[Stoney]

Hello, I'm asking for advice on best lens deal. I'm pretty new to dslrs and just have a Pentax smc 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 al wr. I get pretty good IQ if I adjust all settings just right for the situation, but it lacks range for far shots that I'd like. I have champagne taste but am on a beer budget. Advice on say, "the best bang for the buck" would be awesome,
New- Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Tele Zoom Lens w/Tiffen 58mm UV Filter, Lens Cap Leash, Professional Lens Cleaning Kit : $145
Used- Pentax Smcp-da 50-200mm F4-5.6 Ed $74
Used- Pentax Smcp-dal 50-200mm F4-5.6 Ed $99
Used- Tamron 70-300 Di Ld Mac 4/5.6 Px-af $149
Used- Pentax Smcp-f 80-200 4.7/5.6 $99
Used- Tamron 80-210 4.5-5.6 F/px Af $49
Used- Pentax-a 70-210 4.0 Zoom Lens *58 $99
Used- Tokina/px 70-210 4.0/5.6 Af $99
Used is described as; Barrel may have slight wear but only visible under close inspection. Lens glass is flawless.

I have a K30 and prefer MF 70-80% of the time over AF.
Sharp over soft IQ would be my leaning point also.
Thanks Much

[elliott]

If you prefer manual focus, there is a Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f2.8-4 in the marketplace.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/235225-sale-v...-3-komine.html

[Gilzuma]

have you considered the Pentax 55-300? dal version can be had for under $200 used - if you look around. The lens is quite nice in my opinion!

[SpecialK]

have you considered the Pentax 55-300? dal version can be had for under $200 used - if you look around. The lens is quite nice in my opinion!

This is the best bang for the buck, but get a hood for it.

[DSims]

The DA55-300 is a very good AF lens for the price. But if you like MF, you may get even better results with the old Vivitar or Pentax 70-210 lenses.

Judge for yourself: PENTAX : Select a PENTAX interchangeable lens camera or a lens model

[Stoney]

I've been told that the 55-300 dal was good, the lowest price I've found is $184.
Does anyone know if the Tamron 60-300 f3.8-5.4 Macro is ok or good? Found it for $99.
Is the 55-300 dal that much better?

[Just1MoreDave]

The Pentax DA-L 55-300 is the best choice if you want to get to 300mm. It is better than the other lenses on your list that get to 300mm.

Now keep in mind that 300mm isn't always necessary. You need a faster shutter speed to reduce camera shake, so you might need a tripod sometimes, or higher ISO. The lens is bigger too. I got the DA 50-200 WR for travel, and it makes a good companion to the 18-55 WR. It's smaller, lighter, and WR. You have one of the non-WR versions on your list for $74; the WR is maybe $150+.

[twilhelm]

The 55-300 from Pentax really is a stellar lens for the money even if it is a bit more than the others. But I think the hood is a requirement.

[interested_observer]

Evening,

I believe what you really are asking is for a lens strategy with out realizing it. Having an overall stragety will help figuring out what you really want when the time comes - especially with a beer budget.

I think initially your choices are between the:

• DA 50-200 WR - I would go this route if you do a lot of outdoor shooting in wet weather.
• DA 55-300 - I would go this route if you feel the need for more in the way of telephoto shooting.

Either way, I think with a two lenses across 18 - 200 or 18 - 300 would give you the ability to do a little bit of everything. I would suggest staying with the two lenses for a while- the short zoom and a long zoom, shooting whatever and this will lead you to what you are most interested in. Between looking at your shots and seeing what focal lengths you tend to shoot the most, and based on your interests in terms of what you can't do with across both the short and long zooms, you will start to know what you may (or may not) do next. For a lot of folks, these lenses cover all their needs. Others develop special interests that they then fill in with additional purchases.

Just understand that photography is about compromises and there are a never ending ways to $pend fund$....

[Stoney]

The Pentax DA-L 55-300 is the best choice if you want to get to 300mm. It is better than the other lenses on your list that get to 300mm.

Now keep in mind that 300mm isn't always necessary. You need a faster shutter speed to reduce camera shake, so you might need a tripod sometimes, or higher ISO. The lens is bigger too. I got the DA 50-200 WR for travel, and it makes a good companion to the 18-55 WR. It's smaller, lighter, and WR. You have one of the non-WR versions on your list for $74; the WR is maybe $150+.

The picture on the $74 50-200mm shows a metal mount not plastic. I'll contact sell to see if its WR. Plus it comes with a hood.
If it is WR, I feel $74 might be worth it. If I'd like more than 200mm then I'll look for a 55-300mm.

[Stoney]

Evening,

I believe what you really are asking is for a lens strategy with out realizing it. Having an overall stragety will help figuring out what you really want when the time comes - especially with a beer budget.

I think initially your choices are between the:

• DA 50-200 WR - I would go this route if you do a lot of outdoor shooting in wet weather.
• DA 55-300 - I would go this route if you feel the need for more in the way of telephoto shooting.

Either way, I think with a two lenses across 18 - 200 or 18 - 300 would give you the ability to do a little bit of everything. I would suggest staying with the two lenses for a while- the short zoom and a long zoom, shooting whatever and this will lead you to what you are most interested in. Between looking at your shots and seeing what focal lengths you tend to shoot the most, and based on your interests in terms of what you can't do with across both the short and long zooms, you will start to know what you may (or may not) do next. For a lot of folks, these lenses cover all their needs. Others develop special interests that they then fill in with additional purchases.

Just understand that photography is about compromises and there are a never ending ways to $pend fund$....

Thanks. These are all helpful ideas. I'm think if that $74 50-200mm is WR if not 55-300mm, then. I'm thinking I'm leaning telephoto not macro but I see once I get more range.

[GibbyTheMole]

Does anyone know if the Tamron 60-300 f3.8-5.4 Macro is ok or good? Found it for $99.

This one? Absolutely! Optically, it's excellent. I have this one and the Pentax 55-300, and they're extremely close when it comes to image quality. The Tamron is sharper wide open in the below 85mm end of the zoom range than the Pentax 55-300, though. From what I've observed, here's how they stack up:

Tamron 60-300:

PROS:
Very useful true macro mode with up to 1:1.55x magnification
Sharper wide open below 85mm than the Pentax 55-300
Superb build quality
Much cheaper
You can use it on any camera with appropriate Adaptall adapter

CONS:
Manual focus
Bigger & heavier
Auto exposure capability requires expensive PK/A adapter, which can be flaky.

Pentax 55-300:

PROS:
A bit less purple fringing than the Tamron
Autofocus
Auto exposure modes
Lighter and easier to handle than the Tamron

CONS:
No macro
More expensive

The Tamron's a great performer, but unless it comes with the PK/A adapter or at least a genuine Tamron PK adapter, AND is in immaculate condition, $99 is overpriced. You should be able to get one in good shape for around $50 or less, pick up a PK adapter for $10-$15 & you're in business. I personally would not buy the PK/A adapter separately, as these go for upwards of $80, and you still don't get autofocus. By the time you buy the lens and the PK/A adapter, you may as well get the Pentax 55-300.

If you go with the Tamron, (unless you're lucky enough to get the PK/A adapter with it) you'll have to decide whether you want to be relegated to shooting with no automation at all. If not, save up for the Pentax 55-300. Either one will give you great images, though.

[thornburg]

If you're still shopping, and you're in the US, have you looked at KEH?

They're an excellent dealer of used lenses.

Look in:

Pentax Autofocus
Pentax Digital
Pentax Manual Focus

[NZUnicorn]

I have been using three zooms on a Kx, trying to decide which one to keep. The A 70-210 is currently my favorite, but the DA 55-300 also has a lot of appeal. I find the DA 50-200 does not have much to recommend it, in comparison, other than size and weight.

Pentax A 70-210

• Best image quality of the three
• Constant f4
• Rather heavy
• Manual focus
• Need to set focal length for image stabiliser

Pentax DAL 55-300

• Image quality a little below A 70-210
• Medium weight
• Covers widest range of focal lengths

Pentax DA 50-200

• Image quality quite a bit below DA 55-300
• Very small and light

[Stoney]

I think I narrowed it do to the Pentax 55-300, 50-200, a Sigma 70-300 DG AP Macro. Does anyone know of/ heard of a place where I can get the Sigma for less then $189. new? I'm thinking that may fit into my "wants" the most.