I believe that Pentax needs to improve AF-speed in order to even begin to compete with Canon and Nikon. Speed - or rather - the lack of speed (not only AF, but also write speed) - would certainly be my main reason for changing brand, if I was given an opportunity to become a pro.
I guess the lack of self focusing lenses clearly states, that Pentax don't want to compete in the pro segment. Pentax designed for enthusiasts and casual shooters, not for the working photographer. That's (almost) fine for me, but not for who ever want to make a living from photography. But Pentax has a rather limited line of lenses to offer. So, I wonder if introducing a new AF system would mean abandoning users of the current AF system - or would new lenses have a "screw driver" as well? Jens Jens Bladt http://www.jensbladt.dk -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Adam Maas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 12. januar 2006 02:39 Til: [email protected] Emne: Re: new AF system soon (when D2 arrives)? Pål Jensen wrote: > > > "Reason for this is that the heavy optics in a fast telezoom needs > improvement to the autofocus system, this probably means in-lens > autofocus motor, and it won't happen before the D replacement is ready > to go on sale." > > > This is clearly nonsense as Pentax already have fast zoom lenses and > primes with AF. As far as I know they work! > The collaboration with Samsung may have made Pentax able to finally > realease the KAF3 mount. The FA* lens replacements may be candidates > for USM. Then again it might not happen... > > > Pål Pal, have you shot with a USM or AF-S lens? There's no comparison in AF performance. USM absolutely blows screw-drive AF out of the water unless you have either an ultra-light lens (like a 50mm) or one of the very few cameras with a truly massive AF motor like the F5. I simply could not believe the difference in AF performance between my old *istD and Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and the EOS 3 with a 28-105 f3.5-4.5 USM lens. The EOS was so much faster I initially didn't believe my own eyes (Although some of that likely has to do with having the same AF unit as the EOS-1D). USM is needed in the Pentax line, badly. I don't think the post you were responding to was talking about large aperture zooms but rather fast AF zooms. Large aperture zooms have bigger glass and are thus more difficult to drive for AF, on the other hand, tehy do gather more light and usually have better contrast, which helps the AF unit. -Adam
