Ephotozine review of the 60-250mm

Yep! Which is why, if ever do need more image quality I'll be buying a 645z and not a D800 derivative...

I think it is the same with most complex electronic equipment that is driven by what is essentially a computer and software. I've never had any problems with my K-3 since buying it in November 2013 and based on its performance I would class it as a 'superb camera'. I appreciate others may not have been as fortunate, but I can only state my own experiences. For me my K-3 is head and shoulders above my K-5IIs.

Regards
David

Moving from a K3 to a 645Z based on Calumet prices is a 7.5 times increase in price based on body only prices. I intend to buy a 645Z based on 645 lenses I already own. I don't know anyone who can look at a print and tell the sensor size or brand of camera used. As you say though, it would be if you yourself needed more image quality.



Which is why I said not in my opinion or possibly others. My K3 is the only camera body I have that has let me down. I still use it for general photography and since the freeze and slap episodes it has performed faultlessly. However, I have not and will not use it to cover events since then.

Best regards

I realise the cost implications and it was really pie in the sky thinking, I'd like the 645z and if I needed the extra quality jump that is where I'd put my money, having owned a D800 and a D800e, I don't see the quality jump as that significant but some others would rave about the differences...

I know how you feel about cameras that let you down having been a loyal Nikon user for over 25 Yr's. I had two F100's for three years and for all of that time one or the other was at Nikon UK (Yes really!) So for the three years of owning two cameras I actually only got to use one, I was shooting the Motorbike raod racing in NI proffesionally then and it was a real bind with only one body, I switched em out for two F5's at considerable cost which were brilliant cameras...
Then came digital!
D700 Mis-aligned viewfinder
D3 brilliant
D800 Mis-aligned viewfinder
D800e Mis-aligned viewfinder and the infamous 48 point autofocus
D600, well we all know about that one!
D610 well, My mind is now poisoned...

Canon 5DMkII Hellacious banding in every shadow and it packed in everytime it even got slightly misty let alone rained!

Sony A850 Mis-alaigned viewfinder and dead battery syndrome
but the A900 was brilliant, just brilliant...

Body wise, Canon and Sony still have a chance with me I guess (Canon less so but for other reasons) but my mind is thoroughly poisoned against Nikon now...
We haven't even got to lenses yet...
Or customer service...

I understand where your coming from Jules. You certainly don't have the luck of the Irish!

I have to consider myself fortunate when looking at your kit history. Let's hope that you get better reliability from now on.

Best regards

We've strayed a bit from the 60-250mm we started with, but the message is right - the grass isn't greener on any side of the equation.

I've been very lucky with camera reliability in general. I've used a lot of cameras and a lot of Pentax cameras as well, and have only had a couple of body problems. An MV failed twice and had to be eventually retired. A K10D needed attention as it wouldn't fire, but years after the repair it's still going strong with a new owner.

I don't buy early in the production cycle, I wait for it to settle down, so hopefully miss any early glitches.

Sound advice John, I only wish I was good at heeding it, when I look at my buying history it's got early adopters syndrome written all over it!
Perhaps (To get back to the topic) the same is true of lenses?
I have no doubt there are some stunning 60-250's out there, people swear by them, I just used to swear at mine, it just didn't wow me...

I have just ordered a 60-250mm today and is very exited to try it out. It Shall replacere my old DAL 55-300mm.
Hope it is worth the money!

Cheers Erik

It's worth the money, the only downside is it's much bigger and heavier than the 55-300mm.

there are a few zoom lenses out there that are nonpareil for the particular range they cover. The Nikkor 14-24mm is one. The Sigma 18-35mm is another. And to that list I would add the DA* 60-250mm. It really is an extraordinary lens for this range (90-380mm equivalent). My only advice is that once you receive it, first point it at the stars on a dark night (with tripod of course) and get the center star in focus using live view zoom -- then take a picture wide open. Any decentering will reveal itself right away. If so, send it back. This is a simple and effective test for decentering.

YMMV

Michael

Just imagine how much would DA*300/2.8 cost.....i doubt there will be many buyers for such glass....btw. I don't think so that pentax is let down by lack of fast supertele....

Thanks mjsfoto, I Will try this.
It just came today, so Will try it in the weekend.
The first impression is that the autofocus is very slow, but have to test in the field.
The zoomring is a little bit tight, not easy to turn!
Hope it is ok.
Cheers Erik

The AF is slow and my zoom ring is still hard to turn even though I have had the lens since first release.

Saying that it's the last lens I would sell.

Ok, but when I come from 60 towards 250mm, it is very hard to pass 135mm, it is very tight at this point.
I don't know if it is normal!
The sharpnes is superb. Think I like my new Toy, just have to get used to it.

Regards
Erik

It's also pretty good with the new Pentax 1.4x converter.


PS185 and MK356 Spitfire by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr