[Zedman]

Hello

I am trying to decide on a zoom Lens to add with my DA 15mm Limited, DA 40mm Limited and DA* 55mm on my K-5. I also have a Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC (my latest Lens) which I've been testing lately but, it lacks both sharpness and the rich colours of the primes and I find it uninspiring.

So, I looked at the DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 PLM (love the FL) but just found out that it is not compatible with the K-5 OR the K-5 iis
I checked out the DA* 60-250mm F4; liked the reviews, sharp IQ, great colours and weather resistance. I looked at a number of used DA* 60-250mm Lenses on ebay and was just about to pull the trigger on decent priced one in Japan and then, I read info on SDM motor issues and replacements!

If I'm to buy the DA* 60-250mm, then I'll have to buy it new but with the hefty price tag, especially in Australia and there's always the possible SDM motor failure risk down the track. Last week, I was looking at reviews and pics on the Pentax D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 and stumbled in to a used one this week, in mint condition and at a similar price to a new DA* 60-250mm. Hmm, a FF Lens on my K-5; am I better off with the heavy D FA 70-200mm? I've read that 70-200mm FF FL is equivalent to 100-300 mm on APSc?

I am far from an experienced photographer, not very knowledgeable with technical camera terms and I have not taken many shots as of late but, due to Covid19 and these ridiculous lockdowns in Melbourne, I need something to do outdoors and I am finding photography a great way to escape these unsettled times and which is inspiring me to be creative after noticing some incredible sky and cloud formations, distance sunsets on higher ground in the last few months. Oh, and low moon. I need the right tool/ lens to capture such pics and more

What are your thoughts on these two Lenses or suggestion on other kinds of Lenses?

Thanks

[ehrwien]

suggestion on other kinds of Lenses?

I noticed you didn't list the new D FA 70-210 F4. Ah, forget it, it's KAF4 as well, so unfortunately would only work wide open just like the 55-300 PLM.

Hmm, a FF Lens on my K-5; am I better off with the heavy D FA 70-200mm? I've read that 70-200mm FF FL is equivalent to 100-300 mm on APSc?

Focal length is focal length. When on APS-C, it doesn't make a difference if you're shooting with a 200mm full frame lens or a 200mm crop sensor lens, except for size and weight perhaps.

Both the D FA* 70-200/2.8 and the DA* 60-250/4 are large, heavy lenses. Lenses you typically don't just bring along everywhere in case you might use it. A smaller, lighter lens might be more up your alley. Look for one of the older 55-300 variants, the newest of those being this one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-da-55-300mm-f4-5.8-ed-wr.html

[garywakeling]

Hi, I have both of those lenses and would recommend the 60-250 over the 80-200. The quality of each lens when mounted on the K5 is excellent and whichever one you choose, I think you will be pleased with. I purchased a DA 55mm lens that had SDM failure, the cost from C R Kennedy to replace the SDM motor was very reasonably priced around $300 and the turnaround was about 3 weeks. Considering the cost of both lenses new here in Australia, I would try for a used copy of the 60-250mm which as long as you check that it is not dead on arrival, just use it often and if needed in the future just get it repaired. The 80-200 is much larger and heavier with less reach than the 60-250. I think that all the positive reviews are there because it is a good lens on APS-C format, it feels well balanced on the camera and the tripod foot is handy as well. Good luck with your choice and enjoy using your camera when out for your exercise

[pschlute]

What are your thoughts on these two Lenses

I used the DA* 60-250 on both My old K10D and my K-1. Image quality is great, but the autofocus is very slow compared to more modern lenses.The SDM was not an issue on my copy at least.

The DFA 70-200 2.8 is a fantastic lens, fast autofocus and terrific quality.

But both lenses are large, and the 70-200 is 2 kilos. I would never carry it around, and only use it on a tripod or monopod. The saying goes "the best lens is the one you have with you". If you like to stroll around carrying camera and lens I would say forget the 70-200 2.8

[bdery]

Hi!

You can always confirm that any used 60-250mm you get is not sourced from the old Hoya stock, if the box says Ricoh then it won't have the SDM failure.

Mine is Hoya, but nonetheless it never behaved weirdly. Not all lenses do. The problem is real, but not as widespread as some would have you believe.

[UncleVanya]

The 60-250 is a lens I rarely hear about SDM failures with. They happen, just not frequently. The 70-200 f2.8 is a bigger lens, but faster optically (aperture) and mechanically (focus). The size of the f2.8 lens would be more than I want to carry most of the time.

As was said above, any lens of a given focal length is going to give the same perspective on your camera. The thing that changes that field of view to be narrower and make it look more telephoto is the sensor size not the lens. Think of it like having a window and looking outside. If the window is narrower and shorter you see less of the scene. If you then take a photo of the scene and blow it up to x the same size as the original window it will look like the scene was photographed with a longer lens since the edges will be missing and potentially more detail will be visible.

The DA* 50-135 f2.8 is an excellent lightweight lens that on a crop sensor acts like a 70-200 in terms of what it is used for and the image perspective it brings. The lens is prone to sdm failure but unlike the 60-250 it can be reprogrammed to screwdrive using your k-5 is sdm fails. This is the lens I would look for unless you really need the narrower telephoto perspective that the 70-200/60-250 offer.

One other benefit of the 50-135 is that it is lighter, smaller, and doesn’t grow when zooming or focusing. It is a jewel.

[pid]

I agree with Uncle Vanya. The DA*50-135/2.8 is one of my favorit lenses with a wonderfull rendering. The DA*60-250 also is a very good lens. So choose one of them or the older zoom (HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database)

[vector]

If I were in your shoes I would be tempted to look for a good used K3/K3ii to go with a new 55-300mm PLM. The combined price is going to be pretty close to some of those more expensive lenses. For me the K3 was a worthwhile upgrade from the K5 just between the 24mp and the improved AF, but there are other improvements beyond just those.

[StigVidar]

Hi!

You can always confirm that any used 60-250mm you get is not sourced from the old Hoya stock, if the box says Ricoh then it won't have the SDM failure.

Mine is Hoya, but nonetheless it never behaved weirdly. Not all lenses do. The problem is real, but not as widespread as some would have you believe.

What if the box is long gone? Is there anything on the lens other than the serial number which shows when it was made?

[bdery]

What if the box is long gone? Is there anything on the lens other than the serial number which shows when it was made?

I believe with some digging you could guess via the serial number. Members here could probably help you out. Otherwise, it's kinda hard to know.

[caliscouser]

Given the kit you have, I'd also suggest the DA* 50-135. They can be found used for very reasonable prices and if the SDM fails it can be converted to screwdrive.

The DA* 60-250 is awesome but bigger and heavier than the DA* 50-135. However if you need more reach than 135mm then go for the 60-250 without hesitation, even used.

One wild card budget option is the Pentax/Takumar F series 70-200 / 70-210 lenses. Great bang for the buck, particularly for APS-C.

[UncleVanya]

Another thought. If you get the hd da 1.4x and combine with the 50-135 you have a 70-189 f4 and it’s light and works with the body that you have. Upgrading to a k-3 or newer is another rational option yielding a 33% bump in resolution which could mean you can crop more as well.

[repaap]

I'm using DFA*70-200 on my K-3III, because I have it and bought it originally for K-1.

I have compared DA*60-250 and DFA*70-200 side to side in shop, where I did plunge for more recent and fully FF compactible lens with f 2.8.

It is excatly what peole do say it is, heavy. It does produce nice images and that extra lenght and very good performance even @ 200 mm is a big bonus. That said, I dod time to time feel like it is too long for aps-c at it's widest end and I do rarely zoom all the way to 200 mm with it on my K-3III, so 50-135 could make sense.

What is good vs 60-250. AF is reasonable fast, it is very good from wode open and does get excellent by F 5,6 (even stopping down to 3,5 is quite nice). colours are spot on and I really like it's rendering. It is IF desing, so it wont get longer when you are zooming in, it feels really sturdy.

where 60-250 does win, is that extra bit of lenght, but it als has extra lenght when zooming in. It is lighter. it does not suffer focusbreathing as much.


I knew that the weight won't bother me, but sometimes I left it behind when I did not want to carry it around(I allways take it when I know that I need it thou) and it is quite expensive so I have to sometimes thing more carefully where I want to go with it(riverbanks, tricky rocky trail, ect.) so in that way I can't loosen up like with other lenses I do have.


the thing is that *70-200 is my best lens by far. I can clearly recognice any shot I'v made with that lens.

that said, that extra heft could mean that this lens is sitting in drawer more than you might want. i know that I won't pack it for travel with aeroplane anymore, because of the weight, althou it is a nice lens it does eat most of carry onboard bag weight...which would mean that it goes to cargo, and I don't like that.


there is my 2 cent.

[normhead]

I went searching back through my files to find my first image with the DA* 60-250. May 19, 2011 and still going strong. I was using it today and yesterday. It's a great puppy lens. Still going strong after all these years.


May 16 2011


Literally thousands of images taken with this lens.
If you find a second hand one, just ask when they bought it.

[mbukal]

about 8 years ago (I think) with K30 + DA* 50-135 / 2.8 (I know), fantastic lens,small and powerful,my recommendation for APSC: