DA 50 - 135 Equivalent?

rollin · 07-22-2009, 05:27 AM

I hear so many great things about this lens, and I've seen the pictures it produces, they're absolutely stunning, but it is a bit expensive. Does anyone know of any possibe other brands, Sigma, Tamron, etc that make an "equivalent" lens possibly for cheaper? I will drop the cash for this lens dont get me wrong, just looking for options!! Thanksssss

EricT · 07-22-2009, 05:35 AM

Check out this thread which discusses alternatives to the 50-135mm:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/45435-alternat...m-f-2-8-a.html

Basically, your only options are manual focus lenses, like the Vivitar 70-210 f/4, or slower AF lenses like the 55-300mm.

Tamron and Sigma both make a 70-200mm f/2.8, but those are around the same price as the 50-135mm. Oh, and Sigma also makes a 50-150mm, but that's also pretty expensive.

pxpaulx · 07-22-2009, 06:04 AM

It is primarily designed to be the 70-200mm f2.8 equivalent for the aps-c sensor's 1.5x crop factor. In that sense, there really isn't a direct alternative. I've only had the 50-135 for a couple of weeks, but it was worth every penny so far.

I will still vouch for the 55-300mm though, it is a great lens as well (though I now have the panasonic L1/olympus 70-300 for telephoto needs) - the 55mm wide end allows it to be semi useable as a walk around lens (the focal length is into portrait range on the wide end, but much more useable than the other 70-300mm).

Ari · 07-22-2009, 06:16 AM

It's worth the $. While it is a bit bulky, the IQ (inmho) is unmatched at this focal range. I got mine as a demo from B&H - saved about 80 bucks. B&H has a demo page you can keep an eye on now (below the column on the used page). Worth keeping an eye on......

augustmoon · 07-22-2009, 08:29 AM

Although slower, the 55-300 is actually a really decent lens. The tammy 70-200 is just about as expensive here in Canada though. If you are ok with manual focus and manual exposure, there is the excellent Nikkor 50-135, really good optics, nice bokeh.

pxpaulx · 07-22-2009, 08:45 AM

here is a link to some weekend photos - most with the 50-135 (yeah, low quality picasa album, but they're geotagged, which I just got into and love1)

Picasa Web Albums - pxpaulx - adventures in...

Leaf Fan · 07-22-2009, 08:49 AM

I have searched and searched for a lens equivalent to the DA*50-135 f2.8 and have resolved myself to the fact that if I want the quality I'll have to pay the bucks. It's not an inexpensive lens, but if you look around it seems like there's almost universal satisfaction among Pentaxians. So, I've stopped wasting my time with looking for an alternative and just keep looking for a good price Pentax 50-135.

Marc Sabatella · 07-22-2009, 09:02 AM

The only zoom I'd be considered as an alternative to the DA*50-135 would be the Sigma 50-150, but either is expensive enough that I'd probably go for the Pentax for the quick shift, weather sealing, and stellar reputation of this lens.

If you're looking to come close to duplicating its performance for less, though, I think primes are the way to go. A lot cheaper, and much smaller/lighter on the camera as well. A used manual focus 50, 85, 100, and 135 *together* add up to only half what the 50-135 costs. Or a DA70 + M120/2.8 for a pretty good two-lens substitute.

pxpaulx · 07-22-2009, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Leaf Fan

I have searched and searched for a lens equivalent to the DA*50-135 f2.8 and have resolved myself to the fact that if I want the quality I'll have to pay the bucks. It's not an inexpensive lens, but if you look around it seems like there's almost universal satisfaction among Pentaxians. So, I've stopped wasting my time with looking for an alternative and just keep looking for a good price Pentax 50-135.

I was kind of in the same boat. Had nearly resolved to get the new 50-200 WR for the sealing, but was able to get a really good deal at the end of june (ebay bucks program had double rewards last weekend of june, 4% back, and used bing cashback of 8%, and a reputable NY dealer listed half a dozen at $749 right at the same time - had been all listings over $800 for the month and a half prior to that)

bing cashback was instant, ebay bucks rewarded/used for an everyday item (I use a prepaid cell phone, bought minutes), so OTD was $660 for new USA warranted lens, pretty happy with the lens, and the deal.

Lloydy · 07-22-2009, 10:57 AM

Just give in, there is no alternative.

Erasmo · 07-22-2009, 12:52 PM

How about the Tokina 50-135?

rollin · 07-22-2009, 01:00 PM

Alright well thanks for your inputs, I guess I'll keep an eye out for this lens, and possibly pick one up soon enough.

Rollin

Leaf Fan · 07-22-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by rollin

Alright well thanks for your inputs, I guess I'll keep an eye out for this lens, and possibly pick one up soon enough.

Rollin

Just FYI, prodigital2000 runs them on eBay for about $1030CAD, but B&H sells it for $799USD + S&H = around $920.00CAD I just haven't had the nerve to pull the trigger at $920 yet. Wife reasons.....

Marc Sabatella · 07-22-2009, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by Erasmo

How about the Tokina 50-135?

Unless there has been a change recently, there is no Tokina 50-135 for Pentax. Their 50-135 for other mounts is just their rebrand of the Pentax 50-135. There was apparently some cooperation on the development of the lens, but the evidence overwhelming supports the idea its basically a Pentax lens.

jstevewhite · 07-22-2009, 06:49 PM

It's worth every penny. I think it's got the best IQ of any zoom I've ever owned. It's an amazing piece of glass.

07-22-2009, 05:27 AM	#1
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88	DA 50 - 135 Equivalent? I hear so many great things about this lens, and I've seen the pictures it produces, they're absolutely stunning, but it is a bit expensive. Does anyone know of any possibe other brands, Sigma, Tamron, etc that make an "equivalent" lens possibly for cheaper? I will drop the cash for this lens dont get me wrong, just looking for options!! Thanksssss

07-22-2009, 06:49 PM	#15
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Give it up, bite the bullet It's worth every penny. I think it's got the best IQ of any zoom I've ever owned. It's an amazing piece of glass.

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07-22-2009, 05:35 AM	#2
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	Check out this thread which discusses alternatives to the 50-135mm: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/45435-alternat...m-f-2-8-a.html Basically, your only options are manual focus lenses, like the Vivitar 70-210 f/4, or slower AF lenses like the 55-300mm. Tamron and Sigma both make a 70-200mm f/2.8, but those are around the same price as the 50-135mm. Oh, and Sigma also makes a 50-150mm, but that's also pretty expensive.

07-22-2009, 06:04 AM	#3
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	It is primarily designed to be the 70-200mm f2.8 equivalent for the aps-c sensor's 1.5x crop factor. In that sense, there really isn't a direct alternative. I've only had the 50-135 for a couple of weeks, but it was worth every penny so far. I will still vouch for the 55-300mm though, it is a great lens as well (though I now have the panasonic L1/olympus 70-300 for telephoto needs) - the 55mm wide end allows it to be semi useable as a walk around lens (the focal length is into portrait range on the wide end, but much more useable than the other 70-300mm).

07-22-2009, 06:16 AM	#4
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	It's worth the $. While it is a bit bulky, the IQ (inmho) is unmatched at this focal range. I got mine as a demo from B&H - saved about 80 bucks. B&H has a demo page you can keep an eye on now (below the column on the used page). Worth keeping an eye on......

07-22-2009, 08:29 AM	#5
augustmoon Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, San Diego, Seattle Posts: 455	Although slower, the 55-300 is actually a really decent lens. The tammy 70-200 is just about as expensive here in Canada though. If you are ok with manual focus and manual exposure, there is the excellent Nikkor 50-135, really good optics, nice bokeh.

07-22-2009, 08:45 AM	#6
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	here is a link to some weekend photos - most with the 50-135 (yeah, low quality picasa album, but they're geotagged, which I just got into and love1) Picasa Web Albums - pxpaulx - adventures in...

07-22-2009, 08:49 AM	#7
Leaf Fan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada eh! Photos: Gallery Posts: 673	I have searched and searched for a lens equivalent to the DA*50-135 f2.8 and have resolved myself to the fact that if I want the quality I'll have to pay the bucks. It's not an inexpensive lens, but if you look around it seems like there's almost universal satisfaction among Pentaxians. So, I've stopped wasting my time with looking for an alternative and just keep looking for a good price Pentax 50-135.

07-22-2009, 09:02 AM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	The only zoom I'd be considered as an alternative to the DA50-135 would be the Sigma 50-150, but either is expensive enough that I'd probably go for the Pentax for the quick shift, weather sealing, and stellar reputation of this lens. If you're looking to come close to duplicating its performance for less, though, I think primes are the way to go. A lot cheaper, and much smaller/lighter on the camera as well. A used manual focus 50, 85, 100, and 135 together* add up to only half what the 50-135 costs. Or a DA70 + M120/2.8 for a pretty good two-lens substitute.

07-22-2009, 09:08 AM	#9
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by Leaf Fan I have searched and searched for a lens equivalent to the DA*50-135 f2.8 and have resolved myself to the fact that if I want the quality I'll have to pay the bucks. It's not an inexpensive lens, but if you look around it seems like there's almost universal satisfaction among Pentaxians. So, I've stopped wasting my time with looking for an alternative and just keep looking for a good price Pentax 50-135. I was kind of in the same boat. Had nearly resolved to get the new 50-200 WR for the sealing, but was able to get a really good deal at the end of june (ebay bucks program had double rewards last weekend of june, 4% back, and used bing cashback of 8%, and a reputable NY dealer listed half a dozen at $749 right at the same time - had been all listings over $800 for the month and a half prior to that) bing cashback was instant, ebay bucks rewarded/used for an everyday item (I use a prepaid cell phone, bought minutes), so OTD was $660 for new USA warranted lens, pretty happy with the lens, and the deal.

07-22-2009, 10:57 AM	#10
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	Just give in, there is no alternative.

07-22-2009, 12:52 PM	#11
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	How about the Tokina 50-135?

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07-22-2009, 01:00 PM	#12
rollin Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 88 Original Poster	Alright well thanks for your inputs, I guess I'll keep an eye out for this lens, and possibly pick one up soon enough. Rollin

07-22-2009, 01:03 PM	#13
Leaf Fan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada eh! Photos: Gallery Posts: 673	Originally posted by rollin Alright well thanks for your inputs, I guess I'll keep an eye out for this lens, and possibly pick one up soon enough. Rollin Just FYI, prodigital2000 runs them on eBay for about $1030CAD, but B&H sells it for $799USD + S&H = around $920.00CAD I just haven't had the nerve to pull the trigger at $920 yet. Wife reasons.....

07-22-2009, 04:52 PM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Erasmo How about the Tokina 50-135? Unless there has been a change recently, there is no Tokina 50-135 for Pentax. Their 50-135 for other mounts is just their rebrand of the Pentax 50-135. There was apparently some cooperation on the development of the lens, but the evidence overwhelming supports the idea its basically a Pentax lens.