smc DA*50-135mm F2.8 test shoot+α

It’d been weeks since I got it, finally I got a chance to try out the lens.

The smc DA*50-135mm is a current model and one of a PENTAX star lenses, even though it is an older model released in 2007. I wondered what kind of images it would produce. I went out to Shinagawa Park to take some test shots.

First, let’s take a look at the bokeh effect of the medium telephoto lens. Aperture F/4, 135mm at the telephoto end, showing the flowers and the back bokeh.

It’s a nice, soft, gradual blur.

F/2.8 63mm

The cotton rose is crisp. The building in the background is elegantly blurred with no hard lines, which is quite good.

I stopped down the lens to f/8 70mm with the powerful back figure of a person taking a walk.

The screen is a bit tighter and has a good sense of depth. Nice.
I’m very pleased with the beautiful green coloring of the three images so far, which is typical of PENTAX.

How about the distant view?
The condominiums around the park are a good place to inspect the image, aside they are not a good subject for a photograph. The focus is on the white roof framework on the right.

It looks like all four corners are captured well, and it doesn’t look like it’s flowing or loose. Good, good, good.

I’ll add a few more photos I took at will.

Good wide open or stopped down. I love the way this lens renders images, and I’m pleased that together with the HD DA*16-50, the two star lenses, old and new, cover the standard to mid-telephoto range with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and dust and splash proofing. We are now ready for anything.

Next, let me give you my impressions on other aspects of the lens besides its performance.

When I was shooting in the park, I was impressed by the fact that the inner focus does not extend the body of the camera. The hood is very large, but it can be reversed when not in use, which is much better than a small hood that is ineffective.

Even though it is an APSC lens, it is quite heavy. It is heavy, but I think I can carry it around with me when I am in the mood.

The drawback is the AF, which is very quiet thanks to the built-in SDM (supersonic motor), but the focusing movement is unexpectedly slow, and it is not uncommon to get lost. I will probably use it together with the latest HD DA*16-50 PLM or HD DA55-300 PLM, but I feel a little stressed when compared to the blazing fast AF of these lenses.

Well, I think it will not be a problem in the case of calmly shooting landscapes.

Well, this was supposed to be the end of my walk for test shooting, but there is one more thing as an added bonus.
On my way home, I took this shot on the main road running between the adjacent Oi Racecourse and the city. Note the upper piers of the Metropolitan Expressway blocking the view overhead.

In this area, the piers are equipped with vibration isolators (or something like that). I see that the piers are made of a soft structure to reduce the transmission of shaking during earthquakes, instead of being hardened to resist shaking and stand firm. If you look closely, you can see that there seems to be a huge damper-like device in the horizontal direction as well.

I have no objection at all, since the safety and durability of the building have been thoroughly verified, but I was surprised because I had a negative image of the building due to the problem of disguises in the construction of condominiums.

I took this photo unexpectedly at an unforeseen time, but it turned out to be one with solid details and confirmed that the smc DA*50-135 has no squeakiness at the telephoto end (laugh).

Equipment used: K-3III, smc DA*50-135mm

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