[kacansas03]

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I have a hole at 200 mm focal length in my lens setup but I am happy with what I have up to 135 mm. I would really like a sharp, good IQ lens that is somewhat fast, say quicker than f5.6 for around what is left in my lens buying budget of $60 to 70 total with shipping. Yes this may sound impossible but I am willing to adapt any mount to my K mount or a M42 mount or anything else in between. I ask for opinions for I am not that good at choosing lenses that have good IQ. I do wish to use this lens outdoors in limited light such as evenings or under heavy cloud which is why a little more aperture speed would be a good thing. I am thinking a prime focal lens as opposed to the 55-200 kit zoom. That lens seems too dark for my tastes. It's ok in bright sun but I don't always have that available. I await your suggestions and questions. Alan

[northcoastgreg]

Probably the cheapest, decent IQ 200mm lens is the Takumar f4 200. Unfortunately, they tend to run 10 to 20 dollars above your price. However, there is a Tak 200 at keh.com with "ring damage" (I assume that means you can't use filters with it) for $31.

[Adam]

According to our database, the M 200/4 averages around $90, which is slightly above your price like the Takumar, but should prove much more convenient because of the bayonet mount.

Pentax Lens Review Database - SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4 Lens Reviews

You might want to check other lenses in the database as well.

[kacansas03]

Well I was kinda hoping for someone who knew of a good IQ 3rd party (off-brand) that I can make into a lens to use on my K mount of 200 mm that is around f3.5 or quicker. I don't ask for much do I??

[eccs19]

Another option (but again more money than you want to spend), would be the Takumar 200mm F3.5. You don't see them very often, but I've got one, and I'm very happy with the IQ of it.

[Ira]

Do an eBay search for Lentar. Half of it is crap, but I've seen some amazing photos done with them, but don't remember the lengths.

I have one (see my sig) that I paid like 20 bucks for on eBay via the Goodwill store, and I think Goodwill and others have their OWN charity stores, instead of giving a cut to eBay.

I just haven't had the desire to even try this lens, although it MAY surprise
me.

But I doubt it.

[SMPhoto]

I'd have to agree with Adam, the M 200 f/4 sounds ideal for you. I just picked one up in the marketplace for $70 shipped, so it's also in your budget. People seem to love the IQ, also.

However, something like THIS might also be just what you're looking for. It's an off-brand 200mm f/3.5 with an M42 mount, however I know nothing of it's IQ.

Good luck in your search.

Edit: Also see THIS, a nice looking Takumar 200mm/4 well within your budget.

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Last edited by SMPhoto; 05-18-2010 at 04:14 PM.

[SOldBear]

kacansas03,

You have a PM.

[JohnBee]

Well I was kinda hoping for someone who knew of a good IQ 3rd party (off-brand) that I can make into a lens to use on my K mount of 200 mm that is around f3.5 or quicker. I don't ask for much do I??

Here are a few of the better known HQ, low cost, lenses I'm aware of:

CHINON 200mm f/3.5 Manual Focus Lens M42 - Average Price: 70 - 100 USD

Chinon 200mm f/3.5 Manual Focus Lens - M42 Screw Fit on eBay.ca (item 140397865538 end time 07-Jun-10 08:13:42 EDT)


Telear-n 200mm f/3.5 M42 - Average Price: 70 - 120 USD

Somewhat scarce now...


JUPITER-21A 200mm f/4 M42 - Average Price: 60 - 110 USD

JUPITER 21 M 4/200 For csmera Zenit EX++ condition on eBay.ca (item 160379187275 end time 15-Jun-10 18:39:46 EDT)


TBH, all of these have their share of positive and negatives... however, if I had to choose one above all it would be the Telear-N because of it's superior optics and coatings. Which seems to be neck in neck with my Nikkor 180 *ED 180mm lens. Though... it rarely seems to come around on eBay anymore(shrug).

PS. I own most all of the 200/4 Pentax variants(M/A/K, not the f/2.5 though) and some are really sharp, but they all seem plagued with lateral CA. and I'm just too cheap to spring for a manual focus star lens now. And for what it's worth, all of these lenses run circles around them anyways.

[Tyama]

Sigma made a manual focus 200mm f/3.5 in a K mount , no A function. It's multi coated and has a built-in hood. I have one but haven't really used it so I can't tell you about its' IQ. It is fairly compact.

[7.62lew]

I have a hole at 200 mm focal length in my lens setup but I am happy with what I have up to 135 mm. I would really like a sharp, good IQ lens that is somewhat fast, say quicker than f5.6 for around what is left in my lens buying budget of $60 to 70 total with shipping. Yes this may sound impossible but I am willing to adapt any mount to my K mount or a M42 mount or anything else in between. I ask for opinions for I am not that good at choosing lenses that have good IQ. I do wish to use this lens outdoors in limited light such as evenings or under heavy cloud which is why a little more aperture speed would be a good thing. I am thinking a prime focal lens as opposed to the 55-200 kit zoom. That lens seems too dark for my tastes. It's ok in bright sun but I don't always have that available. I await your suggestions and questions. Alan

I have the vivitar 200mm 3.5 that I purchased on the forums here:https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/80008-sale-%5Bsold%5D-vivitar-...pentax-me.html

They do come in K-mount but are hard to find in k-mount (mostly m42). It is good at f3.5 and better at f4 and up. Very good for $50 , in my opinion. There are some reviews here also: PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 Auto Telephoto m42 mount Lens Reviews

The pentax-m 200mm gets good reviews also.

Have a good one!

[pacerr]

Look for a Vivitar 200/3.5. I prefer it to my Super Tak 200/4 beyond 10-12 feet.

Or a Tamron Adaptall-2 200/3.5. I haven't used one on DSLRs but it was very good on a Spotmatic.

H2

[ajuett]

I've tried 2 different M 200mm f/4 and a A 200mm f/4 and all 3 had purple, red and green fringing ...sometimes all at once! I suggest a DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6, sure its a stop slower but you gain at zoom range, AF (if you prefer it) and no PF.

[kacansas03]

Look for a Vivitar 200/3.5. I prefer it to my Super Tak 200/4 beyond 10-12 feet.

Or a Tamron Adaptall-2 200/3.5. I haven't used one on DSLRs but it was very good on a Spotmatic.

H2

I have the Tamron 200 f3.5 Adaptall 2 but it seems to be less sharp wide open than I would like. Since I am trying for reach in low light I am probably asking the impossible.

[pacerr]

I have the Tamron 200 f3.5 Adaptall 2 but it seems to be less sharp wide open than I would like. Since I am trying for reach in low light I am probably asking the impossible.

I always considered the widest stop a focusing aid rather than a picture option in the days of manual focus lenses and bodies. Guess I still do.

H2