Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
11-02-2016, 09:33 PM - 1 Like   #1
Forum Member




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 68
Have 70-200, do I need 60-250

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.


Sorry if this is a dumb question, and apologies that is has been asked before. But I searched the archives, read what was there, and I still feel the desire to ask the question....

The question, up front: Does anybody own both a 70-200 f/2.8 (Sigma or Tamron) and the Prntax 60-250? And if so, do you find yourself using one more than the other?

Background info, if it helps put things in context:
  • I own the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8, and I really like it, especially for night-time high school football.
  • But, for some reason, I've been thinking about the Pentax 60-250. Sometimes 70mm is not quite as wide as I would like, and I often don't have the option of stepping back further. Plus, sometimes a little more reach would be nice.
  • But then I think: Surely dropping from 70mm to 60mm on the wide end would not do that much for me. Likewise, increasing from 200mm to 250mm would not do that much. Especially since I will lose a stop going from f/2.8 to f/4.
  • Of course, I'm also thinking of using the 60-250 for outdoor daytime sports, specifically Ultimate Frisbee. In those cases, I usually don't need f/2.8, and having even a little more on both the wide and long ends would be useful. Frisbee is like soccer; those kids are all over the field!)
  • I'm shooting with a K3, which I like very much. (Just so you know the camera I'd be using it on.)
  • I have also considered both the Pentax 50-135 and the Tamron 150-150, on the idea that, if I want 60mm over 70mm, then haing 50mm would be even better. Unfortunately, for both of those cases, I'm cutting off the long end, as well, which is not really what I want to do.

Thanks for any insights, comments, or advice.

Greg

11-03-2016, 05:16 AM   #2
Digitiser of Film
Loyal Site Supporter
BigMackCam's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East of England
Posts: 20,571
It's not a dumb question, Greg

If you're happy with the performance of your Tamron 70-200, you definitely don't need the DA*60-250.

I bought and returned two copies of the Tamron due to front-focusing that couldn't be adjusted for in-camera, and got the DA*60-250 instead. I'm very happy with it - it's a super lens; but the focal length range is so similar to the 70-200 that it really makes very little difference, especially at the long end where focus breathing limits the field of view. The weather sealing is nice, as is the general build quality. The AF is almost silent and relatively quick (though not lightning fast).

Unless you really need the weather sealing and/or quiet AF, I'd suggest you stick with the Tamron you already have. If you decide to get the DA*60-250, you certainly won't need both.

For extra reach, you might consider the HD DA 1.4x rear converter. That should work well with your Tamron, giving you a focal length range of 98-280mm at f/4 - and if you should get the DA*60-250 at some stage, it'll work well with that too (I regularly shoot the 60-250 + 1.4x combo... it works brilliantly).

Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-03-2016 at 05:26 AM.
11-03-2016, 06:11 AM - 1 Like   #3
Forum Member




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 68
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
It's not a dumb question, Greg

If you're happy with the performance of your Tamron 70-200, you definitely don't need the DA*60-250.

Unless you really need the weather sealing and/or quiet AF, I'd suggest you stick with the Tamron you already have. If you decide to get the DA*60-250, you certainly won't need both.

For extra reach, you might consider the HD DA 1.4x rear converter. That should work well with your Tamron, giving you a focal length range of 98-280mm at f/4 - and if you should get the DA*60-250 at some stage, it'll work well with that too (I regularly shoot the 60-250 + 1.4x combo... it works brilliantly).
Thanks so much for the advice. You know the more I think about it, the less excited I get about buying the 60-250. Honestly, at this point, I think I wanted to move on it because I have an opportunity to get a good deal on one.

But, I think you're right: I don't really NEED it.

Plus, and this is a good point you make: I already own both the Tamron 1.4x and the Tamron 2x teleconverters, although I admit, I use them very little. (Honestly, until I bought the 70-200 f/2.8, I didn't have a lens fats enough to work well with either TC. They just don't work that well with f/5.6 consumer lenses.... LOL!)

Thanks! I really appreciate the input!

Greg
11-03-2016, 06:30 AM - 1 Like   #4
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,352
QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
The question, up front: Does anybody own both a 70-200 f/2.8 (Sigma or Tamron) and the Prntax 60-250? And if so, do you find yourself using one more than the other?
I own the 60-250 and extensively tested the Tamron and Pentax 70-200.

QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
I own the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8, and I really like it, especially for night-time high school football.
That's great, especially if you use F2.8 a lot. With the K-3 you probably could manage with F4 quite often, but sometimes there's no substitute for aperture.

QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
But then I think: Surely dropping from 70mm to 60mm on the wide end would not do that much for me.
It is a significant difference, more so than most people imagine. To me it's one of the main perks of rhe 60-250.

QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
Likewise, increasing from 200mm to 250mm would not do that much. Especially since I will lose a stop going from f/2.8 to f/4.
That's relatively true. The difference is a few degrees in the horizontal FOV. It's visible but cropping from 24MP will do the same. However, 250mm F4 has a narrower DOF than 200mm F2.8, if that's important for you.

QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
especially at the long end where focus breathing limits the field of view.
That only occurs at close distances.

My opinion is that the Pentax 70-200 is a huge lens, the Tamron 70-200 a large lens, and the 60-250 a surprisingly small lens for what it does. The Tamron and 60-250 can both be used handheld, but the Pentax is still smaller and lighter. For your needs I doubt you'd see much of an improvement by going with the 60-250. What you would loose is a stop of light. What you would gain is a smaller and lighter body, WR, silent AF which works better in live view, and some sharpness (the Tamron is very good, but not quite as good as either the Pentax 70-200 or 60-250).

11-03-2016, 06:45 AM   #5
Digitiser of Film
Loyal Site Supporter
BigMackCam's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East of England
Posts: 20,571
QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
That only occurs at close distances..
Agreed; that's the nature of focus breathing , but it makes a *huge* difference. I tend to use the 1.4x rear converter with the 60-250 at reasonably close range, to counter the effect in part (as I recall, the Tammy also exhibits focus breathing, though not to the same extent).

At distance, where focus breathing isn't an issue, 250mm versus 200mm doesn't make a really significant difference. It's easily minor enough that you can crop the 200mm image to get the 250mm equivalent field of view without any concerns over IQ. I'd agree that 60mm versus 70mm is quite noticeable, though easily addressed at 70mm by backing up a little...

Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-03-2016 at 07:18 AM.
11-03-2016, 08:17 AM   #6
Pentaxian




Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,611
QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
Sorry if this is a dumb question, and apologies that is has been asked before. But I searched the archives, read what was there, and I still feel the desire to ask the question....

The question, up front: Does anybody own both a 70-200 f/2.8 (Sigma or Tamron) and the Prntax 60-250? And if so, do you find yourself using one more than the other?

Background info, if it helps put things in context:
  • I own the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8, and I really like it, especially for night-time high school football.
  • But, for some reason, I've been thinking about the Pentax 60-250. Sometimes 70mm is not quite as wide as I would like, and I often don't have the option of stepping back further. Plus, sometimes a little more reach would be nice.
  • But then I think: Surely dropping from 70mm to 60mm on the wide end would not do that much for me. Likewise, increasing from 200mm to 250mm would not do that much. Especially since I will lose a stop going from f/2.8 to f/4.
  • Of course, I'm also thinking of using the 60-250 for outdoor daytime sports, specifically Ultimate Frisbee. In those cases, I usually don't need f/2.8, and having even a little more on both the wide and long ends would be useful. Frisbee is like soccer; those kids are all over the field!)
  • I'm shooting with a K3, which I like very much. (Just so you know the camera I'd be using it on.)
  • I have also considered both the Pentax 50-135 and the Tamron 150-150, on the idea that, if I want 60mm over 70mm, then haing 50mm would be even better. Unfortunately, for both of those cases, I'm cutting off the long end, as well, which is not really what I want to do.

Thanks for any insights, comments, or advice.

Greg
I do own the Tamron 70-200 and I am super happy with it. I am amazed at what it can produce every time I have a chance to use it. I have tried the 60-250 at photos shows a few times. The focusing was too slow and to my eyes it was soft wide open. Perhaps I tried a bad copy because most owners rave about it.

If I were to get another lens, I would get the 150-450 to extend the long end or get a 24-70 to extend the short end. The 60-250 is not wide enough nor long enough to do much more than what the 70-200 can.
11-03-2016, 08:50 AM - 1 Like   #7
Veteran Member
narual's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,988
I think I'd get the 50-135 if I had the 70-200. The images out of it are to my eyes at least identical to those from the 60-250, but it's faster, lighter, has internal focus and zoom both, and it's wider than the 60-250. And it has WR, which your 70-200 only has if it's the pentax model.

Or you could get a 40mm XS lens and a Op/Tech double lens mount cap. You can probably carry both lenses in the 70-200 pouch, you'll get the slightly wider view while only adding a few extra grams of weight.

Or the 20-40 limited. That also gives you WR.

11-03-2016, 08:51 AM   #8
Digitiser of Film
Loyal Site Supporter
BigMackCam's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East of England
Posts: 20,571
QuoteOriginally posted by btnapa Quote
I have tried the 60-250 at photos shows a few times. The focusing was too slow and to my eyes it was soft wide open. Perhaps I tried a bad copy because most owners rave about it.
I'd call the focusing brisk rather than quick... It's certainly not the fastest. Having said that, it does little or no "micro-hunting", so I find the actual focus times are usually faster than they might first appear. As for softness at f/4, that really must have been a bad copy, or the body / lens combo required AF fine adjustment. I can shoot mine at f/4 all day quite happily, with no softness whatsoever. It's sharpest at f/5.6, but f/4 is still very good indeed...
11-03-2016, 09:34 AM   #9
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,352
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I'd agree that 60mm versus 70mm is quite noticeable, though easily addressed at 70mm by backing up a little...
When you can walk back, it works. The same can be said about focus breathing.
11-03-2016, 10:19 AM - 1 Like   #10
Digitiser of Film
Loyal Site Supporter
BigMackCam's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North East of England
Posts: 20,571
QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
When you can walk back, it works. The same can be said about focus breathing.
We could bounce this back and forth all night. My comment about backing up was made to underline the fact that the OP does not need both lenses, and wouldn't necessarily gain a lot from getting the 60-250 in that respect.

Whatever you and I may think on the importance of 60mm over 70mm at the short end and focus breathing at close range, we agree that the 60-250 is a very good lens

Last edited by BigMackCam; 11-03-2016 at 11:22 AM.
11-03-2016, 10:25 AM   #11
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 417
You can never have too many lenses.
11-03-2016, 12:20 PM   #12
Pentaxian




Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,611
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I'd call the focusing brisk rather than quick... It's certainly not the fastest. Having said that, it does little or no "micro-hunting", so I find the actual focus times are usually faster than they might first appear. As for softness at f/4, that really must have been a bad copy, or the body / lens combo required AF fine adjustment. I can shoot mine at f/4 all day quite happily, with no softness whatsoever. It's sharpest at f/5.6, but f/4 is still very good indeed...
Good to know. Thanks for the info.
11-03-2016, 03:23 PM   #13
Forum Member




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 68
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
We could bounce this back and forth all night. My comment about backing up was made to underline the fact that the OP does not need both lenses, and wouldn't necessarily gain a lot from getting the 60-250 in that respect.
Well, just to reiterate what I said in the first post, I often don't have the option of stepping back, at least in the scenario I was describing in this post.

But, no prob, and the lens I was considering has already sold.

This was the item I was considering:
PENTAX Pentax DA 60-250mm f/4 SDM DA Lens 27075141247 | eBay

It already sold, which was good, because I was too much on the fence, and really leaning toward the "I don't really need it" side

I already have the following:
  • Tamron 70-200
  • Sigma 50-500
  • Pentax 55-300
  • Tamron 1.4x (which makes the Tamron a 98-280 f/4)
The 60-250 is obviously faster than the either the 50-500 or the 55-300, but really, I couldn't justify the cost, based on what I already have.

Thanks for all the input!

Greg
11-03-2016, 04:49 PM   #14
Pentaxian




Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,611
QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
Well, just to reiterate what I said in the first post, I often don't have the option of stepping back, at least in the scenario I was describing in this post.

But, no prob, and the lens I was considering has already sold.

This was the item I was considering:
PENTAX Pentax DA 60-250mm f/4 SDM DA Lens 27075141247 | eBay

It already sold, which was good, because I was too much on the fence, and really leaning toward the "I don't really need it" side

I already have the following:
  • Tamron 70-200
  • Sigma 50-500
  • Pentax 55-300
  • Tamron 1.4x (which makes the Tamron a 98-280 f/4)
The 60-250 is obviously faster than the either the 50-500 or the 55-300, but really, I couldn't justify the cost, based on what I already have.

Thanks for all the input!

Greg
Hi Greg,

How is the performance of the 70-200 with the 1.4X? Is it still good or the quality drops off too much?
11-04-2016, 04:59 AM - 1 Like   #15
Pentaxian
bdery's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Quebec city, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,352
QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
underline the fact that the OP does not need both lenses, and wouldn't necessarily gain a lot from getting the 60-250 in that respect.
We agree on this, I also recommended the same. I simply feel the focus breathing issue is overblown.

QuoteOriginally posted by gkreth Quote
The 60-250 is obviously faster than the either the 50-500 or the 55-300, but really, I couldn't justify the cost, based on what I already have.
Not trying to beat a dead horse, but knowing your complete lineup, IF you ever feel like you want the 60-250 (say a deal come sup again) you could easily sell the 55-300 to fund the purchase in part.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
60mm, 70mm, autofocus, camera, conditions, f/2.8, frisbee, k-mount, k3, k50, lens, pentax, pentax lens, post, shot, slr lens, sports, tamron
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pentax 60-250 F4 vs Sigma 70-200 F2.8 gerax Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 36 06-22-2020 05:43 AM
Honesty - 60-250 vs 70-200 Billy Joe Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 69 01-09-2016 08:58 AM
Tamron 70-200+1.4xTC (vs) Pentax 60-250 snimcho Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10 06-03-2015 01:48 AM
What do you photograph with the 60-250, 70-200? UncleVanya Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 44 01-28-2015 01:42 PM
Field Sports - DA*60~250 [or] Tamron 70~200 [or] Sigma 70~200 joe.penn Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 25 02-03-2014 06:11 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:31 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top