Thanks everyone for the wonderful suggestions. Always proud to be part of the Pentax world Getting “used” Pentax gears is challenging when you are living in down under (Aussie). Also, only handful of retailers are selling new gears as well (dcxpert, Pentax online, digidirect) and most of the items are on special orders. And the import duty for buying it outside kills it further.
Based on past experience with my Samyang (replaced it 3 times to get a good copy) & Sigma 35mm ART, where I constantly had to send my K1 & lens multiple times to CRKennedy for calibration, am more inclined to buy a new lens. Especially when the older lenses are costing AU$1000 or more.
Also, I prefer having weather sealed on the telephoto lens and I believe the lenses from my list should all be weather sealed.
Below picture gives an idea of what am expecting from a 200mm lens when doing portraits.
People | Today in Turin look like a summer day !! Happy East? | Flickr
Also based on everyone’s feedback, I can assume Pentax DFA* 70-200 is not a good walk around lens, not good for travel primarily due to its weight. If weight is removed from the equation, does this lens lives up to its hype and cost?
@Adam007, I completely agree that primes are great for portrait. But I believe 200mm will be effective for subject isolation better than my 77 ltd. Also having 77 ltd and 35mm ART, I don’t want to invest in any more portrait lenses such as DFA* 50 and DFA* 85 unless am doing any paid work. Pentax 28-105 WR is a great walk around lens but I wanted bit more telephoto to be away from subjects to take natural shots. Especially with kids where they react to camera is directly pointing at them
@ChatMechant, FA*80-200 seems to be nice lens but getting older lenses is challenging in Australia. If it costs about $1000 or more, I can rather buy the new ones.
@aslyfox, definitely there needs to be balance in everything that you mentioned. If taking portrait, I would require the best isolation possible with good bokeh, faster autofocus for kids. I can’t say difference between f4 and f2.8 on 200mm since I have not used one. But will be using the lens as well for any indoor play activity/sports for my kids and am not sure if f2.8 is more suited there. Regarding weight, the heaviest lens I have is sigma 35 1.4 ART which is 665 gms in weight. But if am carrying 70-200 f2.8, then I won’t be carrying any other lens with me. And yes, the link about focus breathing is correct and was told 70-200 f2.8 is plagued with it.
@luftfluss, I have to import Tamron lens from ebay and its costing about AU$1000 or more I guess for the new one.
@termy, yup the reviews on Tammy looks promising. Manual lenses are bit of challenge especially if its heavy. I always wanted to buy Samyang 135mm F2 for its sharpness and bokeh but since its manual, its holding me off.
@normhead, nice pictures and I read great reviews about 55-300 PLM lens as well. But am looking for bit faster aperture than f6.3. Are the TC compatible with K1 being full frame? I thought they are compatible only for APSC cameras.
@DeadJohn, these are valuable links. Based on the DOF simulator, F2.8 provides creamier bokeh. Assuming rest of the characteristics of both 70-200 f2.8 and f4 lenses are the same.
@garywakeling, Is this the lens you are referring to?
SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
@angerdan, out of all the lenses in your recommendations, Is DA*300 sharpest?