What are the benefits??

desertwalker · 11-03-2008, 10:42 PM

I am gathering information on a couple of lens, the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 and the Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4, obviously looking for the 300mm long shooting.

My question is what are the benefits if any to having a fixed telephoto, verses a telephoto zoom?

per · 11-03-2008, 11:01 PM

The image quality of the DA* 300mm F4 is in a different class than the 55-300. A fixed lens will always be far better than a zoom lens. But it also requires a lot more of you as a photographer. But if you know for sure that you will be using the lens mostly at 300mm the DA* is the best choice, it is faster, weather sealed, has sdm and a tripod collar. But it weighs more, so if you are looking for a lightweight lens then the DA* might not be the right choice for you.

The da* is also a lot faster at the 300mm F4 vs 300mm F 5.8. Id go for the da* if your wallet can support it.

Wheatfield · 11-04-2008, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by desertwalker

I am gathering information on a couple of lens, the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 and the Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4, obviously looking for the 300mm long shooting.

My question is what are the benefits if any to having a fixed telephoto, verses a telephoto zoom?

Generally a faster maximum aperture, and better contrast, sharpness and less flare.
Zoom lenses are getting much better on the test bench, out in the field is another matter though.
I keep testing telephoto zooms, and keep leaving them on the store shelf.

SpecialK · 11-04-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

A fixed lens will always be far better than a zoom lens.

This is a generality that is not always true. There are crappy fixed lenses and excellent zooms.

Obviously, the advantage of a zoom is that it allows you to choose a range of focal lengths with one lens.

In this case, I certainly hope the 300 (at 3-4 times the cost) has a bit better image quality over the 55-300, which is pretty good in itself, as well as being faster than the zoom at the long end.

desertwalker · 11-04-2008, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the info, it is certainly some food for thought.

egordon99 · 11-04-2008, 10:47 AM

I would think the f/4 versus f/5.6 would probably trump any IQ differences between the zoom and the prime. I've seen some great pictures come out of both lenses

11-03-2008, 10:42 PM	#1
desertwalker Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 29	What are the benefits?? I am gathering information on a couple of lens, the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 and the Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4, obviously looking for the 300mm long shooting. My question is what are the benefits if any to having a fixed telephoto, verses a telephoto zoom?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
the benefits of Unregulated Business (Communist style)	Nesster	General Talk	5	09-19-2010 06:23 PM
Benefits of a mechanical camera?	iht	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	44	07-13-2010 06:35 PM
Constitutional Rights-who benefits the most ?	lesmore49	General Talk	77	01-30-2010 10:29 PM
The benefits of ED glas.	glasbak	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	0	11-16-2009 02:35 AM
Nice example of benefits of raw	rfortson	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	01-28-2009 07:34 PM

11-03-2008, 11:01 PM	#2
per Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nodeland Posts: 28	The image quality of the DA* 300mm F4 is in a different class than the 55-300. A fixed lens will always be far better than a zoom lens. But it also requires a lot more of you as a photographer. But if you know for sure that you will be using the lens mostly at 300mm the DA* is the best choice, it is faster, weather sealed, has sdm and a tripod collar. But it weighs more, so if you are looking for a lightweight lens then the DA* might not be the right choice for you. The da* is also a lot faster at the 300mm F4 vs 300mm F 5.8. Id go for the da* if your wallet can support it.

11-04-2008, 06:40 AM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by desertwalker I am gathering information on a couple of lens, the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 and the Pentax smc P-DA 300mm F4, obviously looking for the 300mm long shooting. My question is what are the benefits if any to having a fixed telephoto, verses a telephoto zoom? Generally a faster maximum aperture, and better contrast, sharpness and less flare. Zoom lenses are getting much better on the test bench, out in the field is another matter though. I keep testing telephoto zooms, and keep leaving them on the store shelf.

11-04-2008, 07:26 AM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Quote: A fixed lens will always be far better than a zoom lens. This is a generality that is not always true. There are crappy fixed lenses and excellent zooms. Obviously, the advantage of a zoom is that it allows you to choose a range of focal lengths with one lens. In this case, I certainly hope the 300 (at 3-4 times the cost) has a bit better image quality over the 55-300, which is pretty good in itself, as well as being faster than the zoom at the long end.

11-04-2008, 07:48 AM	#5
desertwalker Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 29 Original Poster	Thanks for the info, it is certainly some food for thought.

11-04-2008, 10:47 AM	#6
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	I would think the f/4 versus f/5.6 would probably trump any IQ differences between the zoom and the prime. I've seen some great pictures come out of both lenses

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search