KEH don't currently have the 70-210, but not only do they have an 80-320, they also have a (power zoom) 28-105 f4/f5.6 for $172. Those two lenses are my minimal walkaround kit for the *ist-D (probably to be supplemented by the 12-24 when it comes out). The 28-105 never ceases to amaze me - for a consumer grade lens it produces some outstanding results, and focusses down to 18" or so if you want close-up stuff. I paid twice that for mine ten years ago, and consider it money very well spent.
On Thu, Aug 18, 2005 at 11:31:04PM -0700, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: > I have the F100-300/4.5-5.6 and have to agree with David that the > FA80-320 is a slightly better performing lens. It certainly is wide > open, but less so when stopped down 2-3 stops. I'm satisfied with how > well it works, overall, as I normally use it well stopped down on a > tripod. > > That said, I'm pretty sure that the DA50-200 is probably the best > performer out of these. Unless you need even more reach than that > very often, I'd go with it. > > Another lens that you might look for is the Pentax F70-210/4-5.6 > ED ... I've heard nothing but praise for this lens. There was one > available at KEH recently for around $130. > > Godfrey > > On Aug 18, 2005, at 10:13 PM, Glen wrote: > > >Hi, > > > >I was hoping that someone on the list could help me figure out > >which of these Pentax zoom lenses performed the best. I would be > >using these on the *istDS, so the crop factor might possibly be > >something to consider. I think I also read somewhere that the > >digital bodies especially need a lens with higher resolution, > >because of their smaller image size. Also, if one of the lenses has > >been reported to be slightly soft in the corners on 35mm film, that > >might still be okay. With the digital body's smaller image size, > >those "corners" no longer exist -- if you know what I mean. ;-) > > > >Here is the group I'm tentatively considering: > > > >SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED > > > >SMCP-FA J 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 AL > > > >SMCP-FA 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8 > > > > > >I realize that the first lens is the only one of the three designed > >expressly for the digital bodies. I also realize that it's the only > >one with internal focusing, and the only one which won't rotate my > >polarizer during focusing. > > > >However, which one should provide the best image quality? > > > >If there is anything else I should know, feel free to mention it, > >but image quality when used on an *istDS is my main concern for now. > > > > > >thanks, > >Glen > > > >
