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03-20-2008, 08:08 AM   #1
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Pentax Zoom Telephoto SMCP-FA J 75-300mm

Sorry if this was posted on here already but I searched and didn't find
anything.

So is the Pentax Zoom Telephoto SMCP-FA J 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 AL Autofocus Lens
good?

I need a telephoto lens and this look pretty good, I'm just worried that the
price is too low. At B&H it's $129 so is that for a specific reason?

03-20-2008, 08:18 AM   #2
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I have the same dillemma...I can't afford something hardcore for telephoto (Bigma, et al) so I've been looking in that range...you might also want to compare the tamron and sigma versions (70-300), all around that 130 dollar price range. I'm looking at the tamron, but may be swayed to the sigma. I don't know a great deal about the Pentax
03-20-2008, 08:46 AM   #3
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The FA-J lenses don't seem to get much love. They're kind of cheaply made, but I can't comment on the image quality. I guess they're comparable to other lenses in the general price range, meaning you're not going to get a great Pentax bargain for $130.

Check out Stan's Pentax Photography for a good rundown on many Pentax lenses.
03-20-2008, 01:51 PM   #4
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I have seen some images from it that are poor ... only after I had ordered mine a while ago.
I received mine expecting the worst ... but it turned out better than I expected.

Here's just a small gallery of test shots I originally took with mine.
Mechan1k/75-300 test shots - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I keep using mine on a regular basis ... I just have to go through my recent shots from an equestrian event I was at a few weeks ago.

For me ... it's not too bad a lens for the price.

I am pretty I put a review in the lens database as well.

03-20-2008, 05:31 PM   #5
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I think for the price, it is well worth a try... I've purchased it onces from B&H, had it for 2 days. Only in very good light I was able to get acceptable image quality (so I sent it back)

Regards,
D
03-20-2008, 05:48 PM   #6
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I would try and get a Tamron LD (Di) or Sigma (APO) 70-300mm. From what Ive seen quality will probably be better, saving the few bucks may not be worth it.

Thanks
03-20-2008, 06:07 PM   #7
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two years ago I did a comparison vs a Quantaray (Tamron) 70-300 at 200 and it seemed that the Pentax was a little sharper, although not much. I'd get whichever is cheapest.

03-24-2008, 11:05 PM   #8
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Original Poster
Is this one the good choice?

Tamron | 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens | AF017P700 | B&H
03-25-2008, 08:58 AM   #9
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Here's a couple of more examples from a recent horse show with the FA J 75-300mm





03-25-2008, 11:57 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by jmbower Quote
I have the same dillemma...I can't afford something hardcore for telephoto (Bigma, et al) so I've been looking in that range...you might also want to compare the tamron and sigma versions (70-300), all around that 130 dollar price range. I'm looking at the tamron, but may be swayed to the sigma. I don't know a great deal about the Pentax
From the tests that I have seen, the Tamron has better edge resolution than the Sigma. I owned the Sigma 70-300 and although great in the center, it is not as good as the new Tamron Di series. I don't know about the Pentax. Never used it.

Ben
03-25-2008, 12:00 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by NYpHoToGraphEr Quote
That is the one I ordered with a Hoya HMC UV 62mm filter.

Ben
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