[RobA_Oz]

Alas his work makes this lens seem only suitable for landscape or still life (as do Ricoh's official image samples for the 70-210 lens).

There seems to be no recognition that 70-200's are also classic event lenses - weddings, motorsports, news gathering, music gigs etc.

It would be nice to see more examples of the lens doing that kind of work.

I guess that was inevitable, given that most Pentax marketing in recent years has been aimed at landscape-type photography. No doubt our friends at DPR will have something to say about it.

[Sandy Hancock]

There seems to be no recognition that 70-200's are also classic event lenses - weddings, motorsports, news gathering, music gigs etc.

Ummmm, except that Pentax already makes a lens which is optimised for that niche....

[rawr]

Ummmm, except that Pentax already makes a lens which is optimised for that niche....

True - but the particular advantages of this lens over the f2.8 (relatively light & compact, sharp, potentially very fast and quiet AF motor, and perhaps not too expensive) also commend it to event shooters. So why not market it better to them? Probably way more wedding photogs out there than professional landscape shooters.

---------- Post added 2020-01-25 at 06:35 PM ----------

I guess that was inevitable, given that most Pentax marketing in recent years has been aimed at landscape-type photography.

Which sadly reinforces the DPR prejudice that if the subject is moving, Pentax isn't the camera for you.

[Sandy Hancock]

Probably way more wedding photogs out there than professional landscape shooters.

Indeed. And pretty much all of them are are willing to lug f/2.8 zooms for their particular advantages.

[rawr]

And pretty much all of them are are willing to lug f/2.8 zooms for their particular advantages.

And there are probably even more 'soccer moms' out there who would welcome a light 70-200 than there are pro wedding shooters. The 70-210 works for a potentially large and diverse market. I hope Ricoh recognise this.

[clackers]

also commend it to event shooters. So why not market it better to them?

It's f4.

(Ugh)

[clackers]

And there are probably even more 'soccer moms' out there who would welcome a light 70-200 than there are pro wedding shooters.

Costs too much, Rawr. Soccer moms will get the DA 50-200.

[rawr]

It's f4.

I almost always shoot 70-200 f2.8's at f3.5 or f4, even when the light isn't ideal. Gives a handy bit of extra DOF. Probably for most active subject shooters, f4 vs f2.8 won't be a deal killer, as long as the lens is tough, fast and optically good .

---------- Post added 2020-01-25 at 09:17 PM ----------

Soccer moms will get the DA 50-200.

Maybe for low-overhead amateur sports like soccer At the other extreme I've seen 'equestrian moms' bring D5's and 1Dx's along to their events. Sky is the limit for some in documenting their kid's sports.

[Rondec]

Alas his work makes this lens seem only suitable for landscape or still life (as do Ricoh's official image samples for the 70-210 lens).

There seems to be no recognition that 70-200's are also classic event lenses - weddings, motorsports, news gathering, music gigs etc.

It would be nice to see more examples of the lens doing that kind of work.

My guess is that it is a lot easier to do the licensing to use landscape photos in advertising materials (only the photographer needs to be compensated) than to license images from weddings and other events. Obviously it can be done and this lens will be used for plenty of those things, but I think the images demonstrate pretty clearly that this is a high quality optic that should work well in the hands of competent photographers.

[clackers]

I almost always shoot 70-200 f2.8's at f3.5 or f4, even when the light isn't ideal.

Bokeh's not the same, Rawr. Eliminating messy background's important to sports, wildlife and events.

An f2.8 lens gives you the option of shooting at f4, but it doesn't work the other way. That's why f2.8 is the pro's standard, in all of the brands.

[Biff]

I just watched the test of the prototype on U-tube. It looks compelling as a great travel zoom: now to choose between it +*300 or PLM for Africa. I like the f4 and the IQ from this lens.

[WorksAsIntended]

Do you mean Da*300 or * in term of a wildcard?

[Biff]

Do you mean Da*300 or * in term of a wildcard?

I meant to maybe have the DA*300 with 1.4 TC for the reach, along with the 70-210, but maybe that's redundant and I could use the TC with the 70-210, or just get the PLM

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

[monochrome]

Given Pentax’ FF camera is 4fps perhaps at this time Ricoh chooses not to market the lens as an action optic. Wait until the K-new is released and look at their marketing.

[bdery]

I look forward to comparing that lens to the DA* 60-250mm converted to FF. The latter still has the edge regarding range, but I'm guessing the new lens will focus faster and will probably be just as good optically.

One thing has surprised me a lot on the Ricoh web page. At the bottom, they list the current lenses, but make no mention at all of the three Fa Limited!! I cannot understand why that is so.

Their discussion about how the new lens coupled with the TC makes it comparable to the 150-450mm makes me wish Pentax could release a full frame teleconverter...