[BodenM]

Hi all,
I've started doing motorsports photography as of late, and I've been finding that my 18-135 just isn't cutting it on the tele end at times, so I was looking at getting a second, longer lens to compensate for that. I was thinking of ideally getting a long zoom lens, something like 100-300 or similar just for a bit of added flexibility over a fixed telephoto. I don't shoot motorsports in low-light much, but it would be nice if it had at least somewhat fast aperture too. Autofocus would also be nice, but it's not a must-have for me. I was thinking around a budget of $200-300, maybe a little more if it's worth it. What would your suggestions be? Thanks

[JinDesu]

If the motorsports is during the daytime, the DA 55-300 would be pretty much perfect. It's ~$300, fast-ish autofocus, long enough, plus sharper than most of the zooms in that range.

[jatrax]

Likely any of the Pentax 100-300's would work but they will be slow and honestly none ever really impressed me. But they would all be well within your budget and you might get a good copy. SMC Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.7-5.8 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

There are also the Sigma 70-300's several models and again all well within your budget. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Another option if you can live with 200 is the F 70-210 which is well respected, very fast to focus and inexpensive. SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 Reviews - F Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Another step up would be the DA 55-300 which comes in three different flavors, probably over your budget new, but used should be no problem. The DA L version should be less than $200 easily. SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Then you move way up to something like the Sigma 100-300 f/4 which I think would be perfect, but is way over your budget. Sigma APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Within your budget I would probably go with the DA L 55-300. It's not perfect but you get a lot of lens for the price.

[MarkJerling]

I recon the Sigma 70-300mm will work well, on a budget. Or, possibly the 400mm.

[jimr-pdx]

My bargain choice is the Sigma or Quantaray 100-300 f4.5-6.7 which you can get for $60 or less any time. Feels cheap like a DAL lens but focuses much faster than the 55-300. Some copies are low in contrast such that images look soft, but a contrast boost and some sharpening fixes them right up. Definitely needs good light for its slow f6.7 max aperture above 250mm. And if it doesn't work for you, the cost hurts very little!

Check the lower portion of this blog post for more: surprising $35 lenses
Or this : that'll do!

P.S PM me if you want a loaner

[Macario]

I can recommend the F80-200 f4.7-5.6. You can get it cheap on the secondhand market, and it is suprisingly sharp.

[ismaelg]

Motorsports is my favorite subject. Unfortunately not much time for it.
I like the 55-300 a lot for that. Mine is the DA-L.
With today's cameras, higher ISO performance somewhat compensates for speed unless you are looking for very shallow DOF.
Since you mention AF is not a must, before the 55-300 I used the A70-210 f4. Very sharp and one of my favorite manual focus lenses.

Thanks,

[old4570]

Hmmmm , Yes the Sigma 70-300 with ? ( Macro ) ... Relatively sharp and fast focus ..

[bass3587]

"There can be only one!" DA 55-300...oops two the DA L 55-300 Here are a few examples.



And a 100% Crop. I didn't nail focus but you get the picture. Shot at 70mm

[BodenM]

Thanks for the help guys, will probably get a DA 55-300, if I can stretch the budget or find a good deal on a used one I'll look at the HD 55-300 too

[GibbyTheMole]

You've already made your mind up, but 'll chime in anyway... These would be my picks:

1) Pentax DA or DA-L (optically identical) 55-300... A very sharp lens from about 90mm all the way out to 300mm. The downside is that it sometimes focus hunts. Otherwise, it's a great all-around performer. The DA should set you back a couple hundred bucks with the DA-L available used for about $160.

2) Tamron SP Adaptall model 23A 60-300... Very similar in performance to the Pentax 55-300, but manual focus. It also has excellent true macro capabilities. You should be able to get one for $60 with a PK mount adapter for $15. Unless you spring for the too-expensive PK-A mount ($75 or so) you'll be confined to manual "green-button" metering. This is a great lens, though... I own the Pentax 55-300 and still I won't get rid of my Tamron.

Good luck!

[stubyles]

If you're prepared to focus manually, the Tair 3C (not phs) is a brilliant lens for shooting fast moving stuff.
It has a strange focussing ring which, once you get used to it, makes focussing fast moving objects with "Catch in focus" really easy.
You can pick it up as part of a Photosniper kit for less than £100.

[boriscleto]

prodigital2000 out of Canada has the HD for $389.99 on eBay. The DA L is $249 or less.

[osv]

You've already made your mind up, but 'll chime in anyway... These would be my picks:

2) Tamron SP Adaptall model 23A 60-300... Very similar in performance to the Pentax 55-300, but manual focus. It also has excellent true macro capabilities. You should be able to get one for $60 with a PK mount adapter for $15. Unless you spring for the too-expensive PK-A mount ($75 or so) you'll be confined to manual "green-button" metering. This is a great lens, though... I own the Pentax 55-300 and still I won't get rid of my Tamron.

x2 on that! it also works on full frame, albeit with a bit of vignetting.

great bang for the buck.