Need help: Pentax 50-200mm or 70-300mm?

SHIFT · 12-10-2006, 06:59 PM

I don't even own a Pentax (soon to be K10D) but today at the shopping mall I noticed a store had the Pentax 50-200mm lens on sale for $199CDN so I thought maybe a should get that?

Originally I had planned on getting Tamron 70-300mm but now I noticed all them say "macro." I want a tele-lens for zooming not necessarily macro's which I would do occasionally. Does the "macro" mean its meant more for macro shots?

Whats the quality like with these lenses?

Thanks,
Dan

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 12-10-2006, 07:28 PM

Hi Dan, "macro" on that lens does not mean that it is designed solely for macro work, it is a regular 70-300 zoom lens with the ability to focus closer than some others. It does not mean that it focuses down to 1:1. I am not familiar with that lens but it will be somewhere around 1:2.5.

The Pentax 50-200 is a very good lens for the money, way better than what most people would assume. I have it and love it and with a good closeup lens (like the Canon 250D for instance) does respectable macro work.

I don't know what part of Canada you are in but here in Calgary Alberta the lens is available for $189.95 Here is a link:

http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=31545

clarenceclose · 12-10-2006, 07:50 PM

Friend has a Quanatry 70-300 with macro capability. Basically it is a 70-300 lense but click a switch on the lense and set the camera (Nikon D70) to macro and it does a nice job. Tamron is probably similar

SHIFT · 12-10-2006, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann

I don't know what part of Canada you are in but here in Calgary Alberta the lens is available for $189.95 Here is a link:

http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=31545

Wow!!! I didn't even notice that and thats the place I'm buying the camera from (being local

)! So there's another Albertan abroad.

I still own a Kodak DX6490 with a 38-360mm equiv. lens and have used it up all the way up to 360mm. But I suppose I could just crop the image when using the K10D if I need extra magnification?

The Tamron focuses down to 1:2 and has a switch @ 180mm and 300mm. All the other specs seem about equal ie. aperature, focusing distance, angle of view, etc. The Tamron costs $150US.

SpecialK · 12-27-2006, 12:14 PM

The 50-200 is about 1/2 the weight and size of a 70-300. "Macro" is a marketing term for zooms that focus pretty closely, in this case 1:2. It will not replace a quality macro lens. My Sigma 70-300 is about 10 inches to front of lens hood - very conspicuous.

Alvin · 12-27-2006, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by SHIFT

I don't even own a Pentax (soon to be K10D) but today at the shopping mall I noticed a store had the Pentax 50-200mm lens on sale for $199CDN so I thought maybe a should get that?

Originally I had planned on getting Tamron 70-300mm but now I noticed all them say "macro." I want a tele-lens for zooming not necessarily macro's which I would do occasionally. Does the "macro" mean its meant more for macro shots?

Whats the quality like with these lenses?

Thanks,
Dan

Hi Dan,

If you are in Toronto, you will get the same price as Heinrich at this store:

Downtown Camera

50-200mm on the K100 or K10D will give you a 35mm equivalent range of 75-300mm. Don't own it, but I've tried it and it's quite good.

Cheers

12-10-2006, 06:59 PM	#1
SHIFT Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 30	Need help: Pentax 50-200mm or 70-300mm? I don't even own a Pentax (soon to be K10D) but today at the shopping mall I noticed a store had the Pentax 50-200mm lens on sale for $199CDN so I thought maybe a should get that? Originally I had planned on getting Tamron 70-300mm but now I noticed all them say "macro." I want a tele-lens for zooming not necessarily macro's which I would do occasionally. Does the "macro" mean its meant more for macro shots? Whats the quality like with these lenses? Thanks, Dan

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12-10-2006, 07:28 PM	#2
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Hi Dan, "macro" on that lens does not mean that it is designed solely for macro work, it is a regular 70-300 zoom lens with the ability to focus closer than some others. It does not mean that it focuses down to 1:1. I am not familiar with that lens but it will be somewhere around 1:2.5. The Pentax 50-200 is a very good lens for the money, way better than what most people would assume. I have it and love it and with a good closeup lens (like the Canon 250D for instance) does respectable macro work. I don't know what part of Canada you are in but here in Calgary Alberta the lens is available for $189.95 Here is a link: http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=31545

12-10-2006, 07:50 PM	#3
clarenceclose Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,506	Friend has a Quanatry 70-300 with macro capability. Basically it is a 70-300 lense but click a switch on the lense and set the camera (Nikon D70) to macro and it does a nice job. Tamron is probably similar

12-10-2006, 08:52 PM	#4
SHIFT Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 30 Original Poster	Originally posted by Heinrich Lohmann I don't know what part of Canada you are in but here in Calgary Alberta the lens is available for $189.95 Here is a link: http://www.thecamerastore.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=31545 Wow!!! I didn't even notice that and thats the place I'm buying the camera from (being local )! So there's another Albertan abroad. I still own a Kodak DX6490 with a 38-360mm equiv. lens and have used it up all the way up to 360mm. But I suppose I could just crop the image when using the K10D if I need extra magnification? The Tamron focuses down to 1:2 and has a switch @ 180mm and 300mm. All the other specs seem about equal ie. aperature, focusing distance, angle of view, etc. The Tamron costs $150US.

12-27-2006, 12:14 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	The 50-200 is about 1/2 the weight and size of a 70-300. "Macro" is a marketing term for zooms that focus pretty closely, in this case 1:2. It will not replace a quality macro lens. My Sigma 70-300 is about 10 inches to front of lens hood - very conspicuous.

12-27-2006, 12:38 PM	#6
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Originally posted by SHIFT I don't even own a Pentax (soon to be K10D) but today at the shopping mall I noticed a store had the Pentax 50-200mm lens on sale for $199CDN so I thought maybe a should get that? Originally I had planned on getting Tamron 70-300mm but now I noticed all them say "macro." I want a tele-lens for zooming not necessarily macro's which I would do occasionally. Does the "macro" mean its meant more for macro shots? Whats the quality like with these lenses? Thanks, Dan Hi Dan, If you are in Toronto, you will get the same price as Heinrich at this store: Downtown Camera 50-200mm on the K100 or K10D will give you a 35mm equivalent range of 75-300mm. Don't own it, but I've tried it and it's quite good. Cheers

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