SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM vs. Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD Macro

billdotjr · 08-19-2019, 06:42 AM

Hi all,

how do these two compare? (Especially in terms of IQ)

SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD Macro Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

I wanted to wait for a second hand Tamron to be available, but now I found the Pentax for €580. I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4.

Marek

**pepperberry farm** · 08-19-2019, 06:52 AM

given the same options, I'd buy the DA* over the Tamron in a heartbeat..

pschlute · 08-19-2019, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by billdotjr

I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4.

I owned the 60-250 for a number of years. It is very good IQ and a very useful FL.

Just be aware it does focus breathe a lot. So at minimum focus distance the FL is more like 200mm. If you dont intend to use it for close-ups that is not an issue.

billdotjr · 08-19-2019, 07:28 AM

My camera is K-5 and I expect to shoot: airplanes in flight and on the ground, birds in the backyard, portraits, maybe dogs, horses.

**ToddK** · 08-19-2019, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

Just be aware it does focus breathe a lot. So at minimum focus distance the FL is more like 200mm.

I have the 60-250 and I would say that the FL is even less than 200mm when you are shooting less than 6-8 meters. However the big advantage to the 60-250 is that it works great with the HD 1.4x teleconverter. It is something that I would consider adding at some point if you purchase it.

Kozlok · 08-19-2019, 07:04 PM

The Tamron is strangely soft and glowy at 200mm/f2.8; so I consider it an f4 max lens at 200mm anyway. It's great just a few mm shorter, and great at 200/f4.

One thing I like about the Tamron is the short MFD; you can get great near-macros shots of butterflies and other larger insects. It really takes lovely images, and is a decent landscape lens as well. I think either choice is a good one, but if I were doing aircraft and such, I'd have chosen the 60-250.

bdery · 08-20-2019, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by billdotjr

I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4.

The extra 10mm at the wide end is even more useful, IMHO.

At comparable prices, I'd never hesitate to get the 60-250. the Tamron is only adequate at F2.8, white the 60-250 already excels at F4, so your useful aperture range is somewhat similar. The Pentax is smaller, lighter, has silent AF, quick-shift (the Tamron uses an annoying AF/MF mechanism), the tripod foot is nicer to remove when needed, it has WR, a longer range, etc. It's one of my main outdoors lens.

The Tamron does have F2.8 even if I wouldn't use it except if forced. It also has internal zooming. That's about it.

08-19-2019, 06:42 AM	#1
billdotjr Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 25	*SMC Pentax-DA 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM vs. Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD Macro** Hi all, how do these two compare? (Especially in terms of IQ) SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD Macro Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database I wanted to wait for a second hand Tamron to be available, but now I found the Pentax for €580. I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4. Marek

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08-19-2019, 06:52 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 35,785	given the same options, I'd buy the DA* over the Tamron in a heartbeat..

08-19-2019, 06:55 AM	#3
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,307	Originally posted by billdotjr I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4. I owned the 60-250 for a number of years. It is very good IQ and a very useful FL. Just be aware it does focus breathe a lot. So at minimum focus distance the FL is more like 200mm. If you dont intend to use it for close-ups that is not an issue.

08-19-2019, 07:28 AM	#4
billdotjr Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 25 Original Poster	My camera is K-5 and I expect to shoot: airplanes in flight and on the ground, birds in the backyard, portraits, maybe dogs, horses.

08-19-2019, 07:51 AM	#5
ToddK Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,479	Originally posted by pschlute Just be aware it does focus breathe a lot. So at minimum focus distance the FL is more like 200mm. I have the 60-250 and I would say that the FL is even less than 200mm when you are shooting less than 6-8 meters. However the big advantage to the 60-250 is that it works great with the HD 1.4x teleconverter. It is something that I would consider adding at some point if you purchase it.

08-19-2019, 07:04 PM	#6
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,104	The Tamron is strangely soft and glowy at 200mm/f2.8; so I consider it an f4 max lens at 200mm anyway. It's great just a few mm shorter, and great at 200/f4. One thing I like about the Tamron is the short MFD; you can get great near-macros shots of butterflies and other larger insects. It really takes lovely images, and is a decent landscape lens as well. I think either choice is a good one, but if I were doing aircraft and such, I'd have chosen the 60-250.

08-20-2019, 05:13 AM	#7
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,008	Originally posted by billdotjr I personally like the longer end at 250mm over 200mm and do not mind the slower aperture of F4. The extra 10mm at the wide end is even more useful, IMHO. At comparable prices, I'd never hesitate to get the 60-250. the Tamron is only adequate at F2.8, white the 60-250 already excels at F4, so your useful aperture range is somewhat similar. The Pentax is smaller, lighter, has silent AF, quick-shift (the Tamron uses an annoying AF/MF mechanism), the tripod foot is nicer to remove when needed, it has WR, a longer range, etc. It's one of my main outdoors lens. The Tamron does have F2.8 even if I wouldn't use it except if forced. It also has internal zooming. That's about it.

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