On Thu, 12 Jan 2006, John Forbes wrote:
On Thu, 12 Jan 2006 15:38:53 -0000, Kostas Kavoussanakis
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Thu, 12 Jan 2006, John Forbes wrote:
You're right. Like the FA* 80-200/2.8 ED [IF]. It's been done before.
And it's a modern lens so why redo it? For the extra 30mm on the wide end,
maybe. How well did that sell and why will this sell?
There's already a slow 50-200mm. Why re-do that lens, as you seem to be
proposing?
Even discounting the limited coverage of the existing lens, I don't
think it is the same. Take for example the FA24-90/3.5-4.5 and the
FA28-80/3.5-5.6 and their respective prices. This is a prime (perhaps
only?) example that in Pentax-land the perception of quality does not
necessarily suggest very fast lenses.
The 80-200 f2.8 was a premium lens at a premium price, so obviously sales
were relatively low. A replacement will appeal to those who like good glass,
and can afford it.
Why would it be more affordable? It is still full-frame and even has a
longer mag (200/80=2.5; 200/50=4). How can a long, f2.8, Pentax zoom
not be a premium lens at a premium price?
A 50-200/2.8 would be a sore thumb (actually one could say it's the other
fingers that are sore ;-) in the line-up. The new lens will likely
complement the 16-45 f4, which is a high-performance lens. A quality,
semi-bright long zoom has not featured in the Pentax lineup for 15 years
(if you are lenient enough to class the F70-210/4-5.6 as a semi-bright lens
:-). They never came up with a companion to the 28-70/4, or even a worthy
replacement for the F, and this is what I think they will do.
There can't be a companion to the 28-70 f4, as it no longer exists.
No, we are looking at a companion for the 16-45/4.
Anyway, it's all guesswork, and your guess is as good as mine. Probably
better, because I admit that mine is based in part on wishful thinking (like
an awful lot of kit-related conjecture).
Ah, you see, so is mine ;-) The chance of affording a Pentax long f2.8
zoom is terribly close to zero. The possibility of me even being able
to lift a (say) loaner is, well... don't bother.
Kostas
