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Pentax SMC DA Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Digital SLR Cameras
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Pentax |
Focal Length Description | 50-135 millimeters |
Lens Type | Telephoto |
Compatible Mountings | Pentax KAF2 |
Camera Lens Description | 50 month |
About this item
- 50-135mm telephoto zoom lens with F/2.8 maximum aperture for Pentax digital SLR cameras
- Aspherical elements, special optical-glass elements, and original glass coatings
- Tightly sealed weather- and dust-resistant housing stands up to rainy or dusty conditions
- SDM system produces smooth, quiet autofocusing; SP coating protects exposed lens elements
- Measures 3 inches in diameter and 5.4 inches long; weighs 24.2 ounces without hood
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Product Description
Product Description
Pentax SMC DA* Series 50-135mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon.com
Designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras, the Pentax DA series 50-135mm telephoto zoom lens makes it easy to capture close-in sports shots or intimate wildlife photography. The lens is distinguished by its aspherical elements, special optical-glass elements, and original glass coatings, which help produce a high contrast, unmatched clarity, and edge-to-edge sharpness. The lens also boasts a tightly sealed weather- and dust-resistant housing that stands up to rainy or dusty conditions. And users will love the new SDM system, which produces smoother, quieter autofocusing using a built-in supersonic motor. Other details include a Pentax-original Quick-Shift Focus System that switches instantly to manual-focus operation, a Pentax SP coating that protects the exposed lens elements, and a focal length equivalent to 76.5-207mm in the 35mm format.
- Lens mount: Pentax KAF2
- Lens construction: 18 elements in 14 groups
- Angle of view: 31.5 to 11.9 degrees (when used with Pentax digital SLR camera body)
- Aperture control: Automatic
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Metering system: TTL open-aperture metering
- Minimum focusing distance: 1 meter
- Filter size: 67mm
- Maximum magnification: 0.17x
- Dimensions: 3 inches in diameter and 5.4 inches long
- Weight: 24.2 ounces (without hood)
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 5.35 x 3.03 x 3.03 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.51 pounds |
ASIN | B000NO5QVG |
Item model number | 21660 |
Customer Reviews |
3.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #1,616 in SLR Camera Lenses |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | February 22, 2007 |
Manufacturer | Pentax |
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the contrast, sharpness and noise of the camera lens. For example, they mention it's an impressive lens in both feel and looks, and it produces excellent quality images. That said, they're happy with the image quality and quality. That being said, opinions are mixed on the focus and weight.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the contrast of the lens. They mention that it's a beautiful lens, with impressive feel and looks. The lens produces excellent quality images, and is regarded as one of the best Pentax lenses ever made. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...I am very impressed with pentax. This is a great lens, it is great for outdoor shots and can produce some excellent evening as well as some indoor..." Read more
"...Color: excellent color rendition, rich and real.DOF: can be very thin when wide open and produce a very good blur effect..." Read more
"...That zoom ring feels smooth, with a good amount of resistance.The focus ring is very similar, it's even larger than the zoom ring...." Read more
"...Although the lens body is constructed of plastic, it looks and feels solid and of exceptional quality; a real joy to handle...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sharpness of the lens. They mention that it is unquestionably sharper across all apertures, produces tack sharp images, and is in perfect shape.
"...I can definately say this is a very sharp lens and dont listen to all the pentax haters out there pentax makes some of the best products in my..." Read more
"...Focusing: not fast enough compare with my DA70mm ltdSharpness: very sharp. But in 100% crop, it is not sharp as the DA70mm..." Read more
"...3 feet sucks.Outdoors, this lens is at its best. Sharpness is impressive at any focal length, including the extremes...." Read more
"...What I found was that the Pentax lens was unquestionably sharper across all apertures, but the weakest at f2.8 (although not that bad at all) with..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the noise of the lens. They mention that it has an ultra-quiet focusing mechanism and a firm zoom control. They also appreciate the SDM feature, which is far quieter than the camera's screw-drive motor. Overall, customers are happy with the performance of this lens.
"...The sdm focus motor is virtually silent, all to be heard is the movement of the parts inside the lens while focusing...." Read more
"...On the upside, the focusing mechanism is whisper quiet. I hear it when I operate the camera, but anyone around me can't hear it at all...." Read more
"...The SDM feature is certainly far quieter than the camera's screw-drive motor and very pleasing to have, but I'm not convinced it's any quicker...." Read more
"...It continues to perform well. I have had no problems with auto focus motor in the lens (SDM)and quickness of auto focus has improved with placing..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the focal length of the lens. They mention that it has a powerful range of focal lengths, and that it focuses and zooms internally. The lens is a great zoom lens, and the focal point is perfect for a walk-around lens. The focusing is excellent, and would not be a problem for most people. The focus ring is very similar to the zoom ring, and it provides a different view with prime lens.
"...Either way the focusing is still excellent and would not be a problem for most people, it is still plenty fast...." Read more
"...But the others aspects are much better. The focal length is perfect for a walk around lens if you take no much wide shot...." Read more
"...the gold highlights, the green line near the mount, and the massive zoom and focus rings...." Read more
"...The focus and zoom rings are large and easily turned with no zoom drift as some have complained about with other Pentax zooms...." Read more
Customers like the image quality of the lens. They say the photos from this lens are amazing, and it is well worth the money. The lens is also optically fantastic and produces a very good blur effect. Customers also say it is adequate to take photos of their kids and is a good lens to take flowers and portraits.
"...I have done a little macro work with this lens and the images are pretty nice.... had to crop a little and the images came out a little soft but it..." Read more
"...It is a good lens to take flowers and portraits.It is truly "water-resistance" after I had a test shoot under a stormy rain...." Read more
"...This lens is still optically fantastic, and most of the benefits I listed in initial review are still valid...." Read more
"...hand, it is quite accurate once it gets there and has been quite adequate to take photos of my (quite active) kids...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the lens. They mention that it performs well, gives good results, and works perfectly after the fall. The size, weight, looks, and other features are perfect. The lens hood does a perfect job of keeping stray reflections off the lens, and it works great on both cameras.
"...a little and the images came out a little soft but it is capable of a little macro work wich is nice, just remember you will probably have to..." Read more
"...I have yet to be able to induce flare, even on purpose. The lens hood does a perfect job of keeping stray reflections off the lens...." Read more
"...It continues to perform well...." Read more
"...The size, weight, looks, etc are perfect. I have tried it on heavy rain during a football (soccer) game and worked flawlessly!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the camera lens. Some mention that it's fast, quiet, and accurate, while others say that it is not fast focusing. Some customers also report issues with the SDM focus system starting to slow down over time. The focus throw is long, and you can feel the mechanism rolling through the lens. However, some customers report that the auto focus just completely stopped working after a year of light usage.
"...Focusing is fairly quick and can hunt a tiny bit if you are really close (remember its not a macro lens) to the subject or there is an extreme lack..." Read more
"...For the lens, it is not fast focusing as my other lens DA180-135mm, DA70mm. But the others aspects are much better...." Read more
"...But it is fast...for what? At this range, who needs fast? I sure didn't...." Read more
"...But the failed auto-focus motor, coupled with the fact that this is a serious, widespread problem, have left me with a bitter taste in my mouth...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the camera lenses. Some mention it's built fantastic, but still not too heavy. Others say that it'd be a bit heavy.
"...The images are very sharp and light in weight that you no need a tripod to carry...." Read more
"...The weight is also a bit much to carry around your neck during a long shooting session...." Read more
"...I liked the fact it was a small, light lens, but it was a set focal length for a high price, and I opted to return it since I could get the same..." Read more
"...It’s just too heavy to routinely carry around." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2010
Given the money this lens costs, I am sorry I ever bought it; yet, at any price, it is almost worthless. I scored it just before the 18-135mm came out which makes much more sense as a functional telephoto with a wide capability. This lens is for a very narrow range that, honestly, defies me and I would have done myself a big favor to have graphed all of my images to see where I shoot the most and bought a prime, using my legs as the telephoto component.
Why? Because this lens is a time bomb (for some of we lucky chumps) and the motor goes out if it is not used often. And here in lies the rub. Yes, mea culpa and I should have sold it long ago but I have a hard time selling anything I've bought and would rather avoid the hassles for dealing with tire kickers.
And while I only have myself to blame, why a company with a defective motor system would not honor a much extended recall warranty is beyond me. Perhpas that is why this company has been sold so often: Poor customer service. Please know I like their other products and have a K-x (IR convetred,) K-30, K-3 (to replace my K-5 that fell and was more expensive to repair than replace.) Honestly, an accident and I am not all that hard on my gear so when the 50-135mm failed, I thought it must have been my new K-3. Wrong!
There are many detailed reports of this lens motor failure as well as a possible in-home fix which is worth saving $400 to try because, honestly, I don't see myself using this lens much even when repaired. If I can't do it, I'll use it on manual focus for the rare times I need it.
I suggest NO ONE buy this lens and let it die on its own inertia. An 18-135 or 28-75 with a 70-200 or a 18-250 (I have all of these lenses and more) will certainly more-than-suffice for your needs. But it is fast...for what? At this range, who needs fast? I sure didn't. My suggestion: Buy Sigma or Tamron and treat yourself to a Pelican case and a nice photo trip someplace with the money you save.
If you read my reviews you will see I am generally enthusiastic; however, this ranks amongst my biggest disappointments (along with buying into early Olympus 4/3rd system with horrible low light ability...the reason I moved to Pentax to begin with) Given the high dynamic range and lowlight ability of the new K-3, unless you are shooting indoor sports or weddings (and then you'd have a 70-200 f/2.8) I challenge anyone to tell me the need and utility of this lens over others that are much more reliable and have less CA, another treat with this winner.
Well, don't say you haven't been warned and judging by the other reviews, I am a minority. This just didn't work for me and to have it break on its own for low utilization, is just over the top on the Piss-off-ometer.
If I fix mine, watch for a good price on a used one soon.
For the lens, it is not fast focusing as my other lens DA180-135mm, DA70mm. But the others aspects are much better. The focal length is perfect for a walk around lens if you take no much wide shot. I have not take it off from the camera for weeks. The images are very sharp and light in weight that you no need a tripod to carry. The bokeh in a close shot is amazingly smooth as butter which is comparable to a macro lens. Nervous bokeh for mid range object and back light are amazing. It is a good lens to take flowers and portraits.
It is truly "water-resistance" after I had a test shoot under a stormy rain. And the front lens is easily to clean. (I still had not put a UV filter on the lens on that day.) I love this lens.
Focusing: not fast enough compare with my DA70mm ltd
Sharpness: very sharp. But in 100% crop, it is not sharp as the DA70mm
Color: excellent color rendition, rich and real.
DOF: can be very thin when wide open and produce a very good blur effect
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Top reviews from other countries
There is no tripod collar but I'm not sure I miss it. Also this lens is for APS-C so it doesn't fully cover the K-1 sensor although it's pretty good at longer focal lengths.
An added bonus is that it can auto focus with older screw drive cameras pre KAF3. I own the old *ist D and K100D and this lens supports all shooting modes with auto focus.
The auto focus is definitely not as fast as the 18-135, 18-50RE, 50, and 70-200 DA/DFA* lenses if that is important to you. However the image quality and handling is up there, nearly at the level of the latter two lenses!
Das Bokeh empfinde ich als harmonisch. Der Autofokus ist schnell und recht treffsicher, dabei auch nicht so laut, und innenfokussierend, was sehr angenehm ist. Die Königsdisziplin ist für mich das Fotografieren in einer Schwimmhalle.
Hier habe ich leider nicht immer das passende Licht, dennoch sind mit etwas Übung und den passenden Kameraeinstellungen viele gute Actionbilder entstanden. Wenn ich auf Fototour gehe habe ich dieses Objektiv immer dabei. Es ist mein Bestes, und auch Teuerstes.
Für mich hat sich die Anschaffung trotz des hohen Preises gelohnt.
Reviewed in Germany on March 8, 2016
Das Bokeh empfinde ich als harmonisch. Der Autofokus ist schnell und recht treffsicher, dabei auch nicht so laut, und innenfokussierend, was sehr angenehm ist. Die Königsdisziplin ist für mich das Fotografieren in einer Schwimmhalle.
Hier habe ich leider nicht immer das passende Licht, dennoch sind mit etwas Übung und den passenden Kameraeinstellungen viele gute Actionbilder entstanden. Wenn ich auf Fototour gehe habe ich dieses Objektiv immer dabei. Es ist mein Bestes, und auch Teuerstes.
Für mich hat sich die Anschaffung trotz des hohen Preises gelohnt.
Esta es una lente de segunda mano que fue devuelta (o no se llegó a vender) al parecer por un golpe en la caja. No he encontrado que tenga nada raro ni el número de serie es de una lente antigua. Las lentes modernas se consideran a partir del S/N: 93000XXX y la mía es 92999XXX, así que con esto me quedé tranquilo (todos hemos leído las historias de los fallos del SDM, etc). Y la he conseguido por el 40% del precio de una lente nueva. No puedo estar más contento. Vino sin el papel de la garantía PENTAX pero Amazon me da dos años durante los cuales si se me funde me devuelven el dinero.
Una pregunta que nos podemos hacer nada más empezar es por qué o para qué quiero esta lente. El fabricante nos dice que esta es una lente para fotografía en interiores, retratos, bodas o eventos sociales, deportes, paisajes y vida salvaje (vamos, que vale para todo). Yo me atrevería a decir que sobre todo es una buena lente de retratos, obviamente la puedes usar para paisajes y fotografiar detalles, aunque no es una lente macro, y lo de deportes, vida salvaje... esto es, fotografía de acción, yo diría que no es tan adecuada por la velocidad del enfoque, que es más bien lenta.
Yo necesitaba una lente de retrato que me permitiera ponerme a una distancia prudente, tuviera buena calidad, enfoque preciso y fiable, y pudiera usarse desde f2.8 sin problemas. Digo necesitaba porque en mi caso es para trabajos profesionales. Tampoco quería una lente que fuera demasiado grande, y recordemos que las cámarax Pentax son pequeñas, hay que pensar en llevar esta lente durante varias horas en una sesión y debe equilibrarse bien con la cámara. Esta lente cumple a la perfección con todo lo anterior. Otra opción que estuve barajando fue la Sigma 50-150mm f2.8 EX HSM II, que sé que tiene mejor velocidad de enfoque, aunque parece que en ciertos rangos la precisión del enfoque o la calidad óptica baja un poco. No he llegado a tenerla así que no puedo compararlas.
La calidad de construcción y la 'presencia' de esta lente (con el parasol puesto) son impresionantes. Ojo, no la he probado llevándomela a la montaña, recibiendo golpes, poniéndola bajo el agua o haciéndole perrerías, porque la cuido con mucho mimo. Pero se nota que está bien hecha. El tamaño es muy adecuado, una lente 70-200mm resultaría demasiado grande para mi K5. El giro del aro de zoom es muy suave y el aro de enfoque tiene un recorrido bastante decente para enfocar manualmente, es además quick-shift, lo cual es una gozada, puedes ajustar el enfoque en todo momento sin tener que accionar switches. No es tan suave a la hora de girarlo pero no está mal. Pocas lentes modernas son adecuadas para enfoque manual. Tenemos que contar que es WR, tiene un recubrimiento especial para repeler grasa y demás en el elemento frontal, y que el parasol tiene una ventana desmontable que permite nos permitiría ajustar un filtro polarizador.
El autofocus es quizá un elemento que puede determinar el que uno le guste más la lente o no. Mi primera impresión cuando puse la tente en mi K5 fue más bien de decepción, estaba acostumbrado a mi Sigma 17-50mm que enfoca bastante rápido y esto me pareció volver a las velocidades de enfoque de mis lentes cuando tenía mi K10D, donde no era posible atinar a algo a menos que se estuviera quieto. No significa que no te valga, depende qué esperes, cumple perfectamente para retratos posados y cosas tranquilas. Para otros eventos tendrás que estar curtido en técnicas de anticipación, preparando el enfoque con suficiente profundidad de campo, etc. No sé si será suficiente como para acertar sin problemas a los niños entrando en una Comunión, y eso que van despacio. Dependiendo de lo que se mueva el sujeto y el recorrido que tenga que hacer la lente tendrás más posibilidades o menos.
Cosas positivas del enfoque:
* el SDM es muy silencioso, es una de las razones por las que lo quería.
* es muy preciso, y yo soy muy crítico con el enfoque, es la primera lente que me da seguridad de que va a enfocar en cualquier distancia focal y desde f2.8. Tiene una tasa de aciertos muy alta.
* sigue siendo efectivo en situaciones de poca luz y contraluz. Otras lentes aquí comienzan a fallar o no enfocan, esta sigue haciéndolo.
* el enfoque manual es posible, debido a que hay bastante recorrido en el aro de zoom. Esto mismo es lo que hace que sea más lento el enfoque, pero se agradece poder enfocar manualmente.
* al no ser la lente demasiado ancha, la luz de ayuda al enfoque tiene espacio para salir y proyectarse.
La calidad óptica es sin duda lo mejor: una lente con imágenes perfectamente utilizables desde f2.8 en cualquier distancia focal. De acuerdo que a 135mm y f2.8, ya no es tan buena en los bordes y puedes tener algo de viñeteo, etc, pero las imágenes se pueden usar perfectamente. Otras lentes terminas usándolas a partir de f4 o más, entre que no aciertan bien con el enfoque o pierden mucho abiertas del todo. Los colores de la lente y el desenfoque son muy agradables. De la Sigma 50-150mm no vi demasiados ejemplos pero el bokeh no me convenció tanto. Las imágenes con la Pentax son muy buenas. Mi Tamron 28-75mm definitivamente lo voy a vender, ya lo tengo cubierto. Repito: buenísima para retratos.
Otro aspecto muy positivo tiene que ver con la medición con esta lente, que es prácticamente perfecta con la K5, no tengo que compensar nada desde la cámara. Al final son las lentes del fabricante las que mejor pueden hablarse con la cámara. Así mismo, con el flash puesto, la medición también es muy buena, con el resto de mis lentes tengo que ponerle un -1EV, con esta no necesito ajustes.
A medida que la voy usando me voy acostumbrando a ella y obteniendo mejores resultados, y el tema de la velocidad del AF ya no me preocupa tanto como al principio.
De haberme costado los 1000€ de una nueva seguramente le pondría solo 4 estrellas, porque le exigiría más velocidad al AF.
Totalmente recomendable.
ACTUALIZACIÓN 07/2016
Llevo más de dos años con la lente. No he tenido problemas con el SDM, "salvo" que ahora le suele costar arrancar tras una temporada de inactividad: esto es que enciendes tu cámara, y por más que intentas enfocar no lo consigues, pero al cabo de unos segundos intentando enfocar parece que despierta y ya operas con normalidad. No ha ido a peor (debe llevar cerca de un año así). He leído que es recomendable guardar la lente en posición vertical, tal como se ve en la foto, apoyada en la parte inferior, al contrario de como solemos apoyar las lentes.
Por otra parte compré la K3-II y he notado una mejoría con esta lente, de forma que enfoca antes, sin titubeos, y es más precisa. Antes pensaba que la precisión de la lente era buena con la K5, pero es mucho mejor con la K3 II y se nota más cuando empieza a faltar la luz. Para sujetos que estén a cierta distancia y que no vayan a variar su posición demasiado, pueden enfocarse sin muchos problemas. Las fotos han ganado mucho en nitidez con la K3 II, respecto de la K5, con lo que la lente se ha revalorizado. Ahora bien, 1200+€ son muchos euros, Pentax debería sacar una nueva versión con otro motor y alguna mejora en la óptica, ahora que tenemos las K3, K1 y K70.
Il ne m'a pas déçu.
Membre de la série DA*, il est d'une qualité de fabrication équivalente au DA* 200mm F/4 que j'ai déjà.
Sur mes 2 boîtiers, le Pentac K-5 et le *ist DS, il me donne des images fabuleuses, y compris à pleine ouverture.
Le piqué est très bon tant au centre qu'aux bord.
On peut lire sur internet qu'il est lent.
Je l'utilise pour des photos de sport en salle (art-martiaux), pour du spectacle de proximité et je n'ai jamais été gêné par une lenteur de la mise au point.
Sa possibilité réelle d'exploitation de la pleine ouverture à F/2.8, c'est vraiment un must.