[Illuwatar]

Time for my first question here at this nice place:

I need some advice regarding mid range tele-zooms. The situation is simple - I have the Pentax SMC-DA 16-45/4.0 and a Sigma 135-400/4.5-5.6 APO (bought for 35mm film, before the digital era). That gives me a gap of 45 - 202 mm (APS-C measured) that I want to cover with a third lens. I don't really need pro-spec. glass but the picture quality must be good enough for the K200D that I'm using. The idea is to have a three-lens setup that covers the entire range from 16 to 600 mm, all with full functionality.

A bonus is if someone comes up with a tip for a good old-school K-lens within this range (like a 28 - 105, 35 - 105 or similar). I really like the old manual line (that's why I stayed with Pentax) and actually prefer all-manual work. But in several cases, being able to run full auto is an advantage.

Thanks in advance!

Forget about the sensor size, it just confuses the issue. The focal length on the lens is all that matters. Try rephrasing your question in those terms for a better response.

[axl]

According to my maths it gives you 45-135 gap (135 will stay 135 no matter what medium you use it on, only thing that changes is what you see through it).
and for that gap there are 2 good options I know of:
a) DA*50-135
b) F35-135

both Pentax, both good (though let's not be kidding here, as good as the F series zoom may be I don't think it's a match for DA*)

have a look at those

BR

[Illuwatar]

Actually, it confuses me too. A DA-lens is built for APS-C but the old Sigma is made for the 35 mm format. The interval, is it 45 - 202 mm or 45 - 135 mm on my K200D?

Edit: thank you axl - I'll look into these. The DA* is about €1300 here in Sweden and may be little too expensive. How about the Sigma EX 50 - 150/2.8 II HSM DC (about €700)? Is the additional €600 worth for a hobbyist (I do photography for private fun, not to earn my living)? I can't find the F35-135 at the major Swedish web-shops.

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Last edited by Illuwatar; 03-12-2009 at 01:51 PM.

Forget about the camera, just concentrate on what is printed on the lens.

[axl]

Forget about the camera, just concentrate on what is printed on the lens.

exactly!!!
135 mm lens is 135mm lens full stop!

so your gap is 45-135mm

BR

[Illuwatar]

Ok - and thank you to clearing this out for me. As coming from the old 35 mm world, I found this confusing. This is my first trip into the DSLR country (have only been using digital cameras with non-changeable lenses until now).

exactly!!!
135 mm lens is 135mm lens full stop!

so your gap is 45-135mm

BR

Actually it's 46-134mm

[Illuwatar]

- It could make difference...

Now with the theory sorted out, how about that Sigma EX 50 - 150/2.8 II HSM DC? Is it worth it's money or should I stay away from it? I don't have any questions about that DA* - it is just little bit over the budget for me...

[axl]

Actually it's 46-134mm

smarta*s ...
but you got me on that one

[axl]

- It could make difference...

Now with the theory sorted out, how about that Sigma EX 50 - 150/2.8 II HSM DC? Is it worth it's money or should I stay away from it? I don't have any questions about that DA* - it is just little bit over the budget for me...

I was interested in this on too. One member posted quick review a while ago. From that, if I remeber correctly, it was clear that at shorter distances both DA*50-135 and Sigma/Tamron 70-200 were better, from mid to infinity it was holding it's own ground pretty well...
BR

Let's dial it back a bit, are you looking for a lens in that range because you need it or because there is a gap in your range?

Have you analysed what focal lengths you use most?

[sinus007]

Hi,
Sorry it's kind of OT.
"..., I want a lens so wide that when you focus to infinity you can see behind you."
Now I know what a super-lens is, thanks. I can add it to the Super Series:
Q. what is super-speed? A. show your naked behind from a window on the 3rd floor, then run downstairs and catch a glimps of it.

[Marc Sabatella]

Let's dial it back a bit, are you looking for a lens in that range because you need it or because there is a gap in your range?

Have you analysed what focal lengths you use most?

That's what I'm wondering too (now that the whole "crop factor" confuion has hopefully been sorted out for the OP - to summarize, 135mm is 135mm and a 135mm *lens* will look the same on any given camera regardless of whether the lens was made for film or digital - but 135mm on a digital *camera* looks different than it does on a film *camera*).

Sure, there are a lot of great pictures to be taken at focal lengths between 45 and 135. I take a huge number in that range. But that doesn't mean you "need" every focal length in that range. Nor does necessarily need it covered at f/2.8 or better. Or maybe f/2.8 isn't good enough. Maybe a 50-200 would do the job. Maybe an M85/2 or the Jupiter 9 85/2 Gooshin is selling on the marketplace - would be just the ticket.

[StevenVH]

And for a relatively cheap, manual focus, zoom alternative the A 35-105/3.5 is a great lens.

PentaxForums.com Lens Fact Sheet: SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm

Pentax Lens Review Database - Main Index

hth