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condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 03:49 PM

Keep in mind I'm low right now. But I was wondering if I had a windfall what would be the best zoom lens to get ? The HD 55-300 WR seems nice. But F 4 to F5.8 requires so much light to pop. Why don't they make a zoom that is 2.8 or 2.4 ?

I got a couple ok zooms including 55-135 WR. The performance is nothing like a fa31 or a fa50 1.4.

I can't always zoom with my feet. 250-300 is often needed to capture my daughter.

KDD · 10-31-2015, 04:00 PM

Chech on Sigma. Pentax have DFA 70-200 f2.8 but darn not 300mm. You call Ricoh about new one! ☺

aoeu · 10-31-2015, 04:01 PM

Speed costs money.
How fast can you afford to go?

**WPRESTO** · 10-31-2015, 04:04 PM - **1 Like**

The 55-300 is perhaps better than it has any right to be for its price and compact size. Making a zoom of this range f2.8 introduces major technical-optical challenges and the cost would be very very high. f2.8 is possible for 70~200mm at reasonable cost, but stretching to 300mm and maintaining a constant f2.8 I suspect would more than triple the price. The Pentax 60-250 with a constant f4 is, by general consensus, optically superior to the 55-300, but at double the cost and it's bulkier and heavier. The 55-300 can be had second hand for under $250. That's quite a bargain.

And I presume the the lens you have is the 50~135 f2.8? That is an outstanding optic, thought by some to have the best IQ of any zoom presently available in K-mount

condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 04:20 PM

Not to trouble anyone overly with my problems I've spent maybe $90k on a custody situation. My sister added $86k to it. So that's really the mind blowing prices in my world.

I may get a small inheritance. There would not be a difference to me if the lens was $300 or $900 or $2000. Over that would not be possible.

I have the 18-135 f4.5 and the 55-300 f4. But zoomed it is like f5.8.

---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 07:24 PM ----------

I was working out with the fa50 1.4 this past week. It's such a joy. But for inside taking shots across a full gym it is not appropriate. And the 300 needs so much light and is so slow to respond. It's more of a struggle than a joy to use.

pathdoc · 10-31-2015, 04:34 PM

IF I were looking for a zoom lens at the long end, I would get the 55-300 HD WR and supplement it with flash indoors. I almost got it, but figured the wide end was where I needed my WR zoom capability and got the 18-135 instead. Circumstances since have proved my judgement right FOR ME, but your bias seems to be toward the long end. I cannot justify the extra cost for the IQ of the 50-135 or 60-250 for what I do, but maybe your standards are higher & at the end of the day it's your money.

condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 04:38 PM

Its more like found money and I was hoping to get something a little nice but not freaky on the expense.

I considered $600 for the fa77 extravagant. My sister considered $12000 for (not sure I think 200 fixed) normal.

---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 07:42 PM ----------

Its the 250-300 range I am after. I wonder should I go with a 300. But the distances seem to be highly variable.

**WPRESTO** · 10-31-2015, 04:45 PM

I think the best you could do would buy a Tamron 70~200 f2.8. If you absolutely want/need f2.8 @ 300mm, you'll have to search out a second-hand single-focal-length 300 f2.8, most likely a manual focus. If 300 f4 will do (only one and a fraction stops faster than the 55~300) then the Pentax 300 f4 would do. If you must have a zoom, back off 300mm and get the 60~250 f4 at about the same price. However, that only gives a relatively small 50mm more than a 70~200 at the cost of f4 instead of f2.8. A zoom that has f2.8 @ 300mm is simply not available - - I suspect a 70~200 f2.8 will serve you best, Tamron being the only option for K-mount at this time (promised Pentax zoom of 70~200, f2.8 has been delayed, release date uncertain, projected price almost double that of the Tamron).

condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 05:02 PM

I'm thinking the 55-300 HD WR. I appreciate all advice. I have one HD and it does great

KDD · 10-31-2015, 05:04 PM

Like this
Amazon.com : Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM APO Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras : Camera Lenses : Camera & Photo

**BigMackCam** · 10-31-2015, 05:06 PM

I'm +1 on the HD 55-300. Only got mine quite recently, but I'm amazed by it. And it's really quite useable wide open, so not as slow as some faster lenses that have to be stopped down. Plus I find it great throughout the zoom range - even at 300mm (much better than my 18-270 at full zoom)...

condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 05:13 PM

That sigma out of my range. The HD 55-300 isn't. I'm kinda seeing the lower f stop going to be way beyond what I have.

**UncleVanya** · 10-31-2015, 05:14 PM

Fixed 2.8 zooms of note:

70-200 several brands.
50-135 DA* Pentax
50-150 Sigma
80-200 FA* Pentax

Fixed F4 zooms of note:

60-250 DA* Pentax
100-300 Sigma

condor27596 · 10-31-2015, 05:17 PM

Is there another recommendation? Years 0-2 I had a canon s600. 2-5 I had Pentax upgraded a couple times. Those were all close up shots. At 5 the daddy seems to be not as close up now.

---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 08:20 PM ----------

Thanks. That is what I want. 60-250 in the da* mode quick shift

---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 08:21 PM ----------

Thanks. That is what I want. 60-250 in the da* mode quick shift

KDD · 10-31-2015, 05:24 PM

My HD DA 55-300hh lens are very good o shoot the hummingbird a lot. You will see my photo there.

10-31-2015, 03:49 PM	#1
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	Which zoom lens? Keep in mind I'm low right now. But I was wondering if I had a windfall what would be the best zoom lens to get ? The HD 55-300 WR seems nice. But F 4 to F5.8 requires so much light to pop. Why don't they make a zoom that is 2.8 or 2.4 ? I got a couple ok zooms including 55-135 WR. The performance is nothing like a fa31 or a fa50 1.4. I can't always zoom with my feet. 250-300 is often needed to capture my daughter.

10-31-2015, 04:45 PM	#8
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,145	I think the best you could do would buy a Tamron 70~200 f2.8. If you absolutely want/need f2.8 @ 300mm, you'll have to search out a second-hand single-focal-length 300 f2.8, most likely a manual focus. If 300 f4 will do (only one and a fraction stops faster than the 55~300) then the Pentax 300 f4 would do. If you must have a zoom, back off 300mm and get the 60~250 f4 at about the same price. However, that only gives a relatively small 50mm more than a 70~200 at the cost of f4 instead of f2.8. A zoom that has f2.8 @ 300mm is simply not available - - I suspect a 70~200 f2.8 will serve you best, Tamron being the only option for K-mount at this time (promised Pentax zoom of 70~200, f2.8 has been delayed, release date uncertain, projected price almost double that of the Tamron). Last edited by WPRESTO; 10-31-2015 at 04:51 PM.

10-31-2015, 05:04 PM	#10
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Like this Amazon.com : Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM APO Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras : Camera Lenses : Camera & Photo Last edited by KDD; 10-31-2015 at 05:20 PM.

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10-31-2015, 04:00 PM	#2
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Chech on Sigma. Pentax have DFA 70-200 f2.8 but darn not 300mm. You call Ricoh about new one! ☺

10-31-2015, 04:01 PM	#3
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?

10-31-2015, 04:04 PM - 1 Like	#4
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,145	The 55-300 is perhaps better than it has any right to be for its price and compact size. Making a zoom of this range f2.8 introduces major technical-optical challenges and the cost would be very very high. f2.8 is possible for 70~200mm at reasonable cost, but stretching to 300mm and maintaining a constant f2.8 I suspect would more than triple the price. The Pentax 60-250 with a constant f4 is, by general consensus, optically superior to the 55-300, but at double the cost and it's bulkier and heavier. The 55-300 can be had second hand for under $250. That's quite a bargain. And I presume the the lens you have is the 50~135 f2.8? That is an outstanding optic, thought by some to have the best IQ of any zoom presently available in K-mount

10-31-2015, 04:20 PM	#5
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870 Original Poster	Not to trouble anyone overly with my problems I've spent maybe $90k on a custody situation. My sister added $86k to it. So that's really the mind blowing prices in my world. I may get a small inheritance. There would not be a difference to me if the lens was $300 or $900 or $2000. Over that would not be possible. I have the 18-135 f4.5 and the 55-300 f4. But zoomed it is like f5.8. ---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 07:24 PM ---------- I was working out with the fa50 1.4 this past week. It's such a joy. But for inside taking shots across a full gym it is not appropriate. And the 300 needs so much light and is so slow to respond. It's more of a struggle than a joy to use.

10-31-2015, 04:34 PM	#6
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	IF I were looking for a zoom lens at the long end, I would get the 55-300 HD WR and supplement it with flash indoors. I almost got it, but figured the wide end was where I needed my WR zoom capability and got the 18-135 instead. Circumstances since have proved my judgement right FOR ME, but your bias seems to be toward the long end. I cannot justify the extra cost for the IQ of the 50-135 or 60-250 for what I do, but maybe your standards are higher & at the end of the day it's your money.

10-31-2015, 04:38 PM	#7
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870 Original Poster	Its more like found money and I was hoping to get something a little nice but not freaky on the expense. I considered $600 for the fa77 extravagant. My sister considered $12000 for (not sure I think 200 fixed) normal. ---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 07:42 PM ---------- Its the 250-300 range I am after. I wonder should I go with a 300. But the distances seem to be highly variable.

10-31-2015, 05:02 PM	#9
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870 Original Poster	I'm thinking the 55-300 HD WR. I appreciate all advice. I have one HD and it does great

10-31-2015, 05:06 PM	#11
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,706	I'm +1 on the HD 55-300. Only got mine quite recently, but I'm amazed by it. And it's really quite useable wide open, so not as slow as some faster lenses that have to be stopped down. Plus I find it great throughout the zoom range - even at 300mm (much better than my 18-270 at full zoom)...

10-31-2015, 05:13 PM	#12
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870 Original Poster	That sigma out of my range. The HD 55-300 isn't. I'm kinda seeing the lower f stop going to be way beyond what I have.

10-31-2015, 05:14 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,476	Fixed 2.8 zooms of note: 70-200 several brands. 50-135 DA* Pentax 50-150 Sigma 80-200 FA* Pentax Fixed F4 zooms of note: 60-250 DA* Pentax 100-300 Sigma

10-31-2015, 05:17 PM	#14
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870 Original Poster	Is there another recommendation? Years 0-2 I had a canon s600. 2-5 I had Pentax upgraded a couple times. Those were all close up shots. At 5 the daddy seems to be not as close up now. ---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 08:20 PM ---------- Thanks. That is what I want. 60-250 in the da* mode quick shift ---------- Post added 10-31-15 at 08:21 PM ---------- Thanks. That is what I want. 60-250 in the da* mode quick shift

10-31-2015, 05:24 PM	#15
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	My HD DA 55-300hh lens are very good o shoot the hummingbird a lot. You will see my photo there.

Which zoom lens?

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