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Pentax-A vs DA 50-200mm at f/4.5 and f/5.6

Started Aug 23, 2019 | Discussions
Massao Senior Member • Posts: 2,580
Pentax-A vs DA 50-200mm at f/4.5 and f/5.6

The idea behind this test was that DA 50-200mm lens could have improved coatings (produced in 2000’s) which may deliver better results on a DSLR; it also has an ED glass element. Previous tests and comparisons of this lens showed that it performs best at 80-150mm range. At 100mm, it was better thanSigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG (older version without OS and HSM). DA 50-200mm lens has also AF So, how does it fare against an old manual Pentax-A 135mm f/2.8 lens from 1980’s? 😊

Comparison of SMC Pentax-A 135mm f/2.8 and SMC Pentax-DA 50-200mm (at ca 135mm) at f/4.5 and f/5.6.

Same camera on tripod; out-of-camera-jpegs; no PP; no filter on lenses; hood on both lenses.

Note 1: I tested at f/4.5 as thats the lowest f-number DA 50-200mm lens allows at ca 135mm focal length.

Note 2: my copy of Pentax-A 135mm f/2.8 has some scratches on one side of the rear glass element

Pentax-A 135mm lens @f/4.5

50-200mm lens at ca 135mm @f/4.5

Pentax-A 135mm lens @f/5.6

50-200mm lens at ca 135mm @f/5.6

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Kind regards,
Massao
--
First camera: Canon FTB; First autofocus SLR camera: Pentax; First Nikon: F601 (N6006); First digital camera: Sony DSC-W5; First DSLR: Nikon D70; First mirrorless ICL camera: Samsung nx11

 Massao's gear list:Massao's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Pentax K-r Samsung NX300 Samsung NX1100 A3000 +40 more
OP Massao Senior Member • Posts: 2,580
Re: Pentax-A vs DA 50-200mm at f/4.5 and f/5.6

Not the best of copies:-)

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Kind regards,
Massao
--
First camera: Canon FTB; First autofocus SLR camera: Pentax; First Nikon: F601 (N6006); First digital camera: Sony DSC-W5; First DSLR: Nikon D70; First mirrorless ICL camera: Samsung nx11

 Massao's gear list:Massao's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Pentax K-r Samsung NX300 Samsung NX1100 A3000 +40 more
OP Massao Senior Member • Posts: 2,580
Take 2: Pentax-A 135mm vs DA 50-200mm

Since DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 doesn't seem to focus accurately, I used manual focus this time.

F/5.6

Pentax-A 135mm f/5.6

DA 50-200mm f/5.6

F/8

Pentax-A 135mm f/8

DA 50-200mm f/8

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Kind regards,
Massao
--
First camera: Canon FTB; First autofocus SLR camera: Pentax; First Nikon: F601 (N6006); First digital camera: Sony DSC-W5; First DSLR: Nikon D70; First mirrorless ICL camera: Samsung nx11

 Massao's gear list:Massao's gear list
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Pentax K-r Samsung NX300 Samsung NX1100 A3000 +40 more
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