Used Pentax PK FAJ A/F fit 75-300mm f4-m lens or new third party one for K-S1?

Scott-a · 05-31-2017, 06:29 AM

Hi there,

I hope it's okay to post this here.

I have had a K-S1 for a few months (my first DSLR!), using the standard 18-55mm AF lens and an old Tokina 70-210mm manual focus lens. I would like a new zoom lens (x-300mm) for my birthday and have been having a look at what's available.

I can get a used Pentax 55-300mm PK FAJ lens on Gumtree which is described as tested and the person appears to know about cameras. Or, another option is a new Sigma (DG f/4-5.6 Macro) or Tamron (Di LD f/4-5.6 Macro) 70-300mm. All 3 (used Pentax/new Sigma/Tamron) are about £90.

I can't really spend much more than £100 and a new Ricoh Pentax 55-300mm is £300 - so my options appear to be a used one, or a new third party lens.

Aside from the normal risks of classifieds, I would be interested to know the opinion of more experienced DSLR users!

I will mainly use this lens for landscapes and fast-moving objects so good auto-focus ability would be good. I have read reviews on this forum and others about all 3 lenses and would say the Ricoh Pentax lens is the one to go for - but, as I can't afford a new one, is a used Pentax lens still the best choice? Are there other options I have missed? I don't want to buy a cheap used Pentax on eBay just for the sake of saving money - I would rather spend extra for one that would last and, in that vein, there is the possibility of ordering a new Pentax lens from Japan for around £140.

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help!

---------- Post added 05-31-17 at 06:34 AM ----------

Originally posted by Scott-a

Hi there,

I hope it's okay to post this here.

I have had a K-S1 for a few months (my first DSLR!), using the standard 18-55mm AF lens and an old Tokina 70-210mm manual focus lens. I would like a new zoom lens (x-300mm) for my birthday and have been having a look at what's available.

I can get a used Pentax 55-300mm PK FAJ lens on Gumtree which is described as tested and the person appears to know about cameras. Or, another option is a new Sigma (DG f/4-5.6 Macro) or Tamron (Di LD f/4-5.6 Macro) 70-300mm. All 3 (used Pentax/new Sigma/Tamron) are about £90.

I can't really spend much more than £100 and a new Ricoh Pentax 55-300mm is £300 - so my options appear to be a used one, or a new third party lens.

Aside from the normal risks of classifieds, I would be interested to know the opinion of more experienced DSLR users!

I will mainly use this lens for landscapes and fast-moving objects so good auto-focus ability would be good. I have read reviews on this forum and others about all 3 lenses and would say the Ricoh Pentax lens is the one to go for - but, as I can't afford a new one, is a used Pentax lens still the best choice? Are there other options I have missed? I don't want to buy a cheap used Pentax on eBay just for the sake of saving money - I would rather spend extra for one that would last and, in that vein, there is the possibility of ordering a new Pentax lens from Japan for around £140.

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help!

Apologies - the used Pentax lens is an SMC Pentax PK FAJ A/F fit 75-300mm f4-5 - 5.8 AL

mhoule418 · 05-31-2017, 06:38 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I own the SMC Pentax-FA J 75-300mm F4.5-5.8 AL since 2008.

My opinion is:

I can confirm, that is NOT a fast focusing lens (as you seem to look for).

AND it hunts a lot. Using autofocus for fast moving objects? Forget that idea.

It needs lots of lights.

Not too long ago, I found/tested its sweet spot at f8+ and produce OK images (not great) and you better use a tripod to avoid motion blur.

What you will get for the money is... the reach and it's about it.

I am not able to throw it away or sell it as it is my longest reach, but I am saving money for the DA* 60-250mm.
This is definitely a budget lens, with the pros and cons.
I suggest you read the lens reviews about it and make your own mind, prior to spend money. It's not that good, it's not that bad. You need to understand what you get for your money.

I have not used the other lenses you mentioned.
Hope that helps.

**mikesbike** · 05-31-2017, 09:23 PM

The Pentax lens, the DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 is definitely the way to go if possible. A new one from Japan would be fine, I would think. I have that lens, and it is outstanding for this class of zoom range, and its price range. Test reviews have substantiated this as well. It is a very well-built lens, with a very good zoom range, and delivers very god image quality. I hesitate regarding used, unless you can find one barely used from a reliable source. Otherwise, of those you mention, I recommend the bought- new Tamron 70-300mm Di LD f/4-5.6, according to test results I have seen.

Scott-a · 06-01-2017, 03:55 AM - **1 Like**

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for your helpful replies!

I've decided to spend over the £100 go for a used mint condition Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 from a dealer - so it is tested and with 6 months guarantee. The best lens in my price range and with the back-up of a guarantee.

Thanks again!

redpit · 06-01-2017, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by Scott-a

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for your helpful replies!

I've decided to spend over the £100 go for a used mint condition Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 from a dealer - so it is tested and with 6 months guarantee. The best lens in my price range and with the back-up of a guarantee.

Thanks again!

Having used this and the Sigma 70-300, I think you did the correct choice for various reasons. The Sigma is a complex lens to use, with medium IQ at the long end (needs stopping down a lot) but offers more than adequate macro capabilities and IQ (again quite complex to use).

05-31-2017, 06:29 AM	#1
Scott-a New Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 8	Used Pentax PK FAJ A/F fit 75-300mm f4-m lens or new third party one for K-S1? Hi there, I hope it's okay to post this here. I have had a K-S1 for a few months (my first DSLR!), using the standard 18-55mm AF lens and an old Tokina 70-210mm manual focus lens. I would like a new zoom lens (x-300mm) for my birthday and have been having a look at what's available. I can get a used Pentax 55-300mm PK FAJ lens on Gumtree which is described as tested and the person appears to know about cameras. Or, another option is a new Sigma (DG f/4-5.6 Macro) or Tamron (Di LD f/4-5.6 Macro) 70-300mm. All 3 (used Pentax/new Sigma/Tamron) are about £90. I can't really spend much more than £100 and a new Ricoh Pentax 55-300mm is £300 - so my options appear to be a used one, or a new third party lens. Aside from the normal risks of classifieds, I would be interested to know the opinion of more experienced DSLR users! I will mainly use this lens for landscapes and fast-moving objects so good auto-focus ability would be good. I have read reviews on this forum and others about all 3 lenses and would say the Ricoh Pentax lens is the one to go for - but, as I can't afford a new one, is a used Pentax lens still the best choice? Are there other options I have missed? I don't want to buy a cheap used Pentax on eBay just for the sake of saving money - I would rather spend extra for one that would last and, in that vein, there is the possibility of ordering a new Pentax lens from Japan for around £140. Thanks in advance for any opinions/help! ---------- Post added 05-31-17 at 06:34 AM ---------- Originally posted by Scott-a Hi there, I hope it's okay to post this here. I have had a K-S1 for a few months (my first DSLR!), using the standard 18-55mm AF lens and an old Tokina 70-210mm manual focus lens. I would like a new zoom lens (x-300mm) for my birthday and have been having a look at what's available. I can get a used Pentax 55-300mm PK FAJ lens on Gumtree which is described as tested and the person appears to know about cameras. Or, another option is a new Sigma (DG f/4-5.6 Macro) or Tamron (Di LD f/4-5.6 Macro) 70-300mm. All 3 (used Pentax/new Sigma/Tamron) are about £90. I can't really spend much more than £100 and a new Ricoh Pentax 55-300mm is £300 - so my options appear to be a used one, or a new third party lens. Aside from the normal risks of classifieds, I would be interested to know the opinion of more experienced DSLR users! I will mainly use this lens for landscapes and fast-moving objects so good auto-focus ability would be good. I have read reviews on this forum and others about all 3 lenses and would say the Ricoh Pentax lens is the one to go for - but, as I can't afford a new one, is a used Pentax lens still the best choice? Are there other options I have missed? I don't want to buy a cheap used Pentax on eBay just for the sake of saving money - I would rather spend extra for one that would last and, in that vein, there is the possibility of ordering a new Pentax lens from Japan for around £140. Thanks in advance for any opinions/help! Apologies - the used Pentax lens is an SMC Pentax PK FAJ A/F fit 75-300mm f4-5 - 5.8 AL

05-31-2017, 06:38 PM	#2
mhoule418 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Quebec city Posts: 228	Hello and welcome to the forum! I own the SMC Pentax-FA J 75-300mm F4.5-5.8 AL since 2008. My opinion is: I can confirm, that is NOT a fast focusing lens (as you seem to look for). AND it hunts a lot. Using autofocus for fast moving objects? Forget that idea. It needs lots of lights. Not too long ago, I found/tested its sweet spot at f8+ and produce OK images (not great) and you better use a tripod to avoid motion blur. What you will get for the money is... the reach and it's about it. I am not able to throw it away or sell it as it is my longest reach, but I am saving money for the DA* 60-250mm. This is definitely a budget lens, with the pros and cons. I suggest you read the lens reviews about it and make your own mind, prior to spend money. It's not that good, it's not that bad. You need to understand what you get for your money. I have not used the other lenses you mentioned. Hope that helps. Last edited by mhoule418; 05-31-2017 at 06:41 PM. Reason: Correcting list

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05-31-2017, 09:23 PM	#3
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	The Pentax lens, the DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 is definitely the way to go if possible. A new one from Japan would be fine, I would think. I have that lens, and it is outstanding for this class of zoom range, and its price range. Test reviews have substantiated this as well. It is a very well-built lens, with a very good zoom range, and delivers very god image quality. I hesitate regarding used, unless you can find one barely used from a reliable source. Otherwise, of those you mention, I recommend the bought- new Tamron 70-300mm Di LD f/4-5.6, according to test results I have seen.

06-01-2017, 03:55 AM - 1 Like	#4
Scott-a New Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 8 Original Poster	Hi everyone, Many thanks for your helpful replies! I've decided to spend over the £100 go for a used mint condition Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 from a dealer - so it is tested and with 6 months guarantee. The best lens in my price range and with the back-up of a guarantee. Thanks again!

06-01-2017, 04:42 AM	#5
redpit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greece Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,857	Originally posted by Scott-a Hi everyone, Many thanks for your helpful replies! I've decided to spend over the £100 go for a used mint condition Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 from a dealer - so it is tested and with 6 months guarantee. The best lens in my price range and with the back-up of a guarantee. Thanks again! Having used this and the Sigma 70-300, I think you did the correct choice for various reasons. The Sigma is a complex lens to use, with medium IQ at the long end (needs stopping down a lot) but offers more than adequate macro capabilities and IQ (again quite complex to use).