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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-14-2024, 12:56 AM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

I was surprised by how few used 70-210s were on the market, I'm guessing the relative scarcity is a factor in how high their used price is relative to the 70-200. I'm not ruling it out if I can find out at a good price. Filters is another reason I'm leaning towards the 70-200 and FA*, I've already got 77mm filters and adapter rings whereas I don't have any 67mm filters.

I've got many F series lens that are still going strong despite their age, parts availability is a risk but it's one I'm prepared to tolerate particularly if I can get a FA* at half the price of the DFA.

I'm using Lightroom for 99% of my post processing, I do have Topaz Denoise AI but really having explored it fully.

At this point in time, it's for the enjoyment of combining two interests, music and photography. In the medium term, I'm hoping the leverage it into free entry to gigs and festivals but I've got plenty of networking and learning to do before that's an option.

Finding one in good condition seems to be the hardest part, plenty for next to nothing but reading descriptions carefully rules a lot out due to fungus or haze.

Forum: Photographic Technique 04-14-2024, 12:04 AM

Tips for Antelope Caverns & Grand Canyon
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 9
Views: 664

If a photographic tour is an option at Antelope Canyon, do it! The experience in the canyon on the photographic tours if vastly different from the regular tours.

The slot canyons are very narrow, the best time of day to do a tour if you want to see the shaft of lights is in the middle of the day.

It's very dusty in the slot canyons because the guides are throwing sand in the air to show the shafts of light, don't even think about changing lens if you want your sensor to ever be clean again. Bring a blower or something to clean your lens while you are on the tour.

If you have more than one body go as wide as you can on one and short telephoto on the other. If you only had one body, I would go wide.

Bring a tripod, there's not much light and to get the classic trickling sand and shaft of lights shots a tripod is best. From memory, a tripod was required on the photo tour when I did it in 2016.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-13-2024, 12:50 AM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

I'm shooting with a K1, at this time the mk II accelerator can't help me. The 70-210 seems to be less common on the used market, and those that are available are close enough to the 70-200 in price that I would probably just pay the extra and get the extra stop.

Good to know that the FA* 80-200 performs well compared to the DA*200. Today, I'm leaning towards the FA* but if a good deal on the DFA* came along I'd probably go that way.

I do like the F series lens, I have a respectable collection of F primes. I didn't realize how much smaller and lighter the F 70-210 was compared to the DFA and FA 2.8 lens. I suspect the two stops difference of the F series lens will be an impediment when shooting in a dark pub.

I've got several primes in that range, the FA 77mm, F 100 macro, and F 135mm but I want the versatility of a zoom because I am somewhat restricted when shooting live music and don't always have the luxury of being able to know in advance where I will be relative to the performers. If I had multiple bodies that wouldn't be an issue but at this time another body isn't on the cards.

I'm only shooting stills, no video at all. I don't have any plans to start video.

Forum: Sold Items 04-12-2024, 05:33 PM

For Sale - Sold: Pentax F*300 (read full description)
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 4
Views: 615

I discovered that the auto focus is no longer working reliably. I don't know if sitting in the cupboard unused for months was the cause or if when I used it after the accident I didn't push the AF hard enough to expose the faults. Either way I can't sell if as having functional AF.

Price reduced to AUD 300.

Shipping via Australia Post to North America is AUD 65 with tracking

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-11-2024, 10:13 PM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

To be honest, I don't think my eyes and technique are even close to good enough to try manual focus, especially with the live music in dark bars. It's always interesting to see what other options are out.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-11-2024, 08:42 PM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

Thanks for your response - it's always helpful to have multiple ideas. I've owned a decent number of Sigma lens in recent years, with the exception of the 8-16mm on my K3, I've generally been underwhelmed by one or another aspect of their performance. The issues around the direction of focussing being reversed mentioned in the review I linked are what made me decide to disregard the Sigma in this case.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-11-2024, 03:08 AM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

Yep, I've taken that into account. I've bought a lot of gear from Japan so I've got a good handle on the costs involved.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-11-2024, 12:40 AM

Bang for buck mid range telephoto zooms
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 22
Views: 1,002

There's gap in my current lens lineup between the DFA 24-70 and DFA 150-450, I need something in the range of a 70-200 for shooting live music in dark bars and some abstract architecture shots I've been dabbling with.

I’ve been doing lots of reading and the almost unanimous consensus is that the DFA*70-200 is the best option. The most regularly repeated negatives seem to be that it is big, heavy and expensive. Big and heavy I can handle. Expensive part is what worries me (what if I don’t like it).

Locally, brand new the DFA*70-200 is eye wateringly expensive, there’s not much of a second hand market in Australia so I’ve been looking at used from Japan. There’s a few that would cost me approx. A$1500.

I’ve also looked at a few FA* 80-200 lens used from Japan. Without fungus and chipped optics but cosmetically rough they start at around A$600, A$800-900 will get a nice looking lens.

I know there are third party options from Sigma and Tamron, after reading the Fast Sports Zoom Lenses for Pentax Review - 70-200mm Sigma & Tamron | PentaxForums.com Reviews I ruled out both for various reasons.

I’m reluctant to go for the DFA 70-210 because it loses a stop compared to the f2.8 lens and the used prices aren’t significantly better than the DFA 70-200.

Is a used DFA*70-200 worth double the price of it’s older, slightly smaller, lighter, and cheaper cousin?

Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 04-07-2024, 10:09 PM

Calla Lilly
Posted By Mike L

Replies: 29
Views: 98