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03-04-2018, 03:18 PM   #91
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QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
But does it mean all that much? The '*' denotes build quality and optical quality. They put the best optical design they are capable of into a * lens, but designs get better over time. E.g. the Canon 70-200 f/4 L is considered a stellar lens. I doubt Pentax' new 70-200 f/4 will perform worse optically than the 60-250 will, especially as the latter was designed for APS-C cameras, and, while covering the FF image circle, was not found by Pentax to be good enough to be officially labelled as FF worthy.

What aspects does that leave? Build quality and weather sealing. Could be that the 70-200 will only be WR, not AW. That'd be a plus for the 60-250. Build quality wise, the non-D FA* 28-105 and 15-30 seem pretty solid.
From a marketing point of view, replacing a DA* lens with a D-FA looks like a step down, no matter how good the D-FA is. For that reason alone I think that there will still be a Star lens in that range, and not be replaced with the D-FA. If they really want to do that, I think they’d need to designate the 70-200/4 as a D-FA*, which could still happen.

But it all depends on just how they position the 70-200/4. I just took another look at the road map, and noticed there is still the ~70-300 tele zoom, distinct from the 70-200/4. That one will almost certainly be an entry level, consumer grade lens. Unless it’s a crop lens (and since they already have TWO 55-300 consumer grade crop zooms, I doubt it), that will push the position of the 70-200/4 up (as a constant f/4 lens it’s starting above entry level). If the D-FA 70-200/4 is as good or better than the existing DA*60-250, they will either have to up the level with a much better DA* 60-250 mk II (or similar range), redesignate the 70-200/4 a Star lens, or discontinue the 60-250 without an official replacement.

I still hope they keep the 60-250, and I still think there is a placement of the 70-200/4 between the 70-300 and the 60-250 that works, but it’s a small space. We’ll just have to see how things play out.

03-04-2018, 03:22 PM   #92
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QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
e, I find the ranges very similar. 60 vs. 70 mm is a rather small difference, and so is 200 to 250 - at such high focal lengths, the actual difference in field-of-view becomes rather small (I actually just mounted my 55-300 to compare 200 vs. 250 mm).
4X max magnification vs 5X magnification is significant.
(On FF)
03-04-2018, 03:36 PM - 9 Likes   #93
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QuoteOriginally posted by ogl Quote
I think it will be DA*200/2.8 and DA*300/4 first of all

We have now 6 lenses
DA*55/1.4, DA*200/2.8 and DA*300/4
DA*50-135/2.8, DA*60-250/4, DA*16-50/2.8

Current plan is 16-50 + 50-135 first.
03-04-2018, 03:44 PM   #94
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Welcome back! Haven't seen you here in a while. Had to rely your posts from that sad, angry place on this forum
Do you know if they'll have revised optics?

03-04-2018, 03:47 PM - 3 Likes   #95
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Sorry, I know only that they will renew the drive.
I think DC drive.
03-04-2018, 04:02 PM - 1 Like   #96
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QuoteOriginally posted by asahi man Quote
Current plan is 16-50 + 50-135 first.
Good. Those two plus the *11~18 = APS Holy Trinity (as I thought)..
03-04-2018, 04:31 PM   #97
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Back in the day they had the FA* 200/2.8 and the FA* 200/4 Macro. To make the D-FA 70-200/4 a * lens wouldn't be that far off then. If they gave it macro capabilities as well, that would make it sensible for a photographer to have both the 70-200/2.8 and the 70-200/4, and maybe even the 60-250 in addition for the extra zoom range.

03-05-2018, 07:07 AM   #98
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QuoteOriginally posted by asahi man Quote
Current plan is 16-50 + 50-135 first.
Most logical path.

Give then a DC and a better build for 16-50 and we're set.

I'am, at least. ;D
03-05-2018, 07:26 AM   #99
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QuoteOriginally posted by sungibr Quote
Most logical path.

Give then a DC and a better build for 16-50 and we're set.

I'am, at least. ;D
If we could get full metal build, that would be great.
03-05-2018, 08:41 AM   #100
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Ive tried 2 used 16-50mm and they both had sdm issues, my 50-135mm is one of my favorite lenses but its both slow to wake up and squeaky. I would love an DC update to both lenses. I think pentax has a lot of great updates in the bright future. New dfa*, new da*, and a new 70-200 f4
03-05-2018, 10:04 AM   #101
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QuoteOriginally posted by Imp Quote
If we could get full metal build, that would be great.
I wouldn't go that far, but a redesigned zoom ring should make me more happy.
The ring on mine 16-50 broke after one and half year of use.
I got really angry about that!
03-05-2018, 10:54 AM - 2 Likes   #102
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I think only giving the 16-50 a new AF motor would be a wasted opportunity.

I've never used it myself (went for the Sigma 17-50), but it seems to have certain optical weaknesses (strong CA, low border sharpness wide open). It came last in the PF comparison review vs. the Tamron and Sigma, and was described as having "poor wide open sharpness, atrocious flare resistance, and heavy distortion at 16mm", at twice the price of the other two.

I know a lot of people like it, but if Pentax wants to continue asking $800 for this lens, I think a new optical design is in order.
03-05-2018, 11:07 AM   #103
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QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
I think only giving the 16-50 a new AF motor would be a wasted opportunity.

I've never used it myself (went for the Sigma 17-50), but it seems to have certain optical weaknesses (strong CA, low border sharpness wide open). It came last in the PF comparison review vs. the Tamron and Sigma, and was described as having "poor wide open sharpness, atrocious flare resistance, and heavy distortion at 16mm", at twice the price of the other two.

I know a lot of people like it, but if Pentax wants to continue asking $800 for this lens, I think a new optical design is in order.
They should redo the DA 17-70 f4, I love mine but folks shy away due to SDM issues. My copy has had no issues and takes very nice images. Pentax could develop upgrades for any of their better lenses and then the lenses would be fantastic instead of good to great.
03-05-2018, 11:19 AM - 1 Like   #104
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QuoteOriginally posted by FantasticMrFox Quote
I think only giving the 16-50 a new AF motor would be a wasted opportunity.

I've never used it myself (went for the Sigma 17-50), but it seems to have certain optical weaknesses (strong CA, low border sharpness wide open). It came last in the PF comparison review vs. the Tamron and Sigma, and was described as having "poor wide open sharpness, atrocious flare resistance, and heavy distortion at 16mm", at twice the price of the other two.

I know a lot of people like it, but if Pentax wants to continue asking $800 for this lens, I think a new optical design is in order.

Yes.. if I was going back to crop it would be the Sigma. If one doesnt need a constant f/2.8 then the 16-85 can perform just as well.. without the potential SDM issues. I've had two 16-50s and was never really happy with f/2.8 performance or the massive CA. Stopped down to f/4 or 5.6 and it was really nice though. But one doesn't buy a constant f/2.8 lens to keep it stopped at 4 or 5.6 imo..

But at least they are rectifying the SDM elephant.

However, I think the 50-135 with HD and a DC motor would be nice!!! That paired to a K-3 styled body with KP sensor performance would be sweet. Even with my K-5 II, provided the upgrade is still KAF3, it would be tempting.. I really valued the sharp, punchy, constrasty, rich images I got out of my SDM version.
03-05-2018, 11:20 AM   #105
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QuoteOriginally posted by SSGGeezer Quote
They should redo the DA 17-70 f4, I love mine but folks shy away due to SDM issues. My copy has had no issues and takes very nice images. Pentax could develop upgrades for any of their better lenses and then the lenses would be fantastic instead of good to great.
That's true, but they have limited resources. Ideally they'd redo all and every lens they have with weather sealing, DC, PLM or new ring-type SDM, update optical formulas, introduce new lenses (I'd personally love update DA 35s und 50s, plus a DA 24) ... But they can only work on so many lenses at once, so they prioritise. It seems like right now they are concentrating on completing a strong FF line-up, including large aperture primes, and a strong APS-C *-level line-up.

They already have the HD DA 16-85 WR, so I guess the DA 17-70 f/4 is just not a priority?
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