Pentax 50 - 135/2.8 vs Tamron 70 - 200/2.8 vs Sigma 70 - 200/2.8

Currently I am looking for some nice zoom lens. Will use for portrait in good light, without sport photography. Which one from this three will be most suitable?

Pentax 50 - 135/2.8 vs Tamron 70 - 200/2.8 vs sigma 70 - 200/2.8

Cheers

I have the 50-135, and until recently had a Sigma 70-200. The Sigma was a great lens for sports with quick and accurate autofocus and was pretty sharp. But for portrait work I would use the 50-135. That is also a pretty sharp lens - slightly more so than the Sigma - and the extra 20 at the short end is quite useful. The autofocus is too slow for sports, but for portrait work no problem.

I have both the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 & the Pentax 50-135 f2.8
I agree with Percy's comments except that the Pentax is much sharper than the Sigma, whilst the Sigma's autofocus is much quicker than the Pentax...
If its portrait photography you are doing then the Sigma's size will be an issue...Go for the Pentax, you will not be disappointed....

Andy

I am looking to change from my 50-135mm to a 70-200mm f2.8 at the moment.

The Pentax is a fantastic lump of glass but just a bit to short for my needs now, and at the moment I can't afford to have both.

So if you are interested in a mint boxed and complete 50 -135mm lens, send me a PM. I know mike-p would want you to

I agree with Percy's comment above. For portraits the 50-135 is very good. Its smaller than the 70-200's as well.
Regards

George

Thank You guys for answer. Marat at the moment I can't afford for new lens as well I am looking for users opinion. Firstly I have to sale Pentax 55/1.4*

Taken with a 50-135 f2.8, zoom in on the stencilling under the wing, now that's what I'd call sharp....

I think you need to link to the shot if you want us to zoom in
The 50-135 is very sharp wide open, with some PF predictably. The bokeh is slightly nervous on leafy, sparky backgrounds, but the contrast and colour is stunning. Very versatile.

I have recognized for potraits I am using focal 90 - 120 mm. I am afraid in case Pentax 50 - 135 as usually is until end focal lenth optical parameters are getting worse. And when I mainly use for portraits 90 - 120 mm buy 70 - 200 will be in this case more safe??

That's actually a fairly small range. If you have enough money for a 50-135 then you may be better served with a prime and use your feet to zoom.
I love my FA77 ltd and when it was working I never used the 50-135. That is essentially a wedding lens (for me), where you need the zoom for speed.
But for portraits it's no contest - the 77 wins hands-down. Better bokeh and 3D-like rendering that looks almost Photoshopped.

Thank You for Your answer. Yes, I have read a lot of positive opinions about 77 - it is described as best portrait lens in pentax system and has very art characteristic.

Unfortuntelly, after when I bought 55/1.4 I am looking for some universal lens. I don't feel confortable with the constant focal lenght that's why I am going to sale 55/1.4.

The 50-135mm is the best portrait zoom out there for Pentax atm and there is no problem using it at maximum range, it's sharp as a tack all the way through the range ... possibly at it's best at 135mm.

The only other contender really is a used Sigma 50-150mm which like the 70-200mm is ever so slightly softer but much faster focusing.

I tried to find Sigma 50 - 150/2.8 but it is mission for James Bond. Impossible.

They come up every now and again but having had 3 (or more) copies of both the 50-135mm and 50-150mm I finally settled on the Pentax lens because it just produces stunningly sharp images.

Thank You Mike for Your answer, so the main conclusion is Pentax 50 - 135 will be best choice. Some people complained about some issues with SDM in Pentax 50 - 135 but if I good remember WEX gives 3 year guarantee