DA* 50-135mm or DA* 200mm

EAD Studios · 08-27-2008, 08:29 AM

I have an itch. I have been researching these lenses for days now and still undecided which lens to purchase for acton sports. I have been using my 31mm ltd and cropping them for close-ups. This works and pictures are very nice, but...................... need advice from those who shoot action sports. The question here is, which one to purchase.

**rparmar** · 08-27-2008, 10:50 AM

Talking out of my hat I'd say you need both.

135mm is not going to be long enough to get you from your seat to the ice of a hockey game, for instance, unless you are lucky enough to be with the press. But 200mm is going to be too long if you are up close for some skateboarding (which I shot recently) etc.

Really depends what you're up against.

jsherman999 · 08-27-2008, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Talking out of my hat I'd say you need both.

135mm is not going to be long enough to get you from your seat to the ice of a hockey game, for instance, unless you are lucky enough to be with the press. But 200mm is going to be too long if you are up close for some skateboarding (which I shot recently) etc.

Really depends what you're up against.

Yes, but the OP was cropping a 31ltd shot before this

, so a crop of the 135 will seem like he's right in the action!

Seriously EAD, for dedicated sports shooting, I'd go, in order: 70-200 f/2.8 (various), DA 200, 50-135 (and crop).

If you're shooting a K20D, the 50-135 becomes a very good sports lens, because the crops retain so much IQ. With the K10D, still very good, K100D, not so much as a sports shooter combo.

.

**rparmar** · 08-27-2008, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

Yes, but the OP was cropping a 31ltd shot before this

, so a crop of the 135 will seem like he's right in the action!

Well in that case just get the FA77.

Jodokast96 · 08-27-2008, 09:07 PM

Even with PopPhoto being what it is, these quotes from their review say a lot.

"DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests found near-absolute distortion control, with only Imperceptible pincushion distortion (0.01%) detectable. (This is, in fact, the single best distortion performance we've encountered since adopting the DxO system in 2005.)"

"If there's a downside to this lens, we couldn't find it."

Lens Test: Pentax SMCP-DA* 200mm f/2.8ED (IF) SDM AF - - PopPhotoMay 2008

PentaxPoke · 08-27-2008, 09:30 PM

Has anyone here shot sports with the DA*50-135? I have not used mine for sports yet. It is a great lens, but I find that it is my slowest focussing lens. Nothing to do with AF hunting or anyting like that, it just seems the SDM is slower than say my screw-drive 18-250. I have shot lots of moving RC airplanes with my 18-250 and the focus locks on quickly and accurately.

BTW EAD, are you talking about indoor sports like basketball? Indoors I usually use my 50 f/1.4. Outdoors, I like the flexibility of the 18-250.

EAD Studios · 08-28-2008, 09:31 AM

Currently I am shooting outdoors. High school and middle school football games.

PentaxPoke · 08-28-2008, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by EAD Studios

Currently I am shooting outdoors. High school and middle school football games.

Then I would really recommend the 18-250 for your outdoor sports, and use that lovely 31 for indoor. I have posted tests here that show the IQ on the 18-250 is excellent, and to see the difference between that and the DA*50-135, you have to go to 100% crop.

ghost · 08-28-2008, 05:55 PM

While I have neither, I would hope that the 50-135 would be of better image quality than that of the 18-250. I would assume that the 50-135 would have less distortion, CA and purple fringing. Also, in my thinking, the 2 extra aperture blades combined with the f2.8 would give more pleasing results. But I repeat, I have neither.

nulla · 08-28-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

between that and the DA*50-135, you have to go to 100% crop

What is meant by 100% crop?

Buddha Jones · 08-28-2008, 09:29 PM

Grab the 200mm and pick your spot, you wont be dissappointed.

PentaxPoke · 08-28-2008, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by nulla

What is meant by 100% crop?

It is blowing the image up to such a large size that 1 pixel on the sensor corresponds to 1 pixel on your screen. A quick way to see 100% crop if using Windows, is open the picture with "Windows Picture and Fax viewer, then click on the icon with the arrows in the corner. It will zoom to 100%.

nulla · 08-28-2008, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the reply Pentaxpoke

can seem a confusing term.

If I were to crop the photo 50% my line of thinking means half the photo.

So the most acurate way to make a 100% crop would be to enlarge the image to its 100% size and then take a cropped section?

Neil

Clicker · 08-28-2008, 10:12 PM

if you have that full access to the floor/field, the 50-135 would be perfect to take shots out on the floor/field then come right back to the bench and fans.

John Kovarik · 08-29-2008, 03:46 AM

I am no expert but, given equivalent IQ and aperture (surely the case here, tho the DA*200 might be somewhat superior in IQ) the flexibility iif the zoom would offset the extra 50mm of the 200 unless most shots really need 200mm .........

08-27-2008, 08:29 AM	#1
EAD Studios Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Adell, Wi Posts: 27	*DA 50-135mm or DA* 200mm** I have an itch. I have been researching these lenses for days now and still undecided which lens to purchase for acton sports. I have been using my 31mm ltd and cropping them for close-ups. This works and pictures are very nice, but...................... need advice from those who shoot action sports. The question here is, which one to purchase.

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08-27-2008, 10:50 AM	#2
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Talking out of my hat I'd say you need both. 135mm is not going to be long enough to get you from your seat to the ice of a hockey game, for instance, unless you are lucky enough to be with the press. But 200mm is going to be too long if you are up close for some skateboarding (which I shot recently) etc. Really depends what you're up against.

08-27-2008, 11:18 AM	#3
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by rparmar Talking out of my hat I'd say you need both. 135mm is not going to be long enough to get you from your seat to the ice of a hockey game, for instance, unless you are lucky enough to be with the press. But 200mm is going to be too long if you are up close for some skateboarding (which I shot recently) etc. Really depends what you're up against. Yes, but the OP was cropping a 31ltd shot before this , so a crop of the 135 will seem like he's right in the action! Seriously EAD, for dedicated sports shooting, I'd go, in order: 70-200 f/2.8 (various), DA 200, 50-135 (and crop). If you're shooting a K20D, the 50-135 becomes a very good sports lens, because the crops retain so much IQ. With the K10D, still very good, K100D, not so much as a sports shooter combo. .

08-27-2008, 06:33 PM	#4
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by jsherman999 Yes, but the OP was cropping a 31ltd shot before this , so a crop of the 135 will seem like he's right in the action! Well in that case just get the FA77.

08-27-2008, 09:07 PM	#5
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Even with PopPhoto being what it is, these quotes from their review say a lot. "DxO Analyzer 3.0.1 tests found near-absolute distortion control, with only Imperceptible pincushion distortion (0.01%) detectable. (This is, in fact, the single best distortion performance we've encountered since adopting the DxO system in 2005.)" "If there's a downside to this lens, we couldn't find it." Lens Test: Pentax SMCP-DA* 200mm f/2.8ED (IF) SDM AF - - PopPhotoMay 2008

08-27-2008, 09:30 PM	#6
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Has anyone here shot sports with the DA*50-135? I have not used mine for sports yet. It is a great lens, but I find that it is my slowest focussing lens. Nothing to do with AF hunting or anyting like that, it just seems the SDM is slower than say my screw-drive 18-250. I have shot lots of moving RC airplanes with my 18-250 and the focus locks on quickly and accurately. BTW EAD, are you talking about indoor sports like basketball? Indoors I usually use my 50 f/1.4. Outdoors, I like the flexibility of the 18-250.

08-28-2008, 09:31 AM	#7
EAD Studios Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Adell, Wi Posts: 27 Original Poster	Currently I am shooting outdoors. High school and middle school football games.

08-28-2008, 10:48 AM	#8
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by EAD Studios Currently I am shooting outdoors. High school and middle school football games. Then I would really recommend the 18-250 for your outdoor sports, and use that lovely 31 for indoor. I have posted tests here that show the IQ on the 18-250 is excellent, and to see the difference between that and the DA*50-135, you have to go to 100% crop.

08-28-2008, 05:55 PM	#9
ghost Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barrie, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	While I have neither, I would hope that the 50-135 would be of better image quality than that of the 18-250. I would assume that the 50-135 would have less distortion, CA and purple fringing. Also, in my thinking, the 2 extra aperture blades combined with the f2.8 would give more pleasing results. But I repeat, I have neither.

08-28-2008, 06:40 PM	#10
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Quote: between that and the DA*50-135, you have to go to 100% crop What is meant by 100% crop?

08-28-2008, 09:29 PM	#11
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Grab the 200mm and pick your spot, you wont be dissappointed.

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08-28-2008, 09:30 PM	#12
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	Originally posted by nulla What is meant by 100% crop? It is blowing the image up to such a large size that 1 pixel on the sensor corresponds to 1 pixel on your screen. A quick way to see 100% crop if using Windows, is open the picture with "Windows Picture and Fax viewer, then click on the icon with the arrows in the corner. It will zoom to 100%.

08-28-2008, 10:08 PM	#13
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Thanks for the reply Pentaxpoke can seem a confusing term. If I were to crop the photo 50% my line of thinking means half the photo. So the most acurate way to make a 100% crop would be to enlarge the image to its 100% size and then take a cropped section? Neil

08-28-2008, 10:12 PM	#14
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	if you have that full access to the floor/field, the 50-135 would be perfect to take shots out on the floor/field then come right back to the bench and fans.

08-29-2008, 03:46 AM	#15
John Kovarik Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	I am no expert but, given equivalent IQ and aperture (surely the case here, tho the DA*200 might be somewhat superior in IQ) the flexibility iif the zoom would offset the extra 50mm of the 200 unless most shots really need 200mm .........