The Pentax SMCP-DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM Lens is a high-quality telephoto lens that is designed for exclusive use with Pentax digital SLR cameras. It offers a focal length that is equivalent (in 35mm format) to 300mm. This wide coverage is ideal for a variety of telephoto applications, including portraiture, sports and scenery.

Pentax DA* (DA-Star) zoom lenses come equipped with the SDM System, which assures smoother, quieter auto-focusing operation by using a built-in supersonic motor. When mounted on the K10D digital SLR camera body, the focus mode is automatically switched to SDM-assisted auto-focusing. When mounted on older Pentax digital SLR camera bodies, the conventional autofocus mode using a camera-mounted motor is selected.

Like all Pentax lenses, this lens is treated with smc coating for maximum light transmission, sharp definition, and high contrast images. In addition, SP (Super Protective) coating made of a special fluoride compound has been applied to the front surface of the lens through the use of a unique evaporation process. As a result, the lens offers excellent water- and oil-repellent performance and makes for easier cleaning should the lens be accidentally smeared with fingerprints or cosmetics.

Note! Not compatible with “full-frame” (35mm size) cameras

Designed for Digital SLRs
The image circle in DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match the 23.5mm x 15.7mm size of the CCD used in Pentax digital SLRs to optimize camera performance. This design also contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications.

DA*-Series
DA*-series lenses feature tightly sealed, weather-resistant and dust-resistant construction that enhance durability for use in rain or dusty conditions.

SP Coating
SP (Super Protective) coating made of a special fluoride compound has been applied to the front surface of the lens to offer excellent water- and oil-repellent performance.

Quick-Shift Focus
Quick-Shift Focus System allows to instantly switch the focus mode from AF to manual with a slight twist of the focus ring.

High Optical Quality
Incorporates Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens elements to compensate for chromatic aberration.

Read more at Pentax

Reviews

Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM – Review / Test Report by photozone.de

The Pentax SMC DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM is a very welcome addition to the Pentax lineup. The performance is generally on a very high level. In terms of resolution and contrast the lens is able to produce very good results straight from the max. aperture setting. The level of distortions is absolutely negligible and vignetting and lateral chromatic aberrations (CAs) are not overly field relevant. The quality of the bokeh (out-of-focus blur) is very decent. However, there are also flaws.

In critical scenes (extreme contrast) the lens shows a rather high amount of purple fringing and longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LoCA), colored out-of-focus halos, are also higher than average. These two issues do probably originate in the rather old base design of the lens dating back to 1993. The mechanical quality of the lens is absolutely exceptional thanks to high quality materials and seals against dust and moisture. The new ultrasonic AF drive (SDM) works like a breeze – it’s both fast and almost silent. All-in-all a quite sound offer although a comparatively expensive one.