[Franc]

that depends on the quality of the lens. Sigma has the S and C with a price difference of €1000. the S is more like the dfa. A high quality lens cost a bit more then a consumer lens

[rawr]

Some very nice 150-450 wild-life shots from Ricoh Imaging Russia:
Фотоохота с объективом Pentax HD DFA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6

[redpit]

We know the DFA now that is a superb lens. Nikon is making a new lens that is +50mm in each end, with the same weight and VR but possibly non WR and with larger diameter front element.

What remains to be seen is what kind of quality it delivers. This is a direct competitor to the DFA 150-450. But that doesn't mean than in the years to come Pentax won't release something newer and improved or cover a different market gap (its the company that made the DFA* s and lenses like the 250-600, we shouldn't forget that).

In my opinion Pentax won't attract new photographers by offering equipment that Canonikon don't offer, but for offering high quality alternatives that for some people they work better, or have some important unique characteristics!

From a personal viewpoint I chose and still shoot my K-5IIs because it was the best DSLR of its category (for my taste) and the most important thing it delivers great pro level results. I know that Canonikon offer relevant products but I've made my choice and I'm totally satisfied with it!

And something to conclude. I want the Pentax-Ricoh to expand and attract new customers, but I wouldn't like it to become the mainstream photographic company and change its rational by becoming the "supermarket" that offers everything and "updates" its products every 6 months. That would change my relation with Pentax. I prefer a reliable company that makes quality products and releases in due time new equipment with important and obvious improvements. Steady and clear steps forward is what I want.

[AdrianM]

Sigh. Still waiting for my "baby" to be returned from its warranty repair journey to Japan. It has now been away for longer than I had it in my hands.

[Shanti]

Nikon introduces 24-70mm F2.8 VR, 24mm F1.8 and 200-500 F5.6 FX lenses: Digital Photography Review

This could make things difficult to convince new customers to buy into Pentax full frame. I wonder how they managed to price it ~$1000 less than the Pentax equivalent? hopefully P will lower prices but its probably unlikely

I know,almost cried when I saw the price,but the Pentax is a stop faster to 290mm,WR,and I really wonder how sharp the Nikon is at 500mm? my 150-450 is sharp at 450mm!! this to me is to compete with Sigma C & Tamron. Nikon does make more $$ teles like 80-400 at Pentax' price level ,so maybe not a big deal. If the FF has close to Canikon AF tracking ,then no problem for Pentax.

[derekkite]

Nikon is looking at all those sigma long zooms on their D7*00 bodies and want a piece of the action. In an odd way they risk having priced themselves out of the market by pursuing expensive full frame stuff.

[Zygonyx]

Exactly : minus 20% market shares at the moment versus 2014 for Nikon ; ah, and for the leightweighted photogs : 2,3kg for the announced 200-500mm f/5.6 thorough the range...

[Dieseler]

Nikon introduces 24-70mm F2.8 VR, 24mm F1.8 and 200-500 F5.6 FX lenses: Digital Photography Review

This could make things difficult to convince new customers to buy into Pentax full frame. I wonder how they managed to price it ~$1000 less than the Pentax equivalent? hopefully P will lower prices but its probably unlikely

I wonder what corners have been cut to achieve this price point? Lack of weather sealing is one, it will be interesting to see the optical performance at 500mm.

[northcoastgreg]

What remains to be seen is what kind of quality it delivers. This is a direct competitor to the DFA 150-450.

Nikon has posted images from their new Nikkor 200-500 here. To my eye, these images place the lens more as a direct competitor to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600's, rather than the DFA 150-450. Nikon's direct competitor to the 150-450 is the pro-rated Nikkor 80-400.

[Shanti]

Nikon has posted images from their new Nikkor 200-500 here. To my eye, these images place the lens more as a direct competitor to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600's, rather than the DFA 150-450. Nikon's direct competitor to the 150-450 is the pro-rated Nikkor 80-400.

Some of these are not bad at all,but to be fair taken with D750,so a comparison with the Pentax FF + 150-450 will be interesting

[redpit]

Nikon has posted images from their new Nikkor 200-500 here. To my eye, these images place the lens more as a direct competitor to the Tamron and Sigma 150-600's, rather than the DFA 150-450. Nikon's direct competitor to the 150-450 is the pro-rated Nikkor 80-400.

Maybe you're right. Even though the DFA is in the middle of these 2 Nikon lenses it is priced and compete mainly with the standard long Canonikon zooms. But since new tele-lenses are coming out the long focal lengths will be covered with different options and its up to the photographer to select what best fits his needs and his wallet.
If Pentax would ever updated the 250-600/f5.6 for example then it would be difficult to put it in an existing long lens category. It would be a category of its own. More such lenses will probably come up in the future (like the 150-600s).

[rawr]

a comparison with the Pentax FF + 150-450 will be interesting

In terms of scenery, bokeh and sharpness, some of those Nikon pix seem comparable to the Ricoh Russia K-3 w. DFA 150-450 wildlife pix linked above. K-3, D750 - hard to tell them apart.

[OJGoreng]

Sigh. Still waiting for my "baby" to be returned from its warranty repair journey to Japan. It has now been away for longer than I had it in my hands.

Ouch, that's painful. Australia often seems to draw the short straw when it comes to distributors and service centers.

FWIW, since I got mine back, it's been problem-free, with nearly daily use. Worth the wait, in other words. But granted, it was a much shorter wait...

[GlassJunkie]

Nikon is looking at all those sigma long zooms on their D7*00 bodies and want a piece of the action. In an odd way they risk having priced themselves out of the market by pursuing expensive full frame stuff.

You nailed it! The APS-c is "dead" view of CaNikon has bitten them hard. Next, expect to see a few more "pro grade" (large constant aperture, curved blade, sturdy build, corrected) lenses from them. DA* (no matter how "old" folks think they are) perform exceptionally well, are lighter, sealed, and cheaper (length, aperture, filter cost) than FF counterparts.

The silent war is on who delivers the first 4/3 pixel pitch sensor and whether Pentax can work with them. 32-36mp APS-c IS the holy grail.

[AdrianM]

Finally got my 150-450 back this week after the problem with reduced zoom range it stopped at 180 at the short end, so would not close down completely and lock). Really disappointed with the amount of time this took - I put it in for repair on 21 June.