Lens 70-200mm 2.8?

Lance C · 01-04-2010, 09:30 PM

I don't think Pentax makes a 70-200 f2.8?

Sigma and Tamron both make the lens for the pentax.
Anyone care to reccomend one of these lens? My first need is quick focus, low ight stuff. I currently have the k10 but will be upgrading to the k7 soon.

**Ash** · 01-04-2010, 09:37 PM

Numerous threads about this type of lens are on the forum.

Firstly, Pentax has made an FA* 80-200 f/2.8, now discontinued, but still an excellent lens (expensive too).

More cost effective are both the Sigma 70-200 HSM II (PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF) and Tamron 70-200 (PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200 f/2.8 Di LD Macro).

I discussed my impressions of these lenses here...
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/83402-tamron-7...-practice.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/69207-request-...0-f-2-8-a.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/72242-sigma-70...lity-test.html

asdf · 01-04-2010, 09:39 PM

On the film cameras of the 90s, you would use

FA* 28-70/2.8 AL

and

FA* 80-200/2.8 ED [IF]

Pentax now offers DA* 16-50 f/2.8 and DA* 50-135 f/2.8 which give you the equivalent angles of view on a cropped sensor.

**Ash** · 01-04-2010, 09:58 PM

Yes, although having the 50-135/2.8 is not quite the same as having a 70-200/2.8
There's compromise on 'reach' with the DA*

Zebooka · 01-05-2010, 12:21 AM

I've played both (Sigma HSM and Tamron with screw-drive)... (but have not purchaised yet)

Tamron is my choice. It feels rock solid and sharper. It has more neutral color rendering.
While Sigma performs a little bit softer at 2.8, yellowish and is silent (but I like hearing when AF is working and how hard - I live in Siberia and like shooting at -30°C)

PS: asdf . why you think, that Lance is searching for equivalent of film 70-200?

For example I like "cropped" focus lengths of 70-200 and don't understand 50-135. (While on FF I like 135/2.8 and dislike 85/2.0 on crop)

Damn Brit · 01-05-2010, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by Ash

There's compromise on 'reach' with the DA*

And the compromise of having SDM.

**Ash** · 01-05-2010, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

And the compromise of having SDM.

Some find it an advantage.

asdf · 01-05-2010, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by Ash

Some find it an advantage.

Unfortunately, some SDM motors are made of acidic paper that corrodes over time, even when in storage.

Damn Brit · 01-05-2010, 01:54 AM

Originally posted by Ash

Some find it an advantage.

Until it breaks.

Let's face it, having a lens with SDM is a little like playing Russian Roulette.
At least with Russian Roulette, you're not going to care after you lose.

**Ash** · 01-05-2010, 02:07 AM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

Until it breaks.

Let's face it, having a lens with SDM is a little like playing Russian Roulette.
At least with Russian Roulette, you're not going to care after you lose.

Never been much of a gambler, Gary.

So the SDM lenses are doing well with me.

Lance C · 01-05-2010, 09:07 PM

I have read where the aperture sticks when it is wide open. Is this a common malfuction with this lens or have they fixed the problem?

wallyb · 01-05-2010, 10:05 PM

Originally posted by Lance C

I have read where the aperture sticks when it is wide open. Is this a common malfuction with this lens or have they fixed the problem?

I just bought a copy of the lens new stock about a month ago, and it had this problem. However, in buying new, I got great warranty service. They repaired and returned it in about 5 days free of charge and there is no longer any kind of aperture sticking. Great quality warranty service. Buy new, and you will be extremely happy with it -- it's the best IQ I've ever seen in a lens this range.

**Ash** · 01-05-2010, 11:12 PM

Lance, it's a common problem I'm afraid.
I bought one myself knowing it WOULD stick on me, and two out of two copies did from B&H (brand new). I asked B&H to repair it the second time and they'd done so for me as it occurred basically from Day 1 of receiving it. The repair took over 10 weeks.

Being in the US you'll have better chances of it not inconveniencing you so much.

LeDave · 01-06-2010, 12:15 AM

I bought mine used and it never had the sticky aperture problem. So I guess I got a bit lucky on that one.

PePe · 01-06-2010, 02:55 AM

I have been looking for a 70-200/2,8 for a couple of months. Had already decided to go for the Tamron. To my great surprise I came across a Pentax FA*80-200/2,8 in good condition. Got it for the price of a new Tamron.
After testing it extensively over the holiday season at temperatures down to -25 C, I am more than pleased with the lens. My fingers may still be aching from frost-bites, but it sure is an excellent lens!
I priorize image quality, which is the reason I would have chosen Tamron over the Sigma in this category. My understanding is that Tamron has a slight advantage in this respect.

01-04-2010, 09:30 PM	#1
Lance C Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 102	Lens 70-200mm 2.8? I don't think Pentax makes a 70-200 f2.8? Sigma and Tamron both make the lens for the pentax. Anyone care to reccomend one of these lens? My first need is quick focus, low ight stuff. I currently have the k10 but will be upgrading to the k7 soon.

01-05-2010, 09:07 PM	#11
Lance C Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 102 Original Poster	locks wide open Tamron I have read where the aperture sticks when it is wide open. Is this a common malfuction with this lens or have they fixed the problem?

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01-04-2010, 09:37 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Numerous threads about this type of lens are on the forum. Firstly, Pentax has made an FA* 80-200 f/2.8, now discontinued, but still an excellent lens (expensive too). More cost effective are both the Sigma 70-200 HSM II (PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF) and Tamron 70-200 (PentaxForums.com Third-Party Pentax Lens Review Database - 70-200 f/2.8 Di LD Macro). I discussed my impressions of these lenses here... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/83402-tamron-7...-practice.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/69207-request-...0-f-2-8-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/72242-sigma-70...lity-test.html

01-04-2010, 09:39 PM	#3
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	On the film cameras of the 90s, you would use FA* 28-70/2.8 AL and FA* 80-200/2.8 ED [IF] Pentax now offers DA* 16-50 f/2.8 and DA* 50-135 f/2.8 which give you the equivalent angles of view on a cropped sensor.

01-04-2010, 09:58 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Yes, although having the 50-135/2.8 is not quite the same as having a 70-200/2.8 There's compromise on 'reach' with the DA*

01-05-2010, 12:21 AM	#5
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	I've played both (Sigma HSM and Tamron with screw-drive)... (but have not purchaised yet) Tamron is my choice. It feels rock solid and sharper. It has more neutral color rendering. While Sigma performs a little bit softer at 2.8, yellowish and is silent (but I like hearing when AF is working and how hard - I live in Siberia and like shooting at -30°C) PS: asdf . why you think, that Lance is searching for equivalent of film 70-200? For example I like "cropped" focus lengths of 70-200 and don't understand 50-135. (While on FF I like 135/2.8 and dislike 85/2.0 on crop)

01-05-2010, 12:25 AM	#6
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Ash There's compromise on 'reach' with the DA* And the compromise of having SDM.

01-05-2010, 01:23 AM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by Damn Brit And the compromise of having SDM. Some find it an advantage.

01-05-2010, 01:37 AM	#8
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by Ash Some find it an advantage. Unfortunately, some SDM motors are made of acidic paper that corrodes over time, even when in storage.

01-05-2010, 01:54 AM	#9
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Ash Some find it an advantage. Until it breaks. Let's face it, having a lens with SDM is a little like playing Russian Roulette. At least with Russian Roulette, you're not going to care after you lose.

01-05-2010, 02:07 AM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by Damn Brit Until it breaks. Let's face it, having a lens with SDM is a little like playing Russian Roulette. At least with Russian Roulette, you're not going to care after you lose. Never been much of a gambler, Gary. So the SDM lenses are doing well with me.

01-05-2010, 10:05 PM	#12
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Originally posted by Lance C I have read where the aperture sticks when it is wide open. Is this a common malfuction with this lens or have they fixed the problem? I just bought a copy of the lens new stock about a month ago, and it had this problem. However, in buying new, I got great warranty service. They repaired and returned it in about 5 days free of charge and there is no longer any kind of aperture sticking. Great quality warranty service. Buy new, and you will be extremely happy with it -- it's the best IQ I've ever seen in a lens this range.

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01-05-2010, 11:12 PM	#13
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Lance, it's a common problem I'm afraid. I bought one myself knowing it WOULD stick on me, and two out of two copies did from B&H (brand new). I asked B&H to repair it the second time and they'd done so for me as it occurred basically from Day 1 of receiving it. The repair took over 10 weeks. Being in the US you'll have better chances of it not inconveniencing you so much.

01-06-2010, 12:15 AM	#14
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	I bought mine used and it never had the sticky aperture problem. So I guess I got a bit lucky on that one.

01-06-2010, 02:55 AM	#15
PePe Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 597	I have been looking for a 70-200/2,8 for a couple of months. Had already decided to go for the Tamron. To my great surprise I came across a Pentax FA*80-200/2,8 in good condition. Got it for the price of a new Tamron. After testing it extensively over the holiday season at temperatures down to -25 C, I am more than pleased with the lens. My fingers may still be aching from frost-bites, but it sure is an excellent lens! I priorize image quality, which is the reason I would have chosen Tamron over the Sigma in this category. My understanding is that Tamron has a slight advantage in this respect.