faster zooms....which one?

Guys, I want a brighter zoom for sports use to replace/supplement my sigma 70-300.

Looks like Tamron and Sigma both have some good offers(70-200 f2. and the pentax 50-135 (f2. always seems to be praised. The 135 mm end is probably not long enough for me but I could crop if the image is better than the non-pentax brands.

I've seen one thread which showed superb images with the Sigma and seems there are offers which bundle in a teleconvertor.

Some say that Tamrons vary, some being great and others being "lemons". Purple fringing seems to be commonly linked to Tamron.

Pentax lenses are said to be better weatherproofed but does that mean when mounted on my K10D I can take pics in the rain without worrying that the camera or lens will suffer water damage?

If I need to use one of those plastic sleeve affairs I guess it wouldnt matter so much which lens I choose from that point of view anyway.

Are the new ultrasonic AF motors really much faster when tracking sports action?

It will be great if anyone has experience of these lenses.

I'd value any thoughts and apologise if this runs over some past topics but couldnt see anything which refers all these lenses in their latest form.

Thanks in anticipation (which is a good mantra for an optimistic photographer..anticipate and be ready..action replays only happen on telly.

Cheers
Geoff

Sounds like you need a lot of patience and the DA*60-250 - when it eventually appears...

I have the Sigma 70-200 EX IF (pre-DG pre-HSM) and it's a little bit weak at the 200mm end (filters don't help) but I do like it as a walkabout lens....

Good luck with your choice

Peter

Thanks Peter, that DA 60-250 just keeps being held back and back. I'm not sure that the f4 would be fast enough at only 1 stop better than my entry level sigma zoom.

Would you expect the glass elements of the DG/HSM to be the same as your zoom and therefore the weakness at 200 mm end?

Cheers
Geoff

Geoff,

I'm also undecided about whether I should go for the sigma 70-200 f2.8 or the new pentax 60-250 f4. I shoot a fair amount of football and under the floodlights the 2.8 would really help.

I think I'm going to have to approach my local camera shop and take them both out on a test shoot. That is obviously dependant on the new Pentax lens actually being released.

Mike

Mike

Have to say that its floodlit/twilight sports that I need faster glass for. The 50mm wider end of the Pentax 50-135 sounds worthwhile for the closer action. At the moment I can't afford a second body so its a case of following the action - usually in TAv mode and hoping for the best compromise.

I think the Pentax lens is just top at the moment and am hoping someone on here will tell me that its sharp enough to allow for cropping to give an image simialar to what would have been captured at the 300mm end of my Sigma zoom.

What does the "*" mean with Pentax lenses?

Being spoilt for choice doesnt help!

Geoff

Since the Pentax M Series lenses in the 1970's, Pentax have used the "*" designation on their top grade professional lenses. The current DA* lenses all feature fast maximum apertures, SDM "silent" focussing and full weather sealing.

Since the launch of the DA17-70/f4 the SDM part is no longer unique to the DA*'s, and there are non-* lenses with large apertures so this isn't unique either, however, the weather sealing remains a unique feature and should be handy for shooting sports in all weathers.

I've never used a DA*50-135 but I've never seen a bad word written about it and all the pictures I see seem exquisite - it'd certainly be top of my shopping list for floodlit football duties!

As for 135mm not being long enough, why not try limiting your current 70-300 to the 70-135 range the next time you're out and see if you really miss those extra millimetres? The DA* will certainly be a big jump up in quality so as long as you're not planning A3 sized prints I reckon a little cropping here and there should still yield satisfactory results.

Thanks for the explanation Hefty1. I'll certainly see how far the 135mm shoots -thats a sound bit of logic! I can see my plumping for the Pentax 50-135 because it certainly seems to be a favourite amongst the experienced guys on here.

I'm new to Pentax, but still loving every day I have the 10D in my hand.

Cheers, Geoff

That's true specifically for the 70-300mm, but I don't see a lot of complaints in general about PF with the other Tamron lenses, and I know the Tamron 17-50mm doesn't suffer from it.

Sorry I don't know anything about the 70-200, other than the fact that I can't afford one!