DA 55-300 vs FA-J 75-300

bsimon · 12-11-2008, 03:35 PM

Hi,

I just bought a K2000 and am looking into a good starter zoom lense. I have read reviews of the DA 55-300 and was thinking of buying it but then found the Pentax SMC P FA J - Telephoto zoom lens - 75 mm - 300 mm - f/4.5-5.8 AL. The latter is much cheaper, but I don't know what the main differences are. Can someone help me out?

Thanks,
Brad

Ed in GA · 12-11-2008, 03:41 PM

I don't have, and haven't had, the FA J 75-300.

However, I do have the DA 55-300. In addition to the extra 20mm at the short end, the DA has Quick-Shift auto focus, non rotating front element (I think the 75-300 rotates) and it holds the f/4.5 a long way into the zoom. My lens stays at f/4.5 to aroung 190mm.

I think it is also smaller and lighter.

You might check out Welcome to Photozone! for test results on the DA 55-300.

Sean Nelson · 12-11-2008, 06:50 PM

I have the FAJ 75-300 and I've been thinking about upgrading to the DA 55-300 because of the large range of focal lengths, the non-rotating front element, and especially the quick-shift focusing. The shots and accords I've seen have helped too.

The FAJ seem to have a rather spotty reputation, but I've been pretty happy with it. There's certainly nothing that comes close to it for the price (which is literally half of the 55-300). Here are a couple of shot I took with it on my K100D Super:

song_hm · 12-11-2008, 06:52 PM

I have the FAJ. Lens sharp up to 200mm, after which you need to really step down. It is very light, good walk about lens if you tend to shoot long. Auto focus is a little on the loud side.

I bought mine from fellow forum member, but I never really got to use it. If you are interested, I can sell you mine. PM me if you do.

**barondla** · 12-11-2008, 08:31 PM

Have both lenses. The faj is going bye bye. The 55-300 is noticably sharper and greater in contrast. Especially in the 300mm range. Of course the 55-300 cost a lot more.
thanks
barondla

Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #13 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #14.

**lenp** · 12-11-2008, 08:59 PM

You may also want to consider FA 80-320. It's about half the price of the DA 55-200, and while you lose quite a bit on the short end, I don't think there is much of a drop of in IQ.

jglover · 12-11-2008, 09:51 PM

Have you considered the Tamron 70-300mm Macro? Great image quality, a quality 1:2 macro at the telephoto end and are typically around $130 new, $100 or so used.

bsimon · 12-11-2008, 10:36 PM

Thanks! This is all helpful information. Sounds like I should bite the bullet and go for the DA 55-300. I'm going to Tokyo at the end of the month...does anyone know if Pentax lenses are going to be cheaper there?

Brad

nulla · 12-12-2008, 12:10 AM

The DA 55-300 is one of those Pentax lenses that is well priced and not much said against it.

I have it and use the long end the most as I have the DA 50-135.

Its a very good lens

Erik · 12-12-2008, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by jglover

Have you considered the Tamron 70-300mm Macro? Great image quality, a quality 1:2 macro at the telephoto end and are typically around $130 new, $100 or so used.

Not to overwhelm the OP with too many choices, but... The Sigma 70-300 APO is a great and cheap lens too. Worth considering.

heatherslightbox · 12-12-2008, 02:25 PM

Definitely bite the bullet and get the 55-300. It doesn't do you a whole lot of good to buy the cheap lens now, get it, use it a while, and decide that you'd rather have the better lens; on top of that, you'll probably want to sell the lens and have to deal with the hassle of that--believe me, I've done it multiple times...

Right now, B&H has the 55-300 for $299.95, shipped, so the price is really starting to come down...
Pentax | SMCP-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Autofocus Lens | 21720

HTH,
Heather

12-11-2008, 10:36 PM	#8
bsimon Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 35 Original Poster	Thanks for all the helpful info Thanks! This is all helpful information. Sounds like I should bite the bullet and go for the DA 55-300. I'm going to Tokyo at the end of the month...does anyone know if Pentax lenses are going to be cheaper there? Brad

12-12-2008, 12:10 AM	#9
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	The DA 55-300 is one of those Pentax lenses that is well priced and not much said against it. I have it and use the long end the most as I have the DA 50-135. Its a very good lens Last edited by nulla; 12-12-2008 at 12:49 PM.

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12-11-2008, 03:35 PM	#1
bsimon Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 35	DA 55-300 vs FA-J 75-300 Hi, I just bought a K2000 and am looking into a good starter zoom lense. I have read reviews of the DA 55-300 and was thinking of buying it but then found the Pentax SMC P FA J - Telephoto zoom lens - 75 mm - 300 mm - f/4.5-5.8 AL. The latter is much cheaper, but I don't know what the main differences are. Can someone help me out? Thanks, Brad

12-11-2008, 03:41 PM	#2
Ed in GA Guest	I don't have, and haven't had, the FA J 75-300. However, I do have the DA 55-300. In addition to the extra 20mm at the short end, the DA has Quick-Shift auto focus, non rotating front element (I think the 75-300 rotates) and it holds the f/4.5 a long way into the zoom. My lens stays at f/4.5 to aroung 190mm. I think it is also smaller and lighter. You might check out Welcome to Photozone! for test results on the DA 55-300.

12-11-2008, 06:50 PM	#3
Sean Nelson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 353	I have the FAJ 75-300 and I've been thinking about upgrading to the DA 55-300 because of the large range of focal lengths, the non-rotating front element, and especially the quick-shift focusing. The shots and accords I've seen have helped too. The FAJ seem to have a rather spotty reputation, but I've been pretty happy with it. There's certainly nothing that comes close to it for the price (which is literally half of the 55-300). Here are a couple of shot I took with it on my K100D Super:

12-11-2008, 06:52 PM	#4
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	I have the FAJ. Lens sharp up to 200mm, after which you need to really step down. It is very light, good walk about lens if you tend to shoot long. Auto focus is a little on the loud side. I bought mine from fellow forum member, but I never really got to use it. If you are interested, I can sell you mine. PM me if you do.

12-11-2008, 08:31 PM	#5
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,715	Have both lenses. The faj is going bye bye. The 55-300 is noticably sharper and greater in contrast. Especially in the 300mm range. Of course the 55-300 cost a lot more. thanks barondla Check out POINT & SHOOT CONTEST #13 WINNERS in P&S forum. Enter #14.

12-11-2008, 08:59 PM	#6
lenp Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Orange County California Posts: 110	You may also want to consider FA 80-320. It's about half the price of the DA 55-200, and while you lose quite a bit on the short end, I don't think there is much of a drop of in IQ.

12-11-2008, 09:51 PM	#7
jglover Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 98	Have you considered the Tamron 70-300mm Macro? Great image quality, a quality 1:2 macro at the telephoto end and are typically around $130 new, $100 or so used.

12-12-2008, 02:47 AM	#10
Erik Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Umeå, Sweden Posts: 755	Originally posted by jglover Have you considered the Tamron 70-300mm Macro? Great image quality, a quality 1:2 macro at the telephoto end and are typically around $130 new, $100 or so used. Not to overwhelm the OP with too many choices, but... The Sigma 70-300 APO is a great and cheap lens too. Worth considering.

12-12-2008, 02:25 PM	#11
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Definitely bite the bullet and get the 55-300. It doesn't do you a whole lot of good to buy the cheap lens now, get it, use it a while, and decide that you'd rather have the better lens; on top of that, you'll probably want to sell the lens and have to deal with the hassle of that--believe me, I've done it multiple times... Right now, B&H has the 55-300 for $299.95, shipped, so the price is really starting to come down... Pentax \| SMCP-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Autofocus Lens \| 21720 HTH, Heather