K-x with DA* 200mm f2.8

**EsBee** · 04-13-2010, 11:54 AM

Anyone has used this combination? If so, can you post some photos taken close to or at wide-open with high ISO, up to 1600 or 3200 in appropriate conditions?

All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate.

Thanks.

kytra · 04-13-2010, 12:36 PM

the Kx is capable of high ISO whatever the focal length of lens so try it with f 5.6 (like using a 2x TC on a 2.8 lens) on any lens and see if you can get a steady shot and how it looks. IMO, 3200 ISO is only for emergency or "social" shots where the noise counts less, as long as one can recognize the actors in the respective scene

)

pxpaulx · 04-13-2010, 12:52 PM

Kytra, do you have a K-x? I would put 6400 in the 'selective use' category, and probably only consider higher than that emergency use with the K-x.

stanjo · 04-13-2010, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by EsBee

All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate.

Thanks.

Are you a private-eye? Taking pictures of cheating spouses at night under street lights?
A Nikon will probably do better here due to its superior auto-focus, or at least a K-7 with the improved low-light auto-focus.

**EsBee** · 04-13-2010, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by stanjo

Are you a private-eye? Taking pictures of cheating spouses at night under street lights?
A Nikon will probably do better here due to its superior auto-focus, or at least a K-7 with the improved low-light auto-focus.

So you do expect a private-eye to admit that in a public forum, don't you? And spouses cheating under street lights? Where are these streets, I must have been definitely cruising the wrong streets

**EsBee** · 04-13-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by kytra

the Kx is capable of high ISO whatever the focal length of lens so try it with f 5.6 (like using a 2x TC on a 2.8 lens) on any lens and see if you can get a steady shot and how it looks. IMO, 3200 ISO is only for emergency or "social" shots where the noise counts less, as long as one can recognize the actors in the respective scene

)

I was just playing around with the K-x earlier in our work parking garage with my DA 50-200 lens, not an ideal lens for such application but okay to test.

At f5.6, ISO 3200 and the lens extended to 200mm, the camera gave me shutter speeds around 1/25, which aren't obviously good enough thus the reason for my original post.

**kiwi_jono** · 04-13-2010, 01:49 PM

With my K-x I normally use ISO100 to ISO400, and up to 2000 where I really need to. Which is quite flexible I think.
On my copy 3200 is Ok for small prints or where the subject is evenly lit (on mine the noise in darker areas of the image can be very invasive - although this may not be of concern to you).
Would imagine that low light focus might be an issue at distance - especially with a doubler!

stanjo · 04-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by EsBee

So you do expect a private-eye to admit that in a public forum, don't you? And spouses cheating under street lights? Where are these streets, I must have been definitely cruising the wrong streets

I mean to say "cheating spouses under street lights". Shagging in public is still illegal in the USA.

cwood · 04-13-2010, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by EsBee

Anyone has used this combination? If so, can you post some photos taken close to or at wide-open with high ISO, up to 1600 or 3200 in appropriate conditions?

All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate.

Thanks.

Well I'm a huge fan of the DA*200mm but it struggles A LOT with any power zoom Teleconverter that allows SDM focus. The only TC option really would be the 1.7x AF. Also be warned it is one of the worst Pentax lenses for purple fringing - so you will need to correct that. Of course I don't think I have ever taken a picture with that lens that was not at F2.8 and PF problems are usually worse at wide apertures. These images were all taken at F2.8 - mostly with K-7 but not at super high ISO.

100% crop

**EsBee** · 04-13-2010, 02:14 PM

Holy crap! The 2nd photo is just awesome!

Tuner571 · 04-13-2010, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by kunik

Well I'm a huge fan of the DA*200mm but it struggles A LOT with any power zoom Teleconverter that allows SDM focus. The only TC option really would be the 1.7x AF. Also be warned it is one of the worst Pentax lenses for purple fringing - so you will need to correct that. Of course I don't think I have ever taken a picture with that lens that was not at F2.8 and PF problems are usually worse at wide apertures. These images were all taken at F2.8 - mostly with K-7 but not at super high ISO.

Great shot here, it's always amazing to see a photo from this lens wide open as it really is stunning. I hope to pick one up sooner or later, but first I need to get a job so I can afford one.

04-13-2010, 11:54 AM	#1
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	*K-x with DA 200mm f2.8** Anyone has used this combination? If so, can you post some photos taken close to or at wide-open with high ISO, up to 1600 or 3200 in appropriate conditions? All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate. Thanks.

04-13-2010, 12:36 PM	#2
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	the Kx is capable of high ISO whatever the focal length of lens so try it with f 5.6 (like using a 2x TC on a 2.8 lens) on any lens and see if you can get a steady shot and how it looks. IMO, 3200 ISO is only for emergency or "social" shots where the noise counts less, as long as one can recognize the actors in the respective scene )

04-13-2010, 12:52 PM	#3
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Kytra, do you have a K-x? I would put 6400 in the 'selective use' category, and probably only consider higher than that emergency use with the K-x.

04-13-2010, 12:56 PM	#4
stanjo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 71	Originally posted by EsBee All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate. Thanks. Are you a private-eye? Taking pictures of cheating spouses at night under street lights? A Nikon will probably do better here due to its superior auto-focus, or at least a K-7 with the improved low-light auto-focus.

04-13-2010, 01:12 PM	#5
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Originally posted by stanjo Are you a private-eye? Taking pictures of cheating spouses at night under street lights? A Nikon will probably do better here due to its superior auto-focus, or at least a K-7 with the improved low-light auto-focus. So you do expect a private-eye to admit that in a public forum, don't you? And spouses cheating under street lights? Where are these streets, I must have been definitely cruising the wrong streets

04-13-2010, 01:18 PM	#6
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Originally posted by kytra the Kx is capable of high ISO whatever the focal length of lens so try it with f 5.6 (like using a 2x TC on a 2.8 lens) on any lens and see if you can get a steady shot and how it looks. IMO, 3200 ISO is only for emergency or "social" shots where the noise counts less, as long as one can recognize the actors in the respective scene ) I was just playing around with the K-x earlier in our work parking garage with my DA 50-200 lens, not an ideal lens for such application but okay to test. At f5.6, ISO 3200 and the lens extended to 200mm, the camera gave me shutter speeds around 1/25, which aren't obviously good enough thus the reason for my original post.

04-13-2010, 01:49 PM	#7
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	With my K-x I normally use ISO100 to ISO400, and up to 2000 where I really need to. Which is quite flexible I think. On my copy 3200 is Ok for small prints or where the subject is evenly lit (on mine the noise in darker areas of the image can be very invasive - although this may not be of concern to you). Would imagine that low light focus might be an issue at distance - especially with a doubler!

04-13-2010, 01:56 PM	#8
stanjo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 71	Originally posted by EsBee So you do expect a private-eye to admit that in a public forum, don't you? And spouses cheating under street lights? Where are these streets, I must have been definitely cruising the wrong streets I mean to say "cheating spouses under street lights". Shagging in public is still illegal in the USA.

04-13-2010, 02:04 PM	#9
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by EsBee Anyone has used this combination? If so, can you post some photos taken close to or at wide-open with high ISO, up to 1600 or 3200 in appropriate conditions? All the rave about K-x's capability to manage noise at high ISO got me wondering about the DA* 200 f2.8 to do candid portraits in low lights as well as night shots, with the possibility of using a 1.5 or even a 2.0 TC if appropriate. Thanks. Well I'm a huge fan of the DA*200mm but it struggles A LOT with any power zoom Teleconverter that allows SDM focus. The only TC option really would be the 1.7x AF. Also be warned it is one of the worst Pentax lenses for purple fringing - so you will need to correct that. Of course I don't think I have ever taken a picture with that lens that was not at F2.8 and PF problems are usually worse at wide apertures. These images were all taken at F2.8 - mostly with K-7 but not at super high ISO. 100% crop

04-13-2010, 02:14 PM	#10
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Holy crap! The 2nd photo is just awesome!

04-13-2010, 02:51 PM	#11
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	Originally posted by kunik Well I'm a huge fan of the DA*200mm but it struggles A LOT with any power zoom Teleconverter that allows SDM focus. The only TC option really would be the 1.7x AF. Also be warned it is one of the worst Pentax lenses for purple fringing - so you will need to correct that. Of course I don't think I have ever taken a picture with that lens that was not at F2.8 and PF problems are usually worse at wide apertures. These images were all taken at F2.8 - mostly with K-7 but not at super high ISO. Great shot here, it's always amazing to see a photo from this lens wide open as it really is stunning. I hope to pick one up sooner or later, but first I need to get a job so I can afford one.