[Buschmaster]

Well, I think I'm still going to run to National Camera Exchange tonight to take a look at their lenses, but here are some choices and you tell me if they're worth it.

Click the link for sample shots, then after the lens is the condition and price on KEH.
Sigma 75-300 F/4.5-5.6 Macro - EX+ $65 - Do you think this is a typo? I can't find a Sigma like this... Excluded from poll because I'm not sure it exists....?

#1 Tamron 80-210 F4.5-5.6 - EX $29

#2 Sigma 70-210 F4-5.6 UC II MACRO - EX+ $49, EX $45

#3 Pentax 70-200 F4-5.6 SMC FA - EX $56

#4 Pentax FA 80-200mm f/4.7-5.7 - (Not on KEH) $45

I will mostly be using these lenses for taking night shots with a tripod, but it would be nice to also get some nice macro shots hand held. I can get a better macro lens later if need be as well, if one of these lenses can perform well enough, or at least worthy of it's price tag. If I don't get one of these lenses I'll probably wait for my tax refund and get one of these lenses:

#5 Pentax Zoom Telephoto SMCP-FA 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8 Autofocus Lens - $100 New

#6 Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro Super II Autofocus - $140 New

#7 Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro - $200 New

#8 Tamron Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 - $155 New


Thoughts or suggestions are certainly welcome. I can maybe stretch my price range a bit, but don't get overboard on me. Probably not much beyond $200 if even that high.

[Buschmaster]

2 something else votes... anything in particular?

[-=JoN=-]

I have number 2 on ur list...pretty good lens...
nothing special tho...1:3 macro @ 210mm

also light and compact...(i didnt vote for it tho)

[SpecialK]

I have #7, which is not bad, though I think a bit soft at 300mm (increasing sharpness and shooting RAW seems to have helped it become "OK" at the long end :-). Supposedly the APO version is the only "good" variety of it. It has a 1:2 "macro" in the 200-300mm range that requires a switch.

The #8 Tamron has some supporters.

[Alvin]

From your list, although I don't have it (yet) I found the Tamron 70-300 is my favorite lens so far, with the Sigma APO an extremely close second. This is judging from the images posted here and on the net. Only problem for me is finding Tamron lenses - why is availability so sparse here in Toronto (it's keeping my LBA in check)

[Alfie1965]

I have the #7 on your list and I have to say I am happy with it, I got it as a replacement for my FA 80-320, which I managed to drop in soft sand on the beach last year. It compares very well to the FA. Though the colour definition was slightly better on the FA, the sigma is generally a better all round lens and the 1.25 Macro at 200-300mm is a big plus.
My internet is down at home so I am posting from work and I don't have many photos on my computer here, I have posted one taken with the lens at 300mm 1/350 @ F5.6 in my gallery photos Tigers at Flamingoland. I took this through glass, and the camera was hand held, only a snap shot but it shows the lenses capability quite well.

[Buschmaster]

I have the #7 on your list and I have to say I am happy with it, I got it as a replacement for my FA 80-320, which I managed to drop in soft sand on the beach last year. It compares very well to the FA. Though the colour definition was slightly better on the FA, the sigma is generally a better all round lens and the 1.25 Macro at 200-300mm is a big plus.
My internet is down at home so I am posting from work and I don't have many photos on my computer here, I have posted one taken with the lens at 300mm 1/350 @ F5.6 in my gallery photos Tigers at Flamingoland. I took this through glass, and the camera was hand held, only a snap shot but it shows the lenses capability quite well.

Thanks, it being capable of a quicker shot like that is certainly a plus!

I'm leaning towards #7 personally. My w-2s can't come soon enough!