[yorik]

Has anyone here used both the DA* 200 and the Tamron or Sigma 70-200 f2.8? How does the
optical quality of the DA* compare to that of the zooms?

I'm trying to take an informed approach to my lba ...

Thanks!

[LeDave]

The Tamron and Sigma are very sharp, however with the DA* 200 being a prime, I would guess it's better IQ. But should wait for better answers before making your move.

[Urkeldaedalus]

Has anyone here used both the DA* 200 and the Tamron or Sigma 70-200 f2.8? How does the
optical quality of the DA* compare to that of the zooms?

I'm trying to take an informed approach to my lba ...

Thanks!

I own the DA*200 and have owned the Tamron 70-200 and rented the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 II HSM (not the newest version).

Imo the Sigma was a little soft wide open but had the best autofocus. The DA*200 had second best autofocus and at 200 mm was the best all around. The Tamron 70-200 was pretty darn nice in IQ at all focal lengths (better than the Sigma and close to the DA*200), but it had slow AF.

The reason I got rid of the Tamron ultimately was due to the AF and also the size advantage the DA*200 has over the 70-200. It's not like the DA*200 is super light, but it is very noticeably lighter and physically smaller than either of the 70-200 lenses.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[yorik]

at 200 mm was the best all around

This is the kind of information I was looking for - thanks!

I am currently renting the DA*200 and I am quite happy with its optical qualities. I just wanted to be sure
that I couldn't do better IQ-wise for less (i.e., with the Tamron).

[DreTAX]

I agree with Urkeldaedalus, i recently tested the same Sigma for a friend before and after it went for adjustment. The image out of the Sigma looked good to my eye and I was a little surprised to see the extra sharpness from my DA*. Never used the Tamron but the findings sound right.

[msatlas]

Here's some MTF charts, not the be-all end-all but can give you some idea. The Pentax 200/2.8 was on a 10mp K10D, the Sigma 70-200 on a 10mp Nikon D200, and the Tamron 70-200 on a 15mp Canon 50D. So in terms of absolute numbers the comparison doesn't quite bear out but you can at least get an idea of how much you'd need to stop down to reach that lens' maximum sharpness.

Pentax DA* 200/2.8


Sigma 70-200/2.8


Tamron 70-200/2.8


All three lenses reach their peak resolution at f/5.6, but of the three, the Pentax at wider-than-f/5.6 aperture stays closest to its peak resolution. So there's probably a good chance the Pentax is sharpest at those apertures. Although you'd need MTF charts from identical cameras to make a more conclusive argument.

[yorik]

Thanks again for all the quick replies and information!