Does this exist?

FHPhotographer · 12-06-2008, 01:47 PM

Other than the FA-77, is there a new medium telephoto prime available between 70 and 200 that is not a macro?

k100d · 12-06-2008, 01:54 PM

there's also the DA70
a quick look at the k-mount page showed nothing
and i don't think tamron / sigma have anything either

roentarre · 12-06-2008, 02:07 PM

Macro lenses can do good job in terms of resolution and contrast in that focal range. Besides the autofocus speed is a little slower with these lenses, most people would forgive the fact that a separate prime is not that necessary if a macro lens is available in the similar focal length.

Look at the fate of canon 100mm f2. It is rather sad that this lens is soooo under-rated. It has the optical performance of Canon 135mm f2 L with lightening autofocus speed as well as accuracy. The price tag is 40% cheaper than 135 L with reasonable contruction. Still, the lens is bashed around a lot and only 100mm f2.8 macro is the preferred lens with the public.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-06-2008, 02:34 PM

Not in new but in Pentax second hand, you do have some choices, availability well that's another thing.

FA 85mm f1:1.4, FA 85mm f1:2.8 Soft, FA 135mm f1:2.8

F 85mm f1:2.8 Soft, F 135mm f1:2.8

A series 85mm f1:1.4, A series 100mm f1:2.8, A series 135mm f1:1.8, A series 135mm f1:2.8.

Mechan1k · 12-06-2008, 06:21 PM

I wouldn't let a macro put you off getting something in that range.
My Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens is a stellar lens ... was a tad pricey .. but worth every cent.

I do love my Super Takumar 85mm f/1.9 though ... it's a very nice affordable 85mm that produces awesome images.

Damn Brit · 12-06-2008, 07:10 PM

There is also the Voigtlander 90mm Lanthar which is a close focus lens rather than a true macro. It is manual focus though.

Blue · 12-06-2008, 07:11 PM

There is a FA* 85mm f1.4 for sale in the Marketplace right now! As a matter of fact, there are 2 of them but one is [EU] only.

Wheatfield · 12-06-2008, 08:58 PM

I'm kinda wondering why there isn't something in the 135mm range on the roadmap.

**jamesk8752** · 12-06-2008, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

I'm kinda wondering why there isn't something in the 135mm range on the roadmap.

I'm with you, Wheatfield - as the new DA lenses Pentax is making to replace the old FA standards take into account the 1.5x crop factor, a DA135/2.8 would replace the FA200 (or better yet, the FA*200) very nicely.

Mechan1k · 12-06-2008, 10:43 PM

But there's no need for a DA*135 in Pentax eyes .. as they already have a DA*50-135mm in the line-up ... and they think this is as good as a Prime anyway ... no need to double up.

Blue · 12-06-2008, 11:11 PM

Originally posted by Mechan1k

But there's no need for a DA*135 in Pentax eyes .. as they already have a DA*50-135mm in the line-up ... and they think this is as good as a Prime anyway ... no need to double up.

By that logic, why would they come out with the DA* 55 f1.4? Plus, they are keeping the DA 70mm ltd and FA 77mm ltd around.

Mechan1k · 12-06-2008, 11:13 PM

So true ... i know the quality difference between a prime and zoom ... there's a difference.

I do know the 50-135 is excellent for a zoom ... but it is exactly prime material ... i cannot compare myself.

I do know the 55mm range is covered in the 50-135 .... but not at an aperature of f/1.4 though.

a DA* 135mm f/2 would be awesome though ... expensive ... but awesome nonetheless.

egordon99 · 12-08-2008, 06:46 AM

The Canon 135mm f/2 is only around $900, so not too expensive.

OP - What's wrong with a medium-telephoto prime that also does 1:1 Macro? I had the Sigma 105mm f/2.8, and it produced awesome (non-macro and macro) images, but sold it once I bought the 50-135. The Sigma was very slow in the AF department, and I realized I wasn't a huge macro fan.

CFWhitman · 12-08-2008, 10:23 AM

If auto focus speed is your issue (and I'm assuming it is) then, no, not that I know of.

The Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro does have a focus range limiter to improve auto focus performance at non-macro distances, so that might be a consideration. (I have never had the opportunity to use this lens myself though).

If auto focus is not the issue, then macro lenses can be quite nice for regular photography as well. Also, there are a few third party options of different manual focus lenses that can be explored.

Rico · 12-08-2008, 10:30 AM

There are also the M series in this focal range too.

The M-85 f2, M-100 f2.8, M-120 f2.8.

I think the M-120 f2.8 would make for a fantastic DA LTD lens. It would be extremely compact for the focal length being roughly a 180mm on APS-C.

12-06-2008, 01:47 PM	#1
FHPhotographer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fountain Hills, AZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,297	Does this exist? Other than the FA-77, is there a new medium telephoto prime available between 70 and 200 that is not a macro?

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12-06-2008, 01:54 PM	#2
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	there's also the DA70 a quick look at the k-mount page showed nothing and i don't think tamron / sigma have anything either

12-06-2008, 02:07 PM	#3
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Macro lenses can do good job in terms of resolution and contrast in that focal range. Besides the autofocus speed is a little slower with these lenses, most people would forgive the fact that a separate prime is not that necessary if a macro lens is available in the similar focal length. Look at the fate of canon 100mm f2. It is rather sad that this lens is soooo under-rated. It has the optical performance of Canon 135mm f2 L with lightening autofocus speed as well as accuracy. The price tag is 40% cheaper than 135 L with reasonable contruction. Still, the lens is bashed around a lot and only 100mm f2.8 macro is the preferred lens with the public.

12-06-2008, 02:34 PM	#4
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Not in new but in Pentax second hand, you do have some choices, availability well that's another thing. FA 85mm f1:1.4, FA 85mm f1:2.8 Soft, FA 135mm f1:2.8 F 85mm f1:2.8 Soft, F 135mm f1:2.8 A series 85mm f1:1.4, A series 100mm f1:2.8, A series 135mm f1:1.8, A series 135mm f1:2.8.

12-06-2008, 06:21 PM	#5
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I wouldn't let a macro put you off getting something in that range. My Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens is a stellar lens ... was a tad pricey .. but worth every cent. I do love my Super Takumar 85mm f/1.9 though ... it's a very nice affordable 85mm that produces awesome images.

12-06-2008, 07:10 PM	#6
Damn Brit Guest	There is also the Voigtlander 90mm Lanthar which is a close focus lens rather than a true macro. It is manual focus though.

12-06-2008, 07:11 PM	#7
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	There is a FA* 85mm f1.4 for sale in the Marketplace right now! As a matter of fact, there are 2 of them but one is [EU] only.

12-06-2008, 08:58 PM	#8
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	I'm kinda wondering why there isn't something in the 135mm range on the roadmap.

12-06-2008, 10:42 PM	#9
jamesk8752 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Suburban Detroit, MI, USA Posts: 238	Originally posted by Wheatfield I'm kinda wondering why there isn't something in the 135mm range on the roadmap. I'm with you, Wheatfield - as the new DA lenses Pentax is making to replace the old FA standards take into account the 1.5x crop factor, a DA135/2.8 would replace the FA200 (or better yet, the FA*200) very nicely.

12-06-2008, 10:43 PM	#10
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	But there's no need for a DA135 in Pentax eyes .. as they already have a DA50-135mm in the line-up ... and they think this is as good as a Prime anyway ... no need to double up.

12-06-2008, 11:11 PM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Mechan1k But there's no need for a DA135 in Pentax eyes .. as they already have a DA50-135mm in the line-up ... and they think this is as good as a Prime anyway ... no need to double up. By that logic, why would they come out with the DA* 55 f1.4? Plus, they are keeping the DA 70mm ltd and FA 77mm ltd around.

12-06-2008, 11:13 PM	#12
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	So true ... i know the quality difference between a prime and zoom ... there's a difference. I do know the 50-135 is excellent for a zoom ... but it is exactly prime material ... i cannot compare myself. I do know the 55mm range is covered in the 50-135 .... but not at an aperature of f/1.4 though. a DA* 135mm f/2 would be awesome though ... expensive ... but awesome nonetheless.

12-08-2008, 06:46 AM	#13
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	The Canon 135mm f/2 is only around $900, so not too expensive. OP - What's wrong with a medium-telephoto prime that also does 1:1 Macro? I had the Sigma 105mm f/2.8, and it produced awesome (non-macro and macro) images, but sold it once I bought the 50-135. The Sigma was very slow in the AF department, and I realized I wasn't a huge macro fan.

12-08-2008, 10:23 AM	#14
CFWhitman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Upstate New York, US Photos: Albums Posts: 225	If auto focus speed is your issue (and I'm assuming it is) then, no, not that I know of. The Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro does have a focus range limiter to improve auto focus performance at non-macro distances, so that might be a consideration. (I have never had the opportunity to use this lens myself though). If auto focus is not the issue, then macro lenses can be quite nice for regular photography as well. Also, there are a few third party options of different manual focus lenses that can be explored.

12-08-2008, 10:30 AM	#15
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	There are also the M series in this focal range too. The M-85 f2, M-100 f2.8, M-120 f2.8. I think the M-120 f2.8 would make for a fantastic DA LTD lens. It would be extremely compact for the focal length being roughly a 180mm on APS-C.