push pull zooms?

LMRacing · 08-08-2009, 06:46 PM

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Does anyone still manufacture (or can someone point me to a good quality auto aperture) push pull zoom lens for the pentax mount? Im looking for somthing within the 60-200 range or a 70-300.

pbo · 08-08-2009, 07:48 PM

I have a push-pull autofocus Sigma 75-200/3.8 constant (3.8, not 2.8

). It's pretty rare and somewhat old - but AF is relatively fast - though noisy. I found it on B&H used department for $60 something... Quite a decent lens - but haven't really had much chance to "test" it.
Oh, and it focuses down to 1.2m throughout the zoom range - so at 200mm it's a 1:2 "macro".

Bo.

DreTAX · 08-08-2009, 07:56 PM

I don't think they are still made. The Pentax "A" series 70-210 f4 is probably the best one to get, beautiful to use and sharp from f5.6 up. I still find f4.0 good but better used in low light conditions than full sun. Take a look in the review section. Manual focus of course.

StevenVH · 08-08-2009, 08:43 PM

I didn't know there were any AF push-pull zooms. They were also called one-touch zooms, IIRC. Anyway, I have the A 70-210 and it's a fine lens.

GL

pbo · 08-08-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

I didn't know there were any AF push-pull zooms. They were also called one-touch zooms, IIRC. Anyway, I have the A 70-210 and it's a fine lens.

GL

Well, I know of two, both sigmas. One is 70-200/4~5.6, another is 75-200/3.8. They look just like normal push-pulls, but the main barrel can't be rotated for focus.

bdery · 08-09-2009, 04:40 AM

The Vivitar series 1 70-210 are among the best zooms ever made in that range and are all one-touch zooms. Version 3 was made with KA mount and is f2,8-4, version 1 (which I own) is K mount only but a constant f3,5 with 1:2,2 macro.

Amazing lenses, I'm considering selling mine but can't quite convince myself yet.

Ratmagiclady · 08-09-2009, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by pbo

Well, I know of two, both sigmas. One is 70-200/4~5.6, another is 75-200/3.8. They look just like normal push-pulls, but the main barrel can't be rotated for focus.

Neat. I don't recall I ever heard of that, though the push-pull feature doesn't really do you much good if you can't be focusing simultaneously, anyway. I wonder if those were sort of a transitional design.

Always did like that style in a tele-zoom, though the drawback is a lot of them tend to inhale a lot of dust.

pbo · 08-10-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Neat. I don't recall I ever heard of that, though the push-pull feature doesn't really do you much good if you can't be focusing simultaneously, anyway. I wonder if those were sort of a transitional design.

Always did like that style in a tele-zoom, though the drawback is a lot of them tend to inhale a lot of dust.

Maybe just a legacy in lens design - same lens as some older one, but with autofocus. It's actually more intuitive sometimes than turn-to-zooom - much easier to remember which way is to zoom wide, which way tele.

**pacerr** · 08-10-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by LMRacing

Im looking for somthing within the 60-200 range or a 70-300.

Check Adaptall-2.com for a descriptive catalog of Tamron Adaptall 2 and SP lenses. They produced very competitive zooms in the Tamron Adaptall mount until the auto-focus tsunami hit. Some of these are arguably superior to the equivalent Vivitar Series 1 zooms. Many were one-touch and sell for $80 - 150 today.

Tokina also made some nice one-touch lenses in that era. I have a Soligor (Tokina) 70~160/3.5 that's very good.

Likewise the SMC Pentax-M 80-200/4.5 which I'd prefer to the DA 50-200 if it weren't noticeably larger and heavier for my use of the DA.

H2

GerryL · 08-11-2009, 04:45 PM

Vivitar is the usual manufacturer who has the push-pull zoom and marketed as "one-touch" zoom.
I have one with the "A" setting.
I got it off ebay almost new. No brassing or any use marks.
It even had the original box.
Mine is the Vivitar 75-300mm 4.2-5.6.
My lens seems to take sharp pictures.."seem" because as I haven't tested it extensively, but if mounted on a tripod or with a fast enough shutter speed, images look good.

tr13 · 08-12-2009, 02:07 AM

Try this
TOKINA PR0 ZOOM LENS SZ-X 282 PENTAX K-A K(A) liknu - eBay (item 150365432750 end time Aug-21-09 19:10:57 PDT)

It is not Vivitar 28-200mm gem, but according to user reports it is close. And price is cheap for this lens in such condition.

**NaClH2O** · 08-15-2009, 07:12 AM

Another vote for the Pentax A 70-210. What everybody else has said and excellent bokeh besides. It also has a close focus function at 70mm.

NaCl(it's my go-to long tele)H2O

séamuis · 08-15-2009, 07:18 AM

another vote for the smc-A 70-210mm. I have one (might be willing to sell). its an excellent lens all around. useable even at f4. I recommend everyone to have a copy of this lens. very versatile. I have shot 7 different parades with that lens.

LMRacing · 08-15-2009, 05:21 PM

I acctualy ended up picking up a minty 28-200mm Tokina on B&H. I had to dremel it a bit to make it fit the digital though..

Takes pretty crisp photo's and the focus works super fast

tr13 · 08-16-2009, 04:36 AM

Later you can also look at
Tokina AT-X 24-200mm. This is AF lens and it is quite good also.
Sharpness is worse then my manual Vivitar 28-200mm, but AF is very fast.
CA is well controlled.
One problem is corner sharpness at 200mm. Center is very good, but corners are bad even on APS-C.

Also, please post your photos using Tokina, as I see very few of them. It is very interesting lens, but not known widely.

Btw. this ebay listing is still active ($29 only for such good lens!)

08-08-2009, 06:46 PM	#1
LMRacing Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Silver Creek, GA Posts: 76	push pull zooms? 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. Does anyone still manufacture (or can someone point me to a good quality auto aperture) push pull zoom lens for the pentax mount? Im looking for somthing within the 60-200 range or a 70-300.

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08-08-2009, 07:48 PM	#2
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	I have a push-pull autofocus Sigma 75-200/3.8 constant (3.8, not 2.8 ). It's pretty rare and somewhat old - but AF is relatively fast - though noisy. I found it on B&H used department for $60 something... Quite a decent lens - but haven't really had much chance to "test" it. Oh, and it focuses down to 1.2m throughout the zoom range - so at 200mm it's a 1:2 "macro". Bo.

08-08-2009, 07:56 PM	#3
DreTAX Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria. Photos: Gallery Posts: 118	I don't think they are still made. The Pentax "A" series 70-210 f4 is probably the best one to get, beautiful to use and sharp from f5.6 up. I still find f4.0 good but better used in low light conditions than full sun. Take a look in the review section. Manual focus of course.

08-08-2009, 08:43 PM	#4
StevenVH Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: N Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 475	I didn't know there were any AF push-pull zooms. They were also called one-touch zooms, IIRC. Anyway, I have the A 70-210 and it's a fine lens. GL

08-08-2009, 09:06 PM	#5
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Quote: I didn't know there were any AF push-pull zooms. They were also called one-touch zooms, IIRC. Anyway, I have the A 70-210 and it's a fine lens. GL Well, I know of two, both sigmas. One is 70-200/4~5.6, another is 75-200/3.8. They look just like normal push-pulls, but the main barrel can't be rotated for focus.

08-09-2009, 04:40 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	The Vivitar series 1 70-210 are among the best zooms ever made in that range and are all one-touch zooms. Version 3 was made with KA mount and is f2,8-4, version 1 (which I own) is K mount only but a constant f3,5 with 1:2,2 macro. Amazing lenses, I'm considering selling mine but can't quite convince myself yet.

08-09-2009, 10:18 AM	#7
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by pbo Well, I know of two, both sigmas. One is 70-200/4~5.6, another is 75-200/3.8. They look just like normal push-pulls, but the main barrel can't be rotated for focus. Neat. I don't recall I ever heard of that, though the push-pull feature doesn't really do you much good if you can't be focusing simultaneously, anyway. I wonder if those were sort of a transitional design. Always did like that style in a tele-zoom, though the drawback is a lot of them tend to inhale a lot of dust.

08-10-2009, 12:35 PM	#8
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Quote: Neat. I don't recall I ever heard of that, though the push-pull feature doesn't really do you much good if you can't be focusing simultaneously, anyway. I wonder if those were sort of a transitional design. Always did like that style in a tele-zoom, though the drawback is a lot of them tend to inhale a lot of dust. Maybe just a legacy in lens design - same lens as some older one, but with autofocus. It's actually more intuitive sometimes than turn-to-zooom - much easier to remember which way is to zoom wide, which way tele.

08-10-2009, 01:03 PM	#9
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,350	Originally posted by LMRacing Im looking for somthing within the 60-200 range or a 70-300. Check Adaptall-2.com for a descriptive catalog of Tamron Adaptall 2 and SP lenses. They produced very competitive zooms in the Tamron Adaptall mount until the auto-focus tsunami hit. Some of these are arguably superior to the equivalent Vivitar Series 1 zooms. Many were one-touch and sell for $80 - 150 today. Tokina also made some nice one-touch lenses in that era. I have a Soligor (Tokina) 70~160/3.5 that's very good. Likewise the SMC Pentax-M 80-200/4.5 which I'd prefer to the DA 50-200 if it weren't noticeably larger and heavier for my use of the DA. H2

08-11-2009, 04:45 PM	#10
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Vivitar is the usual manufacturer who has the push-pull zoom and marketed as "one-touch" zoom. I have one with the "A" setting. I got it off ebay almost new. No brassing or any use marks. It even had the original box. Mine is the Vivitar 75-300mm 4.2-5.6. My lens seems to take sharp pictures.."seem" because as I haven't tested it extensively, but if mounted on a tripod or with a fast enough shutter speed, images look good.

08-12-2009, 02:07 AM	#11
tr13 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 343	Try this TOKINA PR0 ZOOM LENS SZ-X 282 PENTAX K-A K(A) liknu - eBay (item 150365432750 end time Aug-21-09 19:10:57 PDT) It is not Vivitar 28-200mm gem, but according to user reports it is close. And price is cheap for this lens in such condition.

08-15-2009, 07:12 AM	#12
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Another vote for the Pentax A 70-210. What everybody else has said and excellent bokeh besides. It also has a close focus function at 70mm. NaCl(it's my go-to long tele)H2O

08-15-2009, 07:18 AM	#13
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	another vote for the smc-A 70-210mm. I have one (might be willing to sell). its an excellent lens all around. useable even at f4. I recommend everyone to have a copy of this lens. very versatile. I have shot 7 different parades with that lens.

08-15-2009, 05:21 PM	#14
LMRacing Forum Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Silver Creek, GA Posts: 76 Original Poster	I acctualy ended up picking up a minty 28-200mm Tokina on B&H. I had to dremel it a bit to make it fit the digital though.. Takes pretty crisp photo's and the focus works super fast

08-16-2009, 04:36 AM	#15
tr13 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russia Posts: 343	Later you can also look at Tokina AT-X 24-200mm. This is AF lens and it is quite good also. Sharpness is worse then my manual Vivitar 28-200mm, but AF is very fast. CA is well controlled. One problem is corner sharpness at 200mm. Center is very good, but corners are bad even on APS-C. Also, please post your photos using Tokina, as I see very few of them. It is very interesting lens, but not known widely. Btw. this ebay listing is still active ($29 only for such good lens!)