Looking for a manual fast zoom

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 08:12 AM

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As much as I'd like to own one of those beasty expensive modern lenses with all the doo-dads (like autofocusing) I've realized that being manual seems to knock quite a bit off the price.
I currently have a Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6Di LD Macro 1:2 which I've been using, and like but would like something a little faster. It also doesn't quite have to go to 300mm either.. I might be okay with a 200 or 250mm. On the low end, 50-70 is probably in the right range.
I just don't have the knowledge that some have about all the various lenses out there. But something that would allow me to go 2 or 3 F-stops down would really allow me to increase my shutter speed significantly inside.

i'm looking for something that is maybe still made or reasonably popular. Korea isn't really a pentax country. I can get a lot here, but I probably wouldn't have much luck hunting down some of these more obscure lenses.

any recommendations are welcome.

ducdao · 09-12-2012, 08:30 AM

Have a look at the Tokina ATX-Pro 35-70 f2.8

Very well built and fast and most importantly can be bought around $60-$80

It also have the A contact which mean you can control the aperture from the camera.

The Pentax A 35-105/3.5 is also excellent. My only problem with it is its weight.

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 08:36 AM

sorry I meant 50-70 as the lower number, I'd like the upper end of the zoom to be 200-250 so 50/70-200/250
something in that neighbourhood.

msatlas · 09-12-2012, 08:43 AM

Tokina and Tamron both made manual focus 80-200/2.8 lenses.

Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 80-200mm f2.8 LD BBAR MC (30A) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Tokina AT-X SD 80-200mm f2.8 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

There's also the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/2.8-4 made by Komine.

Vivitar 70-210mm F2.8-4, version 3 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

There were several versions of Vivitar 70-210, you can see more info here:

http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 09:03 AM

That vivitar looked like just what I wanted, inexpensive so I could afford to drop a little to try it, but unfortunately no one has it in Korea. just the AF version for nikon and canon mounts. For about $250.
Though.. i did find a Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 for $70.
F3.8 isn't bad... though it doesn't fall on your usual scale for F-stops..how many stops down from 5.6 is that?
I found a a 70-210 vivitar here, but it's a macro only starts at F4.5 no help for me.

Very little pentax mount vivitar sold in Korea at all.

ducdao · 09-12-2012, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by crossmr

That vivitar looked like just what I wanted, inexpensive so I could afford to drop a little to try it, but unfortunately no one has it in Korea. just the AF version for nikon and canon mounts. For about $250.
Though.. i did find a Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 for $70.
F3.8 isn't bad... though it doesn't fall on your usual scale for F-stops..how many stops down from 5.6 is that?
I found a a 70-210 vivitar here, but it's a macro only starts at F4.5 no help for me.

Very little pentax mount vivitar sold in Korea at all.

Why can't you buy on eBay the have it shipped to Korea?

msatlas · 09-12-2012, 09:20 AM

Here's a Vivitar 70-210/2.8-4 with a KA mount so you still have automatic exposure (as opposed to regular K mount where you use stop-down metering).

Pentax P/KA mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 lens - Komine 019643162228 | eBay

Also a couple 70-210/3.5 copies. These are K mount.

Vivitar Series 1 VMC 70-210mm f/3.5 Pentax Lens With Case !!L@@K!! | eBay

Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f:3.5 Zoom Lens Pentax K Mount Film Digital 9+++ NR! | eBay

You could always email the seller and ask if they'll ship to Korea.

elliott · 09-12-2012, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by msatlas

Here's a Vivitar 70-210/2.8-4 with a KA mount so you still have automatic exposure (as opposed to regular K mount where you use stop-down metering).

Pentax P/KA mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 lens - Komine 019643162228 | eBay

I have one of these, absolutely amazing lens.

msatlas · 09-12-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by elliott

I have one of these, absolutely amazing lens.

I had one in Canon FD mount along with a Canon T90. Was a good combo! I actually also had a Tokina 35-70/2.8 mentioned above.

jimr-pdx · 09-12-2012, 10:30 AM

Sounds like 70-210 would be your best choice. I also recommend lenses like my Rikenon 70-150 or pentax 75-150, both fixed f/4 and a bit smaller.

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by ducdao

Why can't you buy on eBay the have it shipped to Korea?

Some sellers are jerks about shipping to Korea/asia
I've had my fill of Ebay
I prefer to buy locally. Much easier to deal with if there is any problem with what I bought. If I receive the lens and it's got a problem, I'd rather deal with a local shop than some "power seller" on ebay.

Vivitar 70-210 does seem like the choice from them.

What about other brands? Do any of the others make a decent fast manual lens in the same category?
150 is a bit short

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 05:07 PM

Well I just ran "pentax mf" through the local online shopping aggregator. Lots of smaller lenses, not much in zoom. Most of the zooms are f4-5.6 it looks like that Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 is the best choice. I also found an "image 80-200" F4.5 for $59. but 4.5 is a bit high.

I might find one in the second hand camera shops, autofocus is going to be over $1100 here for anything in that size.

elliott · 09-12-2012, 05:15 PM

The Vivitar 75-205mm f3.8 should be a Kiron made one, serial number starting with 22xxxxx, I've heard nothing but good things about the old Kiron zooms. Probably a fair bit lighter than my monster Series 1.

crossmr · 09-12-2012, 05:22 PM

WE

Yes it starts with 22...
3.8 is not quite as fast as I'd like, but it's at least a stop and a bit faster than 5.6 which is what a lot of my shots get done at now.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/26514-vivitar-75-205-f3-8-a.html

looks like a small thread on it here.
a little googling shows it to be an interesting and decent lens.

msatlas · 09-12-2012, 08:59 PM

Oh well if you're ok with that kinda aperture, check out the Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5. It's an Adaptall lens so whatever mount you find, you can just get a Pentax Adaptall ring and it'll work. More info: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 70-210mm F/3.5 Model 19AH

Reviews here: Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

KEH has international shipping so you can avoid eBay.

Tamron Adaptall 70-210 F3.5 SP CF MACRO (62) (REQUIRES ADAPTALL) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com
Tamron Adaptall 70-210 F3.5 SP CF MACRO (62) (REQUIRES ADAPTALL) WITH HOOD 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com

These are the adapters... (again KA gives autoexposure)

Tamron Adaptall Lenses ADAPTALL 2 (PENTAX KA) - KEH.com
Tamron Adaptall Lenses ADAPTALL 2 (PENTAX KM) - KEH.com

09-12-2012, 08:12 AM	#1
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318	Looking for a manual fast zoom Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. As much as I'd like to own one of those beasty expensive modern lenses with all the doo-dads (like autofocusing) I've realized that being manual seems to knock quite a bit off the price. I currently have a Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6Di LD Macro 1:2 which I've been using, and like but would like something a little faster. It also doesn't quite have to go to 300mm either.. I might be okay with a 200 or 250mm. On the low end, 50-70 is probably in the right range. I just don't have the knowledge that some have about all the various lenses out there. But something that would allow me to go 2 or 3 F-stops down would really allow me to increase my shutter speed significantly inside. i'm looking for something that is maybe still made or reasonably popular. Korea isn't really a pentax country. I can get a lot here, but I probably wouldn't have much luck hunting down some of these more obscure lenses. any recommendations are welcome.

09-12-2012, 05:15 PM	#13
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	The Vivitar 75-205mm f3.8 should be a Kiron made one, serial number starting with 22xxxxx, I've heard nothing but good things about the old Kiron zooms. Probably a fair bit lighter than my monster Series 1. Last edited by elliott; 09-12-2012 at 05:20 PM.

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09-12-2012, 08:30 AM	#2
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Have a look at the Tokina ATX-Pro 35-70 f2.8 Very well built and fast and most importantly can be bought around $60-$80 It also have the A contact which mean you can control the aperture from the camera. The Pentax A 35-105/3.5 is also excellent. My only problem with it is its weight.

09-12-2012, 08:36 AM	#3
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318 Original Poster	sorry I meant 50-70 as the lower number, I'd like the upper end of the zoom to be 200-250 so 50/70-200/250 something in that neighbourhood.

09-12-2012, 08:43 AM	#4
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	Tokina and Tamron both made manual focus 80-200/2.8 lenses. Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 80-200mm f2.8 LD BBAR MC (30A) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Tokina AT-X SD 80-200mm f2.8 Lens Reviews - Tokina Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database There's also the Vivitar Series 1 70-210/2.8-4 made by Komine. Vivitar 70-210mm F2.8-4, version 3 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database There were several versions of Vivitar 70-210, you can see more info here: http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm

09-12-2012, 09:03 AM	#5
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318 Original Poster	That vivitar looked like just what I wanted, inexpensive so I could afford to drop a little to try it, but unfortunately no one has it in Korea. just the AF version for nikon and canon mounts. For about $250. Though.. i did find a Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 for $70. F3.8 isn't bad... though it doesn't fall on your usual scale for F-stops..how many stops down from 5.6 is that? I found a a 70-210 vivitar here, but it's a macro only starts at F4.5 no help for me. Very little pentax mount vivitar sold in Korea at all.

09-12-2012, 09:07 AM	#6
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	Originally posted by crossmr That vivitar looked like just what I wanted, inexpensive so I could afford to drop a little to try it, but unfortunately no one has it in Korea. just the AF version for nikon and canon mounts. For about $250. Though.. i did find a Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 for $70. F3.8 isn't bad... though it doesn't fall on your usual scale for F-stops..how many stops down from 5.6 is that? I found a a 70-210 vivitar here, but it's a macro only starts at F4.5 no help for me. Very little pentax mount vivitar sold in Korea at all. Why can't you buy on eBay the have it shipped to Korea?

09-12-2012, 09:20 AM	#7
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	Here's a Vivitar 70-210/2.8-4 with a KA mount so you still have automatic exposure (as opposed to regular K mount where you use stop-down metering). Pentax P/KA mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 lens - Komine 019643162228 \| eBay Also a couple 70-210/3.5 copies. These are K mount. Vivitar Series 1 VMC 70-210mm f/3.5 Pentax Lens With Case !!L@@K!! \| eBay Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f:3.5 Zoom Lens Pentax K Mount Film Digital 9+++ NR! \| eBay You could always email the seller and ask if they'll ship to Korea.

09-12-2012, 09:50 AM	#8
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by msatlas Here's a Vivitar 70-210/2.8-4 with a KA mount so you still have automatic exposure (as opposed to regular K mount where you use stop-down metering). Pentax P/KA mount Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f/2.8-4 lens - Komine 019643162228 \| eBay I have one of these, absolutely amazing lens.

09-12-2012, 10:21 AM	#9
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	Originally posted by elliott I have one of these, absolutely amazing lens. I had one in Canon FD mount along with a Canon T90. Was a good combo! I actually also had a Tokina 35-70/2.8 mentioned above.

09-12-2012, 10:30 AM	#10
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	Sounds like 70-210 would be your best choice. I also recommend lenses like my Rikenon 70-150 or pentax 75-150, both fixed f/4 and a bit smaller.

09-12-2012, 04:26 PM	#11
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318 Original Poster	Originally posted by ducdao Why can't you buy on eBay the have it shipped to Korea? Some sellers are jerks about shipping to Korea/asia I've had my fill of Ebay I prefer to buy locally. Much easier to deal with if there is any problem with what I bought. If I receive the lens and it's got a problem, I'd rather deal with a local shop than some "power seller" on ebay. Vivitar 70-210 does seem like the choice from them. What about other brands? Do any of the others make a decent fast manual lens in the same category? 150 is a bit short

09-12-2012, 05:07 PM	#12
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318 Original Poster	Well I just ran "pentax mf" through the local online shopping aggregator. Lots of smaller lenses, not much in zoom. Most of the zooms are f4-5.6 it looks like that Vivitar 75-205 F3.8 is the best choice. I also found an "image 80-200" F4.5 for $59. but 4.5 is a bit high. I might find one in the second hand camera shops, autofocus is going to be over $1100 here for anything in that size.

09-12-2012, 05:22 PM	#14
crossmr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 318 Original Poster	WE Yes it starts with 22... 3.8 is not quite as fast as I'd like, but it's at least a stop and a bit faster than 5.6 which is what a lot of my shots get done at now. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/26514-vivitar-75-205-f3-8-a.html looks like a small thread on it here. a little googling shows it to be an interesting and decent lens.

09-12-2012, 08:59 PM	#15
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	Oh well if you're ok with that kinda aperture, check out the Tamron SP 70-210mm f/3.5. It's an Adaptall lens so whatever mount you find, you can just get a Pentax Adaptall ring and it'll work. More info: Tamron SP Adaptall-2 70-210mm F/3.5 Model 19AH Reviews here: Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH) Lens Reviews - Tamron Adaptall Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database KEH has international shipping so you can avoid eBay. Tamron Adaptall 70-210 F3.5 SP CF MACRO (62) (REQUIRES ADAPTALL) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com Tamron Adaptall 70-210 F3.5 SP CF MACRO (62) (REQUIRES ADAPTALL) WITH HOOD 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com These are the adapters... (again KA gives autoexposure) Tamron Adaptall Lenses ADAPTALL 2 (PENTAX KA) - KEH.com Tamron Adaptall Lenses ADAPTALL 2 (PENTAX KM) - KEH.com