HD PENTAX-D FA ★ 70-200mm F2.8 at 5th February?

rawr · 04-20-2015, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

Here's a quick MTF comparison between the D-FA*70-200mm f2.8 and the Tamron SP 70-200 f2.8 Di VC USD

Note that the Tamron was tested on a Canon EOS 5D MkII. For those interested, here's a direct link to their Tamron test. Needless to say, it's hard to directly compare lens (and AF) performance when the tests are based on different bodies and sensor formats.

Originally posted by harrisonww

However I do need a 70-200mm for sports, if it isnt as fast as other manufacturers does that mean its slow?

It depends. I have used two 70-200 f2.8's for sports - a Sigma HSM II with HSM on Pentax and a Nikon VR1 with SWM on FF. You can't tell the difference between them in terms of focus motor speed. The differences that you notice most in sports are camera based - AF-C performance, low-light AF performance etc.

Stavri · 04-20-2015, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

Oh dear, the side by side charts are not flattering for the Pentax .....

It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc)

They use a sensor based analysis, not an optical bench. MTF values will vary depending on the lens+ camera combo....Please disregard my post (I will delete it) I'll wait LensRentals proper review of the lenses...

kooks · 04-20-2015, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by starjedi

. It might need the new k3ii or ff to defend!

So that means that for old cameras.. K3, K5iis etc.. the new lenses are not THAT great.. but for the new bodys the performance could get better ( we dont know till we have at least the K3ii out ) ...

So far im happy with my Tamron

fits what I need at this time.

Glorfindelrb · 04-20-2015, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc)

Just look at the scales and resize the Sigma graphs accordingly. It's in line with the manufacturer MTF.

FantasticMrFox · 04-20-2015, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc).

Or maybe Ricoh are the ones who provided overly optimistic MTF charts? I mean, who of the two parties we are comparing here is probably more neutral?

**monochrome** · 04-20-2015, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by kooks

So that means that for old cameras.. K3, K5iis etc.. the new lenses are not THAT great.. but for the new bodys the performance could get better ( we dont know till we have at least the K3ii out ) ...

Don't forget the Firmware update coming for the K-3 and maybe K-5 series.

ePhotozine is early.

Winder · 04-20-2015, 06:06 PM

Need to wait and see how it looks on the Full Frame.

kooks · 04-20-2015, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

Don't forget the Firmware update coming for the K-3 and maybe K-5 series.

ePhotozine is early.

True.. at this time is too early to really see how good the lenses are.. for the price the performance SHOULD be really good.

Stavri · 04-20-2015, 06:14 PM

They use a sensor based analysis, not an optical bench. MTF values will vary depending on the lens+ camera combo....Please disregard my post (I will delete it)

Glorfindelrb · 04-20-2015, 06:15 PM

First this is the side by side comparison with the sigma when graphs on the same scales. The FF/APS-C difference is still there and obviously key at f16 and f22 (in favor of the pentax) and for any edge comparison (not in favor of the pentax).

jaad75 · 04-20-2015, 06:16 PM

And don't forget the sample variation...

normhead · 04-20-2015, 07:12 PM

Quote:

The silent focusing motor results in reasonably quick autofocus, although not as quick as can be found on some equivalent lenses from other camera manufacturers. Focus accuracy with phase detection could be a little hit and miss, so care may need to be taken, especially when shooting erratic, moving and difficult subjects.

Woe.. deal killer.

rawr · 04-20-2015, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Woe.. deal killer.

If one simple review, and a throw-away anecdotal comment from the reviewer, should hardly justify calling this a 'deal killer'.

They didn't even do any AF tests or measurements (speed, precision etc) at all, for crying out loud.

JPT · 04-20-2015, 08:18 PM

This is a very early review. I couldn't see any mention of whether this was done with the latest firmware update. That would presumably have a big impact on AF performance/reliability.

Stavri · 04-20-2015, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Woe.. deal killer.

Like you were seriously contemplating buying it, c'mon.

(what were you planning to do with the DA* 60-250)

We should all take the early AF performance tests with a grain of salt, newer firmware or more polished models will give different/better results. AF performance is really hard to measure precisely, its the least quantifiable part of a lens test.

04-20-2015, 05:55 PM	#917
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Wild Mark Oh dear, the side by side charts are not flattering for the Pentax ..... It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc) They use a sensor based analysis, not an optical bench. MTF values will vary depending on the lens+ camera combo....Please disregard my post (I will delete it) I'll wait LensRentals proper review of the lenses... Last edited by Stavri; 04-20-2015 at 06:17 PM.

04-20-2015, 06:15 PM	#925
Glorfindelrb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 364	First this is the side by side comparison with the sigma when graphs on the same scales. The FF/APS-C difference is still there and obviously key at f16 and f22 (in favor of the pentax) and for any edge comparison (not in favor of the pentax). Attached Images

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04-20-2015, 05:52 PM	#916
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Stavri Here's a quick MTF comparison between the D-FA*70-200mm f2.8 and the Tamron SP 70-200 f2.8 Di VC USD Note that the Tamron was tested on a Canon EOS 5D MkII. For those interested, here's a direct link to their Tamron test. Needless to say, it's hard to directly compare lens (and AF) performance when the tests are based on different bodies and sensor formats. Originally posted by harrisonww However I do need a 70-200mm for sports, if it isnt as fast as other manufacturers does that mean its slow? It depends. I have used two 70-200 f2.8's for sports - a Sigma HSM II with HSM on Pentax and a Nikon VR1 with SWM on FF. You can't tell the difference between them in terms of focus motor speed. The differences that you notice most in sports are camera based - AF-C performance, low-light AF performance etc.

04-20-2015, 05:58 PM	#918
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Originally posted by starjedi . It might need the new k3ii or ff to defend! So that means that for old cameras.. K3, K5iis etc.. the new lenses are not THAT great.. but for the new bodys the performance could get better ( we dont know till we have at least the K3ii out ) ... So far im happy with my Tamron fits what I need at this time.

04-20-2015, 05:59 PM	#919
Glorfindelrb Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 364	Originally posted by Stavri It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc) Just look at the scales and resize the Sigma graphs accordingly. It's in line with the manufacturer MTF.

04-20-2015, 06:00 PM	#920
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by Stavri It doesn't make sense, the MTF values specified from Ricoh are supposed to give the D-FA the edge. It might be that ephotozine's test wasn't rigorous, (or they had preproduction models, firmware issues etc). Or maybe Ricoh are the ones who provided overly optimistic MTF charts? I mean, who of the two parties we are comparing here is probably more neutral?

04-20-2015, 06:05 PM	#921
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by kooks So that means that for old cameras.. K3, K5iis etc.. the new lenses are not THAT great.. but for the new bodys the performance could get better ( we dont know till we have at least the K3ii out ) ... Don't forget the Firmware update coming for the K-3 and maybe K-5 series. ePhotozine is early.

04-20-2015, 06:06 PM	#922
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Need to wait and see how it looks on the Full Frame.

04-20-2015, 06:10 PM	#923
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Originally posted by monochrome Don't forget the Firmware update coming for the K-3 and maybe K-5 series. ePhotozine is early. True.. at this time is too early to really see how good the lenses are.. for the price the performance SHOULD be really good.

04-20-2015, 06:14 PM	#924
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	They use a sensor based analysis, not an optical bench. MTF values will vary depending on the lens+ camera combo....Please disregard my post (I will delete it)

04-20-2015, 06:16 PM	#926
jaad75 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cracow Posts: 457	And don't forget the sample variation...

04-20-2015, 07:12 PM	#927
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	Quote: The silent focusing motor results in reasonably quick autofocus, although not as quick as can be found on some equivalent lenses from other camera manufacturers. Focus accuracy with phase detection could be a little hit and miss, so care may need to be taken, especially when shooting erratic, moving and difficult subjects. Woe.. deal killer.

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04-20-2015, 07:42 PM	#928
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by normhead Woe.. deal killer. If one simple review, and a throw-away anecdotal comment from the reviewer, should hardly justify calling this a 'deal killer'. They didn't even do any AF tests or measurements (speed, precision etc) at all, for crying out loud.

04-20-2015, 08:18 PM	#929
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	This is a very early review. I couldn't see any mention of whether this was done with the latest firmware update. That would presumably have a big impact on AF performance/reliability.

04-20-2015, 08:34 PM	#930
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by normhead Woe.. deal killer. Like you were seriously contemplating buying it, c'mon. (what were you planning to do with the DA* 60-250) We should all take the early AF performance tests with a grain of salt, newer firmware or more polished models will give different/better results. AF performance is really hard to measure precisely, its the least quantifiable part of a lens test.