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str8talk83 · 09-23-2010, 10:03 PM

I'm currently a Canon user, but have been considering Pentax for their weather sealed body and quality optics at a reasonable price. The only problem, is that I generally shoot wildlife and my 400L lens is so good that it will be hard to give up. I have been considering selling one of my 40D's and getting a lens or two to try pentax out. Here are my options.

Sell one 40D (around $500) and my 17-55 IS (around 850). This will give me $1350 to throw around. What would be the best way to try out the Pentax system? I have thought about getting a K-7 and then a FA 43 Limited lens to start out with. Thoughts?

wlachan · 09-23-2010, 10:07 PM

Lenses not labeled WR is not WR, FA43 included. Going into Pentax is fine, but make sure not for the wrong reason. You won't find 17-55IS quality from Pentax btw, just in case you didn't know.

str8talk83 · 09-23-2010, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

You won't find 17-55IS quality from Pentax btw, just in case you didn't know.

I guess that I made an erroneous assumption that the Pentax DA 16-50 was in the same league as the canon 17-55. Thanks for the info on the weather sealing as well.

wlachan · 09-23-2010, 10:21 PM

Other than not WR, the 17-55IS is pretty much the best money can buy for APS-C.

str8talk83 · 09-23-2010, 10:24 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

Other than not WR, the 17-55IS is pretty much the best money can buy for APS-C.

It is an excellent lens. I have stopped using the 50mm f/1.8 completely because the bokeh and autofocus sucks. This is (in my opinion) the best standard zoom available for Canon system. I was hoping that the Pentax DA 16-50 was similar...

WerTicus · 09-24-2010, 02:43 AM

photozone test of the 16-50:
Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report
vs
17-55
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - Review / Test Report

and d40 sensor vs k-7 :
DxOMark - Compare sensors

So as you can see going from a 40d 17-55 to a k-7 with 16-50 would be a downgrade.

bymy141 · 09-24-2010, 03:38 AM

If you look at the following measured / tested reviews:

Canon Lens: Zooms - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (Tested) - SLRgear.com!

the 17-55 does not do out very well.

Unfortunatly they did not test the 16-50mm, for which I am very content having.

- Bert

wlachan · 09-24-2010, 03:41 AM

17-55 & 17-85 are 2 different lenses.

Frogfish · 09-24-2010, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by WerTicus

photozone test of the 16-50:
Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report
vs
17-55
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - Review / Test Report

and d40 sensor vs k-7 :
DxOMark - Compare sensors

So as you can see going from a 40d 17-55 to a k-7 with 16-50 would be a downgrade.

However even more interesting is that on that very same DxOMark comparison the Kx's sensor knocks the socks off of both the D300s and the 7D !! And the K5 is a big step up again in terms of DR & ISO performance.

Can't wait to see the K5 in the flesh then all the speculation can stop and the real debates begin

str8talk83 · 09-24-2010, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

17-55 & 17-85 are 2 different lenses.

Two VERY different lenses. 17-85 is good "bang for your buck" but has a lot of optical flaws and the build isn't as good even though they are both EF-S.

Sounds like I'll be waiting until the K-5 to make any moves.

**Miguel** · 09-24-2010, 12:21 PM

In the Canon world, research the mediocre reception that the Tokina 16-50mm received. They are sister lenses. The 50-135mm however, is much better. I use it happily on my 7D.

M

snofox · 09-24-2010, 08:52 PM

Honestly, if I had that glass, I wouldn't be looking into getting started on any other system, unless I was really unhappy with the Canon lineup. I would be looking into upgrading the camera body if that would help -- and boy, you have a lot of great choices there -- or I would be considering another superb lens -- more choices from Canon and third-party manufacturers. Enjoy. (BTW I have no Canon gear, and I am invested way too much in Pentax stuff, FWIW).

WerTicus · 09-24-2010, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

However even more interesting is that on that very same DxOMark comparison the Kx's sensor knocks the socks off of both the D300s and the 7D !! And the K5 is a big step up again in terms of DR & ISO performance.

We don't know if the k-5 will be better than the k-x at all... pure speculation.

I wouldn't say the K-x knocks the socks off the 7d, but it is better.

**montman** · 09-24-2010, 09:04 PM

Moving to Pentax. Autofocus downgrade. If I am not mistaken aren’t the great white lenses weather sealed.

str8talk83 · 09-24-2010, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by montman

Moving to Pentax. Autofocus downgrade. If I am not mistaken aren’t the great white lenses weather sealed.

Not all of them are. Here's a weather sealed list.

70-200 f/4 IS
70-200 f/2.8 IS (version 1 & 2)
300 f/2.8 IS (version 1 & 2)
400 f/4 DO
400 f/2.8 IS I & II
500 f/4 IS
600 f/4 IS
800 f/5.6 IS

300 f/4 IS and 400 f/5.6 IS are not sealed. Neither is the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 or 28-300

09-23-2010, 10:03 PM	#1
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674	running dual systems? I'm currently a Canon user, but have been considering Pentax for their weather sealed body and quality optics at a reasonable price. The only problem, is that I generally shoot wildlife and my 400L lens is so good that it will be hard to give up. I have been considering selling one of my 40D's and getting a lens or two to try pentax out. Here are my options. Sell one 40D (around $500) and my 17-55 IS (around 850). This will give me $1350 to throw around. What would be the best way to try out the Pentax system? I have thought about getting a K-7 and then a FA 43 Limited lens to start out with. Thoughts?

09-24-2010, 02:43 AM	#6
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	photozone test of the 16-50: Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report vs 17-55 Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - Review / Test Report and d40 sensor vs k-7 : DxOMark - Compare sensors So as you can see going from a 40d 17-55 to a k-7 with 16-50 would be a downgrade. Last edited by WerTicus; 09-24-2010 at 02:53 AM.

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09-23-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Lenses not labeled WR is not WR, FA43 included. Going into Pentax is fine, but make sure not for the wrong reason. You won't find 17-55IS quality from Pentax btw, just in case you didn't know.

09-23-2010, 10:11 PM	#3
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlachan You won't find 17-55IS quality from Pentax btw, just in case you didn't know. I guess that I made an erroneous assumption that the Pentax DA 16-50 was in the same league as the canon 17-55. Thanks for the info on the weather sealing as well.

09-23-2010, 10:21 PM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Other than not WR, the 17-55IS is pretty much the best money can buy for APS-C.

09-23-2010, 10:24 PM	#5
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlachan Other than not WR, the 17-55IS is pretty much the best money can buy for APS-C. It is an excellent lens. I have stopped using the 50mm f/1.8 completely because the bokeh and autofocus sucks. This is (in my opinion) the best standard zoom available for Canon system. I was hoping that the Pentax DA 16-50 was similar...

09-24-2010, 03:38 AM	#7
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	If you look at the following measured / tested reviews: Canon Lens: Zooms - Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (Tested) - SLRgear.com! the 17-55 does not do out very well. Unfortunatly they did not test the 16-50mm, for which I am very content having. - Bert

09-24-2010, 03:41 AM	#8
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	17-55 & 17-85 are 2 different lenses.

09-24-2010, 04:41 AM	#9
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by WerTicus photozone test of the 16-50: Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM - Review / Test Report vs 17-55 Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS - Review / Test Report and d40 sensor vs k-7 : DxOMark - Compare sensors So as you can see going from a 40d 17-55 to a k-7 with 16-50 would be a downgrade. However even more interesting is that on that very same DxOMark comparison the Kx's sensor knocks the socks off of both the D300s and the 7D !! And the K5 is a big step up again in terms of DR & ISO performance. Can't wait to see the K5 in the flesh then all the speculation can stop and the real debates begin

09-24-2010, 10:02 AM	#10
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlachan 17-55 & 17-85 are 2 different lenses. Two VERY different lenses. 17-85 is good "bang for your buck" but has a lot of optical flaws and the build isn't as good even though they are both EF-S. Sounds like I'll be waiting until the K-5 to make any moves.

09-24-2010, 12:21 PM	#11
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	In the Canon world, research the mediocre reception that the Tokina 16-50mm received. They are sister lenses. The 50-135mm however, is much better. I use it happily on my 7D. M

09-24-2010, 08:52 PM	#12
snofox Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fredericton New Brunswick Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 334	Honestly, if I had that glass, I wouldn't be looking into getting started on any other system, unless I was really unhappy with the Canon lineup. I would be looking into upgrading the camera body if that would help -- and boy, you have a lot of great choices there -- or I would be considering another superb lens -- more choices from Canon and third-party manufacturers. Enjoy. (BTW I have no Canon gear, and I am invested way too much in Pentax stuff, FWIW).

09-24-2010, 09:03 PM	#13
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	Originally posted by Frogfish However even more interesting is that on that very same DxOMark comparison the Kx's sensor knocks the socks off of both the D300s and the 7D !! And the K5 is a big step up again in terms of DR & ISO performance. We don't know if the k-5 will be better than the k-x at all... pure speculation. I wouldn't say the K-x knocks the socks off the 7d, but it is better.

09-24-2010, 09:04 PM	#14
montman Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery Posts: 576	Moving to Pentax. Autofocus downgrade. If I am not mistaken aren’t the great white lenses weather sealed.

09-24-2010, 09:39 PM	#15
str8talk83 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bluffton, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 674 Original Poster	Originally posted by montman Moving to Pentax. Autofocus downgrade. If I am not mistaken aren’t the great white lenses weather sealed. Not all of them are. Here's a weather sealed list. 70-200 f/4 IS 70-200 f/2.8 IS (version 1 & 2) 300 f/2.8 IS (version 1 & 2) 400 f/4 DO 400 f/2.8 IS I & II 500 f/4 IS 600 f/4 IS 800 f/5.6 IS 300 f/4 IS and 400 f/5.6 IS are not sealed. Neither is the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 or 28-300

running dual systems?

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