No more push-pull zooms, why?

Pontax · 02-12-2012, 02:12 AM

I want to order a DA 55-300 Tele zoom and start shooting wildlife and nature, I live on an island with many raptors and the bisons will come in april.

But a prime 300mm has limited use for me so I go for a zoom. And that made me think of my first zoom back in my Spotmatic days, a Vivitar 75-205.
This was a push-pull zoom a natural action for me. Why was this abandoned, out of fashion, to expensive to produce, optically a bad solution?

Well, I am looking so much forward to go out with the new tele-zoom.

Adam · 02-12-2012, 02:33 AM

Because then AF stuck its nose in

In any case, the 55-300 has quick shift, so that's as good as it gets these days!

calsan · 02-12-2012, 02:59 AM

... plus they pump dust into your camera...

DA55-300 is a ripper of a lens and I'm glad I have it. Plus it's fairly small and light. (About the size of a can of soft drink when at 55mm setting.)
Won't let you down when shooting at 300mm and f5.8 either... for example:

elho_cid · 02-12-2012, 03:06 AM

One, push-pull is still in production, the EF100-400L. But it is plagued with problems caused by this construction...

Pontax · 02-12-2012, 03:28 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Because then AF stuck its nose in

Aha!

Originally posted by calsan

Won't let you down when shooting at 300mm and f5.8 either... for example:

Nice bird.

Thanks

Docrwm · 02-12-2012, 05:53 AM

I've got the K45-125 and its a stellar performer with no more dust after using it than my other zoom based on sensor alerts and visual inspection.

Chanel · 02-12-2012, 06:42 AM

As Docrwm indirectly mentioned, some push-pull zooms are real air-pumps that swirl up any dirt and dust in the lens and camera, so you do have to be very careful about dust getting onto the sensor. If you rely on shake reduction, the old zooms don't communicate with the camera, so you have to enter whatever focal length you're using manually for accurate shake reduction.

reeftool · 02-12-2012, 06:55 AM

It's possible to make because since I dropped my Sigma 70-300 over a year ago, it is now a push/pull zoom rather than rotating and the AF still works. Carrying it around is a hassle now as it wants to fully extend while hanging from the strap. I prefer a zoom that rotates to zoom.

02-12-2012, 02:12 AM	#1
Pontax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bornholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 160	No more push-pull zooms, why? I want to order a DA 55-300 Tele zoom and start shooting wildlife and nature, I live on an island with many raptors and the bisons will come in april. But a prime 300mm has limited use for me so I go for a zoom. And that made me think of my first zoom back in my Spotmatic days, a Vivitar 75-205. This was a push-pull zoom a natural action for me. Why was this abandoned, out of fashion, to expensive to produce, optically a bad solution? Well, I am looking so much forward to go out with the new tele-zoom.

02-12-2012, 02:33 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Because then AF stuck its nose in In any case, the 55-300 has quick shift, so that's as good as it gets these days! 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:

02-12-2012, 02:59 AM	#3
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	... plus they pump dust into your camera... DA55-300 is a ripper of a lens and I'm glad I have it. Plus it's fairly small and light. (About the size of a can of soft drink when at 55mm setting.) Won't let you down when shooting at 300mm and f5.8 either... for example: Last edited by calsan; 10-20-2013 at 03:23 AM.

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02-12-2012, 03:06 AM	#4
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	One, push-pull is still in production, the EF100-400L. But it is plagued with problems caused by this construction...

02-12-2012, 03:28 AM	#5
Pontax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bornholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 160 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Because then AF stuck its nose in Aha! Originally posted by calsan Won't let you down when shooting at 300mm and f5.8 either... for example: Nice bird. Thanks

02-12-2012, 05:53 AM	#6
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I've got the K45-125 and its a stellar performer with no more dust after using it than my other zoom based on sensor alerts and visual inspection.

02-12-2012, 06:42 AM	#7
Chanel New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 14	As Docrwm indirectly mentioned, some push-pull zooms are real air-pumps that swirl up any dirt and dust in the lens and camera, so you do have to be very careful about dust getting onto the sensor. If you rely on shake reduction, the old zooms don't communicate with the camera, so you have to enter whatever focal length you're using manually for accurate shake reduction.

02-12-2012, 06:55 AM	#8
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	It's possible to make because since I dropped my Sigma 70-300 over a year ago, it is now a push/pull zoom rather than rotating and the AF still works. Carrying it around is a hassle now as it wants to fully extend while hanging from the strap. I prefer a zoom that rotates to zoom.