Hi!
I have several 70/80-200/210 zooms in the F/4-5.6 range for autofocus. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses. Some are good at the short end and poor at the long end. Others are just the opposite. The ATX 80-200/2.8 is fantastic but it's large, heavy and manual focus. The F70-210/4-5.6 is good when it wants to be but I get inconsistent results with it, both exposure and image quality wise.
**What is your favorite mid-range zoom?**
Mine is the one that gives you inconsistent results. I find it quite excellent. I had Soligor 70-222/3.5 C/D that was very heavy. Though I don't think Soligor was sharper than Pentax... And it had this sandy bokeh - very odd...
I've seen Jostein's Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX that is huge compared to F70-210...
In fact, me so thinks that in mid-speed 70-200 zoom category you cannot get the lens that has no weaknesses. May be it would be a time for you to move to fast f2.8 glass... Or you can buy some primes in the focal lengths you use most...
Just my pennies.
Boris
