Zoom lens up to 300mm?

mickey · 10-12-2011, 06:10 AM

Evening all.
After extensive use and travelling, my Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 has packed up...
Well, the AF motor has broken;manual mode is still ok.
Such is my technique, that I'm missing far too many shots trying to focus manually.
Time for a new(used) zoom lens.

At the top of my list is another FA zoom like I have.
I got some good shots with that and I was pleased with it for price and weight.
Or the DA/DAL 55-300.

I've read some of the reviews for pentax and 3rd party zooms.
I know that not everyone posts a review, so I'm interested in any recommendations.

Thanks.

steve1307 · 10-12-2011, 06:49 AM

With 7 photos in PPG with your 100-300 I think you'll be able to get the best of a DA 55-300 (or a DAL)

The Quickshift on this lens is handy( in my opinion) but you dont seem to have needed it so far so save around $100 iwith the DAL model instead.

**ismaelg** · 10-12-2011, 06:51 AM

I don't have experience with the FA but the DA/DAL 55-300 is an outstanding lens in terms of image quality. AF can be noisy and a bit slowish. Depending on your needs, those may be important factors. I find it comfortable in terms of weight and size. I bought the DA L version and got an aftermarket hood that works great. Differences between DA and DAL are quick shift focusing, metal vs plastic mount and original hood. Optics are identical. I think it is a very good choice.

Thanks,

mickey · 10-12-2011, 07:01 AM

Thanks chaps.
Yeah, the DAL does seem like the new zoom on the block.
Noise isn't a factor, as the FA was noisy. AF was also a tad sluggish in low light, but to be expected I guess.
The FA has a platic mount, same as the DAL. Again, not a major concern.
The FA was sharp at 300mm after finding the right settings.
I liked the colours, so it really comes down to whether or not the images are sharper with the DAL.

Adam · 10-12-2011, 07:07 AM

Have a look at our review
Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-12-2011, 07:45 AM

I think it all depends on whether you want to get additional capabilities.

You could consider the origonal sigma APO 70-200F2.8 EX (non DG non macro) along with a sigma 1.4x teleconverter.

I use this pairing and have many excellent shots.

the plus points are
- with the lens alone you gain about 2 stops over the FA,
- even with the TC you still gain .5-1.5 stops

the minuses are
- weight
- cost (may be out of your price range)
- flash exposure with the TC trakes some work because the TC does not correct for true aperture and this leads to errors in flash

Later sigmas got a little soft but this one is sharp even wide open, You can also add a 2x TC for reach to 400mm

I have both and have posted many results with both

JohnX · 10-12-2011, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by mickey

Evening all.
After extensive use and travelling, my Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 has packed up...
Well, the AF motor has broken;manual mode is still ok.

Just for clarification, there's no motor in the lens; it's in the camera body.

So, is it the lens screw-drive that no longer works, or the motor in the body?

sam-joseph · 10-13-2011, 02:58 AM

+1 for the Sigma 70-200 non HSM, OS, Macro. Fantastic lens, and still great with the 1.4 tc.

Regards

10-12-2011, 06:10 AM	#1
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Zoom lens up to 300mm? Evening all. After extensive use and travelling, my Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 has packed up... Well, the AF motor has broken;manual mode is still ok. Such is my technique, that I'm missing far too many shots trying to focus manually. Time for a new(used) zoom lens. At the top of my list is another FA zoom like I have. I got some good shots with that and I was pleased with it for price and weight. Or the DA/DAL 55-300. I've read some of the reviews for pentax and 3rd party zooms. I know that not everyone posts a review, so I'm interested in any recommendations. Thanks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What 300mm Zoom Lens should I get?	chukers	Pentax K-r	34	03-10-2011 09:07 PM
Difference in 55-300mm Zoom Lens	alanzilo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	11-22-2010 12:38 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax k-2000 + kit lens (18-55) + sigma zoom lens 70-300mm	dexmus	Sold Items	6	11-09-2009 05:25 PM
Is the Pentax - 75-300mm F4.5-5.8 SMCP-FA J AL Zoom Lens a good budget zoom?	Kornbread	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	01-16-2009 03:45 PM

10-12-2011, 06:49 AM	#2
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	With 7 photos in PPG with your 100-300 I think you'll be able to get the best of a DA 55-300 (or a DAL) The Quickshift on this lens is handy( in my opinion) but you dont seem to have needed it so far so save around $100 iwith the DAL model instead.

10-12-2011, 06:51 AM	#3
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,683	I don't have experience with the FA but the DA/DAL 55-300 is an outstanding lens in terms of image quality. AF can be noisy and a bit slowish. Depending on your needs, those may be important factors. I find it comfortable in terms of weight and size. I bought the DA L version and got an aftermarket hood that works great. Differences between DA and DAL are quick shift focusing, metal vs plastic mount and original hood. Optics are identical. I think it is a very good choice. Thanks,

10-12-2011, 07:01 AM	#4
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146 Original Poster	Thanks chaps. Yeah, the DAL does seem like the new zoom on the block. Noise isn't a factor, as the FA was noisy. AF was also a tad sluggish in low light, but to be expected I guess. The FA has a platic mount, same as the DAL. Again, not a major concern. The FA was sharp at 300mm after finding the right settings. I liked the colours, so it really comes down to whether or not the images are sharper with the DAL.

10-12-2011, 07:07 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Have a look at our review Pentax-DA 55-300mm Review - Introduction

10-12-2011, 07:45 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	I think it all depends on whether you want to get additional capabilities. You could consider the origonal sigma APO 70-200F2.8 EX (non DG non macro) along with a sigma 1.4x teleconverter. I use this pairing and have many excellent shots. the plus points are - with the lens alone you gain about 2 stops over the FA, - even with the TC you still gain .5-1.5 stops the minuses are - weight - cost (may be out of your price range) - flash exposure with the TC trakes some work because the TC does not correct for true aperture and this leads to errors in flash Later sigmas got a little soft but this one is sharp even wide open, You can also add a 2x TC for reach to 400mm I have both and have posted many results with both

10-12-2011, 08:24 AM	#7
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Originally posted by mickey Evening all. After extensive use and travelling, my Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 has packed up... Well, the AF motor has broken;manual mode is still ok. Just for clarification, there's no motor in the lens; it's in the camera body. So, is it the lens screw-drive that no longer works, or the motor in the body?

10-13-2011, 02:58 AM	#8
sam-joseph Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Newcastle, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,086	+1 for the Sigma 70-200 non HSM, OS, Macro. Fantastic lens, and still great with the 1.4 tc. Regards