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aquamarine
01-13-2008, 05:58 PM
So I have a few lenses already and want to do something a little more sports-oriented and/or possibly get a little more work going on as far as amateur work goes in the extra room in my home.

What I'm using right now is a Pentax *ist DL. These are the lenses that I'm currently using
Pentax brand kit lense (15-55 3.5-5.6)
Pentax brand 10-17 Fish-eye (3.5-4.5)
Sigma brand 70-300 (4-5.6)

As for flash, I recently picked up a Pentax brand AF-360FGZ.

Now I see some VERY amazing photos in the photo thread like these...
http://aqar.no-ip.org:8080/ml01.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/1851731712_660f6bc228.jpg
and
http://www.tops3cr3t.com/images/NSOP/bokeh/DSC_0075.jpg

So what with the focusing and such, would a lower aperture lens allow for this effect?

Anyhow, I'm wondering if I should keep my new tripod and tripod head (together worth $280 after tax) or if I should pick up one of two lenses I had my eye on: the Pentax smc P-DA 40mm F/2.8 Limited for $299 or the Pentax smc P-DA 50-200mm F/4-5.6 ED for indoor sporting.

What do y'all think?

DJ Lazy
01-13-2008, 06:05 PM
The 50-200 f/4-5.6 will probably be a tad on the slow side for indoor sporting.

As for the 40mm f/2.8, that would give you the desired DOF like in the pics you posted.

I really don't know enough about Pentax's lineup though so I can't really give you any other recommendations. Sigma might supply lenses for Pentax SLR's, but I am just guessing right now. :dunno:

aquamarine
01-13-2008, 06:10 PM
What would you suggest for indoor sporting photography? Or rather, what lense would you suggest if this were a Nikon?

muse017
01-13-2008, 07:36 PM
Wait until PK mount Tamron 70-200 F2.8 is available.
Currently
PK mount FA*80-200 is discountinued and overpriced.
FA*200 is also discountinued.
FA 77ltd is available at the moment but not really suitable for Indoor sport(Very slow focusing)

BerserkerCatSplat
01-13-2008, 09:10 PM
Originally posted by aquamarine
What would you suggest for indoor sporting photography? Or rather, what lense would you suggest if this were a Nikon?

For indoor sports with relatively poor lighting, a 70-200 f/2.8 with the camera at ISO 1600 is usually the best way to freeze action. Longer-distance sports like indoor soccer needs a proportionally longer lens.

Ferio_vti
01-14-2008, 08:38 AM
I've got the DA 40mm 2.8. Great little lens. Excellent for landscape and still lifes. Weighs like nothing.

I hardly use mine since I have a 50mm 1.7. PM me, if you're interested in buying one.

Davetronz
01-14-2008, 10:45 AM
Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


For indoor sports with relatively poor lighting, a 70-200 f/2.8 with the camera at ISO 1600 is usually the best way to freeze action. Longer-distance sports like indoor soccer needs a proportionally longer lens.
Definitely a good lens for sports, but I definitely agree that it wont be the best choice for long-distance shots.

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 12:12 PM
Well I took the advice and brought back the new tripod and head then picked up a Pentax 50mm 1.2 FA and so far its doing good but it was very inexpensive at 199. So I'm happy with that!

BerserkerCatSplat
01-14-2008, 12:20 PM
Originally posted by aquamarine
Well I took the advice and brought back the new tripod and head then picked up a Pentax 50mm 1.2 FA and so far its doing good but it was very inexpensive at 199. So I'm happy with that!

An f/1.2 50mm for $199? That's a bargain! :eek:

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 02:09 PM
I was just told that on MSN. So far it's worked quite well for me, however I don't think it is the digital version, that could be why it was so inexpensive, however it's doing a good job so far!

Ferio_vti
01-14-2008, 02:40 PM
A Pentax F/1.2?? You sure it's not an M lens and not an autofocus?? They have a F1.4 FA but not a F1.2 that I know of.

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 04:07 PM
Originally posted by Ferio_vti
A Pentax F/1.2?? You sure it's not an M lens and not an autofocus?? They have a F1.4 FA but not a F1.2 that I know of.

Well the box says the following...

PENTAX
FA 50mm F1.4 with a bar code of 027075030534


So I bought that lens and voila, I got to play around with it a little while finding out that all three of my classes today were cancelled (what the hell?)

http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0717.JPG
In the shop


http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0719.JPG


http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0724.JPG
And back in the car

http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0733.JPG


http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0755.JPG
"Can I take your picture?"
"Uhh.. n--" *CLICK*

http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0758.JPG
My good buddy Moto, who might I add is the Western Canadian champion for Kendo

http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0760.JPG
Moments later, Moto took my camera after a can of Pepsi exploded all over my hand.

http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0788.JPG
Just playing around with my buddy Go


http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0817.JPG
And back in the agriculture building.


http://www.pozland.johnnydo.com/mew/IMGP0821.JPG
Just messing around.


Thanks again for for all the advice folks!

BerserkerCatSplat
01-14-2008, 07:17 PM
Oh, it's f/1.4, not 1.2. That makes more sense.

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 07:21 PM
What is the difference? (Pardon my stupidity)

BerserkerCatSplat
01-14-2008, 07:38 PM
The F-number represents the maximum aperture size of a lens - the smaller the number, the more light the lens lets in. For instance, a lens with max aperture of f/1.4 can let in 16 times as much light as a lens with f/5.6 max aperture.

f/1.4 prime lenses are considered a "fast" prime and are reasonably common, while the even faster f/1.2 prime lenses are not very common and quite expensive. For instance, a new Canon 50mm f/1.4 is $365, while the Canon 50mm f/1.2 is $1,500.

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 10:48 PM
So I did in fact get a HELL of a deal?

BerserkerCatSplat
01-14-2008, 10:54 PM
Originally posted by aquamarine
So I did in fact get a HELL of a deal?

No, not really. The Pentax 50mm f/1.4 is around $300 new, so $200 used is reasonable. Your lens is f/1.4, not 1.2. If someone told you it was f/1.2 they were wrong, because Pentax doesn't make any f/1.2 lenses.

aquamarine
01-14-2008, 11:20 PM
OK, well this one is new in box from the camera store... $100 less than typical retail.. I'm happy with that. :D Thanks man!

BerserkerCatSplat
01-15-2008, 01:16 AM
Hey, good on ya, that's a solid discount. Have fun! :D

Ferio_vti
01-15-2008, 08:12 AM
Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat


No, not really. The Pentax 50mm f/1.4 is around $300 new, so $200 used is reasonable. Your lens is f/1.4, not 1.2. If someone told you it was f/1.2 they were wrong, because Pentax doesn't make any f/1.2 lenses.

Well Pentax does have a F/1.2 50mm, but it's an A series manual lens.



Originally posted by aquamarine
OK, well this one is new in box from the camera store... $100 less than typical retail.. I'm happy with that. :D Thanks man!

That's a great deal new. Where did you buy it??

aquamarine
01-15-2008, 09:19 AM
I picked it up from Dons Photo in Saskatoon. I think there are a couple locations in Calgary.