[jatrax]

it could certainly benefit from being a bit stronger than the Tamron, especially in the middle of the zoom range where the Tammy is notoriously weak (and its not that great at the long end).

Wait, have you actually used this lens? Just curious because so many others seem to think it rivals the Canon and Nikon equivalents. Would like to see some images or hear your experience with it.

[pacu]

And this is the kind of discussion that gives camera designers hearburn. You want a larger camera, while I want one as small as possible (I got the K-30 only because my budget was cramped, and I got it at a good price). I think they should be aiming for something the size of my old Pentax Super Program

Maybe you are not intererest on tele lenses. I have K-30 and I considered it the smallest camera I would want with interchangable lenses. It has a usefull grip, if only it was a half centimeter thicker and taller it would be perfect for me.

[reh321]

Maybe you are not interested in tele lenses. I have K-30 and I considered it the smallest camera I would want with interchangable lenses. It has a usefull grip, if only it was a half centimeter thicker and taller it would be perfect for me.

I have a Sigma 70-300mm lens; I assume that counts. When I used the Super Program, the zoom lens I had was longer, and felt much bigger in general, than anything I have today. Years ago, I learned to hold the lens with my left hand and the body with my right hand.

added: my avatar is my reflection in a Christmas tree ornament, taken with my Q-7. You'll notice that even with that small camera, I manage to get both hands on the camera.

[jab2980]

So am I right in that this should be the ideal answer for a wedding/event photographers who are looking for a wide/normal zoom? The only Pentax zoom lens that I've seen in this range that produces great results is the DA* 16-50, however I'm too scared of the "old generation" SDM on that lens to commit to it. On that note, here's to hoping that the D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 is as good or better than the DA* 50-135, so all ranges can be covered and old SDM issues can be forgotten.

[indy]

Reh321, I just noticed that you're also from Indiana. That's at least four Hoosiers participating in this thread now. (Me, you, Rondec, and VoiceofReason). Kinda funny.

And one observer.

[normhead]

And one observer.

My parents told me I was conceived in Indianapolis, does that count?

[bxf]

My parents told me I was conceived in Indianapolis, does that count?

Nah, you were just a squirt

[normhead]

Nah, you were just a squirt

eeeeewwwwww, we're talking about my parents ya know?

[bxf]

eeeeewwwwww, we're talking about my parents ya know?

Well, I didn't assume you were manufactured.

[indy]

My parents told me I was conceived in Indianapolis, does that count?

Only if you also follow the weather very closely, know the difference between a loin and a tenderloin, and have obsene cholesterol levels.

[pacu]

I have a Sigma 70-300mm lens; I assume that counts. When I used the Super Program, the zoom lens I had was longer, and felt much bigger in general, than anything I have today. Years ago, I learned to hold the lens with my left hand and the body with my right hand.

added: my avatar is my reflection in a Christmas tree ornament, taken with my Q-7. You'll notice that even with that small camera, I manage to get both hands on the camera.

Sorry for being a little naive, if you got an 70-300 then what 's the fuzz with a smaller camera.
Practrically the K-30 is thicker than manual SLRs but also is narrower, last time I looked a camera only Pentax pancakes like DA 40mm f2.8 manage to be like a body cup. Every lenses will protude more than the grip in K-30.
My Praktica with Pentacon 50mm f1.8 is bigger and heavier than my K-30 with DA 35 f.24.

As a bonus I will say that most 50mm need to be stopped to f4 to have a similar contrast to DA 35 f2.4 open wide, so for my case I don't miss much in depth of field controll as many times the dreamy out of focus picture just brings me headache.

I just make a point that other people have their reasons to like things to be the way there are. I know also that other people can just buy what Sony builds if they like it better.

I write this message on Sony Vaio builded 2 years before Sony abadoned building PCs and sold the Vaio brand. I would not trust them with a system camera. I know I didn't trust them in 2010.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I write this message on Sony Vaio builded 2 years before Sony abadoned building PCs and sold the Vaio brand. I would not trust them with a system camera. I know I didn't trust them in 2010.

Most PC's are/were a mess though...and I'm a die-hard PC guy! But Sony deserves credit in some other areas. They have some very nice high-end TV's and home theater projectors, for example. In such a large corporation, vision, design, and execution probably vary from division to division.

[pacu]

Most PC's are/were a mess though...and I'm a die-hard PC guy! But Sony deserves credit in some other areas. They have some very nice high-end TV's and home theater projectors, for example. In such a large corporation, vision, design, and execution probably vary from division to division.

Well I like it. Most PCs are a mess because they are cheaper than they need to be. One too many corners cut.
I will avoid the apple oranges discussion.

[Tom S.]

B&H are now taking orders:

Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f/2.8ED SDM WR Lens 21310 B&H

$1,296.95

[pacu]

I think the price is good for a lens, with official support, regardless of it's origins. The compartibility with third party lenses is a bit of a gamble, something lost to sigma afficionados some times. A third party lens should always be cheaper because of that risk.