Outing with FA* 28-70 and 80-200

[Pete Fang]

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I last posted images. The weather has been great for the past couple of days as we begin to get the cool breeze of fall. Now that the DA* lenses are hitting the shelves I thought it would be interesting to pack my two FA* zooms when my family went for some outdoor activities yesterday. Yes the FA* 28-70 and 80-200 are heavy but optically I've always felt that they're about as close you can get to prime-like quality.

In the reply message I will link some images taken yesterday, mostly with the 80-200/2.8.

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Pete Fang]

This first one was taken with the FA* 28-70 at an open exhibition of sculptures of Olympics related topics. As we all know a year from now Beijing will be hosting the Olympics.



The following ones were all taken with the FA* 80-200/2.8. As usual, RAW conversion done with Silkypix 3.

















Enjoy!

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[karen clanin]

every one of them! what a cute kid and his mom's pretty also. i'd like to see more from the 28-70 as i'd sure like one of those.
--
karen

 

[Pete Fang]

Hi Karen,

Many thanks for your kind words. I didn't use the FA* 28-70 much outdoors yesterday but here are a few 28-70 images from last week. The 28-70 can be used as an outstanding lens for people, and its bokeh is very very good. Hope you like them

(This one was the 28-70 at 31mm, not by the 31mm Limited.











Best,

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[frank100557]

Great captures, Peter. Especially like this one:



That's a great moment captured.

And the two FA* zoomies ... I guess you don't need the new DA* zooms at all

Thanks for sharing.

--
Frank
GMT+8hours

 

[Pete Fang]

Great captures, Peter. Especially like this one:

That's a great moment captured.

Thanks Frank, glad you liked them. I also like this one very much.

And the two FA* zoomies ... I guess you don't need the new DA* zooms
at all

Now that's a bold statement... Do we NEED all those lenses that we already own?

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[janneman02]

Hi everyone,
Yes the FA* 28-70 and 80-200 are
heavy but optically I've always felt that they're about as close you
can get to prime-like quality.

Yes they are....I think we are spoilt with these two, hence the slight disspointmen tfor some in the DA*'s.

In the reply message I will link some images taken yesterday, mostly
with the 80-200/2.8.

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1
/ SFX / LX

--
janneman
http://www.pbase.com/jl2

The difference between genius and LBA is that genius has its
limits.

• Janneman ( adaptation of the Kings quote from Albert Einstein)

 

[D48]

Your pictures are beautiful. Please excuse my ignorance, but which brand of lens are these? I assume Pentax, but don't know.

 

[LesMizzell]

Is the FA* 28-70 still being made? This looks just the ticket for a fast mid-zoom that I've been searching for - especially since there's no idea when the 17-70 is going to be available.

I've not had any luck finding one (just a quick search of the usual places). What's the suggested list price if they're available anywhere, or what are used ones going for these days (obviously I'm too lazy to search evilbay right now...)

--

'Not everybody trusts paintings, but people believe photographs.' -- Ansel Adams

 

[Pete Fang]

Yes the FA* 28-70 and 80-200 are
heavy but optically I've always felt that they're about as close you
can get to prime-like quality.

Yes they are....I think we are spoilt with these two, hence the
slight disspointmen tfor some in the DA*'s.

I have been thinking of buying at least the DA* 16-50/2.8 but because of how good the FA* zooms are I am a trying to lower my expectations a bit to avoid dissapointment.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Mike Muizebelt]

I have been thinking of buying at least the DA* 16-50/2.8 but because
of how good the FA* zooms are I am a trying to lower my expectations
a bit to avoid dissapointment.

I've got the 16-50 on order as I've got no lens that goes below 24mm a the moment. The weather sealing is another selling point for me.

But like you, I don't expect it to give me FA* 28-70 quality,

Great set of images by the way!

Mike

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1
/ SFX / LX

--
--
'Best wide angle lens? Take a few steps back and look for the WoW effect.'



http://www.pentaximaging.nl

 

[Lance B]

Beautiful photos as always, Peter!

These are a testament to your excellent ability as well as the ability of the fabulous ability of the FA*zooms duo.

I love the first pic as well as the 2 brilliant photos of your wife and son together. They are gems.
--
Lance B
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b
GMT +10hours

 

[Pete Fang]

Hi Lance,

Beautiful photos as always, Peter!

These are a testament to your excellent ability as well as the
ability of the fabulous ability of the FA*zooms duo.

I love the first pic as well as the 2 brilliant photos of your wife
and son together. They are gems.

Thanks for your kind words! Glad you like those. Yes the FA* zooms are probably as close to prime-like performance in zoom lenses we can get from Pentax. I am glad I got them while I still could find copies in excellent or like-new condition.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Pete Fang]

Your pictures are beautiful. Please excuse my ignorance, but which
brand of lens are these? I assume Pentax, but don't know.

Both are Pentax lenses although they are out of production now. They're about the best zooms Pentax ever made and can still be found used from time to time. With the new DA* lenses coming out, those older FA* lenses may be easier to find in the near future although personally I'd never part with mine.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Pete Fang]

Is the FA* 28-70 still being made? This looks just the ticket for a
fast mid-zoom that I've been searching for - especially since there's
no idea when the 17-70 is going to be available.

I've not had any luck finding one (just a quick search of the usual
places). What's the suggested list price if they're available
anywhere, or what are used ones going for these days (obviously I'm
too lazy to search evilbay right now...)

Unfortunately both the FA* 28-70 and the 80-200 are now out of production. I got mine in like-new condition from Japan thanks to a help of a friend. It came with complete packaging and has no sign of use at all. I expect used ones to come out a bit more often now that Pentax begin shipping the new DA* 16-50/2.8. Personally I won't part with my FA* zooms but there might be users who are selling the FA* to finance their new DA* purchase.

As for price, I got my FA* 28-70 for the equivalent of around $1,250 including shipping from Japan to China.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[Pete Fang]

Hi Mike,

I have been thinking of buying at least the DA* 16-50/2.8 but because
of how good the FA* zooms are I am a trying to lower my expectations
a bit to avoid dissapointment.

I've got the 16-50 on order as I've got no lens that goes below 24mm
a the moment. The weather sealing is another selling point for me.

But like you, I don't expect it to give me FA* 28-70 quality,

Great set of images by the way!

Mike

Glad you like those images. Hope you receive your DA* 16-50/2.8 soon. I am trying to get one from the U.S. in the near future. I had the DA 16-45/4 but I'd given it to my dad to use with his K100D so the widest I have right now is the DA21. I will need the 16-50 for the reach, SDM and of course weather sealing. Hopefully I can get one for $750 (lowest price in the U.S.) before the end of September so I can bring it to my trip during the October 1 holidays.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX

 

[brendan PK]

I mean their horrific. I mean the sharpness is great, and broke excelent, but I mean the overall result is terrific and for that reason alone they should have never put them into production. Let alone bring them back out
LOL
Great images man. Keep them coming

--
K10D+LBA=no$$$ but happy
Over 250K DSLR actions and counting
Remember: Too much Measurbating will make you go blind!

 

[Pete Fang]

I mean their horrific. I mean the sharpness is great, and broke
excelent, but I mean the overall result is terrific and for that
reason alone they should have never put them into production. Let
alone bring them back out
LOL

Hahaha you're absolutely right. If they resurrect the FA* designs and add SDM/weather sealing, it will drive us crazy!

Great images man. Keep them coming

Thanks! Will do.

Peter

--
Peter Fang - Pentax user for more than two decades: K10D / MZ-S / Z-1 / SFX / LX