Tamron 70-200 on K-1 (either version)

kitsios_spyros wrote:

Hi Joe,

I have no experience with K1 so I can not speak about the focusing abilities. Most users claim that K1ii was a little faster/secure/stable in AF vs. K1 and K3/K3ii. None stated huge differences.

So probably not any more of a speed improvement than the K-new would be. Speculation at this point, but probably accurate if the K-1 wasn't a huge improvement in speed.

I use Tamron 70-200 plus a few more fine lenses on 16 and 24MP cameras. The crop mode of K1 gives you 15MP, so miliar to my K5ii/K-01.

In good light and base/low ISO the higher resolution is always welcome. And the absence of AA in my case is again an extra boost in perceived resolution. Resolution is something I always appreciate, and I believe most of us do.

Going high ISO though can be a different story, depending on the magnification. From ISO 1600 and up, the 16MP cameras have the edge if you are looking at 1:1 magnification and it is obvious, at least to me. But if you go for same viewing size then both noise and resolution are about the same. Actually, I find that the 24MP are a little more malleable in NR and they also print just a little better. Maybe a different sharpening before printing could minimize the differences, but this is my experience until now.

So, all in all, I think the 24MP of your K3 will please you a little more than the crop mode of K1, either low or high ISO. But utilizing the full dimensions of K1ii sensor is going to be even better than K3. Better DR, resolution, noise, DoF control.

No doubt the FF would give me other benefits besides the question of AF speed. One that I hadn't thought about until I read a comment yesterday is that you can shoot in FF mode to give a larger field of view when following the action. Then crop in PP. Lower chance of losing the subject out of the frame in fast action. But even so, depth of field will end up being the same (I think) as if I shot the same lens on the K-3.

The Tamron is a wonderful lens. It really deserves a FF sensor behind it. Selecting crop mode on K1ii will be a give and take between "resolution + Noise and DoF control" and "speed + reach". From all my lenses, it is the one that screams "give me a K1ii".

You're not exaggerating about the Tamron. The IQ is absolutely stunning with it. I just wish it didn't hunt so often during fast-action autofocusing. I've been shooting sports with it for about five years now and have gotten better, but the missed-focus rate is still too high. It's frustrating.