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04-15-2013, 06:21 AM   #1
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Need avice on DA (L) 55-300 vs. Sigma/Tamron 70-300

I'm thinking about getting an AF tele, I've got an Adaptall 19AH, but sold it. How well DA (L) 55-300 stack againts Sigma/Tamron 70-300? Is the differences epic (as also the price), or just a bit?

04-15-2013, 06:27 AM   #2
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It's hard to beat the Pentax DAL 55-300 in its focal range and price range. It's rated significantly higher than the Tamron in nearly every category. As for the Sigmas only the DG OS is rated highly, but it costs more and isn't rated better than the DAL.

SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro Lens Reviews - Tamron Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
04-15-2013, 06:49 AM   #3
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Surprisingly, the 55-300mm measures up very well. You can only get a noticeably better lens at 300mm for a significantly higher cost. Feel free to check out the lens review database. Sigma makes some great telezoom lenses, but they get expensive
04-15-2013, 07:06 AM   #4
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Of Course DAL 55-300 its hard to beat. Alternative FA 100-300 f/4.7-5.8.

04-15-2013, 07:18 AM   #5
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I've only had my DA 55-300mm a short time, but I'm very pleased with it so far. I looked at reviews for several alternate lenses and this one seems to be the best-rated within that budget. The older 100-300 lenses may be available cheaper though if you're looking for a bargain.
04-15-2013, 08:23 AM   #6
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The 55-300 certainly is better optically, thats for sure. But is that, in your opinion, enough to justify the much higer price?
04-15-2013, 09:03 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by minahasa Quote
The 55-300 certainly is better optically, thats for sure. But is that, in your opinion, enough to justify the much higer price?
Yes.

04-15-2013, 11:37 AM   #8
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IMHO, the DA 55-300 is much more that "a bit" better than the Tamron 70-300 DI. Well worth the extra money, and there is not much else in the FL range which performs as well for consumer level pricing. I can't comment on the latest Sigma DG OS, but my old model Sigma 70-300 APO is well below the DA55-300 performance. The Tamron is quite sharp, but suffers from purple fringe blooming in high contrast images.

However, the performance difference is not epic. You will have to pay 6x Tamron/Sigma pricefor a prime to see real epic performance increase at 300mm.
04-15-2013, 04:10 PM   #9
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I have used the Sigma 70-300 DG for several years. It's good as a telephoto up to around the 220 mm range and then gets a little soft although stopped down to f/11 in good light, it's still pretty good. It has a macro/close up range that only works in the 200-300 zoom range and the results are very good. I think the longer range of the zoom is optimized for close focus. My Sigma came in the package deal when I bought my K10D several years ago. The DA 55-300 wasn't in production at the time. I would buy the DA today. Still, for the approximate $150 price tag of the Sigma, it's not bad. The APO version is around $200. Don't waste your money on the OS model. It is redundant. I saw some used Sigma's listed at KEH for around $60 (+ or -)recently. I haven't used the Tamron but it's similar in quality to the Sigma by most reports.
04-16-2013, 11:59 AM   #10
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Just posted up a comparison of the 55-300 and Tamron 70-300, complete with photo to show the difference. Regarding the Sigma comparison, all i'll say is a friends Sigma 70-300 Apo controls CA as well as the 55-300 but is no where near as sharp at the top end (200-300mm).

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/221973-pentax-...omparison.html
04-16-2013, 12:10 PM   #11
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These are all consumer zooms, but the DA 55-300 is more than decent. At f8 and 300mm it is quite sharp. I used to own a 70-300 Sigma and it was really soft at the long end (200 to 300) and had poor colors and contrast. Obviously the difference between the DA L and DA versions of the 55-300 are quick shift and lens hood.





04-16-2013, 12:13 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
Obviously the difference between the DA L and DA versions of the 55-300 are quick shift and lens hood.
I believe the DA L version also has a plastic mount where the DA has metal.
04-16-2013, 12:41 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
These are all consumer zooms, but the DA 55-300 is more than decent. At f8 and 300mm it is quite sharp. I used to own a 70-300 Sigma and it was really soft at the long end (200 to 300) and had poor colors and contrast. Obviously the difference between the DA L and DA versions of the 55-300 are quick shift and lens hood.





Stunning photos. I'll try my 55-300 stopped down to F8.
04-16-2013, 12:41 PM - 1 Like   #14
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I compared the DA 55-300 with a Tamron 70-300 model A17.

The DA 55-300 has better IQ overall. The focus is longer so will feel slow.

The Tamron is very sharp but has a problem with purple fringing in high contrast situations. Focus is extremely quick and accurate on my K-5. It also has a very good macro mode.

My primary use for these is for kids sporting events, so I decided to keep the Tamron and sell the Pentax since fast focus was one of my key needs.

If best IQ with well controlled CA is your main goal, and speed of AF is secondary, then go with the Pentax.
04-16-2013, 01:41 PM   #15
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I have kept my Sigma for it's macro capabilities which work very good for my uses which is usually from a kayak and I can't get very close.
Here's some Sigma 70-300 shots.

Blue heron at 300mm, f/11 and cropped some.


A dragon fly having a meal of a water plant. 300mm, f/11 in the macro mode and shot from a kayak as I paddled by.


These are a couple of years old. I'm using a MF K300/4 mostly when I'm chasing herons as it's much sharper but the Sigma is still along for the close ups and it's quite light also and not much to carry. It's also cheap enough so I don't really worry about it either.
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