The cameras are: ZX-5 with Pentax FA28-105 (the big one with motor zoom) and Tamron 28-105/4-5.6, and Nikon N80 with Nikon 28-105/3.5-4.5. A ZX-5n (same AF as the ZX-5) and the N80 both sell for between $300-$400. The Nikon and Pentax lenses are also about the same price ($300). I don't anyone thinking that I'm camparing equipment with 3x price differntials. The biggest difference, for me, is the easily selectable AF sensors of the Nikon. Even when taking pictures of moving things I know how I want the picture composed: you can only do this (for subject off dead center) by picking an AF sensor where you want the subject to be. The AF also works faster when it doesn't have to decide which sensor to use. With the ZX all you can do is go to spot AF, with the center sensor, by holding the button in. The Nikon also has AF tracking, so you don't have to keep going "tap, tap, tap" on the shutter button to keep the focus close. (An N80 without an AF-S lens isn't going to focus from 1m to infinity either, so you want things as close to "in focus" as possible before you release the shutter.) Another aspect to AF tracking is that the Pentax will only release the shutter when it has obtained focus lock. On numerous ocassions I pushed the shutter button and had the camera go "bzz, bzz, bzz" as the subject left. When you're shooting at f11, with enough DOF, this is fustrating. Focus tracking modes are also shutter priority, so the shutter fires when the button is pushed all the way down. The other difference is AF in low light levels. The N80 has one crossed AF sensor which: a) works to lower light levels b)you know which AF sensor is being used.
--- Aaron Reynolds <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: live ones there are far more sutiable tools. > > What were the bodies and lenses that you directly compared, and what > were the failings of the Pentaxes? I don't shoot wildlife, but I am > curious to know where the system falls down. Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/ - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
