The DA* 50-135 Won!

Trudger1272 · 03-18-2015, 10:31 PM - **1 Like**

As much as I wanted to stick to primes, and as scared as I was about SDM issues, I finally gave into temptation and got a DA* 50-135. And to make the dent in my pocket worse, I snatched up a DA* 55 as well. I've seen too many outstanding images and read too many reviews of professed love for the DA*s that I have to try them. Also, when I shoot portraits, there's too many times that lens changes have disrupted my groove.
I tried to talk myself into buying a Sigma 50-150 instead to feel more confident with AF issues, but I can't loose with the DA* 50-135:

1. I want that Pentax quality I've been seeing in so many images.
2. I like working fast and consistent. (less lens changes)
3. IMO, It covers the premium portrait focal lengths perfectly.
4. I could always get the SDM disabled with no worries in the worst case scenario, because I don't mind noisy screw drives.

With all that said, I couldn't find anything negative enough to stop me from buying it. I was considering getting a DA* 16-50 or DA 15Ltd, but I still can't bring myself to pull that trigger, so I just bought a DA* 55 instead.

"So Your Honor, ....I'm a changed man!!!" I will soon have a zoom again. I couldn't wait to add them to my signature, but sadly I have to wait to start shooting with them.

nowo1978 · 03-19-2015, 12:02 AM

Congratulations on your purchase! I pulled the trigger on a (used) DA*50-135 myself some time ago and I am very happy with it on my K-3, especially for portrait work.

LoneWolf · 03-19-2015, 02:49 AM

Congratulations on your purchase! I also pulled the trigger on a DA*50-135 myself some time ago and I too am very happy with it on both my K-50 and K5ii. Its a great all-rounder. I also like it for its weather resistance which makes for a lot more comfort when taking family pictures etc. on sandy beahes.

**EricBrown** · 03-19-2015, 03:32 AM

Congats! You'll love both. I have them both and never had any SDM problems. I've had the 50-135 for four years now and is one of my main go to lenses.

Stavri · 03-19-2015, 07:08 AM

Anyone knows how fast the screw-drive AF is on the 50-135mm after the conversion?

Trudger1272 · 03-19-2015, 10:16 AM

Thanks y'all.

Originally posted by Stavri

Anyone knows how fast the screw-drive AF is on the 50-135mm after the conversion?

Not me, but I've read on more than one occasion that it's about the same as the SDM. Don't know how true that is though.

awaldram · 03-23-2015, 04:20 AM

With both the 16-50 and 50-135 screw-drive is roughly the same linear speed as SDM but due to the inherent latency of a geared AF chain takes fractionally longer to achieve lock.

This is not noticeable for static subjects but is when Panning or tracking moving subjects is.

zbrueningsen · 03-23-2015, 05:25 AM

The da 55 is simply amazing.
I have a twisting for that 50-135 but will lay off as I don't want too many aps-c only lenses when I hope to get the full frame summer next year! Both those lens you bought are excellent portrait lenses!

Trudger1272 · 03-23-2015, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by zbrueningsen

I have a twisting for that 50-135 but will lay off as I don't want too many aps-c only lenses when I hope to get the full frame summer next year!

I don't mind. For aps-c I'm pretty much good on lenses away. If I had it my way, I'd only be shooting portraits. When I get a FF I should only need two or three lenses with what I have already. Plus I have no immediate intention of dumping aps-c, the K-3 & K-5iis are perfectly good cameras and I haven't owned either a year yet.

**Rondec** · 03-23-2015, 10:58 AM - **2 Likes**

I really like the 50-135. The 55 is probably better, but nearly as flexible. I don't think I could beat the combo of the 16-50 and the 50-135 for a walk around combination.

zbrueningsen · 03-23-2015, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by Trudger1272

I don't mind. For aps-c I'm pretty much good on lenses away. If I had it my way, I'd only be shooting portraits. When I get a FF I should only need two or three lenses with what I have already. Plus I have no immediate intention of dumping aps-c, the K-3 & K-5iis are perfectly good cameras and I haven't owned either a year yet.

I've got the tamron 70-200 2.8 which is pretty stellar also. Just 2x as heavy. That is how I can hold off.

Trudger1272 · 03-23-2015, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by zbrueningsen

I've got the tamron 70-200 2.8 which is pretty stellar also. Just 2x as heavy. That is how I can hold off.

Trust me, I milled that one over a thousand times! I spent hours reviewing both the Tamron & Sigma 70-200 options, along with the Sigma 50-150 and I kept getting drawn back to the 50-135. This purchase was months in the making. If it wasn't going to be the 50-135, it would have been the 50-150.

Love the shot Rondec, thanks!

Trudger1272 · 03-26-2015, 01:53 PM

At this point all I can say is the DA* 50-135 is perfect! For me at least. I definitely want a 70-200mm for FF when I get one and somehow I know they're going to make DFA* 85 for the FF soon after completing the zoom range. I'll want that too. So when FF hits, a body and two lenses, then I'm through. Still waiting on the DA* 55.

Thanks!

zbrueningsen · 03-26-2015, 02:05 PM

Well if you love the 50-135 and you have that lens line up - it is the real deal.

Trudger1272 · 03-26-2015, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by zbrueningsen

Well if you love the 50-135 and you have that lens line up - it is the real deal.

Yes sir. It has made my longer primes have a more specific purpose. I'm going to roll with the 31 and the 50-135 for a while and see how that works. Not sure if the 55 will immediately join the bag or not. But we'll see once it gets here.

03-18-2015, 10:31 PM - 1 Like	#1
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288	*The DA 50-135 Won!** As much as I wanted to stick to primes, and as scared as I was about SDM issues, I finally gave into temptation and got a DA* 50-135. And to make the dent in my pocket worse, I snatched up a DA* 55 as well. I've seen too many outstanding images and read too many reviews of professed love for the DAs that I have to try them. Also, when I shoot portraits, there's too many times that lens changes have disrupted my groove. I tried to talk myself into buying a Sigma 50-150 instead to feel more confident with AF issues, but I can't loose with the DA 50-135: 1. I want that Pentax quality I've been seeing in so many images. 2. I like working fast and consistent. (less lens changes) 3. IMO, It covers the premium portrait focal lengths perfectly. 4. I could always get the SDM disabled with no worries in the worst case scenario, because I don't mind noisy screw drives. With all that said, I couldn't find anything negative enough to stop me from buying it. I was considering getting a DA* 16-50 or DA 15Ltd, but I still can't bring myself to pull that trigger, so I just bought a DA* 55 instead. "So Your Honor, ....I'm a changed man!!!" I will soon have a zoom again. I couldn't wait to add them to my signature, but sadly I have to wait to start shooting with them.

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03-19-2015, 12:02 AM	#2
nowo1978 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 25	Congratulations on your purchase! I pulled the trigger on a (used) DA*50-135 myself some time ago and I am very happy with it on my K-3, especially for portrait work.

03-19-2015, 02:49 AM	#3
LoneWolf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 141	Congratulations on your purchase! I also pulled the trigger on a DA*50-135 myself some time ago and I too am very happy with it on both my K-50 and K5ii. Its a great all-rounder. I also like it for its weather resistance which makes for a lot more comfort when taking family pictures etc. on sandy beahes.

03-19-2015, 03:32 AM	#4
EricBrown Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arlington, VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,060	Congats! You'll love both. I have them both and never had any SDM problems. I've had the 50-135 for four years now and is one of my main go to lenses.

03-19-2015, 07:08 AM	#5
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Anyone knows how fast the screw-drive AF is on the 50-135mm after the conversion?

03-19-2015, 10:16 AM	#6
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	Thanks y'all. Originally posted by Stavri Anyone knows how fast the screw-drive AF is on the 50-135mm after the conversion? Not me, but I've read on more than one occasion that it's about the same as the SDM. Don't know how true that is though.

03-23-2015, 04:20 AM	#7
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	With both the 16-50 and 50-135 screw-drive is roughly the same linear speed as SDM but due to the inherent latency of a geared AF chain takes fractionally longer to achieve lock. This is not noticeable for static subjects but is when Panning or tracking moving subjects is.

03-23-2015, 05:25 AM	#8
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	The da 55 is simply amazing. I have a twisting for that 50-135 but will lay off as I don't want too many aps-c only lenses when I hope to get the full frame summer next year! Both those lens you bought are excellent portrait lenses!

03-23-2015, 10:41 AM	#9
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by zbrueningsen I have a twisting for that 50-135 but will lay off as I don't want too many aps-c only lenses when I hope to get the full frame summer next year! I don't mind. For aps-c I'm pretty much good on lenses away. If I had it my way, I'd only be shooting portraits. When I get a FF I should only need two or three lenses with what I have already. Plus I have no immediate intention of dumping aps-c, the K-3 & K-5iis are perfectly good cameras and I haven't owned either a year yet.

03-23-2015, 10:58 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	I really like the 50-135. The 55 is probably better, but nearly as flexible. I don't think I could beat the combo of the 16-50 and the 50-135 for a walk around combination.

03-23-2015, 11:15 AM	#11
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	Originally posted by Trudger1272 I don't mind. For aps-c I'm pretty much good on lenses away. If I had it my way, I'd only be shooting portraits. When I get a FF I should only need two or three lenses with what I have already. Plus I have no immediate intention of dumping aps-c, the K-3 & K-5iis are perfectly good cameras and I haven't owned either a year yet. I've got the tamron 70-200 2.8 which is pretty stellar also. Just 2x as heavy. That is how I can hold off.

03-23-2015, 05:43 PM	#12
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by zbrueningsen I've got the tamron 70-200 2.8 which is pretty stellar also. Just 2x as heavy. That is how I can hold off. Trust me, I milled that one over a thousand times! I spent hours reviewing both the Tamron & Sigma 70-200 options, along with the Sigma 50-150 and I kept getting drawn back to the 50-135. This purchase was months in the making. If it wasn't going to be the 50-135, it would have been the 50-150. Love the shot Rondec, thanks!

03-26-2015, 01:53 PM	#13
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	At this point all I can say is the DA* 50-135 is perfect! For me at least. I definitely want a 70-200mm for FF when I get one and somehow I know they're going to make DFA* 85 for the FF soon after completing the zoom range. I'll want that too. So when FF hits, a body and two lenses, then I'm through. Still waiting on the DA* 55. Thanks!

03-26-2015, 02:05 PM	#14
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	Well if you love the 50-135 and you have that lens line up - it is the real deal.

03-26-2015, 02:49 PM	#15
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288 Original Poster	Originally posted by zbrueningsen Well if you love the 50-135 and you have that lens line up - it is the real deal. Yes sir. It has made my longer primes have a more specific purpose. I'm going to roll with the 31 and the 50-135 for a while and see how that works. Not sure if the 55 will immediately join the bag or not. But we'll see once it gets here.