From: lannert@uni-duesseldorf.de (Detlef Lannert)
Subject: Pentax A* 200/2.8 ED - SUMMARY
Keywords: Pentax, lenses, A mount, availability, quality, survey
Organization: Universitaetsrechenzentrum, Heinrich-Heine-Universitaet Duesseldorf
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 08:20:02 GMT

Here is the summary to my request concerning Pentax 200mm lenses.
Many thanks to all who responded:-
      rbhank@wsl.dec.com (Ron Bhanukitsiri)
      paf@test00.inescn.pt (Paulo Alexandre Duarte Ferreira)
      Jeff Hintzman <hintzman@hpljah.hpl.hp.com>
      dp10@mc4adm.UWaterloo.ca (Derek Kirkland)
      scd@ixhawk.att.com (Steven C Dittmann)
 
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A* 200mm/2.8 ED:
 
Ron> I think you can still mail-order the 200mm f/2.8 from Smile Photo (see
Ron> Popular Photography ads), but it will cost you BIG $$$.
 
Jeff> I frequent camera stores and camera swap
Jeff> meets, always looking for Pentax stuff.  I have seen a lot of Pentax
Jeff> lenses, including a 1000mm (!) Pentax lens, but I have never seen the
Jeff> 200/2.8.  So I conclude that it must be rather rare.
 
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A (or M) 200mm/4.0:
 
Jeff> I recently picked up the Pentax A 200/f4.0 to replace my old screw-mount
Jeff> 200mm Takumar I had been using with a screw-mount adapter (no flames, 
Jeff> please!)  The 200mm f/4.0 is a nice lens, sharp, reasonably sized,
Jeff> and has the "look and feel" of a Pentax A lens.
Jeff> The 200/4.0 can be had quite inexpensively on the used market
Jeff> (I paid $125 US for mine and it is in mint condition.)
 
Derek> The 200 mm f4 is an old lens but is good quality, VERY light and cheap.
Derek> The minimum focus is 6 ft. They are easy to find used.
Derek> I have the old 200 mm f4 and will be getting a 200 f4 ED Macro.
 
Steve> You also asked about the 200 F4 SMC Pentax M (non-macro version)
Steve> which I do have, and like.  Small, lightweight, and sharp.
 
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A* 200mm/4.0 Macro:
 
Derek> The 200 mm f4 MACRO is an ED lens that is still available in the A series.
Derek> It goes to full life size with a minimum focusing distance of 1.8 ft.
Derek> This lens is expensive - about $1400 Canadian.
Derek> It has a built in tripod mount.
Derek>  
Derek> Pentax did say that the 200 mm f4 ED macro (1x magnification) is still 
Derek> available in Canada, but they would not guarantee for how long.
 
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200mm/2.5:
 
Derek> I also have a 200 mm f2.5 lens which came before the 200 mm f2.8 ED.
Derek> It is a very good lens but is heavy. I picked it up used for half
Derek> the price of a used 200 mm f2.8 ED. I would prefer the ED version
Derek> if I had the spare cash.
 
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200mm/2.0:
 
Steve> Pentax also used to make a 200 F2.
Steve> I never saw one though.
 
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New 200mm/2.8 IF ED:
 
Derek> From memory: Pentax told me that the new 200 mm f2.8 if-ed is 800 grams,
Derek> has a minimum focus of 1.3 metres, magnification of .2x at minimum focus,
Derek> has a separate lens hood. It does not mention a built in tripod mount so
Derek> I assume it does not have one, which is a pity. I am not sure at this 
Derek> point if the lens is built of metal like the 300 mm f4.5 if-ed or is one
Derek> of the new plastic types.
 
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Other Pentax telephoto lenses 200mm +/-:
 
Derek> [The 300mm f4.5 IF ED] is both manual and autofocus
Derek> depending on where you set a ring. It is all metal, very well made with a
Derek> heavy tripod mount. Optical quality is superb. I highly recommend it as
Derek> I use it a lot for wildlife.
Derek> Do not get a 70-210 mm autofocus lens. At f5.6 it is too slow and the lens
Derek> has too much plastic.
Derek> If you like macro lenses, find a used A series 100 mm f2.8 lens. It is
Derek> one of the best lenses I have ever had.
 
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Again, many thanks for all contributions. I think I'll go and look for
a used 200/4.0 which might be good value for money and seems to be
offered frequently.
 
BTW, several replies suggest that I'm not the only one who dislikes
(and distrusts) the new plastic F lenses and mourns the M/A lenses.
I'm afraid we can't change the present market situation but there's
at least a comforting feeling of solidarity ;-)
 
--
Detlef Lannert      DC3EK      E-Mail: tsos@rz.uni-duesseldorf.de
"Ab morgen wird gearbeitet."
Newsgroups: rec.photo