Which 200 mm lens to buy?

uday029 · 06-03-2015, 10:36 AM

I am looking for a inexpensive 200 mm lens to get started with deep sky astro photography. I have seen some amazing astro photos taken with DA* 200mm f2.8 lens. Considering my budget constraints, I was planning to buy one of the manual 200mm lenses.

Any recommendations/opinions regarding which 200 mm is a better choice? I am considering:

Takumar 200mm F3.5
S-M-C/Super Takumar 200mm F4
SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4
SMC Pentax-A 200mm F4

All of them seem to have good reviews and affordable. Thanks.

LensBeginner · 06-03-2015, 11:05 AM

I only have the M 200mm/4.
It has its weak points, like quite a lot of PF under f/8, but all in all I like it very much.
Don't have the others so I'm afraid I'm not going to be terribly useful...

I've heard that the Takumars are lots better than the M generally speaking, and that the 200mm are no exception.
Not sure how useful could an "A" position be in astrophotography... maybe not much except for EXIF tagging...

**grahame** · 06-03-2015, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by uday029

Takumar 200mm F3.5

I highly recommend this one. True Takumar color, wonderful bokeh, 3-D rendering.

**mgvh** · 06-03-2015, 12:43 PM

I have the TELE TAKUMAR 200mm f5.6 M42, and I really like it.Reviews for it are as good if not better than many of the other 200mm lenses. It is smaller and cheaper. It works great in A mode. Set the preset, open up to focus, close to shoot, and all is good! For a f5.6, it is still quite easy to focus.

manntax · 06-03-2015, 12:50 PM

All of them could take my vote as I have tried and used them all. But due to convenience I settled on SMC-A , which although rarer and more expensive, offers overall better user experience on a DSLR . on film camera - depends on which one, I would pick appropriate mount.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-03-2015, 12:52 PM

I can strongly recommend adding the SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED to your short list of contenders.

uday029 · 06-03-2015, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I can strongly recommend adding the SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED to your short list of contenders.

The SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED costs almost same as a used DA* 200mm f2.8. Is A* better than DA*? I was looking to buy something under $200. A*200 mm is being sold for anything above $700 on ebay.

**luftfluss** · 06-03-2015, 01:09 PM

I have the 3 Tak 200's.

- 200/3.5: Its a present to frugal mortals from the Pentax gods. Sharp wide-open, tremendous bokeh, low CA & PF. "3D rendering", as Grahame said.

- 200/4: Its a sharp lens, trailing the 200/3.5 by a smidgen. Bokeh is nice enough but fairly ordinary. As LensBeginner noted, there's quite a bit of CA & PF unless stopped down.

- 200/5.6: Its decently sharp wide-open, but a bit glow-y. IMO its the loveliest of the bunch to look at and hold, an object d'art by itself. The most pleasantly tactile of the bunch, its like a little jewel. Good sharpness at f/8. It has nice bokeh and richer color than the 200/4.

I like each of the lenses, but the Tak 200/4 has been retired from my kit. Its produces images that are neither as sharp nor as graceful as the 200/3.5, and it also lacks the lush rendering and tiny size (and 49mm filter threads!) of the coat-pocketable 200/5.6.

Stone G. · 06-03-2015, 01:41 PM

How do you plan to use your lens: On an Equatorial Mount? With the O-GPS1/Astrotracer? Barn-door? Tripod?

I am asking because there is quite a difference between f/3.5 and f/5.6 when it comes to deep-sky astrophotography and exposure times and/or choice of ISO - a factor of 2.5 to be exact.

I would be tempted to try the Takumar f/3.5 - but in the lens review secion here at PF you will also find some decent astro photos taken with the Super TAK f/4.

uday029 · 06-03-2015, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by Stone G.

How do you plan to use your lens: On an Equatorial Mount? With the O-GPS1/Astrotracer? Barn-door? Tripod?

I am asking because there is quite a difference between f/3.5 and f/5.6 when it comes to astrophotography and exposure times and/or choice of ISO - a factor of 2.5 to be exact.

I would be tempted to try the Takumar f/3.5 - but in the lens review secion here at PF you will also find some decent astro photos taken with the Super TAK f/4.

I am planning to use it with OGPS1/Astrotracer. I might buy Vixen Optics Polarie Star Tracker if I find myself shooting a lot of astro photos. That is why I was looking at f/4 lenses as a compromise between price and speed.

Stone G. · 06-03-2015, 01:52 PM

Well then, I think this looks quite 'convincing' - doesn't it:

S-M-C/Super Takumar 200mm F4 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-03-2015, 02:36 PM

I have both the SMC Tak 200/4 and the takumar 200/3.5 preset. The 290/3.5 wins hands down, sharpness lower CA, sell purple fringing.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-03-2015, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by uday029

Is A* better than DA*

I can't really comment as I have not owned or experienced the DA*

Originally posted by uday029

I was planning to buy one of the manual 200mm lenses.

I just suggested the A* as another potential manual lens for you to consider.

06-03-2015, 10:36 AM	#1
uday029 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 505	Which 200 mm lens to buy? I am looking for a inexpensive 200 mm lens to get started with deep sky astro photography. I have seen some amazing astro photos taken with DA* 200mm f2.8 lens. Considering my budget constraints, I was planning to buy one of the manual 200mm lenses. Any recommendations/opinions regarding which 200 mm is a better choice? I am considering: Takumar 200mm F3.5 S-M-C/Super Takumar 200mm F4 SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4 SMC Pentax-A 200mm F4 All of them seem to have good reviews and affordable. Thanks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which 15mm lens to buy?	schnitzer79	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	06-05-2014 07:20 AM
Which lens to buy?	Phototomo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	05-01-2013 05:26 AM
Which lens to buy	techkan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	08-12-2012 04:23 AM
Which lens to buy ?	ABCWinter	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	03-24-2009 10:49 AM
Which lens to buy?	SA Photo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	03-12-2009 08:26 AM

06-03-2015, 11:05 AM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	I only have the M 200mm/4. It has its weak points, like quite a lot of PF under f/8, but all in all I like it very much. Don't have the others so I'm afraid I'm not going to be terribly useful... I've heard that the Takumars are lots better than the M generally speaking, and that the 200mm are no exception. Not sure how useful could an "A" position be in astrophotography... maybe not much except for EXIF tagging...

06-03-2015, 11:26 AM	#3
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by uday029 Takumar 200mm F3.5 I highly recommend this one. True Takumar color, wonderful bokeh, 3-D rendering.

06-03-2015, 12:43 PM	#4
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,029	I have the TELE TAKUMAR 200mm f5.6 M42, and I really like it.Reviews for it are as good if not better than many of the other 200mm lenses. It is smaller and cheaper. It works great in A mode. Set the preset, open up to focus, close to shoot, and all is good! For a f5.6, it is still quite easy to focus.

06-03-2015, 12:50 PM	#5
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	All of them could take my vote as I have tried and used them all. But due to convenience I settled on SMC-A , which although rarer and more expensive, offers overall better user experience on a DSLR . on film camera - depends on which one, I would pick appropriate mount.

06-03-2015, 12:52 PM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	I can strongly recommend adding the SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED to your short list of contenders.

06-03-2015, 01:01 PM	#7
uday029 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 505 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I can strongly recommend adding the SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED to your short list of contenders. The SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED costs almost same as a used DA* 200mm f2.8. Is A* better than DA? I was looking to buy something under $200. A200 mm is being sold for anything above $700 on ebay.

06-03-2015, 01:09 PM	#8
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	I have the 3 Tak 200's. - 200/3.5: Its a present to frugal mortals from the Pentax gods. Sharp wide-open, tremendous bokeh, low CA & PF. "3D rendering", as Grahame said. - 200/4: Its a sharp lens, trailing the 200/3.5 by a smidgen. Bokeh is nice enough but fairly ordinary. As LensBeginner noted, there's quite a bit of CA & PF unless stopped down. - 200/5.6: Its decently sharp wide-open, but a bit glow-y. IMO its the loveliest of the bunch to look at and hold, an object d'art by itself. The most pleasantly tactile of the bunch, its like a little jewel. Good sharpness at f/8. It has nice bokeh and richer color than the 200/4. I like each of the lenses, but the Tak 200/4 has been retired from my kit. Its produces images that are neither as sharp nor as graceful as the 200/3.5, and it also lacks the lush rendering and tiny size (and 49mm filter threads!) of the coat-pocketable 200/5.6.

06-03-2015, 01:41 PM	#9
Stone G. Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Zealand, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,516	How do you plan to use your lens: On an Equatorial Mount? With the O-GPS1/Astrotracer? Barn-door? Tripod? I am asking because there is quite a difference between f/3.5 and f/5.6 when it comes to deep-sky astrophotography and exposure times and/or choice of ISO - a factor of 2.5 to be exact. I would be tempted to try the Takumar f/3.5 - but in the lens review secion here at PF you will also find some decent astro photos taken with the Super TAK f/4.

06-03-2015, 01:46 PM	#10
uday029 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 505 Original Poster	Originally posted by Stone G. How do you plan to use your lens: On an Equatorial Mount? With the O-GPS1/Astrotracer? Barn-door? Tripod? I am asking because there is quite a difference between f/3.5 and f/5.6 when it comes to astrophotography and exposure times and/or choice of ISO - a factor of 2.5 to be exact. I would be tempted to try the Takumar f/3.5 - but in the lens review secion here at PF you will also find some decent astro photos taken with the Super TAK f/4. I am planning to use it with OGPS1/Astrotracer. I might buy Vixen Optics Polarie Star Tracker if I find myself shooting a lot of astro photos. That is why I was looking at f/4 lenses as a compromise between price and speed.

06-03-2015, 01:52 PM	#11
Stone G. Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Zealand, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,516	Well then, I think this looks quite 'convincing' - doesn't it: S-M-C/Super Takumar 200mm F4 Reviews - M42 Screwmount Telephoto Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

06-03-2015, 02:36 PM	#12
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	I have both the SMC Tak 200/4 and the takumar 200/3.5 preset. The 290/3.5 wins hands down, sharpness lower CA, sell purple fringing.

06-03-2015, 03:06 PM	#13
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by uday029 Is A* better than DA* I can't really comment as I have not owned or experienced the DA* Originally posted by uday029 I was planning to buy one of the manual 200mm lenses. I just suggested the A* as another potential manual lens for you to consider.