Best 200mm 2.8 lens for K5II

Shanti · 12-08-2012, 08:32 PM

Hi I ask what has best IQ/sharpness/fastest focusing of the 200mm lenses available for Pentax.I think of the DA200 2.8,Sigma 70-200 2.8,Tamron 70-200 2.8
also I wish to use a TC if possible.I know Pentax may?(the agent here has not heard anything about it..)come with one next year(if so would it work on Sigma/Tamron lenses). Otherwise is the Sigma TC good enough, either the 1.4 or 2x
Thanks again for all your help
a soon to be new K5II owner

rawr · 12-08-2012, 08:49 PM

All those lenses are high quality. I'd probably go with the Tamron. It is good at 200mm, and a more flexible option.

But on the subject of teleconvertors, note the chart below from the Lenstip review of the Tamron 70-200, where they have measured the lens with a 1.4 Sigma teleconvertor. The chart shows the excellent resolution of the Tamron lens, but it does show you the degree of resolution loss you are likely to experience when using a 1.4 TC, which with the Tamron is quite modest, but may still be noticeable. Other 70-200's like the Sigma(s) sometimes fare much worse using a TC.

Name: 2718_tamorn_70_200_res_center.jpg
Views: 486
Size: 39.4 KB

Name: 2718_tamorn_70_200_res_center.jpg
Views: 486
Size: 39.4 KB

creampuff · 12-09-2012, 01:30 AM

DA* 200mm f/2.8 is a terrific lens and definitely better optically than the 70-200mm third party zooms.

**fs999** · 12-09-2012, 03:38 AM

Nonsense to compare a fix lens with a zoom...

**Rondec** · 12-09-2012, 04:24 AM

The DA 200 is the sharpest of the lot, followed by the Tamron. The Sigma probably depends on which version your are using. I have used the Sigma 70-200 with HSM, but without OS and it really needed to be stopped down a little at 200mm to be adequately sharp. The 200 prime is of course quite a bit smaller and it does purple fringe quite a bit in the right situation.

There are few TCs which work with SDM lenses, although there is supposed to be one coming out next year. The Pentax AF 1.7 teleconverter will work, although you have to manual focus it close and then the teleconverter will focus the rest of the way.

Shanti · 12-09-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

The DA 200 is the sharpest of the lot, followed by the Tamron. The Sigma probably depends on which version your are using. I have used the Sigma 70-200 with HSM, but without OS and it really needed to be stopped down a little at 200mm to be adequately sharp. The 200 prime is of course quite a bit smaller and it does purple fringe quite a bit in the right situation.

There are few TCs which work with SDM lenses, although there is supposed to be one coming out next year. The Pentax AF 1.7 teleconverter will work, although you have to manual focus it close and then the teleconverter will focus the rest of the way.

does the DA200 PF say on branches of trees against the sky? from what I can read about Tamron its god,but it can't focus so well? wonder if better on the new K5II model,or if its a fault in the lens itself
yes really hope Pentax can come with a TC,but the importer here in DK has not heard anything?maybe they are the last to know

12-08-2012, 08:32 PM	#1
Shanti Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Western Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 927	Best 200mm 2.8 lens for K5II Hi I ask what has best IQ/sharpness/fastest focusing of the 200mm lenses available for Pentax.I think of the DA200 2.8,Sigma 70-200 2.8,Tamron 70-200 2.8 also I wish to use a TC if possible.I know Pentax may?(the agent here has not heard anything about it..)come with one next year(if so would it work on Sigma/Tamron lenses). Otherwise is the Sigma TC good enough, either the 1.4 or 2x Thanks again for all your help a soon to be new K5II owner

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Tokina Atx Pro 80-200mm/2.8 for Pentax	Patriot	Sold Items	20	11-07-2012 09:24 AM
For Sale - Sold: Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF Lens for Pentax	manishved	Sold Items	12	08-13-2012 08:03 AM
Zeiss 2.8 200mm sonar lens	Jim Olson	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	03-28-2011 03:22 PM
best 135mm 2.8 for under 100$	Camos1313	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	02-07-2011 06:29 PM
For Sale - Sold: Nikon Nikkor ED 80-200mm f/2.8 AF Lens for Nikon, Worldwide ship!	wallyb	Sold Items	14	12-28-2009 11:31 AM

12-08-2012, 08:49 PM	#2
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	All those lenses are high quality. I'd probably go with the Tamron. It is good at 200mm, and a more flexible option. But on the subject of teleconvertors, note the chart below from the Lenstip review of the Tamron 70-200, where they have measured the lens with a 1.4 Sigma teleconvertor. The chart shows the excellent resolution of the Tamron lens, but it does show you the degree of resolution loss you are likely to experience when using a 1.4 TC, which with the Tamron is quite modest, but may still be noticeable. Other 70-200's like the Sigma(s) sometimes fare much worse using a TC.

12-09-2012, 01:30 AM	#3
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	DA* 200mm f/2.8 is a terrific lens and definitely better optically than the 70-200mm third party zooms.

12-09-2012, 03:38 AM	#4
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,639	Nonsense to compare a fix lens with a zoom...

12-09-2012, 04:24 AM	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	The DA 200 is the sharpest of the lot, followed by the Tamron. The Sigma probably depends on which version your are using. I have used the Sigma 70-200 with HSM, but without OS and it really needed to be stopped down a little at 200mm to be adequately sharp. The 200 prime is of course quite a bit smaller and it does purple fringe quite a bit in the right situation. There are few TCs which work with SDM lenses, although there is supposed to be one coming out next year. The Pentax AF 1.7 teleconverter will work, although you have to manual focus it close and then the teleconverter will focus the rest of the way.

12-09-2012, 08:31 AM	#6
Shanti Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Western Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 927 Original Poster	Originally posted by Rondec The DA 200 is the sharpest of the lot, followed by the Tamron. The Sigma probably depends on which version your are using. I have used the Sigma 70-200 with HSM, but without OS and it really needed to be stopped down a little at 200mm to be adequately sharp. The 200 prime is of course quite a bit smaller and it does purple fringe quite a bit in the right situation. There are few TCs which work with SDM lenses, although there is supposed to be one coming out next year. The Pentax AF 1.7 teleconverter will work, although you have to manual focus it close and then the teleconverter will focus the rest of the way. does the DA200 PF say on branches of trees against the sky? from what I can read about Tamron its god,but it can't focus so well? wonder if better on the new K5II model,or if its a fault in the lens itself yes really hope Pentax can come with a TC,but the importer here in DK has not heard anything?maybe they are the last to know