DA 55-300 upgrade

panoguy · 02-28-2012, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

If you don't need that speed, maybe the Sigma120-400, not as wide but that extra 100mm could be nice, though I've read little about this lens.

Just an aside - I tried the Sigma 120-400, and like everyone says "it's a great 120mm lens!" Problem is, you want it to be a decent 400mm as well, and it flatly isn't. I tried 2 different copies from a local camera superstore (they stock lots of Sigma in Pentax mount, but not so much Pentax lenses... hmmm) and both were flat and soft at 400mm. Oddly enough, I later bought a very nice Sigma 150-500 and only then do I find out they are essentially the same lens body and design, just with a different optical group bolted on the front. The 300-500 range is great for the money, but now the 150mm end isn't so hot!

Oh, and Stormtech, I vote for a second 55-300. Summer's coming, so you can let the 60-250 simmer for a while.

stormtech · 02-29-2012, 05:47 PM

Thanks for all the replies everyone - it certainly helps me through these bouts of LBA!

And ramweybuckeye you are 100% correct in saying the FA* 300 is my upgrade to the 55-300 as I also use that lens at 300mm 90% of the time.

Actually after seeing what I just wrote, I could easily have my wife use the 55-300 while I use the FA* 300 - sounds like a good solution.

I'm going to let this all simmer now for a bit - this all has also made me realize that I do have a nice collection of glass for the type of shooting I do.

GaryH · 02-29-2012, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by stormtech

Thanks for all the replies everyone - it certainly helps me through these bouts of LBA!

And ramweybuckeye you are 100% correct in saying the FA* 300 is my upgrade to the 55-300 as I also use that lens at 300mm 90% of the time.

Actually after seeing what I just wrote, I could easily have my wife use the 55-300 while I use the FA* 300 - sounds like a good solution.

I'm going to let this all simmer now for a bit - this all has also made me realize that I do have a nice collection of glass for the type of shooting I do.

I totally agree with you about having nice glass. That is why I have decided to sell the 400mm f4. Heck, I can only take pictures with one lens at a time. Unless I buy another body....

panoguy · 02-29-2012, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by GaryH

I totally agree with you about having nice glass. That is why I have decided to sell the 400mm f4. Heck, I can only take pictures with one lens at a time. Unless I buy another body....

And in the case of the 400mm f/4, another tripod, and another gimbal mount, and...

**ramseybuckeye** · 02-29-2012, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by panoguy

Just an aside - I tried the Sigma 120-400, and like everyone says "it's a great 120mm lens!" Problem is, you want it to be a decent 400mm as well, and it flatly isn't. I tried 2 different copies from a local camera superstore (they stock lots of Sigma in Pentax mount, but not so much Pentax lenses... hmmm) and both were flat and soft at 400mm. Oddly enough, I later bought a very nice Sigma 150-500 and only then do I find out they are essentially the same lens body and design, just with a different optical group bolted on the front. The 300-500 range is great for the money, but now the 150mm end isn't so hot!

Oh, and Stormtech, I vote for a second 55-300. Summer's coming, so you can let the 60-250 simmer for a while.

That's good to know about the Sigmas. That seems to be the problem with a lot of 70-300 zooms too, they are nice 70s and lousy 300s. Not much point to a zoom that has an "unusuable" end.

Sandy Hancock · 02-29-2012, 10:25 PM

For what it's worth, you can add my vote to the combination of a fast 70-200 (in my case the Sigma, but I'm sure the Tamron is fine) and the DA* 300.

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02-28-2012, 07:54 PM	#16
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye If you don't need that speed, maybe the Sigma120-400, not as wide but that extra 100mm could be nice, though I've read little about this lens. Just an aside - I tried the Sigma 120-400, and like everyone says "it's a great 120mm lens!" Problem is, you want it to be a decent 400mm as well, and it flatly isn't. I tried 2 different copies from a local camera superstore (they stock lots of Sigma in Pentax mount, but not so much Pentax lenses... hmmm) and both were flat and soft at 400mm. Oddly enough, I later bought a very nice Sigma 150-500 and only then do I find out they are essentially the same lens body and design, just with a different optical group bolted on the front. The 300-500 range is great for the money, but now the 150mm end isn't so hot! Oh, and Stormtech, I vote for a second 55-300. Summer's coming, so you can let the 60-250 simmer for a while.

02-29-2012, 05:47 PM	#17
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744 Original Poster	Thanks for all the replies everyone - it certainly helps me through these bouts of LBA! And ramweybuckeye you are 100% correct in saying the FA* 300 is my upgrade to the 55-300 as I also use that lens at 300mm 90% of the time. Actually after seeing what I just wrote, I could easily have my wife use the 55-300 while I use the FA* 300 - sounds like a good solution. I'm going to let this all simmer now for a bit - this all has also made me realize that I do have a nice collection of glass for the type of shooting I do.

02-29-2012, 06:24 PM	#18
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	Originally posted by stormtech Thanks for all the replies everyone - it certainly helps me through these bouts of LBA! And ramweybuckeye you are 100% correct in saying the FA* 300 is my upgrade to the 55-300 as I also use that lens at 300mm 90% of the time. Actually after seeing what I just wrote, I could easily have my wife use the 55-300 while I use the FA* 300 - sounds like a good solution. I'm going to let this all simmer now for a bit - this all has also made me realize that I do have a nice collection of glass for the type of shooting I do. I totally agree with you about having nice glass. That is why I have decided to sell the 400mm f4. Heck, I can only take pictures with one lens at a time. Unless I buy another body....

02-29-2012, 06:38 PM	#19
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by GaryH I totally agree with you about having nice glass. That is why I have decided to sell the 400mm f4. Heck, I can only take pictures with one lens at a time. Unless I buy another body.... And in the case of the 400mm f/4, another tripod, and another gimbal mount, and...

02-29-2012, 09:19 PM	#20
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Originally posted by panoguy Just an aside - I tried the Sigma 120-400, and like everyone says "it's a great 120mm lens!" Problem is, you want it to be a decent 400mm as well, and it flatly isn't. I tried 2 different copies from a local camera superstore (they stock lots of Sigma in Pentax mount, but not so much Pentax lenses... hmmm) and both were flat and soft at 400mm. Oddly enough, I later bought a very nice Sigma 150-500 and only then do I find out they are essentially the same lens body and design, just with a different optical group bolted on the front. The 300-500 range is great for the money, but now the 150mm end isn't so hot! Oh, and Stormtech, I vote for a second 55-300. Summer's coming, so you can let the 60-250 simmer for a while. That's good to know about the Sigmas. That seems to be the problem with a lot of 70-300 zooms too, they are nice 70s and lousy 300s. Not much point to a zoom that has an "unusuable" end.

02-29-2012, 10:25 PM	#21
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	For what it's worth, you can add my vote to the combination of a fast 70-200 (in my case the Sigma, but I'm sure the Tamron is fine) and the DA* 300.