Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k vs Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Significantly narrower aperture

f/32

f/22

At its narrowest, the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

More magnification

1:3.1 (0.3x)

1:5.8 (0.2x)

Take macro shots with subjects around 90% larger in your photo

Better telephoto

200 mm

135 mm

Around 50% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly cheaper

$729.00

$1,396.95

The best price we've seen is $668 cheaper (around 50% less)

Learn more about
the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Has a silent focus motor

Pentax SDM

None

Focuses quickly and silently

Shorter

136 mm

194 mm

Around 30% shorter

Lighter

0.7 kg

1.1 kg

Around 40% lighter

Slightly better wide angle

50 mm

70 mm

Around 30% better wide angle

Slightly smaller diameter

76 mm

90 mm

Around 20% smaller lens at the end

Learn more about
the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

	Constant aperture lenses
	The same aperture at all focal lengths

	Both are zoom lenses
	Typically not as sharp as prime lenses

Compared to sports lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

Light weight

70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k:	1.1 kg
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM:	0.7 kg

Good wide-angle

70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k:	70 mm
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM:	50 mm

Inexpensive

70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k:	$729.00
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM:	$1,396.95

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

competitors

Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

Wildlife lens

$397

Has a slightly shorter telephoto lens

Has slightly large zoom range

Has a narrower aperture

Has a variable aperture

Compare the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Compare the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Pentax SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

Wildlife lens

$197

Has a narrower aperture

Has a variable aperture

Compare the SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Compare the SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Pentax SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA SDM*

Wildlife lens

$1,397

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Compare the SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Pentax-k

Sports lens

$799

Is longer

Is heavier

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Pentax-k vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Pentax-k vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM

Sports lens

$1,249

Has image stabilization

Is heavier

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Macro lens

$165

Shorter

Better telephoto

Has a variable aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED SWD

Wildlife lens

$1,199

Has a silent focus motor

Shorter

Has a variable aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED SWD vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Nikon-f

Sports lens

$28,999

Much better telephoto

Much more expensive

Much heavier

Compare the 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Nikon-f vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k

Macro lens

$209

Shorter

Better telephoto

Has a variable aperture

Significantly wider aperture

Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Wildlife lens

$247

Image stabilization

Cheaper

Has a variable aperture

Narrower aperture

Compare the Nikkor AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Sports lens

$2,397

Image stabilization

Better telephoto

Longer

Heavier

Compare the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Pentax-k

Sports lens

$749

Slightly cheaper

Slightly better telephoto

Compare the 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM Pentax-k vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Sports lens

$1,899

Image stabilization

Significantly narrower aperture

Longer

Heavier

Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Pentax-k

Sports lens

$269

Is a prime lens

Significantly wider aperture

Auto focus

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 Pentax-k vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Tamron
70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k
vs
Pentax SMC
DA 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM*

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM