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Landaris · 01-01-2009, 10:32 PM

Hi,

i'm a happy owner of a k10d, which gives great pictures all my lenses ( 18-55, 50-200, fa 50 1.5 and pentacon 135mm ).

I also have a flash metz 48.

My only problem is in the autofocus speed, expecially with the kit lens. Since i'm presently in New York for the holidays, I'm planning to upgrade to a faster lens, hoping to solve the problem.

So, just from an autofocus point of view, expecially in low light, which would be the better lens: pentax 16-50 2.8, 17-70 4, tamron 17-50 or sigma 17-70?

Does the sdm helps with low light autofocus? or it's just for the reduced noise?

Thanks

Giovanni

Jewelltrail · 01-01-2009, 10:39 PM

Landaris:

Of the lenses you mention, I have only used the Tammy 17-50mm. I can say it exceeds my expectations in low light especially. Here is a handheld shot. Autofocus @ f 2.8--1/8th--ISO 100

Votesh · 01-01-2009, 11:56 PM

The only one of those that I've used is the Pentax 16-50mm, which autofocuses fairly quickly, and from my experience, very accurately in low light. I would highly recommend it, but if you get one test it before you head home to make sure it's a good copy.

roentarre · 01-02-2009, 05:26 AM

Well, in low light, the autofocus from k10d is equally sluggish and frustrating with all these zooms.

If you do have all the time in the world to wait til the autofocus to lock in the focus, the accuracy is usually not a problem.

Landaris · 01-02-2009, 10:26 AM

would the k20d be better in autofocus speed? and high iso quality? i see now it's very low price, and selling the k10d it would be not a big sacrifice.

Marc Sabatella · 01-02-2009, 10:27 AM

If you want fast AF and good performance in low light, you're unlikely to beat the DA40 on a Pentax camera.

Jewelltrail · 01-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Landaris
would the k20d be better in autofocus speed? and high iso quality? i see now it's very low price, and selling the k10d it would be not a big sacrifice.

Landaris:

My first post to your thread was based upon my experience shooting the K20 & Tammy 17-50mm. I never shot the K10. But I so often read that the K10's AF is "nearly identical" to the K20s. Based on this, I thought it notewothy to offer my opinion.

I think it is generally accepted that the K20 offers at least a stop of better ISO performance than does the K10. Again, I have not shot the K10, but most reviews and most of the opinions I encounter point to this. Best of luck.

01-01-2009, 10:32 PM	#1
Landaris New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rome Posts: 13	fast focus Hi, i'm a happy owner of a k10d, which gives great pictures all my lenses ( 18-55, 50-200, fa 50 1.5 and pentacon 135mm ). I also have a flash metz 48. My only problem is in the autofocus speed, expecially with the kit lens. Since i'm presently in New York for the holidays, I'm planning to upgrade to a faster lens, hoping to solve the problem. So, just from an autofocus point of view, expecially in low light, which would be the better lens: pentax 16-50 2.8, 17-70 4, tamron 17-50 or sigma 17-70? Does the sdm helps with low light autofocus? or it's just for the reduced noise? Thanks Giovanni

01-01-2009, 10:39 PM	#2
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Landaris: Of the lenses you mention, I have only used the Tammy 17-50mm. I can say it exceeds my expectations in low light especially. Here is a handheld shot. Autofocus @ f 2.8--1/8th--ISO 100 Last edited by Jewelltrail; 09-25-2009 at 08:57 AM.

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01-01-2009, 11:56 PM	#3
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	The only one of those that I've used is the Pentax 16-50mm, which autofocuses fairly quickly, and from my experience, very accurately in low light. I would highly recommend it, but if you get one test it before you head home to make sure it's a good copy.

01-02-2009, 05:26 AM	#4
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Well, in low light, the autofocus from k10d is equally sluggish and frustrating with all these zooms. If you do have all the time in the world to wait til the autofocus to lock in the focus, the accuracy is usually not a problem.

01-02-2009, 10:26 AM	#5
Landaris New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rome Posts: 13 Original Poster	would the k20d be better in autofocus speed? and high iso quality? i see now it's very low price, and selling the k10d it would be not a big sacrifice.

01-02-2009, 10:27 AM	#6
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If you want fast AF and good performance in low light, you're unlikely to beat the DA40 on a Pentax camera.

01-02-2009, 12:08 PM	#7
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: Landaris would the k20d be better in autofocus speed? and high iso quality? i see now it's very low price, and selling the k10d it would be not a big sacrifice. Landaris: My first post to your thread was based upon my experience shooting the K20 & Tammy 17-50mm. I never shot the K10. But I so often read that the K10's AF is "nearly identical" to the K20s. Based on this, I thought it notewothy to offer my opinion. I think it is generally accepted that the K20 offers at least a stop of better ISO performance than does the K10. Again, I have not shot the K10, but most reviews and most of the opinions I encounter point to this. Best of luck.

fast focus

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