Is it a good idea? Switching from DA* 50-135mm f2.8 to Sigma 50-150mm f2.8

red5isalive · 03-08-2020, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by DWS1

Since you have the 100mm and above range covered, another option for you might be the D FA 28-105mm f:3.5-5.6. I find it to be an excellent lens on a K70. Quick to focus, great IQ, and a great walk around lens.

Thanks, never thought about it

Bui · 03-11-2020, 05:24 AM

I have the Pentax 50-135 and enjoy it a lot. If I were you I would not do that lateral move, unless focusing speed is really really important. Apart from that I think you will not gain anything else while losing WR. I would rather spend that budget for something else that can compliment your collection.

red5isalive · 03-12-2020, 12:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bui

I have the Pentax 50-135 and enjoy it a lot. If I were you I would not do that lateral move, unless focusing speed is really really important. Apart from that I think you will not gain anything else while losing WR. I would rather spend that budget for something else that can compliment your collection.

Thanks! That is a great view of the issue i think.

Yeah i reeeeally really want that AF speed, as sometimes i found I can't use the 50-135mm because of that AF. Yet is a great lens for portrait.

Thanks mate,
I got a Sigma 10-20mm at great price on the meantime 😅

mikesbike · 03-15-2020, 07:17 PM

Perhaps the best overall solution is to keep the DA* 50-135mm and also acquire the DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 WR PLM, which does have WR and HD coatings. this lens is not all that expensive, is very compact and lightweight, and should bring very fine results in good lighting conditions. For lower lighting conditions, this is when the DA* 50-135mm can deliver the f/2.8 greater aperture range. I have the older DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR which is screw-driven, and has improved AF speed with my KP, and IQ is very satisfactory. I also have had the DA* 50-135mm for around 10 years, SDM still works fine (knocking on wood), I am very fond of it, and basically that is my general plan between these two lenses. If I have good lighting and also need more zoom range, I go to the 55-300mm. If I am dealing with low light situations, it is the DA* 50-135mm for sure.

My other alternatives for longer tele range are my DA* 200mm f/2.8 (but its SDM is slightly slower than the DA* 50-135mm), or my FA* 300mm f/4.5 which is screw-driven with very fast, accurate AF on my KP.

red5isalive · 03-15-2020, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

Perhaps the best overall solution is to keep the DA* 50-135mm and also acquire the DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 WR PLM, which does have WR and HD coatings. this lens is not all that expensive, is very compact and lightweight, and should bring very fine results in good lighting conditions. For lower lighting conditions, this is when the DA* 50-135mm can deliver the f/2.8 greater aperture range. I have the older DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR which is screw-driven, and has improved AF speed with my KP, and IQ is very satisfactory. I also have had the DA* 50-135mm for around 10 years, SDM still works fine (knocking on wood), I am very fond of it, and basically that is my general plan between these two lenses. If I have good lighting and also need more zoom range, I go to the 55-300mm. If I am dealing with low light situations, it is the DA* 50-135mm for sure.

My other alternatives for longer tele range are my DA* 200mm f/2.8 (but its SDM is slightly slower than the DA* 50-135mm), or my FA* 300mm f/4.5 which is screw-driven with very fast, accurate AF on my KP.

Thanks Mike!
I got the 100-300mm range covered with my Sigma 100-300mm f4. She is the real deal. I got also a Pentax F* 200mm f2.8 but she doesn't like racing. Its very bad at front lights and fringes a lot of purple in motion images.

I had a 55-300mm before, the first one and can be quite erratic at focusing i believe (maybe the cameras I paired it with: k110d and kr weren't the best either)

I am specially looking at that 50-135 or 50-150mm range because is what I need in some cases and i find the 50-135mm screwdrive a bit too harsh to work with at speed.

The *200mm and *300mm would be great solutions but again a bit out of range.

Another option could be the Pentax 60-250mm but then i got extra range i have to pay for that i have covered with my Sigma.

**ThorSanchez** · 03-16-2020, 04:44 AM

The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports.

All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right?

**pepperberry farm** · 03-16-2020, 04:56 AM - **1 Like**

I recently received a used copy of the Sigma 50-150mm, and while I do not shoot moving vehicles, I cay say that the HSM is fast and quiet, and that the lens is sharp at bith 50and 150mm...

red5isalive · 03-16-2020, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports.

All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right?

Yes! Exactly! That's the issue.
I do motorsport and need the lens to focus quick and find that the 50-135mm even being brilliant sometimes its just too slow.

---------- Post added 03-16-20 at 05:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I recently received a used copy of the Sigma 50-150mm, and while I do not shoot moving vehicles, I cay say that the HSM is fast and quiet, and that the lens is sharp at bith 50and 150mm...

Thanks! That helps

FotoGekko · 03-16-2020, 11:42 PM

As an aside, should any of you (potential) owners get (have) one without the hood; I have two of them. They are not particularly scarce since the lens was made in different mounts, but I am happy to part with one. (Living in Austria)

Gerard

MikeyBugs95 · 03-17-2020, 01:38 AM

I have the 50-135 and was contemplating the same thing when I was first thinking about which lens to get. I went with the DA* 50-135 over the 50-150 for it's sealing and because I read that it's slightly sharper and has better rendering. I use the 50-135 almost every time I go out and it's the lens I keep on my camera almost by default. I've gone through two copies of the lens because I damaged one copy trying to fix a weather sealing gasket which I damaged trying to fix a frozen motor. I got the motor running. Damaged a gasket. Broke the lens a few weeks later trying to fix the gasket. Bought a second lens a few days later. When/if Pentax releases a version II, I'll definitely be in line to get one.

Originally posted by red5isalive

Sorry i got comfused, I thought it was the 70-210mm at a youtube channel named CameraVille but he was talking about the 70-200mm I believe.

YouTube

Yet still, I won't have 1200€ to spend on a lens to be honest

[COLOR="Silver"]

.....

About the 70-200 f2.8, the guy at Cameraville actually put out a video shortly after saying that he actually got a dud lens. The lens he got was decentered I think which is why he was getting so many bad pictures. I've watched both videos and watch his videos regularly on YouTube. From what else I've seen of the DFA* 70-200, it's a fantastic brute of a lens. Big and massive but amazing.

**Rondec** · 03-17-2020, 03:46 AM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports.

All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right?

I don't know about that. It isn't as though any other makers make a 50-135 f2.8, except for Fuji. I suppose Pentax will eventually upgrade the DA *16-50 and 50-135 with DC motors -- and probably take out the screw drive mechanism at the same time.

**ThorSanchez** · 03-17-2020, 04:45 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't know about that. It isn't as though any other makers make a 50-135 f2.8, except for Fuji. I suppose Pentax will eventually upgrade the DA *16-50 and 50-135 with DC motors -- and probably take out the screw drive mechanism at the same time.

I really don't know much about the other manufacturer's lens lineups. A little about Fuji because I've been doing a bit of research into sports-oriented ILCs and the standard there is Fuji's XF 50-140 f/2.8. I've thought about renting an X-T3 or the upcoming X-T4 with that lens.

But it seems like that would be more of a thing, since the 70-200 is ubiquitous in FF sports shooting. Although for my use cases that seems a bit limiting - 250 to 300mm on APS-C is really useful for looking across a soccer pitch, and that would be 400+ on FF. I guess 70-200 is a good tradeoff between (relatively) small and reasonably priced, at least compared to a monster 400mm+ lens with a wide aperture. Maybe part of it is that Nikon/Canon/Sony have had FF cameras out for quite a while, and most pro sports shooters don't use APS-C.

In any case, I'd certainly be interested in an updated 50-135 f/2.8 if Pentax ever got around to making one.

red5isalive · 03-18-2020, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by MikeyBugs95

I have the 50-135 and was contemplating the same thing when I was first thinking about which lens to get. I went with the DA* 50-135 over the 50-150 for it's sealing and because I read that it's slightly sharper and has better rendering. I use the 50-135 almost every time I go out and it's the lens I keep on my camera almost by default. I've gone through two copies of the lens because I damaged one copy trying to fix a weather sealing gasket which I damaged trying to fix a frozen motor. I got the motor running. Damaged a gasket. Broke the lens a few weeks later trying to fix the gasket. Bought a second lens a few days later. When/if Pentax releases a version II, I'll definitely be in line to get one.

About the 70-200 f2.8, the guy at Cameraville actually put out a video shortly after saying that he actually got a dud lens. The lens he got was decentered I think which is why he was getting so many bad pictures. I've watched both videos and watch his videos regularly on YouTube. From what else I've seen of the DFA* 70-200, it's a fantastic brute of a lens. Big and massive but amazing.

I see! i never seen that video. Thanks for sharing

---------- Post added 03-18-20 at 11:28 AM ----------

Originally posted by FotoGekko

As an aside, should any of you (potential) owners get (have) one without the hood; I have two of them. They are not particularly scarce since the lens was made in different mounts, but I am happy to part with one. (Living in Austria)

Gerard

Thanks mate for the offering,

I keep mine so I don't need to abuse your kindness. Maybe somebody else has the need.
Again THANK YOU.

03-17-2020, 01:38 AM	#40
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,180	I have the 50-135 and was contemplating the same thing when I was first thinking about which lens to get. I went with the DA* 50-135 over the 50-150 for it's sealing and because I read that it's slightly sharper and has better rendering. I use the 50-135 almost every time I go out and it's the lens I keep on my camera almost by default. I've gone through two copies of the lens because I damaged one copy trying to fix a weather sealing gasket which I damaged trying to fix a frozen motor. I got the motor running. Damaged a gasket. Broke the lens a few weeks later trying to fix the gasket. Bought a second lens a few days later. When/if Pentax releases a version II, I'll definitely be in line to get one. Originally posted by red5isalive Sorry i got comfused, I thought it was the 70-210mm at a youtube channel named CameraVille but he was talking about the 70-200mm I believe. YouTube Yet still, I won't have 1200€ to spend on a lens to be honest [COLOR="Silver"] ..... About the 70-200 f2.8, the guy at Cameraville actually put out a video shortly after saying that he actually got a dud lens. The lens he got was decentered I think which is why he was getting so many bad pictures. I've watched both videos and watch his videos regularly on YouTube. From what else I've seen of the DFA* 70-200, it's a fantastic brute of a lens. Big and massive but amazing. Last edited by MikeyBugs95; 03-17-2020 at 01:44 AM.

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03-08-2020, 10:37 AM	#31
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by DWS1 Since you have the 100mm and above range covered, another option for you might be the D FA 28-105mm f:3.5-5.6. I find it to be an excellent lens on a K70. Quick to focus, great IQ, and a great walk around lens. Thanks, never thought about it

03-11-2020, 05:24 AM	#32
Bui Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 316	I have the Pentax 50-135 and enjoy it a lot. If I were you I would not do that lateral move, unless focusing speed is really really important. Apart from that I think you will not gain anything else while losing WR. I would rather spend that budget for something else that can compliment your collection.

03-12-2020, 12:01 AM - 1 Like	#33
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bui I have the Pentax 50-135 and enjoy it a lot. If I were you I would not do that lateral move, unless focusing speed is really really important. Apart from that I think you will not gain anything else while losing WR. I would rather spend that budget for something else that can compliment your collection. Thanks! That is a great view of the issue i think. Yeah i reeeeally really want that AF speed, as sometimes i found I can't use the 50-135mm because of that AF. Yet is a great lens for portrait. Thanks mate, I got a Sigma 10-20mm at great price on the meantime 😅

03-15-2020, 07:17 PM	#34
mikesbike Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,333	Perhaps the best overall solution is to keep the DA* 50-135mm and also acquire the DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 WR PLM, which does have WR and HD coatings. this lens is not all that expensive, is very compact and lightweight, and should bring very fine results in good lighting conditions. For lower lighting conditions, this is when the DA* 50-135mm can deliver the f/2.8 greater aperture range. I have the older DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR which is screw-driven, and has improved AF speed with my KP, and IQ is very satisfactory. I also have had the DA* 50-135mm for around 10 years, SDM still works fine (knocking on wood), I am very fond of it, and basically that is my general plan between these two lenses. If I have good lighting and also need more zoom range, I go to the 55-300mm. If I am dealing with low light situations, it is the DA* 50-135mm for sure. My other alternatives for longer tele range are my DA* 200mm f/2.8 (but its SDM is slightly slower than the DA* 50-135mm), or my FA* 300mm f/4.5 which is screw-driven with very fast, accurate AF on my KP.

03-15-2020, 11:33 PM	#35
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike Perhaps the best overall solution is to keep the DA* 50-135mm and also acquire the DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 WR PLM, which does have WR and HD coatings. this lens is not all that expensive, is very compact and lightweight, and should bring very fine results in good lighting conditions. For lower lighting conditions, this is when the DA* 50-135mm can deliver the f/2.8 greater aperture range. I have the older DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 WR which is screw-driven, and has improved AF speed with my KP, and IQ is very satisfactory. I also have had the DA* 50-135mm for around 10 years, SDM still works fine (knocking on wood), I am very fond of it, and basically that is my general plan between these two lenses. If I have good lighting and also need more zoom range, I go to the 55-300mm. If I am dealing with low light situations, it is the DA* 50-135mm for sure. My other alternatives for longer tele range are my DA* 200mm f/2.8 (but its SDM is slightly slower than the DA* 50-135mm), or my FA* 300mm f/4.5 which is screw-driven with very fast, accurate AF on my KP. Thanks Mike! I got the 100-300mm range covered with my Sigma 100-300mm f4. She is the real deal. I got also a Pentax F* 200mm f2.8 but she doesn't like racing. Its very bad at front lights and fringes a lot of purple in motion images. I had a 55-300mm before, the first one and can be quite erratic at focusing i believe (maybe the cameras I paired it with: k110d and kr weren't the best either) I am specially looking at that 50-135 or 50-150mm range because is what I need in some cases and i find the 50-135mm screwdrive a bit too harsh to work with at speed. The 200mm and 300mm would be great solutions but again a bit out of range. Another option could be the Pentax 60-250mm but then i got extra range i have to pay for that i have covered with my Sigma.

03-16-2020, 04:44 AM	#36
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,542	The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports. All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right?

03-16-2020, 04:56 AM - 1 Like	#37
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 36,594	I recently received a used copy of the Sigma 50-150mm, and while I do not shoot moving vehicles, I cay say that the HSM is fast and quiet, and that the lens is sharp at bith 50and 150mm...

03-16-2020, 05:26 AM	#38
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by ThorSanchez The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports. All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right? Yes! Exactly! That's the issue. I do motorsport and need the lens to focus quick and find that the 50-135mm even being brilliant sometimes its just too slow. ---------- Post added 03-16-20 at 05:27 AM ---------- Originally posted by pepperberry farm I recently received a used copy of the Sigma 50-150mm, and while I do not shoot moving vehicles, I cay say that the HSM is fast and quiet, and that the lens is sharp at bith 50and 150mm... Thanks! That helps

03-16-2020, 11:42 PM	#39
FotoGekko Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Photos: Gallery Posts: 82	As an aside, should any of you (potential) owners get (have) one without the hood; I have two of them. They are not particularly scarce since the lens was made in different mounts, but I am happy to part with one. (Living in Austria) Gerard

03-17-2020, 03:46 AM	#41
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,080	Originally posted by ThorSanchez The issue is that Pentax doesn't have an APS-C equivalent of a FF 70-200 for sports and action. Probably because they've largely ceded the action market to other manufacturers. I'd love a 50-135 f/2.8 with the speed of the 55-300 PLM, because I shoot a fair amount of indoor sports and the PLM is constantly pushing TAv ISO to 8000, 12800, etc. And that's with shutter speed set to something like 1/400th, which is quite a bit slower than you'd like for indoor sports. All we really need is for Pentax to make a fast-and-silent focusing version of the 50-135. Would be brilliant to release with the much improved focusing on the K-new, right? I don't know about that. It isn't as though any other makers make a 50-135 f2.8, except for Fuji. I suppose Pentax will eventually upgrade the DA *16-50 and 50-135 with DC motors -- and probably take out the screw drive mechanism at the same time.

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03-17-2020, 04:45 AM	#42
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,542	Originally posted by Rondec I don't know about that. It isn't as though any other makers make a 50-135 f2.8, except for Fuji. I suppose Pentax will eventually upgrade the DA *16-50 and 50-135 with DC motors -- and probably take out the screw drive mechanism at the same time. I really don't know much about the other manufacturer's lens lineups. A little about Fuji because I've been doing a bit of research into sports-oriented ILCs and the standard there is Fuji's XF 50-140 f/2.8. I've thought about renting an X-T3 or the upcoming X-T4 with that lens. But it seems like that would be more of a thing, since the 70-200 is ubiquitous in FF sports shooting. Although for my use cases that seems a bit limiting - 250 to 300mm on APS-C is really useful for looking across a soccer pitch, and that would be 400+ on FF. I guess 70-200 is a good tradeoff between (relatively) small and reasonably priced, at least compared to a monster 400mm+ lens with a wide aperture. Maybe part of it is that Nikon/Canon/Sony have had FF cameras out for quite a while, and most pro sports shooters don't use APS-C. In any case, I'd certainly be interested in an updated 50-135 f/2.8 if Pentax ever got around to making one.

03-18-2020, 11:27 AM	#43
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by MikeyBugs95 I have the 50-135 and was contemplating the same thing when I was first thinking about which lens to get. I went with the DA* 50-135 over the 50-150 for it's sealing and because I read that it's slightly sharper and has better rendering. I use the 50-135 almost every time I go out and it's the lens I keep on my camera almost by default. I've gone through two copies of the lens because I damaged one copy trying to fix a weather sealing gasket which I damaged trying to fix a frozen motor. I got the motor running. Damaged a gasket. Broke the lens a few weeks later trying to fix the gasket. Bought a second lens a few days later. When/if Pentax releases a version II, I'll definitely be in line to get one. About the 70-200 f2.8, the guy at Cameraville actually put out a video shortly after saying that he actually got a dud lens. The lens he got was decentered I think which is why he was getting so many bad pictures. I've watched both videos and watch his videos regularly on YouTube. From what else I've seen of the DFA* 70-200, it's a fantastic brute of a lens. Big and massive but amazing. I see! i never seen that video. Thanks for sharing ---------- Post added 03-18-20 at 11:28 AM ---------- Originally posted by FotoGekko As an aside, should any of you (potential) owners get (have) one without the hood; I have two of them. They are not particularly scarce since the lens was made in different mounts, but I am happy to part with one. (Living in Austria) Gerard Thanks mate for the offering, I keep mine so I don't need to abuse your kindness. Maybe somebody else has the need. Again THANK YOU.