The Pentax 200mm f/2.8 is perhaps the most awaited and anticipated lens among the Pentax users. You can get the best price from Amazon
This is the most awaited glass because Pentaxians had to rely on third party brand for quality telephoto zoom lens. They only offered the 55-200mm for a long time and Pentaxians have no choice but to stick to it or buy a third party brand instead.
Thankfully, they would not need to do that again with the release of this 200mm glass.
Both the construction quality and the optical quality look very promising on paper.
Which is why I was very eager to test out this piece of instrument.
Let’s see if this Pentax 200mm matches people’s expecation on my review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Pentax 200mm Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED IF SDM
Focal Length Markings:
200mm
Features:
SMC – Super Multi Coating – Minimizes flare in the glass elements.
DA – Only compatible with cropped sensor DSLR camera.
DA* – Digital High Build Quality – The equivalent of Canon’s L lenses made for cropped sensor DSLR camera.
ED – Extra Low Dispersion Glass – Gives extra sharpness by correcting the light wavelength that travels through the lens.
IF – Internal Focusing – The dimension does not change during focusing.
SDM – Supersonic Drive Motor – Their technology to make the autofocus faster and more silent. However, they are still away compared to their competitor in my opinion.
Full Technical Specs
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 8 / 9 |
| Angle of View | 8.1° |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 46.8in. (1.2m) |
| Filter Thread | 77mm |
| Weight | 29.1oz. (825g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | ø3.3 x 5.3″ (83 x 134mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 0.20X |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Pentax 200mm Sharpness
Center sharpness is great at any aperture. Border sharpness is also great at any aperture, even at f/2.8.
To get maximum sharpness here, shoot at f/5.6.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Great | Great |
Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
Being a telephoto type, distortion is negligible here.
See the distortion grid test below.
Pentax 200mm Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is just slightly visible at f/2.8, the widest aperture. At other aperture above f/2.8, it is not visible.
See the vignetting test result below.
Pentax 200mm Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is very well controlled here. You can ignore it at any aperture.
See the test table result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 200mm | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
This is a professional made instrument from solid metal parts. It has dust and moisture seal. Also, the SP (Super Protect) element has been optimized to repel water, dust and grease.
Focusing
The focusing ring is very smooth. A great feature on this here is the IF (Internal Focusing) mechanism which keeps the dimension constant during focusing.
The autofocusing uses the new SDM (Supersonic Dynamic Motor) which is similar to Canon’s USM or Nikon’s SWD mechanism. This makes the autofocusing mechanism silent and fast. Accuracy is dead on.
You can switch from autofocus to manual focus easily via the Quick Shift system here.
If you are using a pre-SDM SLR or DSLR, this lens features the old drive screw autofocus so you can use it with them with no problem.
Image Stabilization
The Image Stabilization feature is installed in the camera body, not on the lenses. Check your DSLR camera if it has Image Stabilization feature.
Compatibility
The DA designation means that it is only compatible with cropped sensor DSLR. It should not be used with a full frame DSLR or 35mm film SLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample shots that I took using this 200mm lens. Click on any thumbnail to open the image.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
In this section, I will conclude my Pentax 200mm review.
Both the center and border sharpness are great here. Even at f/2.8 (the widest aperture) it is very sharp.
Chromatic aberration and distortion can be considered non-existent here. Vignetting is also extremely well controlled (although slightly visible at f/2.8).
Build quality is superb. It is made of metal and has excellent dust and moisture seal.
Focusing is another great aspect here. It is very fast, silent and accurate.
All those things are well and good.
However, there is one downside on this lens and that is price.
For a cropped sensor DSLR glass, this glass is by no means a cheap one.
It is expensive, but for the quality that you get, it is well worth it.
Drawbacks
- Expensive
- Slightly visible vignetting at f/2.8
Positives
- Great sharpness on the center and borders at any aperture
- Distortion is non-existent
- Negligible chromatic aberration
- Superb build quality with dust and moisture seal
- Fast, silent and accurate autofocus mechanism
Good For
- Portraiture
- Sports photography
- Wildlife photography
Not So Good For
- Walk around lens – it is heavy!
What Others Are Saying…
by “P. Vandalen”
In order to augment my Pentax DA*50-135 f2.8 with more reach, I had been interested in the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 but decided to go with the Pentax DA*200 f2.8 – I really…
Click here to see the full review
by “Gerard Mcevoy”
The Pentax DA* 200MM f/2.8 ED IF SDM Lens was quite an upgrade to my relatively small stock of lens. I shoot different photographic seens most of which are sport events in low light…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Pentax 200mm lens from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
See the related posts below to see more options.
Thank you for reading my Pentax 200mm review and hope you’ll be able to make a good purchasing decision.
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Tags: pentax 200, pentax 200mm, pentax 200mm 2.8, pentax 200mm f2.8, pentax 200mm lens, pentax 200mm macro
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