Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-27-2011, 09:52 AM   #1
Junior Member




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N/A
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 42
in need of advice for a tele lens for the Kr

I bought the Pentax Kr with the kit lens - 18-55 and 55-300.
I will soon be going on a safari and am worried that the zoom of the 55-300 lens isn't strong enough to get some of the animals real close, so I was thinking of maybe buying an older lens, like the smc A*300/4, since (I think???) the light quality is better and maybe the image quality might be better than with the kit lens, anyone have good advice for a novice like me?
Thank you in advance

06-27-2011, 10:06 AM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
If you're going to get another lens, you may as well opt for a focal length beyond 300mm.

The sigma 50-500mm comes to mind as an option: Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO OS HSM Lens Review

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
06-27-2011, 10:13 AM   #3
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
luftfluss's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NJ
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,581
How are you with manual focusing, particularly with the small viewfinder of the K-r?
06-27-2011, 10:39 AM   #4
Junior Member




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N/A
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 42
Original Poster
I like to focus manual, it works out about 70% ok, still learning :-). Thank you for the help!

06-27-2011, 11:06 AM   #5
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
luftfluss's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NJ
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,581
QuoteOriginally posted by micmac Quote
I like to focus manual, it works out about 70% ok, still learning :-). Thank you for the help!
Well, then, you're doing a lot better than me!

Here are my thoughts on the matter, having never used the A 300 but having extensive experience with the 55-300: the A 300 will mostly likely be sharper when focused well. It's also faster. However, IMHO, it's not enough of an advantage to warrant spending another $500 (average price USD according to the review section) given that the 55-300 is already a good lens. Using the A 300 will necessitate changing lenses whenever 300mm is too long. Will the environment be dusty, dirty or wet? How leisurely is the safari?
06-27-2011, 11:11 AM   #6
MJL
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
MJL's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Canadian WetCoast
Photos: Albums
Posts: 384
A*300 with K-r

Just want to share with you my experience on using A*300/4 with Kr. Even with Katzeye OptiBrite installed, I can only get <60% good manual focus at f/4. I think any MF lens that is slower than f/2.8 would be hard to manually focus with Kr, because my success rate is pretty low with M200/4 & M150/3.5 lens as well. Whereas the M100/2.8 & ZK100/2 are way more easier to snap in focus with the Katzeye, not so without it. My best & easiest telephoto on Kr so far is the DA*200/2.8.

Last edited by MJL; 06-27-2011 at 11:18 AM.
06-27-2011, 11:13 AM   #7
Junior Member




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N/A
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 42
Original Poster
Yes I'm sure there will be dust and that is a very good thought better to stick with a zoom lens I guess.

06-27-2011, 11:15 AM   #8
Junior Member




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: N/A
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 42
Original Poster
Any idea if the company walimex is any good?
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
advice, k-mount, kit, kr, lens, pentax lens, quality, slr lens, tele lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which tele-converter lens? Iroc Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12 06-16-2011 12:41 AM
Advice on standard and tele primes for K-7 pjthiel Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 24 04-20-2011 03:14 AM
Kimunor 500mm f8 preset tele lens theraois Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 3 02-15-2011 09:55 AM
Tamron AF tele-converter with DA AF lens NRV Shooter Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 8 05-22-2010 12:39 PM
Tele lens confusion gasket Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 5 09-26-2009 07:38 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:15 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top