[rawr]

The bargain in that list appears to be the Tamron lens.

Unfortunately, there is (at the moment) only one K-mount compatible lens available on that list. Maybe Sigma will make another batch of their 70-200 for Pentax once the FF appears. If the Pentax FF turns out to be a good seller, perhaps Tamron will feel inclined to apply their recent experience with K-mount (ie the 24-70) to adapt their 70-200 for Pentax too.

[cali92rs]

That also doesn't specify the level of weather resistance.. it may be more significant on the Pentax.

Those Canikon lenses are pro staples and have been abused in every imaginable environment. I dont know how much we can expect Pentax to be better.

[Class A]

Unfortunately, there is (at the moment) only one K-mount compatible lens available on that list.

Not on your list but still available there is a Tamron 70-200/2.8 without image stabilisation. It is a screw drive lens but enjoys a rather favourable reputation amongst Pentaxians.

@Mistral75: Do you think there is any chance that the price of the Pentax 70-200 will come down after a while?

How do you convince someone who is not invested in a system yet to choose Pentax when key lenses are more expensive than the top price lenses from Canikon despite the fact that they do not need to implement image stabilisation?

AFAIC, camera ergonomics and pricing have been a strong argument in favour of Pentax, but there are of course other trade-offs like ubiquity of dealers / fellow users, so how do I explain to someone that it is worth paying more for Pentax lenses?

A salesman could argue that most people will change their camera more often than their lenses and hence the Pentax price balance is the better one long-term, but I'm not sure how many customers would be susceptible to this kind of argument.

[Mistral75]

Thank you for your work. The Pentax lens is by far the heaviest: 24 per cent. heavier than the average of the four other lenses.

Note that there are some variables that can alter the weight specs and length dimensions a bit - like tripod foot on/off, hood on/off.

Indeed but this could only increase the difference since the D FA★ weights 1,950g with the tripod collar attached and 2,030g with tripod collar and hood.

---------- Post added 11-10-2015 at 07:47 AM ----------

(...)

@Mistral75: Do you think there is any chance that the price of the Pentax 70-200 will come down after a while?

(...)

Send me a chicken to sacrifice and I will tell you .

[Zygonyx]

I've said it before...
High performance FF zooms are big. I had a my time with a FF system, and as much as I loved the IQ, it was not worth the hassle factor FOR ME. If I got paid for my photography, this would be a no brainer.
But if you have never handled a FF DSLR, I would very strongly suggest that you rent a D750 + 24-70 + 70-200 for 2 weeks.

Just for fun, Leica SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 is not far from DFA70-200/2.8 dimensions

[Class A]

Send me a chicken to sacrifice and I will tell you .

I'm glad its not a goat you need; consider the chicken to be on its way.

I could be wrong, but from memory Pentax lens prices have been very stable (save special offers), hence I thought there may be a business policy about never ever playing the "introduction price down to street price"-game with lenses.

[Mistral75]

I'm glad its not a goat you need; consider the chicken to be on its way.

I could be wrong, but from memory Pentax lens prices have been very stable (save special offers), hence I thought there may be a business policy about never ever playing the "introduction price down to street price"-game with lenses.

Thank you, appreciated.

It really depends on the lens's commercial success of failure. The DA 560mm f/5.6 was clearly overpriced at launch (€6,799), its RRP was then reduced to €5,499 and 'La Boutique Pentax' in Paris often proposes it at €3,999.

[Nicolas06]

I remember lot of people complaining of a general raise on Pentax lenses a few years back and actual street price evolve over time. I think some lenses that DA12-24 that were very affordable before have no stratospheric price that make difficult to justify the jump. Now for a DA12-24, they are asking arround 800€. The FA ltd were much cheaper back in time too.

DA50 f/1.8 was arround 200-250€ when in came out and for more than 1 year. It became available after for arround the same price of DA35 f/2.4 arround 160-180€ and now you can find it for 130€. Price divided by 2.

The DA15 SMC was selling for several years at 700€ and now the HD version can be found for 500€ (theses days missnumerique ask 489€).

Also some lenses like the FA35 f/2 that was historically arround 200-300€ bumped up to 700€, asking the same as FA43 ltd or even more.

The HD55-300 is selling for 350€ and just bring different coating and WR but the old version was asking for something like 200€ (and can be find used for 150). You can't find anymore the non HD new and the price increase isn't justified by HD + WR. This is just a marketing trick to ask more for the same lens and increase margins.

[gorme]

It seems like there is a price boom with the news of a coming FF : If you look at price variation of the 31mm f/1.8, the price went up by 30% : PENTAX 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited SMC FA Noir - 027075051157 - Avis (look at the variation chart), same for the 560mm and the 77mm limited..

[D1N0]

The smc limiteds have practically been discontinued. There will probably be a new batch with new hd coatings in 2016 or 2017.

[Rondec]

Not on your list but still available there is a Tamron 70-200/2.8 without image stabilisation. It is a screw drive lens but enjoys a rather favourable reputation amongst Pentaxians.

@Mistral75: Do you think there is any chance that the price of the Pentax 70-200 will come down after a while?

How do you convince someone who is not invested in a system yet to choose Pentax when key lenses are more expensive than the top price lenses from Canikon despite the fact that they do not need to implement image stabilisation?

AFAIC, camera ergonomics and pricing have been a strong argument in favour of Pentax, but there are of course other trade-offs like ubiquity of dealers / fellow users, so how do I explain to someone that it is worth paying more for Pentax lenses?

A salesman could argue that most people will change their camera more often than their lenses and hence the Pentax price balance is the better one long-term, but I'm not sure how many customers would be susceptible to this kind of argument.

The real questions come down to auto focus speed and wide open performance throughout the range. Hopefully Pentax has both of these where they need to be at this point. My wife rented a Sigma 70-200 HSM for a wedding and it was a little soft wide open although the auto focus was quiet speedy and felt a lot faster than screw driven lenses.

[Class A]

It really depends on the lens's commercial success of failure.

Thanks, it makes a lot of sense that the validity of prices are checked in this manner.

The DA 560mm f/5.6 was clearly overpriced at launch (€6,799),...

Agreed.

Remember that prior to release there were rumours regarding some astronomy connection? It turned out that the rumours were true not only with respect to the telescope inspired optical design, but that also the price was astronomical.

[bdery]

That also doesn't specify the level of weather resistance.. it may be more significant on the Pentax. At least I hope it is for the weight and price..

Canikon always stress that their lenses should not be used in difficult conditions, even when there is WR.

[FantasticMrFox]

Canikon always stress that their lenses should not be used in difficult conditions, even when there is WR.

And at the same time Canon L lenses (especially the 24-70s and 70-200s) have been used and abused by professionals around the world in the most adverse conditions imaginable. I doubt the weather sealing on these lenses is even a wee bit worse than Pentax' AW.

[Cannikin]

I could be wrong, but from memory Pentax lens prices have been very stable (save special offers), hence I thought there may be a business policy about never ever playing the "introduction price down to street price"-game with lenses.

The price of the DFA 150-450 has fallen nearly $600 from its introductory price in about 6 months.