Average Customer Review:
 ( 61 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
125 of 130 found the following review helpful:
 Great lens for the priceFeb 08, 2007
By James Lin
If you have the 18-55mm kit lens, then you'll find that the 50-200mm feels just about the same. This lens is slightly heavier and slightly longer than the 18-55mm, but still very easy to handle. I uploaded two images to the user gallery above, showing the 18-55mm next to the 50-200mm.
Most people seem to decide between this lens or the Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6, which is similarly priced. After doing a lot of research, I decided on the Pentax 50-200mm because of its compact size and much lighter weight. Although I haven't used the Tamron lens myself, the specifications show that it is longer and twice as heavy as the Pentax.
Another thing to consider is that the Tamron AF70-300mm has a 62mm filter diameter, while the Pentax DA 50-200mm and DA 18-55mm share the same 52mm filter diameter. If you already own the 18-55mm kit lens, you'll be able to use any filters that you already have on the 50-200mm. In my experience, larger filters also cost a bit more, so sticking with 52mm filters would mean cheaper filters that you can also share between lenses.
If you've never used a telephoto lens like this one (and I hadn't), then you'll find that slight movements are really exaggerated when you're fully zoomed in. Also, at 200mm, the widest aperture setting is f5.6 (smaller f-number means a bigger aperture), which is fine if you're outdoors and there's plenty of light, but can make indoor/low light photography a bit difficult. Shake reduction will definitely help, but you'll probably want a tripod if you're shooting at 200mm in low light.
Keep in mind that the Pentax DSLRs like the K100D have a 1.5x focal length multiplier. This means that you need to multiply the specified focal lengths of the lenses by 1.5 to get their 35mm SLR equivalent. On a digital SLR, this lens will give you the equivalent of 75-300mm on a regular 35mm SLR camera.
Overall, this is a great lens for the price.
50 of 51 found the following review helpful:
 Nice, small tele-zoomJul 27, 2006
By Hiram Grant
"just call me Sam"
This 50-200 is the best in its class for any Pentax digital SLR. It's very small, light weight, internal focusing, and allows on demand manual focusing. If you haven't purchased your K100D yet, you can probably find this in a two lens kit at a nice little discount.
The "on demand" manual focus (also on the kit 18-55), allows you to instantly teak the focus after the autofocus has locked on the subject. This is very handy, as the camera may pick a person's shoulder rather than eyes on which to focus, etc. A very effecient lens hood is also included.
If you already have one of the digital SLR Pentax cameras, and if size is not critical, you might consider a long focal length lens. Pentax doesn't really have a good option (as of this writing); therefore, I'd recommend the Tamron 70-300 LD Di zoom. It'll give you 50% more range, a 1:2 lifesize close-up mode, and a 6 year USA warranty (vs. 1 year from Pentax). This brand new design features Low-Dispersion glass and is designed to work better than previous designs with digital sensors.
40 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Exciting Lens from PentaxSep 21, 2005
By Steve Thacker
I found this lens to be of very high quality. Small, light, and well built. Love the fast focus capabilities and the quick shift focus that takes you to manual from auto with just a twist of the focus ring. Color and contrast are good. Great lens for the price I paid on Amazon. I've had tons of fun with this versatile Pentax lens on my *ist DS. I highly recommend this lens to all digital *ist owners. Thank you Amazon for the great price and next day delivery. Another satisfied Pentax and Amazon customer.
26 of 26 found the following review helpful:
Best at this size and priceSep 28, 2006
By cyg
"cyg"
This is certainly not the best telezoom money can buy, not even within the Pentax family. However, you will not find anything approaching at this size and price.
It is barely bigger than the kit lens, that is, very small, especially considering its zoom range.
It is ridiculously cheap for a lens of that type and quality.
Finally the image quality is great for a lens of that type. Check forums, pbase, etc. for pictures taken with that lens ! It's amazing ! It maybe a bit slow especially at the long end, but thanks to Pentax dslr's great performance at high iso, and shake reduction in the K100D, even 200mm f/5.6 is not a problem !
Together with the kit 18-55 it is the perfect startup combo. You can then add various primes or more expensive zooms as needed (or lusted) for added speed and quality...
Oh, and at the moment it is in fact the _only_ telezoom you can get new from Pentax !-)
25 of 25 found the following review helpful:
Amazing quality for the priceSep 16, 2005
By Vern Schuck
Having just entered the modern era of digital SLR's I'm completely pleased with the quality, convenience and design of this lens. I had taken some air show and portrait shots but I felt the real test came at the inaugural IRL road course race at Infineon Raceway this summer. The lens behaved without flaw both in and out of the sun as I panned through turns three, four and five. A must have for any *ist owner.
See all 61 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 61 reviews
