[bladerunner6]

My niece is competing in her last college skating competition in November and I was thinking of getting a used 70-200 2.8 to photograph her with my K-70.

I would be buying a used lens and then reselling it after the competition.(That will be less money than renting something for a couple of weeks).

Any suggestions for one over the other and any tips for shooting? Thanks.

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Last edited by bladerunner6; 10-05-2018 at 09:31 AM. Reason: Typo

[pepperberry farm]

is 200mm long enough for this shoot?

[Kozlok]

The Tamron is noisy and a bit slow to focus. The IQ is amazing and it focuses very closely. I bought my Tamron for an event with plans to sell it. I still have it because it’s so good at so many things. It’s my go-to for butterflies and flowers and portraits.

[bladerunner6]

is 200mm long enough for this shoot?

It is indoors and my assumption is I will want the speed.

I will also bring my my 55-300 WR but I am guessing I will want the fast lens.

[6BQ5]

Depending on how far you will be sitting from the rink, and your niece more specifically, you may find yourself basically at infinity. The bit of +/- distance change as she skates around the rink will only cause the focus throw to wobble a tiny bit. You shouldn't have too many problems with that. The screw drive motor will make little zt-zt-zt-zt sounds as you track her across the rink. You could probably get away with release priority for panning.


Now, if she starts skating toward you before turning then you may be in trouble. You find yourself fighting the slow screw drive motor, the weak AF-C algorithms, and the low light of an indoor arena. Set your camera to focus priority. No use filling up your SD card with soft, out of focus images of oncoming subjects. Set your camera to TAv mode with auto ISO. T = 1/1000 or faster to freeze the motion as you pan precisely. A = f/3.2 for a bit of DoF help.

On an APS system 200mm will give you FF reach of 300mm. That may be enough.

[quant2325]

Unless you want a photo the skater doing a bow/curtsey and the end of the performance with the crowd giving a standing ovation all in focus, the idea is to shoot wide open (blur the background) at a faster shutter speed. The Tamron is a bit sharper wide open and the Sigma (which I own now) has a faster autofocus. There is a third option: rent the Pentax D FA* SMC 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Lens (it is sharp wide open) and spend your money on something else. The problem with a used lens is that you have no idea if it is off-centered, a "bad copy," etc. I've returned quite a few over the years. The better rental outfits, e.g. Borrow Lenses, make sure the equipment is in good order.

Technique is a big deal here. I recommend you use the rear AF button and track her with a single center focus point in AF-C. And use manual. The rink lighting won't change much, maybe way in the corner. Also turn off SR above 1/400, you don't need it, it will just slow things down. And use Raw.

[bladerunner6]

I would like to say thanks for all the constructive comments.

[aslyfox]

My niece is competing in her last college skating competition in November and I was thinking of getting a used 70-200 2.8 to photograph her with my K-70.

I would be buying a used lens and then reselling it after the competition.(That will be less money than renting something for a couple of weeks).

Any suggestions for one over the other and any tips for shooting? Thanks.

are you sure about the cost savings ???

consider renting equipment instead of buying

I have used LensRentals.com with good results

LensRentals.com - Rent a Pentax HD D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-star-70-200mm-f28/conclusion.html

apparently they don't have the Sigma or Tamron in Pentax K mount but I would contact them to check

there are other companies as well:

. . . There is a third option: rent the Pentax D FA* SMC 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW Lens (it is sharp wide open) and spend your money on something else. The problem with a used lens is that you have no idea if it is off-centered, a "bad copy," etc. I've returned quite a few over the years. The better rental outfits, e.g. Borrow Lenses, make sure the equipment is in good order.

be sure to get the rental in enough time for you to get use to the lens

[bladerunner6]

are you sure about the cost savings ???


consider renting equipment instead of buying

I have used LensRentals.com with good results

LensRentals.com - Rent a Pentax HD D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Review - Conclusion | PentaxForums.com Reviews

apparently they don't have the Sigma or Tamron in Pentax K mount but I would contact them to check

there are other companies as well:



be sure to get the rental in enough time for you to get use to the lens

Yes, I am sure of the cost savings.

I want the lens to practice with before the skate.

A two week rental is $221,a three week rental is $296.
I can definitely buy and resell a lens for less than that out of my pocket.

The lens is showing up this week.

[aslyfox]

Yes, I am sure of the cost savings.

I want the lens to practice with before the skate.

A two week rental is $221,a three week rental is $296.
I can definitely buy and resell a lens for less than that out of my pocket.

The lens is showing up this week.

good luck on the project