Pentax SMC M 70-210 v SMC M 80-200

I am trying to find out how the SMC M 70-210 f4 zoom compares in performance to the SMC M 80-200 f4.5. Please can anyone advise and why did Pentax produce two lenses so closely matched? Furtermore, how do the A series versions compare?

Thanks in anticipation.

Lee

According to the "Bible", there never was a 70-210 M lens:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/

For advice on lenses, try Stan:

http://stans-photography.info/

Thanks George,

Yes, the 80-200/f4.5 was of an earlier era 1977-1979. The A 70-210/4 was made later 1984-1988 and hence no M version.

Ok. So does anyone know how they compare optically? The 70-210 has favourable comments but I cant find much on the 80-200 which seems more easily available.

Thanks,

Lee.

Hi Lee, I don't know much about the 80-200 M, sorry, but I do know that the A 70-210 F4.0 is professionally sharp and contrasty. (i.e. I have been using this lens professionally for 5 years now and it never lets me down. And I'm VERY picky!)

The combination of the A series quality of contruction and the modern camera metering like in the MZS, Z-1, or MZ, is unbeatable.

(Remember the only Nikon that ever Matrix metered with AIS lenses was the F-4!)

Hi,
I have found the 80-200 to be very good. However, it is alot larger and heavier than the 70-210! On the other hand I prefer the feel and handling of the older K and M lenses. A good reference for such matters is Stan's at http://stans-photography.info/.
The deciding point might be which body you use. The non "A" lenses won't allow the full range of metering options on the later bodies.

Kim