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09-25-2015, 12:09 PM   #1
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Pentax FF setup versus APSC budget

Since we start seeing new DFA lenses I was wondering what would be the minimum FF setup and related budget. I guess a basic setup would cost about $6000 ? How much to money to save ? How do we deal with the APSC to FF upgrade?

09-25-2015, 12:29 PM   #2
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I've already got all of the full frame lenses I'll likely ever need. Been building them up over the last year. My lenses were not all that expensive as I'm using mostly used, older, manual-focus lenses. I suppose that I've got maybe $2,000 into these lenses.

I've already got a tripod, flash, camera bag, SD cards, etc. so I don't need to spend anything on that.

In addition to the full frame camera, I suppose that I'll need to buy a RRS L-bracket ($150).

I certainly hope that I can use my existing SD cards on the full frame. I've got the fastest 64GB cards currently available thinking that I might need them if the new Pentax full frame has 4K video.

I have about 8 or 9 batteries for my K3 / K3II cameras. I sure hope that I can use them in the new full frame. If not, there's another $300 for batteries that I'll need to shell out.

So biz-engineer, I would say that your $6,000 estimate for a basic full frame set up is probably right on. If anything, it's maybe a little on the low side.
09-25-2015, 12:33 PM   #3
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Problem number one is that we don't know how much the Full Frame camera will cost. Second is does the photographer want to shoot with zooms, primes or a combination of the two. It is rumored that Pentax will release some prime lenses in 2016 and the wide angle zoom which we don't know the prices of. You also have to mention what are the different kinds of photography you plan on doing. Judging how expensive some of the lenses are and if you don't already have any Full Frame lenses, $6,000 might be a good starting place.
09-25-2015, 12:37 PM   #4
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Essentially, you can spend as much as you want. What I'd do would be decide how much you want to spend and then get advice on who to send it. You can go the pro route, D FA 24-70 and DFA* 70-200. Or you can go the old school route. FA-J 18-35 $100, FA 35-80, $80, F -70-210, $100. Those are the ones I own but there are better lenses out there. Despite my 18-35 being relatively weak, the 18-35 on a 36 MP FF should still be better than even a good lens on APS-c. And there's a lot of mixing and matching you can do with older glass.

Once we know what the FF costs, and know what you'd like to spend, we can come up with options.

Lenses I already own that are ready for the FF....

FA-J-18-35
DA 35mm ƒ2.4
FA 35-80
FA 50 ƒ1.7
Sigma 70 macro
Tamron 90 Macro.
F 70-210
A-400

I will be shooting for 6 months before I consider buying anything. My first purchase after the kit (and Sigma 70-300) was the FA 50 ƒ1.7, because coming from film, it's just ingrained you have to have a fast 50. Every time I wander around a used camera store or thrift shop, I'm looking for old FF glass. It's the kind of thing you need a head start on. Get the glass you can afford, then figure out what glass you want.


Last edited by normhead; 09-25-2015 at 12:44 PM.
09-25-2015, 01:01 PM   #5
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I already have a Tamron SP 28-75 , but I have not clue how it performs on FF , if it is a good one or a lemon on the edges.
09-25-2015, 01:03 PM - 1 Like   #6
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I don't need to spend any money on new FF lenses; already have the three amigos plus a whole array of legacy manual lenses. Time will tell if I need the 24-70, but at least not initially.
09-25-2015, 01:07 PM - 1 Like   #7
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Not to mention the impact a potential 42MP full frame (likely with pixel shift capability) with have on your computer and your printer!

I have a newer computer (and a 27- inch NEC monitor) that should handle the larger full frame files just fine. Although I suspect that some here who have older computers/screens that might find it pretty slow going processing these new larger files.

I print large on an Epson 7600. I use 24 inch wide 100 foot rolls of paper in it. I suspect that the full frame pixel shifted images will look exceptional printed 24 inches wide (shortest side), and would likely look just as good printed on an even larger/wider printer. We'll see, but I wouldn't be surprised that shortly after I start shooting with my new Pentax full frame I'll end up buying a new 44-inch wide Epson Stylus Pro 9900 Printer for about $4,000 (add at least another $4,000 to that for: ink, paper, stand, cover, $1,500 RIP software, maintenance tanks, etc. etc.).

So, to do 42MP full-frame up right ("starting from scratch") figure: $6,000 for the camera system and $13,000 for computer/monitor/printer! Grand total = $19,000


Last edited by Fenwoodian; 09-25-2015 at 01:21 PM.
09-25-2015, 01:17 PM   #8
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I don't have many lenses, but most of them are FF. Of course it depends on the work you do. Maybe a M 50mm f1.7 is all you would need, but for other type of photography you will want FA 77ltd and flash with diffuser and trigger. For another type you would need the new DFA telephoto zoom and two telephoto primes. I think for $6000 you should be able to tackle anything, but maybe not everything at the same time. Of course, if you insist on buying the DA 560mm, the funds might get tight
QuoteOriginally posted by biz-engineer Quote
I already have a Tamron SP 28-75
Thats a FF lens, according to Tamron, so it should be at least adequate. And you can heck its test and reviews on FF cameras from other manufacturers

Last edited by Na Horuk; 09-25-2015 at 01:56 PM.
09-25-2015, 02:50 PM   #9
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The Sigma 12-24, 24-70, 150-500, and Tamron 70-200 would get you covered at the most cost effective price point.
09-25-2015, 03:06 PM   #10
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Aside from the cost of the camera body, I don't expect ANY additional expense to support my style of photography, at least not initially. I have been shooting 35mm SLRs for over 45 years and have had a working K-mount kit since the early 1980s. Those lenses are still in very good to excellent condition. Since going digital in 2007, I have added several additional AF lenses to round out the line-up. At present, I can cover the following in FF K-mount glass: 16mm, 28mm, 35mm (AF), 50ish (MF/AF), macro, 77mm, 70-150mm compact, 70-210mm. All are capable optics (I generally don't keep junk) and all are relatively small and light.

If I were to start building a kit today and AF were not a priority and used is OK, I could pull together a workable setup (similar to the list above) spanning 28mm to 200mm for $300-$500 USD.*


Steve

(I know, I know...my film lenses are going to suck...)
Edit: It has been brought to my attention that I should have put a sarcasm smiley after the above line. My "designed for film" lenses may well suck, but it will not be due to the design goal.

* Some may ask why nothing wider than 28mm (APS-C equivalent = 18mm). The short answer is that even 24mm (APS-C equivalent = 16mm) was a niche market back in the day. Focal lengths shorter than that feature very low return on investment. Ditto for zooms longer than about 200mm.

Last edited by stevebrot; 09-25-2015 at 05:14 PM.
09-25-2015, 03:10 PM   #11
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Get the 24-70, and FA 50, FA 135, and you are done.
Pentax don't have new good wide lens for FF yet, and I will use DA lenses at the long end. Why shall we take a picture on da 300 & FF camera and crop it on computer later? just use the smaller K5/K3 and let the sensor crop for us.
09-25-2015, 03:17 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
Get the 24-70, and FA 50, FA 135, and you are done.
Pentax don't have new good wide lens for FF yet, and I will use DA lenses at the long end. Why shall we take a picture on da 300 & FF camera and crop it on computer later? just use the smaller K5/K3 and let the sensor crop for us.
This is one of the reasons why I intend to hold on to my K3 even if I plan to get the FF body
09-25-2015, 04:41 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
(I know, I know...my film lenses are going to suck...)
Is this seriously a thing? Are people worried that a 40 | 30 | 20 |10 year old lens won't look good on a modern sensor or something?

Sounds like marketing speak to me.
09-25-2015, 05:03 PM   #14
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If I was to splurge, I would probably get the new 'Pentax DFA trinity' - 15-30, 24-70, 70-200, which would add I guess about US$4500 to the cost of the FF body.

Otherwise I have everything 18-300 covered in FF at the moment, so I could start shooting the FF tomorrow for no more $$ spent. If I was on a strict budget, probably all I'd acquire would be the SamYang 14mm.
09-25-2015, 05:11 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Jamey777 Quote
Is this seriously a thing? Are people worried that a 40 | 30 | 20 |10 year old lens won't look good on a modern sensor or something?

Sounds like marketing speak to me.
I should have put a smiley or some other indication of sarcasm. There have been multiple threads in the last few weeks asking whether "film" lenses are adequate for FF digital given that they were designed for an inherently low-resolution medium (insert sarcasm emoticon here) and I could not resist. So, yes, there are people who are worried that lenses intended for film will not work well with the larger FF sensors.

IIRC, the issue was put by A7R users on the non-Pentax area of this site some time ago, but perhaps my memory is not working that well. We will also ignore the success of Nikon FF owners who shoot F-mount glass greater than a decade old.


Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 09-25-2015 at 05:20 PM.
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