Hi, If fast AF is what you need, the Nikon F100 is faster than the F4 or F5.
Steve Larson Redondo Beach, California ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patrick Pritchard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 6:15 PM Subject: Moving to AF: PZ1P or MZ-S? Pentax or Nikon? > Hello all. > > I've decided that within the next year (specifically, before September > 2005) I would like to move up to AF. This is mainly because I will be > in Australia doing some shoots at the World Solar Challenge, where MF > didn't quite cut it last time I was out. I'd also like to move into > more sports, where AF would be a huge advantage. > > My dilemma is this: > > - should I stay with Pentax, or go with Nikon (I'm leaning towards a > used F4) > - If I stay with Pentax, should I go with PZ1P or MZ-S? > > I've read various reports here on the list of Pentax slowly pulling > faster pro grade lenses. This has me concerned, as I will need those > lenses later (e.g., 85/1.4 to replace my current MF 85/1.4, 24/2 to > replace 24/2.8 I am using now, etc.). > > The PZ1P and F4 go for comparable prices (albeit not comparable > condition) on KEH, which I have been using as a quasi-benchmark for my > price checks. No matter where I go, I will end up buying new lenses in > AF to replace my current MF lineup. > > From my research and contemplating the subject, here's what I've come > up with: > > Pentax: > Pro: > I can use my old MF lenses for now > Currently lenses are available, and used market is so-so for finding > the fast lenses I'll need later > I am very familiar with the system, and the quality of the lenses; I > will not have to change much in terms of darkroom work to compensate > for a new lens "type" > If I find a good deal on an AF lens *NOW*, I can buy it and still use > it on my Super Program > Has 3 of the 4 lenses I desire: 35/2.0, 24/2.0, 85/1.4 > Con: > Pentax seems to be pulling out, and making pro grade stuff less > available > ZERO rental support; if I need a particular lens in AF, I can't get > it anywhere else, to my knowledge in Toronto, Canada > Pentax lacks a good mid-range telephoto (e.g., 135/2.0), although > they do offer the 135/2.8 which is FA, not FA* > > Nikon: > Pro: > F4 is a proven workhorse > Cost is comparable to PZ1P @ ~$500 for used body > TONNES of rental support > Has the key lenses I want: 35/2.0, 135/2.0, 24/2.0, 85/1.4 > Con: > I'll end up starting from scratch in terms of lens lineup > Looking at side by side prints by myself and a friends F90X a few > years ago, the Nikon had more contrast; this means more fiddling in the > darkroom to get my procedure's down to the way I want them again. > > My renting is a minor issue at the moment. No matter who I go with, my > first lens will undoubtedly be either the 35/2.0 from Pentax, or the > 35/2.0 D from Nikon, and from there work up to a mid-telephoto, wider > zoom, then telephoto. However for sports and the like, I'll need > longer and faster lenses, and this is a problem area for Pentax, only > in terms of availability. > > Build quality is a VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. I'll be dealing with harsh > environments: lots of bumping around, lots of jostling; extreme > temperatures (-20 when I shoot at home up to 45+ when I shoot in the > summer); lots of moisture (think dance clubs with 1000+ people all > crammed into a tiny room, and everyone is sweating). When I came back > from the outback last time, I had sand in my socks, which were *in my > bag*, so I don't want to risk sand or moisture getting into the bodies. > Lens build is also important. While I've been extremely happy with my > all metal K-mount MF lenses, the newer Pentax lenses look pretty > plasticy to me; I'm not sure how they'll hold up. > > I'd like to here comments from anybody out there who has used PZ1P, > MZ-S or F4. I love my Pentax system as it is, and have built up quite > a collection of gear (a bunch of lenses, a bellows [ easily one of my > favorite toys; I love Macro work ], motor drives, etc.) and it has > treated me well. However for AF everything changes, mainly in terms of > availability (Pentax has a small market share) and build quality > (everything these days seems to be made of plastic). > > Cheers, > Patrick > >
