If you are going to use MF lenses, why not install a better manual focus screen? (Do they interfere with AF operation? I dont know, possibly alter stop down metering wtih K/M lenses) I put a split image RF with microprism focus screen in my istDS when I first got it a few years ago and havent missed many if any focus shots since. The one I got works well on quality F4 to F5.6 lenses or faster. I find the better the quality of the lens the clearer the split image seperates. This is one of the reasons I PREFER manual focus most of the time. I KNOW where I want to focus and I KNOW Im going to get that in focus, and easily. No, I dont do sports or reportage/action where AF really pays off, but I have NO difficulty nailing focus manually on static / slow subjects using the DS split screen in average to bright light, Id estimate my batting average as .999 or better. Out of focus is a virtual non issue for me on my type of shots shooting w manual focus. That said, I dont do very low light work either. I have been lately using a tamron sp 80-200/2.8 in the focal range we have been discussing but that lens is so bright and contrasty I can practically manual focus it in the dark with the split image rf screen in the DS.
JC O'Connell (mailto:[email protected]) "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom" - Thomas Jefferson -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mark Erickson Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 11:54 AM To: PDML Subject: A70-210/4 assessment I saw the A70-210/4 vs DA* 60-250 thread I have an A70-210/4 that I bought off of eBay a couple of years ago for around $120. It's in practically new condition, came with the original Pentax hard case, etc. Physical Characteristics: It has a full metal body with a built-in slide-out hood. It is long and heavy and has the classic one-touch control that you push-pull to zoom and twist to focus. Optical Characteristics: I haven't done "formal" tests, but I have shot detailed stuff at distance. At 200mm, it is quite sharp (even wide open) on my K10D. It has a nice close-focus macro mode. It does show some purple fringing in strong backlight situations. Usability: I tip my hat to everyone who ever did action/sports photography with manual focus zooms back in the day. It is difficult. The one-touch focus/zoom doesn't help me much, either. Without a focus aid like a split-prism screen, I find it hard to nail focus down exactly on my K10D (and *ist-Ds). My bottom line: For "deliberate" photography such as landscape, scenic, macro, posed portraits, and such, I think it is a great lens. The results are good and it's a stop faster than anything else short of $1000+ lenses. It doesn't work for me for fast-response photography (sports, chasing my kids around, "action" weddings, wildlife, etc.). So, depending on the application, I think that the 10x cost premium of the DA* 60-250 may not be worth it, or may be totally necessary. --Mark -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] 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 [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
