LBA - DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

LBA - DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 · Posted by egordon99, 11-07-2007, 11:46 AM

Well after much waffling between the DA* and trying to get/wait for a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, I broke down and bought the DA*. I couldn't be more happier. The lens is built great, easy to handle, not too big, and of course has great image quality. The (almost) silent focusing is a nice bonus.
Bought it from a local camera shop during my lunch break yesterday and gave it a workout at the park on my way home.
Full album is here

codiac2600 · 11-07-2007, 11:55 AM

I love that lens myself and it's a stellar performer as you've proven with these images here. I couldn't be happier, but still people try to make this lens look inferior to previous Pentax lenses, but in fact I'm still going to say it's better. Until you see the resolving capabilities of this lens yourself, you're never gong to be satisfied.

Thanks for sharing these pictures and you're one of the lucky one!

BTW, if LBA strikes again the DA*16-50 is also great!

egordon99 · 11-07-2007, 12:03 PM

Thanks for looking! I'd love to get the 16-50mm, but not sure it's in the budget (yet). I have my 10-20mm for the wide and my Tamron 28-75mm for the "normal" so I think I'm good to go for now.

Tom M · 11-07-2007, 01:12 PM

Thanks for that.. Thinking about getting the lens myself..

I did notice that in some of the photos there is some weird/distracting bokeh.. Anyone else think so?

egordon99 · 11-07-2007, 01:33 PM

Which photos? I'm guessing it just a case of the background/lighting. No lens can just automatically make great bokeh no matter where you point it.

TaoMaas · 11-07-2007, 01:46 PM

I don't know how to break this to you, but that's no park...it's a cemetary!

Nice pics, though.

Thanks for sharing them.

NYpHoToGraphEr · 11-07-2007, 02:35 PM

Nice pics.
You have an interested way home better than mine...
taxis and police.

Tom M · 11-07-2007, 03:01 PM

Photos 4, 6, 7 in particular..

On 4, it's between the head stones on the tree bark.. It doesn't match the rest of the out of focus scene..

On 6, it's just a matter of it being more hashed-like than smooth.

On 7, the top right of the scene shows some of this hashed-like not smooth bokeh as well.

Now, don't misinterpret what I'm saying. I like the photos but, I have seen this type of bokeh before and, I in particular don't like it. It's not very smooth in my opinion. That's all.

**roentarre** · 11-07-2007, 03:21 PM

That is a beautiful lens to use. A series of brilliant photos where the bokeh trumps!

*wtlwdwgn* · 11-07-2007, 03:31 PM

Very nice images. I just received that lens today and will post some images tomorrow.

carpents · 11-07-2007, 03:37 PM

Whoo-hoo! Another potential entrant in my 85mm shootout...assuming it can leave your camera for 5 minutes...

Congratulations on the new lens. Nice shots, too - I like the close ones with the diffused backgrounds best.

*SCGushue* · 11-07-2007, 05:59 PM

Evan,

Glad to see that you are happy with this selection over the other one. I think you made the right choice for your style of photogrpahy now that I have a clearer understanding of your shooting style.

With respect to the comments on the bokeh of some shots. I don't have a problem with the bokeh'd images stated. I didn't EXIF them but I would assume that they were stopped down to 5.6 or 8. Once you get to those aps there is never going to be creamy or buttery OOF areas.

Nice work, and enjoy.

Stephen

vievetrick · 11-07-2007, 06:38 PM

those are very nice. looks like the new toy will get lots of use.

blwnhr · 11-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Great shots. Sealed the 50-135 on my "lens to have" list.

egordon99 · 11-07-2007, 06:48 PM

Thanks for looking everyone! Looks like Pentax has put out a winner, let's hope they keep it up!