Originally posted by cbope his D600. Which I kindly bought for him in the US and hand-carried it ~6000 miles. I do occasionally give him hell for his oil-sprayer, so perhaps this is his way of payback.
I think some of that oil seeped into his brain! Don't listen to him.
But for the most part, I wouldn't get it for its increased resolution, I'd get it for its other benefits. Since you're on a K-5 (and not a II/IIs) the jump will be significant. And the lack of AA filter is just as important as the resolution itself. It will be good with your DA* zooms.
BTW, after 6000 miles you must have worn out a few pairs of shoes. I hope you billed him for them.
Originally posted by cbope I might get a DA 15 Ltd at some point, but my next purchases will likely be the DA* 200 and DA* 300.
Originally posted by Stavri I've personally have been very impressed with the K-3 and the -F series prime combo both in terms of IQ and AF performance (I've tried the Pentax-F 50mm f1.4, -F 28mm f2.8 and especially the -F 135mm f2.8, -F 300mm f4.5.) The more powerful (class leading) screw-drive motor of the K-3 combined with the -F series primes achieves incredible AF performance.
I agree on the screw drive lenses, particularly the F/FA135 and F*/FA*300.
But don't get the DA*200
and the DA*300. Just get a *300. I have no AF 200mm, only the K200/2.5. I use it when I want the look it gives, and don't mind MF. It's an excellent lens. But it's not part of my "standard" kit. I find the gap between the DA*50-135 and my F*300 is no problem.
All the *300s are excellent, so you can pick any one:
- The F* has the best IQ IMO, and it's the smallest and lightest (which is nice for hand-holding), with the advantage of a built-in hood. And unlike the FA*, it has a tripod collar, although because of its light weight it's seldom used by many of us. It's downside is many spare parts are difficult to find, should it need repair. So make sure your copy's good.
- The FA* is the least expensive. It has IQ between the other two. It's kind of a big compromise between the other two - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
- The DA* has a little lower IQ than the other two, but it has WR, a slightly faster aperture, and is available new. It's also the heaviest of the three. But if you need the WR or some other advantage it has, the images are quite excellent. They just don't capture my attention as much as F*300 images do.
So 200mm isn't generally enough of a jump from 135mm, plus the *300s have higher IQ than the *200s. They're all excellent - but pick a *300.