Its true that my most used lenses are the 24-70 and the 70-200 modern DFA versions. I haven't acquired the 150-450, but I wonder how it would compare to modern versions of a 600. The old film era 600/4 seemed to have a little softness from reports I heard. I know that Nikon's and Canon's versions are supposed to be very sharp. We have a lot of nesting eagles around our area during certain times of the year, but you cannot get close enough due to property restrictions, so a really long lens is the only option. I tried to take some milky way pics with the 24-70 during my trip to New Zealand and while they came out pretty good, I was left desiring something wider to cover the amazing vista along with the sky.
On Fri, May 18, 2018 at 10:06 AM, Paul Stenquist <pnstenqu...@mac.com> wrote: > For me, the lack of primes isn’t an issue, although I would like to have some > and believe they are coming. For 25 years I shot only primes, but today’s > Pentax zooms are very good and are the equal of most primes. I’ll put the > image quality of my D FA 150-450 up against the FA 600/4 any day. And the > 15-30 meets my wide angle needs handily. I have several good 50mm primes, but > still turn to the D FA 24-70 most often. > Paul > >> On May 18, 2018, at 11:00 AM, Gonz <rgonzoma...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> True that. Pentax definitely is lower cost at or close to equal >> quality or performance (except for AF, where it still is behind). And >> that is the major reason I started with Pentax back in 1979, they were >> clearly more affordable and had a great reputation. I think where >> Pentax is lacking is in a system. They last had a complete system >> back in the LX days. Unless you plan on using only zooms, their prime >> offerings are mostly still from the film era like the Limited series, >> or the DA lenses that can sometimes be used in FF. But say I want a >> very wide prime? The only options are used older film era lenses >> (15mm 3.5). I would have to settle for a zoom to get a new wide >> angle. I can't even get third party prime lenses for Pentax, like some >> of the more lust worthy Sigma Art Series, its not worth the expense of >> manufacturing to them. Its also true of the long lenses. If I want a >> 600mm f4.0, or even a 400mm 2.8, I have to get a used film era lens >> (good luck with that), or I could settle for the DA560mm f5.6 (I hear >> its useable FF). A Nikon, or Canon user doesn't have this problem. >> Yes you will pay more, but at least you have the option, with Pentax >> you have to jump in eyes wide open. >> >> On Thu, May 17, 2018 at 1:37 PM, Paul Stenquist <pnstenqu...@mac.com> wrote: >>> I see some younger photographers who are making their initial purchase of >>> pro-level gear going to Pentax. While I agree that Pentax will likely focus >>> on pro and advanced amateur offerings, I think they can own the lower >>> priced end of that niche. Pentax is a bargain. The K-1 isn’t quite the >>> equal of Nikon’s best, but It is almost as capable and far less expenses. >>> With in-camera shake reduction that price advantage extends to lenses as >>> well. The Pentax D FA 70-200/2.8 sells for about $1000 less than Nikon’s >>> 70-200/2.8, and I would be willing to bet the image quality is just as good. >>> Paul >>> >>>> On May 17, 2018, at 2:26 PM, Gonz <rgonzoma...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> I see your point Bill, and you arguments make a certain amount of >>>> sense as far as Ricoh's direction. But where I diverge in my opinion >>>> is the survival part. Granted there will always be that cadre of >>>> Pentax die hards, but as you can see from the average age of pdml >>>> posters, its only going up, not down. I.e. there is very little new >>>> Pentax "blood" coming in. So someone who is just coming into the high >>>> end/pro side of photography will in all likelihood migrate to one of >>>> the big three i.e. Canon, Nikon, Sony. Well at least as 35mm is >>>> concerned. I think medium format is a completely different beast and >>>> I wont even venture an opinion on that. Then there is Leica, but they >>>> are also on a different league altogether when it comes to high end. >>>> So where does that leave Pentax? With a reputation of a lower >>>> cost/amateur manufacturer, they will have a real hard time competing >>>> in the space with those big boys and all their resources. The market >>>> is definitely shrinking, and it makes perfect sense to go after the >>>> only remaining market not eviscerated by phone cameras (though I've >>>> seen pros starting to move there too and even making full movies with >>>> them), but whether they will survive or not is a crap shoot. >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thu, May 17, 2018 at 10:05 AM, Bill <anotherdrunken...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> On 5/17/2018 8:33 AM, Gonz wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Hmmm, I've been lusting over Fuji's stuff for a while now, maybe this >>>>>> is the push that I need. On the other hand, I read something like >>>>>> this: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> https://petapixel.com/2018/05/17/ricohs-new-camera-sdks-open-the-door-to-3rd-party-apps/ >>>>>> >>>>>> Which I've been advocating for years now. There are few things that >>>>>> can create more buzz and excitement than an active third party >>>>>> ecosystem that gives you applications and features Pentax/Ricoh could >>>>>> not dream of. This is what made Apple the phone brand that it is, >>>>>> maybe this will revive the Pentax brand and allow it to survive. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I don't think there is much doubt that the Pentax brand will survive. What >>>>> is in doubt is if it will survive in such a way as to make it desirable >>>>> for >>>>> entry level users. The road map is indicating all high end lenses, and as >>>>> the camera market is shrinking at a rather alarming rate, the high end of >>>>> the market is the safest place to be positioned. >>>>> The low end of the market is being eviscerated by the cell phone market. >>>>> Low >>>>> end, low cost products have to sell in huge numbers to be profitable. >>>>> Going >>>>> forwards, those sales numbers simply won't exist. >>>>> Witness Ford getting out of the sedan market, essentially abandoning the >>>>> entry level automobile market to Korean manufacturers as an example. >>>>> My guess is that the Pentax brand is going to pretty much abandon the >>>>> beginner market (the Ricoh brand may pick up traction there), and >>>>> concentrate on high end products that can be profitable at low volumes. >>>>> >>>>> As much as forum users who think they know everything disagree because >>>>> Pentax isn't doing what they want (they must be stupid because of that), >>>>> the >>>>> management at Ricoh is made up of some pretty smart cookies who walked >>>>> into >>>>> the Pentax brand with their eyes open. We may not be seeing the >>>>> development >>>>> speed we would like to see, but we are seeing an ongoing commitment and a >>>>> steady, albeit slow, pace of development. >>>>> >>>>> bill >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>>>> PDML@pdml.net >>>>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>>>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>>>> follow the directions. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> -- Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding >>>> it still. Dorothea Lange >>>> >>>> -- >>>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>>> PDML@pdml.net >>>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>>> follow the directions. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> PDML@pdml.net >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>> follow the directions. >> >> >> >> -- >> -- Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding >> it still. Dorothea Lange >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> PDML@pdml.net >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- -- Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still. Dorothea Lange -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
