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10-08-2011, 02:43 AM   #1
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Anything equal the DA 50-135?

I really want this lens. I want it for weddings/portraits/landscapes. Later on I would probably get the 16-50 to fill the gap. I have the Sigma 10-20 so have that angle covered (excuse the pun!).
I missed out on one on Ebay and am hoping to pick one up on here.
If I can't manage to find one in time (have a wedding on the 19th November) is there a comparable lens out there? I don't care if it's Sigma or whatever as long AS IT IS GOOD. Sorry for shouting.

10-08-2011, 02:54 AM   #2
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Sigma 50-150 f2.8?
10-08-2011, 03:02 AM   #3
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The Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 is it's biggest rival.
10-08-2011, 03:06 AM   #4
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Thanks guys will have to check a few reviews, don't know anything about this one. Can you pick them up second hand? $900 is a bit above my budget ($800).

10-08-2011, 03:40 AM   #5
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Yes second hand is the best bet, there are two versions-

The old dis-continued version, same size as the 50-135 and has HSM. Ive seen them go for under $800
The new version, same size as the 70-200 and has added OS and alot more $$$

Everyone swears buy the old version version, and I would too
10-08-2011, 04:14 AM   #6
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Id get a 70-200 Sigma HSM OS..I doubt you'd miss the lack of 20 mm at the lower end..but the extra 65 or 50 mm at the long end would be useful.

as for IQ and sharpness, the sigma 70-200 HSM OS is very very good

I know its a bit more expensive..but you get a pretty good lens for $1300 AU.
10-08-2011, 05:47 AM   #7
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Sigma V Pentax

Well I have both the 50-135 Pentax and the non OS Sigma 70-200 (bought at a weak moment)
I have to say that I much prefer the Pentax. It is just so well matched to the K7/K5 body especially with a grip. You can even shoot one handed. The Sigma is a bit of a beast to handle.
The only criticism is the minimum focussing distance (can't think of the proper description) at 50mm but it is a sweet lens for shots where you are a little far from the action but still want those head and shoulder shots
It excels in low light but can hunt a bit when focussing with the K7. No I haven't yet succumbed to the looooow prices for the K5 body.
Hope that helps

10-08-2011, 05:59 AM   #8
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Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. Looks like the 50-135 is still the best option. Mmmmmm will have to see what comes up.
10-08-2011, 06:01 AM   #9
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The old Sigma version of the 50-150 has been discontinued. The new version so far is not available for Pentax.

From the reviews I have read the new one, even if they make it for Pentax is as big as a 70-200, this negates the biggest reason to get the 50-150

The Pentax 50-135 is my favorite lens. Its AF speed is not that quick but suits my personal needs. It is about the largest lens I would be willing to carry around also.
10-08-2011, 01:12 PM   #10
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Psychdoc is correct ... personally I wouldn't get the latest version of the Sigma 50-150, it's big and expensive and just not worth the effort. However if you can find one of the older non-OS HSM versions then it is a superior lens to the 50-135. HSM beats SDM any day (AF speed and SDM issues), the Sigma is sharper wide open, in fact the Sigma is amazingly sharp a almost any f-stop (easily crop to 1:1 and print) and both are around the same size and weight. They are difficult to come by for a reason though .. nobody wants to sell them !

As for shooting at a wedding, I use my 50-150 for sport and if it's long enough and sharp enough to cover sport 50m away then this focal length lens (50-150/50-135) is definitely long enough for a wedding, you don't need a 70-200 and the extra 20mm at the wide end lone is a good enough reason to go with the shorter lenses over a 70-200.
10-08-2011, 04:30 PM   #11
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I'm one of the lucky people who bought the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM just before they discontinued it, and I don't think I'll EVER get rid of that lens. Like FrogFish said, it's sharp even wide-open, and autofocus is fast and silent. I've had a "saved search" on eBay for the last several months to alert me when a 50-150mm is listed (so I can let people on here know), and in that time there's only been one or two that came up for sale.

All that being said, everybody who has the Pentax 50-135mm also sings its praises (except for those who have been burned by SDM failure!) Since the 50-150mm is no longer available, I'd probably go with the 50-135mm if I didn't feel like lugging around a 70-200mm and I didn't require the absolute fastest focus speed. But I would be sure to buy an extended warranty with the 50-135mm for peace of mind.

Have you considered the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 instead? Seems like it would be a good lens for a wedding photographer. It could kill two birds with one stone by giving you some reach, along with an extremely fast aperture for working in low light or for blurring backgrounds. And from what I've heard, the HSM is fast and accurate. Fast 85's seem to be popular with wedding photographers. Here's a review from a professional wedding photog about the Sigma 85mm:

Review: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Ryan Brenizer — NYC Wedding Photographer. Problem solver, storyteller.
10-08-2011, 06:38 PM   #12
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Yes I did consider the 85, but felt that a zoom would be more valua at this stage. But by all accounts it is a great lens.
10-08-2011, 07:35 PM   #13
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I'd vouch for the Siggy 50-150/2.8 HSM II anytime. It's only weak spot is f2.8 at 135-150mm at minimum focus ranges. Some shots with the Siggy wide open at 70-90mm ISO800.






10-08-2011, 08:08 PM   #14
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I recently bought an earlier version of the Sigma 70-200 (pre-HSM, OS & 'macro'), from a West Australian, incidentally, and it's a pearler. Cost me $700 AUD, with the matching 1.4 x teleconverter. Maybe Essdubbya is interested in selling you his Siggy, as he's happier with the Pentax?

BTW, I reckon No. 3 is the best....

Regards
10-08-2011, 08:18 PM   #15
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The main competitor is the Sigma 50-150 (sadly now discontinued). It does, however, have a reputation for front-focusing on a par with the 50 f1.4 . I had two (separated by a space of a few weeks) and had to return both due to severe FF. It wasn't the body: by chance I had my DFA100 to hand when testing the second copy, and the camera focused that perfectly.

In short, the 50-150 is excellent (provided, ironically, that you use it at 50-135 as the performance at 150mm isn't great) but make sure that you get it from a retailer with a good returns policy just in case you get a dud one - though that's true of any lens purchase to be fair.

EDIT: Thought I'd add that - as vinceloc's examples demonstrate - the 50-150 has beautiful bokeh. The AF is also very fast and very quiet,
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