[esman7]

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

---

Hi there,

I recently have gotten into SLR photography and have loved using my K200d since I picked it up in January. I suited it up with the kit lens as well as the FA 50mm f1.4 which I find to be an amazing lens (especially for the price). I recently just picked up the battery grip which just finishes the stability and weight balance of the camera.

Now, my very limited arsenal of lens needs to be accompanied by either a wide angle lens or some sort of tele-zoom next...

I've read a ton of reviews on the DA f2.8 50-135mm and see that it's an attractive and highly favored lens. But was it easy for everyone to cough up the ~$800 USD or $1000 CAD (now $1,500 CAD!?!) to pick it up? Is it really that fantastic of a lens that must be in my bag (or on my camera at all times?)

The reason I'm asking is because in Canada, the price recently shot up from $1000 to $1200 -$1600 at various retailers, but it seems to be the same in the US. I'm going down to Dallas in June for a few days and want to know if I should bite the bullet and pick one up.

My questions:
1. Is the zoom range of the 50-135mm a good spread to be considered a "versatile" lens? (obviously taking into consideration that it's more like a 75-200mm)
2. Anybody know anywhere in Dallas I can pick one up (for the best price possible ? I'll be located at the Bryan Tower for most of my time on business, so anywhere close would be HUGELY appreciated.

Thanks everyone, look forward to your comments.

[maxwell1295]

A lot depends on what kind of shooting you do. If you like shooting people, portraits, sports, kids running around in the yard, the DA*50-135 is a superb lens. Very sharp from F2.8 on, beautiful colors, nice bokeh, weather-sealed, and dead silent.

Are there times when I wish is was longer? Yes. Would I trade it for a longer lens? No way!

It's a good fit for me because it falls in a range I normally shoot in. I love using it for portraits and for shooting candids at a distance when I shoot events. It's not a huge lens, but it's not a small one either. You may not want to spend an entire day walking around with it on your neck. I find it easy enough to hand hold (I never use a tripod) and handling isn't too much of a hassle.

If you really need convincing, just look at some of the images produced by this lens

[asdf]

I don't think I should be convincing people to buy something, when I'm not getting commission. Check out adorama or other US-based (legitimate) online stores and look up the USDCAD exchange rate. You'll have to pay GST when the UPS guy brings the lens(es) to you.

[thomascdk]

Buy it. You wont regret.

[farfisa]

I just seem to keep coming to these "where to buy" threads...

Unless there's a Ritz Camera going out of business nearby, most places in the States will be close to what B&H or Adorama charges, which is $749.

There's a Canadian eBay seller called Prodigital 2000. This is the second time today I've pointed people to them, but they just seem to have the best prices and I can't understand how they do it (because they're in Canada and all other Canadian retailers have had to adjust their prices lately). Anyway, they're selling it for $749 US shipped--but they also accept offers, and usually go 10% below their price.

The downside is you'll have to pay Canadian Taxes, but being in BC you MIGHT only have to pay GST (I had to pay 8% PST too). So try offering $675 US and go up from there?

Do a search on them in the forum if you want to know more about dealing with them. I bought two lenses and a flash from them, and they accepted 10% below each time. No problems so far! Other people have experience long waits though.

DA*50-135mm for $749 OBO

[vizjerei]

Can always wait for second hand ones. Anyways I love mine and it is the lens I bring around if I only want to carry one lens out.

[cwood]

50-135mm vs 70-200 (non-IS) for size comparison - also 16-50 and 200mm in photo

[Venturi]

Maxwell summed it up nicely. The only thing I would add is that sometimes I wish it was shorter too - but I'll be getting the Tam28-75 to fill that niche between 17-50 and 50-135.

[mel]

I bought one. I love it. No regrets whatsoever. It's usually on the camera unless I need something else specifically.

[Bramela]

I can only support all previous comments. Sharp, silent, great bokeh. I would only sell mine as a last resort . You definitely wouldn't regret investing in this lens.

[esman7]

awesome, how's the weight around your neck? I've held it once, but can't remember what it's like.

I have a k200d w/ DBG3 so i'm guessing it would point the lens down cuz of weight.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

[Torphoto]

This should convince you

User Photo Gallery - People

[mel]

awesome, how's the weight around your neck? I've held it once, but can't remember what it's like.

I have a k200d w/ DBG3 so i'm guessing it would point the lens down cuz of weight.

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I'm not a real huge person being a rather smallish female and the weight is just fine for me (K10D with grip). I chose it over the Sigma 70-200/2.8 (or whatever it is) partly because of the weight. I was looking for a fast zoom for theatre shooting and that Sigma was a anvil.

[fsdogwood]

A bit different voice here.
The 50-135 DA* is all good, all excellent, except that the HSM (SDM) might not
be reliable, the auto-focus could stop working with no reason.

And Pentax has a poor 1-yr warranty, at least in the US.
If ever it fails, will you spend another several hundred to fix? Just a if...

If you do buy this lens, try to get extended warranty ...

Regards.

Pinwu

[Fl_Gulfer]

Still the best lens in my bag.