Low light + Zoom?

jparkin4 · 12-06-2013, 03:55 PM

Is there such thing as a lens that performs very well in low light and also has a very good zoom?

**Canada_Rockies** · 12-06-2013, 04:04 PM

Expensive. Look for an f/2.8 lens.

elliott · 12-06-2013, 04:06 PM

What is considered a very good zoom?

Na Horuk · 12-06-2013, 04:21 PM

Yep. Zoom lenses are usually not bright. The brightest zoom lenses are f2.8. Sigma recently made a "revolutionary" f1.8 zoom. But it depends on what range you want. An 18-250mm will never be f2.8.
Keep in mind that a bright zoom will cost a lot, like the Pentax DA* 50-135mm or the Pentax DA* 60-250mm. Brightness is one of the main arguments for fixed focal length lenses.

Last edited by Na Horuk; 12-07-2013 at 08:29 AM.

calculator01 · 12-06-2013, 05:10 PM

My 18-135 performs amazing in low light (when I turn up the ISO)

DeadJohn · 12-06-2013, 05:57 PM

What zoom range and what level of light are you expecting? A 70-200/2.8 is good for indoor sports like basketball, a 16 or 17-50/2.8 is a good general purpose lens for parties, museums, and nighttime street photos. If things get really dark, like a mountain range at night, then the lens speed becomes less important because you'll need a tripod and slow shutter.

12-06-2013, 03:55 PM	#1
jparkin4 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2	Low light + Zoom? Is there such thing as a lens that performs very well in low light and also has a very good zoom?

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12-06-2013, 04:04 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Expensive. Look for an f/2.8 lens.

12-06-2013, 04:06 PM	#3
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	What is considered a very good zoom?

12-06-2013, 04:21 PM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Yep. Zoom lenses are usually not bright. The brightest zoom lenses are f2.8. Sigma recently made a "revolutionary" f1.8 zoom. But it depends on what range you want. An 18-250mm will never be f2.8. Keep in mind that a bright zoom will cost a lot, like the Pentax DA* 50-135mm or the Pentax DA* 60-250mm. Brightness is one of the main arguments for fixed focal length lenses. Last edited by Na Horuk; 12-07-2013 at 08:29 AM.

12-06-2013, 05:10 PM	#5
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	My 18-135 performs amazing in low light (when I turn up the ISO)

12-06-2013, 05:57 PM	#6
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	What zoom range and what level of light are you expecting? A 70-200/2.8 is good for indoor sports like basketball, a 16 or 17-50/2.8 is a good general purpose lens for parties, museums, and nighttime street photos. If things get really dark, like a mountain range at night, then the lens speed becomes less important because you'll need a tripod and slow shutter.