[DimC]

Hi,

I've read various post about theses excellent lenses but I'd be glad to have direct input from you guys.

I plan on buying a good quality lens mainly for concerts, dance recital, low lights events. But also portrait and studio shooting.

I want a ultrazoom and I cant decide which one, I guess my options are the followings on a budget around 700-800 € :

Pentax Da* 50-135 | 2.8
Tamron 70-200 | 2.8

I havent tried any of theses, just seen some very pics.
Do you think I should sell my Tamron 90 macro | 2.8 because it will be replaced by one of thses lenses ? I love my Tamron 90mm Macro by the way, my favorite lens.

What would you recommend ?

[Adam]

Hi,

I've read various post about theses excellent lenses but I'd be glad to have direct input from you guys.

I plan on buying a good quality lens mainly for concerts, dance recital, low lights events. But also portrait and studio shooting.

I want a ultrazoom and I cant decide which one, I guess my options are the followings on a budget around 700-800 € :

Pentax Da* 50-135 | 2.8
Tamron 70-200 | 2.8

I havent tried any of theses, just seen some very pics.
Do you think I should sell my Tamron 90 macro | 2.8 because it will be replaced by one of thses lenses ? I love my Tamron 90mm Macro by the way, my favorite lens.

What would you recommend ?

If the AF wasn't as loud I'd recommend the 70-200mm, it's better optically IMO. But with that said we'll be posting an in-depth review of the 50-135mm later this week!

[JinDesu]

I would recommend the Sigma 70-200 HSM over the Tamron for concert shooting/dance recitals. The silent motor is much appreciated in quiet events.

As far as 70-200 vs 50-135, it depends on how far you are from the stage. Are you shooting from the audience? Or in a specific location?
For portrait shooting, I think the 50-135 is better - but I have used my Tamron 70-200 for many a great portraits so it's a tossup there.

[crewl1]

I second JinDesu on the Sigma recommendation, it will be a quiet solution with your K-5.

Do you think I should sell my Tamron 90 macro | 2.8 because it will be replaced by one of thses lenses ? I love my Tamron 90mm Macro by the way, my favorite lens.

It really depends on how much you like to do Macro. None of the lenses above will give the close focus 1:1 ability of your Tamron 90.
Personally I would not want to be without my macro lens, but it is all a matter of liquidity and priorities.

[DimC]

Wow, quick answers, thanks.

I'd say that I need to be quiet when shooting as I do a lot of accoustic Indian music theses days. The tamron 90mm |2.8 is a little loud but what is really a constraint is the noise of the declic. I often shoot in hi speed mode and I've had problems with audience somtimes, I know the K5 is a little bit noisy.

The Sigma seems a little weaker in IQ, better in AF and noise but also a 20% over my budget !

Usually Im very close to the stage and I've got a pass quiet often. If the 50-135mm is really silent and AF is ok I guess I have my next lens because I really like the lens image Quality. I only need to find a good deal. I was really pissed when I've seen this lens for like 500$-600$ on black friday ! But I had to buy some gifts for the family first

Theses days the Tamron 70-200 is around 600€ and the Da* 50-135 is more like 900€...too expensive for me..oh well

I cant wait to read your review Adam.

[JinDesu]

If you are closer to the stage, the DA*50-135 is a much better bet.

[crewl1]

If super quiet is utmost priority perhaps you should consider manual focus and use a K-01 instead?

[DimC]

If super quiet is utmost priority perhaps you should consider manual focus and use a K-01 instead?

I do MF for this exact consideration but I cant afford a K-01 + the lens I want.

Here is the kind of Stage I shoot regularly :

Plastic Wonder 35mm | 2.4






Tamron 90mm | 2.8






DimC

[crewl1]

I do MF for this exact consideration but I cant afford a K-01 + the lens I want.

Here is the kind of Stage I shoot regularly :

Plastic Wonder 35mm | 2.4

Tamron 90mm | 2.8

DimC

Those are awesome shots, great work. It seems you are very close, have you considered a Tamron 28-75? It is a great lens for wide to portrait work, has excellent IQ even at f2.8 and it seems it might fit the bill here.
Not quiet though, so you'd have to manual focus. The price is reasonable though, with your budget you could get it AND a K-01

[DimC]

Those are awesome shots, great work. It seems you are very close, have you considered a Tamron 28-75? It is a great lens for wide to portrait work, has excellent IQ even at f2.8 and it seems it might fit the bill here.
Not quiet though, so you'd have to manual focus. The price is reasonable though, with your budget you could get it AND a K-01

Hey Larry, now Im lost

Ill still focus on a ultrazoom for my next lens, but I want to replace my Sigma 17-70mm next depending on the ultrazoom ratio I choose.
Im not always that close tough.

Thanks for your comments and advice.

[JinDesu]

It looks like since those are shot at 35mm, a 50-135 would be best. I can't imagine a combo of the 50-135 and the k-5 being that loud.

To replace your 17-70, the Sigma 17-50 is pretty good. Sharper, quiet, faster focusing, just a bit expensive.

[AOShep]

I have used the DA* 50-135 to shoot high school drama. I was the official photographer so shot dress rehearsals where I could roam wherever I pleased, even on stage, and shot during the performance where I had to be aware of blocking someone's view. This lens was nearly perfect for this type of event. The 70-200 would be good if you can't get to the front of the stage, otherwise it might not be wide enough.

[Kerrowdown]

The third shot of the lady with her tongue out is just amazing.

Can you please explain a little more of what the dance is about and what this pose signifies.

[cabstar]

50-135mm is perfect for concert shoots whether indoor arenas or large festival stages, the 70-200mm i found to long and heavy...

[VisualDarkness]

This is how wide I can go with my Sigma 70-200/2.8 close to the stage:



The 50-135 is not that much wider so if you need more overview you need something else than a tele zoom. I guess that's why pro's got a tele like 70-200 and a ~18-55 or ~28-70 to switch between.