[dadipentak]

Well, I guess we've got as much sun as we're going to get ;~( Here's Hood Retracted, Hood Extended and On-Camera

I was going to put the lens on the K20D and shoot with the K100D but K100D is having issues (^%$@#!) so I had to reverse that.

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Last edited by dadipentak; 12-28-2009 at 03:01 PM.

[Miserere]

Yep, that's a big lens. Congrats Dave!

PS: Do you have the DA* 200mm, or is it the DA * 300mm?

[Hannican]

Damn, they sure don't make em like they use to. I think the old K and M lenses are far, FAR prettier than ALL of the newer FA and DA stuff

[dadipentak]

I have to agree with you, Hannican, but it's not just the look but the feel of the thing: the heft and precision tolerances--even the rubber surface of the focus ring!

I want to say it's not that big, Mis, but can't. Of course, it's shorter than the Sigma 70-200 or the DA* 300mm (that's the one I've got--there is a semblance of method to my madness ;~) but it's got the shoulders of a linebacker and feels like it must be solid glass inside.

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Last edited by dadipentak; 03-16-2009 at 03:31 AM.

[kbrabble]

This is probably my favorite lens of all time. I sold it to buy the DA* 200mm and have regretted it in many ways. While the DA* is nice for the conveniences of auto aperture and focus, I believe the image quality of the K lens was superior to the new DA*. With accurate focus, this lens is amazingly sharp at f/2.5 (I definitely recommend a split image focusing screen with this one) and the colors and bokeh are amazing. Enjoy the lens....

You lucky dog...

[jensm]

Congratulations!

Just sold mine to a forum member... now you're just trying to make me regret it. It's an amazing lens, and as another poster says, something you take out when you want to do something "special".

And that's exactly why I ended up selling it - the speed of 2.5 wasn't worth the size (and cost) to me.

But then again... what a lens. Incredibly sharp wide open, if you get focus spot on. As my kids are what I shoot most (yeah, I know), I didn't get a lot of keepers with the lens, my mf skills couldn't keep up with them at 2.5 or even 3.5. So, at the f stops I would end up using it, I thought I could get a smaller and cheaper option.

/Jens

[hinman]

Congratulation Dave. That is a beauty. I met up with another local Pentaxian that I recall handling a similar lens but in f/2.8. The lens look petite in size but heavy in weight like a metal brick. The focusing ring is very stiff when I try it and my other local Pentaxian friend loves the stiffness for the precision needed.

I am a cheapo dude and I hope my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 can outgun your f/2.5 in some dreamed up scenarios

[hinman]

It isn't so bad for sports Dave. Here's a few I took of a girl's field hockey game last fall.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2962010015_c8f9d8b724_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2962853044_64f76bcacf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/2962003813_15d273ca51_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2962846724_ee217385e9_b.jpg

Tom G

Tom, are those on tripod or hand-held shots. Either way, I am very impressed. I wish I have a 200mm that fast and that sharp. Very good color.

Thanks for showing us the wonderful pictures.

Hin

[8540tomg]

Hin,

They were all hand held. I have a number of lenses and I like this one the best on most days. I like the heft and feel of this lens. You know you have some serious gear when you can almost eat a pizza from the lens cap.

Tom G

[dadipentak]

I am a cheapo dude and I hope my Soligor 200mm f/2.8 can outgun your f/2.5 in some dreamed up scenarios

I've seen what you can do with those cheapo lenses and I think ou could outshoot me with a coke bottle--I need great glass to even things out a bit.

Oh, and here's the 200 with the lens cover of my other K lens, Tom :~)

[8540tomg]

That is an awesome cap my friend. Must belong the the K SMC K 500/4.5 or K 1000 f8. Looks like you actually could eat a small pizza from that cap.

Tom G

[dadipentak]

That is an awesome cap my friend. Must belong the the K SMC K 500/4.5 or K 1000 f8. Looks like you actually could eat a small pizza from that cap.

Tom G

Right, Tom--the K 1000 f8.

[8540tomg]

Right, Tom--the K 1000 f8.

Your equiment alone makes you the honorary King of the K Club. You do realize that when you have that sort of gear it is mandatory to post an image or two.

Tom G

[dadipentak]

Your equiment alone makes you the honorary King of the K Club. You do realize that when you have that sort of gear it is mandatory to post an image or two. Tom G

Having the lenses and using them well are two different things, Tom, and based on your hockey shots (and just checked out your birds--WOW!), I've a long way to go. These are both recent acquisitions and it's gonna take me some time to get a feel for them but I'll certainly be reporting to the K Club on my progress (assuming that I make any :~)