I think it was probably a difficult partnership - Samsung seem very much a "trendsetter" when it comes to technology where Pentax appear much more cautious.

Simon

Thanks..

I'm really wondering if the FA 28-70 will produce results close to the DA17-70 which I'm considering selling as I don't need the range - the FA 28mm & F 28mm are also lenses I'm considering but are obviously much more expensive than the 28-70...to give you an idea why my lens lineup now is:

DA12-24, DA 35mm F2.4, DA 55-300 & 0bviously the DA17-70 - I also now have a tamron 18-250 for "travel" use

Does anyone own/use the FA 28-70 F4 - it sounds pretty decent for the cost although I've read that a few have quality issues?

thanks

Simon

If buying new it's worth considering the Tamrac Aero pack 70 too, personally I think its better made than the Lowepro

Simon

I've decided to do the same, on the whole I'm very happy with the results from my K20D and the more I read about sensor stain & BF/FF issues with the K5 the more I think I'm happy to wait a little longer until they've definitely been sorted...I never buy a new model car for the same reaason as it seems these days new product testing is done by the first customers!!

Simon

I agree completely - as coincidence would have it I bought one a couple of weeks ago but haven't had a chance to use it much as yet

Simon

I initially thought that it was a little OOF but noticed its taken through a glass screen, together with the dull light today that made things tricky to get a decent shutter speed I guess - stunning animal, we often go during the winter months as the animals are certainly more active.

Simon

To be honest I don't think I'll be buying one, I've spent too much on lenses of late, as i have the DA 17-70 & just bought a Tamron 18-250 it doesn't really make sense, unless of course a used one appears and you never know.

I was just intrigued really as I recently came across some excellent shots taken with the lens, some nice ones on your site too. Although the constant F2.8 is appealing against the DA17-70 F4 my next purchase will be a K5 so I'll gain a few stops over my K20D anyway

thanks

Simon

Backpacking with a tripod can be a bit tricky as I'm sure you know - even the CF full spec tripods can be a bit on the weighty side and together with the rest of your camera and personal gear you can really end up carrying some substantial weight - ok for the younger guys but for us in middle age it gets more problematic

If I'm hiking in good light I don't use a tripod most of the time, I use a Slik Pro Pod 381CF (superceeded now I think) and it works great as it just gives that bit more support for critical sharpness.

Back to tripods though for normal use I use one of the Redsnapper ones and its excellent - every bit as good as the Manfrotto I used to have and a lot cheaper , I have the Aly version but the CF is apparently just as good.

For hiking though I have a Velbon Ultra Luxi F which unfortunately they don't make anymore but it's an excellent compromise when it comes to stability vs weight, its very compact too - well worth looking at the Velbon range, not a top name but some models (not all) are pretty good

Like Matt I also carry around a Slik Mini Pro V, together with a beanbag - you can normally find somewhere to put them

Simon

Having now managed a few shots (nothing worth posting) with the 18-250 I'm definitely beginning to see why it has such a good reputation as a travel lens, despite reading that its not too impressive beyond 150mm I actually find that it's pretty good - corners are a little soft but centre is fine - not quite so sharp as the DA55-300 but not too far off either.

Having said the above my impression is also that it doesn't quite produce the excellent colour/contrast of the DA17-70 and as a result I've had a rethink - a slightly costly one. I'm going to keep both the 17-70 & 18-250 for the following setup


DA12-24 & DA17-70 - landscape usage

DA12-24 & 18-250 - travel usage

Occasionally I do the odd uk wildlife trip and the DA55-300 is definitely the better option here so I'll be keeping it - the DA 35mm F2.4 should be great as either a pano lens or a low-light option when travelling. That's certainly it for my lens line-up now, just waiting for the K5 to fall in price a bit more and that should keep me going for a good while

Simon