Long Zoom lens question

HoBykoYan · 06-27-2010, 08:36 PM

Dear All,

Which of the three lenses has the best IQ? I think price is not an issue and have read the database. What i am after now is the best among these lenses.

Sigma 70-210mm f4-5.6 UCII 30usd
Tamron 80-210mm f4-5.6 40usd
Tokina SD 70-210 f4.5.6 (manual) 25usd

Thanks in advance

kytra · 06-27-2010, 10:28 PM

Do yourself a favor and get an AF longer zoom, and the best price/performance IMO is the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro (1:2) (around USD 200)

The non APO from sigma are not very good from what I've read (more CAs)
Dunno about the Tammy and Tokina but IMO the longer reach, macro and AF of The Sigma 70-300mm are very good value for the extra 150 USD. One sign for me that it is a good lens is that you seldomly see it going up for sale, that means people are holding on to it.

Edited after seeing Adam's post: you have also the Pentax 55-300 which is a very good lens for the money (around USD 250) and the Tamron 75-300 (around 200) which is slightly inferior to the Sigma from what I've read. Look-up that link

If you go cheaper you'll regret 2-3 months later. My 2 cents.

Adam · 06-27-2010, 11:34 PM

You can check reviews of these lenses here: PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Lens Listings

I agree though- those lenses are pretty bad compared to slightly more expensive alternatives

snostorm · 06-28-2010, 01:32 AM

Hi HoBykoYan,

Of these three, I have only had experience with the Tokina, and I wouldn't recommend it. The positives are that this is a very compact lens, built like a little tank, but the IQ is nothing to write home about, IMO. IIRC, neither of the others is noteworthy from an optical standpoint.

Significantly larger and heavier, but worlds sharper throughout the FL range is the Pentax A 70-210 f4 MF lens. It's usually available for under $100 used, and they are commonly offered. I have one and won't part with this lens.

In AF lenses, the Pentax F 70-210 f4-5.6 is considered one of the best consumer zooms in this range (I had one, but the zoom helicoid broke, so it became a pretty heavy 70 f4), figure somewhere in the $100-140 range. It's heavier and larger than the DA 50-200 f4-5.6 (probably $150-200) which seems to be a bit more variable depending on the particular example, but the good ones are very good, and it's very small and light. I own this lens, and though I have two different Pro grade 80-200 f2.8 lenses, the DA 50-200 gets the call quite a bit of the time because of the tiny size and light weight.

Scott

HoBykoYan · 06-29-2010, 10:36 PM

Thanks Kytra, will try the IQ of that Sigma lens as well as i already found a seller.

HoBykoYan · 06-29-2010, 10:39 PM

Thanks Adam, after reading your posts (3 of you and thanks again) i am now looking for other alternatives. Hopefully i can find a very sharp lens, doesn't matter if it's a manual as long as its sharp...

HoBykoYan · 06-29-2010, 10:43 PM

Thanks also Snostorm,

I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens...

Right now i have the F 35-105mm and i want a longer zoom with sharper IQ than this lens. Can anyone recommend?

paulelescoces · 06-30-2010, 12:28 AM

I would highly recommend the 55-300, i am just back from Safari and from the first look at the photos looks very sharp (used a lot at 300mm)

SpecialK · 06-30-2010, 12:43 AM

Pretty much everyone, including me, seems to agree the Pentax 55-300 is the best bang for under $350.

Had a Pentax 50-200 and Sigma 70-300 APO. The Pentax 50-200 was only slightly sharper and contrastier, but neither was close the the 55-300 IQ.

The Tamron 70-300 gets compared a lot to the first two, but has a lot of comments about PF.

Oh, my Sigma had-an aperture-blade death after 18 months :-(

Marc Sabatella · 06-30-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by HoBykoYan

I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens...

Why on earth not? I can't imagine why you'd even be considering the other options you mention over this one. Why give up IQ, focal length range, speed, AF, usability, and SR effectiveness - and possibly increase the weight - just to save money if you say price isn't a concern, and the 55-300 can hardly be called expensive in the first place?

alohadave · 06-30-2010, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by HoBykoYan

I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens...

What don't you feel right about?

06-27-2010, 08:36 PM	#1
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271	Long Zoom lens question Dear All, Which of the three lenses has the best IQ? I think price is not an issue and have read the database. What i am after now is the best among these lenses. Sigma 70-210mm f4-5.6 UCII 30usd Tamron 80-210mm f4-5.6 40usd Tokina SD 70-210 f4.5.6 (manual) 25usd Thanks in advance

06-27-2010, 10:28 PM	#2
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Do yourself a favor and get an AF longer zoom, and the best price/performance IMO is the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro (1:2) (around USD 200) The non APO from sigma are not very good from what I've read (more CAs) Dunno about the Tammy and Tokina but IMO the longer reach, macro and AF of The Sigma 70-300mm are very good value for the extra 150 USD. One sign for me that it is a good lens is that you seldomly see it going up for sale, that means people are holding on to it. Edited after seeing Adam's post: you have also the Pentax 55-300 which is a very good lens for the money (around USD 250) and the Tamron 75-300 (around 200) which is slightly inferior to the Sigma from what I've read. Look-up that link If you go cheaper you'll regret 2-3 months later. My 2 cents. Last edited by kytra; 06-27-2010 at 11:44 PM.

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06-27-2010, 11:34 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	You can check reviews of these lenses here: PentaxForums.com Third-Party Lens Review Database - Lens Listings I agree though- those lenses are pretty bad compared to slightly more expensive alternatives

06-28-2010, 01:32 AM	#4
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Hi HoBykoYan, Of these three, I have only had experience with the Tokina, and I wouldn't recommend it. The positives are that this is a very compact lens, built like a little tank, but the IQ is nothing to write home about, IMO. IIRC, neither of the others is noteworthy from an optical standpoint. Significantly larger and heavier, but worlds sharper throughout the FL range is the Pentax A 70-210 f4 MF lens. It's usually available for under $100 used, and they are commonly offered. I have one and won't part with this lens. In AF lenses, the Pentax F 70-210 f4-5.6 is considered one of the best consumer zooms in this range (I had one, but the zoom helicoid broke, so it became a pretty heavy 70 f4), figure somewhere in the $100-140 range. It's heavier and larger than the DA 50-200 f4-5.6 (probably $150-200) which seems to be a bit more variable depending on the particular example, but the good ones are very good, and it's very small and light. I own this lens, and though I have two different Pro grade 80-200 f2.8 lenses, the DA 50-200 gets the call quite a bit of the time because of the tiny size and light weight. Scott

06-29-2010, 10:36 PM	#5
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271 Original Poster	Thanks Kytra, will try the IQ of that Sigma lens as well as i already found a seller.

06-29-2010, 10:39 PM	#6
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271 Original Poster	Thanks Adam, after reading your posts (3 of you and thanks again) i am now looking for other alternatives. Hopefully i can find a very sharp lens, doesn't matter if it's a manual as long as its sharp...

06-29-2010, 10:43 PM	#7
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271 Original Poster	Thanks also Snostorm, I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens... Right now i have the F 35-105mm and i want a longer zoom with sharper IQ than this lens. Can anyone recommend?

06-30-2010, 12:28 AM	#8
paulelescoces Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Switzerland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 252	I would highly recommend the 55-300, i am just back from Safari and from the first look at the photos looks very sharp (used a lot at 300mm)

06-30-2010, 12:43 AM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Pretty much everyone, including me, seems to agree the Pentax 55-300 is the best bang for under $350. Had a Pentax 50-200 and Sigma 70-300 APO. The Pentax 50-200 was only slightly sharper and contrastier, but neither was close the the 55-300 IQ. The Tamron 70-300 gets compared a lot to the first two, but has a lot of comments about PF. Oh, my Sigma had-an aperture-blade death after 18 months :-(

06-30-2010, 11:56 AM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by HoBykoYan I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens... Why on earth not? I can't imagine why you'd even be considering the other options you mention over this one. Why give up IQ, focal length range, speed, AF, usability, and SR effectiveness - and possibly increase the weight - just to save money if you say price isn't a concern, and the 55-300 can hardly be called expensive in the first place?

06-30-2010, 06:42 PM	#11
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by HoBykoYan I am considering 55-300mm as well but i dont know they say this is a good lens but i don't feel right about this lens... What don't you feel right about?