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02-10-2010, 07:32 PM   #1
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What is the best lense I can get for very fast action shots?

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I have a Pentax k-x and Id like to take fast shots of martial arts at my dojo.
So far Ive been directed to 50mm 1.4s are these the best choice available?

Oh also looking for a good macro lens. What are your thoughts?


Last edited by CrossStealth; 02-10-2010 at 07:50 PM.
02-10-2010, 08:19 PM   #2
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A 50 1.4 is certainly fast enough but you may find it too long for a small space. If you have a short zoom 18-55 kit,etc, frame some shots to find the length thats best, then narrow your search to lenses close to that length. You can safely push the kx to 800 iso, so even with terrible lighting, you should be able to use f2.8.
02-10-2010, 08:28 PM   #3
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Using a fast lens at a wide aperture won't necessarily help you because the depth of field will become narrower, there will be more of the image that is out of focus. A 50mm @1.4 will give you a very thin DOF. As the focal length gets shorter, DOF does become deeper though for a given aperture. So (for example) a 35mm at f/2 will have a deeper DOF than a 50mm at f/2. Unfortunately, the shorter the focal length, the closer you need to get. Sometimes a flash or higher ISO is the only option.
02-10-2010, 08:32 PM   #4
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I just tested and I like somewhere around 42mm. So 50 would be ok with me. I think Id like a fast zoom lens if they exist

I dont mind using a flash at all

02-10-2010, 08:37 PM   #5
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the DA*16-50, DA*50-235 or a tamron or sigma 70-200 (may be too long) would all be good. Nut as damn brit said, you should look at lighting and higher ISO instead of very thin DOF.
02-10-2010, 08:49 PM   #6
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The 50mm lens will appear as 75mm on your DSLR due to the crop factor. Definitely get it.
02-10-2010, 09:09 PM   #7
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How is this one?
Pentax Takumar-A F4 70-200mm Macro Zoom Lens Gd Cosmeti - eBay (item 350306485148 end time Feb-16-10 16:48:05 PST)

Im still tempted to get the 50mm but I fear I will regret not having a zoom to adjust when I cannot move to get a better shot

I would like a still picture of something like this basically that would be sharp. Whats the best I could do?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veRtesXr9Rc


Last edited by CrossStealth; 02-10-2010 at 09:33 PM.
02-10-2010, 09:56 PM   #8
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That lens is manual focus, not too fast and probably in pretty bad shape. You should look at some better faster zooms for sports action. A good focal length with a constant aperture of 2.8 should not only do a good job for the specific job you're describing, but be a good overall lens, even if it may not be too compact. Though the DA*16-50 isn't too big.
02-10-2010, 10:40 PM   #9
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You state that you like "somewhere around 42mm" and next you want to buy a 70-200mm. Does not really make sense to me.

The big advantage of a fast lens in my opinion is that focusing is easier in low light. You can still use it at e.g. f/4 or so and crank up the iso a bit to get reasonable shutter speeds and DOF.

If you think that you will miss the zoom, the Tamron 17-50mm/2.8 (not sure of the exact name) might be a good option (no personal experience but I've read some good things about it on the web).

WimS
02-10-2010, 10:53 PM   #10
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I would love the DA*16-50 but it seems to sell for about 1000 on ebay so its way out of my price range

Oh and I only listed the 70-200 because it was mentioned in a post above by Ari and I am not 100% set on 42mm. It was just about the range I would normally do If I took a picture that instant.
Is there any cheaper versions of the DA*16-50
PENTAX SMC DA* 16-50mm f2.8 ED AL IF SDM 16-50 f/2.8 - eBay (item 190352398429 end time Feb-21-10 22:30:54 PST)

Also I think I would prefer something like 1.4-1.7 I tested 1.8 on my gfs camera and it still had very minor motion blur
02-10-2010, 11:06 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by CrossStealth Quote
Also I think I would prefer something like 1.4-1.7 I tested 1.8 on my gfs camera and it still had very minor motion blur
Try an auto-focus fast fifty at your dojo and "chimp" to see if the DOF is big enough and AF is accurate enough. Since you're probably not stuck in one spot while shooting in your dojo, you probably don't need a zoom.
02-10-2010, 11:44 PM   #12
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I have a K 50 f1.2 , is it still worth getting a Pentax SMC-FA 50/1.4 as a complement for the autoapperture in use for some circumstances?

I use a DA 18-55mm f3.5 WR for daily use, quick shooting with the auto exposure but the lens isnt the best in lowlight / high speed (even taking into account changing ISO)..

I guess Im picky cause I prefer taking shots as naturally as possible ( no flash and low ISO for noise ratio ).

Last edited by Norman; 02-10-2010 at 11:52 PM.
02-11-2010, 12:05 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by CrossStealth Quote
I would love the DA*16-50 but it seems to sell for about 1000 on ebay so its way out of my price range
Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 at B&H

Not sure if it's the one I referred to earlier (US$450)

PS what is gfs camera?
02-11-2010, 12:14 AM   #14
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She has a cannon rebel t1i
02-11-2010, 01:21 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by CrossStealth Quote
I have a Pentax k-x and Id like to take fast shots of martial arts at my dojo.
So far Ive been directed to 50mm 1.4s are these the best choice available?

Oh also looking for a good macro lens. What are your thoughts?
I take a lot of pictures of running waters: the water speed is between 1 and 20 m/s (4 to 70 km/h). While this situation appears different from a fast sport, you would be surprised that the needs are quite similar.

I typically use a shutter speed of 1/80s or faster. Outdoor, I do not use a flash, but I always force the flash indoor even is the camera think otherwise. All in all I get my best shots with my fast lens (Nokton 58mm f1.4).

Yesterday I did about 90 min of shots with a FZ20, the K-7 & DA18-250mm and the K-7 & Nokton 58m. (All with flash because it was indoor.) The K-7 takes definitely much better photographs that the FZ20. But I was really amazed by the Nokton 58mm with the flash. Superb, crisp, vibrant. It is true that the DOF is narrow but this can be used as an advantage.

Three examples although they might not be the best:
Pentax DA18-250mm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/hcc-albums-air-water-flows-pictur...50mm-flash.jpg
Nokton 58mm

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/hcc-albums-air-water-flows-pictur...f1-4-flash.jpg
FZ20

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/hcc-albums-air-water-flows-pictur...sonic-fz20.jpg
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