Looking for a great mid range lens

Mikey69 · 12-21-2014, 07:31 AM

Hey all:

I am looking for a lens in the 55 - 200mm range. I have the ranges from 12-55 and 150-500 covered with a 90mm macro. I often find myself in that in between range where the 150-500 zoom is too big and the 12-24 or the 18 - 55 is too small.

**jatrax** · 12-21-2014, 07:45 AM

Budget? And definition of `great`?
DA 50-200 works
DA 55-300 might be slightly better and longer
DA*60-250 is much better
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is faster

KDAFA · 12-21-2014, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Mikey69

Hey all:

I am looking for a lens in the 55 - 200mm range. I have the ranges from 12-55 and 150-500 covered with a 90mm macro. I often find myself in that in between range where the 150-500 zoom is too big and the 12-24 or the 18 - 55 is too small.

Need to know more specifics regarding your photographic priorities, but for now I would recommend:

DA* 50-135 f2.8 if you want a zoom.

DA70 LTD or FA77 LTD if you want a prime.

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 08:51 AM

If you want a zoom then 70-200/2.8 is a very versatile lens without the SDM worries. If you want a prime perhaps an older model 135.

VoiceOfReason · 12-21-2014, 09:03 AM

The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens.

Flugelbinder · 12-21-2014, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by VoiceOfReason

The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens.

My vote is going for the Tamron also... I'm only $450 short,,,

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by VoiceOfReason

The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens.

It's been my go-to lens for soccer for two years. Lovely lens, solid, sharp, good colors IMHO.

**clackers** · 12-21-2014, 12:02 PM

A wonderful lens. The Canon-Nikon versions use slow internal motors, but in K-mount they're nice and quick screw drive.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-21-2014, 01:22 PM

Remember there's some very affordable Pentax legacy glass out there that may fit the bill.

Flugelbinder · 12-21-2014, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Remember there's some very affordable Pentax legacy glass out there that may fit the bill.

Been looking around, and I believe I have reached a decision... The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version...

**Kerrowdown** · 12-21-2014, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version...

Did you see these reviews on that lens?

Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Did you see these reviews on that lens?

Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Might be a case of cost balancing quality.

kh1234567890 · 12-21-2014, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

Been looking around, and I believe I have reached a decision... The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version...

I had one of those, sold it now. It is a quite reasonable lens - solid, built like a tank, AF has that nice old school chainsaw sound

I wasn't using it enough to justify keeping it and hopefully it'd found a good home in Turkey. If you are happy with manual focus I'd recommend the M135/3.5 or the M75-150/4.

Flugelbinder · 12-21-2014, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

Did you see these reviews on that lens?

Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

I have. You don't see them as favourable?

---------- Post added 12-21-14 at 04:54 PM ----------

Originally posted by Docrwm

Might be a case of cost balancing quality.

Obviously, but so is the other option, the F 70-210... Do you believe the Pentax to be a better lens? My only 'brake' to go for the Pentax, is the somewhat slow(ish) aperture...

Docrwm · 12-21-2014, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

I have. You don't see them as favourable?

---------- Post added 12-21-14 at 04:54 PM ----------

Obviously, but so is the other option, the F 70-210... Do you believe the Pentax to be a better lens? My only 'brake' to go for the Pentax, is the somewhat slow(ish) aperture...

Not obvious initially.

The 70-210 has a reputation for being very sharp but it is slower throughout its range. Every lens is a tradeoff. Good luck.

12-21-2014, 07:31 AM	#1
Mikey69 New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: LaCrosse, Wi. Posts: 15	Looking for a great mid range lens Hey all: I am looking for a lens in the 55 - 200mm range. I have the ranges from 12-55 and 150-500 covered with a 90mm macro. I often find myself in that in between range where the 150-500 zoom is too big and the 12-24 or the 18 - 55 is too small.

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12-21-2014, 07:45 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Budget? And definition of `great`? DA 50-200 works DA 55-300 might be slightly better and longer DA*60-250 is much better Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 is faster

12-21-2014, 07:56 AM	#3
KDAFA Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 528	Originally posted by Mikey69 Hey all: I am looking for a lens in the 55 - 200mm range. I have the ranges from 12-55 and 150-500 covered with a 90mm macro. I often find myself in that in between range where the 150-500 zoom is too big and the 12-24 or the 18 - 55 is too small. Need to know more specifics regarding your photographic priorities, but for now I would recommend: DA* 50-135 f2.8 if you want a zoom. DA70 LTD or FA77 LTD if you want a prime.

12-21-2014, 08:51 AM	#4
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	If you want a zoom then 70-200/2.8 is a very versatile lens without the SDM worries. If you want a prime perhaps an older model 135.

12-21-2014, 09:03 AM	#5
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens.

12-21-2014, 09:13 AM	#6
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466	Originally posted by VoiceOfReason The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens. My vote is going for the Tamron also... I'm only $450 short,,,

12-21-2014, 09:16 AM	#7
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by VoiceOfReason The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 can be had on here used in the 600 dollarish range, is sharp, fast, and a great lens. It's been my go-to lens for soccer for two years. Lovely lens, solid, sharp, good colors IMHO.

12-21-2014, 12:02 PM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	A wonderful lens. The Canon-Nikon versions use slow internal motors, but in K-mount they're nice and quick screw drive.

12-21-2014, 01:22 PM	#9
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Remember there's some very affordable Pentax legacy glass out there that may fit the bill.

12-21-2014, 01:32 PM	#10
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Remember there's some very affordable Pentax legacy glass out there that may fit the bill. Been looking around, and I believe I have reached a decision... The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version...

12-21-2014, 01:45 PM	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by Flugelbinder The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version... Did you see these reviews on that lens? Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

12-21-2014, 01:47 PM	#12
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Did you see these reviews on that lens? Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Might be a case of cost balancing quality.

12-21-2014, 02:00 PM	#13
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Flugelbinder Been looking around, and I believe I have reached a decision... The Sigma 75-200/3.8 - auto focus version... I had one of those, sold it now. It is a quite reasonable lens - solid, built like a tank, AF has that nice old school chainsaw sound I wasn't using it enough to justify keeping it and hopefully it'd found a good home in Turkey. If you are happy with manual focus I'd recommend the M135/3.5 or the M75-150/4.

12-21-2014, 04:49 PM	#14
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466	Originally posted by Kerrowdown Did you see these reviews on that lens? Sigma 75-200mm F3.8 Autofocus Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database I have. You don't see them as favourable? ---------- Post added 12-21-14 at 04:54 PM ---------- Originally posted by Docrwm Might be a case of cost balancing quality. Obviously, but so is the other option, the F 70-210... Do you believe the Pentax to be a better lens? My only 'brake' to go for the Pentax, is the somewhat slow(ish) aperture...

12-21-2014, 05:26 PM	#15
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Flugelbinder I have. You don't see them as favourable? ---------- Post added 12-21-14 at 04:54 PM ---------- Obviously, but so is the other option, the F 70-210... Do you believe the Pentax to be a better lens? My only 'brake' to go for the Pentax, is the somewhat slow(ish) aperture... Not obvious initially. The 70-210 has a reputation for being very sharp but it is slower throughout its range. Every lens is a tradeoff. Good luck.