The smc Pentax F 70-210mm is one of the best in this class. It's variable aperture but only about 2/3 stop slower at the long end but it's 1/3 stop faster at the short end. compared to the M 80-200 f4.6. They can be hard to find but are well worth it IMO. I bought one a few years ago, used, for about $60 US. Reciently their good qualities have become increesingly well known so prices have increesed. I've seen them sell on e-bay for upwards of $300.00. If when one shows up at KEH they usually command about $130-160 US in EX condition. Be sure you're looking at the smc F version, there's a non SMC Pentax/Takumar version that looks superficially like the SMC lens and of course the F and FA that are 70-200mm versions. None have the reputation of the smc F lens.
Samples http://www.mindspring.com/~morephotos/PESO_--_withfurtheregret.html http://home.earthlink.net/~morephotos/PESO_--_watchdog.html http://www.mindspring.com/~happydogsoftware/PESO%20--%20charming.html Ralf R. Radermacher wrote: > Hello all, > > I'm looking for an AF version of my SMC-M 4.5/80-200 mm. Yes, I know > there's no direct AF equivalent of this lens. I'd want something with > the same image quality (I'm actually very fond of this lens). A few mm > more at the far end wouldn't hurt either. > > What about the ubiquitous F and FA xx-200 or xx-300 mm lenses? Any other > suggestions? 3rd party lenses? > > Ralf > > -- Vote for Cthulhu. Why settle for a lesser evil... -- Dr. Jerry Pournelle -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
