Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-27-2010, 06:38 AM   #16
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Borås, Sweden
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,169
QuoteOriginally posted by asdf Quote
I had APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG/HSM in mind. It doesn't have "OS". I was also thinking of Tamron and Sigma macro lenses...again no OS or VC. Sigma and Tamron have *mostly* been putting VC and OS on their junk lenses, so far. You could argue that 300 mm f/2.8 is probably sitting on a tripod, but with the macro lenses you could take advantage of image stabilization when using them in non-macro situations.
OK, now you're just trolling. Canon didn't have a macro IS lens either until a couple of months ago. Just because Sigma/Tamron don't crank out IS lenses *you* want doesn't mean you should be talking like there's nothing available (and go back and re-read your post and you will see that is just how you come across).

Sigma has the 150-500 OS and 17-70 OS neither which are bad performers. Yeah, they have quality control issues, but that's throughout the entire line (and I have a $450 50/1.4 that had to go into service because it wouldn't focus properly out of the box to prove it); a decent copy of either lens is great value for the money, especially the 150-500.

Tamron is pretty new to the VC/IS game, but have put it on the respectable 17-50/2.8 making it one hell of a standard zoom option.

01-27-2010, 06:39 AM   #17
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,252
QuoteOriginally posted by pingflood Quote
OK, now you're just trolling.
The trolling is in your head. I'm bailing out. Bye.
01-27-2010, 04:56 PM   #18
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2007
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 8,237
QuoteOriginally posted by alexeyga Quote




Regarding the IS, well, it's hard not to notice that I can't shoot the 50mm at 1/20th anymore...
I also notice the lack of SR/IS when shooting in low-light, and yes, it was a revenue-based decision more than anything for Nikon to put the IS in the lens. Still, if you own a VR lens, it works very well.


QuoteQuote:
As far as primes go... It's a mixed bag.... I hate changing lenses, so I prefer quality zooms... But I still miss the 77lim, 35Lim... And I wish Nikon had the equivalents of DA21, DA15 and FA31... At least, a good condition Nikon 85/1.8 runs for 300-400$... though it's 3 times the size of 77lim...
Agreed. Nikon makes some other-worldy exotics like the 28 1.4, but that's a $3500 lens. It's everyday current prime linup contains nothing like the Limiteds. The 85 1.4 is pretty great, but the 85 1.8 is only good - not in the same league as the 77ltd, for example.

Nikon does have two lenses that any switcher should watch for, though:

Nikon 180 2.8 IF ED AD, and the Nikon 300 f/4 IF ED AF (pre-AFS version). I bought both used for about $1000 combined. That 180 is as close to a Pentax Limited as I've ever shot in another brand. Metal barrel, so sharp wide open, beautiful bokeh. The 300 stuns me too.

Nikon now has the $199 35 1.8 which compares nicely to the FA 35 f/2, and has the $120 50 1.8, but aside from that, bang/buck Nikon primes are few & far between.

Regarding zooms - over-priced kit zooms like the 16-85 VR? No thanks. Overpriced aps-c standard zoom like the huge $1400 17-55 2.8 with no VR? NO thanks. $2500 70-200 2.8 VR II that only gets to 135mm in close-focus? No thanks. Nikon 12-24 for twice as much as the Tokina version? Not today, thx.
Big, soft, slow 80-400? Think not, Sigma 100-300 f4 is sharper and cheaper and constant.

(All my Nikon-mount zooms are 3rd party.)



.
01-27-2010, 07:52 PM   #19
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 1,337
I bought two nikon lenses new when I bought my D700

I bought two nikon lenses new when I bought my D700

14-24mm 2.8 AF-S

70-300mm 4.5-5.6 AF-S VR II

Both are exceptional.

I read some nikon pro shooter sites like John Shaw, Moose Peterson, ect and everyone almost apologetically recommended the low cost 70-300mm VRII. It is in everyones "bag". So I gave it a try and kept it. Its the only Nikon item I own that isn't Made in Japan. Nikon Thailand makes great and affordable lenses, as I am one for one, so far...

Nice thing with owning a dslr like D700 is the plentiful and affordable old Nikon made glass from 1977 foward, Ai mount foward. My EX++ ED 300mm 2.8N ran me $875 in its flight trunk with its dedicated 1.4x and 2x TCs, manual, keys, strap. My MINT 85mm 1.4 set me back $625. Any idea what these two used items would cost me thesedays in Pentax-Land ? I'd safely guess enough coin was saved to make my D700 Free had I chosen a SMC-A 85mm 1.4 & SMC-A 300mm 2.8 instead.

I picked up D700 primarily to properly drive 14-24mm 2.8 I bought on same receipt.

D700 is soon to be discontinued, and its rumored replacement's cost will make many regret not getting a D700 when it sold new since D700x or D700s is supposed to be $3500 or more to start.


Everyone should be happy Canon and Nikon don't make shake reduction dslrs as this spec gives people another reason to choose Pentax dslrs instead of the BIG~TWO.

01-28-2010, 12:09 AM   #20
Forum Member
flash1100's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Perth West Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 97
an interesting topic. This is something I have been toying with (and alternately thinking seriously about) for some time. I shoot motorsport (bikes mainly) using a K7, Sigma 70-200/2.8 and 100-300/4. Used to use the K10D, lucky to get 30% keepers Now with the K7 at least I'm up around 70%.

My main beef is lack of long fast lenses from any maker. Sigma's 300/2.8 is as long/fast as it gets in Pentax.

The choice of replacement would be the D300S, mainly for the AF performance. By the sounds of things I'm not far from the money in this regard. What does put me off is the cost on Nikkor lenses, and that third party lens makers don't provide VR / OS / IS etc on their fast long zoom lenses.

So... I'm still with Pentax longing for some long fast glass, or a winning lottery ticket
01-28-2010, 12:18 AM   #21
Veteran Member
heliphoto's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: Region 5
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,539
Gordon, if you're sticking w/ Pentax, what about the Sigma 500/4.5? People seem to be pretty happy with that lens.
01-28-2010, 12:50 AM   #22
Forum Member
flash1100's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Perth West Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 97
QuoteOriginally posted by heliphoto Quote
Gordon, if you're sticking w/ Pentax, what about the Sigma 500/4.5? People seem to be pretty happy with that lens.
Thanks Josh - I'll see if the importer brings it in to Oz, and at what price (might need a sedative after I find that out!!)

01-28-2010, 11:03 AM   #23
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Borås, Sweden
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,169
QuoteOriginally posted by jsherman999 Quote
I also notice the lack of SR/IS when shooting in low-light, and yes, it was a revenue-based decision more than anything for Nikon to put the IS in the lens.
Not really. The first VR lens came out in 2001 when most were shooting film, and at that point putting it in the lens was the only real option.
01-29-2010, 12:05 AM   #24
Forum Member
flash1100's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Perth West Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 97
Sigma 500/4.5 not available new in Oz in Pentax mount I can either import one, and play with Oz Customs, get a used one, or go for a trip to the US or Asia and buy one while I'm there.
01-29-2010, 06:40 AM   #25
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Missouri
Posts: 429
All of this is relative but I've used the 16-85 VR Nikkor. It might just be the best all-around walk-about zoom on the market for the regular guy even at the price. I was ready to buy a used 17-55/2.8 and changed my mind.

There are still inherent mechanical advantages to placing an image stabilization mechanism in the lens rather than in the camera. Absent from the current Pentax offering are truly long telephotos and compatible converters to use with them.

A person should simply take a good look at the gear offered by a manufacturer and then decide based on the specifications and how the desired gear feels and works whether that particular line of gear is for him or her. Lateral moves between the brands are pointless and a waste of money. And there is no reason a person can't use Nikon gear to shoot events where it excels and Pentax gear when it is best.
01-30-2010, 10:22 AM   #26
Senior Member




Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Denmark
Posts: 146
Original Poster
I've shot a lot more today using the AF-D 80-200. AF is inaccurate at 200 mm up close, but aside from that it's a brilliant lens, very sharp at 2.8. Even though it's screw driven, tracking works just great.

I really like the Nikon setup, though I still miss the DA 70

/Jens
02-03-2010, 09:34 AM   #27
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toronto (for now)
Posts: 1,748
QuoteOriginally posted by B Grace Quote
All of this is relative but I've used the 16-85 VR Nikkor. It might just be the best all-around walk-about zoom on the market for the regular guy even at the price. I was ready to buy a used 17-55/2.8 and changed my mind.
OK we have the 17-70 in the pentax mount, focal length aside why is the 16-85 so good? I use the 18-250 as one of my travel lenses (12-24 and 77/1.8 are the others) mainly because from the samples i have seen the 17-70 i sbetter but not THAT much betetr than the 18-250 at the overlapping range.

I keep hearing about the 16-85, any samples showing what the fuss is about?
02-03-2010, 10:16 AM   #28
Veteran Member




Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,911
QuoteOriginally posted by Alfisti Quote
I keep hearing about the 16-85, any samples showing what the fuss is about?
i too would like to know what the fuss is about.
paying that much money for a zoom like this that is f5 at 50mm is not really acceptable

Nikon Lens: Zooms - Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor (Tested) - SLRgear.com!
02-03-2010, 11:03 AM   #29
Veteran Member
alexeyga's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 838
QuoteOriginally posted by k100d Quote
i too would like to know what the fuss is about.
paying that much money for a zoom like this that is f5 at 50mm is not really acceptable

Nikon Lens: Zooms - Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor (Tested) - SLRgear.com!
Word of wisdom in Nikon community is that the 16-85 is just as sharp as the 17-55... Not as fast though, but at least in comes with VR... In other words, if you need a solid all-rounder that will spend more time on the camera than in the bag - 16-85 is a wise choice. Though yes, it's way overpriced... But could somebody please remind me what was the retail price of Pentax 17-70/4 when it came out?

As far as 16-85 vs 18-200VR question goes, that's a subject for another topic... Here's some interesting reading...

Last edited by alexeyga; 02-03-2010 at 11:10 AM.
02-04-2010, 01:25 AM   #30
Veteran Member
er1kksen's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Forestville, NY
Photos: Albums
Posts: 1,801
As a quick aside, anyone here know of any good (pentaxforums-esque) Nikon forums, and/or good buy/sell forums for Nikon gear? Fredmiranda seems pretty Canon-dominated.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
af, cost, da, glass, mf, nikon, pentax, price, smc, tak
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Nikon D700 w/Nikon Battery Grip, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II (US) luke0622 Sold Items 1 11-04-2010 10:41 AM
Photography Notes bonaprof Photographic Technique 1 05-25-2010 04:07 PM
musical notes for a spring drmartin Post Your Photos! 7 03-10-2009 10:58 AM
Pentax K-m (K2000) Designer's Notes creampuff Pentax DSLR Discussion 9 10-18-2008 07:25 AM
Notes from a 5D experience switters Pentax DSLR Discussion 50 12-18-2007 08:57 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:20 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top