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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-28-2020, 05:19 AM
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Maybe Pentax can join L mount by making nicely built, reasonably priced APSC mirrorless cameras and make a good K mount adaptor to allow the AF usage of using K mount lenses on it. As far as I know, there is no "new" L mount APSC camera, Panasonic isn't interested in this, Leica doesn't seem to make any new L mount APSC camera, and Sigma just made an FP and are concentrating on lenses and trying to get the R&D right for their full-frame Foveon camera....
And there are lots of people wanting Panasonic to make a smaller cheaper version of the S1/S1R, I think Pentax can also make smaller, cheaper full-frame mirrorless too if they join L mount. However, if Pentax joins L mount, I do think to make an APSC mirrorless L mount camera first makes more sense.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-23-2017, 02:14 PM
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Agreed, a DFA* 35mm f1.4 is what I'm hoping for(and needed), don't like the Sigma 35 f1.4 Art for its rendering and its high tendency to miss focus. That said a 28mm f1.8/1.4 and 24mm f1.4 would be good too.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-22-2017, 10:29 PM
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Yes! Awesome news :) Hopefully the DFA* 85mm f1.4 will come soonish.
Now I'm curious to know what that long yellow line of "Large Aperture Wide angle lens" would ultimately become. Maybe Ricoh haven't decided which focal length to settle for that lens yet, for far it looks like it will be between 24mm to 41- 42mm. Or maybe Ricoh will make multiple lenses in those focal lengths and they should, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm would be interesting. The yellow colour and "large aperture" seems to indicate it's in the DFA* f1.4 league too.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-21-2017, 09:48 PM
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Maybe that's where a none star DFA 50 f1.8 will come in. Somehow that's the trend of modern lenses, in order to get ultra high performance, size and weight will definitely increase.
---------- Post added 02-22-17 at 03:55 PM ----------
+1, and a 135mm f1.8 please.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
01-12-2017, 07:11 PM
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Exactly, it might be easier to get those rebadged Tamron f1.8 lenses to out first to fill the lens gaps and indeed it will be a welcome addition. Then release fast DFA* primes and update the FA limited lenses.
I would love to see the revival of A*135mm f1.8 to be updated and becomes DFA* 135mm f1.8, the Sony Zeiss 135mm f1.8 is indeed excellent and one of the reason that makes the Sony Alpha A mount system unique, Pentax should do the same with their 135mm lens by making it f1.8 not f2 like the rest of the 135mm lenses.
And yes updating the FA* 85mm f1.4 is essential, also there is a need of a 35mm f1.4 prime in the system too.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-12-2017, 06:29 AM
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I would assume the AF is better than the K1 defiantly, even the 5D3 has better AF than the K1, it is more swift shot to shot especially in AFC,the AF area is wider too. However having not tested the 5D4, I will withhold more comment on 5D4 vs K1 AF. Also the K1's AF isn't bad at all, in fact from my use and many users here can testify, it is actually very decent.
OOC colours is subjective. For me, I found Canon colours is excellent for skin tone, abit muted for everything else. Pentax has a more "intriguing" rich colours and tonality.
Cheaper zooms, yes 3rd party support from Sigma and Tamron is more lacking and less variety of original manufacture zooms, so as other 3rd party accessories, it will get better eventually.
Isn't far behind is still behind, Sony won't stop making even better sensors to further the gap again. Though I have to give Canon the credit that 5D4's DR is now indeed a lot better than the 5D3. On higher ISO maybe 5D4 will not be behind on K1, but most of the time 12800 or higher ISO isn't really needed.
That's about right, I also have the EM5II, the 5 Axis IBIS in there is amazingly good, not problem to get sharp shots at even 1 sec shutter speed sometimes! Having said that it is much easier to stabilise a 4/3 sensor than a much larger full frame sensor, Oly also invented the 5 axis IBIS, so it isn't hard to imagine why Oly cameras is so good at it. For full frame cameras, only Sony and Pentax has IBIS or 5 axis IBIS, so there is already an advantage over Canon and Nikon bodies not able to stabilise all lenses. However the in lens stabilisation is more effective for stabilising long teles lenses than in body stabilisation though, that's another story.
Would love to test that and see for myself.
I think with the touch screen and more refined manual, the newer Canons operates much more efficiently than before, I found the Q manual is what slows me down before, now it should be much easier to use. Pentax's manual is good, but can be made more refined, well all camera manual can be actually, Sony and Olympus especially. Funny that Sony's manual from 2006 to 2010 is actually very simple and effective, it got worse and worse now getting better again.
I agree 100% here, wish there is a auto on off sensor with the LCD screen, and indeed if the LEDs can lit the front more it's definitely better and illuminated buttons are the best.
I think you probably already know that the Pentax DFA 24-70mm f2.8 is pretty much the Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD without the VC and possibly has a slight improvement over the Tamron, I'm not sure if the there are any implements except maybe the coating, but price wise there is a jump.
Overall very good feedback and I agree with mostly what you said.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-12-2017, 05:54 AM
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Yes that is definitely true, but paying that much more to get those improvements if you have a 5D3? I wont. In US the prices of 5D3,5D4 and K1 might be closer, but in Australia when I live the price difference is huge! 5D4 is $5k+ AUD while new 5D3 is still selling for $3k+ AUD while K1 is around 2600-2800 which some second hand 5D3 is selling at this price. One can sell his good conditioned second hand Canon 24-70 f2.8 L II and 70-200 f2.8 L II plus the 5D3 and with that can almost get you a new K1 with DFA24-70 f2.8 and DFA* 70-200 f2.8 to gain the extra IQ, DR and features . It's actually alot cheaper than to get a 5D4, thats what I did actually.
And plus, the K1's DR and IQ is still better than 5D4's and their ISO is very similar, maybe 5D4 is slightly better.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-12-2017, 05:01 AM
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Welcome to the forum!
I have owned multiple systems, which includes Canon, Sony and Pentax.
I had extensive experience using the 5D 1, 2 and 3 but not the 5D4 though that is extremely similar ergonomics and interface wise.
Also owned the 6D, played with 7D, 7D2 and a few 1D series cameras and many lower Canon 3 digit/Rebel EOS DSLRs plus the lastest Canon camera I had is the 5D III so you can say I know Canon relatively well. Then I sold it and got the K1. Reason being? I was not satisfied with it's Dynamic range of the 5D3, and that is what exactly what the sensor in the K1 is good at. (I was a Sony Canon dual system user then too, had the Sony A99 for higer IQ use, the AF indoor isn't the best, but the IQ and Dynamic range kills the 5D3, until Sony Australia removed A mount cameras support back then so It foreced me to sell the A99 and left 5D3 to deal with everything)
When I had my 5D3 I honestly enjoyed using coz it's one of those get the job done and very reliable but a bit boring kinda tool. It's a good all-rounder, the AF is excellent, the L lenses are excellent, the ISO is good, 3rd party and system support is good, resale value is good etc all except IQ when it comes to push and pull in post especially when a picture is too underexposed. Thus the 5D3 is average as a landscape camera( and product shots too) -It's just too easy to show colour noise in the shadows at even base ISO( If you underexpose in 2.5 to 3 stops then you push the shadows it doesn't look pretty). The 6D however had better dynamic range(A99 is even better) than 5D3 and even better ISO, but it's AF isn't the best and it's build is only okay, plus I had the A99 for higher DR and 5D3's ISO is good enough so my 6D it didn't get much used.
Just FYI, the 5D1 has the best out of camera colours (RAW) of any Canon cameras I have used IMHO, it is punchy and rich, now modern Canon colours are getting more and more flat for better push and pull in post. Then agin 5D1's files just nicer and requires a lot less to tweak about specially when paring older L lenses, the film like feel in the file is still there.
Why get the K1 then? Because I no longer needs to do events as much but I want 1 system that has good ISO, thats is more interesting to use( when I had my A99 and 5D3, the 5D3 is alot more boring but it gets things done, the A99 is more of a special camera that just makes me wanna shoot and I took more special images from it), has good "Holy Trinity" f2.8 zooms, has a better dynmic range than 5D3( I missed this from the A99). And with the resale value of Canon system being high, 5D4 and Somy A99II are very expensive, a demanding AF isn't really needed, the K1 having those plus it's cheaper as a system than both getting the 5D4 and A99II is a logical chocie. Plus I have owned the K5II, and I already know Pentax makes awesome cameras.
To be honest jumping ship isn't easy financially speaking and plus you need to replace all the lenses used to have and get familiar with the new gear takes some time. I would first try to stay in the same system if I can unless there is really a need to switch. Honestly Canon takes awesome portrait photos and their natural colour rendition makes it one of easiest system to get the skin tone to be likable in post. It's AF are swift and have good reaction time and it's easy to set up. The lenses are good, and plenty of support for them. Like I said above the only thing bad is the dynamic range(5D4 is actually good from reviews but it's too expensive) and it isnt the most feature rich and interesting or inspiring camera to use.
I would go for the K1 if you really need the extra IQ and dynmic range for landscape and features to help you shoot, remember if you do that you need to sell your Canon lenses and find replacement, keep the time for selling and shipping posting ads etc and money lost into account as well. Only do that if all these makes sense and if you keep your 7D for sports, or you tested the K1 and found it can perform well in sports to your standard.
Otherwise, sell the 7D and get a 5D3, it's is still an excellent camera. Or keep the 7D and get a A7II or A7R for better DR( A7RII will be even better but the price is high), and EF to E adaptor and keep on using your Canon lenses on it for landscape to save not selling most of your lenses.
Hope this helps.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-27-2016, 05:00 PM
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For landscape prime wise I hope Pentax to make a DFA 28mm f1.8 or an ultra wide say DFA 12mm f2.8. A zoom like DFA 16-35mm f4 that takes normal filters would be welcome to.
However as a system I really think the key lenses in 35mm, 50mm and 85mm ( f1.8 &1.4/1.2) needs to be filled and a revival of 135mm f1.8 and 200mm f4 marco would be nice, and update the FA Limited lenses would be great too.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-25-2016, 03:04 PM
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I had the 24-70L II and 70-200L II and used a friend's 100L on my 5D3 as well, great optics they are indeed. Now I have the Pentax DFA 24-70 and DFA* 70-200 on my K1, I haven't owned them long enough to reach solid conclusion and compare to my Canon gear previously nor I have compared them side by side to 100% accuracy. However from photos I shot so far from those 2 lenses I can tell you the Pentax DFA 24-70 and DFA*70-200 are both very sharp and seem to compare well against the Canon L lenses, especially the DFA*70-200, I think it's as sharp as the 70-200 L II wide open and it is sharp at all focal lengths plus the bokeh is great too.
This might be helped coz K1 has higher rez sensor and no AA filter compared to my old 5D3, but hey if it gives good results it's always a good thing right?
Give both a try and see.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
12-25-2016, 02:47 PM
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Welcome Don, congratulations for your new K1, and enjoy one of the best sensor around and prepare for some wonderful images ahead of you :).
I also have Olympus OMD EM5II(had EM5 and EM1) and pro lenses. The system is great for traveling and very well balanced with great features, build, weight, size and price, but I agree with you though the sensor is already great for its size it's IQ does show limit in low light and when high dynamic range is needed. There is a also an artistic effect about larger sized sensors that just gave a smoother and more pleasing 3D look even you gave both system lenses with similar equivalent focal length and max aperture. I found the IQ difference between APSC and 4/3 sensors both technically and artistically too close to call a worthwhile difference, but full frame definitely yes. So nice move once again.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
12-22-2016, 04:14 PM
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I agree with biz-engineer. That's why I think they needs to be more innovative, aggressive in releasing excellent future lenses and bodies, listen to the feedback of users and addresses key weakness; plus maintain good firmware support like they are doing with the K1 firmware. That's why Fuji is popular now days, those are exactly what Fuji did over the few years, when their first X system camera XPro1 was released the system is seriously lacking and not many people are willing to jump into the X mount, but look at Fuji now, it's one of the most popular Mirror-less system.
I reckon Pentax is doing well, it just needs keep the ball rolling.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-20-2016, 05:22 PM
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I'm actually thinking about the same, I like the 35mm FOV, but I'm not in a hurry. As per the lens road map, Pentax should have a new DFA 35mm lens coming next year, hopefully it's a DFA* 35mm f1.4. Maybe wait and see.
I have the Sigma in Sony A mount before and used friend's one in Canon EF mount, yes the lens is sharp and optically great, but I agree on the AF part, it tends to have lots of focusing errors. I also found the bokeh is slightly lacking in some cases, IE it leaves orion rings and busy background sometimes. Overall the lens is very technical not arty, unlike it's name, it's a excellent lens but not a special one.
The Pentax 31 is more special than the Sigma 35, I have used it many times though I don't own it but it sure have surprised me. It's slightly softer than the Sigma, has slightly more contrast and slightly more punchy colours. However I do think that price it's a bit too high for an f1.8 lens, yes it's a Limited lens and special, it's smaller too. Still if you have f2.8 zoom, f2 and f1.8 isn't gonna give you too much more light when shooting in the dark or the extra thin DOF efforts if you into that. Also CA is a bit higher than the Sigma. Personally I like the 35mm FOV better than 31mm, thats why I never bought one. (Again wait for the Pentax 35mm!)
Is AF important? If not you can take a look at Samyang's 35mm f1.4 and that's almost as good as the Sigma and alot cheaper. Or something really fancy the Kerlee 35mm f1.2, this lens is not very well known but a simple Google search you will find it's lens with lots of character.
Hope this helps.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2016, 02:02 PM
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The 24-70 lens is my most used lens in my Pentax set and other brand's setup. The Pentax 24-70 It's a good lens, builts welll, AF fast, very convenient and covers most of shooting range that you would need. That's I have used different 24-70s or 24-70 equivalent lenses from various different brands including Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus; the Pentax 24-70 matches them well in sharpness and the AF is only slightly slower, most of the time it's negligible and doesn't affect any means when putting it into its paces. The bokeh of this lens isn't the best but it's still very decent and matches other brand's 24-70 well in this regard. No complaints for me.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2016, 01:18 PM
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Can't agree more, just got the DFA* 70-200 as well. Smooth bokeh, nice colours and very sharp! Seems to surprise me eveytime I took a photo.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-29-2016, 07:57 PM
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Interesting, I was going to ask Leitax as well, thanks for asking.
I might ask them in regards to the new Milvus lens and Otus lines as well.
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Forum: Visitors' Center
05-05-2016, 01:37 AM
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+1
In fact, I found smaller brand like Pentax and Minolta(Sony) often makes more special lenses that gives a more interesting rendering than Canon and Nikon does- not saying they don't have lenses that give you the "feel" but they have less.
Coming to the OP, and continuing to what Ross suggested, with what I have mentioned above (and coming from someone who also had an A7II, didn't like the adaptor experience) you should ask your self how well can you live with your A7RII using adapted lenses to shoot what you want to shoot? Is fast AF important? Is the rendering of the images important? What are your priority when it comes to taking photos.
The reason I ask this is, Canon and Nikon have excellent DSLRs that does the bread and butter stuff well, that can take actions and reportage shots, plenty of 3rd party lenses, lighting accessories and parts support, lots of lenses to choose from, vast numbers in second hand market with good price waiting for you to grab. When it comes to Sony(and Minolta) and Pentax, it is more about the feel of the image, both systems traditionally are not as good compared to Canon and Nikon for faster action, reportage shooting and 3rd party support. However, this may change since the K-1 and 3 new f2.8 DFA/DFA* zooms for the Pentax side and we can see Sony is improve in this area vastly( just look at the A6300 and growing 3rd party support).
Sometimes have a main system to shoot the bread and butter stuff and worry less about gear and also having a side kick system to enjoy taking photos works well, I do that, and I know a few Sony users does that, but it is not cheap. However, if one system does well in both, then why not just get one ( Thus I understand why you are looking at the K-1)?
The A7RII might not be your most enjoyable camera ergonomics wise, but with the right lens it might be enjoyable from the images it produce and you don't always have to get the expensive G Masters, then again you can sell it also and use the money you get to invest in another system. I guess you just have to make a list on what you want, what your needs are, what's your budget and what are the available options in the market and how are the camera models in each system tick or un-tick your boxes from what you need.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-02-2016, 08:01 PM
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I'm also interested to find out in the shooting scenarios as the OP mentioned about the K-1's AF performance in wedding and event photography as I sometimes need to shoot those as well. Looking at the specs of K-1 AF on paper and from what I have read it should't be bad at all, in fact I think it might be better than cameras like 6D, 5D2, A99, A900 which I have used in shooting events and weddings and I know people who use them for shooting events and weddings as well.
If the K-1 AF is as good as D610 both using similar lenses (on paper it seem to have the closest AF spec to the K-1) then it should be more than enough to shoot slow moving actions. Just one have to work with the AF point coverage, then again even cameras know to have good AF like D5, D810, D750 and 5D3's AF points coverage isn't exactly much much bigger than the K-1's.
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Forum: Visitors' Center
05-02-2016, 07:53 PM
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I totally understand, the pricing and ergonomics that's exactly why I didn't invest in the FE system, most A mount users either are holding unto their A mount bodies, or jumped ship to CaNikon, and the K-1 seems like a good one to jump to.
What Ross said above is another good option as well.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
05-02-2016, 07:36 PM
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As a former 5D3 user, I say its joystick it is both good and bad, the good thing about a joystick is you don't have to press a button to engage AF points change and then you start changing which is SLOW, it can cause one to loose shots especially following moving subjects. This allows you can quickly cycle through AF points and move them around quickly, this is especially good when you choose a group of AF points and just move them around without going to use the 4 way pad/wheel. However, Canon's joystick is not smooth, meaning the feel of it it's not that good plus you still have to click the joystick every step to make each directional change the AF points so it is still not fast enough.
On most Nikon's where there is no joystick. You use and press and hold the on side pad to change the AF points, which works ok speed wise, but I find holding it it's still not fast and sometimes you overshoots, plus the biggest flaw is can't see all the AF points when you choose choose a group of them, only the center of the group appears until the subject is in the area of the focus points chosen which I found counter-intuitive.
I assume on the K-1 from what I have seen on Youtube it is similar to how the way Nikon moves the AF points around-by using the 4 way buttons, but by first press the AF points button next to the 4 way buttons. And it seems like you have to click the button with each step you move those AF points around, not sure you can hold the button to allow click-less quick move of single or group of AF points( can someone please confirm, at where I live, the K-1 is not here yet). At least from what I saw, when you choose a group of AF points, unlike Nikon, the K-1 shows them all, which is what it suppose to be.
The best joystick operation I have used are form Sony A77/A77II, A850,A900 and A99, there is no press a button then I can change AF points nonsense, and there is no I need to keep on clicking the joystick to move the AF points step by step nonsense, just simply move the joystick and the AF points changes smoothly and instantly, and you can press the joystick down to go straightaway to center AF point. This is so quick and convenient to when you want to change the placement where you want the subject to be in both group and single AF point modes to change the place of focus quickly without focus and recompose and possibly lose the focus plane using large aperture lenses wide open.
I still think a well designed joystick like the one on the the above Sony bodies combined with a 4 way buttons is the best operation, it allows quick change of AF smoothly and quick change of settings without go into the camera menu.
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Forum: Visitors' Center
04-28-2016, 06:19 AM
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Though we need to see how they perform on the K-1, the 3 new DFA/DFA* f2.8 lenses would be plenty sharp, the DFA 24-70 and 15-30 are pretty much rebadged Tamrons, and if you look at the Tamron 24-70 and 15-30 both are both excellent lenses, especially the 15-30. I have used the Tamron 24-70 many times on 5D3, it is very sharp, just the distortion I'm not really a fan of. The DFA* 70-200 seem to a very sharp lens from pictures I saw online, it give me the impression that is pretty much as sharp as the Canon 70-200 L II, which is one of the best 70-200 lens out now, let's wait and see how the DFA* 70-200 really performs when reviewers test it on the K-1.
The others might know more about the FA limited lenses than me, and as they have mentioned above, there are plenty of older Pentax lenses that's plenty sharp. If you are not sure, the FA* and FA limited lenses are great, I especially like the FA*85, it won't be softer than CaNikon 85mm f1.4G /85mm f1.2L.
Zeiss ZK lenses are definitely worth a look, I wish the launch of K-1 means Zeiss will re-introduce ZK lenses and bring their new Milvus and Otus lineup to K mount too. Oh yes, don't forget about the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art, a very sharp lens indeed( Hope Sigma introduces more new Art and Sports lenses to K mount as well, as Tamron too).
Speaking of Sony, I'm a long time Sony/Minolta user, and I have mentioned this a few times on this forum, I too don't enjoy the A7 series' ergonomics compared to A mount's, the FE system has many shortcomings and Sony just seems to patch things up with every lens and every generation of A7 bodies, while left the better engineered A mount in cold winter....
However I have to say the amount of tech Sony put into A7RII & A7SII are pretty impressive (but you are right, the K-1 still have more interesting features) and their EVF are one of best EVF out there. As mush I hate their pricing of A7RII & SII bodies and G Master lenses (and how the G Master lenses are unbalanced on the A7 series bodies), the G Master lenses are simply stellar performers. I have't read as much about the 85mm G Master, but the 24-70 G Master seem to beat pretty much every 24-70 lens out there. What Sony needs is a bigger more pro A9 body to balance it( but the price will be more too)or they should introduce the G Master lineup to to A mount and keep develop A mount bodies.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-28-2016, 05:49 AM
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I was reading Xitek.com ( Chinese photography forum) today, it seems like many Pentax users in China got their K-1. Also I noticed the same in Japan and Vietnam also, where I live, needs to wait after May 10th....
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-25-2016, 11:28 PM
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Like hybrid VF( as seen on Fuji Xpro 1/2) ?
---------- Post added 04-26-16 at 04:31 PM ----------
Which firmware bugs are you referring to?
I agree Sony's A mount future isn't clear, as I posted somewhere else, some A mount shooters are considering K-1 for this reason, as A7 series isn't yet a direct placement of A mount.
Well I wished the K-1 had bigger OVF too, like you said, cost is one important factor, I assume K-1 Mark II would improve on this.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-23-2016, 03:19 AM
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I agree, A900 has one of the best OVF around for modern DSLRs, it is still my favourite camera up to date. It's a simple and efficient camera and it has one of the best IQ for cameras of its days and the very first FF DSLR with IBIS. The K1 is similar in design philosophy combining efficient usage, high IQ sensor, first FF DSLR with 5 axis IBIS.
The Canon 1DX has a slight bigger viewfinder than A900 on paper but from my limited user experience of the 1DX I don't find any difference in size.
Not sure the K1's viewfinder will be as nice, that we need to try the production model when it lands. On paper the K1's OVF is way smaller than the A900's, and I'm sceptical it will be as good, but I'm sure it is nice enough.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-23-2016, 03:12 AM
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Yea I agree the youku is a pain to deal with, so many ads.....
Anyway I think their reviews are quite interesting, interesting humour as well.
In regards to the pictures they took in part 3 of the video I don't know if Pentax forbid them post anything, but I too wish they give a link to all the pictures they took.
Yes in China they have nicknames for many photographic gear, they 3 FA limited lenses are called "3 princesses".
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