[bassek]

dont really care about size, i care about best image quality to dollar spent...Aloha Timothy

The F70-210. Fast AF, good IQ but needs a 49mm hood (choose a 100-135mm lenght) for decent outdoor use. Cost is less than $100.

Seb

[Krusty Surfer]

and where pray tell does one find such a critter?
Aloha

[Docrwm]

and where pray tell does one find such a critter?
Aloha

Marketplace, KEH, Goodwill online, Adorama Used, B&H used.......

[robjmitchell]

Just remember that the 60-250, for all its optical greatness, is prone to failure - as are all the SDM lenses from Pentax. Until they fix that problem it would be wise to look into the screw-drive fix for the SDM lenses if you buy one. YMMV.

The 60-250 doesn't have nearly the same failure rate as the first sdm lens. The 16-50 was particularly problematic, with 50-135 and 17-70 some what behind. The 55, 300 and 60-250 have lowish failure rates (no worse than canikon with their IS)

[Docrwm]

The 60-250 doesn't have nearly the same failure rate as the first sdm lens. The 16-50 was particularly problematic, with 50-135 and 17-70 some what behind. The 55, 300 and 60-250 have lowish failure rates (no worse than canikon with their IS)

Fine. As I said, simply know that this occurs (rate is debatable) and that there is a screw drive fix for it, if you decide to spend $1k+ on a defective mechanical design. If they would simply change their SDM to DC like the 18-135 it seems most of these concerns would go away. Last I checked there was 0 total report of DC failure in the 18-135 and there were more than that for the higher priced SDM lenses. Pentax SDM Failure Survey Results - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com A 6% failure rate for a premier lens seems a bit high to me (the 60-250 - the rate reaches up to 35% in other premier SDM lenses) when the consumer 18-135 has a 0% failure rate.

[dadipentak]

I haven't read all the suggestions but for IQ, reach at a fairly reasonable price, it's hard to beat the DA*300 in combination with the new 1.4x TC.

[jatrax]

Last I checked there was 0 total report of DC failure in the 18-135 and there were more than that for the higher priced SDM lenses.

My 18-135 just came back from Precision Camera "DC motor replaced". No warning or symptoms just quit focusing. Precision fixed and returned it in 21 days by the way. So unfortunately no longer zero But AFAIK, that's the first reported DC failure, so I agree the DC system has had a very good run so far.

SDM on the other hand, not so much. However, Ricoh stated that SDM lenses made after January 2012 have a different SDM motor. They never officially acknowledged an issue just stated the part was upgraded. I would not hesitate to buy a new SDM lens, but older ones would give me pause.

I also remember reading, but cannot find at this time, that 16-50 and 50-135 shared a motor and that 60-250 and 300 shared a motor which was stronger/bigger or something. My 16-50 has been repaired, 60-250 and 300 so far no issues.

[Docrwm]

My 18-135 just came back from Precision Camera "DC motor replaced". No warning or symptoms just quit focusing. Precision fixed and returned it in 21 days by the way. So unfortunately no longer zero But AFAIK, that's the first reported DC failure, so I agree the DC system has had a very good run so far.

SDM on the other hand, not so much. However, Ricoh stated that SDM lenses made after January 2012 have a different SDM motor. They never officially acknowledged an issue just stated the part was upgraded. I would not hesitate to buy a new SDM lens, but older ones would give me pause.

I also remember reading, but cannot find at this time, that 16-50 and 50-135 shared a motor and that 60-250 and 300 shared a motor which was stronger/bigger or something. My 16-50 has been repaired, 60-250 and 300 so far no issues.

Sorry to hear about your 18-135, but happy that the new service center turned it around in only 3 weeks. Perhaps newer SDM lenses are better, not saying they are but I do hope so.

[jatrax]

Perhaps newer SDM lenses are better, not saying they are but I do hope so.

Me too, SDM has been a stain on Pentax's reputation. Particularly since it was used on the 'premium' lenses. Sad that the AF on the $150 kit lens is rock solid indestructible but a $1,200 lens is assumed to be an eventual repair bill.


Glad to see you back by the way!

[Docrwm]

Me too, SDM has been a stain on Pentax's reputation. Particularly since it was used on the 'premium' lenses. Sad that the AF on the $150 kit lens is rock solid indestructible but a $1,200 lens is assumed to be an eventual repair bill.


Glad to see you back by the way!

I agree, and thanks.

[Nicolas06]

If I understand it right you ask for great image quality and you where not satisfyied by the 150-500.

There 2 solutions here:
A) either as you said the lighting condition where bad (maybe with some distant atmospheric fog).
B) either you need optic that are better than 150-500 in term of quality.

If we consider B), then we can remove all the 55-300, 70-300, 50-500 & 120-400 that would be similar or worse in quality depending of the model.

Only 2 concrete choice remain in practice: DA*60-250 & DA*300 and to consider the TC 1.4 in combination. If you are not sure to go after a prime, I'd get the 60-250 + eventually the TC. In practical terms you'll get same quality as 150-500 when cropping to 500mm but far better quality in the 60-350 range... And the possibility to use the 60-150 range... this is a very usefull range.

Last possibility if you don't mind being somewhat shorter in focal lens is 70-200 f/2.8 + TC. The 70-200 are usually very high quality and the f/2.8 allow for some nice bokeh shoot... And much more capabilities in low light / fast speed you might need for sports. The TC bring you to 280 and you can still crop a little.

It depend in the end what max focal lens you need, 280, 350 or more.

But don't discard optical quality for focal length. I discovered that my 50-135 (yeah only 135mm) at 135mm + crops is able to get shoots are good or better than 55-300 set to 250-300mm. This is just by cropping, not even TC.

The 60-250 is going to be better than the 150-500 at 350-400mm if you add the TC... Optical quality is important.

[Conqueror]

How about:

a 100mm DFA WR and a 55-300mm DA WR

Unusual suggestion I know... but both are great VFM

If WR is not needed then the Tamron 70-200mm seems to be incredible VFM

[bassek]

and where pray tell does one find such a critter?
Aloha

On ebay there are 4 for sale in the US.

Seb

[nomadkng]

why are we still talking about the DA55-300 in this thread. and the f70-210 f4-f5.6?

the requirement is for pro quality IQ
here's the choices

for under 2k:

DA*50-135
Sigma 50-150
DA*60-250
Sigma 70-200
Tamron 70-200
FA*80-200 f2.8
Sigma 100-300 f4
FA*200 f2.8
DA*200
DA*300
FA*300 F4.5

PLUS -
Sigma 300 f2.8 - 3k
F*/FA* 300 f2.8 - 3k
FA*400 f5.6-3k
Sigma 500 f4.5 -4K
DA*560 -5k

That's it. That's your choices. (though I may have missed one or two F/FA* lens in there some where) IF none of these lenses are in your budget, and/or can't be found, since many are legacy glass, then that's another story. The biggest problem is the OP request for "on the cheap". High IQ and a fast lens does not come "cheap" or even "moderately priced". The lenses listed above start at about $600 used and go up from there. If you want 300mm it starts at 1000 and goes up from there.