[slip]

after much soul searching, I think I am going with the newest K5. The major disappointment with Pentax for me has always been the auto focus, but that, for the most part seems to be better. besides it will be a good base for better future lenses.
now the question. I have a sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5. we have the fa50 1.4 and the M135 3.5 as well as other manual lenses.
would a Tamron 90MM 2.8 macro be a good fill in gap between the 17-70 and the 135?
I want a sharp lens that doesn't break the bank until I can afford a better lens to fill the gap.
for a general all around affordable lens for portraits, occational weddings, kids, pets, sports,etc. would it be a wise choice?
generally I pre-focus any lens I am shooting in order to shorten the time it needs to autofocus.
I really want the sharpest lens as possible that isn't in the thousands

thanks

randy

[rockmaster1964]

I use mine all the time for portraits. It is a very sharp lens. I highly recommend it.

[Adam]

Another great portrait lens is the sigma 85 1.4

[Anvh]

If you want good autofocus then dont get a macro lens =D

Get a 85mm or for example the DA*50-135, Sigma 50-150, 70-200 or tamron 70-200 all f/2.8

No idea about the autofocus speed besides the DA*50-135, that one is relative slow but it focus nicely manually and hunt very little to non with AF.

[slip]

thanks for the suggestions. I love to have a 85 1.4, da 50-135 etc, but the purchase the tamron at less then 500 dollars (less used) would be more viable.
I know that the tamron macro would be a good buy, but is that focal length a good "fill the gap" measure until, in a couple of years, can afford something like the 50-135?

thanks for all the help so far.
randy

[DSims]

Of course you don't always want a sharp lens for portraits, but the Tamron 90 macro (I assume you mean the latest version) definitely qualifies as one of the sharpest lenses I've owned. I no longer have mine, but I believe it would still be very sharp on the K-5 IIs I now have. I replaced my Tamron 90 macro with the DFA 100 WR Macro.

Because of the zoom range and IQ, I believe the DA*50-135 will be your best choice here. It certainly qualifies as a sharp lens. The AF is good and quiet, but not the absolute fastest, meaning it will be good for weddings but perhaps not perfect for triathlons. Still, I think it's nearly ideal here.


Otherwise, if you don't need the zoom, get the FA77 (or maybe the DA70, although I've never owned it). And the DA*55 should replace your FA50/1.4 if you're looking for IQ and sharpness.

[rockmaster1964]

I think it would be fine for the fill the gap lens. I also use it as a small tele lens.

[msatlas]

Just make sure to use the focus range limiter (it's a little knob on the side that locks out the macro range) when not doing macro shooting and the AF speed should be reasonably decent.

[slip]

Otherwise, if you don't need the zoom, get the FA77 (or maybe the DA70, although I've never owned it). And the DA*55 should replace your FA50/1.4 if you're looking for IQ and sharpness.

Thanks for the advice...was thinking since my sigma zooms to 70mm, one of those lenses would be an overlap, even though they are better and faster...and the price would be around the same as the 50-135
Thanks for the input

Randy

[oxidized]

Have you considered Rokinon 85 1.4? Very fast and sharp wide open. Only downside is manual focus. But for $300 you are not breaking the bank.