[Phil1]

""If that is long enough you might consder the Takumar 135:2.5. It is manual but very good and inexpensive compared to your listed alternatives. A good way to wet your manual feet!""


...or possibly the very good Pentax K 200MM f2.5 if you can locate one. They are fairly reasonable and the fastest 200MM Pentax has ever made. Check the lens reviews. It works well with a 1.4 doubler too.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-K-200mm-F2.5-Lens.html

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Last edited by Phil1; 01-17-2011 at 03:47 PM.

[lkjr]

Should I compromise with the Sigma 70-200 that is supposedly soft above 150 for the focus speed?
My concern is that the reason for a 70-200 is that I will be using the top end alot...but if the pics are all soft there is that a good trade off? The Tammy 70-200 shots I've seen are spectacular through 200 but people say focus speed is slower and its nosier.
Great suggestions from everyone....thanks!

[ashiigi]

I am trying to make a final decision for a lens to shoot indoor gymnastics where we can't use a flash and the distance can be far. I have a Kx and while my 55-300 has the distance, it often doesn't have the speed for these low light conditions. I have pretty much eliminated the 50-135 (people say its focus is too slow..unless you can convince me otherwise) so I am down to a) sigma 50-150 f2.8 (~$750), b) tamron 70-200 f 2.8 (~$730), or c) maybe the DA 200 f2.8 (but this is about $950). (The Sigma 70-200 is way too expensive...why?) Any thoughts? Thanks!

I am also taking indoor gymnastics shots without flash, but I am looking to find an all-around lens like a 18-200mm. The shots aren't always so far away and changing lenses would take too long Any suggestions as to which ones?
thanks

[Lowell Goudge]

Should I compromise with the Sigma 70-200 that is supposedly soft above 150 for the focus speed?
My concern is that the reason for a 70-200 is that I will be using the top end alot...but if the pics are all soft there is that a good trade off? The Tammy 70-200 shots I've seen are spectacular through 200 but people say focus speed is slower and its nosier.
Great suggestions from everyone....thanks!

you need to do a little more research

I have the Sigma APO 70-200F2.8 EF (non DG non Macro) while I have heard complaints from owners of newer lenses about softness at max focal length, that is not an issue with the origonal version.

Look for one on the used market, they usually go for about $600, down from the $1200 when sigma had temporairly stopped making 70-200 lenses in K mount.

I also see someone mentioning the Tak 135F2.5 If this focal length is right, go for the K135F2.5 it is sharp even wide open and the extra 1/2 stop p[lus light weight makes it a great lens to use.

Others have mentioned a 50mmF1.4 if you can get close enough, another good idea.

Consider the math:

Image size = subject size * focal length / distance

your image will be either 16 or 24mm (the frame dimensions)
Subject size will be less than 1.5 meters (gymnists are little)
look at focal length and working distance and calculate what can work with what you can get.

[Nick Siebers]

I am also taking indoor gymnastics shots without flash, but I am looking to find an all-around lens like a 18-200mm. The shots aren't always so far away and changing lenses would take too long Any suggestions as to which ones?
thanks

I am not sure if that is possible. The superzoom lenses are, by necessity, slow.... I just don't think most people will be able to get good gymnastics pictures without flash using a superzoom.

Since I mentioned it above, here's a gymnastics picture with the 50/1.2, wide open. Not as good as I would like, or what the OP is looking for, but captures something fun.