[pako80]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new lens for my k100d, right now i have the bundle SMC Pentax 18-55mm and i'm looking to buy a telephoto lens to take shots of people from long distances and maybe some nature. I was looking into the Sigma 70-300mm, the Pentax 50-200mm or the Pentax 55-300mm (the later goes a bit beyond budget)

Does anybody have any of these lenses and maybe suggest how they compare?

Thanks in advance
Mario

[hcc]

There have been several threads on the Pentax 50-200mm and 50-300mm. I do not have either (I have a 18-250mm), but the general consensus from Pentaxians on this forums is:
- both Pentax 50-200mm and 50-300mm are excellent;
- the 50-200mm is smaller, lighter, and cheaper; it is prefered by a number of Pentaxians including experienced ones; the review at Photozone.de (http://www.photozone.de/pentax/138-pentax-smc-da-50-200mm-f4-56-ed-review--test-report) is not as positive as at Slrgear.com (http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/317/cat/46);
- the 50-300mm is newer, well-regarded but heavier; positive review at Photozone.de: http://www.photozone.de/pentax/396-pentax_55300_458

I like carry my camera around my neck to be ready to shot whenever I want (eg nature, animals,waves). I understand those who prefer the 50-200mm because it is lighter.

Hope that the comment will help...

[pako80]

Thanks for your help!
What about the Sigma option? i heard a lot of people complaining about the quality of some sigma lenses, do you think its worth paying a bit for a pentax lens?

[KjetilH]

Sigmas reputation is not always deserved, it mainly comes from questionable quality control in the past, as well as focus errors (user error/and or Canon DSLRs, for some reason). Mostly sorted out nowadays, it seems.
Their 70-300 isn't too bad, but my vote would go for the 50-200 (preferring the 20mm extra on the wider end).

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Last edited by KjetilH; 05-11-2010 at 02:33 AM. Reason: Translation, woo. : [

[pako80]

thanks

excuse my questions i'm a bit of a beginner, does it make a big difference to have 100mm less on the telephoto? cause if not, as you said i would prefer to have the extra 20mm on the wideangle

[Class A]

Sigmas reputation is not always deserved, it mainly comes from questionable quality control in the past, as well as focus errors (user error/and or Canon DSLRs, for some reason). Mostly sorted out nowadays, it seems.

+1

I don't know about the Sigma lens (I like Sigma lenses in general but do not know this model) but I haven't seen an image from the Pentax 55-300 which was less than impressive. If you are after IQ, I think it would be worth saving for this lens.

[axl]

Out of those three lenses you mention the DA55-300 is most definitely the best lens.
On the other side, I'd be really tempted to go cheap with DA50-200 and save the rest of the funds for something better....

[Ex Finn.]

In my opinion the extra reach and IQ is worth spending the money for 55-300. It is not much heavier than the 50-200 either.

Cheers, Mike.

[twitch]

Then again, a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 is going to be better than a 55-300 and only another few hundred. But it's 3 times the weight. It never ends....

[SpecialK]

Then again, a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 is going to be better than a 55-300 and only another few hundred. But it's 3 times the weight. It never ends....

That Tamron is $380 more....not sure if that is a "few hundred" :-)

In my side-by-side test (posted sometime ago) the Pentax 50-200 lens was only very slightly sharper and contrastier than the Sigma 70-300 APO (at 200mm). The Sigma improved a lot by bumping the contrast at the long end.

The Pentax 55-300 is significantly better than either above lens. No experience with the Tamron 70-300, though I have seen nice shots with all three lenses.

My Sigma suffered an aperture blade death, and the 50-200 was involved in a lens purchase. I never used either one after getting the 55-300.

(And my Tamron 70-200 2.8 is arriving tomorrow :-)

[Eagle_Friends]

pentax 55-300 is the clear solution