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**mgvh** · 09-01-2015, 08:41 AM

I have a DAL 55-300. It's been a great lens that I got some time ago as part of my K-x kit. If I wanted to upgrade my quality at the long end, and money were no object, I'd get the DA* 300 or the DA 60-250. By all accounts those are outstanding lenses. But, since I don't use the long end that much, and money is an object, I was poking around for a cheaper option. I first tried a very nice M 200 f4 figuring a prime would get me better quality. I found that the M 200 really only was as good as the DAL 55-300 at 200mm and when upsizing to match images at 300mm, the 55-300 was much better.
So, I found an inexpensive but well-regarded Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm lens. At 210mm, this can deliver pictures as good as or better than the DAL 55-300 at the same focal length. Upsizing to match at 300mm renders similar quality. I do have a higher success rate with the autofocus of the DAL as compared to my manual focus skills on the Vivitar, especially with action shots.
So (and I'm finally getting to my question), does anyone have a comparison between the DA/DAL 55-300 and one of the earlier Takumar F/Pentax F (FA) 70-210 (80-200; 70-200) autofocus lenses? These often show up in the right price range ($50-75 or less). Any other suggestions? Or is the improvement so minimal that I should wait and save up for a really good lens? Thanks!

**jatrax** · 09-01-2015, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by mgvh

comparison between the DA/DAL 55-300 and one of the earlier Takumar F/Pentax F (FA) 70-210 (80-200; 70-200) autofocus lenses? These often show up in the right price range ($50-75 or less). Any other suggestions? Or is the improvement so minimal that I should wait and save up for a really good lens? Thanks!

I have and use the Pentax-F 70-210. I would say it is a good lens but not necessarily any better than the 55-300. It does seem to lock focus quicker and for some applications that is an advantage. But then I usually only had trouble with the 55-300 in low light and 300mm so maybe the difference is not so much. The rendering is different and you might like (or not) the 70-210 better.

Bottom line, the 55-300 is as good as you get in that price range. You can try a lot of other lenses but will not see any appreciable difference without going up market to DA* glass.

**boriscleto** · 09-01-2015, 08:53 AM

If you want an improvement over the 55-300 you are going to have to pony up some money. That's just the way it is.

timb64 · 09-01-2015, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

If you want an improvement over the 55-300 you are going to have to pony up some money. That's just the way it is.

Some things'll never change!

Oldbayrunner · 09-01-2015, 09:21 AM

Two differences between the Dal and Da is the lens coating and quick shift focus, which is a great feature. I changed all of my Pentax lenses to one's with this feature.

timb64 · 09-01-2015, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Oldbayrunner

Two differences between the Dal and Da is the lens coating and quick shift focus, which is a great feature. I changed all of my Pentax lenses to one's with this feature.

Quick shift focus and TaV mode are two of the greatest features of the Pentax system.

**mgvh** · 09-01-2015, 09:48 AM

Thanks all... so, pretty much as I suspected. Minimal improvement. Upgrading to the new DA would give me WR and the quick shift, but I can forego those for now.
The only reason then to get one of the older 70-210s is that they would be full-frame compatible, but that's a distant reason for me.
The DAL 55-300 is a competent lens for now.
Thanks again.

bdery · 09-01-2015, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by mgvh

So, I found an inexpensive but well-regarded Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm

that's the only solution that comes to mind. Mainly because the Vivitar is faster than the 55-300, because IQ-wise, even though the Vivitar is great, it does have strong chromatic aberration.

Originally posted by jatrax

Bottom line, the 55-300 is as good as you get in that price range.

True. a real upgrade to the 55-300 is the 60-250. Which is worth every penny.

cali92rs · 09-01-2015, 10:27 AM - **1 Like**

You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm.
It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself.

starbase218 · 09-01-2015, 11:52 AM

Originally posted by timb64

Some things'll never change!

Bruce Hornsby fan?

Originally posted by cali92rs

You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm.
It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself.

I'd even go as far as saying that if you want to use the lens for tracking, you shouldn't upgrade to the 60-250. The 55-300 may not be a speed demon, but when it comes to this aspect, you don't know what you got till it's gone. (Joni Mitchell

)

What I'd love is the new Tamron 70-300 USD for Pentax. But that doesn't exist, which leaves not a lot of options open actually.

**kiwi_jono** · 09-01-2015, 12:44 PM

Originally posted by cali92rs

You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm.
It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself.

I agree the Tamron is worth a look. Although it does not go to 300, its really sharp (mines particularly good 100 - 200) which at least gives you some cropping potential or potential to work well with a good 1.4X adaptor.
You might find one second hand. I don't find mine to be slow focussing and, while I have not tried to measure it, it seems faster than my DAL 55 - 300. I like the results from mine.

On the flip side, it is big, somewhat heavy (but appropriate for its size), AF on many copies does not work in LV (including mine), its not WR and it will probably cost more than you probably want to spend

DeadJohn · 09-01-2015, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by mgvh

...The only reason then to get one of the older 70-210s is that they would be full-frame compatible, but that's a distant reason for me...

Keep in mind that the 55-300 on APS-C has the same field of view as an 80-450mm on FF. The 70-210 is only moderately long on FF.

The 55-300 is a great value for Pentaxians. Good image quality, very compact, and inexpensive. If you want better image results you have to sacrifice size and cost. The 60-250 and DA* 300 are both upgrades, and reasonably priced with current sale prices between $900-$1000. The DA* 300 is FF capable, too.

timb64 · 09-01-2015, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by starbase218

Bruce Hornsby fan?

I'd even go as far as saying that if you want to use the lens for tracking, you shouldn't upgrade to the 60-250. The 55-300 may not be a speed demon, but when it comes to this aspect, you don't know what you got till it's gone. (Joni Mitchell

)

What I'd love is the new Tamron 70-300 USD for Pentax. But that doesn't exist, which leaves not a lot of options open actually.

The OP's problem is you can't always get what you want

GeneV · 09-01-2015, 02:23 PM

I had to go to the DA*300 to really improve on the 55-300. Everything else was a small incremental improvement which did not justify the cost.

cali92rs · 09-01-2015, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I had to go to the DA*300 to really improve on the 55-300. Everything else was a small incremental improvement which did not justify the cost.

Just curious, have you tried the 60-250mm?
I personally thought it was a fairly substantial increase in IQ.

09-01-2015, 08:41 AM	#1
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,033	Upgrading from a DAL 55-300? I have a DAL 55-300. It's been a great lens that I got some time ago as part of my K-x kit. If I wanted to upgrade my quality at the long end, and money were no object, I'd get the DA* 300 or the DA 60-250. By all accounts those are outstanding lenses. But, since I don't use the long end that much, and money is an object, I was poking around for a cheaper option. I first tried a very nice M 200 f4 figuring a prime would get me better quality. I found that the M 200 really only was as good as the DAL 55-300 at 200mm and when upsizing to match images at 300mm, the 55-300 was much better. So, I found an inexpensive but well-regarded Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm lens. At 210mm, this can deliver pictures as good as or better than the DAL 55-300 at the same focal length. Upsizing to match at 300mm renders similar quality. I do have a higher success rate with the autofocus of the DAL as compared to my manual focus skills on the Vivitar, especially with action shots. So (and I'm finally getting to my question), does anyone have a comparison between the DA/DAL 55-300 and one of the earlier Takumar F/Pentax F (FA) 70-210 (80-200; 70-200) autofocus lenses? These often show up in the right price range ($50-75 or less). Any other suggestions? Or is the improvement so minimal that I should wait and save up for a really good lens? Thanks!

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09-01-2015, 08:50 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by mgvh comparison between the DA/DAL 55-300 and one of the earlier Takumar F/Pentax F (FA) 70-210 (80-200; 70-200) autofocus lenses? These often show up in the right price range ($50-75 or less). Any other suggestions? Or is the improvement so minimal that I should wait and save up for a really good lens? Thanks! I have and use the Pentax-F 70-210. I would say it is a good lens but not necessarily any better than the 55-300. It does seem to lock focus quicker and for some applications that is an advantage. But then I usually only had trouble with the 55-300 in low light and 300mm so maybe the difference is not so much. The rendering is different and you might like (or not) the 70-210 better. Bottom line, the 55-300 is as good as you get in that price range. You can try a lot of other lenses but will not see any appreciable difference without going up market to DA* glass.

09-01-2015, 08:53 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	If you want an improvement over the 55-300 you are going to have to pony up some money. That's just the way it is.

09-01-2015, 09:03 AM	#4
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by boriscleto If you want an improvement over the 55-300 you are going to have to pony up some money. That's just the way it is. Some things'll never change!

09-01-2015, 09:21 AM	#5
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Two differences between the Dal and Da is the lens coating and quick shift focus, which is a great feature. I changed all of my Pentax lenses to one's with this feature.

09-01-2015, 09:29 AM	#6
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by Oldbayrunner Two differences between the Dal and Da is the lens coating and quick shift focus, which is a great feature. I changed all of my Pentax lenses to one's with this feature. Quick shift focus and TaV mode are two of the greatest features of the Pentax system.

09-01-2015, 09:48 AM	#7
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,033 Original Poster	Thanks all... so, pretty much as I suspected. Minimal improvement. Upgrading to the new DA would give me WR and the quick shift, but I can forego those for now. The only reason then to get one of the older 70-210s is that they would be full-frame compatible, but that's a distant reason for me. The DAL 55-300 is a competent lens for now. Thanks again.

09-01-2015, 10:13 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by mgvh So, I found an inexpensive but well-regarded Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm that's the only solution that comes to mind. Mainly because the Vivitar is faster than the 55-300, because IQ-wise, even though the Vivitar is great, it does have strong chromatic aberration. Originally posted by jatrax Bottom line, the 55-300 is as good as you get in that price range. True. a real upgrade to the 55-300 is the 60-250. Which is worth every penny.

09-01-2015, 10:27 AM - 1 Like	#9
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm. It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself.

09-01-2015, 11:52 AM	#10
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Originally posted by timb64 Some things'll never change! Bruce Hornsby fan? Originally posted by cali92rs You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm. It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself. I'd even go as far as saying that if you want to use the lens for tracking, you shouldn't upgrade to the 60-250. The 55-300 may not be a speed demon, but when it comes to this aspect, you don't know what you got till it's gone. (Joni Mitchell ) What I'd love is the new Tamron 70-300 USD for Pentax. But that doesn't exist, which leaves not a lot of options open actually.

09-01-2015, 12:44 PM	#11
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Originally posted by cali92rs You could also get a used Tamron 70-200 f2.8. It is a pretty big step up optically from the 55-300mm. It is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper than the 60-250mm. The downside of the 70-200mm is that it is a lot bigger than the 55-300mm (it is about the same size as the 60-250mm). It is also pretty slow focusing. But then again, the 60-250mm is no speed demon itself. I agree the Tamron is worth a look. Although it does not go to 300, its really sharp (mines particularly good 100 - 200) which at least gives you some cropping potential or potential to work well with a good 1.4X adaptor. You might find one second hand. I don't find mine to be slow focussing and, while I have not tried to measure it, it seems faster than my DAL 55 - 300. I like the results from mine. On the flip side, it is big, somewhat heavy (but appropriate for its size), AF on many copies does not work in LV (including mine), its not WR and it will probably cost more than you probably want to spend

09-01-2015, 01:31 PM	#12
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by mgvh ...The only reason then to get one of the older 70-210s is that they would be full-frame compatible, but that's a distant reason for me... Keep in mind that the 55-300 on APS-C has the same field of view as an 80-450mm on FF. The 70-210 is only moderately long on FF. The 55-300 is a great value for Pentaxians. Good image quality, very compact, and inexpensive. If you want better image results you have to sacrifice size and cost. The 60-250 and DA* 300 are both upgrades, and reasonably priced with current sale prices between $900-$1000. The DA* 300 is FF capable, too.

09-01-2015, 01:36 PM	#13
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Originally posted by starbase218 Bruce Hornsby fan? I'd even go as far as saying that if you want to use the lens for tracking, you shouldn't upgrade to the 60-250. The 55-300 may not be a speed demon, but when it comes to this aspect, you don't know what you got till it's gone. (Joni Mitchell ) What I'd love is the new Tamron 70-300 USD for Pentax. But that doesn't exist, which leaves not a lot of options open actually. The OP's problem is you can't always get what you want

09-01-2015, 02:23 PM	#14
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I had to go to the DA*300 to really improve on the 55-300. Everything else was a small incremental improvement which did not justify the cost.

09-01-2015, 02:51 PM	#15
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by GeneV I had to go to the DA*300 to really improve on the 55-300. Everything else was a small incremental improvement which did not justify the cost. Just curious, have you tried the 60-250mm? I personally thought it was a fairly substantial increase in IQ.

Upgrading from a DAL 55-300?

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