Suggestions for a mid-priced tele

Ace · 08-07-2013, 02:13 PM

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I am buying a new camera and am upgrading my lenses as I go. My plan is to start with the 18-135. I hike often and usually shoot landscapes so having a versatile weather resistant lens seems like a good start. My next lens I plan on buying is the 15mm limited to get a little wider. So now I need ideas for the telephoto end. I am looking for a suggestion for a good lens, prime or zoom, that is around the 200mm plus range. I own a Sigma 170-500 but it rarely makes it into the back pack due to it's size and weight. I am looking for something in the $400 - 500 price range. I would really like to spend less but I realize a decent lens in this range doesn't come cheap. It would be nice if it is not too heavy so that it can be hand held if needed, but image quality is always the first requirement. Thanks for the help.

**baro-nite** · 08-07-2013, 02:21 PM

The DA 55-300 is a good performer and good value, and within your budget (even new; well within your budget used), and reasonably compact and light.

Yos · 08-07-2013, 02:44 PM

+1 on the DA 55-300mm. I am very happy with mine and the lens is almost always in my bag.
Read up on the lens reviews and forum posts and I think you will see most people will recommend this lens.

Ace · 08-07-2013, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the replies. It looks like a nice lens.

Tako Kichi · 08-07-2013, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

The DA 55-300 is a good performer and good value, and within your budget (even new; well within your budget used), and reasonably compact and light.

+1 on this. I just bought one used on the marketplace here and I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival.

If you want to see example photos go here:

Pentax Camera & Lens Sample Photo Search Engine - PentaxForums.com

then select 'SMC PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED' in the second drop down menu (Lens).

**boriscleto** · 08-07-2013, 03:00 PM

Or the Lens Sample Photo Archive...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

**jatrax** · 08-07-2013, 03:04 PM

+1 or whatever on the 55-300. Light and easy to pack and a perfect complement to the 18-135. That's my wife's kit: 18-135 and 55-300. You would have to go to DA*60-250 to get much better and that is a lot heavier and a lot more expensive.

Ace · 08-07-2013, 03:07 PM

Is there a noticeable difference between the DA-L version and the DA version? It looks like there is about a $100 price difference. Amazon has the DA-L new for $250.

Tako Kichi · 08-07-2013, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Ace

Is there a noticeable difference between the DA-L version and the DA version? It looks like there is about a $100 price difference. Amazon has the DA-L new for $250.

The only difference is in the camera mount. The DA-L has a plastic mount while the DA has a metal mount.

EDIT: Double check what it comes with as the DA-L might not come with a lens hood as standard from some suppliers.

Kozlok · 08-07-2013, 03:14 PM

The difference betwee the DA and DAL are plastic mount and no quick shift on the DAL. The glass is all the same.

stormtech · 08-07-2013, 03:16 PM

Also the DAL does not come with a hood while the DA does.

Tonto · 08-07-2013, 03:22 PM

Having owned a DAL the quickshift does make a big difference especially if you are focusing across the zoom range. It can hunt abit which can be alleviated by a quick twist of the manual focus.
So I recommend the DA for this feature alone.

Primes4ever · 08-07-2013, 08:09 PM

Get the DA 55-300 as it has metal mount, quick shift and a great lens hood. All three are important in my opinion.

Ace · 08-08-2013, 06:58 AM

Thanks for all of the input. The DA 55-300 looks like a great option.

GibbyTheMole · 08-08-2013, 07:31 AM

Regarding the DAL 55-300:

1) Lack of hood: A hood identical to the original DA hood is $3 on eBay.

2) Lack of quickshift: Press the lens release button and you can turn the focus ring. The lens won't come off by itself, so don't worry. I've done this many many many many times with no problems. No biggie.

3) Plastic lens mount: Very unlikely to break unless you drop it on a hard surface or bang on it. If you do either of those things, your lens is probably going to be hosed anyway.

I personally would go for the DAL & save the $100. (well, $97 after you buy a hood) But yeah, either version of the 55-300 is a superb choice.

08-07-2013, 02:13 PM	#1
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38	Suggestions for a mid-priced tele Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I am buying a new camera and am upgrading my lenses as I go. My plan is to start with the 18-135. I hike often and usually shoot landscapes so having a versatile weather resistant lens seems like a good start. My next lens I plan on buying is the 15mm limited to get a little wider. So now I need ideas for the telephoto end. I am looking for a suggestion for a good lens, prime or zoom, that is around the 200mm plus range. I own a Sigma 170-500 but it rarely makes it into the back pack due to it's size and weight. I am looking for something in the $400 - 500 price range. I would really like to spend less but I realize a decent lens in this range doesn't come cheap. It would be nice if it is not too heavy so that it can be hand held if needed, but image quality is always the first requirement. Thanks for the help.

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08-07-2013, 02:21 PM	#2
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	The DA 55-300 is a good performer and good value, and within your budget (even new; well within your budget used), and reasonably compact and light.

08-07-2013, 02:44 PM	#3
Yos Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 533	+1 on the DA 55-300mm. I am very happy with mine and the lens is almost always in my bag. Read up on the lens reviews and forum posts and I think you will see most people will recommend this lens.

08-07-2013, 02:47 PM	#4
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies. It looks like a nice lens.

08-07-2013, 02:48 PM	#5
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	Originally posted by baro-nite The DA 55-300 is a good performer and good value, and within your budget (even new; well within your budget used), and reasonably compact and light. +1 on this. I just bought one used on the marketplace here and I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival. If you want to see example photos go here: Pentax Camera & Lens Sample Photo Search Engine - PentaxForums.com then select 'SMC PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED' in the second drop down menu (Lens).

08-07-2013, 03:00 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Or the Lens Sample Photo Archive... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

08-07-2013, 03:04 PM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	+1 or whatever on the 55-300. Light and easy to pack and a perfect complement to the 18-135. That's my wife's kit: 18-135 and 55-300. You would have to go to DA*60-250 to get much better and that is a lot heavier and a lot more expensive.

08-07-2013, 03:07 PM	#8
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38 Original Poster	Is there a noticeable difference between the DA-L version and the DA version? It looks like there is about a $100 price difference. Amazon has the DA-L new for $250.

08-07-2013, 03:11 PM	#9
Tako Kichi Veteran Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: SW Ontario, Canada (ex-pat Brit) Posts: 1,296	Originally posted by Ace Is there a noticeable difference between the DA-L version and the DA version? It looks like there is about a $100 price difference. Amazon has the DA-L new for $250. The only difference is in the camera mount. The DA-L has a plastic mount while the DA has a metal mount. EDIT: Double check what it comes with as the DA-L might not come with a lens hood as standard from some suppliers.

08-07-2013, 03:14 PM	#10
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	The difference betwee the DA and DAL are plastic mount and no quick shift on the DAL. The glass is all the same.

08-07-2013, 03:16 PM	#11
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Also the DAL does not come with a hood while the DA does.

08-07-2013, 03:22 PM	#12
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	Having owned a DAL the quickshift does make a big difference especially if you are focusing across the zoom range. It can hunt abit which can be alleviated by a quick twist of the manual focus. So I recommend the DA for this feature alone.

08-07-2013, 08:09 PM	#13
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	Get the DA 55-300 as it has metal mount, quick shift and a great lens hood. All three are important in my opinion.

08-08-2013, 06:58 AM	#14
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38 Original Poster	Thanks for all of the input. The DA 55-300 looks like a great option.

08-08-2013, 07:31 AM	#15
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Regarding the DAL 55-300: 1) Lack of hood: A hood identical to the original DA hood is $3 on eBay. 2) Lack of quickshift: Press the lens release button and you can turn the focus ring. The lens won't come off by itself, so don't worry. I've done this many many many many times with no problems. No biggie. 3) Plastic lens mount: Very unlikely to break unless you drop it on a hard surface or bang on it. If you do either of those things, your lens is probably going to be hosed anyway. I personally would go for the DAL & save the $100. (well, $97 after you buy a hood) But yeah, either version of the 55-300 is a superb choice.