[ramseybuckeye]

I bought the D-FA 70-210 last year based on advice from this forum, after asking if I should wait for the D-FA 70-300 or buy the D-FA 70-210. Forum member comments were that the HD Pentax-D FA 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED PLM WR may never be released, not to wait for it, go for the 70-210 f4. So I purchased the D-FA 70-210 f4, and now the 70-300 is rumored

Just think for yourself, few will tell you to wait.

[MMVIII]

There are some claiming that the stabilised image from the lens aids better autofocus results. If true, why not having it?

That's an interesting aspect. Might for sure be a welcome addition to the setup if the AF-sensor is getting a stabilised image too.
On the other hand, if the main sensor would take over the focussing, does it already benefit from sensor stabilisation? How is this with the mirrorless crowd?

[Kunzite]

That's an interesting aspect. Might for sure be a welcome addition to the setup if the AF-sensor is getting a stabilised image too.

I don't expect a huge difference though; the Canon and Nikon folks had decades to observe it, yet nothing so far

[UncleVanya]

Stabilization is always on, whether in lens or in body. It may not be active, but it is always turned on.
The first time I looked through a Nikon with a long lens and VR turned on was something of a revelation. I would be quite happy with in lens stabilization for longer telephotos.

Not what I recently read for Sony but I can’t say I’m an expert. I can’t find the reference right now but the purpose of one of the settings is to make the stabilization on always rather than off when the shutter isn’t pressed.

Found it! Mode III only stabilizes on shutter press. Not available on all oss lenses but definitely some including FE 70-200 G F4.

Along with the standard Mode I, Mode II (panning mode, stabilization in one direction only), and Mode III (stabilization provided only at precise moment image is captured) are provided via a switch.

Source: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sony-FE-70-200mm-F2.8-GM-OSS-II-Lens.aspx

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Last edited by UncleVanya; 03-15-2022 at 02:53 PM.

[thibs]

I am on the same page now with me giving away 55-300 PLM and wanting to but 60-250. Wait for new version or get the current one

Probably not that big/heavy. Not with a variable f/ lens designed with PLM.

[Wheatfield]

Not what I recently read for Sony but I can’t say I’m an expert. I can’t find the reference right now but the purpose of one of the settings is to make the stabilization on always rather than off when the shutter isn’t pressed.

The stabilization mechanism is better thought of as a sensor positioner.
Remember all the "my camera has a rattle threads" that the answer is the sensor is rattling around?
When the little hand lights up in your viewfinder, the sensor positioner is ready to go.
If you have the camera powered up and shake reduction turned off, the sensor positioner is under power holding the sensor steady.
If Pentax did what you describe Sony as having done, we wouldn't have to wait for the shake reduction ready light to come on.

[jersey]

Probably not that big/heavy. Not with a variable f/ lens designed with PLM.

If it will be PLM then it will be light for sure, but not necessarily small (look at 16-50 PLM).


Still I would like to know what Pentax is doing/planning. I mean if I buy now 60-250 or 300* then even if new version comes out it is game over for Pentax when it tries to sell me new lens. Money is already spent, there will be no second time. They will get their money so or so but I suppose they will be lots happier with selling new instead of old.

But then hey, it is Pentax PR so there is not much to expect from them

[Rondec]

Well, I'm definitely interested. I own the DFA *70-200 and so, I wasn't particularly interested in a 70-200 f4, but a lighter, variable aperture zoom in the 70-300 range would be something I will get at some point. Stabilization isn't key, although from the sound of things, it is a nice thing to have in telephotos -- even if it doesn't work in conjunction with the in body image stabilization system.

[cxdoo]

I passed on 16-50 as I have that range covered with primes and 16-85 is good enough for walk-around. Now 50-135... that's something that will be very hard to resist.

[Mistral75]

If it will be PLM then it will be light for sure (...)

The focusing group will be light. The lens itself, may be, may be not.

[Jeff]

Your 70-210 can be used now and the 70-300 is still just a rumor, besides the new lens is slower and likely external zooming with it like the 55-300 PLM.

No truer words than yours. Well said.

~ Jeff

[zapp]

My tripod has 100 stops of image stabilization, it crushes all brands of cameras together. There is a reason why tripods aren't allowed in museums without authorization / license. Tripod + flash = professional. Camera + lens stabilization = consumer (hobby, amateur, playing with toys).

Tripods break things, they are visitor traps and take up space. That’s the main reason why they are not allowed in museums.

---------- Post added 16-03-22 at 06:27 PM ----------

If it will be PLM then it will be light for sure, but not necessarily small (look at 16-50 PLM).


Still I would like to know what Pentax is doing/planning. I mean if I buy now 60-250 or 300* then even if new version comes out it is game over for Pentax when it tries to sell me new lens. Money is already spent, there will be no second time. They will get their money so or so but I suppose they will be lots happier with selling new instead of old.

But then hey, it is Pentax PR so there is not much to expect from them

If Pentax tells you today what their plan is, you will either wait longer to spend any money or not spend it at all. They would still need to find someone to buy the „old“ gear. New gear typically sells well anyways.

---------- Post added 16-03-22 at 06:33 PM ----------

I bought the D-FA 70-210 last year based on advice from this forum, after asking if I should wait for the D-FA 70-300 or buy the D-FA 70-210. Forum member comments were that the HD Pentax-D FA 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 ED PLM WR may never be released, not to wait for it, go for the 70-210 f4. So I purchased the D-FA 70-210 f4, and now the 70-300 is rumored

At the end you will have up to two years of 70-210 fun and the DFA 70-300 has still not been released.
Don’t blame the forum. There is/was a bright red line in the roadmap and Pentax follows the roadmap plus extra surprises.

I don’t understand the reluctant arguments on lens stabilization. A stabilized lens and a stabilized sensor is the future. Stabilized sensor is great with even older lenses, stabilized lens is better for less shake in the finder and for better tracking. In combination the overall stabilization should be even better. This is not an either/or question anymore. Canon stabilized lenses for film since you don’t want to stabilize film. Pentax was late, but presented sensor stabilization which is backward compatible. Now Canon et al add sensor stabilization why not have Pentax add lens stabilization. Actually this is great news for future tele lenses that allow handheld use.

[jersey]

^^^^ Yes, but if new gear is like few months away then I can wait and spent on new. If it is few months away and I get old one now then there is no reason to get new when it is new.

Sure, new will sell, I did not get new 16-50 (was not really interested) but it will be less sells then when people who are interested in new gear have info and can plan accordingly.

Still it is Pentax, got used to this 😜

[Apas]

The stabilized 70-300 rumor has been around for a while, but it's the first time I hear about the new DA* 50-135.

Some time ago people from Ricoh mentioned that they have few lenses in advanced development, including some that are not listed on roadmap. When I read this first time I kind of hope that it MAY BE new version of 50-135/2.8, with new, fast, accurate and reliable AF, upgraded IQ (high resolution of K-3 III sensor need it, as new 16-50 shows), but with old version 'soul'. TBH that make perfect sense as will complete 'the trinity' of lenses for K-3 III, covering range from 11 to 135 mm (16 to 200 equivalent) with constant f/2.8 aperture, modern and fast AF, weather resistance and so on. Having these you can add just one or two 'special case lenses', depends on your area of interests (HD LTD for more artistic/street photography, 100 macro for macro, 150 - 450, or 300/4, or new 70-300 for nature etc) and you have all you need with K-3 III.

[repaap]

I'm very interested of 70-300 PLM for K-1 and to be used with K-3III. Also 50-135 PLM sounds like a great lens. I have 16-50 SDM and I'v been lusting after PLM, but my money is not there yet. That said old SDM is not that bad when it is working, like mine is. K-3III is really making that lens also sing differently.


that SR in lens sounds exciting, actually. I have shot many times in forest in medicore light with DA 55-300 WR and there is many times that mico movement, which ruins the shot. Now I could also push the ISO, but this is very welcome addition to slow (aperture) zoom, especially if it will work with HD DA TC + K-3III. this is for travel for me. But also general walkabouts...