Pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 vs Tamron 70-200 f2.8

northcoastgreg · 12-19-2013, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Erictator

this thread has my attention especially if you noticed the other thread I have going, but I think a still better thread would be the DA 60-250 F4 vs/ Tamron 70-200 2.8

It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for pro-quality telephoto zoom, then it's irrelevant to compare the Tamron 70-200 with the DA 55-300. But if you're looking for the best telephoto zoom going to at least 200mm under $1000, then it's no longer "apples and oranges." These two lenses are your two best choices in that group. The Tamron is obviously better optically. But it's heavy, more expensive, and more prone to QC issues. The Pentax is less expensive, much lighter, has a wider range, and might qualify as "good enough," depending on one's needs. The new HD version of the 55-300 may even have better flare control.

As I know longer trust numerical tests or gear-head, numerical spec-oriented reviewers, I've been trying to track down every full resolution image on the web taken with one of these two lenses. I've gaped at hundreds of images from each lens. Since the Tamron full rez pics online tend to be taken by better photographers than those from the DA 55-300, I've got a much better idea of what the 70-200 is capable of. In word, it looks to be a splendid lens capable of producing images with excellent clarity, microcontrast, and rendering. It has the best color rendering of any third party zoom I've ever run across. While I wouldn't quite put it on par with what I've seen from the DA* 50-135 and the DA* 60-250, it's surprisingly close. The DA 55-300, on the other hand, continues to remain a bit of a cipher to me. Most of high-rez images I've seen from it are taken by photographers who suffer from poor technique. I've yet to see an image from that lens taken in the 55 to 135, stopped down, that wasn't compromised by poor technique. Then there's the added wrinkle of the new HD version. I've seen very few images from that lens, but the those that I have seen look quite promising. At the wide end of the zoom, when stopped down, could the HD version hold it's own with the Tamron?

Originally posted by Erictator

I'd really like to see some work from a skilled photographer that owns both, and read their opinion.

I'd really like to see this for all lenses. It would be much more useful than the usual numerical tests.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DA* 200 mm vs. Tamron/Sigma 70-200 f2.8	yorik	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	08-21-2012 03:50 PM
For Sale - Sold: K10D,Tamron 70-200 f2.8, DA 55-300, Sigma 17-70, Pentax SMC-F 50 1.7	daacon	Sold Items	10	05-10-2012 08:24 AM
Tamron 70-200 f2.8 vs Sigma 70-200 f2.8 In Low Light	Christopher M.W.T	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	11-23-2009 03:57 PM
Pentax 55- 135 f2.8 Vs. Tamron 70 -200 f2.8	mikejustice	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	13	08-23-2009 09:27 AM
Pentax 55-300 vs sigma/tamron 70-200 f2.8	raider	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	11-12-2008 12:18 AM

12-19-2013, 11:36 AM	#16
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by Erictator this thread has my attention especially if you noticed the other thread I have going, but I think a still better thread would be the DA 60-250 F4 vs/ Tamron 70-200 2.8 It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for pro-quality telephoto zoom, then it's irrelevant to compare the Tamron 70-200 with the DA 55-300. But if you're looking for the best telephoto zoom going to at least 200mm under $1000, then it's no longer "apples and oranges." These two lenses are your two best choices in that group. The Tamron is obviously better optically. But it's heavy, more expensive, and more prone to QC issues. The Pentax is less expensive, much lighter, has a wider range, and might qualify as "good enough," depending on one's needs. The new HD version of the 55-300 may even have better flare control. As I know longer trust numerical tests or gear-head, numerical spec-oriented reviewers, I've been trying to track down every full resolution image on the web taken with one of these two lenses. I've gaped at hundreds of images from each lens. Since the Tamron full rez pics online tend to be taken by better photographers than those from the DA 55-300, I've got a much better idea of what the 70-200 is capable of. In word, it looks to be a splendid lens capable of producing images with excellent clarity, microcontrast, and rendering. It has the best color rendering of any third party zoom I've ever run across. While I wouldn't quite put it on par with what I've seen from the DA* 50-135 and the DA* 60-250, it's surprisingly close. The DA 55-300, on the other hand, continues to remain a bit of a cipher to me. Most of high-rez images I've seen from it are taken by photographers who suffer from poor technique. I've yet to see an image from that lens taken in the 55 to 135, stopped down, that wasn't compromised by poor technique. Then there's the added wrinkle of the new HD version. I've seen very few images from that lens, but the those that I have seen look quite promising. At the wide end of the zoom, when stopped down, could the HD version hold it's own with the Tamron? Originally posted by Erictator I'd really like to see some work from a skilled photographer that owns both, and read their opinion. I'd really like to see this for all lenses. It would be much more useful than the usual numerical tests.