Looking for an entry telephoto.

ScottD · 01-30-2007, 06:50 PM

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I found this Sigma AF 75-200mm on eBay, would this be a good start for just playing around?

eBay Link

Thanks!

**Marc Langille** · 01-30-2007, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by ScottD

I found this Sigma AF 75-200mm on eBay, would this be a good start for just playing around?

eBay Link

Thanks!

The Tamron 70-300 - it's a great performer, and, unlike most less expensive zooms, is sharp at 300mm. It's around $200 new.

What I mean by expensive is a constant aperture zoom, like the Sigma 70-200/2.8 or the Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8. Those are much more...

Otherwise you're better off with the Pentax 50-200, which is a great little performer.

Cheers,
Marc

kjao · 01-30-2007, 08:23 PM

Hi Scott

I agree with Marc. Get either the Tamron 70-300 LD Di or the Pentax DA50-200 if you are on a budget. Pentax is more compact but only goes up to 200mm whereas the Tamron goes up to 300mm but it is bulkier (but not too heavy).

cheers
Kenny

ScottD · 01-30-2007, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by 35mmfilm_user

The Tamron 70-300 - it's a great performer, and, unlike most less expensive zooms, is sharp at 300mm. It's around $200 new.

What I mean by expensive is a constant aperture zoom, like the Sigma 70-200/2.8 or the Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8. Those are much more...

Otherwise you're better off with the Pentax 50-200, which is a great little performer.

Cheers,
Marc

IIRC isn't Quantaray a rebadged Tamron? And if so, would this be the lens?

Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 Digital Series AF Zoom Lens for Pentax - 251666111 - WolfCamera.com

**SCGushue** · 01-30-2007, 10:05 PM

Scott,

Someone today just happened to mention that he owned one of the Quat lenses and he specifically told me that it was the Tamron incognito. I can't swear for sure that it is but I believe I have heard this said before. If you go to Photozone.de you can check the Tamron version out and the lens test that shows how really good it is for the money.

It is surprisingly sharp through 200 mm in both center and edge sharpness for the price. Centrally it is pretty good at 300mm but the edges will get pretty soft on you at that focal length. That said, doesn't one usually focus centrally at longer focal lengths. If you want it sharp at the edge at 300 you can pony up another $1000 and get the sharpest zoom tele that Sigma makes... the 100~300 f/4.

Why is it there is always a trade off in life?

Let us know what you do.

Stephen

Originally posted by ScottD

IIRC isn't Quantaray a rebadged Tamron? And if so, would this be the lens?

Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 Digital Series AF Zoom Lens for Pentax - 251666111 - WolfCamera.com

Alvin · 01-31-2007, 10:58 AM

Hey Scott,

Sorry to make you jump around a bit. If you follow this link below, it should answer your questions regarding the Quantaray lens.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/2714-quantaray...ed-tamron.html

There is another link in there that should point you in the right direction.

There is a user here who picked up the lens. Just trying to remember. When I do, I'll repost for you.

Cheers!

shadowrulz3164 · 01-31-2007, 12:49 PM

the sigma 70-300mm 4-5.6 dg macro is a nice choice for a lens too, it is rather big though. but for the price the picture quality is pretty good.

RBellavance · 01-31-2007, 03:26 PM

Unless you need a longer reach than 200mm, you simply can't beat the Pentax DA 50-200mm for the price. It is an amazing little lens, very sharp when stopped down a little, and it is quite compact as well. Oh, and its bokeh seems very nice to me.

Here are some of the first shots I took with it a little over a week ago. All straight out of the K10D, in 10MP *** JPEG mode:

1/400s, f/7.1, ISO 100, 160mm, +0.7EV

1/500s, f/8.0, ISO 100, 200mm, +0.7EV

1/400s, f/7.1, ISO 100, 200mm, +0.7EV

tipentax38 · 02-01-2007, 01:57 PM

ok,it's a manuel focus but if you are cool or if your subject is not very fast or suddenly,yo can obtain this kind of results

tipentax38 · 02-01-2007, 02:03 PM

last week end in my garden

SpecialK · 02-06-2007, 08:21 PM

I know nothing about the Sigma 75-200. It looks a bit clunky but for $50 it could be OK :-) Heard some good things about the Tamron LD Xi Di (or what ever they call the groovy one.).

I do know about the Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 DG Macro... there are a few versions of it and supposedly the "APO " version is the only "good" one. It makes you pretty conspicuous when it is extended over 10 inches, however...

I agree with RBellavance that the Pentax 50-200 is an excellent choice if you don't need 300mm. It seems a bit sharper than the Sigma, though lacks the close focusing ("macro") ability.

01-30-2007, 06:50 PM	#1
ScottD New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: La Vergne, TN Posts: 18	Looking for an entry telephoto. 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 found this Sigma AF 75-200mm on eBay, would this be a good start for just playing around? eBay Link Thanks!

01-30-2007, 07:09 PM	#2
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	I suggest... Originally posted by ScottD I found this Sigma AF 75-200mm on eBay, would this be a good start for just playing around? eBay Link Thanks! The Tamron 70-300 - it's a great performer, and, unlike most less expensive zooms, is sharp at 300mm. It's around $200 new. What I mean by expensive is a constant aperture zoom, like the Sigma 70-200/2.8 or the Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8. Those are much more... Otherwise you're better off with the Pentax 50-200, which is a great little performer. Cheers, Marc

01-31-2007, 03:26 PM	#8
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	DA 50-200mm f4-5.6 Unless you need a longer reach than 200mm, you simply can't beat the Pentax DA 50-200mm for the price. It is an amazing little lens, very sharp when stopped down a little, and it is quite compact as well. Oh, and its bokeh seems very nice to me. Here are some of the first shots I took with it a little over a week ago. All straight out of the K10D, in 10MP *** JPEG mode: 1/400s, f/7.1, ISO 100, 160mm, +0.7EV 1/500s, f/8.0, ISO 100, 200mm, +0.7EV 1/400s, f/7.1, ISO 100, 200mm, +0.7EV

02-01-2007, 01:57 PM	#9
tipentax38 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FRANCE Posts: 146	and why not an old pentax 200mm f4 ok,it's a manuel focus but if you are cool or if your subject is not very fast or suddenly,yo can obtain this kind of results Last edited by tipentax38; 02-08-2007 at 04:23 AM.

02-01-2007, 02:03 PM	#10
tipentax38 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FRANCE Posts: 146	or this one last week end in my garden Last edited by tipentax38; 02-12-2007 at 09:40 PM.

01-30-2007, 08:23 PM	#3
kjao Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 423	Hi Scott I agree with Marc. Get either the Tamron 70-300 LD Di or the Pentax DA50-200 if you are on a budget. Pentax is more compact but only goes up to 200mm whereas the Tamron goes up to 300mm but it is bulkier (but not too heavy). cheers Kenny

01-30-2007, 09:36 PM	#4
ScottD New Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: La Vergne, TN Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by 35mmfilm_user The Tamron 70-300 - it's a great performer, and, unlike most less expensive zooms, is sharp at 300mm. It's around $200 new. What I mean by expensive is a constant aperture zoom, like the Sigma 70-200/2.8 or the Pentax FA* 80-200/2.8. Those are much more... Otherwise you're better off with the Pentax 50-200, which is a great little performer. Cheers, Marc IIRC isn't Quantaray a rebadged Tamron? And if so, would this be the lens? Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 Digital Series AF Zoom Lens for Pentax - 251666111 - WolfCamera.com

01-30-2007, 10:05 PM	#5
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	Scott, Someone today just happened to mention that he owned one of the Quat lenses and he specifically told me that it was the Tamron incognito. I can't swear for sure that it is but I believe I have heard this said before. If you go to Photozone.de you can check the Tamron version out and the lens test that shows how really good it is for the money. It is surprisingly sharp through 200 mm in both center and edge sharpness for the price. Centrally it is pretty good at 300mm but the edges will get pretty soft on you at that focal length. That said, doesn't one usually focus centrally at longer focal lengths. If you want it sharp at the edge at 300 you can pony up another $1000 and get the sharpest zoom tele that Sigma makes... the 100~300 f/4. Why is it there is always a trade off in life? Let us know what you do. Stephen Originally posted by ScottD IIRC isn't Quantaray a rebadged Tamron? And if so, would this be the lens? Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 Digital Series AF Zoom Lens for Pentax - 251666111 - WolfCamera.com

01-31-2007, 10:58 AM	#6
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Hey Scott, Sorry to make you jump around a bit. If you follow this link below, it should answer your questions regarding the Quantaray lens. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/2714-quantaray...ed-tamron.html There is another link in there that should point you in the right direction. There is a user here who picked up the lens. Just trying to remember. When I do, I'll repost for you. Cheers!

01-31-2007, 12:49 PM	#7
shadowrulz3164 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 157	the sigma 70-300mm 4-5.6 dg macro is a nice choice for a lens too, it is rather big though. but for the price the picture quality is pretty good.

02-06-2007, 08:21 PM	#11
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	I know nothing about the Sigma 75-200. It looks a bit clunky but for $50 it could be OK :-) Heard some good things about the Tamron LD Xi Di (or what ever they call the groovy one.). I do know about the Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 DG Macro... there are a few versions of it and supposedly the "APO " version is the only "good" one. It makes you pretty conspicuous when it is extended over 10 inches, however... I agree with RBellavance that the Pentax 50-200 is an excellent choice if you don't need 300mm. It seems a bit sharper than the Sigma, though lacks the close focusing ("macro") ability.

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