Of the series one lenses the Komine lens is the way to go. The Cosina version doesn't have nearly the same reputation. The Pentax lens is actually better than either of the Vivitar lenses, though not as fast. So I guess I would recommend the Pentax over the 4th version of the series one lens. If you don't think you need the A capability and can live with the limitations of a K mount on the *ist-DL then you might look for a the second version of the Series 1. It's about a 1/3rd stop faster. I have one and it's very good. The first version is very good as well but very heavy in comparison.
Matt Kelch wrote: >Hello everyone, My name is Matt and have just recently gotten into >photography with the purchase of a Pentax *ist DL. I've been taking >lots of pictures around town, and having the camera for less than a >month I've taken over 1500 shots. Feel free to check my gallery at >http://vulc4n.com/v/Photo/ > >Now that I have had the camera for a month I have found that I really >need a lens with more reach than the 18-55mm kit lens. I don't have a >lot of money to spend (maybe around 100.00) Basically, I want something >thats reasonably fast (at least f4), is decent optically (something on >par with my 18-55 Pentax kit lens), and a zoom range somewhere within >the area of 50-220 mm. I have been doing a good bit of research and >have more or less settled on a few lenses. I have been successful i >finding two of them, but the third has proven rather hard to find. > >Here is my lens list: >1. Vivitar Series One 70-210mm f/2.8-4.0 (v3 made by Komine) [with A >appature mode] >2. Pentax SMC A 70-210mm f.4.0 >3. Vivitar Series One 70-210mm f/2.8-4.0 (v4 made by Cosina) > >The last two lenses are relatively easy to come by, as is the first >without the A appature mode [can it be found with the A appature >mode?]. The question is, if the first cannot be found, which of them is >going to perform better? The primary use for the lens other than >shooting random stuff around town will be taking pictures at sporting >events. So, lots of use for high speed action in relatively bad >lighting. This makes me think that the Cosina made 70-210mm might be >the right way to go if the Komine made lens cannot be found. Has anyone >compared the Pentax lens to the Cosina lens? I'm curious how much worse >the Cosina lens is optically. For that matter, how much worse is the >Cosina than the Komine? > >Also, if anyone has another lens that fits the bill please let me know. >I'm a noob and know next to nothing about pentax lenses. > >Thanks, >Matt > > > -- Things should be made as simple as possible -- but no simpler. --Albert Einstein -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
