The Pentax System Doesn't Have Enough Lenses

[Tim Reidy Productions]

The problem with my lens is it now lacks sharpness on subject,

It does not feel that it works all the way i want most of the time It is not sharp where I think it should be.. I just took it for a walk after trying to fix focus on my camera body, it still seems off.

 

[Tim Reidy Productions]

the not so sharp example of 190mm from my lens test today.

 

[Tatouzou]

AF-C is accurate and reactive in the Z axis if you choose a single AF point and pan the camera to track the target yourself.

Not sure I'd agree, but it's better than using tracking in terms of keeping focus. But you are more limited in terms of composition.

Not really, because you can choose any of the 25 AF point as your single AF point. And after having released the AF button, a slight recomposition is possible if the target moves only in X and Y axis.

IMO, the most efficient setting in AF-C is to customize the AF button on the back of the camera to enable AF only while pressed and disable AF via the shutter button (AF2). In other words, AF-C works, it is the tracking in X and Y axis which is too slow and inacurrate.

I almost always use back-button focusing. With regard to X and Y tracking, the biggest complaint I have is that the active AF point is not always indicated. So you could be shooting, believing that the camera still follows your subject, when it may not be doing that anymore.

 

[starbase218]

AF-C is accurate and reactive in the Z axis if you choose a single AF point and pan the camera to track the target yourself.

Not sure I'd agree, but it's better than using tracking in terms of keeping focus. But you are more limited in terms of composition.

Not really, because you can choose any of the 25 AF point as your single AF point.

You have a moving subject, which you need to hold under the active AF point, while it's moving, and you want to change focus points as you're doing that just before taking the photo?

I mean something like an airplane at an airshow. I've shot those. No way I'd change my focus point while following an airplane.

And after having released the AF button, a slight recomposition is possible if the target moves only in X and Y axis.

If the target only moves in X and Y axis, you probably don't need continuous AF at all. Maybe you don't even need AF to start with.

 

[anu l]

This is one thing I've always either overheard mentioned or seen pointed out to people who bring up or show interest in the Pentax brand. I thought this was interesting to actually see. The site below shows the most popular body and lens combinations culled from online picture data.

Cameras + Lenses

In this particular case, the results indicate that many users in the Nikon and Canon (FF or crop) camp do not necessarily circulate through their large libraries of available lenses. Which makes sense, because why would you (working professionals aside) just hop from lens to lens if you find a handful that cover your desired focal lengths, and please you optically?

This visual realization is not surprising to me, as this was always something I thought to myself when someone would highlight the "issue" of limited lenses for the K-1 as a reason not to switch or try it. While technically true by comparison, and more lens options are needed overall, is it really that big of a deal if people are real about their needs? The majority of focal lengths used for all the listed bodies are covered in some fashion in Pentax's library for either format, so a large chunk of other system owners would be just fine over here if that was the most important deciding factor for them.

It seems that most everything that people buy these days is bought based on like of the idea or potential of capability of a thing, and not whether they plan, are capable of, or even deep down have a true desire to explore it.

It is true that Pentax has lesser lens options available than Canon / Nikon.

I would not say lesser, but fewer. Maybe that was your intention as well?

yes, fewer in lens options & in my case fewer in availability as well. Like fewer than 5 !!

But they have a broad enough range to cover most or all needs of most casual/ enthusiasts and even some professionals.

also they are improving faster with more lenses for full frame, new technology like PLM focusing and electronic aperture.

The future for Pentax in both APS-C and FF looks brighter than what it did a few years back.

Indeed; the K-mount system was neglected for years so the digital line couldn't be properly developed (still, it makes for a nice APS-C line but that's mostly pre-2009 announcements). FF lenses were mostly retired instead of replaced, and even DA lenses would benefit from a replacement;

you mean FA lenses on crop sensor? but that would degrade the IQ (DXOmark - Tony Northrup video)

screw-drive AF is still widely used. In the meanwhile, the competition was updating their lenses.

We should not neglect this situation. But, we should not neglect the recent progress either; and indeed, good progress was made in APS-C, and more recently with the newly restarted D FA line. New focus systems (DC and PLM), used on lenses which are quite good optically.

I'd love to see a ring USM motor in lenses. Not sure any Pentax lens has that (maybe the rebadged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 & 70-200 f/2.8, not sure though).

Gaps were filled - notably the long lens issue (with the DA 560mm and, most important, D FA 150-450mm). The 2 standard f/2.8 zooms (wide, normal, tele) are here - most important, as the D FA 24-70 and the D FA* 70-200 f/2.8 replaces lenses introduced in 1994. They made the final step towards a full electronic mount (KAF4).

The biggest void exists in Pentax D-FA prime lenses. Only 3 are shown in pentaxforums. You can say older lenses can be used, but they lack in one field or other, like autofocus or resolution etc. Anyway a 36 MP full frame w/o AA filter needs a proper set of prime lenses to work with.

I'd also love to see a brand new f/1.2 or f/1.0 Pentax 50mm, with autofocus. Would work even better with IBIS making a low light beast.

Things are looking good. There's still a lot to do, but the K-mount's usability is significantly better now, than 2 years ago.

Hope they work on lens availability in many regions like India. The current Pentax lineup is enough for me, it's just that none of those lenses are available here.

And when I see prices of imported lenses, Canon & Nikon equivalent are available at half the price or even lesser, and that too with OIS, making it very difficult to opt for Pentax.

Alex

 

[Alex Sarbu]

Indeed; the K-mount system was neglected for years so the digital line couldn't be properly developed (still, it makes for a nice APS-C line but that's mostly pre-2009 announcements). FF lenses were mostly retired instead of replaced, and even DA lenses would benefit from a replacement;

you mean FA lenses on crop sensor? but that would degrade the IQ (DXOmark - Tony Northrup video)

I meant what I wrote, which is quite different from what you read ;-)

screw-drive AF is still widely used. In the meanwhile, the competition was updating their lenses.

We should not neglect this situation. But, we should not neglect the recent progress either; and indeed, good progress was made in APS-C, and more recently with the newly restarted D FA line. New focus systems (DC and PLM), used on lenses which are quite good optically.

I'd love to see a ring USM motor in lenses. Not sure any Pentax lens has that (maybe the rebadged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 & 70-200 f/2.8, not sure though).

The 70-200 is not a rebadged Tamron, but a Pentax-designed (and made) lens.

The PLM AF system is quite impressive, but I think it only works with light AF lens groups.

Gaps were filled - notably the long lens issue (with the DA 560mm and, most important, D FA 150-450mm). The 2 standard f/2.8 zooms (wide, normal, tele) are here - most important, as the D FA 24-70 and the D FA* 70-200 f/2.8 replaces lenses introduced in 1994. They made the final step towards a full electronic mount (KAF4).

The biggest void exists in Pentax D-FA prime lenses. Only 3 are shown in pentaxforums. You can say older lenses can be used, but they lack in one field or other, like autofocus or resolution etc. Anyway a 36 MP full frame w/o AA filter needs a proper set of prime lenses to work with.

Which is why the next step is 4 new primes (see the public roadmap).

I'd also love to see a brand new f/1.2 or f/1.0 Pentax 50mm, with autofocus. Would work even better with IBIS making a low light beast.

I don't think the K-mount supports f/1.0 lenses; however they had 50mm f/1.2 before.

In any case - even a 50mm f/1.2 would be $1500-1800 (MSRP); make it f/1.0 and the price (and size) would increase accordingly. I don't think there are many willing to buy.

Alex

 

[starbase218]

I'd love to see a ring USM motor in lenses. Not sure any Pentax lens has that (maybe the rebadged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 & 70-200 f/2.8, not sure though).

The 15-30 and 24-70 are rebadges and might have ring-type ultrasonic motors. But I think, if Pentax would have been able to offer it in their own lenses, we'd already have seen it, instead of so top-grade DC lenses like the 70-200 and 150-450. No, DC is what Pentax will be sticking to, at least for years to come. So AF still will not be as fast as Canon/Nikon top-grade glass.

 

[anu l]

I'd love to see a ring USM motor in lenses. Not sure any Pentax lens has that (maybe the rebadged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 & 70-200 f/2.8, not sure though).

The 15-30 and 24-70 are rebadges and might have ring-type ultrasonic motors. But I think, if Pentax would have been able to offer it in their own lenses, we'd already have seen it, instead of so top-grade DC lenses like the 70-200 and 150-450. No, DC is what Pentax will be sticking to, at least for years to come. So AF still will not be as fast as Canon/Nikon top-grade glass.

In that case I wouldn't mind if Pentax goes on a rebadgind spree from Tamron & Sigma or Tokina. Just hope the prices are same as tose those from Tamron & Sigma since they wont need the floating optical element & the mechanics needed for OIS.

 

[Alex Sarbu]

I'd love to see a ring USM motor in lenses. Not sure any Pentax lens has that (maybe the rebadged Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 & 70-200 f/2.8, not sure though).

The 15-30 and 24-70 are rebadges and might have ring-type ultrasonic motors. But I think, if Pentax would have been able to offer it in their own lenses, we'd already have seen it, instead of so top-grade DC lenses like the 70-200 and 150-450. No, DC is what Pentax will be sticking to, at least for years to come. So AF still will not be as fast as Canon/Nikon top-grade glass.

In that case I wouldn't mind if Pentax goes on a rebadgind spree from Tamron & Sigma or Tokina. Just hope the prices are same as tose those from Tamron & Sigma since they wont need the floating optical element & the mechanics needed for OIS.

In Europe, the prices are higher than those from Tamron. Customization in very low volume is costly, even if it's about removing features ;-)

Alex

 

[Roland Karlsson]

In that case I wouldn't mind if Pentax goes on a rebadgind spree from Tamron & Sigma or Tokina. Just hope the prices are same as tose those from Tamron & Sigma since they wont need the floating optical element & the mechanics needed for OIS.

That is a valid opinion IMHO.

Unfortunately, Pentax do add a premium cost when rebadging. That is quite annoying. Then it might have been better if the third party brand just supported Pentax.

 

[Roland Karlsson]

In Europe, the prices are higher than those from Tamron. Customization in very low volume is costly, even if it's about removing features ;-)

As a customer, I find it annoying that the prices are higher, even if there is an explanation. Therefore, it is a minus for Pentax.

BTW, without a good explanation, the feeling might be stronger than being annoyed. At least in Sweden, the increase is 50% for this lens. Do you claim that the customization do cost 50% of the whole lens?

 

[Alex Sarbu]

In Europe, the prices are higher than those from Tamron. Customization in very low volume is costly, even if it's about removing features ;-)

As a customer, I find it annoying that the prices are higher, even if there is an explanation. Therefore, it is a minus for Pentax. BTW, without the explanation the feeling might be stronger than being annoyed.

Rebadging these two Tamrons might've been the best alternative from those available (the others being selling the K-1 without such lenses, or designing their own versions - not a cent cheaper than Canikon's).

OTOH, I know what you're saying, and it's a good reason to design their own lenses whenever's possible (see the D FA* 70-200, for example). I want Pentax to have their own, unique offerings.

At least in Sweden, the increase is 50% for this lens. Do you claim that the customization do cost 50% of the whole lens?

I don't have all the data so I don't claim anything that specific.

One of the missing factors might be that Tamrons are unusually cheap in Europe - much cheaper than in the U.S. (I'm assuming some heavy discounting) Why? I have no idea; but it makes the full-price "Pentax" variants seems much more expensive.

In the U.S. there isn't much difference, if any.

Alex

 

[sentro]

In my opinion, what it comes to is:

1. Photographic needs

2. Price

3. Availability

Does everybody need more than 3-6 lenses? I dont think so. Personally, after looking back of my photograpy style, this is what I use mostly:

24-70mm f4 (35-70mm f2.8) - depending on the camera brand

105mm f2.8 macro (or 70mm macro f2.8) - depending on the camera brand

70-200mm (80-200mm f2.8) - depending on the brand

300mm f4 + 1.4x TC (150-600mm) - depending on brand

50/85mm f1.4-f1.8

This comes up to 5 lenses per camera since I use both pentax and nikon

Of course, since i use both Full frame and Crop, these lenses are even more versatile for obvious reasons.

Do i want more fancier and maybe more 'cult' lenses? Of course, who doesn't. Do I need more lenses? Not really.

More I think about it more I realize that 3 lenses would be more than enough for most people. I usually like to carry 2 Camera bodies when I go shooting. When I go to the botanic garden or to the zoo I have one camera with the 105mm macro and the other with the 70-200mm f2.8. When i go to the beach i like to have the 35-70 and the 70-200. When I go on vacation, or when I dont feel like carrying 2 bodies, I take one camera with my 18-140mm (forgot to mention that one) and my Iphone as a backup. I use the 50/85mm for video work or portraits. Also, older get i feel the need for lighter lenses. Ill see how that goes.

There are other things i can think of but this is my 2c.

 

[Roland Karlsson]

Do i want more fancier and maybe more 'cult' lenses? Of course, who doesn't. Do I need more lenses? Not really.

I have found that I do not know what I really want until I have tried out some alternatives. So, I buy some lenses and most of them are almost never used.

Moreover, I also find that there are tempting new lenses. This simple status quo where five lenses are enough is very hard to find.

Then I also have LBA

 

[K0d]

So when you cannot find that 240mm 3.5 macro you just have to build it yourself