[Eruditass]

Apisto, do you think the K5 is capable of tracking motorcycles? I know initially my skill will be the limiting factor but want something I can grow into.

In good light, the K-5 was shown to autofocus as fast as the big boys.

Linear tracking (object moving predictably towards or away) on the center point was also shown to be as good as the big boys in one test, though it had some other wild conclusions. In general, most lab tests of AF between do not exactly mirror real-life situations. I believe one "torture" test showed the 7D besting the D300s, but many people who tried both said that the D300s in practice had more keepers.

Certainly unpredictable tracking and moving between focus points is one area Canon/Nikon would easily beat it, I believe, along with lower light levels. Also they have much better customization, such as how long to wait when something comes in front of the object you were focusing to focus on it, since things can walk in front of your object often.

In addition, both Nikon (and Canon) both typically have lenses with faster ring motors than Pentax, though Sigma HSM is supposed to be good.

The test can be found here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=36897755&changemode=1

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Last edited by Eruditass; 04-27-2011 at 12:02 PM.

[alexeyga]

I really enjoy my Nikon 70-300 VR II lens.

I don't get the image quality problems mentioned above at 200-300mm, not on my lens.

Its handy, small, ridiculously good IQ. VR works in an instant.

Nobody said there are problems, there's just a sensible drop in IQ towards the long end... AF is also getting a bit sluggish (if it's hunting) towards 300mm... nonetheless, I had great results on both D300s and D90... Got nothing bad to say... But at 300mm 300/4, even wide open performs much better than 70-300VR at f8-f11....

I'm actually curious to see some results from this lens with the D7000 as well as the general consensus seems to be that 70-300VR performs the best on bodies with the lowest pixel density... And D7000 (along with D5100) being the Nikon body with the highest pixel density to date, that might be an issue....

So I guess the question is really:
1. How much will AF speed matter in shooting motorcycle racing?
2. If I went Nikon, which lens would you recommend for this type of shooting?
-- I didn't necessarily think it was a fair comparison (siggy vs. nikon) but I'm not to familiar with Nikon and after doing some limited research I kept reading that the 70-300 AF speed was superb; but price wise they seem to be in two different categories.

For those of you that have handled both, how much bigger is the D7000 than the K5?

1)Depends on the position you're shooting from and the type of shots... Lighting conditions, etc... For some types of shooting you might do just as well with a MF lens...

2)Again, to be able to suggest you a lens, we need to know the type of shooting you need it for as well as the conditions of shooting...

D7000 is just a tad larger than the K5... you don't really feel it unless you're only using the small DA primes...

Ergonomics wise it's a give-give... While I had the K5 I missed some things from D90/D300s and after picking up D7000 I do miss some things from K5...

[highyellow1]

Shooting conditions:
Let's assume bright sunny day looking to shoot motorcycles road racing without track access, so constantly at the long end (obviously this would very).

The small primes is something I'm definitely interested in as I already have the DA 21.

Eruditass, thanks for the post. Obviously speed of lens has something to with overall AF ability/speed.

What do you think of the K5 + DA* 60-250 in terms of AF speed? Also, the sigma 150-500 has more reach and HSM.

[deadwolfbones]

It's interesting... I've been reading all kinds of negative press about the D7000's AF accuracy over at FredMiranda...

[alexeyga]

Shooting conditions:
Let's assume bright sunny day looking to shoot motorcycles road racing without track access, so constantly at the long end (obviously this would very).

What do you think of the K5 + DA* 60-250 in terms of AF speed? Also, the sigma 150-500 has more reach and HSM.

In these conditions I wouldn't hesitate taking either K5+60-250 or the 100-300/4 Siggy... these are more than capable, although you might find 60-250 just a tad short for the job... On a bright sunny day AF speed isn't that critical either...

Sorry, can't comment on Sigma's Bigma-style long lenses... not a big fan of these....

It's interesting... I've been reading all kinds of negative press about the D7000's AF accuracy over at FredMiranda...

I have yet to experience some... So far D7K has been much more reliable than K5 in terms of AF-accuracy with any of my lenses...

[apisto]

It's interesting... I've been reading all kinds of negative press about the D7000's AF accuracy over at FredMiranda...

Truthfully, the AF of the D7000 was a big let down after getting spoiled by the D300s/D700. If I had come to the D7k straight from my K20D, I probably would have been in love with the D7k AF.

[apisto]

Apisto, do you think the K5 is capable of tracking motorcycles? I know initially my skill will be the limiting factor but want something I can grow into.

I sure do. The K5 should be just fine for that if used with the right lens. The K5 will require a little more skill and a more strong familiarity with the camera, though. The Nikons make it a little easier to get keepers for me, even in good light. Also, I would say research some more before going with the D7k based on it's AF. I think it is getting by a little on reputation. But the D300s/D700 AF is very solid.

[alexeyga]

Truthfully, the AF of the D7000 was a big let down after getting spoiled by the D300s/D700. If I had come to the D7k straight from my K20D, I probably would have been in love with the D7k AF.

No wonder... D700's AF is notch above D300s, and that last one is a good few notches above D90... And that last one is still about a few light years ahead of K5.... But D7000 falls right between D300s and D90... Though usability wise, I'd have hard time choosing between D300s and D7K... U-modes alone are worth going with the D7k.... BTW, I found these much more useful on D7K than on K5... go figure...

[Aegon]

When taking pictures of people, the D7000 autofocus is astoundingly good.

I've never used a D700; I'm sure it would knock my socks off.

Never tried the D7000 on a BIF or anything "challenging".

[highyellow1]

Thanks all for the discussion/tips/comments.

Last question, I think, if I get the K5 what lens would you suggest. I agree the 250 is probably too short but:
1. Would really like the flexibility of a zoom
2. Sigma 100-300 is discontinued
3. 60-250 too short
4. DA* 300 too restrictive (and hit or miss on tc)

So?
1. Sigma 70-200? may work with tc (1.4 or 2) but would like to find non-OS version
2. Pentax DA 55-300, not sure if this fast/sharp enough

[apisto]

2. Sigma 100-300 is discontinued

My Nikon mount Sigma 100-300 was used when I got it. The hood is beat to heck, but optically and funtionally it is perfect, and I am very happy with it. I just made sure that I got it from a source that would allow me to return it if I was not satisfied with it's condition. I recently picked up an old Sigma 1.4TC, but have not had the chance to test out the combo in any meaningful way.

[alexeyga]

Thanks all for the discussion/tips/comments.

Last question, I think, if I get the K5 what lens would you suggest. I agree the 250 is probably too short but:
1. Would really like the flexibility of a zoom
2. Sigma 100-300 is discontinued
3. 60-250 too short
4. DA* 300 too restrictive (and hit or miss on tc)

So?
1. Sigma 70-200? may work with tc (1.4 or 2) but would like to find non-OS version
2. Pentax DA 55-300, not sure if this fast/sharp enough

There are plenty of used K-mount 100-300/4 Sigmas on the market... but be ready to shop around... Budget-permitting, you could also consider the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 that just became available for Pentax.... but it's worth about 2 K5-s... (((

I'd suggest picking up the 55-300 instead just to get the feel of it... After shooting with it for a while you'll be able to make a much more sound decision as to what direction do you want to take and what FL works the best in your case...

70-200 is a possibility as well... but mind that TC slows everything down quite a bit... including the speed of AF...

[highyellow1]

alexeyga -- I've been looking and haven't found any or just a little too late. If you know where I can find one please let me know.

I've pretty much made up my mind that I'll stay with the K5 (after I switched about 3 times today). I'll do some research on the 70-200 Sigma (non-OS) and how to performs with the 2 tcs so that way I have a lens for basketball as well.

The 55-300 would be nice to experiment, I'll keep that as an option.

Unfortunately, the Sigma 120-300 is not an option right now, but the other thing that is frustrating is that the tcs don't work with it and I thought I seen someone post that Sigma has no plans to produce one (although that could change).


Edit: As I re-think this, that means I couldn't use the 70-200 either unless I find an older copy. smh

[alexeyga]

alexeyga -- I've been looking and haven't found any or just a little too late. If you know where I can find one please let me know.

In Pentax land, "plenty" means that there actually happens to pop a specimen for sale once every so often in classifieds or ebay... I've seen at least two of these in classifieds since November...

[highyellow1]

Ah, I see now.