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06-27-2015, 06:13 AM   #1
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What lenses would you recommend?

Hey guys, new to Pentax. I've owned a Canon but sold my equipment years ago. Anyways got a really good deal on a K5 ii. I am looking for lens recommendations. I want 2 lenses for now. A good sharp telephoto in the 55-70 wide to the 200-250 telephoto range possibly under 1000, and a good Macro lens possibly 100mm in the 500 to 600 dollar range. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

06-27-2015, 06:24 AM   #2
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The obvious answers in Pentax-land are the DA*60-250 and the D-FA-100 WR. Reviews are HERE and HERE.

The budget answer for the zoom is the DA 55-300, but it's a much lower-end zoom. Still a very nice lens; Reviews HERE.

All of the lenses I recommended above are WR, so you can shoot happily in the rain, snow, blowing sand, whatever.

For a non-WR tele-zoom, I would absolutely recommend the Tamron 70-200. Reviews HERE. I like the pictures from it better than the 60-250, and it has much closer focusing and it's F2.8. It's also much cheaper. It does have a very noisy screw drive autofocus, and it is not WR, and it is big and quite heavy. I still carry mine around all the time, and I love it to pieces.

You can save money by looking here in the forum in the marketplace. Most of us here are friends, and we sell lenses to each other mostly so we can try others. I have found the descriptions to be incredibly accurate, and the sellers to be honest and helpful. The prices in the forums are usually 5-10% cheaper than ebay as well.

Last edited by Kozlok; 06-27-2015 at 06:35 AM.
06-27-2015, 06:26 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxnewguy Quote
A good sharp telephoto in the 55-70 wide to the 200-250 telephoto range possibly under 1000,
You want the 55-300. The next on the list would be the DA*60-250 which is probably out of your range. There's also the Tamron 70-200, well within your price range. The 55-300 is the one that's easy to carry. Not the same IQ as the other two , but by far the best telephoto of all the cheaper zooms.

QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxnewguy Quote
a good Macro lens possibly 100mm in the 500 to 600 dollar range
Tamron 90 macro... Sigma 70 macro or Pentax 100 Macro.

The Pentax is the best value, in that it's a WR lens, so moisture and dust sealed, plus it's the lightest to carry.
The Tamron is a probably the best in terms of being excellent quality for a great price.
The Sigma 70 is discontinued but still available from some vendors until it's not. Heavier and very nicely corrected. The word that comes to mind is "smooth". I love it as a portrait lens.

All are ƒ2.8.
06-27-2015, 06:29 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kozlok Quote
The obvious answers in Pentax-land are the DA*60-250 and the D-FA-100 WR. Reviews are HERE and HERE.
This is it. You'll probably have to go 2nd hand to get the 60-250 under $1000. I got mine 2nd hand for $950 and it's a terrific lens.

06-27-2015, 06:42 AM   #5
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DA* 300mm f4 just stunning and on apsc gives a 35mm equivalent of 450mm my wildlife workhorse and worth every penny. Have noticed prices going up as it is rumoured to be full frame compatible
06-27-2015, 07:10 AM   #6
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You already received some excellent advice.

For the macro, the older discontinued Sigma 105 mm Macro (K mount) may be an alternative to the DFA100mm WR and Tamron 90mm. Any of these three lenses will be an excellent choice IMHO.

Hope that the suggestion may help.
06-27-2015, 09:59 AM   #7
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I go with Norm. I have both the 55-300 and Tamron 90mm Macro and thoroughly enjoy both.

06-27-2015, 10:27 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kozlok Quote
The obvious answers in Pentax-land are the [...].

The budget answer for the zoom is the DA 55-300, but it's a much lower-end zoom. Still a very nice lens; Reviews HERE.

All of the lenses I recommended above are WR, so you can shoot happily in the rain, snow, blowing sand, whatever.
Just one caution for the "Pentax newbie" -- the original DA 55-300 ("SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED", with a green trim ring) (reviews HERE) is not a WR lens, while the newer DA 55-300 ("HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR", with a red trim ring) is. [I believe they're optically identical, except for improved lens coatings on the newer lens, and basically mechanically identical, except for the newer's WR gaskets.] Of course, if you're buying a new lens, it'd likely be the WR version.
06-27-2015, 10:46 AM   #9
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Actually I used to have the Sigma 105 for my Canon. I was quite happy with it.
06-27-2015, 12:27 PM   #10
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The Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 is also worth considering.
06-27-2015, 01:13 PM   #11
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Your question made me chuckle, because it's almost a setup - nearly an exact match for the first two lenses Kozlok mentioned.


There are actually many excellent ~100mm macro lenses. But the D FA 100 WR macro is well worth the price. I finally settled on it after owning quite a few macros. After getting it I sold all of them, except for the ~$60-150 Cosina 100/3.5 macro, which is too good a value to sell (its price varies because it's available under many brands in both MF and AF variations).

I believe the D FA 100 macro (make sure you get the WR version - it's better optically) is the probably the best all-around macro you can buy. Unlike many other macros, it doesn't seem to have any weak spots. It will yield some beautiful shots.


Even though you probably also want faster glass, the F70-210/4-5.6 is a "hidden" gem (well, not so hidden amongst many Pentaxians). Very affordable and relatively small. Available for even less in the identical (except for the coatings) Takumar version.

Many Pentaxians get excellent results from the DA*60-250/4, but I don't like it so much. I much prefer the DA*50-135/2.8, which I combine with a F*300/4.5 (or sometimes K200/2.5). All three *300 AF lenses are excellent (F*, FA*, and DA*), though I like the older ones slightly more.


EDIT: However, coming from Canon, I have one more question for you: Do you shoot action very much? If you do, you have to be more specific about your lens choices (assuming AF speed is a factor). Certain lenses do well here, and others just don't.

Last edited by DSims; 06-27-2015 at 01:32 PM.
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