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View Poll Results: Which has better IQ from 70-200mm?
Tamron 70-300 LD Di 1938.78%
Sigma 70-300 APO 1734.69%
Pentax DA 50-20 1326.53%
other (please specify)   00%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

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04-17-2008, 02:29 PM   #1
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oh no! another tammy/sigma/pentax thread

Long time lurker - few time poster here...


Ive been looking to compliment my kit lens (18-55) with something a bit longer when I just cant get close enough. While ive searched and searched and read and read I havent found a clear answer on which lens I should go with.

I have in my arsenal already:

FA 50/1.4
DA 18-55 (kit lens)
Tamron 1.4 TC

I have been tossing up between the Tamron 70-300DI LD, Sigma 70-300 APO, DA 50-200.

Im looking to spend roughly $200 to complete my 'getting started' kit. Out of these 3, which has the best IQ (color/contrast). I know this can be considered comparing apples to oranges but in an attempt to even the playing field I am only looking for the 70-200 range.

i am not sure if I will use the 200-300 range but I was considering them as "just in case" but that can be nullified by using my TC, correct?


Last edited by ixc; 04-17-2008 at 02:31 PM. Reason: edited to resubscribe.
04-17-2008, 02:40 PM   #2
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I got the Tamron 70-300 ($130) for the 70-200mm reach. Heres a couple 100% crops shot at 200mm on the tamron 70-300:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/24756-tamron-70-300mm.html

Last edited by ivoire; 04-17-2008 at 02:46 PM.
04-17-2008, 02:52 PM   #3
ixc
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QuoteOriginally posted by ivoire Quote
I got the Tamron 70-300 ($130) for the 70-200mm reach. Heres a couple 100% crops shot at 200mm on the tamron 70-300:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/24756-tamron-70-300mm.html

do you know if CA shows across the board or more @ telephoto?


also curious as to what is easier to correct - removing CA or sharpening images PP?
04-17-2008, 03:09 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by ixc Quote
do you know if CA shows across the board or more @ telephoto?


also curious as to what is easier to correct - removing CA or sharpening images PP?
CA seems to be more of a problem above 200mm (in my limited experience, just got the lens). Sharpening is easier, but i don't really need to do it with this lens up to about 210mm (hard to believe, but i found the sharpness to be "close" to that of my 300mm f* lens when shooting 70-200mm). i haven't had any CA issues yet, but it should be easy to remove in photoshop. correcting ca in photoshop:

How to deal with chromatic aberrations

04-17-2008, 03:53 PM   #5
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I already had the Tamron and sold it to buy the DA50-200.

It's smaller and more compact, render's great images, if you don't need the 300mm it's the best choice.

Other option is to wait for the new DA55-300.
04-17-2008, 08:43 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by barbosas Quote
I already had the Tamron and sold it to buy the DA50-200.

It's smaller and more compact, render's great images, if you don't need the 300mm it's the best choice.

Other option is to wait for the new DA55-300.

where there any other deciding factors for your decision other than size/weight?
04-17-2008, 08:52 PM   #7
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If you are only concerned about out to 200mm, then I'd go with the Pentax 50-200. It has slighty better IQ than the Sigma, and 1/2 the bulk of the others. It has no quasi-macro mode (1:3 on Sigma, 1:2 on Tamron) and focuses to about 39 in if I recall correctly.

With the Sigma you will stick out like a sore thumb, so people may get nervous around you :-)

Here's my comparison of the 50-200 to my 2 Sigmas:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/4768-lens-comp...-70-300-a.html

04-17-2008, 08:58 PM   #8
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Ify ou are looking to have a compact kit AND don't need the 300mm, then get the DA50-200. Both Tamron and Sigma are relatively bulky when compared to the DA50-200.

If you need the 300mm, then it comes down to what you can accept in terms of image quality. Tamron is reported to be sharper at the 300mm end but Sigma seems to have less CA.

If you were in Australia, I would tell you to get the Tamron because it is much cheaper to get than the Sigma.

cheers
Kenny
04-18-2008, 09:08 AM   #9
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Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 ... and use the x1.4 TC of yours to get the extra reach needed.
This is on my to-do list .... I already have the TC .. but looking at the new Tamron zoom to replace my 75-300 Pentax.
04-18-2008, 09:25 AM   #10
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The new DA 55-300 will probably be the best compliment to the kit lens as it covers the widest range without a gap.

It remains to be seen how much better (or worse) it is with regard to resolution, CA and PF over the others.

I'm hopeful of a decent outcome, as we need a better class of lens than any of the choices listed, without having to resort to the DA*60-250, or other exotica!
04-18-2008, 09:07 PM   #11
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reply to #7 above.
Those two lenses are nearly identical size-wise.
3 inches x 4.6 (Tamron) and 3 x 4.8 (Sigma)
That difference wouldn't make you "stick out like a sore thumb".
Both go 1:2 macro.
Tamron costs $130, and the non-APO Sigma is $143, while
the APO version discussed, is about $200, I believe?
04-19-2008, 05:38 AM   #12
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Does anybody have any experience with the Tamron 75-300? From what little I've been able to find out about it, it looks like a pretty decent lens itself.

Tamron | Zoom Telephoto AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD | AF276P700

Most of the photos in pbase look pretty decent...
Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Macro Lens Sample Photos and Specifications

Thanks!
Heather

Last edited by heatherslightbox; 04-19-2008 at 05:46 AM.
04-19-2008, 11:32 AM   #13
ixc
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mechan1k Quote
Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 ... and use the x1.4 TC of yours to get the extra reach needed.
This is on my to-do list .... I already have the TC .. but looking at the new Tamron zoom to replace my 75-300 Pentax.
sounds like a solid plan, but a bit too far out of my price bracket @ this point.

QuoteOriginally posted by Richard Day Quote
The new DA 55-300 will probably be the best compliment to the kit lens as it covers the widest range without a gap.

It remains to be seen how much better (or worse) it is with regard to resolution, CA and PF over the others.

I'm hopeful of a decent outcome, as we need a better class of lens than any of the choices listed, without having to resort to the DA*60-250, or other exotica!
i did a quick search on the DA 55-300 and it does sound appealing and would also warrant saving a little more to get it based on the test shots i've seen. any idea of a release date?
04-19-2008, 11:50 AM   #14
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Heather,
I don't believe the lens that came up at B&H is the newest version/part #.
(I'm not positive on this, however.)
Check the Tamron site to make sure, but I think there is a newer version.
04-19-2008, 12:18 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Film2Digital Quote
Heather,
I don't believe the lens that came up at B&H is the newest version/part #.
(I'm not positive on this, however.)
Check the Tamron site to make sure, but I think there is a newer version.
No, this isn't the newest version, but it's only $129.99. The only reason I'm a little hesitant to go with the 70-300 Di is the complaints that I've read about the CA. I don't like to spend a lot of time PPing my pics, so my goal is to get the best pic out of the lens the first time. With the 75-300, I'm curious if it has the same problems with CA that the 70-300 does.

Apparently, it's still produced because it's on Tamron's website:
AF75-300mm F/4-5.6 LD; Tamron USA, Inc.

Heather
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