DA50-200 WR vs F70-210

DaveHolmes · 03-20-2013, 12:51 PM

Do any of you have both these lenses?

Just wondering how they compare...

I have the DA50-200WR and my stepson has the FA80-200... I personally think the DA50-200 is a better lens than the FA80-200...

Keep seeing the F70-210 going cheap and wondered if it would be an upgrade in terms of IQ...

causey · 03-20-2013, 01:15 PM - **1 Like**

I had the Takumar 70-200mm, which is similar to the Pentax 70-210mm, except it's uncoated, and the DA 55-200mm. The Takumar 70-200mm was way better than the DA lens. I am sure the F 70-210mm is even better.

mbukal · 03-20-2013, 01:58 PM

I had an F smc 70-210/4-5, 6, and my experience with him has been very positive, focus is fast and accurate, saturated colors, very sharp for its class, the focus is loud, heavy, turning the front lenses by focusing so the problem with using CPL filter, better than the Sigma APO 70-300/4-5, 6 macro (I also used it) on the same millimeters, my recommendation for F smc 70-210 does not matter if you do not need to WR

DaveHolmes · 03-20-2013, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by mbukal

I had an F smc 70-210/4-5, 6, and my experience with him has been very positive, focus is fast and accurate, saturated colors, very sharp for its class, the focus is loud, heavy, turning the front lenses by focusing so the problem with using CPL filter ... does not matter if you do not need to WR

Thank you, this is useful :-)

Just1MoreDave · 03-20-2013, 08:39 PM

I'd offer to swap you because I've been considering going the other way, but shipping probably rules that out. I like the DA 50-200 WR as a travel lens, where its weight is an advantage. The WR might be handy. I have no data on comparable image quality. The SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm really does well, though. Make sure you get the "good" one - it should say SMC on the side and be a 70-210. The other versions look really similar but coatings are worse and the 70-200s aren't as compact at their smallest. My best copy looks very well used so I paid around $50, but works fine. I usually travel with a few other lenses that use 49mm filters or hoods, so that's very handy, but of course a shared feature with the WR version of the DA.

**arv** · 03-21-2013, 02:45 PM

I never had DA 50 - 200mm, but I really like F 70 - 210mm.

210mm f5,6 (100% crop)
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210mm f7,1
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180mm f7.1
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70mm f6.3

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Taken with K-x. I can send you RAW's if you want to try (PM).

A.

03-20-2013, 12:51 PM	#1
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	DA50-200 WR vs F70-210 Do any of you have both these lenses? Just wondering how they compare... I have the DA50-200WR and my stepson has the FA80-200... I personally think the DA50-200 is a better lens than the FA80-200... Keep seeing the F70-210 going cheap and wondered if it would be an upgrade in terms of IQ...

03-21-2013, 02:45 PM	#6
arv Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 384	I never had DA 50 - 200mm, but I really like F 70 - 210mm. 210mm f5,6 (100% crop) 210mm f7,1 180mm f7.1 70mm f6.3 Taken with K-x. I can send you RAW's if you want to try (PM). A. Last edited by arv; 03-21-2013 at 09:57 PM.

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03-20-2013, 01:15 PM - 1 Like	#2
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,758	I had the Takumar 70-200mm, which is similar to the Pentax 70-210mm, except it's uncoated, and the DA 55-200mm. The Takumar 70-200mm was way better than the DA lens. I am sure the F 70-210mm is even better.

03-20-2013, 01:58 PM	#3
mbukal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: zagreb Posts: 215	I had an F smc 70-210/4-5, 6, and my experience with him has been very positive, focus is fast and accurate, saturated colors, very sharp for its class, the focus is loud, heavy, turning the front lenses by focusing so the problem with using CPL filter, better than the Sigma APO 70-300/4-5, 6 macro (I also used it) on the same millimeters, my recommendation for F smc 70-210 does not matter if you do not need to WR

03-20-2013, 02:56 PM	#4
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501 Original Poster	Originally posted by mbukal I had an F smc 70-210/4-5, 6, and my experience with him has been very positive, focus is fast and accurate, saturated colors, very sharp for its class, the focus is loud, heavy, turning the front lenses by focusing so the problem with using CPL filter ... does not matter if you do not need to WR Thank you, this is useful :-)

03-20-2013, 08:39 PM	#5
Just1MoreDave Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,317	I'd offer to swap you because I've been considering going the other way, but shipping probably rules that out. I like the DA 50-200 WR as a travel lens, where its weight is an advantage. The WR might be handy. I have no data on comparable image quality. The SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm really does well, though. Make sure you get the "good" one - it should say SMC on the side and be a 70-210. The other versions look really similar but coatings are worse and the 70-200s aren't as compact at their smallest. My best copy looks very well used so I paid around $50, but works fine. I usually travel with a few other lenses that use 49mm filters or hoods, so that's very handy, but of course a shared feature with the WR version of the DA.