Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras

by Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 4 x 3.8 inches ; 9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009OAFI4
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 21567
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 11, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for exclusive use with Pentax KAF-mount digital SLR cameras including the *ist D and the *ist DS digital SLRs, the Pentax DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 ED lens offers 4x zoom coverage in the telephoto range. Further, the lens features an angle of view from 31.5 degrees to 8.1 degrees (equivalent in focal length from 76.5mm to 306mm in the 35mm format).

The lens also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens element (11-element/10-group optical construction) and two aspherical lens elements for true-to-life image reproduction and overall size reduction. The image circle in DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in Pentax digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. The new design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

Other features include:

• Compact dimensions with minimal aberrations
• Responsive Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant shift from AF to MF
• Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images
• 52mm filter size
• Weighs 9.2 ounces
• Measures 2.6 x 3.1 inches (diameter x length)

Product Description

Fits Pentax Digital SLR Camera models / Fully Automatic Diaphragm / Compact Size / Includes Lens Hood / Accepts 52mm Filters Metering System - TTL open-aperture metering Minimum Focusing - 3.61 feet Filter Diameter - 52mm Maximum Magnification - 0.24 Maximum Diameter - 2.6 inches (66.5mm) Maximum Length - 3.1 inches (78.5mm) Weight (w/o Hood) - 9.2 oz. (260g) Hood - PH-RBB52 Equivalent focal length to 75mm-300mm in the 35mm format Compact dimensions with minimal aberrations Responsive Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant shift from AF to MF The image circle is designed to match the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

124 of 129 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens for the price, February 8, 2007

By 

James Lin (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras (Electronics)

If you have the 18-55mm kit lens, then you'll find that the 50-200mm feels just about the same. This lens is slightly heavier and slightly longer than the 18-55mm, but still very easy to handle. I uploaded two images to the user gallery above, showing the 18-55mm next to the 50-200mm.

Most people seem to decide between this lens or the Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6, which is similarly priced. After doing a lot of research, I decided on the Pentax 50-200mm because of its compact size and much lighter weight. Although I haven't used the Tamron lens myself, the specifications show that it is longer and twice as heavy as the Pentax.

Another thing to consider is that the Tamron AF70-300mm has a 62mm filter diameter, while the Pentax DA 50-200mm and DA 18-55mm share the same 52mm filter diameter. If you already own the 18-55mm kit lens, you'll be able to use any filters that you already have on the 50-200mm. In my experience, larger filters also cost a bit more, so sticking with 52mm filters would mean cheaper filters that you can also share between lenses.

If you've never used a telephoto lens like this one (and I hadn't), then you'll find that slight movements are really exaggerated when you're fully zoomed in. Also, at 200mm, the widest aperture setting is f5.6 (smaller f-number means a bigger aperture), which is fine if you're outdoors and there's plenty of light, but can make indoor/low light photography a bit difficult. Shake reduction will definitely help, but you'll probably want a tripod if you're shooting at 200mm in low light.

Keep in mind that the Pentax DSLRs like the K100D have a 1.5x focal length multiplier. This means that you need to multiply the specified focal lengths of the lenses by 1.5 to get their 35mm SLR equivalent. On a digital SLR, this lens will give you the equivalent of 75-300mm on a regular 35mm SLR camera.

Overall, this is a great lens for the price.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, small tele-zoom, July 26, 2006

By 

Hiram Grant "just call me Sam" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras (Electronics)

This 50-200 is the best in its class for any Pentax digital SLR. It's very small, light weight, internal focusing, and allows on demand manual focusing. If you haven't purchased your K100D yet, you can probably find this in a two lens kit at a nice little discount.

The "on demand" manual focus (also on the kit 18-55), allows you to instantly teak the focus after the autofocus has locked on the subject. This is very handy, as the camera may pick a person's shoulder rather than eyes on which to focus, etc. A very effecient lens hood is also included.

If you already have one of the digital SLR Pentax cameras, and if size is not critical, you might consider a long focal length lens. Pentax doesn't really have a good option (as of this writing); therefore, I'd recommend the Tamron 70-300 LD Di zoom. It'll give you 50% more range, a 1:2 lifesize close-up mode, and a 6 year USA warranty (vs. 1 year from Pentax). This brand new design features Low-Dispersion glass and is designed to work better than previous designs with digital sensors.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Lens from Pentax, September 20, 2005

By 

Steve Thacker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung DSLR Cameras (Electronics)

I found this lens to be of very high quality. Small, light, and well built. Love the fast focus capabilities and the quick shift focus that takes you to manual from auto with just a twist of the focus ring. Color and contrast are good. Great lens for the price I paid on Amazon. I've had tons of fun with this versatile Pentax lens on my *ist DS. I highly recommend this lens to all digital *ist owners. Thank you Amazon for the great price and next day delivery. Another satisfied Pentax and Amazon customer.