Camera Labs

Hey guys!
I have been posting alot (my bad) but I decided to wait a while before getting a macro lens and as Rei has said before, the 50-135mm is a decent macro lens, but now I am stuck between the 50-135mm DA* and the 70-200mm by Sigma. I realize that the 50mm is quite different from the 70 but the otherway around, and I will be using one of these lenses as my ONLY telephoto lens as I don't have enough money for a decent 300mm+. I will be shooting with one of those lenses for Orchestra and Band concert, and I will be using it to shoot outdoors in dusty places as I am going to Brazil and Xing Jiang China (desert).

Pentax pros: has 50mm, dust and weather proof, much lighter,
Sigma: has 200mm, very nice build-quality and dust proof to an extent, has better macro capabilities but not by much

I hope I will be getting this lens from Ebay both for about the same price around mid-December. Your thoughts will help and I have looked at the Photozone review for both of them. (right now slightly leaning on the 70-200)

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Samsung GX-10, , SA 18-55mm
Canon 5D Mark II, 40D, EF 17-40mm f/4 L, EF 24-105mm L IS, EF 50mm f/1.4

www.flickr.com/glxlr

Hey GLXR,
I am sure some Pentax/Samsung or Sigma users could answer this question better from actual usage, but from what I have read the DA* lenses are really top notch Pro level lenses and since you are going into a harsh environment, the extra weather protection would be great to have. Obviously this lens comparison could get very technical and hands on and that is better left to actual users. Something practical to consider is that the Pentax lens is 685g and the Sigma is 1390g, so twice the weight for 65mm more telephoto. This will make a big difference for you out in the field.

Cheers!

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Jim Hawksworth Flickr
Canon 30D | EF 17-40 f/4L | EF 70-200 f/4L USM | EF 50 f/1.8 II | 580EX II | Berleback 2420 Tripod | and other various tools

Bonjour GLXR,

Another point to take into consideration is the aperture. The DA* 50-135 mm brings constant f/2.8 aperture, perfect for in-house shots.

Combined with anti-shake, it makes wonders in low-light conditions

Best regards,

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--- rei_vilo
Pentax K-5 + BG4 + DA* 16-50 + DA* 50-135 + DA* 60-250 + AF-540FGZ
reivilophotography.weebly.com

I vote for the Pentax lens,is a very good performer...+is compact,looks damn good & it's weather sealed.

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
Visit my work here

Bonsoir GLXR,

Have you had a look at my Pentax DA* 50-135mm f2.8 ED (IF) SDM User Review

Enjoy

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--- rei_vilo
Pentax K-5 + BG4 + DA* 16-50 + DA* 50-135 + DA* 60-250 + AF-540FGZ
reivilophotography.weebly.com

Just noting, that it's the same as the 70-200 f/2.8

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Sonyian?

My Flickr - Comments very welcome
Gear: a200, Sony 18-70 3.5-5.6 DT, Minolta 50 1.7 AF, Lowepro TLZ Mini, GorillaPod SLR Zoom
Saving for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM Macro II (50%)

Now I am stuck. Sigma-$700 Pentax-$700
Sigma:
-extra 100mm reach on APS-C sized sensor
-works on full frame if Pentax comes up with one in the future but I don't really care about that

Both
-have excellent build (Pentax has more intense weather-sealing)
-large f/2.8 aperture

Pentax
-has weather-sealing
-has shorter 75mm
-much lighter

This is a tough decision and I hope I should be getting them latest by Christmas time. If you guys can, posting the difference between 50-70 and 135-200mm would help a lot! I personally think that 135mm difference isn't that big and I might be using 50mm more often, but I am getting a 100mm macro sometime during Christmas (as a gift, i'm paying for the telephoto) so the 135mm might not be useful to me, yet the weight difference is so large and I don't know if I want to be lugging 3 lb+ other equipment in my backpack and my neck all the time, although I might be using a tripod.

Again posting the focal length differences might help. THANKS GUYS!

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Samsung GX-10, , SA 18-55mm
Canon 5D Mark II, 40D, EF 17-40mm f/4 L, EF 24-105mm L IS, EF 50mm f/1.4

www.flickr.com/glxlr

2 questions I need answers to:
1. Body IS works on non-Pentax lenses too,right?
2. I thought the Sigma 70-200 was discontinued...it's still available there for sale?
Anyway,the Pentax lens is a more sharp than the Sigma version & that in my book is important.

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
Visit my work here

IS can definitely work on a Pentax system, you just can't have both turned on at the same time. Someone should invent something like a teleconverter where the glass moves to compensate for shake

_________________
Samsung GX-10, , SA 18-55mm
Canon 5D Mark II, 40D, EF 17-40mm f/4 L, EF 24-105mm L IS, EF 50mm f/1.4

www.flickr.com/glxlr