Options for 60-250mm while I wait?

theedudenator · 05-11-2008, 06:55 AM

I currently have a Tamron 300mm/2.8 that I am not using much due to the size and weight - I have kids now....

I see that Pentax will have a 60-250mm 4.0 soon, which will be perfect.
Tamron 70-200mm/2.8 with a 1.4X would also work - but it is not out either.

I do have the Pentax 50-135mm/2.8 Are there any teleconverters that work with SDM? Or will the lens revert to normal type focus?

Sigma has a 100-300mm/4.0 lens also, but it is expensive.

heatherslightbox · 05-11-2008, 10:42 AM

What about getting the new DA55-300? I know it's not constant aperture, but it does produce pretty decent pictures for the price and it's lightweight, too.

Even when the *60-250 does come out, you could still hang on to the 55-300 for those times where you'd rather not lug around a heavy telephoto.

HTH,
Heather

jsherman999 · 05-11-2008, 01:43 PM

I bought the Tamron 70-300 LD Di Macro for this very purpose - to use until the DA* 60-250 is available. I love it, especially for $130 shipped.

.

ankit · 05-11-2008, 01:45 PM

jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped?

Also, do we know the dimensions/weight of the 60-250 yet?

jsherman999 · 05-11-2008, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by ankit

jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped?

buydig.com

Aside from some CA issues, the Tamron 70-300 is very, very sharp for the price, even at 300mm and even wide open. And the 1-2 macro is exceptional.

The samples I've seen from the DA 50-300 are excellent, though. I just don't want to spend that much on a lens I'll be replacing with the 60-250.

.

Torphoto · 05-11-2008, 03:22 PM

They better release the 60-260 soon I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 100-300

cardinal43 · 05-11-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by ankit

jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped?

Also, do we know the dimensions/weight of the 60-250 yet?

I'm not jsherman, but I have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express.

I got mine at Amazon for $129. I like it a bunch.

davek · 05-11-2008, 04:24 PM

Just curious, does anyone know the price-point of the 60-250mm?

heatherslightbox · 05-11-2008, 04:41 PM

The only thing I can gather on a release date is that it's supposed to be sometime this summer. Size-wise it looks like it's going to be a pretty good sized lens, bigger than the *300:

Price-wise it's hard to say as both the Sigma and Tamron 70-200/2.8s run in the $700-800 or so range. With the *60-250 being weathersealed and a constant f/4, I don't know how that's going to affect price in comparison with the Sigma and Tamron 70-200s.

If Pentax were smart, they'd make sure the *60-250 got released this summer around the same time as the Tamron 70-200/2.8 to give the Tamron and Sigma offerings a little competition. Price-wise, they'd be smart to price it in about the same price range as these 2, as some people wouldn't have a problem giving up a bit of aperture to get weathersealing.

I just wish Pentax would bring weathersealing to some of the less expensive lens offerings, as I think they could really get a leg up against everybody else in the consumer-prosumer DSLR lens market.

Heather

ankit · 05-11-2008, 04:46 PM

Thanks for that pic, Heather. I think that settles it. I don't need to wait for the 60-250 - its just too big/heavy for me. Now the chioce is between the DA* 50-135, the DA 200mm, and the 55-300...

Torphoto · 05-11-2008, 05:03 PM

Sigma 100-300!! cause I need a lens now :-(

davek · 05-11-2008, 05:30 PM

Thanks Heather, I'd be happy if it is in that price range. My lens savings account is getting to the point where a 60-250 in that range is feasible. I hope you are right. Reports on the 55-300 are tempting, but I'd really like weather seal.

As an aside, I noticed a plastic ring bouncing around inside my Sigma MF 400mm/5.6 APO. Sigma says they can't fix it (no parts).

I'm going to take it to a local shop to see if they can do something with it.

heatherslightbox · 05-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Ankit,
Besides price, you are right in considering weight as well. If a lens is too big and heavy for you, then you're not as likely to use it. If you have a pretty large budget, then the 50-135/200 combination would be ideal. If your budget isn't that big, then perhaps a 50-135/TC combo would work.

Have you considered the Sigma 50-150/2.8 EX HSM II? B&H has it for $749.00, so it's in the same general price range as the *50-135, but it gives you a little more range on the tele end.

Overall, though, I think the best bang for your buck is the 55-300. It's definitely a step up from the Tamron/Sigma 70-300s and it's about half the price (or even less) than the *50-135 or 50-150. Mine will be delivered on Tuesday, so I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Once it's in my hands, my Sigma 17-70 won't be lonely anymore.

Even if the *60-250 was affordable to me, I still might not get it because of the weight alone.

Heather

gkopeliadis · 05-12-2008, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by Torphoto

They better release the 60-260 soon I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 100-300

Sigma 100-300 is a remarcable lens (at least on a Nikon mount). But it's "wide" end is to long for many circumstances.

Fototim · 05-12-2008, 09:22 AM

This Sigma 100-300/4 is a very strong competitor. But it is probably a lot heavyer and larger than the DA* 60-250 will be when it materielises. So, if weight and size matters ...

I'm very curious about the performanse of the DA* 60-250. I hope it will be in the same class as the 50-135.
If it ain't, then I might end up using the 50-135 with the new promised TC.

05-11-2008, 06:55 AM	#1
theedudenator Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 74	Options for 60-250mm while I wait? I currently have a Tamron 300mm/2.8 that I am not using much due to the size and weight - I have kids now.... I see that Pentax will have a 60-250mm 4.0 soon, which will be perfect. Tamron 70-200mm/2.8 with a 1.4X would also work - but it is not out either. I do have the Pentax 50-135mm/2.8 Are there any teleconverters that work with SDM? Or will the lens revert to normal type focus? Sigma has a 100-300mm/4.0 lens also, but it is expensive.

05-11-2008, 04:41 PM	#9
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	The only thing I can gather on a release date is that it's supposed to be sometime this summer. Size-wise it looks like it's going to be a pretty good sized lens, bigger than the 300: Price-wise it's hard to say as both the Sigma and Tamron 70-200/2.8s run in the $700-800 or so range. With the 60-250 being weathersealed and a constant f/4, I don't know how that's going to affect price in comparison with the Sigma and Tamron 70-200s. If Pentax were smart, they'd make sure the 60-250 got released this summer around the same time as the Tamron 70-200/2.8 to give the Tamron and Sigma offerings a little competition. Price-wise, they'd be smart to price it in about the same price range as these 2, as some people wouldn't have a problem giving up a bit of aperture to get weathersealing. I just wish Pentax would bring weathersealing to some of the less expensive lens offerings, as I think they could really get a leg up against everybody else in the consumer-prosumer DSLR lens market. Heather Last edited by Buddha Jones; 05-11-2008 at 06:58 PM.*

05-12-2008, 09:22 AM	#15
Fototim Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 268	This Sigma 100-300/4 is a very strong competitor. But it is probably a lot heavyer and larger than the DA* 60-250 will be when it materielises. So, if weight and size matters ... I'm very curious about the performanse of the DA* 60-250. I hope it will be in the same class as the 50-135. If it ain't, then I might end up using the 50-135 with the new promised TC. Last edited by Fototim; 05-12-2008 at 09:34 AM.

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05-11-2008, 10:42 AM	#2
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	What about getting the new DA55-300? I know it's not constant aperture, but it does produce pretty decent pictures for the price and it's lightweight, too. Even when the *60-250 does come out, you could still hang on to the 55-300 for those times where you'd rather not lug around a heavy telephoto. HTH, Heather

05-11-2008, 01:43 PM	#3
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	I bought the Tamron 70-300 LD Di Macro for this very purpose - to use until the DA* 60-250 is available. I love it, especially for $130 shipped. .

05-11-2008, 01:45 PM	#4
ankit Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 140	jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped? Also, do we know the dimensions/weight of the 60-250 yet?

05-11-2008, 02:03 PM	#5
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by ankit jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped? buydig.com Aside from some CA issues, the Tamron 70-300 is very, very sharp for the price, even at 300mm and even wide open. And the 1-2 macro is exceptional. The samples I've seen from the DA 50-300 are excellent, though. I just don't want to spend that much on a lens I'll be replacing with the 60-250. .

05-11-2008, 03:22 PM	#6
Torphoto Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad W.I. Photos: Gallery Posts: 612	They better release the 60-260 soon I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 100-300

05-11-2008, 03:26 PM	#7
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Originally posted by ankit jsherman, where did you find the tamron for $130 shipped? Also, do we know the dimensions/weight of the 60-250 yet? I'm not jsherman, but I have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express. I got mine at Amazon for $129. I like it a bunch.

05-11-2008, 04:24 PM	#8
davek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elmira, On, Canada Posts: 461	Just curious, does anyone know the price-point of the 60-250mm?

05-11-2008, 04:46 PM	#10
ankit Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 140	Thanks for that pic, Heather. I think that settles it. I don't need to wait for the 60-250 - its just too big/heavy for me. Now the chioce is between the DA* 50-135, the DA 200mm, and the 55-300...

05-11-2008, 05:03 PM	#11
Torphoto Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad W.I. Photos: Gallery Posts: 612	Sigma 100-300!! cause I need a lens now :-(

05-11-2008, 05:30 PM	#12
davek Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Elmira, On, Canada Posts: 461	Thanks Heather, I'd be happy if it is in that price range. My lens savings account is getting to the point where a 60-250 in that range is feasible. I hope you are right. Reports on the 55-300 are tempting, but I'd really like weather seal. As an aside, I noticed a plastic ring bouncing around inside my Sigma MF 400mm/5.6 APO. Sigma says they can't fix it (no parts). I'm going to take it to a local shop to see if they can do something with it.

05-11-2008, 06:19 PM	#13
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Ankit, Besides price, you are right in considering weight as well. If a lens is too big and heavy for you, then you're not as likely to use it. If you have a pretty large budget, then the 50-135/200 combination would be ideal. If your budget isn't that big, then perhaps a 50-135/TC combo would work. Have you considered the Sigma 50-150/2.8 EX HSM II? B&H has it for $749.00, so it's in the same general price range as the 50-135, but it gives you a little more range on the tele end. Overall, though, I think the best bang for your buck is the 55-300. It's definitely a step up from the Tamron/Sigma 70-300s and it's about half the price (or even less) than the 50-135 or 50-150. Mine will be delivered on Tuesday, so I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival. Once it's in my hands, my Sigma 17-70 won't be lonely anymore. Even if the *60-250 was affordable to me, I still might not get it because of the weight alone. Heather

05-12-2008, 01:04 AM	#14
gkopeliadis Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ATHENS, GREECE Posts: 308	Originally posted by Torphoto They better release the 60-260 soon I'm ready to pull the trigger on a 100-300 Sigma 100-300 is a remarcable lens (at least on a Nikon mount). But it's "wide" end is to long for many circumstances.