| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2006 Location: North Face of Mount Shasta Posts: 120 | | Review Date: March 14, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp and Sharper, Internal Focus and Zoom, Build Quality, Good Contrast and Color Rendition | | Cons: | SDM ... need I say more ... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K3
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Just 2 weeks after purchasing this lens from another PF member, the SDM quit on me. So be it ... the member I purchased it from was a very honest individual about the condition when I purchased it and I had no intention of backing out of the deal.
I eventually converted it to screwdrive and have loved the lens every since. It's one of those lenses that just make you a better photographer and I don't regret my purchase for one moment. This lens is the bomb and one of the best that Pentax has ever produced. I love mine and if you ever have the opportunity to pick one up, whether new or used, do it!!
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Warsaw Posts: 83
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 18, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ | | Cons: | SDM failure. | |
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2016 Posts: 543
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 7, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness wide open, beautiful rendering, smooth bokeh. | | Cons: | SDM unit prone to failure | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-3
| |
This is probably the best APS-C lens that Pentax have ever made. Nothing else comes close in providing the utility or quality that this lens provides. The colour, sharpness and bokeh are amazing. Like one reviewer put it, this lens makes a mediocre snapper look like a great one.
I've had five copies of this lens, all used. Three out of five have had SDM issues but all of these were easily fixed by opening up the lens and massaging the motor. Tutorials can be readily found for this procedure.
The copy that I now use exhibited a squealing motor as well as sluggish response to autofocus so I converted it to screwdrive using my K100d. Again, a procedure that is well documented. Autofocus is now much more responsive.
In all, this is the one lens I'd pick if I could only have one. It's equivalent to 70-200 on full frame so it's really not wide at all, but the images produced are out of this world. Ignore the autofocus issues. Screwdrive is worth the extra tiny bit of noise if your SDM motor dies. This lens is THAT good.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 228
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 15, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $999.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Great image quality | | Cons: | Auto Focus (died) | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5IIs; K3
| |
I bought the lens in 2013. I also got a 3 year extended warranty due to all of the reports I read here about the auto-focus failing. With a month to go on the warranty, the auto-focus failed.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2010 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 11
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 7, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $965.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, color | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
| |
It's been a spectacularly good experience owning this lens over the last 6 years. It never ceases to amaze me. Nothing makes me look like a good photographer more than this lens. Incredibly sharp and the colors never need to be corrected. The 3-D effect is something hard to find in a lens, but this one excels at it. Pixie Dust galore. I can't say enough good things about this lens!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: June, 2012 Posts: 47
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 28, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Good for indoor events | | Cons: | Stay away from this lens built prior to 2012 SDM failure | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 6
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
| |
People are selling off DA* lens because of the release of K1. So price dropped quite a bit. But use caution before you buy an used copy. SDM failure rate was high before 2012 redesign. Check the SN and compare with the forum's database to determine the manufacture date.
Otherwise this is a good lens on APS-C for wedding and alike. Not suit for sports because of the slow AF and reach limits.
Also it's quite heavy at 1.5lbs. You don't want to carry it all day unless you have to use it to make money. | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2012 Posts: 387 | | Review Date: May 27, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | high quality image and build, constant F4 | | Cons: | Bad autofocus - since the first year, I have to exercise the focus because its very weak when I start shooting, and doesn't get much better after use. | | Autofocus: 4
New or Used: New
Camera Used: 5 years
| |
This is a well built, high quality lens that gives great results. However, its autofocus has been a disappointment. After the first year, the focuser would appear to not work at all initially until I exercised it for a while - i.e. focus far, focus near. Its still working and hits the mark but its quite annoying to have to "warm it up" before using.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 731
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 26, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Contrast, Color, WR | | Cons: | SDM :(, Weight | |
I find that the lens produces very pleasing images. I almost exclusively use this lens for portrait work, but it would be suitable for may photo applications. The entire focal range is pleasing for portrait work and opens up my creativity in ways other lenses do not. I feel the perspective found in 50-135mm makes my photos stand out. In the world today where everyone has a camera, I am happy to use this lens to make my photos pop and give me an edge.
It may seem obvious, but being able to adjust from 50mm (75mm equivalent) to 135mm (202.5mm equivalent) is very useful when out on location. I also use the 17-50mm lens but I seem to be picking this lens up more and more.
One serious downside... The SDM (AF motor) fails In almost every lens, including mine. Before it completely failed, I converted it to SDM and made a tutorial on how to get that done. If you have some patience and determination, you can get it done. Many users report enjoying the Screw Drive better than SDM. I agree with them, the lens performs much better. AFspeed is better and it doesn't seem to hunt as much. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/321757-how-...ive-video.html
Weight/Size: Look, it is big and heavy, but that is what you get in a versatile lens. If you want light and portable, go with primes. For me, I use this lens when I am working and getting paid for my images. I think its usefulness out weighs its weight literally..
Conclusion: With the used price of this lens going down, the opportunity to convert to SDM, and the outstanding IQ it easy to recommend this lens. Keep in mind, the motor can and will likely fail on you, but converting to Screw Drive will save the day.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 10
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Image quality, Out of focus areas, build quality, internal zooming | | Cons: | AF a bit on slow but enough for me so far | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3 and K3 II
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I found a great deal for this lens when buying a K3 II for my partner, after all done I have paid 150 euros for the lens new!!! I wanted to buy it for a long time but I was not willing to pay what it costs new nowadays.
I don't have the lens for a very long but so far I have been impressed with the image quality at all focal lengths from wide open! The autofocus is a bit slow but I use it mainly for landscapes or wildlife scenes where I don't need tracking or extremely fast focus, so for me it has been working ok! However I have been shooting it for less than a month therefore I can't say to much about it. But for now I would recommend this lens to anyone looking for something on this range. I will update the review in the near future.
happy shooting.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2016 Location: Tampa Florida Posts: 287 | | Review Date: March 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Internal zoom. Silent focus. Sharpness. Constant f2.8 | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-S2
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Amazing lens. Image quality is wonderful. I love the internal zoom (no telescoping zoom) I feel like it's less intimidating to people if they don't see part of the lens extending towards them. It's my go to lens. I keep it on my camera body when not in use as some believe that sdm issues are from being left off of the camera body for long periods of time.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: 'Merica! Posts: 209 | | Review Date: December 24, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality and size | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3, K-5IIs
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I always favored 70-200mm focal length in 35mm film and find myself often shooting in the 70mm to 100mm range on my APC cameras. The 50-135mm give the same overall FOV on the APS-C sensor as the 70-200mm on full frame yet in a smaller, lighter package. As with all other " * " (star) lenses the build quality is phenomenal. Complete weather sealing makes this great for outdoor work in all conditions. Yes, this lens is a hand-full. But it is well balanced on the K bodies and completely manageable for hand held work even in low light.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: September, 2012 Posts: 29
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 15, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great build quality, sharpness of prime lenses, weather sealing | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K3
| |
One of the best Pentax DA lenses you can get! SDM still works great 5 years strong with lots of use.
 IMGP0890 by Richard Mozis, on Flickr
 IMGP0881 by Richard Mozis, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2013 Posts: 341
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 18, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-7
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The only drawback of the lens is the accuracy of the autofocus in low light. This lens delivers very sharp images with good color and contrast. The image quality is superb throughout the zoom range, unlike other zooms I have owned. The autofocus works great in most situations, low light can be a slight drawback. Overall excellent value, perhaps best lens I have ever owned.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 238
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 14, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $325.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Near prime quality across a nice zoom range | | Cons: | SDM | |
Well, this is my third DA* purchase - already bought two DA*16-50 (one for me, one for my daughter)
This was bought used - advertised as only being Manual Focus as the SDM had died. Thanks to the members on this forum (and great threads documenting this technique) I bought the lens for a virtual song knowing that it was almost certain that I could get the lens converted to screwdrive and have a pro-quality AF zoom lens for about a third of the cost of a new one.
Once received, I tried "waking up" the SDM - unsucessfully, and after about 15 minutes of trying to revive the SDM mechanism decided that it was indeed dead, and proceeded to convert the lens to screwdrive by changing the lens rom. (look in the forum if you want to find out how)
About 30 minutes later the lens was whirring away happily on screwdrive - nailing focus and taking some really nice sharp pictures.
So... happy camper here. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this lens at all, as long as the prospect of having a somewhat noisier AF doesn't bother you.
Great handling, fast, sharp. And at the price I paid amazing value. Definitely a keeper.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2014 Location: Galway - Ireland Posts: 213
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 17, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $950.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | IQ, build quality | | Cons: | AF | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
| |
WHO IS IT FOR ?
The 50-135mm is a great zoom for portraits and street photography. The range should also be great for press work and concerts.
HANDLING
This lens is big with the lens hood on, but still light to carry and work with. The focus rings are great, it is weather sealed, the construction is awesome.
AUTOFOCUS
This is the main limit of this lens : the AF is really sloooow (on K3). It is not usable for sports. Even for street photography it is not fast enough. It should be ok for studio portrait.
I manually focused for most of my real-life shots, but it is not what we could expect from this kind of high level zoom.
IMAGE QUALITY
>SHARPNESS
This lens is sharp from f/3.5. The sharpness is great at f/2.8 but not outstanding, wide open the image is slightly soft which makes it perfect for female portrait. The lens sharpness seems to be at its best in the 60-100mm range.
>BOKEH
Bokehs are really great and soft, perfect for portraits.
>CHROMA ABERRATIONS
No fringing and no major issues for me.
>FLARE
I did not notice any flare issue for this lens. Ghost is well controled.
>COLOR RENDITION
Perfect for me ! Great rendering, a little bit warm.
>DISTORSION
Nothing noticeable in field conditions.
>VIGNETING
Nothing to care about...
COMPARING TO SIMILAR LENSES
>70-200mm APO Sigma f/2.8 EX
The 70-200mm provides the extra 135-200mm range that can be usefull in some conditions. The AF is really really faster than the 50-135mm, which makes this lens reliable for field conditions. However the image quality is not as clean as the pentax one because of fringing, ghost and flare.
> 105mm macro sigma f/2.8 EX
Using the 135mm at minimum focus distance, you can get some 'proxi' pictures. This is not the sweet point of the 50-135mm, so using the Pentax lens for 'macro-like' pictures is not a great idea, you should rather go for a macro lens.
CONCLUSION
If you can afford this lens and need a portrait lens, this one should be on your list for polyvalence and image quality. However be sure than you don't need a fast AF because it is the main limit of this lens.
SAMPLE PICTURES
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20462345688/in/album-72157657354961832/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20641180942/in/album-72157657354961832/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20657031391/in/album-72157657354961832/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20029414443/in/album-72157657354961832/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20657150821/in/album-72157657354961832/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/134793426@N02/20027907364/in/album-72157657354961832/ | | |
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