[deathspared]

Greetings,

I have a K20D, 40mm ltd and sigma 17-70mm.

I am in need of a telephoto lens for the swimming my daughter has started. 70mm just isn't cutting it. My budget is under $500.

I love the 40mm and it is on my camera 90% of the time. I'm less enamored with the 17-70 and am not attached to it. I would consider selling it to get a better zoom lens, but I would probably miss it's wide angle and pseudo zoom.

What would you do?

Thanks,

Zack

[Marc Sabatella]

I'd check out the many existing threads comparing the various inexpensive telephoto lenses out there (DA55-300, DA50-200, Sigma and Tamron 70-300's, etc), then go with the practically unanimous advice you find in those threads: get the DA55-300.

[kevinschoenmakers]

The DA50-200's not bad either and going for really cheap these days, but spend a bit more and you get a lot more with the 55-300.

[Ex Finn.]

55-300, like someone said.

[Ken T]

55-300

[Eagle_Friends]

sell the sigma and get a DA 50-135

[Ash]

You'd be surprised how much reach you'll need for framing swimming shots adequately.
300mm would be required often, so that's why the DA 55-300 is the best option for you.

Optically, this lens performs the best out of all the consumer telezooms available. Any better and you're looking at the 70-200/2.8 varieties with the >$700 price tag.

[Eagle_Friends]

You'd be surprised how much reach you'll need for framing swimming shots adequately.
300mm would be required often, so that's why the DA 55-300 is the best option for you.

Optically, this lens performs the best out of all the consumer telezooms available. Any better and you're looking at the 70-200/2.8 varieties with the >$700 price tag.

The Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 is a steal at that price. wish pentax had something similar in its current line up.

[DogLover]

Have to agree with most everyone else here. For your stated budget, the 55-300 seems like a no-brainer. You'd still have money left over for a good monopod if you don't already have one. That'll greatly help your long shots.

[SpecialK]

The Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 is a steal at that price. wish pentax had something similar in its current line up.

I got the Tamron a month ago. Love it. May be a bit short for swimming shots.

There is a manual focus 500mm f4.5 in the market place for slightly over the OP's budget. I'm not the greatest manual-focuser, but if the swimmer is going across the scene and not to and fro, it might work :-)

[GregK8]

55-300

great choice +1

Of course, if you really like obsessing over a decision like this, as Mark said, there is tons of debate about this.

[habsfanusa]

the DA 55-300 is well within your budget;
The concensus on other threads here has it as a great lens and superb value.
You'll have plenty of change left over.

[habsfanusa]

oops, i also meant to ask you why you are 'less enamored' as you say of the Sig 17 - 70 (I am about to order one) - other than the obvious limited reach of the 70 mm ceiling...
thank you.

[twitch]

I would only get the 55-300 if the lighting in the pool area is very good. If it's poorly lit indoors then you'll struggle with the f5.8 at the long end (although it is f4.5 up to 190mm). The Tamron 70-200 would be a good choice in that case, but it's big and heavy so you might want a monopod if you are going to use it for any length of time.

[GaryH]

I spent 14 years taking pictures of my son's swimming career with a film camera then a P/S and I will tell you that the vast majority of Natatoriums are poorly lit. I used 100 macro f4 a lot and wished for something faster but did not own it at the time. As I look back on it, the ideal lens for most meets would have been the 50-135 that I now own. I agree with some that 300mm would be useful in some instances but if you end up with well composed but dark or blurry photo's , you will be disappointed. I own both the K20 and the KX. I really do not think the combination of the K20 and the 55-300mm would be the best combination due to the poor lighting at the indoor pools. Remember, no flash is allowed. So my recommendation would be the K20d and the 50-135 f2.8 or the Sigma/ Tamron 70-200mm f2.8
If you think the 300mm is really important I would buy the KX with the 55-300mm and make use its high ISO ability. I have spent many weeks of my life at the pool and have often wished for more capable equipment. Now that I have the equipment the swimming career is long over.....