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02-10-2018, 09:06 PM   #1
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DA*50-135 vs 70mm limited and 100mm WR macro (or Tak 135/2.5)

Dear Pentaxians,

Just before going on topic, a little background... I've reducing and consolidating my lens and camera line up. I've a silver Kp coming in some days, along some lenses.

My set up by then will be: Kp, 15mm ltd, 35 mm macro ltd, 20-40 ltd (in silver to match the Kp), smc k 50mm 1.4 (silver conversion by DcShooter)
Over the last year I had a K-S2, K-01, DA 50 1.8, Tak 28 and 35, Vivitar 70-210, F 35-70, Helios 44, DA-L 18-50.
I ended with the Kp and limiteds because I love compact size, low weight and metal build of them (and of older lenses).

Now on topic, I'm looking for portrait/tele lens, as my other interests are well covered (product with the 35mm macro, and landscape with the 15 and 20-40)
I'm pondering between buying these, here my pros and cons:

DA*50-135
Pros: Beautiful image rendering for portraits; zoom flexibility; weather sealed; silent auto focus.
Cons: Big and heavy compared to my other lens; 67mm filter (already have many 49mm filters); SDM issues (no big deal-> screw drive conversion); plastic build, albeit good quality.

70mm limited and 100mm WR Macro
Pros: Very sharp; metal build, small size and weigh like my other lenses; 49mm filters; 70mm is f2.4, 100 mm is macro and WR; can get the 70mm in silver to match the Kp.
Cons: Less flexible; a bit more expensive to get both; less impressive portrait rendering compared to 50-135 from what I've seen; noisy autofocus and slow in the case of 100mm macro.

An alternative to the 100mm macro would be the Takumar 135mm f2.5 which is cheaper, has a longer reach, is faster and seems to be a nice portrait lens.

Which lens/lenses of the above would you recommend me? The zoom seems the rational option, but both of the other lenses combined are lighter and smaller.

Thanks in advance,

Gianclaudio

02-10-2018, 09:51 PM - 1 Like   #2
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The tak 135 is great but totally different from the 100 macro wr. How did you decide one or the other?
02-10-2018, 10:00 PM - 1 Like   #3
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I have the 50-135, and it's an older version so the SDM gives me a bit of a fit when it's time to get started. But, having said that, it's a workhorse of a lens with beautiful rendering, and I wouldn't be without it for a wedding or paid event. If you were to purchase a new one, it should have a new SDM motor which is much more dependable.

For the tele reasons, I would seriously consider the 50-135 or, for a bit more money the 60-250. The DA 70 and FA 100 would make a great portrait and macro kit, but I really think you're comparing apples to oranges.

So... Just buy them all. That's what I would do.
02-10-2018, 11:03 PM - 1 Like   #4
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I have recently acquired a 50-135. The SDM is still working but I have the equipment and skills to switch it to screw drive if necessary. It is a wonderful and silent lens. However as you mentioned it's big and heavy. I also have the 100 macro. I've never used the 70. If weight is a serious problem such as for hiking or backpacking, you might want to take a pass on the 50-135. Otherwise I agree with twilhelm it is a great lens and the zoom gives it a lot of flexibility. If you are looking at new lenses, I've heard that the SDM mechanism is built much better but is still not as dependable as DC or Pulse. Also, the SDM is as slow as molasses flowing uphill in January, and that is the same whether new or old. That's not a problem with portraits but it could be for other uses. I think the big factor is the weight though. If it's an issue, this is not your lens. If weight is not an issue, this is a lens that Pentax users have spoken highly of for a very long time (except when their SDM failed).

02-11-2018, 08:31 AM - 1 Like   #5
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The 50-135 is an indispensible lens, and an extremely useful focal range -- perhaps the best focal range after the Ltd. 20-40, which I view as a "variable normal" (albeit slow on the long end. 20mm f.2.8 is fine, however, and it beats the 21mm Ltd.'s f3.2). My SDM is fine after 4 years of hard use, and it can be converted to screw if need be. Fully dunked in a cold river once, no problem. Be glad that the filters are ONLY 67mm. Internal zoom and focus -- brilliant design!
02-11-2018, 09:22 AM - 1 Like   #6
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I own both 70 anh 100wr but 90% portrait cases I use 70 ltd. Its Af speed is so fast, color rendering is better than 100wr in term of portrait photo, love its bokeh also. A very compact lens with focus length is very good for portrait.
02-11-2018, 10:55 AM - 1 Like   #7
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These really are apples and oranges, le. If you prefer zoom lenses that can do a little bit of everything, but nothing better than a purpose built prime lens , get the zoom.
I prefer primes for a wider aperture when needed. If you want a light and compact portrait lens, you can't go wrong with the 70mm. If I didin't own the FA-77mm, Iwould own the 70mm without hesitation. The 100mm is Macro and WR, but if you do not do much shooting in bad weather, or much Macro, I would not use it as a"good enough" portrait alternative. I have an M42 mount Tak 135mm I am very pleased with it, but anAPS-C it is almost too much telephotto, YMMV

02-11-2018, 01:11 PM - 1 Like   #8
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I have 50-135. I got that as soon as lens came to market. It is a very good lens If you actually use it, you may not feel the weight. Macro lens is good but it is not as versatile as 50-135.
02-11-2018, 01:49 PM - 1 Like   #9
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I don't have the DA* 50-135 so I cannot comment on that but I have several Pentax primes and zooms and my SMC DA 70 Limited and DFA 100 macro WR are my two sharpest lenses.
02-11-2018, 03:53 PM - 1 Like   #10
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My DA*50-135 is a beautiful, beautiful lens.

But looking at your current list you owe it to yourself to get that DA70 Ltd and complete your set - in silver, of course!
02-11-2018, 09:02 PM   #11
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Thank you all for your answers, just as initially thought, both lenses seems to be excelllent by all means...

QuoteOriginally posted by twilhelm Quote
So... Just buy them all. That's what I would do.
Ha, I'll love to, also. But I really don't want to become a "lens collector" so 2 more lenses is the maximum for me.

QuoteOriginally posted by swanlefitte Quote
The tak 135 is great but totally different from the 100 macro wr. How did you decide one or the other?
I haven't . I'm just about willing to have longer tele if I choose the 70mm limited.

QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
But looking at your current list you owe it to yourself to get that DA70 Ltd and complete your set - in silver, of course!
And that's what I probably will do...buying a HD, silver 70mm limited to match the gorgeous Kp and other limiteds, and pray and wait for Pentax to release a limited tele zoom, just as they did with the 20-40.
02-12-2018, 05:33 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gianclaudio Quote
And that's what I probably will do...buying a HD, silver 70mm limited to match the gorgeous Kp and other limiteds, and pray and wait for Pentax to release a limited tele zoom, just as they did with the 20-40.
I don't think Pentax has that much flexibility. They know the 50-135 is superb, with the quality of the Limiteds. They can't just make another version of it while putting their resources to other things.
02-12-2018, 06:46 AM - 1 Like   #13
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I'm not sure if you're considering the 50-135 vs the 70 vs the 100 Macro, or 50-135 vs 70 and 100?

If the main interest is in doing portrait, I would lean more toward the 70, because you said you liked compactness and build of the Ltds. The 70 would also complement the 15, 20-40 and the KP perfectly (the KP was born for the DA limited). It's exactly my current setup (plus some other lenses due to LBA ) also, for portrait, 100 would be a bit too long for me.

Not that the 50-135 isn't a great portrait lens. It is. But it's an entirely different beast, and it's bulkiness is entirely different than the limited collection.
02-12-2018, 11:36 AM - 1 Like   #14
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You might want to think about the 70mm and the 1.4x tc aw. That keeps things compact. Or if going the takumar way the 150mm is 25% smaller than the 135 with more reach, nice but lose 1.3 stops and the long focus throw of the 135 f2.5.
02-12-2018, 01:19 PM - 1 Like   #15
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I would get the 50-135 and the 100 macro.

The above would cover a lot of bases.

From the sidelines (have not owned any of these) the 70 does not seem to be very different from the 50-135 in term of aperture, i.e. DOF.
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