Hi All,
I thought i might do a review on this lens for people considering something in this range.
Intro-
This lens is an interesting concept, 50-135mm on APSC is similar to 80-200mm FOV on 35mm and at F2.8 minimun aperature, quite useful.
So where does it fit in and just how good is it ?
Well this is reasonably easy to answer actually, its a portrait lens and one of supreme quality.
Build-
The beautifully made DA* series lenses are somewhere at the top of the tree as far as build quality is concerned. They have weight and physical presence to them as well as being well finished which is a cross between the white metal of Canon's L series and the parkerised matte black of the Sigma.
The DA* series are also water resistant and silent SDM drive.
Here Pentax shines in the lens world. The 50-135 is internally focused and so doesn't change length at any time even when zooming, nor does the rotate when focusing.
Fit and finish is superb and the rubber focus ring is smooth and well dampened. The design allows it to be focused at anytime and does not require any switches or mechanisms to be changed to be able to so.
This is truely well designed.
Image Quality-
Well this is where the lens just get better.
Its hard to say this is Pentax's best lens as I don't own all of them and probably never will and there is the holy grail FA31 limited and the limited range for that matter to consider.
But.. this lens is up there with the best of anything pentax make or have made and should be consided similar and certainly one of the best zooms ever produced.
Colour satuaration is perfect, vignetting and CA's non existant, resolution across the range and the frame is very good to excellent.
Now then there is the bokeh... Stunning and again, one of the best - of any lens.
Pro's & Cons-
+ Bokeh, IQ, low light and speed, fast acurate to focus, silent and perfect for weddings. Short almost macro focusing.
- Bigish lens, heavy if you have to carry all day, big lens hood. Slightly limited Focal length. Price ($1500)
Conclusion -
As far as owning a pentax goes, you are not going to find many better portraits lenses.
The focal length is perfect for 3-10metre portraits, street shooting and seperating subjects from backgrounds. The bokeh is exquisite and rare in zooms and produces no harmful side effects like CA, distortions etc.
It could be longer, say 150-180-200 but it is not as limiting as the price.
Having said all of that, it is worth every cent and I would buy it again.
Sample shots -
Cheers Neil
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