Just recently I managed to get my hands on the DA* 200mm f/2.8 ED telephoto courtesy of the local Pentax agents here. This is a lens that doesn't really get too much attention as many photographers usually favour the focal range versatility of the DA* 50-135 f/2.8 zoom or opt for the longer focal length offered by the DA* 300mm f/4. Being weather and dust resistant, it makes a perfect companion to the weather sealed K20D.
Optically the 200mm delivers sharp and contrasty images straight from the camera. Focusing is a tad faster than the DA* 50-135mm and during my brief encounter with it, I've grown to like it a lot, perhaps even more than the excellent DA* 50-135mm. For many, perhaps the only bugbear of the 50-135mm is the feeling that it could have gone all the way to 200mm.
With a minimum focusing disrance of 1.2m, this is a lens that can deliver a respectable close-up. The lens uses internal focusing, which allows the lens barrel to remain the same length. AF is simply quick and silent.
In terms of what this lens can do, I'm suitably impressed to seriously consider putting this excellent lens on my wish list.
