----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Brewer"
Subject: I've got a hole in me arsenal
so I'm looking at either the DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM or the DA
Star 60-250mm F4 ED (IF) SDM and the prices are way different, 500
smackers worth at B&H. Is the 60-250 really that much better, and keep in
mind that linear thought and I rarely collide.
For the difference, I could also get the 21Ltd and a grip for the K-7.
What to do, what to do?
Doug, I didn't have to make the decisions you made, as I already have the
21mm.
I haven't handled the 50-135 all that much. I had a pre production unit on
loan from Pentax Canada (via my pusher) for a while sometime before the lens
was officially released to the world, and that is my only experience with
it.
I thought it was an excellent lens, but also a lens that shared the same
problem that I think 80-200mm lenses have on the 135 format, which is that
they just don't have enough reach for my taste.
I have an 80-200/2.8 lens which is just about the perfect telephoto zoom on
the cropped sensor camera, but for the size, a little more reach would be
nice.
This was why I was so impatient about the 60-250.
The 60-250, I am sure you have handled one, is a pretty chunky lens. Much
bigger, IIRC than the 50-135.
As far as optical quality is concerned, I doubt that there is a great deal
of difference between the 50-135 and the 60-250. Both are fine optics. I
wanted the extra reach, so I chose to wait for the 60-250.
No regrets, it's a terrific optic.
I guess, think back to your film days, did you find that often the 80-200
range of zooms was to be too short to float your boat? If so, then the
60-250 is the answer, no doubt about it. It has plenty of reach.
Having said this, I couldn't live without the vertical grip now for what I
shoot. I've been doing a fair number of model shoots, and in this type of
photography the vertical camera orientation is what I use almost all the
time.
The grip rules.
However, if you spend most of your time shooting landscapes off a tripod,
there is no pressing reason to get the grip, so it comes down to the 21mm
lens.
Do you favour wide angle shots or long telephoto shots more?
Does your photography style allow for stiched images? If so, then you can
use a longer lens most of the time to emulate the 21.
I suspect that for most people, the 50-135 coupled with the DA21 will
probably be the more useful lens combination..
William Robb
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