the 60-250 SMC DA *. Obviously budget isn't a big issue more of a consideration of what makes sense my gut says go 70-200 but the range of the 60-250 is tempting. I thought about the 200 SMC DA * but double the price gets me a 2.8 from 70-200.

Thoughts suggestions? Is the 70-200 just massive for a K3II or a KP with large grip (battery grip on both of course)?

06-26-2017, 09:20 PM   #2
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What's your main use for the lens? Portraits, large wildlife, indoor sports, something else?
06-26-2017, 09:25 PM   #3
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Wildlife, landscapes and some portraits. And whatever else I throw at it.
06-26-2017, 10:01 PM   #4
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for a crop sensor i think the 60-250 is perfectly capable. the 70-200 is a behemoth, and as such might find itself left at home more than the 60-250 would..

you have a few lenses you could move away from as well.

the 55-300 would go in favor of the 60-250. the da50 can go due to the *55. the 16-85 could go for the 50-135 (you still have a 20-40). the 50-135 is substantially smaller and lighter than the 60-250, that's the only reason i have both.

06-26-2017, 11:32 PM   #5
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60-250 +1
06-26-2017, 11:55 PM   #6
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If you want fast AF, the new 55-300mm PLM is a great option, and the fastest-focusing Pentax lens by far. For image quality, the DA* 60-250mm would be by recommendation, or the 70-200mm if you're willing to sacrifice compactness.

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06-27-2017, 05:54 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by gm4life Quote
So I am very much enjoying my current Pentax gear. I am largely free of LBA... But I am down for the new DFA 85 * when released but am seriously considering another "fast" telephoto zoom for my kit sometime for the KP and K3II.

I have...
DA HD 15 Limited
DA HD 16-85
DA HD 20-40 Limited
DA HD 35 Limited Macro
DA SMC 50
DA SMC 55 *
DA HD 55-300 (screw drive)
DA SMC 300 *

I am considering the 70-200 HD DFA *, 50-135 SMC DA * and the 60-250 SMC DA *. Obviously budget isn't a big issue more of a consideration of what makes sense my gut says go 70-200 but the range of the 60-250 is tempting. I thought about the 200 SMC DA * but double the price gets me a 2.8 from 70-200.

Thoughts suggestions? Is the 70-200 just massive for a K3II or a KP with large grip (battery grip on both of course)?
Thanks everyone for the thoughts I am thinking if I want the best image quality... And can live with the size/price to bite the bullet to go big with the 70-200. Has anyone used this on a crop camera?

Regarding the 50-135 not really enough range for me and the F4 on the 60-250 along with the SDM (which should now be fixed) is holding me back. Plus the 70-200 isn't that much more expensive.

06-27-2017, 06:26 AM - 1 Like   #8
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The DFA* 70-200 is astonishingly good optically, but not a lens you will want to carry with you casually, due to weight and size. It demands a plan. It is perfect for weddings, indoor sports, and (especially on APS-C) some outdoor sports and wildlife.

I never carry the DFA* 70-200 and the DFA 15-30 together. Because of size, it's one or the other.


Last edited by Paul the Sunman; 06-27-2017 at 06:37 AM.
06-27-2017, 08:57 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Paul the Sunman Quote
The DFA* 70-200 is astonishingly good optically, but not a lens you will want to carry with you casually, due to weight and size. It demands a plan. It is perfect for weddings, indoor sports, and (especially on APS-C) some outdoor sports and wildlife.

I never carry the DFA* 70-200 and the DFA 15-30 together. Because of size, it's one or the other.
Thanks that is an awesome shot posted! I know it isn't small but I really don't drag my 300 DA SMC * around either only if I have a need for it.

I should look up the specs and see just how much heavier and bigger it is than my 300 F4 for a bench mark. I could sure get a 55-300 DA HD PLM but it still isn't a very fast lens and is actually a tad slower than my 55-300 DA HD screw drive and I could get a 200 DA SMC * or just buy one great zoom and be done with it... I like my primes going the zoom route effectively giving me a 100mm to 300mm at 2.8 even though a beast and expensive is tempting.

Anyone compared for example the image quality and sharpness wide open of the 200 DA SMC * to the 70-200 DFA HD * at 200mm is it comparable? Or is the prime that much better? My thought always had been if the quality is comparable with a big telephoto I would prefer not to have mess with different primes other than the 300.

Keep the thoughts coming, likely will be waiting for this fall and a sale then to pull the trigger.
06-27-2017, 09:46 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by gm4life Quote
Wildlife, landscapes and some portraits. And whatever else I throw at it.
I think the 60-250 might be your best choice.

Wildlife: More magnification than some of your other options like a 50-135 or 70-200.

Landscapes: Versatile zoom range. Not too heavy for hiking.

Portraits: The 60-250 only gives you f/4 max for depth of field control. I think that's adequate, but if you want to do full body portraits you might switch to your DA*55 for thin DoF.
06-27-2017, 10:08 AM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by gm4life Quote
Thanks that is an awesome shot posted! I know it isn't small but I really don't drag my 300 DA SMC * around either only if I have a need for it.

I should look up the specs and see just how much heavier and bigger it is than my 300 F4 for a bench mark. I could sure get a 55-300 DA HD PLM but it still isn't a very fast lens and is actually a tad slower than my 55-300 DA HD screw drive and I could get a 200 DA SMC * or just buy one great zoom and be done with it... I like my primes going the zoom route effectively giving me a 100mm to 300mm at 2.8 even though a beast and expensive is tempting.

Anyone compared for example the image quality and sharpness wide open of the 200 DA SMC * to the 70-200 DFA HD * at 200mm is it comparable? Or is the prime that much better? My thought always had been if the quality is comparable with a big telephoto I would prefer not to have mess with different primes other than the 300.

Keep the thoughts coming, likely will be waiting for this fall and a sale then to pull the trigger.
I've compared my 60-250 with my DA* 200

DA*200


DA* 60-250.


To be a an even passable birding lens the 60-250 needs the 1.4 TC on it.

For wildlife it's a pretty much a given, you want the 60-250.








And it's a great landscape lens.


I also use it as a walk around lens on my K-1.

60-250 slide show

I have no experience with the 70-200 but I take the DA* 200 when I don't want to carry the extra half pound the DA*60-250 weighs. (1040.grams) The DA*200 is 825 grams. The DFA weighs in at 1755 grams. Just to put that in perspective, I can carry both the DA*60-250 and the DA*200 for the approximate weight of the DFA 70-200. I already favour the DA*200 on many outings. I can't imagine the weight of the 70-200. That coupled with the fact there is no FF Pentax TC makes use of this focal length extremremely limited for the out door shooter. I have Canon shooting buddies using their Canon 70-200s with a 2x TC making the lens a one stop shopping kind of lens. Not so for the Pentax version with no decent 2x available.

To buy the 70-200 , you absolutely have to be planning on shooting it over it's entire zoom range at ƒ2.8. That's the only way it makes sense. The DA*200 is half the weight. The DA*60-250 is still light enough to be a walk around lens.

Personally, I'm passing on the DFA 70-200. Weight and ease of carrying over long distances is important to me. To me the DFA 70-200 is a studio type lens, although I'm sure having said that, lots will tell us how they don't mind carrying it. Better them than me.

Last edited by normhead; 06-27-2017 at 10:14 AM.
06-27-2017, 04:26 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
To buy the 70-200 , you absolutely have to be planning on shooting it over it's entire zoom range at ƒ2.8. That's the only way it makes sense. The DA*200 is half the weight. The DA*60-250 is still light enough to be a walk around lens.
For what it's worth, about 13% of my shots with the DFA* 70-200 are below f/4. Of those, about half are at 200mm, 15% are at 70mm, and the rest are evenly spread across the range. The lens is superb wide open, so there is never any reason to avoid f/2.8 other than for depth of field requirements.
06-27-2017, 07:36 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by DeadJohn Quote
I think the 60-250 might be your best choice.

Wildlife: More magnification than some of your other options like a 50-135 or 70-200.

Landscapes: Versatile zoom range. Not too heavy for hiking.

Portraits: The 60-250 only gives you f/4 max for depth of field control. I think that's adequate, but if you want to do full body portraits you might switch to your DA*55 for thin DoF.
That is a good point... How is the auto focus in it limited SDM issues since they revamped them in 2013 or 2014? If it is as good as my 300 or 55 maybe I should really consider it...

---------- Post added 06-27-17 at 07:38 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Paul the Sunman Quote
For what it's worth, about 13% of my shots with the DFA* 70-200 are below f/4. Of those, about half are at 200mm, 15% are at 70mm, and the rest are evenly spread across the range. The lens is superb wide open, so there is never any reason to avoid f/2.8 other than for depth of field requirements.
Good food for thought... So can you hand hold the 70-200 with a K3/K3II and a battery grip in tow? Or am I pushing it?
06-27-2017, 07:47 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by gm4life Quote
Good food for thought... So can you hand hold the 70-200 with a K3/K3II and a battery grip in tow? Or am I pushing it?
I mostly use it on the K1, but also on the K3. Hand holding is easy. I strongly recommend leaving the tripod foot attached (it is easily removed if required) and using a Black Rapid or similar strap attached to the foot rather than the usual Pentax strap attached to the camera. The foot is also a useful handle.
06-27-2017, 07:52 PM   #15
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Well that is good to know... I keep leaning towards the DFA also IF I ever decide to go FF, it will be an excellent lens too. Good advice on the strap and the tripod foot. I think the strap is included and yes I would keep foot on I do so with my DA 300 too.

Thanks for the advice.

---------- Post added 06-27-17 at 07:54 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
I've compared my 60-250 with my DA* 200

DA*200


DA* 60-250.


To be a an even passable birding lens the 60-250 needs the 1.4 TC on it.

For wildlife it's a pretty much a given, you want the 60-250.








And it's a great landscape lens.


I also use it as a walk around lens on my K-1.

60-250 slide show

I have no experience with the 70-200 but I take the DA* 200 when I don't want to carry the extra half pound the DA*60-250 weighs. (1040.grams) The DA*200 is 825 grams. The DFA weighs in at 1755 grams. Just to put that in perspective, I can carry both the DA*60-250 and the DA*200 for the approximate weight of the DFA 70-200. I already favour the DA*200 on many outings. I can't imagine the weight of the 70-200. That coupled with the fact there is no FF Pentax TC makes use of this focal length extremremely limited for the out door shooter. I have Canon shooting buddies using their Canon 70-200s with a 2x TC making the lens a one stop shopping kind of lens. Not so for the Pentax version with no decent 2x available.

To buy the 70-200 , you absolutely have to be planning on shooting it over it's entire zoom range at ƒ2.8. That's the only way it makes sense. The DA*200 is half the weight. The DA*60-250 is still light enough to be a walk around lens.

Personally, I'm passing on the DFA 70-200. Weight and ease of carrying over long distances is important to me. To me the DFA 70-200 is a studio type lens, although I'm sure having said that, lots will tell us how they don't mind carrying it. Better them than me.
Great pics! Yes, I know it won't be used for hiking etc. but the 2.8 is why I am really considering it.
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