Dilemma

Substitute · 08-25-2008, 12:09 PM

First of I am new to Pentax (it's been 14 months since I got my K10D).
I've been doing photography for more than 20 years, but I used Nikon, Leica, Hasselblad, pinholes or Linhof.
I sold my Nikon film gear when I got my digital camera but kept my other film cameras.
I mostly use my digital Ks to shoot live musicians and some macro too.
Anywayyyyyyyyyyy
I strongly believe that the person behind the camera matters and I have never been impressed by Nikon Pro collegues making fun of my Pentax gear.
But I recently got annoyed: slow and lowsy AF on my K20d made me doubt.
and the most needed 80-200mm almost impossible to get at a decent price!
So here I am considering selling to go back to Nikon (Canon Lenses suck) get a D700 and a 80-200mm.
I am sure Pentax will release a K30D by the end of 2008 since the K20d is no major revolution.
Thing is I love Pentax glass....

Gooshin · 08-25-2008, 12:14 PM

whats wrong with the DA* 50-135?

or the FA* 80-200??

both are cheaper than the canikon equivalents.

PentaxPZ · 08-25-2008, 12:16 PM

How about a manual K mount from ebay?

I use manuals on my K100D super... a 70-300 to be exact....
no problem, very good glass and quite cheap too....

ok it is a vivitar and not Pentax....
worth thinking about?

Substitute · 08-25-2008, 12:19 PM

I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations...
I'd like two bodies: one with 28-70mm Star and a 70-200 or 80-200mm
one with a 16-50mm and 50-135mm.
Right now I am only missing the 80-200 or 70-200mm
As far as price are concerned, a Nikon AF 80-200mm f2.8 go for $600 maximum.
Get me a 80-200mm Pentax for that price, please!!!!
Or the Sigma HSM for $800ish

Last edited by Substitute; 08-25-2008 at 12:26 PM.

Substitute · 08-25-2008, 12:20 PM

Nothing against manuals!! I shot a lot with my 100mm M, but they don't open at 2.8!

PentaxPZ · 08-25-2008, 12:26 PM

True my manual 70-300 has an F stop of 4.2....

but is ok for outdoor shots of motor cars...
thats what i use it for

Substitute · 08-25-2008, 12:29 PM

Were I to do outdoor I wouldn't have so many troubles!
Plus my next project will be indoor sport (handball), can't be faster!

Marc Sabatella · 08-25-2008, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Substitute

I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations...

OK, but how is 70-200 on a FF camera like the D700 any longer than a 50-135 on the K20D? OK, so I guess the D700 offers a "crop" mode where it automatically crops the image to simulate APS-C. But you can crop on the K20D, too, and keep more resolution...

Russell-Evans · 08-25-2008, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Substitute

So here I am considering selling to go back to Nikon (Canon Lenses suck) get a D700 and a 80-200mm.

Originally posted by Substitute

I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations...

Can you hand hold a f2.8 200mm in low light without stabilization? Is the Nikon 80-200mm a VR lens?

Have you considered the Pentax DA f2/8 200mm? Would it come out cheaper than switching systems if you just bought a second body to mount it on?

Could you use an f/4 lens like the Sigma 100-300mm?

Thank you
Russell

**Kerrowdown** · 08-25-2008, 03:47 PM

I can recommend two Pentax A * series (although manual focus) lenses that I use all the time for indoor sports work which are plenty fast enough, the 85mm f1.4 and 135mm f1.8.

There is also a 200mm f2.8 in the A * series (if I could just get my hands on one) and a 200mm f2.5 in the M range.

It has been commented by others that these were some of the finest lenses that Pentax have ever made.

ManWithCamera · 08-25-2008, 03:59 PM

if you think 135mm is too short on a K20D, then 200mm on a D700 will also be too short
(though you'll gain incredible low light performance with the D700)
that is a very expensive move

reknelb · 08-25-2008, 04:14 PM

Why not slap a flash on and use the AF assist without firing the flash?

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-25-2008, 06:51 PM

You should also look for used sitma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX.

They appear form time to time in the market place. I bought mine new shortly after I bought my *istD, somewhat as a gift for myself, to replace my vivitar S1 70-210 F3.5. WHich, by the way would also do well for you if you don't mind manual focus.

Also if you are doing concerts, you shoudl look at fast primes. I also like my K 135 F2.5.

08-25-2008, 12:09 PM	#1
Substitute Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NOLA Posts: 396	Dilemma First of I am new to Pentax (it's been 14 months since I got my K10D). I've been doing photography for more than 20 years, but I used Nikon, Leica, Hasselblad, pinholes or Linhof. I sold my Nikon film gear when I got my digital camera but kept my other film cameras. I mostly use my digital Ks to shoot live musicians and some macro too. Anywayyyyyyyyyyy I strongly believe that the person behind the camera matters and I have never been impressed by Nikon Pro collegues making fun of my Pentax gear. But I recently got annoyed: slow and lowsy AF on my K20d made me doubt. and the most needed 80-200mm almost impossible to get at a decent price! So here I am considering selling to go back to Nikon (Canon Lenses suck) get a D700 and a 80-200mm. I am sure Pentax will release a K30D by the end of 2008 since the K20d is no major revolution. Thing is I love Pentax glass....

08-25-2008, 02:17 PM	#9
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by Substitute So here I am considering selling to go back to Nikon (Canon Lenses suck) get a D700 and a 80-200mm. Originally posted by Substitute I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations... Can you hand hold a f2.8 200mm in low light without stabilization? Is the Nikon 80-200mm a VR lens? Have you considered the Pentax DA f2/8 200mm? Would it come out cheaper than switching systems if you just bought a second body to mount it on? Could you use an f/4 lens like the Sigma 100-300mm? Thank you Russell Last edited by Russell-Evans; 08-25-2008 at 02:18 PM. Reason: Removed question already asked.

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08-25-2008, 12:14 PM	#2
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	whats wrong with the DA* 50-135? or the FA* 80-200?? both are cheaper than the canikon equivalents.

08-25-2008, 12:16 PM	#3
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	How about a manual K mount from ebay? I use manuals on my K100D super... a 70-300 to be exact.... no problem, very good glass and quite cheap too.... ok it is a vivitar and not Pentax.... worth thinking about?

08-25-2008, 12:19 PM	#4
Substitute Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NOLA Posts: 396 Original Poster	I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations... I'd like two bodies: one with 28-70mm Star and a 70-200 or 80-200mm one with a 16-50mm and 50-135mm. Right now I am only missing the 80-200 or 70-200mm As far as price are concerned, a Nikon AF 80-200mm f2.8 go for $600 maximum. Get me a 80-200mm Pentax for that price, please!!!! Or the Sigma HSM for $800ish Last edited by Substitute; 08-25-2008 at 12:26 PM.

08-25-2008, 12:20 PM	#5
Substitute Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NOLA Posts: 396 Original Poster	Nothing against manuals!! I shot a lot with my 100mm M, but they don't open at 2.8!

08-25-2008, 12:26 PM	#6
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	True my manual 70-300 has an F stop of 4.2.... but is ok for outdoor shots of motor cars... thats what i use it for

08-25-2008, 12:29 PM	#7
Substitute Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NOLA Posts: 396 Original Poster	Were I to do outdoor I wouldn't have so many troubles! Plus my next project will be indoor sport (handball), can't be faster!

08-25-2008, 02:00 PM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Substitute I already own the DA 50-135mm it's too short in some situations... OK, but how is 70-200 on a FF camera like the D700 any longer than a 50-135 on the K20D? OK, so I guess the D700 offers a "crop" mode where it automatically crops the image to simulate APS-C. But you can crop on the K20D, too, and keep more resolution...

08-25-2008, 03:47 PM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,818	I can recommend two Pentax A * series (although manual focus) lenses that I use all the time for indoor sports work which are plenty fast enough, the 85mm f1.4 and 135mm f1.8. There is also a 200mm f2.8 in the A * series (if I could just get my hands on one) and a 200mm f2.5 in the M range. It has been commented by others that these were some of the finest lenses that Pentax have ever made.

08-25-2008, 03:59 PM	#11
ManWithCamera Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 87	if you think 135mm is too short on a K20D, then 200mm on a D700 will also be too short (though you'll gain incredible low light performance with the D700) that is a very expensive move

08-25-2008, 04:14 PM	#12
reknelb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	Why not slap a flash on and use the AF assist without firing the flash?

08-25-2008, 06:51 PM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	You should also look for used sitma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX. They appear form time to time in the market place. I bought mine new shortly after I bought my *istD, somewhat as a gift for myself, to replace my vivitar S1 70-210 F3.5. WHich, by the way would also do well for you if you don't mind manual focus. Also if you are doing concerts, you shoudl look at fast primes. I also like my K 135 F2.5.