Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

SpecialK · 03-21-2007, 08:41 PM

In another thread that I can't find now, someone asked if there could not be a "lens comparison" between, essentially, all the lenses that come up in discussion. Well, I can't do them all, but I do have 3 that pop up a lot in posts.

I'm out of upload space, so I have to give these links. All shots are at f8 and are cropped from about the central 1/8th of the image.

The first is the Sigma 18-50 f 2.8 EX DC ($375) versus Pentax 50-200 ($229 - 50 rebate) at 50mm:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/50ps.jpg

Next is the Pentax 50-200 vs Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro ($229 or so) at about 100mm (focus was on the truck mirror):

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/Ps100.jpg

Last is the same pair at about 200mm:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/ps200.jpg

Last edited by SpecialK; 03-22-2007 at 07:43 PM.

Adam · 03-21-2007, 09:28 PM

For the last two, is the photo on top taken with the 50-200mm? It seems slightly sharper than the bottom photo. Thanks for sharing!

darkstorm82 · 03-22-2007, 02:18 AM

are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200?
seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate
Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras

roy · 03-22-2007, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by darkstorm82

are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200?
seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate
Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras

wow, that's cheaper than with the rebate.

FotoPete · 03-22-2007, 08:21 AM

I couldn't pick out any big sharpness difference between the pentax and the sigma telephoto lens but I found the Pentax to be delivering more contrast

SpecialK · 03-22-2007, 07:13 PM

The Pentax lenses are on top for all pairs. I've seen the 50-200 for as low as $209 at Adorama.

I did not notice a whole lot of difference in the test , though the Sigma 18-50 seem sharpest in real use.

Denis · 03-22-2007, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by darkstorm82

are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200?
seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate
Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras

I paid $199.99 CDN + 7% tax at London Drugs with no rebate last December. In Quebec for you that would be plus 15% tax which put both within a couple of dollars.

darkstorm82 · 03-23-2007, 03:07 AM

Originally posted by Denis

I paid $199.99 CDN + 7% tax at London Drugs with no rebate last December. In Quebec for you that would be plus 15% tax which put both within a couple of dollars.

I bought it online from camera canada, so its located in ontario,
only had to pay 6% fed tax, but 15$ shipping extra..
216$ total, very good price for what the lens is!
(186$ USD shipped at my door)

teogin · 11-03-2007, 04:04 PM

I think tha Sigma or Tamron solution is much better than pentax:
1.They are FF lenses, so not dark areas at the edges.
2.Compatibility with past, current and future bodies
3.Better macro capabilities.
4.Better built quality.

I most like Tamron but I voted Sigma cause I 've read a lot about this awarded lens by Sigma.

OniFactor · 12-18-2007, 11:38 PM

have you tested the sig 55-200, against the pentax? that one has caught my eye..

Chako · 12-19-2007, 04:14 AM

Wow. That Sigma sure gives washed out colours doesn't it?

Shogo · 11-20-2008, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by Chako

Wow. That Sigma sure gives washed out colours doesn't it?

Yeah. I wonder if it would be noticeable after putting it into photoshop and fixing it up.

Marc Sabatella · 11-20-2008, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by teogin

I think tha Sigma or Tamron solution is much better than pentax:
1.They are FF lenses, so not dark areas at the edges.
2.Compatibility with past, current and future bodies
3.Better macro capabilities.
4.Better built quality.

Well, OK, but you did you look at the pictures? I'm sure someone else might get different results - you'd want to be sure to take several shots with focus bracketing and different types of subjects - before really drawing conclusions. But based on these, the image quality of the Pentax is *much* better. Plus it focuses faster, is smaller and lighter, and gives you the 50-70 range which I personally find more useful than 200-300. As for macro, neither 70-300 does true macro - only 1:2 or so. A $40 Raynox closeup adapter on the 50-200 will do far better than that.

Sure, if you intend to use FF bodies, you would probably be willing to sacrifice something for that. But I have no intention of abandoning APS-C.

audiobomber · 11-20-2008, 11:31 AM

I preferred the Pentax in each case. It's odd that the 50-200mm has such a bad rep.

Alfisti · 11-20-2008, 11:33 AM - **1 Like**

The pictures say what I have been saying for 2 years, the 50-200 may not be the sharpest lens in the world but colour and contrast are fantastic.

Even the 18-250 shows the same result, just as sharp as the 50-200 but the mid tones are a mess, almost as if the glass has less dynamic range ... that is absurd but it feels like that is case when reviewing files.

03-21-2007, 08:41 PM	#1
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Lens comparison P 50-200 vs S 18-50 and S 70-300 In another thread that I can't find now, someone asked if there could not be a "lens comparison" between, essentially, all the lenses that come up in discussion. Well, I can't do them all, but I do have 3 that pop up a lot in posts. I'm out of upload space, so I have to give these links. All shots are at f8 and are cropped from about the central 1/8th of the image. The first is the Sigma 18-50 f 2.8 EX DC ($375) versus Pentax 50-200 ($229 - 50 rebate) at 50mm: http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/50ps.jpg Next is the Pentax 50-200 vs Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro ($229 or so) at about 100mm (focus was on the truck mirror): http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/Ps100.jpg Last is the same pair at about 200mm: http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q78/KylePix/Tests/ps200.jpg Last edited by SpecialK; 03-22-2007 at 07:43 PM.

03-21-2007, 09:28 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	For the last two, is the photo on top taken with the 50-200mm? It seems slightly sharper than the bottom photo. Thanks for sharing! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

03-22-2007, 07:13 PM	#6
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482 Original Poster	The Pentax lenses are on top for all pairs. I've seen the 50-200 for as low as $209 at Adorama. I did not notice a whole lot of difference in the test , though the Sigma 18-50 seem sharpest in real use. Last edited by SpecialK; 03-22-2007 at 07:18 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Superzoom comparison? Tamron 28-200 vs Pentax 18-250 vs Sigma 28-300 etc	JayR	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	03-10-2010 12:40 PM
Unscientific (but representative!) comparison of 50-200 & 70-300	Marc Sabatella	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	04-23-2009 12:49 PM
Pentax 200 f4 & Vivitar 200 3.5 Comparison	Jewelltrail	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	58	03-22-2009 08:07 AM
Comparison of Pentax DA* 200/2.8 and A 200/4	blende8	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	02-25-2008 06:17 AM
TAMRON 70-300 Vs Pentax 50-200 lens.	nandigama	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	12-17-2007 04:39 PM

03-22-2007, 02:18 AM	#3
darkstorm82 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 59	are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200? seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras

03-22-2007, 05:27 AM	#4
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	Originally posted by darkstorm82 are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200? seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras wow, that's cheaper than with the rebate.

03-22-2007, 08:21 AM	#5
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	I couldn't pick out any big sharpness difference between the pentax and the sigma telephoto lens but I found the Pentax to be delivering more contrast

03-22-2007, 08:36 PM	#7
Denis Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St-Albert, Alberta, Canada Posts: 330	Originally posted by darkstorm82 are you sure about the 229$ price of the da50-200? seems very high since i bought mine 188$ CDN (162$ USD) without any rebate Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras I paid $199.99 CDN + 7% tax at London Drugs with no rebate last December. In Quebec for you that would be plus 15% tax which put both within a couple of dollars.

03-23-2007, 03:07 AM	#8
darkstorm82 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 59	Originally posted by Denis I paid $199.99 CDN + 7% tax at London Drugs with no rebate last December. In Quebec for you that would be plus 15% tax which put both within a couple of dollars. I bought it online from camera canada, so its located in ontario, only had to pay 6% fed tax, but 15$ shipping extra.. 216$ total, very good price for what the lens is! (186$ USD shipped at my door)

11-03-2007, 04:04 PM	#9
teogin Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	I think tha Sigma or Tamron solution is much better than pentax: 1.They are FF lenses, so not dark areas at the edges. 2.Compatibility with past, current and future bodies 3.Better macro capabilities. 4.Better built quality. I most like Tamron but I voted Sigma cause I 've read a lot about this awarded lens by Sigma.

12-18-2007, 11:38 PM	#10
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	have you tested the sig 55-200, against the pentax? that one has caught my eye..

12-19-2007, 04:14 AM	#11
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563	Wow. That Sigma sure gives washed out colours doesn't it?

11-20-2008, 07:43 AM	#12
Shogo New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 22	Originally posted by Chako Wow. That Sigma sure gives washed out colours doesn't it? Yeah. I wonder if it would be noticeable after putting it into photoshop and fixing it up.

11-20-2008, 11:13 AM	#13
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by teogin I think tha Sigma or Tamron solution is much better than pentax: 1.They are FF lenses, so not dark areas at the edges. 2.Compatibility with past, current and future bodies 3.Better macro capabilities. 4.Better built quality. Well, OK, but you did you look at the pictures? I'm sure someone else might get different results - you'd want to be sure to take several shots with focus bracketing and different types of subjects - before really drawing conclusions. But based on these, the image quality of the Pentax is much better. Plus it focuses faster, is smaller and lighter, and gives you the 50-70 range which I personally find more useful than 200-300. As for macro, neither 70-300 does true macro - only 1:2 or so. A $40 Raynox closeup adapter on the 50-200 will do far better than that. Sure, if you intend to use FF bodies, you would probably be willing to sacrifice something for that. But I have no intention of abandoning APS-C.

11-20-2008, 11:31 AM	#14
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I preferred the Pentax in each case. It's odd that the 50-200mm has such a bad rep.

11-20-2008, 11:33 AM - 1 Like	#15
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	The pictures say what I have been saying for 2 years, the 50-200 may not be the sharpest lens in the world but colour and contrast are fantastic. Even the 18-250 shows the same result, just as sharp as the 50-200 but the mid tones are a mess, almost as if the glass has less dynamic range ... that is absurd but it feels like that is case when reviewing files.

Lens comparison P 50-200 vs S 18-50 and S 70-300

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!