55-300 vs F 70-210

Docrwm · 12-15-2014, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

For portraits, the DA* 50-135/2.8 is king of Pentax mount zooms, IMHO. There are some primes, like the FA77 which I like better, but the DA* really is the portrait range. Any longer than 135 is a bit compressed for me, but YMMY. Unless you are going to drop some bucks on the DA*, the difference between zooms like the 55-300 or 70-210 that are around that range aren't that significant to my eyes, especially for a portrait where corners are not as critical.

True but its also obscenely expensive. The OP has said he's on a strict budget. The old F zooms in the 100-135 range are actually pretty good as many have suggested. Also, the OP said that he has a 35 so needs longer but wants AF.

Flugelbinder · 12-15-2014, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

True but its also obscenely expensive. The OP has said he's on a strict budget. The old F zooms in the 100-135 range are actually pretty good as many have suggested. Also, the OP said that he has a 35 so needs longer but wants AF.

Yes, sad but true...

That's why the 'old' 70-210 comes in play - and because of the earlier very pleasant experience with the Nikon...

---------- Post added 12-15-14 at 12:50 PM ----------

Originally posted by GeneV

...the difference between zooms like the 55-300 or 70-210 that are around that range aren't that significant to my eyes, especially for a portrait where corners are not as critical...

Would you say the same for the Tokina 70-210? It's probably the best deal I can find, at the moment (other than a Sigma UC II). Was hoping of getting a good deal on a used 55-300 - for the extra stop - but it seems a bit out of reach, for now...

**nicoprod** · 12-15-2014, 01:32 PM

@Flugelbinder, there's a copy of the F 70-210 for sale right now in the marketplace for $59. Just buy it.

Flugelbinder · 12-15-2014, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by nicoprod

@Flugelbinder, there's a copy of the F 70-210 for sale right now in the marketplace for $59. Just buy it.

Discussing details as we speak...

kkoether · 12-15-2014, 07:12 PM

My DA-L 55-300mm has taken some outstanding shots at 300mm. 260mm or so does get more sharp but I cannot complain.

300mm

300mm

260mm

All the above are crops out of the originals.

habsfanusa · 12-16-2014, 06:39 AM

I get some amazing shots from my 55-300mm. At sports events, from up in the stands, crisp and suitable for good-sized enlargement.

GeneV · 12-16-2014, 06:50 AM

At the longer end, other than going to a four figure DA*, nothing really beats the 55-300.

**PKMike** · 12-18-2014, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Flugelbinder

Manual focus might not work for the kind of shooting I do..

Because you said "might not" I thought it worth mentioning the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4. It is a constant F-4 aperture manual focus with "one touch" zoom/focus ring and is very reasonably priced, a lot of bang for the buck! If one is doing a lot of zooming the mechanism is efficient and pretty fast as you can almost focus as you zoom. This was my first zoom lens purchased over 30 years ago and I still have it. I have never used it on DSLR but it served me very well on film with very good results. I now use 55-300ED which I like well enough that I ordered it in the WR version. This lens is (IMHO) much better than the 50-200 and is in fact quite good out to 300mm. As Boriscleto said earlier it is good for subject isolation (even at F-8, 300mm). I have no experience with F 70-210 but have seen some outstanding images from it.

Flugelbinder · 12-31-2014, 02:59 PM

Well, an update, for those interested. After much thinking, and many images seen, I had decided on the 55-300. Working with a very limited budget, I was starting to believe it would be out of reach, at least for the moment... But, I got some great news today and someone agreed to sell me a DA-L (the metal mount would be preferable, but I can live with a plastic one, and the quick shift although useful, wasn't a priority), which all reviews state as optically identical, for $160 CAD...
I have a huge smile on my face...

12-15-2014, 12:45 PM	#17
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by Docrwm True but its also obscenely expensive. The OP has said he's on a strict budget. The old F zooms in the 100-135 range are actually pretty good as many have suggested. Also, the OP said that he has a 35 so needs longer but wants AF. Yes, sad but true... That's why the 'old' 70-210 comes in play - and because of the earlier very pleasant experience with the Nikon... ---------- Post added 12-15-14 at 12:50 PM ---------- Originally posted by GeneV ...the difference between zooms like the 55-300 or 70-210 that are around that range aren't that significant to my eyes, especially for a portrait where corners are not as critical... Would you say the same for the Tokina 70-210? It's probably the best deal I can find, at the moment (other than a Sigma UC II). Was hoping of getting a good deal on a used 55-300 - for the extra stop - but it seems a bit out of reach, for now... Last edited by Flugelbinder; 12-15-2014 at 01:09 PM.

12-15-2014, 07:12 PM	#20
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	My DA-L 55-300mm has taken some outstanding shots at 300mm. 260mm or so does get more sharp but I cannot complain. 300mm 300mm 300mm 260mm All the above are crops out of the originals.

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12-15-2014, 12:00 PM	#16
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by GeneV For portraits, the DA* 50-135/2.8 is king of Pentax mount zooms, IMHO. There are some primes, like the FA77 which I like better, but the DA* really is the portrait range. Any longer than 135 is a bit compressed for me, but YMMY. Unless you are going to drop some bucks on the DA*, the difference between zooms like the 55-300 or 70-210 that are around that range aren't that significant to my eyes, especially for a portrait where corners are not as critical. True but its also obscenely expensive. The OP has said he's on a strict budget. The old F zooms in the 100-135 range are actually pretty good as many have suggested. Also, the OP said that he has a 35 so needs longer but wants AF.

12-15-2014, 01:32 PM	#18
nicoprod Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	@Flugelbinder, there's a copy of the F 70-210 for sale right now in the marketplace for $59. Just buy it.

12-15-2014, 02:11 PM	#19
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Originally posted by nicoprod @Flugelbinder, there's a copy of the F 70-210 for sale right now in the marketplace for $59. Just buy it. Discussing details as we speak...

12-16-2014, 06:39 AM	#21
habsfanusa Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 58	I get some amazing shots from my 55-300mm. At sports events, from up in the stands, crisp and suitable for good-sized enlargement.

12-16-2014, 06:50 AM	#22
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	At the longer end, other than going to a four figure DA*, nothing really beats the 55-300.

12-18-2014, 12:03 PM	#23
PKMike Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 628	Originally posted by Flugelbinder Manual focus might not work for the kind of shooting I do.. Because you said "might not" I thought it worth mentioning the SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4. It is a constant F-4 aperture manual focus with "one touch" zoom/focus ring and is very reasonably priced, a lot of bang for the buck! If one is doing a lot of zooming the mechanism is efficient and pretty fast as you can almost focus as you zoom. This was my first zoom lens purchased over 30 years ago and I still have it. I have never used it on DSLR but it served me very well on film with very good results. I now use 55-300ED which I like well enough that I ordered it in the WR version. This lens is (IMHO) much better than the 50-200 and is in fact quite good out to 300mm. As Boriscleto said earlier it is good for subject isolation (even at F-8, 300mm). I have no experience with F 70-210 but have seen some outstanding images from it.

12-31-2014, 02:59 PM	#24
Flugelbinder Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto - missing the ocean Posts: 466 Original Poster	Well, an update, for those interested. After much thinking, and many images seen, I had decided on the 55-300. Working with a very limited budget, I was starting to believe it would be out of reach, at least for the moment... But, I got some great news today and someone agreed to sell me a DA-L (the metal mount would be preferable, but I can live with a plastic one, and the quick shift although useful, wasn't a priority), which all reviews state as optically identical, for $160 CAD... I have a huge smile on my face...