Pentax DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM £745 / $1,445
A prime number for Pentax cameras
SSlightly shorter but stockier than most 70-200mm f/4 zoom lenses, the Pentax prime is also roughly the same weight, at 825g. Even so, that makes it shorter and lighter than the Pentax-fit edition of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, which weighs 1.43kg. It’s one upside of a fixed focal length, along with potentially superior image quality, which we’ll come to later.
Pentax camera bodies tend to have built-in sensor-shift image stabilisation so it’s no surprise that the lens lacks an optical stabiliser. However, we were only able to get an effective benefit of about 2.5 stops in handheld shooting, so Sigma’s decision to include its optical stabiliser in the Pentax-fit version of its 70-200mm is a good choice, although it isn’t compatible with Pentax ist or K100D bodies.
Upmarket build quality includes weather seals and a robust and rugged feel, along with a dirt-resistant coating on the front element. Other attractions in this lens include Extra-low Dispersion glass, internal focusing and ringtype ultrasonic autofocus.
Performance
On a K5 II body, autofocus proved fast, but not quite as rapid as in some competing lenses. It was also more prone to hunting in dull lighting conditions. Sharpness is better than the competing Sigma 70-200mm lens at its 200mm focal length, but the Pentax has more noticeable colour fringing. Distortion is practically non-existent.