Just how does the Pentax DA* range fare against the Canon L range?

Reportage · 03-11-2009, 07:42 AM

of particular interest in within the same price range like f/2.8 70-200L vs DA* 300mm...

in the above situation, is Prime lens IQ still superior to Zoom lens IQ?

Last edited by Reportage; 03-11-2009 at 11:15 AM.

Gooshin · 03-11-2009, 07:45 AM

the DA*300 sucks really bad in the 70-200 range.

they are both good lenses, you are not going to be seeing night and day differences between Pentax and Canon glass selection.

kristoffon · 03-11-2009, 07:55 AM

Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period.

Gooshin · 03-11-2009, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by kristoffon

Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period.

when i tested my DA21 vs my sigma 10-20, the sigma won.

Venturi · 03-11-2009, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

the DA*300 sucks really bad in the 70-200 range.

That made my morning.

Alfisti · 03-11-2009, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

when i tested my DA21 vs my sigma 10-20, the sigma won.

Which is why the 21 and 15 are about the only WA primes that make sense to me. At least they are portable. A prime is essentially at it's 'widest' setting and distortion is REALLY hard to control, the 12-24 at 21mm shows less distortion than my 21 but carrying them is a very different experience.

krypticide · 03-11-2009, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by kristoffon

Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period.

I think that's true on Pentax, not sure about other mounts. A friend who shoots Nikon says that Nikon has put more focus onto their zooms, so their primes typically aren't as good as their zooms...

How that compares to Pentax glass? I think Pentax primes generally have better IQ than any Nikon/Canon glass.

ajuett · 03-11-2009, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by Reportage

of particular interest in within the same price range like 70-200L vs DA* 300mm...

in the above situation, is Prime lens IQ still superior to Zoom lens IQ?

Well, I'd pit the DA* 50-135 against the Canon L 70-200. Not the DA* 300 as that is a different type of lens.

I've used the DA* 50-135 and it is nothing short of amazing. The Canon L 70-200 also has that reputation however, I have not used it. There are 4 types of L 70-200. A f/4 non-IS, a f/4 with IS, a f/2.8 non-IS and a f/2.8 IS. The price ranges from $600 to $1800 between those 4 models. The DA* is $900ish (all Canadian $). To add, all are sharp, the L 70-200 f/4 IS is probably the best 'value' and is extremely sharp. It all boils down to what your needs are and then buying the best you can afford.

cousinsane · 03-11-2009, 10:45 AM

The DA50-135 should be pretty similar to the tokina version, IQ wise. So I checked the photozone review of the Tokina 50-135, the Canon 70-200/4 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS. Seems the Tokina beats the 70-200/2.8 IS hands down but loses to the 70-200/4 IS toward the longer end of its zoom range.

mrt10x · 03-11-2009, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by cousinsane

The DA50-135 should be pretty similar to the tokina version, IQ wise.

Why would the Tokina and the Pentax be "pretty similar"?

cousinsane · 03-11-2009, 10:56 AM

From photozone review of the tokina

"The Tokina AF 50-135mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX is the product of the cooperation between Tokina and Pentax which are now subsidiaries of the same company - it is an interesting thought that Pentax (co-)designs are now also available to users of other systems (Canon and Nikon). Nonetheless the Tokina is not identical to the Pentax variant of the lens - mechanically at least. "

Tokina AF 50-135mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX - Test Report / Review

Originally posted by mrt10x

Why would the Tokina and the Pentax be "pretty similar"?

03-11-2009, 07:42 AM	#1
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	*Just how does the Pentax DA range fare against the Canon L range?** of particular interest in within the same price range like f/2.8 70-200L vs DA* 300mm... in the above situation, is Prime lens IQ still superior to Zoom lens IQ? Last edited by Reportage; 03-11-2009 at 11:15 AM.

03-11-2009, 10:30 AM	#8
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	Originally posted by Reportage of particular interest in within the same price range like 70-200L vs DA* 300mm... in the above situation, is Prime lens IQ still superior to Zoom lens IQ? Well, I'd pit the DA* 50-135 against the Canon L 70-200. Not the DA* 300 as that is a different type of lens. I've used the DA* 50-135 and it is nothing short of amazing. The Canon L 70-200 also has that reputation however, I have not used it. There are 4 types of L 70-200. A f/4 non-IS, a f/4 with IS, a f/2.8 non-IS and a f/2.8 IS. The price ranges from $600 to $1800 between those 4 models. The DA* is $900ish (all Canadian $). To add, all are sharp, the L 70-200 f/4 IS is probably the best 'value' and is extremely sharp. It all boils down to what your needs are and then buying the best you can afford. Last edited by ajuett; 03-11-2009 at 10:37 AM.

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03-11-2009, 07:45 AM	#2
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	the DA*300 sucks really bad in the 70-200 range. they are both good lenses, you are not going to be seeing night and day differences between Pentax and Canon glass selection.

03-11-2009, 07:55 AM	#3
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period.

03-11-2009, 07:59 AM	#4
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by kristoffon Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period. when i tested my DA21 vs my sigma 10-20, the sigma won.

03-11-2009, 08:07 AM	#5
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Originally posted by Gooshin the DA*300 sucks really bad in the 70-200 range. That made my morning.

03-11-2009, 09:59 AM	#6
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Originally posted by Gooshin when i tested my DA21 vs my sigma 10-20, the sigma won. Which is why the 21 and 15 are about the only WA primes that make sense to me. At least they are portable. A prime is essentially at it's 'widest' setting and distortion is REALLY hard to control, the 12-24 at 21mm shows less distortion than my 21 but carrying them is a very different experience.

03-11-2009, 10:14 AM	#7
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	Originally posted by kristoffon Also, a good prime will always be better than a good zoom. Period. I think that's true on Pentax, not sure about other mounts. A friend who shoots Nikon says that Nikon has put more focus onto their zooms, so their primes typically aren't as good as their zooms... How that compares to Pentax glass? I think Pentax primes generally have better IQ than any Nikon/Canon glass.

03-11-2009, 10:45 AM	#9
cousinsane Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: madison Posts: 239	The DA50-135 should be pretty similar to the tokina version, IQ wise. So I checked the photozone review of the Tokina 50-135, the Canon 70-200/4 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS. Seems the Tokina beats the 70-200/2.8 IS hands down but loses to the 70-200/4 IS toward the longer end of its zoom range.

03-11-2009, 10:51 AM	#10
mrt10x Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodland Park CO Posts: 102	Originally posted by cousinsane The DA50-135 should be pretty similar to the tokina version, IQ wise. Why would the Tokina and the Pentax be "pretty similar"?

03-11-2009, 10:56 AM	#11
cousinsane Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: madison Posts: 239	From photozone review of the tokina "The Tokina AF 50-135mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX is the product of the cooperation between Tokina and Pentax which are now subsidiaries of the same company - it is an interesting thought that Pentax (co-)designs are now also available to users of other systems (Canon and Nikon). Nonetheless the Tokina is not identical to the Pentax variant of the lens - mechanically at least. " Tokina AF 50-135mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX - Test Report / Review Originally posted by mrt10x Why would the Tokina and the Pentax be "pretty similar"?

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