[donnie123]

Hi!
Im looking for a telelens for my K-X camera, and i have been looking at the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 zoom lens.
I hear and read good things about it, and i wonder is it the best zoom lens in that pricerange?
If not, does anyone have another zoom lens to recommend?

Thank you

[Philoslothical]

It's well regarded for the price. Definitely better quality (according to everything I've read) than the Tamron or Sigma 70-300 lenses of similar price. I'd say go for it.

[GaryH]

You cannot go wrong with the 55 -300 and the Sigma and Tamron equivalents, even though cheaper, have issues that make them less desirable.

[RioRico]

That lens is much-liked. And while I'm a cheap bastard, I like to think of focal range as well as price range. To me and many others, the best all-around superzoom is the DA18-250 or its Tamron twin. These are now out of production but are widely available used. Besides the optics, I especially prefer the DA18-250 over an DA18-55 + DA55-300 set because I shoot a lot between 35-70mm and swapping lenses at 55mm is a disruption and a pain.

Some lenses are homogeneous, some are unique, some are adequate. Every lens is a window on the world. Using a lens, you see as it sees. I prefer to see throughout that large focal range with one lens, rather than looking through two smaller windows. Sometimes small fixed windows are called for, and I love good old cheap manual primes. But the DA18-250 is my basic lens -- all the ~220 others are specialty tools.

[Adam]

Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction

[boriscleto]

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-s...d-samples.html

[KevinR]

If your range requirement is 50-300, then would definitely recommend the DA 55-300. Compared to Tamron and Sigma 70-300 it is healthy step up in IQ, color, and CA control. (Have all 3. First bought Tamron, not happy, then bought Pentax, happy, Sigma came as 2nd-hand bargain bundle of stuff). Pentax lacks the macro and close focus of the Tamron and Sigma.

You also have the cheaper option of DAL 55-300 (plastic mount, no hood, no quick-shift focus).

As others have said, you might also look at other versatile zoom ranges such at 18-200/250 as all in one, or 28-300

[twitch]

I would buy the DA version of the 55-300, quickshift is very handy with this lens in particular as it has a long slow focus throw. Also I don't like plastic lenses mounts, and on a longish lens (phyiscally long I mean, esp zoomed to 300mm) I tihnk it's asking for trouble.

[jimr-pdx]

Quickshift is doubly nice on a k-x, in case the selected AF point isn't the one you wanted.
The DA50-200 is a decent alternative, especially if compact size is valuable to you. I like mine quite a bit. Let's face it though, my copy of the 55-300 is f/4.5 at 200mm, so it's a very good 55-200... plus if your shooting style does wander past 200 it's available

[donnie123]

Thank you for your help, lots of good advice.
Im new to the dslr world so i need all the tips i can get!
Btw, does anyone know a good website for tips and guide to dslr photographing?

[Nowhere Matt]

Thank you for your help, lots of good advice.
Im new to the dslr world so i need all the tips i can get!
Btw, does anyone know a good website for tips and guide to dslr photographing?

I have read good things about this site: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/
Give them a try. It seems like a nice collection of helpful kooks.

I also have used the DA L 55-300 and can recommend it. It is a very good lens in many situations. But I like a little wider field of view from this sort of tool. I choose a Sigma DG 28-300 rather than the 55-300. It is able to focus on a subject that is a little closer which makes a little nicer "macro" feature. I was able to find one for a little less money. It's image quality is not as good as the Pentax but the Sigma has solid build quality and is about an inch shorter.
Then I tried the Pentax DA 18-250 and like it very much. It has become the lens I use most often. Especially when just taking general snapshots when I am unsure what I want to photograph. It will cost you more than the DA 55-300 so you have to consider what your expectations of such a lens might be. The relative low cost and qualities are reasons many like the 55-300 lens. The wide-ish field of view and qualities of the 18-250 make this lens a very useful lens in many situations for others.