[piskota]

the price should be below 25o usd.
i need AF, portrait photos with my kids (between 8o-2oo), nature photography.
i looking after:
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM
Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC OS HSM
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC
Sigma 18-125mm F3.5-5.6 DC
Sigma 24-135mm F2.8-4.5
Sigma 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG Macro
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro
Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super- already have an offer 8o euro mint condition
Tamron 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 AF XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Macro
Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro
Tamron SP AF 24-135mm F/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical [IF]
Tamron 75-300mm F4-5.6 LD
i read many reviews, i am confused. i am using a tripod, monopod if necessary, no problemo. daylight photos at f5-f8 are ok.
please help me recommend what to choose. thanks. best regards

[VisualDarkness]

I feel like repeating myself but, even though I haven't used one myself, the Pentax DA (or DA-L) 55-300 wins these threads every single time.

[c.a.m]

please help me recommend what to choose.

What camera brand do you use?

[yurko_yr]

Second for DA (DA-L) 55-300. Really great lens.

[carrrlangas]

the Pentax DA (or DA-L) 55-300 wins these threads every single time.

+1 on DA55-300

[normhead]

the price should be below 25o usd.

So um, where can you get a 55-300 for under $250 US?

Id say the Sigma 70-300 second hand. I've seen them go for as little as $100. Plus it's macro... it's quite strong from 70mm to about 180mm, after that it's soft, so essentially you won't use it once you get a better lens, but there are a lot of them around for sale, and you can save your dollars for a 55-300.

If you can find a used Sigma 18-250 non OS second hand, you'd have a lens you'll use like forever. It saves you a lot of lens changes, once you get it on your camera you won't want to take it off. For one lens, I'd recommend it over almost any other lens.

[carrrlangas]

So um, where can you get a 55-300 for under $250 US?

In the Marketplace of course!

[calsan]

I always say, photography is an expensive hobby, so you have to get used to waiting for what you want "need". If the lens you want is (eg) $500 and you can buy a nearly good enough lens for $250, DON'T. Just wait until you have the $500. Otherwise, you will be $250 poorer and have a lens you need to sell.

[ccd333]

Id say the Sigma 70-300 second hand. I've seen them go for as little as $100. Plus it's macro... it's quite strong from 70mm to about 180mm, after that it's soft, so essentially you won't use it once you get a better lens, but there are a lot of them around for sale, and you can save your dollars for a 55-300.

Not just the 70-300, but the APO version (that is also on the original list). I have one and it takes very sharp photos (for a cheap zoom lens at least) with low CA. The difference between it and the standard Sigma 70-300 is night and day......and it's on par with the 55-300 for a lot less money (I got mine on Ebay brand new for $150). Anyone here that says otherwise has never used one, got a bad copy, or just cannot bring themselves to admit that a cheaper Sigma lens could work as well as a Pentax.

But don't just take my word for it......check out the sample page here on this forum. Scroll down on this page and check out Colorado CJ's awesome wildlife work with this lens. Also, the last shot on the page is one of the first shots I took with it (the girl holding the camera). I used a K-r at ISO 1600 across an entire darkened theater at full 300mm. I doubt if the 55-300 could have performed any better. They also make a stabilized version, but the non OS works great with the Pentax in body.....even at the longer focal lengths.

Here's the link:


https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/155042-sigma-70...le-photos.html

[piskota]

thank for the replies.
this are the information i was looking about.
i am using a pentax k-x. i think a can get a 55-300 for about 200 euro, i never thought that the 55-300 is such a great performer.
normhead recommends the sigma 18-250. maybe a go for it if this truly is such a great lens. any more review are welcome here.
ccd333 said 70-300 apo. this is the lens you are talking about? Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
great help so far. best regards.
what about the Tamron 24-135mm f/3.5-5.6 MAKRO AD IF Anniversary Edition Objektiv for Pentax? i saw good review regarding this lens.

[ccd333]

ccd333 said 70-300 apo. this is the lens you are talking about? [SIZE=3]Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
.

Yes, indeed. It is the APO designation that makes a big difference. It certainly has its faults, but for what you get for the money, it might be the best value long lens of any (and you can get it for a lot less than the average price posted on that link).

[Driline]

So um, where can you get a 55-300 for under $250 US?

Ebay Pro digital $230 No problem.

[GibbyTheMole]

I feel like repeating myself but, even though I haven't used one myself, the Pentax DA (or DA-L) 55-300 wins these threads every single time.

Ding ding ding ding... We have a winner! It's amazing how good a lens it is for very little coin.

If you're on a really tight budget, and you don't mind using a manual-everything lens, I also recommend the Tamron SP 23A 60-300 zoom. Optically, it's as good as the Pentax DA (L) 55-300, and you can score one for about $60 with the Pentax manual Adaptall mount. Plus, the Tamron also has a very useful true macro mode with a maximum magnification of 1:1.55. Even though I have the Pentax DA-L 55-300, I won't shake loose of my Tamron 23A, and it still gets used from time to time.

[boriscleto]

So um, where can you get a 55-300 for under $250 US?

Adorama sells the DA L for $239.95...

Pentax SMC P-DAL 55-300mm F/4-5.8 ED Lens 21897

[jkehrel]

I tried 5 different lenses from pentax, tamron and Sigma and my final choice was the Sigma 70-300 DG OS. No macro mode, but the rest is best,