[x4rd]

As for not seeing the need for KAF4 now, they are looking into what they will need tomorrow. True that their AF is behind some other brands, but they are working on that. When they do have something special come out, then it would be good to have the lenses that can keep up ready in the market.

I wonder why we haven't seen more PLM designes apart from 55-300 PLM. Do You maybe have any information about it?

Therefore, Ricoh is limited to the picture side, when it comes to video in their products they are still somewhere near 2010.

[ffking]

I wonder why we haven't seen more PLM designes apart from 55-300 PLM. Do You maybe have any information about it?

I think they've been concentrating their limited resources of fast FF lenses and the PLM motor simply can't shift that much gless - but they are talking about updating some of the Ltds, and that would seem to be an ideal place to use PLM

[Mistral75]

There aren't so many such lenses made by competitors for their DSLRs either.

- Canon: nine STM lenses.

• EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
• EF 24-105mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM
• EF-S 35mm f/2.8 macro IS STM
• EF 40mm f/2.8 STM
• EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
• EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

- Nikon: four AF-P lenses.

• AF-P DX Nikkor 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
• AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G / AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (same lens, with and without image stabilisation)
• AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G / AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G VR (idem supra)
• AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

[Chris Mak]

As for the 560 prototype shown in older posts above... yes, it was a collapsible design at first, but was changed to its current form in order to improve image quality. There were also potential production problems with the collapsible version. Ultimately, the final version is better built, more reliable and better IQ than the prototype.

What you can take away form this is that the people at Ricoh/Pentax do not like to release anything that they consider a compromise on quality. While they may not have the most cutting edge tech in all areas, they do make some of the best optics and most reliable gear out there due to their not releasing something until they feel it is ready rather than rush to market.

It was a great move (for me at least) to make the DA560 into what it became at release.
The lens got some pretty heavy criticism for being as long and expensive as it was, for the slow AF, for the abberations and the sometimes not so pretty bokeh. All valid points to a degree, but it was measured against <10.000,- lenses. I was at that time not able nor ready to pay that kind of money for a good tele primelens. The DA560 enabled me to get the IQ that comes with a high end super telelens, without having to spend over 10.000,-
I had the Sigma 500/4.5 for two years, but I never really got to tolerate the screw drive AF noise, and was not that happy with color and contrast.


Also, you drag a super telelens along in all sort of weather and environments. The build quality of the DA560 ensures that IQ stays at the level that it has at purchase. Lenses of that size and weight of lesser build quality may give you all sorts of headaches after a few years of use.
When I eventually sell it to go for a really "serious" super telelens (that allows me to do BIF), it will have given me many images with that special Pentax high IQ.


So I am glad they did not go for a compromised collapsible version.


Chris

---

Last edited by Chris Mak; 06-07-2018 at 12:49 PM.

[Albert Siegel]

Indeed the final version of the 560m was the right way to go. The thing I love the most about it is that it's the only super-telephoto that can easily be hand-held for extended periods of time. I am also impressed how well the AF works with the PENTAX 1.4 TC. PENTAX was once known as one of the top brands in telescopes, so it's no surprise how excellent this lens is. The only complaint I have at all is the minimum focus distance, but it's not a deal breaker for me.

[bdery]

My honest opinion..Pentax cannot compete with the fast action photography. They need a lot of improvement in the body and lenses.
Thanks a lot...just sharing my honest opinion.

It seems in your list you only miss the 150-450. And THAT lens might you revisit your opinion of Pentax AF (well, that and the 70-200, 24-70, 55-300 PLM and even 15-30 but those do not offer the reach you are looking for).

[Dieseler]

It seems in your list you only miss the 150-450. And THAT lens might you revisit your opinion of Pentax AF (well, that and the 70-200, 24-70, 55-300 PLM and even 15-30 but those do not offer the reach you are looking for).

Yes, the 150-450 is good, but after watching the PF video test of the 55-300 PLM S-AF, I am very impressed! I hope this technology can be used in many other lenses. I hope it is as good in C-AF, although the body AF may be the limiting factor here.

You Tube

You Tube

[bdery]

Yes, the 150-450 is good, but after watching the PF video test of the 55-300 PLM S-AF, I am very impressed! I hope this technology can be used in many other lenses. I hope it is as good in C-AF, although the body AF may be the limiting factor here.

Having tested the PLM 55-300, as well as the 150-450 (and 70-200, 24-70, 15-30) the PLM is the fastest. Not always by much but REALLY fast.

However, as the technology stands it can only be used in small, light lenses.

The 70-200 and 150-450 are close in most cases, though.

[kulas3VII]

It seems in your list you only miss the 150-450. And THAT lens might you revisit your opinion of Pentax AF (well, that and the 70-200, 24-70, 55-300 PLM and even 15-30 but those do not offer the reach you are looking for).

Thanks a lot to your opinion, but i am happy with my set-up a 800mm f5.6 with 7D m2.
Have a good one.

[Dieseler]

Thanks a lot to your opinion, but i am happy with my set-up a 800mm f5.6 with 7D m2.
Have a good one.

So you should be, some very good shots on your flickr/shutterstock!

[normhead]

from PENTAX Meeting 2016!

What is a "Pentax meeting"?

[ogunturkay]

What is a "Pentax meeting"?

it was an event called "PENTAX Meeting 2016" and held in Tokyo venue on 12-13 March 2016.



Source

[pxt]

Having tested the PLM 55-300, as well as the 150-450 (and 70-200, 24-70, 15-30) the PLM is the fastest. Not always by much but REALLY fast.

However, as the technology stands it can only be used in small, light lenses.

The 70-200 and 150-450 are close in most cases, though.

Pentax 150-450 mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is not too dark fx. in dashed spaces like basketballs match, dancing events?

[bdery]

Pentax 150-450 mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is not too dark fx. in dashed spaces like basketballs match, dancing events?

It's more of an outside lens for sure. Dancing events and basketball are not the best lit of environments, and in both cases I'd say that lens is probably too long anyway.

[Zygonyx]

If you don't mind climbing the ISOs...