[BruceBanner]

I already own the K200/4. Whilst I am mostly happy with it (great value), I wouldn't mind something of the equivalent in either A settings or just sharper in general. The annoying thing is I can't use it really in Av mode at all because it always shoots at f4 and this is where it performs the worst. It's a Manual mode only lens for me, f5.6 is where I typically start from (where things rapidly improve over f4), however that makes it quite a slow 200, and Australia has such dynamic lighting that when moving the camera and lens around it means a heck of a lot of green buttoning. I also have the Tak 135/2.5 where it's a similar story, getting to f2.8 makes things drastically better however I am locked into a Manual mode affair and I vowed never to get another K type lens again unless it is super good wide open so that Av mode at least gets a look in.

200mm is a focal length I rarely shoot at, FA77mm is typically the longest lens I use on a regular basis. Manual focusing is absolutely fine, in fact preferable because right now my budget can't really extend to lenses that include AF.

I'm just wondering if there is some good old glass, either a A setting lens within the 135-300mm range that is recommended and reasonably priced, or failing that a super dooper K type that is good to go from wide open so that some Av mode work is worthwhile visiting.


TIA!

BB

[boriscleto]

Cheap, long, fast, and sharp wide open? Doesn't exist. Even the A* 300/4 goes for more than $500 in the US. There's one on eBay with a starting bid of $255 and is taking offers. But no mention of the condition of the glass and no good photos...

[BruceBanner]

Cheap, long, fast, and sharp wide open? Doesn't exist. Even the A* 300/4 goes for more than $500 in the US. There's one on eBay with a starting bid of $255 and is taking offers. But no mention of the condition of the glass and no good photos...

Sorry... might have been misleading when I said 'reasonably priced', I wasn't meaning cheap cheap, just fair and not in the thousands and thousands for the AF equivalent lenses of this length. My K200 and Tak 135 were both had for less than $100AUD (each). If there were viable replacements for 2-3x that price (or more) but ticked the boxes as outlined in the OP then I'd like to know what those might be.

[boriscleto]

Sorry... might have been misleading when I said 'reasonably priced', I wasn't meaning cheap cheap, just fair and not in the thousands and thousands for the AF equivalent lenses of this length. My K200 and Tak 135 were both had for less than $100AUD (each). If there were viable replacements for 2-3x that price (or more) but ticked the boxes as outlined in the OP then I'd like to know what those might be.

The A* 135/1.8 is out of your price range, the A 135/2.8 is a good lens, but other than the A setting I don't think it's better than the Tak (SMC coating is better obviously).

The A* 200/2.8 is around $500 US. It's the same optical formula as the DA* afaik. You can add the F 1.7 AF converter later to make it a 340/5.6.

[BruceBanner]

Cheap, long, fast, and sharp wide open? Doesn't exist. Even the A* 300/4 goes for more than $500 in the US. There's one on eBay with a starting bid of $255 and is taking offers. But no mention of the condition of the glass and no good photos...

I hear for example how the K 28/3.5 is better than the A28/2.8, bla bla, that sorta thing really. Curious to know if there are better K versions in those ranges, or A setting ones etc. That's all really.

[clickclick]

For what it's worth, I have the A* 200/2.8 and the A* 300/4. I really like the 200. The 300 isn't bad, but the 200 is really sharp. Nice lens. Might be worth looking for a copy.

[Sandy Hancock]

The FA135/2.8 is brilliant, and not too expensive. It focusses close, and quickly. Compact and reasonably light.

The DA*200/2.8 can be found second hand for around $700-800 (Australian dollars) if you're patient. It's a no-compromise, weather sealed full frame lens of the highest order. Purple fringing is perhaps its only weakness (and the reason I sold mine, which I now regret).

I have no doubt the A* primes are also superb.

[BruceBanner]

For what it's worth, I have the A* 200/2.8 and the A* 300/4. I really like the 200. The 300 isn't bad, but the 200 is really sharp. Nice lens. Might be worth looking for a copy.

Thanks. I think both those would be out of my price range I think.

The FA135/2.8 is brilliant, and not too expensive. It focusses close, and quickly. Compact and reasonably light.

The DA*200/2.8 can be found second hand for around $700-800 (Australian dollars) if you're patient. It's a no-compromise, weather sealed full frame lens of the highest order. Purple fringing is perhaps its only weakness (and the reason I sold mine, which I now regret).

I have no doubt the A* primes are also superb.

Yes I think I have seen your FA 135 shots, does look good indeed. That's probably what I will replace the Tak 135 with eventually, however aren't they kinda rare to find? The DA *200 I think is probably more than I can afford, even second hand. As you know I dabble in portrait, and often use handheld flash fill, the FA77 is even struggling for reach for some of those shots, so the 200 in my instance is more for natural light portrait work, and hence I'm quite cool with dropping AF from the list.

Having a look now and it seems the A 200/4 is probably what I am after, it's more or less a K200/4 with the A setting which makes it a bit more flexible for me in a shoot. I can jump straight into f5.6 like I do with the K yet be in Av mode and perhaps have better contrast and colours due to coating. Hopefully a copy won't be too expensive to come by...

[kypfer]

Some of the older Tamron SP range of Adaptall-2 prime lenses would probably do the job, but may depend on local availability for pricing ... just remember to factor in the cost of a PK/A adaptor, they're usually rather more expensive than the "ordinary" PK adaptors.

[redpit]

You should seriously consider the Rokinon 135/2. It is so good even wide open that it is hard to believe and is actually an A lens, easy to use and focus.

[TwoUptons]

Having a look now and it seems the A 200/4 is probably what I am after, it's more or less a K200/4 with the A setting which makes it a bit more flexible for me in a shoot. I can jump straight into f5.6 like I do with the K yet be in Av mode and perhaps have better contrast and colours due to coating. Hopefully a copy won't be too expensive to come by...

I traded a M200 f4 for an A200 f4, and that was a big step forward.
Optically, it seems a little better, though it's close enough to be well within the bounds of sample variation.
And while usable, it isn't great wide open...

The TAv possibilities are nice, as is P-TTL flash.
Put those together with a Raynox closeup adapter, and it does some really cool macro work...


I paid less than US$100 for mine, shipped from Japan.

-Eric

[Serkevan]

I am dumb and forgot that in AV mode manual lenses don't stop down, yay.

[clickclick]

Thanks. I think both those would be out of my price range I think.

Welcome. Keep them on your short list though. I snagged both lenses for about $300 each (USD). Not sure if I just got lucky, but keep at eBay with daily searches and play around with different search terms - eBay doesn't seem to handle the * well in searches, so it can be challenging to get good hits.

[marcusBMG]

+1 tamron adaptalls... or vivitar series 1. Check out my comparison:

Test classic 70-210mm vintage lenses: vivitar series 1, tamron SP

although the obvious adaptall choice wasn't part of that test - the 23A 60-300mm.
I can fix you up with either - PM me.

[D1N0]

SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4.