DA 50 - 135 or tamaron 70 - 200

phnalves · 06-09-2011, 12:56 PM

I'm having this dificult choice to make,
It's between this two amazing lens
right this are my reasons to consider
it's gonna be used for portraits

tamaron has longer range(although 70 is a bit to much I already have a
sigma 17 - 70 to complet the set if a need to do a full body)
and is more solid built.

DA has a better range and is lighter

so I don't know what to get.
bear in mind that both lensses are farly expensive for my pocket
so it will have to be a definitive choice.

SirJangly · 06-09-2011, 01:16 PM

Oops. I'd go with the tamron, the extra range may come in handy, and I think it compliments the 17-70 much better

**blackcloudbrew** · 06-09-2011, 01:18 PM

I own them both and like it that way. They are similar but different in use IMHO. This question has come up a number of times on this forum be sure to search out other discussions on this. In my opinion, the image quality is nearly the same. Clearly the Tammy's bigger than the Pentax. With both lenses I always want more length and conversely I'd like a bit more width. One thing about the Tammy is that you can use it on newer film cameras if that's a factor.

I'd tend to use the Tammy for all purpose sports stuff and the Pentax for indoor things and portraits. Given that you said portraits, I'd go with the Pentax. $0.02USD

elho_cid · 06-09-2011, 02:50 PM

For portraits, if you are sure you want zoom, get the DA*. But still the bokeh is not as good as with primes.

TOUGEFC · 06-09-2011, 03:02 PM

For Portraits the DA* 50-135 would be better suited , the 50-70 range would be more useful than the 135-200 range of the Tamron.

Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135.

**manishved** · 06-09-2011, 05:22 PM

50-135 for IQ
70-200 for reach

or 50-135 + Tamron 1.4x for almost both of the above (you will lose 1 stop though)

JHD · 06-09-2011, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135.

Highly recommended. HSM is so fast it pulls focus before the SR is ready. Sigma also backs up this lens with a 10 year warranty whereas Pentax only backs up the 50-135 with a 2 year warranty (here in Canada).

psychdoc · 06-09-2011, 06:53 PM

50-135 is great for portraits.

Sigma 50-150 as far as I know has been discontinued...

JHD · 06-09-2011, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by psychdoc

Sigma 50-150 as far as I know has been discontinued...

There is a new OS version, but it would have been nice if they kept the non OS version available for Pentax. I was lucky to pick one up just recently and compared to the 50-135, I made the right decision.

yusuf · 06-09-2011, 07:46 PM

70-200. Personally I found it to be even sharper than 50-135 at wide open, especially at longer end. However 70-200mm is a bit heavy.

Eagle_Friends · 06-09-2011, 09:04 PM

1 vote for 50-135mm

NeverSatisfied · 06-09-2011, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by manishved

50-135 for IQ
70-200 for reach

or 50-135 + Tamron 1.4x for almost both of the above (you will lose 1 stop though)

This may sound like a good recommendation, but I've actually tried this and you will be sorely disappointed. AF hunts like crazy, almost impossible to lock on. (Tamron 1.4 TC does, however, work well with my DA* 300/4 - go figure!)

I agree with Blackcloudbrew 100%. However when I require a long zoom, nine times out of ten I grab the DA*50-135. Personally I think it has a slight edge in IQ, but just barely. The sheer size of the Tamron is usually what deters me from using it.

akanarya · 06-10-2011, 12:09 AM

this is also my question in my mind.
135-200mm difference is huge, but 70-200 is a huge lens also.
i'd like to have a quality but carriable tele.
This opposites with tamron unfortunatelly.
I think i would go for 60-250, if it is not so much pricey.

elho_cid · 06-10-2011, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by akanarya

135-200mm difference is huge, but 70-200 is a huge lens also.

Put your telezoom on the camera and try the 135-200 differnece for yourself. Not huge at all.

**Rondec** · 06-10-2011, 04:12 AM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

For Portraits the DA* 50-135 would be better suited , the 50-70 range would be more useful than the 135-200 range of the Tamron.

Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135.

Agree. Shooting portraits at much longer than 135mm is not something I ever do. There are places where a little extra reach would be useful and certainly, the focus is pretty slow on the 50-135, but if primary purpose is portrait shooting, I would go with the DA * lens.

06-09-2011, 12:56 PM	#1
phnalves New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: london Posts: 3	DA 50 - 135 or tamaron 70 - 200 I'm having this dificult choice to make, It's between this two amazing lens right this are my reasons to consider it's gonna be used for portraits tamaron has longer range(although 70 is a bit to much I already have a sigma 17 - 70 to complet the set if a need to do a full body) and is more solid built. DA has a better range and is lighter so I don't know what to get. bear in mind that both lensses are farly expensive for my pocket so it will have to be a definitive choice.

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06-09-2011, 01:16 PM	#2
SirJangly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Antioch, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 197	Oops. I'd go with the tamron, the extra range may come in handy, and I think it compliments the 17-70 much better

06-09-2011, 01:18 PM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	I own them both and like it that way. They are similar but different in use IMHO. This question has come up a number of times on this forum be sure to search out other discussions on this. In my opinion, the image quality is nearly the same. Clearly the Tammy's bigger than the Pentax. With both lenses I always want more length and conversely I'd like a bit more width. One thing about the Tammy is that you can use it on newer film cameras if that's a factor. I'd tend to use the Tammy for all purpose sports stuff and the Pentax for indoor things and portraits. Given that you said portraits, I'd go with the Pentax. $0.02USD

06-09-2011, 02:50 PM	#4
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	For portraits, if you are sure you want zoom, get the DA*. But still the bokeh is not as good as with primes.

06-09-2011, 03:02 PM	#5
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	For Portraits the DA* 50-135 would be better suited , the 50-70 range would be more useful than the 135-200 range of the Tamron. Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135.

06-09-2011, 05:22 PM	#6
manishved Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N. Calif Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,652	50-135 for IQ 70-200 for reach or 50-135 + Tamron 1.4x for almost both of the above (you will lose 1 stop though)

06-09-2011, 05:28 PM	#7
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by TOUGEFC Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135. Highly recommended. HSM is so fast it pulls focus before the SR is ready. Sigma also backs up this lens with a 10 year warranty whereas Pentax only backs up the 50-135 with a 2 year warranty (here in Canada).

06-09-2011, 06:53 PM	#8
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	50-135 is great for portraits. Sigma 50-150 as far as I know has been discontinued...

06-09-2011, 07:12 PM	#9
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Originally posted by psychdoc Sigma 50-150 as far as I know has been discontinued... There is a new OS version, but it would have been nice if they kept the non OS version available for Pentax. I was lucky to pick one up just recently and compared to the 50-135, I made the right decision.

06-09-2011, 07:46 PM	#10
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	70-200. Personally I found it to be even sharper than 50-135 at wide open, especially at longer end. However 70-200mm is a bit heavy.

06-09-2011, 09:04 PM	#11
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	1 vote for 50-135mm

06-09-2011, 10:32 PM	#12
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by manishved 50-135 for IQ 70-200 for reach or 50-135 + Tamron 1.4x for almost both of the above (you will lose 1 stop though) This may sound like a good recommendation, but I've actually tried this and you will be sorely disappointed. AF hunts like crazy, almost impossible to lock on. (Tamron 1.4 TC does, however, work well with my DA* 300/4 - go figure!) I agree with Blackcloudbrew 100%. However when I require a long zoom, nine times out of ten I grab the DA*50-135. Personally I think it has a slight edge in IQ, but just barely. The sheer size of the Tamron is usually what deters me from using it.

06-10-2011, 12:09 AM	#13
akanarya Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Çankırı, Turkey Posts: 210	this is also my question in my mind. 135-200mm difference is huge, but 70-200 is a huge lens also. i'd like to have a quality but carriable tele. This opposites with tamron unfortunatelly. I think i would go for 60-250, if it is not so much pricey.

06-10-2011, 01:18 AM	#14
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	Originally posted by akanarya 135-200mm difference is huge, but 70-200 is a huge lens also. Put your telezoom on the camera and try the 135-200 differnece for yourself. Not huge at all.

06-10-2011, 04:12 AM	#15
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	Originally posted by TOUGEFC For Portraits the DA* 50-135 would be better suited , the 50-70 range would be more useful than the 135-200 range of the Tamron. Also the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 HSM is also one to consider, excellent IQ, fast and silent AF, plus has a bit range than the DA* 50-135. Agree. Shooting portraits at much longer than 135mm is not something I ever do. There are places where a little extra reach would be useful and certainly, the focus is pretty slow on the 50-135, but if primary purpose is portrait shooting, I would go with the DA * lens.