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09-23-2010, 04:07 PM   #1
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Tamron 28 - 75mm f2.8 is what I have, would you upgrade?

have a Tamron 28- 75mm F 2 .8 and I was going
to buy a Pentax 50- 135 mm F 2 .8 and still keep
the Tamron but the deal of $ 620 for the
50- 135 mm fell through and I don ’ t want to pay
too much for another so I ’ m thinking to get a FA
50mm f 1. 4 but it ’ s very soft wide open and not
sure if I would need it. I like the 28- 75mm but
the bokeh isn ’ t as nice than what I saw on some
higher quality glass . I shoot portraits and baby
portraits too so I ’ m wondering how long you
think I can get by with my Tamron or how long
did any of you stick with a lens similar to that ? I
want to upgrade but don ’ t think the 50- 135 mm
DA* is gonna happen right now.

09-23-2010, 04:40 PM   #2
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Dollar for dollar, I still think the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is about as good as it gets when you consider IQ and overall versatility. I have a ton of really great Pentax glass, but this is the one third-party lens I can't part with.

The FA50/1.4 is a great lens too. Stick a hood on it and you'll get much better results wide open. It's a great portrait lens and I wouldn't discount it because it's "soft wide-open". Now if you don't like that focal length or just don't want a prime, that's a different story.

As for how long you can stick with a lens like the 28-75... I think the answer is as long as it's giving you the pictures you want there's no real reason to replace it. If you decide you need more length (50-135) or more speed (50/1.4) then it might be time to consider adding to your lens collection.

Last edited by dgaies; 09-23-2010 at 06:07 PM. Reason: typo
09-23-2010, 04:58 PM   #3
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+1 for the Tamron 28-75. It's a fantastic lens with such great value.
The FA 50/1.4 isn't VERY soft wide open, it's actually reasonably sharp in the centre of the frame, and I can't see the need to shoot at f/1.4 all that often. Stopped down to f/2, it's as good a lens as any - just not the same X-factor as the FA 43 or the A 50/1.2

How much of a longer lens do you need for portraiture? If you're unable to set the subjects up for a pose and get relatively close to them, then you could perhaps justify a longer lens, like perhaps a 100mm macro or one of the 135mm MF offerings (if you don't mind manual focus). But spontaneous portraiture for events like weddings is best captured with a 50-135 or Tamron 70-200 or similar fast telezooms.
09-23-2010, 05:14 PM   #4
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I think you'd still need a more solid plan as to what to "upgrade" to. As I tried to explain in your other thread, the 50-135 is *not* an upgrade to the 28-75 - they are simply *different*. And the same would be true regarding the FA50. Talking about "upgrading" from the 28-75 to either of those would be like talking about upgrading from a fairly decent SUV to a sports car. Sure, some things become better - but no way can a sports car replace a SUV for most of the things an SUV can do.

09-24-2010, 11:39 AM   #5
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The Tamron already is an EXCELLENT lens. The 50-135 isn't really an upgrade as they are both completely different focal length ranges. Having BOTH would be ideal.

Those were my two most used lenses before I switched from Pentax. I'd say unless you need something faster than f/2.8, stick with the Tamron. I honestly can't think of anything else that would be an upgrade.

It's like "I want to upgrade my Ferrari...what do you suggest? I like the Bentley sedan..."
09-24-2010, 11:50 AM   #6
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Ok I understand, thanks. I found a FA 50mm f1.4 and I want that lens too lol...I can only get one and it would be nice to save the money but because I do outdoor portraits the 50-135mm would be nice but the f1.4 50mm would be nice too and it would be helpful for indoor baby shoots too...tough decision
09-24-2010, 12:07 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by crossover37 Quote
Ok I understand, thanks. I found a FA 50mm f1.4 and I want that lens too lol...I can only get one and it would be nice to save the money but because I do outdoor portraits the 50-135mm would be nice but the f1.4 50mm would be nice too and it would be helpful for indoor baby shoots too...tough decision
Buy the 50-135mm. Do you have any lighting? I hope if you do any indoor work, you have proper lighting or at least try to find proper light coming in from a window. I hope you're not doing indoor baby shoots with the pop-up flash....

09-24-2010, 12:08 PM   #8
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https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/93510-should-i...75-f2-8-a.html

You had a FA 50mm f/1.4, so you should know what that lens is capable of. Only you know what/how you shoot so only you know if you need the extra two stops.
09-24-2010, 12:12 PM   #9
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I own a lot of really good lenses, but practically speaking, the Tamron 28-75 spends about 75% of the time on my camera. With two young kids running around, I simply don't have a ton of time to change lenses, or carry around a bunch of lenses, and on top of the Tamron having great IQ, the range is very useful for everyday kind of stuff with the family. I use it significantly more than my Tamron 17-50, since the 50-75 range is much more useful to me than the 17-28 that I lose. This lens is definitely a keeper IMHO.
09-24-2010, 12:50 PM   #10
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Yes i have a lot of lighting equipment, i do strobist stuff most of the time
09-24-2010, 12:54 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by crossover37 Quote
Yes i have a lot of lighting equipment, i do strobist stuff most of the time
Awesome! That's what I like to hear....

I stick my Speedlights on stands with umbrellas and use a set of Cactus V4s to trigger them. Also have a Sekonic meter. Good stuff.
09-25-2010, 09:51 PM   #12
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that's cool. I have CTR-301P's but I won't use those anymore because they not reliable at all. I use them with YN-560's and it fires inconsistently...I'm wondering what triggers to upgrade to.
09-25-2010, 11:01 PM   #13
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I recall having seen several posts from people who said they had the Tamron 28-75 and sold it.

The posts also uniformly included expressions of regret.
09-25-2010, 11:11 PM   #14
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If bokeh is the reason you want the FA50, you might be surprised your 28-75 might not be as poor as you imagined.
09-26-2010, 12:36 AM   #15
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I have both the FA 50 and the Tammy and I'm keeping both! :-)
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