| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 593
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 8, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $1,800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb image quality from a zoom | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
| |
Almost prime lens image quality from this superb zoom. Sharpness, bokeh and colour rendition all excellent. Probabaly the best zoom ever made by Pentax and a testament to the lens makers art. Highly recommended.
The only negative aspect is that it is heavy at over 1,500gms.
| | | | | | | Administrator
Site Webmaster Registered: September, 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 51,608
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 9, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast, sharp, excellent bokeh, power zoom, internal focusing, internal zooming, relatively small physically | | Cons: | Expensive, very heavy | |
If I had to live with only a single lens, this is the one I'd choose. It boasts unmatched sharpness, bokeh, and overall color rendition, as well as the Pentax-exclusive power zoom function. Image quality is like that of a prime.
In addition to incorporating four ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements, it has internal focusing and internal zooming! Add to that a dedicated tripod mount! The usual AF/MF clutch makes autofocus lightning-fast, while the 9 aperture blades produce smooth and natural bokeh.
The above features make this lens ideal for close-ups, landscape shots, and sports photography. I've heard that only about 1,400 units were ever produced, so I'd highly recommend it if you can find a copy!
Weighing in at just over 1.5kg, the FA* 80-200mm is my second-heaviest lens. Its power zoom is slightly slower than that of other lenses, but it is nevertheless useful because of the overall weight. This lens can be steadily hand-held for a short while, but your arms will start hurting after a few minutes. Physically, however, this lens is not that large and will easily fit in most mid-sized photo bags.
Sample Shots:
http://themotec.com/Ole/WEB_Gallery114/images/IMGP1781.jpg
http://themotec.com/Ole/WEB_Gallery114/images/IMGP1783.jpg
http://themotec.com/Ole/WEB_Gallery114/images/IMGP1773.jpg
http://themotec.com/Ole/WEB_Gallery114/images/IMGP1775.jpg
http://themotec.com/Ole/WEB_Gallery114/images/IMGP1786.jpg | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783 | | Review Date: January 28, 2008 | Not Recommended | Price: $1,700.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | 80-200 with f2.8! Good bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy, unsharp wide open, power zoom is wasting battery only | |
Seriously there is too much hype regarding this zoom. My sigma 70-200 f2.8 is capable of producing shots of similar image quality.
This zoom is too heavy and the autofocus is far too slow + sluggish.
The power zoom feature is a waste of time. I turned it off all the time. Rather annoying.
The only thing I like the zoom is its bokeh rendering. Rather nice.
My FA* 80-200mm f2.8 shots | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2008 Location: MT Posts: 1,350 | | Review Date: February 12, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $1,640.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | scary sharp, great color rendition, small tripod collar | | Cons: | | |
Sharpest zoom in this range that I've ever experienced. Sharper (based on compilation of other testers and Magazine test data) than any other 80-200 in the business. Interesting that it gets sharper as you zoom. 200mm is sharpest of the range while virtually all other brands lose sharpness while zooming. I rarely shoot hand held, so weight is irrelevant (except that good glass weighs more than plastic). This one is designed for tripod use and tripod collar is artfully small and fits close to the lens barrel. Optical formula works well with 2-element close up lenses to fill in as a Macro. Color rendition reminds me of colors from the FA Limiteds which came out a few years later than this zoom.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian
Moderator Emeritus Registered: May, 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Posts: 10,643 | | Review Date: April 18, 2008 | Not Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Fast, sharp, good bokeh | | Cons: | Heavy, Overpriced against today's Sigma | |
I have to agree with Roentarre on this lens. Yes it's got all that the other reviews indicate. Very fast and excellent IQ with good bokeh. But compared to my Sigma 70-200 f2.8, this lens is overpriced and the Sigma can outperform the FA*.
it's heavy and as a result will not be as much fun to use on longer shoots. It's very sharp but the Sigma is sharper even at wide open (both are not the greatest here). Focus hunts a little more as well.
The tripod collar mount is small and as a result it may be hard to attach to some heads with a grip on the body.
Great lens but there is at least one better alternative and the Tamron may make a second good choice.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 729 | | Review Date: September 24, 2008 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, sharp & sharp. Great rendering, nice bokeh. | | Cons: | Big & heavy | |
Amazing lens.
It produces sharp images throughout focal lengths.
I agree that it is sharpest at 200mm but best for portrait at 80mm.
Tack sharp even at widest aperture 2.8
Rendering is amazing
Bokeh is very smooth and creamy, great for hand held portrait too if only it's not that heavy.
Build quality is like a tank. Smooth zooming and focusing.
There is no focus limiter that somewhat takes longer to focus from short to infinity.
The tripod collar can slide 90 degree to the left or right easily and lock in place, makes it easier to handle for landscape / portrait orientation.
The cons I have with this lens is the weight. But after comparing the size and weight with the new Sigma or Tamron 70-200, I'm not complaining anymore. :ugh:
Another cons is that sometimes the lens has a little bit back focus @shorter focal length and front focus @ longer focal length. This only happens when I shoot @2.8. Stopped down it is always spot on.
I don't have any new Sigma/Tamron 70-200 to compare with, so can't say anything about the picture quality. But I'm definitely love this lens.
The golden silver color along with the size amaze everybody looking at it.
Every time I attach it to my camera, everybody turns their head and admires this lens build quality and size.
And after they see the image it produces, everybody agrees that this is one of the best zoom lens ever made.
The funny thing is nobody says anything when I attach my FA43 Ltd but when I have this one attached, almost everybody says that I'm carrying a serious professional camera  | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 115
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 12, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $1,650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Rendering, Color, Bokeh, Range | | Cons: | Weight | |
GREAT lens.
I love the color and rendering of F*/FA* 300, and this lens has an almost identical rendering characteristics. It's sharp through out it's range even wide open (you may have to adjust the focus on your K20 using the micro-AF adjustment). The constant F/2.8 makes it a great portrait lens as well.
I also like the 80-200mm range which makes a perfect companion to the *300. 
It's fairly compact compared to the other brands' 70-200/2.8 lenses.
For my use, the only negative is the weight. I almost never use a tripod during the day (can you say SR), but the weight of this lens requires some sort of support if you plan to take it out for a long shoot.
Update:
Well, I sold this lens due to the weight. But, I kept going back to the images I had made with it and decided to get another one. And, I was lucky enough to find another good sample. Life is good again | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: November, 2008 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 150 | | Review Date: June 8, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent quality, awesome bokeh, | | Cons: | Heavy | |
This is an absolutely amazing lens. Going from my earlier lens, the 16-50/2.8, this was another world. The colors are amazing and the sharpness is off the hook! The only negative aspect of the lens is the weight. But really, Nikon and Canon users usually tell me they envy the compact and light-weight design compared to their own equivalents. A lens in this focal length with f/2.8 just has to be this big and heavy to get quality like this. It's also much less pricey than canon and nikon.
Sharpness: 10
Bokeh: 10
Colur rendtion: 10
Build quality: 10
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 1,915 | | Review Date: August 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,050.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great focal range @ 2.8 on APS-C, nice bokeh, sharp | | Cons: | Heavy. Did I say heavy? After shooting with DA* glass, you just wont believe how heavy. | |
This glass really is an engineering marvel. From the results, you may think you're shooting with a prime.
Sharpness edge to edge is amazing. Out of focus blur is nice. The AF speed is super zippy. Color rendition is stunning.
At 2.8 you hay have some PF/GF, but what glass doesn't.
The only downside to this lens is that when you pick it up after holding any of the DA* glass, you'll be daunted by it's weight. I guess if you want 2.8 glass @ 200mm, you best be willing to suffer a little for your art.
My copy has a broken power zoom, but I cant think of a reason I would need it with this lens. It's just going to eat power you'll want for pictures.
All in all? Buy a copy if you can find one and afford it.
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2010 Posts: 5 | | Review Date: November 28, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything but Price | | Cons: | Price | |
If I were reduced to one lens, this would be my baby. This is an absolutely amazing lens. The colors are fantastic and the sharpness is banging! The only negative aspect of the lens is the weight. Please keep in mind however, that a lens in this focal length with f/2.8 comes with weight. It's simply part of what must be expected.
Sharpness: 10
Color rendtion: 10
Build quality: 10
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 65 | | Review Date: December 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,300.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | Noise of power zoom during video recording | |
after
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Posts: 636 | | Review Date: July 21, 2011 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp, sharp, sharp, amazing bokeh | | Cons: | very good work out :D, stupid hood | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| |
Legendary lens.
very sharp lens and i would sell my wife to buy the lens. lol
The bokeh is amazing, nothing like the FA50/1.4 can give me.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: September 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fast AF, sharp, excellent bokeh, color, internal focusing | | Cons: | overall poor design, hood, serviceability of this old model | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
| |
Amazing transparency and speed of AF. Everybody loves the output of this lens. The weight is not a problem when we think of the incredible quality of image. Compring other zoom lenses, we can't complain about the weight. This is even lighter than 70-200 of Nikon/Canon and cheaper while the image quality is same or above.
Recommed to use other hood to this model as hood design is very poor. I don't use power zoom because its not faster than I need. Anyway this is the best lens I've ever seen in Pentax world.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 2 | | Review Date: September 21, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Amazing IQ and handling | | Cons: | Lack of modern WR | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5
| |
This lens is truly great, just like everyone said. I spontaneously pulled the trigger when I saw this lens on ebay for $1400, and have no regrets. I love IQ from this lens and the size has not been an issue so far. Unfortunately this does not have WR (like the DA* lenses), which makes me nervous about bringing with me when I go skiing. However, that is a small price to pay for amazing pics and owning a piece of Pentax history. | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 705 | | Review Date: April 17, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp and fast AF | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 8
Camera Used: K-5
| |
This lens is optically excellent, especially at 200mm. It is sharp wide open and have a nice bokeh. Autofocus is fast. I wasn’t too happy with the AF performance on K-5, but on K-5 IIs, focus is spot on every time. The hood is to short and the lens is heavy and this is the only negative with this lens.
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