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11-06-2011, 03:38 PM   #1
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Looking for a cheap telezoom: Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.7-5.8 or Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6

Howdy,

Title says it all, I'm looking for a cheap telezoom do put on my K-r, decently sharp and with a good bokeh, possibly able to do macro.

I could also stretch my budget and go for a DAL 55-300mm, is it much better regarding the aforementioned criteria ?

Thanks in advance for the advice,

Mat

11-06-2011, 03:48 PM   #2
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I can recommend the FA 80-320 if you want good reach, but overall I'd say that the DAL will deliver better IQ if you're willing to spend a little more.

Pentax-FA 80-320mm F4.5-5.6 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

There's a DAL on the marketplace right now for $220:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/164496-sale-p...-55-300mm.html

Adam
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11-06-2011, 04:13 PM   #3
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Although not on your list, I had Quantaray's 100-300 and the DAL at the same time. If you can stretch for it, the DAL is superior, but the Q-ray (Sigma DL rebadged) was faster to AF! The Q-ray is OK for $50-ish when that's all you can spend, but the better range and faster speed at 300mm is worth having; at 300mm the Quantaray was far more likely to hunt, since it's f/6.7 at that FL that's not a surprise. I've never tried the FA model; I'll dare to presume its price and performance fall in between these two.

11-06-2011, 04:21 PM   #4
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@Adam: Thanks for the info but I'm living in France, and this DA-L won't cross the pond...

@ jimr-pdx: DId you part with your DA-L ?



11-06-2011, 04:23 PM   #5
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The DAL 55-300 is very good in IQ department, superior to any 70-300 or 100-300 lens I tried in it's weight category, but very slow to focus. Depends what you are looking for. If you plan to shoot some action with the telephoto, maybe some Sigma 70-300 ia a better choice afterall.
11-06-2011, 04:29 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by elho_cid Quote
The DAL 55-300 is very good in IQ department, superior to any 70-300 or 100-300 lens I tried in it's weight category, but very slow to focus. Depends what you are looking for. If you plan to shoot some action with the telephoto, maybe some Sigma 70-300 ia a better choice afterall.
Is it so slow that Iwould miss, say, most of my moving birds/cars/planes... shots ?
11-06-2011, 04:38 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Matchete Quote
Is it so slow that Iwould miss, say, most of my moving birds/cars/planes... shots ?
I don't find the AF speed of the 55-300 to be a problem on my K-5. I don't use it much but I had it out last weekend for my kids sports and it performed fantastically. I actually kept this lens over a far more expensive tele zoom because the 55-300 IQ is "good enough" and the light weight sealed the deal.

11-06-2011, 05:25 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Matchete Quote
@ jimr-pdx: DId you part with your DA-L ?

Yes, a budget crunch took care of nearly my entire kit.. rebuilding slowly again with new bid limits and a fine k200d.
11-06-2011, 05:45 PM   #9
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I have both the FA 80-320 and the DA L 55-300, though I only shoot with the 55-300. It is my favorite lens just edging out the Sigma A 50mm f/2.8 Macro. The 55-300 has several advantages over the 80-320. It is sharper wide open, the front element doesn't rotate, it has bayonets for a lens hood, and it is lighter.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/154595-pentax-f...6-samples.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...ml#post1605652

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/161015-tamron-a...cro-1-2-a.html
11-06-2011, 06:04 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
I have both the FA 80-320 and the DA L 55-300, though I only shoot with the 55-300. It is my favorite lens just edging out the Sigma A 50mm f/2.8 Macro. The 55-300 has several advantages over the 80-320. It is sharper wide open, the front element doesn't rotate, it has bayonets for a lens hood, and it is lighter.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/154595-pentax-f...6-samples.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...ml#post1605652

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/161015-tamron-a...cro-1-2-a.html
Thanks for the pictures !

The DA-L pictures are gorgeous, I think i'm gonna start saving for this one.
11-06-2011, 08:11 PM   #11
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I started with a Tamron 70-300, and while it was accurate, light, and quick, the purple fringing was highly annoying. I'd spend the extra on the DAL 55-300. I just upgraded this year to the DA 55-300 (not -L) and am completely satisfied.
11-07-2011, 05:39 PM   #12
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I'm willing to bet Pentax would be selling a lot more DA*60-250's if they hadn't done such a great job on their DA(L)55-300
11-07-2011, 06:13 PM   #13
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I just bought the DA 55-300 a few days ago, and I love it. (is this the same lens that people mean when they refer to the "DA L 55-300" What is the L for? I'm confused.)

Anyway, for the money, I think it's pretty good.

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11-07-2011, 06:41 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by pentup Quote
I just bought the DA 55-300 a few days ago, and I love it. (is this the same lens that people mean when they refer to the "DA L 55-300" What is the L for? I'm confused.)

Anyway, for the money, I think it's pretty good.

Attachment 108470
The DA L is the kit version of the lens. It has a plastic lens mount, does not have quick shift focusing, and does not come with a lens hood or soft case. Optically it is identical to the DA version.
11-07-2011, 06:43 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by pentup Quote
I just bought the DA 55-300 a few days ago, and I love it. (is this the same lens that people mean when they refer to the "DA L 55-300" What is the L for? I'm confused.)

Anyway, for the money, I think it's pretty good.

Attachment 108470
"L" is for light (as in light weight).
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