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07-06-2019, 03:40 PM   #1
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Best Telephoto lens for K3

Can you make a recommendation on a telephoto lens for my k3? Thank you!

07-06-2019, 03:49 PM   #2
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Depends what exactly you want.

Fast (af) and light: 55-300 PLM
f/4: 60-250 or Sigma 100-300
f/2.8: D FA 70-200 (Pentax or Tamron or Sigma) or Pentax 50-135
more than 300mm: Pentax 150-450 or one of several Sigmas (x-400, x-500)

or a prime?
D FA 100 macro
DA* 200
DA*300
07-06-2019, 04:07 PM - 1 Like   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by Photomom2 Quote
Can you make a recommendation on a telephoto lens for my k3?
As noted by @ehrwien, there are quite a few options for your K-3, depending on your purpose, budget, and desired optical quality.

The basic choice is between a zoom lens (a lens with a range of focal lengths) or a prime lens (a single focal length). In general, zoom lenses are more versatile, while prime lenses can give better image quality. Certain lenses are compact and lightweight, while others -- such as the D FA* 70-200 -- are relatively heavy and big.

Some of your choices could include (current online prices at B&H Photo Video):

Pentax DA 50-200mm WR, USD $200.
Pentax DA 55-300mm PLM, USD $400.
Tamron 70-200mm, $800.
Pentax DA* ('DA-star') 50-135mm, $800.
Pentax DA* 300mm, $1100
Pentax HD D FA* 70-200, $1800
Pentax HD FA 150-450mm, $2000.


There are also other possibilities at various prices.

Personally, on my K-3 II, my main telephoto lenses are the DA* 300mm and DA* 50-135mm. Both are excellent.


If you could mention what you would like to use the telephoto for, that would help to narrow the options.

- Craig

PS. Welcome to Pentax Forums!

Last edited by c.a.m; 07-06-2019 at 06:09 PM.
07-06-2019, 04:10 PM   #4
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at one time, a telephoto lens meant one thing now as pointed about above, it can mean something quite different

also remember that using the ASP-C Sensor of the K 3, as opposed the full size sensor of the film 35mm camera or the full size sensor of the K 1 or K 1 II etc, the field of view changes

I recommend looking at the user reviews and in depth reviews of the lenses found under " Lenses " above

----------------------------------------

You could also consider spending a little $ to rent equipment and do your own testing before buying a lens:

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/137-photographic-industry-professionals/...#ixzz5swTW1f5v

.


Last edited by aslyfox; 07-06-2019 at 06:23 PM.
07-06-2019, 04:18 PM   #5
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Telephoto is a very general term. On a k1edit k3 a 50mm is telephoto and so is a 600mm lens.
What distance and what size subject will determine what mm lens.
What conditions such as light and rain and hiking all day will determine what quality it's worth the extra money for.
Variations in use will determine how much zoom if any is needed.

Last edited by swanlefitte; 07-07-2019 at 06:03 AM.
07-06-2019, 05:26 PM   #6
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budget please?

I personally sold off everything I had over 77mm(70-200, 105, 135, 200, 300) when i got the DFA150-450.

i pretty much had too...due to the price.
07-06-2019, 05:46 PM - 1 Like   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by mikeSF Quote
budget please?

I personally sold off everything I had over 77mm(70-200, 105, 135, 200, 300) when i got the DFA150-450.

i pretty much had too...due to the price.
And not the weight?

07-06-2019, 10:08 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
And not the weight?
the weight? no.
i have at least 2 lenses that are heavier in my 645 rig...this thing is quite a delight by comparison, lol.
07-07-2019, 05:52 AM - 1 Like   #9
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But, lets assume she wants the absolute best, like best on the test charts, best bokeh, fastest AF, best rendering,
07-07-2019, 06:17 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
But, lets assume she wants the absolute best, like best on the test charts, best bokeh, fastest AF, best rendering,

it would be even better if the OP would come back to this thread to give us better parameters for the search...
07-07-2019, 06:20 AM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
it would be even better if the OP would come back to this thread to give us better parameters for the search...
Before the thread becomes the next, "Why I won't buy a K-3."
07-07-2019, 06:40 AM   #12
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Has anyone looked for a definition of telephoto on the webs? Try to find two places with the same definition.
Longer than 60,70,100,
Longer than normal, than the diagonal of the film/sensor plane
Physically shorter than its focal length,
Lens that magnifies image,
Lens with field of view <10 degrees.

It's crazy. But the best specs has to be
The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
But at a physical length of around 100mm maybe it's not😗
07-07-2019, 06:43 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by swanlefitte Quote
Has anyone looked for a definition of telephoto on the webs? Try to find two places with the same definition.
Longer than 60,70,100,
Longer than normal, than the diagonal of the film/sensor plane
Physically shorter than its focal length,
Lens that magnifies image,
Lens with field of view <10 degrees.

It's crazy. But the best specs has to be
The HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
But at a physical length of around 100mm maybe it's not��
Barely a telephoto on a K-3, a "standard normal" lens on a K-1. I use the DA* 55 as my "standard normal". The DFA is little short for even that in my book.

The DFA 50 1.4 is definitely disqualified by lack of reach. Even an 85 is pushing the envelope.

Last edited by normhead; 07-07-2019 at 06:51 AM.
07-07-2019, 06:56 AM   #14
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some reason I was taught that a 50mm was a " normal ", telephoto was 100mm or bigger, the utra telephoto lenses were greater than 200mm

this was back in the days of 35mm film camera and its " full size " sensor

_________________________

this source uses the term " equivalent field of view " to explain how a lens of a certain focal length " behaves " on a full size sensor [ think 35mm film camera body or the K 1 or K1 II ] and on the physically smaller ASP-C sensor found on the K 3

Sensor Crop Factor: What It Means and How to Use It | Digital Trends
07-07-2019, 06:59 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
But, lets assume she wants the absolute best, like best on the test charts, best bokeh, fastest AF, best rendering,
But I was going off your suggestion😁
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