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08-29-2014, 07:11 AM   #1
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Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro - Is it any good?

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Hey there, I'm new to Pentax, having just purchased a second hand K-5 which came with an 18-135 WR. I used to have a Canon with a Sigma 70-300mm and more recently a Sigma 18-250. I really liked the all-in-one 18-250 kit, but it can't compare with the 18-135 in terms of contrast and color. I DO want more reach though, and I like the idea of the incredible focal length range of 28-300 on a zoom lens. Does anyone have any experience with this Tamron lens? I'm sure there must be some compromises, but what are they?

Thanks!

08-29-2014, 07:25 AM   #2
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Apart from worse image quality, one of the compromises is field of view. There's a very big difference between 18mm and 28mm. Perhaps a Sigma 18-250mm or Pentax 18-270mm would be more up your alley, but the IQ compromise will be there no matter what.

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08-29-2014, 07:25 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by 12345 Quote
Hey there, I'm new to Pentax, having just purchased a second hand K-5 which came with an 18-135 WR. I used to have a Canon with a Sigma 70-300mm and more recently a Sigma 18-250. I really liked the all-in-one 18-250 kit, but it can't compare with the 18-135 in terms of contrast and color. I DO want more reach though, and I like the idea of the incredible focal length range of 28-300 on a zoom lens. Does anyone have any experience with this Tamron lens? I'm sure there must be some compromises, but what are they?

Thanks!
It is okay when stopped down to f/8, but you will get some annoying purple fringing and flare. It will not be as good as other lenses. I would suggest getting the 55-300HD WR instead. It should give you better results and compliment your 18-135 well.

I used to haev it and sold both it and the Sigma 28-300 too.
08-29-2014, 08:11 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
Apart from worse image quality, one of the compromises is field of view. There's a very big difference between 18mm and 28mm. Perhaps a Sigma 18-250mm or Pentax 18-270mm would be more up your alley, but the IQ compromise will be there no matter what.
Yes, I realize the FOV loss, and I expected it. I have a good wide-angle lens, I'm just looking for a cheapish zoom with as much range as possible. I see that the Tamron 28-300 has gone for as low as $125 here on the marketplace, so the price I found isn't the greatest at $195.

08-29-2014, 08:42 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by 12345 Quote
Yes, I realize the FOV loss, and I expected it. I have a good wide-angle lens, I'm just looking for a cheapish zoom with as much range as possible. I see that the Tamron 28-300 has gone for as low as $125 here on the marketplace, so the price I found isn't the greatest at $195.
Pretty sure the 10mm difference at the wide end is more *actual* range than the 30-50mm at the tele end. 250-270-300 is 6.2 degrees vs 5.7 vs 5.2 degrees. 18-28 is 73.7 vs 51.5 degrees

So and 18-250 would get you from 73.7 to 6.2 degrees; a 28-300 would get you 51.5 to 5.2 degrees, and an 18-270, 73.7 to 5.7 degrees.

A 28-300 lens is intended as a full-frame version of an 18-200.

---------- Post added 08-29-14 at 11:50 AM ----------

Question, though: Have you actually *used* telephotos in the 200-300 range? There's not really all that much difference between 250 and 300. You can simulate the difference right on Tamron's website if you need more visual on what the difference actually translates to.

Focal length comparison tool, Tamron USA

It's too bad these super zooms aren't 5.6 at the top end... if they were, you could always pack a 1.4x teleconverter and extend reach that way if you needed to. I don't think it'll autofocus with 6.3 though. Could be wrong. Dunno.
08-29-2014, 09:14 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by narual Quote


---------- Post added 08-29-14 at 11:50 AM ----------

Question, though: Have you actually *used* telephotos in the 200-300 range? There's not really all that much difference between 250 and 300. You can simulate the difference right on Tamron's website if you need more visual on what the difference actually translates to.

Focal length comparison tool, Tamron USA

It's too bad these super zooms aren't 5.6 at the top end... if they were, you could always pack a 1.4x teleconverter and extend reach that way if you needed to. I don't think it'll autofocus with 6.3 though. Could be wrong. Dunno.
Yes, I have used a Sigma 70-300 and also the Sigma 18-250. The difference between the two at the long end, as you say, is negligible. My point is, I'm not needing an all-in-one lens, I need a telephoto lens! I was just wanting a zoom with as much range as possible, which is purely for convenience's sake. I used to only have an 18-55 and the 70-300, so even if I only get a 70-300 to go with my 18-135, I'll be happy.

I guess my question boils down to: What is the cheapest "high quality" (...) - 300mm lens for a K-5? My main concern is IQ, I know superzooms are sort of weak on the autofocus/build quality side, so I don't expect miracles from them.
08-29-2014, 10:45 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by 12345 Quote
Yes, I have used a Sigma 70-300 and also the Sigma 18-250. The difference between the two at the long end, as you say, is negligible. My point is, I'm not needing an all-in-one lens, I need a telephoto lens! I was just wanting a zoom with as much range as possible, which is purely for convenience's sake. I used to only have an 18-55 and the 70-300, so even if I only get a 70-300 to go with my 18-135, I'll be happy.

I guess my question boils down to: What is the cheapest "high quality" (...) - 300mm lens for a K-5? My main concern is IQ, I know superzooms are sort of weak on the autofocus/build quality side, so I don't expect miracles from them.
Any of the DA 55-300 lenses will be your best bet then. The cheapest being the DA L version that will sometimes go under 200 dollars here.

08-29-2014, 11:39 AM   #8
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Ok, thanks! I'll have to keep an eye out on the marketplace then! I see there's a nearly new one for $350, but that's quite a bit over my budget... Are there any others around the $150-200 range?
08-29-2014, 01:23 PM   #9
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The Sigma and Tamron ones are decent if stopped down to f/8 -f/11, but they have purple fringing on high contrast surfaces.
08-29-2014, 05:19 PM   #10
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+1 for the Pentax 55-300. The DA-L version is amazing value. If you search on eBay you will find a number for about $US150-160 + postage.

I have this and a Tamron 18-250. The 55-300 is about a stop faster across the range and quite a bit better at the long end.
08-29-2014, 05:45 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Des Quote
If you search on eBay you will find a number for about $US150-160 + postage.
Where did you find them on ebay? I did a search myself, and I didn't see any in that price range!
08-29-2014, 06:24 PM   #12
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Well if that's what you're looking for, you'll get much better quality from a zoom that's not intended to be an all-in-one.
Here's a DA L 55-300 for $208. Same optics as the much more expensive model, just missing some extra stuff
https://www.keh.com/352642/pentax-55-300mm-f-4-5-8-smc-dal-ed-k-mount-autofo...ensor-dslrs-58

Also a 100-300 for $89. It seems to have pretty good reviews: SMC Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.7-5.8 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
https://www.keh.com/241239/pentax-100-300mm-f-4-7-5-8-smc-fa-silver-k-mount-autofocus-lens-58

There are some other telephoto zooms on KEH but they're not terribly well-rated (aside from the 60-250 which is well outside the price range you seem to be going for)

---------- Post added 08-29-14 at 09:29 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by 12345 Quote
Where did you find them on ebay? I did a search myself, and I didn't see any in that price range!
pentax 55-300 | eBay

There's one that's US, buy it now at 159 and taking best offer, so you could lowball it a bit, and has free shipping. It even has the hood, which doesn't actually come with the DAL version on its own, so that's an excellent deal.
08-29-2014, 06:42 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by 12345 Quote
Where did you find them on ebay? I did a search myself, and I didn't see any in that price range!
pentax 55-300 | eBay
Includes worldwide. Several in Japan, as well as the one in the US for $159 + postage that narual mentioned.

Always a risk on eBay of course (although the Japanese retailers seem pretty reliable). If you can wait a little, one is sure to pop up in the PF marketplace.

As narual said, the DA-L version doesn't come with a hood, but you can get one for about $5 on eBay.
08-30-2014, 06:02 AM   #14
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Is that the one for $159 you are referring to? According to the product description "Internal elements exhibits some light hazing." I don't think think I want something like that do I?

Pentax DAL 55 300mm F4 5 8 SMC Ed Lens 55 300 4 5 8 385 | eBay
08-30-2014, 06:34 AM   #15
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Your call. Probably won't matter. That stuff seems to affect wide angles more, I think. They do allow returns and they're highly rated.

I'd go with keh before the Japanese ebay sellers. With shipping it's about the same I think, and if you return it, it's cheaper and faster to mail stuff to Atlanta than Tokyo.

---------- Post added 08-30-14 at 09:36 AM ----------

And man! I wish I could get a replacement hood for my 16-50 got $5 on ebay. Last I looked it was over$50.
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