looking for a do everything well lens

mando · 09-09-2009, 06:23 PM

I know: Probably no such thing. I have an istdl with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop." I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions?

Raybo · 09-09-2009, 06:39 PM

Da* 50-135

**Ash** · 09-09-2009, 08:03 PM

No one will argue with that.
No other lens rivals the 50-135.
Just go out and buy it.

WMBP · 09-09-2009, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by mando

I know: Probably no such thing.

This is a basic truth. Don't say it - and then continue to act as if it's not true. It's true. There's no do-everything-well lens. If you want that, get a good compact fixed-lens camera.

Quote:

I have an *ist DL with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop." I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions?

I'll second what others have said: the Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8 is a very good lens. But it is NOT a "do everything" lens, and since it doesn't do everything, we can't say that it does everything well.

You can't get a lens that does everything really well. You can get lenses that do one thing really, really well (like the Pentax 40 mm f/2.8 limited or for that matter almost any Pentax prime). You can get lenses that do a number of things well. But if you want a lens that can do almost everything, the best you can hope for is that it will do everything pretty well. If you can live with that, then get one of these lenses: the Pentax or Tamron or Sigma 18-250 f/3.5-6.3. That's as close to "everything" as you'll get.

Will

nulla · 09-09-2009, 11:56 PM

Get both the DA*16-50 & 50-135 zooms

Neil

DanLoc78 · 09-10-2009, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by nulla

Get both the DA*16-50 & 50-135 zooms

Neil

what he said (if you can afford it)

Venturi · 09-10-2009, 12:57 PM

As others stated, there is no better lens for that range. And (shameless plug) mine is for sale - see my sig.

windflower · 09-10-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by WMBP

This is a basic truth. Don't say it - and then continue to act as if it's not true. It's true. There's no do-everything-well lens. If you want that, get a good compact fixed-lens camera.

I'll second what others have said: the Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8 is a very good lens. But it is NOT a "do everything" lens, and since it doesn't do everything, we can't say that it does everything well.

You can't get a lens that does everything really well. You can get lenses that do one thing really, really well (like the Pentax 40 mm f/2.8 limited or for that matter almost any Pentax prime). You can get lenses that do a number of things well. But if you want a lens that can do almost everything, the best you can hope for is that it will do everything pretty well. If you can live with that, then get one of these lenses: the Pentax or Tamron or Sigma 18-250 f/3.5-6.3. That's as close to "everything" as you'll get.

Will

I recently purchased the SMC PENTAX DA 18-250MM F3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) for my new Pentax K-7, and I really like it. It is not a "do everything lens", but generally speaking, it does everything I want it to do pretty darn well. :-)

windflower

**dadipentak** · 09-10-2009, 09:18 PM

I think it's a choice between doing 18-250mm well or doing 50-135mm very well. Or you could get a Bigma and do 50-500mm well.

audiobomber · 09-11-2009, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by mando

I know: Probably no such thing. I have an istdl with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop."

To defocus the background, set your camera for maximum aperture, move back from the subject and extend the zoom to maximum length (or as much as you can given the space and subject). More space between the subject and background helps too. Your telephoto zoom should allow you to get a pretty blurry background.

audiobomber · 09-11-2009, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by mando

I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions?

There are numerous primes in that range with great bokeh. The DFA 100mm macro for example. This was taken at f/4:

Parallax · 09-11-2009, 05:18 AM

I shoot mostly with my 31 Ltd and zoom with my feet.

ivoire · 09-11-2009, 06:10 AM

I could be mistaken, but it would appear that $'s per mm are an issue as well. If that is the case, pick up a couple of manual lenses in the range you want to shoot. Pentax A,M,K plus Jupiter 9 and Takumars should give you the look you are craving. There is no 'do it all well' lens (to my knowledge). Check out the Takumar club and Soviet lens club posts in the Pentax SLR Lens Discussion forum. Theres a wealth of photos that depict what you are hoping to achieve.

09-09-2009, 06:23 PM	#1
mando New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	looking for a do everything well lens I know: Probably no such thing. I have an istdl with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop." I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions?

09-11-2009, 06:10 AM	#13
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	I could be mistaken, but it would appear that $'s per mm are an issue as well. If that is the case, pick up a couple of manual lenses in the range you want to shoot. Pentax A,M,K plus Jupiter 9 and Takumars should give you the look you are craving. There is no 'do it all well' lens (to my knowledge). Check out the Takumar club and Soviet lens club posts in the Pentax SLR Lens Discussion forum. Theres a wealth of photos that depict what you are hoping to achieve. Last edited by ivoire; 09-11-2009 at 07:14 AM.

09-09-2009, 06:39 PM	#2
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	Da* 50-135

09-09-2009, 08:03 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	No one will argue with that. No other lens rivals the 50-135. Just go out and buy it.

09-09-2009, 08:32 PM	#4
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Originally posted by mando I know: Probably no such thing. This is a basic truth. Don't say it - and then continue to act as if it's not true. It's true. There's no do-everything-well lens. If you want that, get a good compact fixed-lens camera. Quote: I have an ist DL with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop." I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions? I'll second what others have said: the Pentax DA 50-135 f/2.8 is a very good lens. But it is NOT a "do everything" lens, and since it doesn't do everything, we can't say that it does everything well. You can't get a lens that does everything really well. You can get lenses that do one thing really, really well (like the Pentax 40 mm f/2.8 limited or for that matter almost any Pentax prime). You can get lenses that do a number of things well. But if you want a lens that can do almost everything, the best you can hope for is that it will do everything pretty well. If you can live with that, then get one of these lenses: the Pentax or Tamron or Sigma 18-250 f/3.5-6.3. That's as close to "everything" as you'll get. Will

09-09-2009, 11:56 PM	#5
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Get both the DA*16-50 & 50-135 zooms Neil

09-10-2009, 12:32 PM	#6
DanLoc78 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Gallery Posts: 915	Originally posted by nulla Get both the DA*16-50 & 50-135 zooms Neil what he said (if you can afford it)

09-10-2009, 12:57 PM	#7
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	As others stated, there is no better lens for that range. And (shameless plug) mine is for sale - see my sig.

09-10-2009, 05:35 PM	#8
windflower Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 24	Originally posted by WMBP This is a basic truth. Don't say it - and then continue to act as if it's not true. It's true. There's no do-everything-well lens. If you want that, get a good compact fixed-lens camera. I'll second what others have said: the Pentax DA* 50-135 f/2.8 is a very good lens. But it is NOT a "do everything" lens, and since it doesn't do everything, we can't say that it does everything well. You can't get a lens that does everything really well. You can get lenses that do one thing really, really well (like the Pentax 40 mm f/2.8 limited or for that matter almost any Pentax prime). You can get lenses that do a number of things well. But if you want a lens that can do almost everything, the best you can hope for is that it will do everything pretty well. If you can live with that, then get one of these lenses: the Pentax or Tamron or Sigma 18-250 f/3.5-6.3. That's as close to "everything" as you'll get. Will I recently purchased the SMC PENTAX DA 18-250MM F3.5-6.3 ED AL(IF) for my new Pentax K-7, and I really like it. It is not a "do everything lens", but generally speaking, it does everything I want it to do pretty darn well. :-) windflower

09-10-2009, 09:18 PM	#9
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I think it's a choice between doing 18-250mm well or doing 50-135mm very well. Or you could get a Bigma and do 50-500mm well.

09-11-2009, 05:10 AM	#10
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by mando I know: Probably no such thing. I have an istdl with the 18 - 55 lens that came with it and then purchased a 70 - 300 promaster lens. Neither of these lenses have large enough aperture settings to allow for the blurred background that makes the single subject photo "pop." To defocus the background, set your camera for maximum aperture, move back from the subject and extend the zoom to maximum length (or as much as you can given the space and subject). More space between the subject and background helps too. Your telephoto zoom should allow you to get a pretty blurry background.

09-11-2009, 05:16 AM	#11
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by mando I have read that the Sigma 70 - 200 with a 2.8 aperture is quite good, but I would prefer something in the 50 - 125 or 150 range. Any suggestions? There are numerous primes in that range with great bokeh. The DFA 100mm macro for example. This was taken at f/4:

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09-11-2009, 05:18 AM	#12
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	I shoot mostly with my 31 Ltd and zoom with my feet.