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Nimrad · 02-15-2009, 02:29 AM

I just came across a used copy of the FA* 80-200, and since I am on the look for such a lens I was wondering how much it was worth?

Damn Brit · 02-15-2009, 02:48 AM

How much was it for sale for?

Nimrad · 02-15-2009, 03:13 AM

12000 NOK, thats about 1770 USD

Damn Brit · 02-15-2009, 03:46 AM

Here are the reviews from the Lens Database here; Pentax Lens Review Database - 80-200mm F2.8 ED [IF]
your price is about $100 dollars over the average so price isn't bad. If it's worth it to you, go for it, it's a great lens. Or you could go for the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 which is $705 new from Amazon and equally as good.

Nimrad · 02-15-2009, 03:54 AM

Okay, thank you. I almost sold all my stuff to get this one. I'd rather have the Sigma if it's equally good.

Damn Brit · 02-15-2009, 03:58 AM

Here are the reviews for it, on this forum; PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200mm f/2.8

Ben_Edict · 02-15-2009, 04:53 AM

Nimrad, the old 80-200/2.8 is - in my view - heavily overpriced. The average price here in Germany is around 1500 Euros - and that is way too much.

I have bought the older Sigma 70-200/2.8 (non-macro) and that is a well-made and highly capable lens. One of the advantages over the old Pentax FA is the smaller size and reduced weight. When the FA 80-200 came newly onto the market I bought a couple of thee FA series lenses, the 85, the 24 and the 28-75 - but left out the 80-200, because I found it too big and heavy. I am highly satisfied with the Sigma, though.

Ben

Nimrad · 02-21-2009, 01:31 AM

Btw, isn't the pentax made for fullformat and therefore equivalent to 120-400 or something on APS-C dSLR?

SOldBear · 02-21-2009, 01:42 AM

1.5 crop factor for APS-C DSLR always applies, no matter what format the lens is for (yes, even lenses for 6X7 medium format).

80-200mm on APS-C sensor will give you a view of 120-300mm on 35mm film.

Nimrad · 02-21-2009, 01:48 AM

I know that, but the pentax 80-200mm is made for 35 mm... So, it will actually be 120-300mm on dSLR?

Nimrad · 02-21-2009, 02:21 AM

I'm sorry for the confusion. The FA* 70-200mm would be 50-135 mm on my K20D? But the sigma would be 70-200? So it can't really be compared? I'm a little bit confused

cause the reason I don't want the DA* 50-135mm is that I want more tele.

HermanLee · 02-21-2009, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by Nimrad

I just came across a used copy of the FA* 80-200, and since I am on the look for such a lens I was wondering how much it was worth?

Nimrad,
I own FA*80-200/2.8 and it's a gem.
If you can find a good one, get it. Maybe you can offer him a discount. Who knows.
But one thing is that this lens has an amazing rendering that I've never seen in other zoom with similar range.
If I remember correctly, there was a review comparing between Sigma 70-200 vs Tamron 70-200, check online. Sigma 70-200/2.8's advantage is HSM (fast drive motor) but many found that it's not as sharp as Tamron 70-200/2.8 (no HSM, only regular pin).
Tamron is slower but sharper.
While FA*80-200 doesn't have HSM either just like Tamron but it has Power Zoom (nice feature that Pentax doesn't make anymore).
The most important thing is the rendering and the color produced by FA*80-200/2.8 is amazing.
Maybe you can try that lens from the seller first and see it yourself.

I just saw today on DP review somebody just bought one from Japanese store for around $1550.

Ben_Edict · 02-21-2009, 03:58 AM

Originally posted by Nimrad

I'm sorry for the confusion. The FA* 70-200mm would be 50-135 mm on my K20D? But the sigma would be 70-200? So it can't really be compared? I'm a little bit confused

cause the reason I don't want the DA* 50-135mm is that I want more tele.

No, that's all wrong.

The focal length of a lens is a physical property. IT DOES NOT CHANGE - on whatever camera you use it. The 80-200 is a 80-200 on a 35mm film camera and it is a 80-200 on a APS-C DSLR. Any other lens, including the Sigma 70-200 etc. behave exactly the same.

The difference is only, that the smaller APS-C sensor does not fully use the field of view, the lens provides, but cuts out a central part. That means, the angle of view of the 80-200 mounted on a APS-C DSLR is roughly equivalent to the angle of view of a 120-400mm lens mounted on a 35mm film or full-frame camera.

Ben

Nimrad · 02-21-2009, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

No, that's all wrong.

The focal length of a lens is a physical property. IT DOES NOT CHANGE - on whatever camera you use it. The 80-200 is a 80-200 on a 35mm film camera and it is a 80-200 on a APS-C DSLR. Any other lens, including the Sigma 70-200 etc. behave exactly the same.

The difference is only, that the smaller APS-C sensor does not fully use the field of view, the lens provides, but cuts out a central part. That means, the angle of view of the 80-200 mounted on a APS-C DSLR is roughly equivalent to the angle of view of a 120-400mm lens mounted on a 35mm film or full-frame camera.

Ben

I know that it doesn't change physically. My point is that the 80-200 mm will look like a 80-200mm on a 35 mm, but the sigma 70-200mm will look like a 105-300mm lens on a 35 mm. Or am I wrong?

Nimrad · 02-21-2009, 04:50 AM

Okay, this lens for $1170 is a sure buy?

02-15-2009, 02:29 AM	#1
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150	*How much for the FA 80-200?** I just came across a used copy of the FA* 80-200, and since I am on the look for such a lens I was wondering how much it was worth?

02-21-2009, 02:45 AM	#12
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Originally posted by Nimrad I just came across a used copy of the FA* 80-200, and since I am on the look for such a lens I was wondering how much it was worth? Nimrad, I own FA80-200/2.8 and it's a gem. If you can find a good one, get it. Maybe you can offer him a discount. Who knows. But one thing is that this lens has an amazing rendering that I've never seen in other zoom with similar range. If I remember correctly, there was a review comparing between Sigma 70-200 vs Tamron 70-200, check online. Sigma 70-200/2.8's advantage is HSM (fast drive motor) but many found that it's not as sharp as Tamron 70-200/2.8 (no HSM, only regular pin). Tamron is slower but sharper. While FA80-200 doesn't have HSM either just like Tamron but it has Power Zoom (nice feature that Pentax doesn't make anymore). The most important thing is the rendering and the color produced by FA80-200/2.8 is amazing. Maybe you can try that lens from the seller first and see it yourself. I just saw today on DP review somebody just bought one from Japanese store for around $1550. Last edited by HermanLee; 02-21-2009 at 02:50 AM.*

02-21-2009, 04:50 AM	#15
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	Okay, this lens for $1170 is a sure buy? Last edited by Nimrad; 02-21-2009 at 04:58 AM.

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02-15-2009, 02:48 AM	#2
Damn Brit Guest	How much was it for sale for?

02-15-2009, 03:13 AM	#3
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	12000 NOK, thats about 1770 USD

02-15-2009, 03:46 AM	#4
Damn Brit Guest	Here are the reviews from the Lens Database here; Pentax Lens Review Database - 80-200mm F2.8 ED [IF] your price is about $100 dollars over the average so price isn't bad. If it's worth it to you, go for it, it's a great lens. Or you could go for the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 which is $705 new from Amazon and equally as good.

02-15-2009, 03:54 AM	#5
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	Okay, thank you. I almost sold all my stuff to get this one. I'd rather have the Sigma if it's equally good.

02-15-2009, 03:58 AM	#6
Damn Brit Guest	Here are the reviews for it, on this forum; PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200mm f/2.8

02-15-2009, 04:53 AM	#7
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Nimrad, the old 80-200/2.8 is - in my view - heavily overpriced. The average price here in Germany is around 1500 Euros - and that is way too much. I have bought the older Sigma 70-200/2.8 (non-macro) and that is a well-made and highly capable lens. One of the advantages over the old Pentax FA is the smaller size and reduced weight. When the FA 80-200 came newly onto the market I bought a couple of thee FA series lenses, the 85, the 24 and the 28-75 - but left out the 80-200, because I found it too big and heavy. I am highly satisfied with the Sigma, though. Ben

02-21-2009, 01:31 AM	#8
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	Btw, isn't the pentax made for fullformat and therefore equivalent to 120-400 or something on APS-C dSLR?

02-21-2009, 01:42 AM	#9
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	1.5 crop factor for APS-C DSLR always applies, no matter what format the lens is for (yes, even lenses for 6X7 medium format). 80-200mm on APS-C sensor will give you a view of 120-300mm on 35mm film.

02-21-2009, 01:48 AM	#10
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	I know that, but the pentax 80-200mm is made for 35 mm... So, it will actually be 120-300mm on dSLR?

02-21-2009, 02:21 AM	#11
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	I'm sorry for the confusion. The FA* 70-200mm would be 50-135 mm on my K20D? But the sigma would be 70-200? So it can't really be compared? I'm a little bit confused cause the reason I don't want the DA* 50-135mm is that I want more tele.

02-21-2009, 03:58 AM	#13
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Nimrad I'm sorry for the confusion. The FA* 70-200mm would be 50-135 mm on my K20D? But the sigma would be 70-200? So it can't really be compared? I'm a little bit confused cause the reason I don't want the DA* 50-135mm is that I want more tele. No, that's all wrong. The focal length of a lens is a physical property. IT DOES NOT CHANGE - on whatever camera you use it. The 80-200 is a 80-200 on a 35mm film camera and it is a 80-200 on a APS-C DSLR. Any other lens, including the Sigma 70-200 etc. behave exactly the same. The difference is only, that the smaller APS-C sensor does not fully use the field of view, the lens provides, but cuts out a central part. That means, the angle of view of the 80-200 mounted on a APS-C DSLR is roughly equivalent to the angle of view of a 120-400mm lens mounted on a 35mm film or full-frame camera. Ben

02-21-2009, 04:11 AM	#14
Nimrad Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ben_Edict No, that's all wrong. The focal length of a lens is a physical property. IT DOES NOT CHANGE - on whatever camera you use it. The 80-200 is a 80-200 on a 35mm film camera and it is a 80-200 on a APS-C DSLR. Any other lens, including the Sigma 70-200 etc. behave exactly the same. The difference is only, that the smaller APS-C sensor does not fully use the field of view, the lens provides, but cuts out a central part. That means, the angle of view of the 80-200 mounted on a APS-C DSLR is roughly equivalent to the angle of view of a 120-400mm lens mounted on a 35mm film or full-frame camera. Ben I know that it doesn't change physically. My point is that the 80-200 mm will look like a 80-200mm on a 35 mm, but the sigma 70-200mm will look like a 105-300mm lens on a 35 mm. Or am I wrong?

How much for the FA* 80-200?

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