[Bcrary3]

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Okay. So, my Sigma 28-300 has had some troubles lately, AF problems, zoom problems, more recently aperture issues, completely locking up on me, and most recently (as a result of the entire thing being frozen up) being taken apart. Needed to replace it anyway, wasn't much good... Anywho, I now need to replace it. I'd love the DA* 300 but I don't have the extra cash, and with the price hike... So, now I have to find a temp replacement, I am looking on Ebay at a Pentax DA L 55-300, a Sigma 70-300 F4 - 5.6 APO DG Macro, a Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LDO Macro, a AMRON AF 75-300mm F/4-5.6 LD TELE-MACRO 1:3.9, and lastly a TAMRON 70-300mm Di LD

(links to each of these are:
Tamron Di LD: New Tamron 70 300mm Di LD Lens for Pentax K x K 5 K R K 30 4960371003566 | eBay
Pentax DA L: New Pentax Da L 55 300mm F4 5 8 F 4 5 8 Ed Lens K x K 7 0000270751411 | eBay
Sigma 70-300: Sigma 70 300mm F4 5 6 APO DG Macro for Pentax K Mount 000012537815 | eBay
Quantaray 70-300: Quantaray AF 70 300mm F 4 5 6 LDO Macro Zoom Lens for Pentax K | eBay
Tamron 75-300: Tamron AF 75 300mm F 4 5 6 LD Tele Macro 1 3 9 Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Minolta | eBay )

Which of these would you say offers the best price and image quality? Thanks!

[fb_penpho]

I have found this too highly geared and causes the AF to go unstable. The zoom would career from one extreme to the other. This problem has been reported by other people, check reviews.

[Bcrary3]

So, Tamron's are out. What about the Sigma or the Pentax? I am probably just gonna go with the Pentax 55-300, but I want the best bang for my buck, haha.

[boriscleto]

So, Tamron's are out. What about the Sigma or the Pentax? I am probably just gonna go with the Pentax 55-300, but I want the best bang for my buck, haha.

You've heard my opinion of the 55-300...they can take mine from my cold dead hands, or when they release the WR.

Montezuma NWR & Audubon May 04, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Montezuma NWR & Audubon - Apr 28, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Sterling Nature Center - Apr 28, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Apr 23, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Apr 22, 2013 - a set on Flickr

[Driline]

You've heard my opinion of the 55-300...they can take mine from my cold dead hands, or when they release the WR.

Montezuma NWR & Audubon May 04, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Montezuma NWR & Audubon - Apr 28, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Sterling Nature Center - Apr 28, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Apr 23, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Apr 22, 2013 - a set on Flickr

Very nice photo's. I've been shooting my FA 43 alot lately and am contemplating dumping the thought of a wide angle lens and just go for the Pentax 55-300 for those long shots. FA 43 and a 55-300. Crazy

[eonb]

I've got the non APO version of the sigma which I bought second hand. Very noisy when AF motor is running. Don't particulaly think that much of it as a lens...bought the 60-250 which I DO like
Off to shoot some BMX later today...guess which I'll be leaving behind...

Ok, you can't compare directly with the 60-250. I know someone with the 55-300 and he likes it a lot.

[Driline]

I've got the non APO version of the sigma which I bought second hand. Very noisy when AF motor is running. Don't particulaly think that much of it as a lens...bought the 60-250 which I DO like
Off to shoot some BMX later today...guess which I'll be leaving behind...

Ok, you can't compare directly with the 60-250. I know someone with the 55-300 and he likes it a lot.

Pentax 60-250 = $1,400 new from Adorama

Pentax 55-300 = $239 new from Adorama

Depends on what kind of cash this guy wants to spend I guess.....

[jatrax]

opinion of the 55-300...they can take mine from my cold dead hands, or when they release the WR.

+1 or more. You have lots of options but unless you are willing to go to the 60-250 f/4 the 55-300 is as good as it gets. Those with Tamron or Sigma 70-300ish lenses will say they are as good and cheaper, and perhaps they are correct, I've never tried any of those so I just do not know. I do know you will not be disappointed with the 55-300.

[jimr-pdx]

If the Tamron is out, so is the Quantaray - it is a relabeled Tamron if 58mm filter threads, a relabeled Sigma (non-apo) if 55mm. Really though the 55-300 is a gem and has better range, all you give up is the 1:2 "macro" which some of the others have. If that's important to you then I'd keep looking, but it wasn't important enough for me.

[Bcrary3]

Macro isn't important. Likely going to get a dedicated 1:1 macro down the road. I will have to do some searching on Ebay and see if I can't find the 55-300 used. Haha

[Driline]

Macro isn't important. Likely going to get a dedicated 1:1 macro down the road. I will have to do some searching on Ebay and see if I can't find the 55-300 used. Haha

You will. I just talked to one ebay seller and convinced him to start his used 55-300 lens at $150. I hope this helps you.

[Bcrary3]

Okay, so I have been looking at some older F and FA lenses, and (aside from the DA 55-300) I saw two more that peaked my interest; the Pentax FA 100-300 4.7-5.8 (silver) and the Pentax FA 100-300 4.5-5.6 (black) I will include links to each
(1st one) Pentax FA 100 300mm F 4 7 5 8 Excellent 0027075048591 | eBay
(2nd one) Pentax FA 100 300mm F4 5 5 6 Zoom 0027075042537 | eBay
Is there much of a difference in these two? Which is older? Would either of these be viable options against the 55-300 both in terms of price and IQ?

[jatrax]

Take a look at the lens reviews:
SMC Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.5-5.6 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
SMC Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.7-5.8 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

The f/4.7-5.8 has a good reputation and several members here think a lot of it. This is certainly a viable option but keep in mind you give up a good bit on the wide end. If budget is the over riding consideration this is a good choice. But I still think the 55-300 is a better pick.
The f/4.5-5.6 is a 'Power Zoom' lens which makes it much heavier. I personally would avoid it as there are other options.

[jatrax]

There is also this one: Pentax SMCP FA 80 320mm F 4 5 5 6 AF Lens 0027075042261 | eBay

It generally gets good marks from reviewers but is a bit heavier. A little longer and a little wider than the 100-300 but still not in the 50mm range like the 55-300. One of the things I like about the 55-300 is that you can still take reasonably close shots with it on. With the 100-300 you will need to change lenses to take anything that is close up to you.

[Bcrary3]

I'm not at all concerned about weight really. I prefer a heavier body/lens. I am mostly concerned with my budget. The lenses I have currently consist of a Sigma 21-35, Pentax 18-55, Ricoh Rikenon-P 50, and (for the time being) a Takumar-F 70-210. I really just need something to push me from about the 50mm mark to the 300mm mark (it would more realistically be like 75mm-300mm range in APS-C) Also, does a rotating front element mean much in terms of anything important? I've only heard that it can mess with a polarizer.

Is the SMCP FA any different than the ones labeled as 'FA'?