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02-15-2018, 06:31 PM   #1
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How sharp is the Pentax 70 - 200 f2.8 wide open on K1?

I'm looking at adding a lens to my collection and was thinking of the Rokinon 135mm f2.0 as the reviews are stellar and it also performs exceptional wide open. I grew up with an old Pentax Super Program so manual focusing isn't the end of the world for me. That being said I'm also considering the Pentax 70 - 200 f2.8 and I'm wondering how that performs wide open on the K1?

I realize they're in different price ranges and one's auto focus vs. manual but I'll be using these for wedding and portrait photography. If people are having great luck with the Pentax wide open I may bite the price difference and purchase it instead.

Thanks,
Scott

02-15-2018, 06:41 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by Peteo Quote
I'm looking at adding a lens to my collection and was thinking of the Rokinon 135mm f2.0 as the reviews are stellar and it also performs exceptional wide open. I grew up with an old Pentax Super Program so manual focusing isn't the end of the world for me. That being said I'm also considering the Pentax 70 - 200 f2.8 and I'm wondering how that performs wide open on the K1?

I realize they're in different price ranges and one's auto focus vs. manual but I'll be using these for wedding and portrait photography. If people are having great luck with the Pentax wide open I may bite the price difference and purchase it instead.

Thanks,
Scott
"Pretty darn sharp" would sum it up pretty well. To put it in perspective, it has a 1 to 1.5 stop advantage over the older FA* 80-200mm. See our review:

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Considering the versatility of the zoom, I'd opt for the 70-200mm over the 135mm for weddings.

Adam
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02-15-2018, 06:41 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Peteo Quote
I realize they're in different price ranges
Just a little bit....................

Try reading here:
HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
02-15-2018, 06:54 PM - 3 Likes   #4
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Sharp enough.

These were taken with the K-3, which of course has a higher pixel pitch than the K-1. Click on them to view in Flickr if you want to pixel peep.





02-15-2018, 06:57 PM - 3 Likes   #5
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Just from what people have written in the past, that Samyang is amazing and f2, but of course one focal length, manual focus, etc.

In short, we're going to be disappointed if you don't buy both.
02-15-2018, 07:04 PM   #6
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....and on the K-1

02-15-2018, 07:33 PM   #7
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Yes the DFA 70-200 i sharp wide open but DOF is shallow at the long end with K1.

02-15-2018, 08:12 PM - 1 Like   #8
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I'm a big fan of fast primes and would love to have a 135mm f2. Having said this though I would have to say the value for money will be way higher with the 70-200. It's a great lens and is indeed sharp from wide open.

This is the 70-200 at 100mm and f2.8, it's a jpeg straight from the DNG RAW with no PP.



And if you've not checked them out already there's some more examples here: PENTAX K-1 Laboratory | PENTAX K-1 Special site | RICOH IMAGING that you can click on to see much larger versions than can be posted into a forum thread.

I'm sure you'll not be disappointed with either choice but the zoom is definitely a good call.

Tas
02-15-2018, 11:09 PM   #9
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The Tamron 70-200 is quite a bit cheaper and lighter, but still quite excellent. Has a better MFD also.

It is noisy and not WR though.
02-16-2018, 11:57 AM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
Just from what people have written in the past, that Samyang is amazing and f2, but of course one focal length, manual focus, etc.

In short, we're going to be disappointed if you don't buy both.
Guess I'll buy a lotto ticket and hope it's a winner so I can afford both. I know my ship isn't coming in because the harbor is frozen in here in Upper Michigan. :-)

Scott

---------- Post added 02-16-18 at 02:59 PM ----------

Great information and thank you for the excellent photo samples.

With everything I've seen and read on this post I'll be purchasing the Pentax 70 - 200 this weekend. I also understand I better start doing push up and curls because she looks to be a beast of a lens.

Thanks again everyone.

Scott
02-16-2018, 12:10 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Peteo Quote
Guess I'll buy a lotto ticket and hope it's a winner so I can afford both. I know my ship isn't coming in because the harbor is frozen in here in Upper Michigan. :-)

Scott

---------- Post added 02-16-18 at 02:59 PM ----------

Great information and thank you for the excellent photo samples.

With everything I've seen and read on this post I'll be purchasing the Pentax 70 - 200 this weekend. I also understand I better start doing push up and curls because she looks to be a beast of a lens.

Thanks again everyone.

Scott
Have it shipped to me and I'll test it for you and send you a report.
02-16-2018, 01:09 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kozlok Quote
The Tamron 70-200 is quite a bit cheaper and lighter, but still quite excellent. Has a better MFD also.

It is noisy and not WR though.
I’d like to see independent verification of the MFD . . .
02-16-2018, 01:11 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
I’d like to see independent verification of the MFD . . .
Tamron do give it the Macro designation, FWIW.

02-16-2018, 04:14 PM - 1 Like   #14
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The 70-200 is sharp enough while using an appropriate aperture for the detail depth appropriate for the subject. F 2.8 will only reveal what is included in the depth of field it acquires, and what is included is nicely detailed if the focus is correct.
02-16-2018, 05:35 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
I’d like to see independent verification of the MFD . . .

Tamron MFD is 0.95m (0.32x), Pentax is 1.20m. (0.13x); right off the spec sheets.
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