[mlt]

Chris and Jordan used the 70-210mm f/4 for their "review" vs. the D500. Wrong lens to use to "determine" the AF tracking capability of the Pentax K3 Mk III. Man DPR can't ever get it right with Pentax cameras. Granted Chris stated this was the only lens available to them at the time, but really? A site like DPR owned by Amazon can't get other lenses to test? C'mon!

They’re still relying on what their local store that they used to work for had in stock and would loan them. Would have been nice for Amazon to send them a full Pentax modern kit - not rebranded lenses, to test with.

[Rush2112]

They’re still relying on what their local store that they used to work for had in stock and would loan them. Would have been nice for Amazon to send them a full Pentax modern kit - not rebranded lenses, to test with.

Exactly MLT. I buy lenses with my own money, surely they can. If reviewing was truly important to them...

[Kunzite]

They’re still relying on what their local store that they used to work for had in stock and would loan them. Would have been nice for Amazon to send them a full Pentax modern kit - not rebranded lenses, to test with.

I think they need to "hire" a Pentaxian or two as consultants - although many of us would be willing to do it for free. Easy stuff, like which lenses to use, settings... (didn't DPR test the K-1ii's AF with Release Priority?)
When comparing with a camera of the D500's caliber (with a Nikkor lens, I guess) such things matter.

Just these days we were discussing how the 70-210 has some micro-stutter issue, on both Pentax and Nikon. Of course, I can't say it mattered or manifested in this case (and I'm fully willing to accept if the K3iii's AF is still less capable than the D500's!)

[Belnan]

You have a good point, I think they have Fuji shooters, Nikon, Sony and Canon shooters on staff. I doubt they have any Pentax shooters.

[Kunzite]

You have a good point, I think they have Fuji shooters, Nikon, Sony and Canon shooters on staff. I doubt they have any Pentax shooters.

There's Mike Tomkins (ex-Imaging Resource, did a fantastic job there).

[gatorguy]

Chris and Jordan used the 70-210mm f/4 for their "review" vs. the D500. Wrong lens to use to "determine" the AF tracking capability of the Pentax K3 Mk III. Man DPR can't ever get it right with Pentax cameras. Granted Chris stated this was the only lens available to them at the time, but really? A site like DPR owned by Amazon can't get other lenses to test? C'mon!

Based on your observations posted above before the DPR video was released I agree with you.

[Rush2112]

There's Mike Tomkins (ex-Imaging Resource, did a fantastic job there).

Completely agree. And I like the other guy too, forget his name, Roger?

He's not only a Pentax shooter, but a fair and honest reviewer, one of my favorites. I should have done more articles for Dave and the crew over there, just had a hard go with Shawn Barnett who turned out to have an interesting dark side after I stopped. I think I did 3-4 articles for I.R. if I recall.

Carl

[Rush2112]

For those interested, direct linking not allowed by an author.

Carl

[house]

I thought the general assessment was that the DFA70210 was amongst the fastest focusing Pentax lenses? What's happened since then?

[caliscouser]

Happy to link in Part 2 here PHOTOGRAPHIC CENTRAL: Pentax K3 Mk III Review Series 2

It's a good read, particularly about the performance of the DA*60-250

For those interested, direct linking not allowed by an author.

Carl

Where is this test of yours? Why can´t you link to said test?

[luftfluss]

If the 70-210/4 is good enough for the Pentax label, then reviewers should be allowed to use it for AF tests.

After all, the DA 12-24 got plenty of good reviews and it is a "rebadged" Tokina... I never heard anyone say "well, that lens shouldn't count as a Pentax lens because Pentax didn't design it".

[Rush2112]

I thought the general assessment was that the DFA70210 was amongst the fastest focusing Pentax lenses? What's happened since then?

I detailed that clearly in part II of the review. It is fast focusing, but it's not the best choice for CAF. Same issue with the Tamron version on my D500. For more details, you can read part II.

If the 70-210/4 is good enough for the Pentax label, then reviewers should be allowed to use it for AF tests.

After all, the DA 12-24 got plenty of good reviews and it is a "rebadged" Tokina... I never heard anyone say "well, that lens shouldn't count as a Pentax lens because Pentax didn't design it".

As I understand it the 70-210 has the slower SDM focus motor. So a test with DFA*70-200 or DFA150-450 with the faster DC motor compared to the D500 with 200-500 lens would be more of a true test.

[Rush2112]

If the 70-210/4 is good enough for the Pentax label, then reviewers should be allowed to use it for AF tests.

After all, the DA 12-24 got plenty of good reviews and it is a "rebadged" Tokina... I never heard anyone say "well, that lens shouldn't count as a Pentax lens because Pentax didn't design it".

I don't know said that lens shouldn't count, I certainly didn't. It's not the best performing lens for tracking subjects though, the review is crystal clear why that is.

Maybe you are referring to someone else's comments.

Carl

---------- Post added 05-10-2021 at 01:35 PM ----------

As I understand it the 70-210 has the slower SDM focus motor. So a test with DFA*70-200 or DFA150-450 with the faster DC motor compared to the D500 with 200-500 lens would be more of a true test.

It's not as fast as the PLM's pulse motor, but its fast. The issue isn't speed as I pointed out, it is the decision making of the lens CPU.

If anyone can provide me with the 150-450mm I'd gladly pit it against my Nikon and the 100-400mm Sigma (which is the fastest focusing, most reliably accurate CAF combo I've found yet). Nikon's 200-500 wasn't as fast, much heavier and more pricey. It's a stellar lens though.