Need a recommendation for tele-zoom lens

Idanz0r · 12-22-2008, 06:13 AM

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hello,

i'm looking for 70-300 lens. i found on the site 2 main lenses,
the Tamron Di LD and the Sigma APO.

i have 150-200$, and i'm pretty confused because those lenses are pretty the same, and i need some help

If you have any other recommendations, i'll likely hear.

Thank you all.

Last edited by Idanz0r; 12-22-2008 at 06:44 AM.

cupic · 12-22-2008, 06:52 AM

Extra coating on the APO,just do a search google or the lenses guide in this site answer are to be found

cheers

dsport · 12-22-2008, 07:21 AM

The sigma APO is a sharp lens, however, it has its weakness.
The photo below showed a strange color of the sun. No PS color was applied in the sunset pic.
Indeed, same occurence with my friend's sunset pic whilst he was shooting with a Canon. A few more pics for your reference.
My other friend , a K10d owner, also had a tamron, the lens is as sharp as sigma but didn't encounter any strange color for the sunset.

ivoire · 12-22-2008, 09:39 AM

I had the tamron 70-300mm ld di. Both the tamron and sigma are decent lenses for the price. However, B&H Photo has the pentax 55-300mm for $299. Much better bang for the buck imo.

reeftool · 12-22-2008, 11:04 AM

I have the Sigma and have some very nice shots using it. It's definately a bright sunny day lens. I have had my best results at f8-f16. Wide open on the long end it is a little soft. I got the lens with the deal from the store when I bought my camera. If I was to buy a lens in that size range I would go with the Pentax 55-300. The price is pretty reasonable. I'll probably be buying the Pentax soon. So far all the posts I have read about it are very positive.

Idanz0r · 12-22-2008, 01:08 PM

Thank you all for the great replies.

due to the fact i'm low on grees, i can't afford the FA55-300. I saw the tamron 70-300 priced at 150$ which is pretty good.
additionaly, the Di LD&APO has Macro capabilities which the FA55-300 doesn't has.
Do you have any other recommendations around 150$?

Marc Sabatella · 12-22-2008, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Idanz0r

additionaly, the Di LD&APO has Macro capabilities which the FA55-300 doesn't has.

The Tamron *sort of* does macro, but only 1:2. You can do far better on the DA55-300 - or on the cheaper DA50-200, for that matter - by sticking a $40 Raynox 150 or 250 on the end of the lens.

Actually, I think the DA50-200 is a far more useful lens than any 70-300, and much more fun to carry around and have on the camera because it is so much smaller, for not much more money. But not if you are more interested in animals than people - 300mm beats 200mm for wildlife, but the 50-70 beats the 200-300 range for portraits.

Idanz0r · 12-23-2008, 05:30 AM

Marc, your comment made me change my point of view. I think the DA55-300 worth waiting some months until i have enough cash.
Pentax own you one.

Do someone know a good store(both price and reliability) in Canada?

Thanks again all.

ivoire · 12-23-2008, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Idanz0r

Marc, your comment made me change my point of view. I think the DA55-300 worth waiting some months until i have enough cash.
Pentax own you one.

Do someone know a good store(both price and reliability) in Canada?

Thanks again all.

go here and offer $275. they will most likely take it... if not, up it $5. they are in canada.

NEW PENTAX smc DA 55-300mm f/ K2000 K-m K20D K200D - eBay (item 310106209281 end time Jan-03-09 07:16:13 PST)

Idanz0r · 12-24-2008, 08:24 AM

ivoire, thank you very very much

12-22-2008, 06:13 AM	#1
Idanz0r Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39	Need a recommendation for tele-zoom lens Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. hello, i'm looking for 70-300 lens. i found on the site 2 main lenses, the Tamron Di LD and the Sigma APO. i have 150-200$, and i'm pretty confused because those lenses are pretty the same, and i need some help If you have any other recommendations, i'll likely hear. Thank you all. Last edited by Idanz0r; 12-22-2008 at 06:44 AM.

12-22-2008, 07:21 AM	#3
dsport Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	The sigma APO is a sharp lens, however, it has its weakness. The photo below showed a strange color of the sun. No PS color was applied in the sunset pic. Indeed, same occurence with my friend's sunset pic whilst he was shooting with a Canon. A few more pics for your reference. My other friend , a K10d owner, also had a tamron, the lens is as sharp as sigma but didn't encounter any strange color for the sunset. Last edited by dsport; 12-22-2008 at 07:26 AM.

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12-22-2008, 06:52 AM	#2
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Extra coating on the APO,just do a search google or the lenses guide in this site answer are to be found cheers

12-22-2008, 09:39 AM	#4
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	I had the tamron 70-300mm ld di. Both the tamron and sigma are decent lenses for the price. However, B&H Photo has the pentax 55-300mm for $299. Much better bang for the buck imo.

12-22-2008, 11:04 AM	#5
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I have the Sigma and have some very nice shots using it. It's definately a bright sunny day lens. I have had my best results at f8-f16. Wide open on the long end it is a little soft. I got the lens with the deal from the store when I bought my camera. If I was to buy a lens in that size range I would go with the Pentax 55-300. The price is pretty reasonable. I'll probably be buying the Pentax soon. So far all the posts I have read about it are very positive.

12-22-2008, 01:08 PM	#6
Idanz0r Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39 Original Poster	Thank you all for the great replies. due to the fact i'm low on grees, i can't afford the FA55-300. I saw the tamron 70-300 priced at 150$ which is pretty good. additionaly, the Di LD&APO has Macro capabilities which the FA55-300 doesn't has. Do you have any other recommendations around 150$?

12-22-2008, 02:18 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Idanz0r additionaly, the Di LD&APO has Macro capabilities which the FA55-300 doesn't has. The Tamron sort of does macro, but only 1:2. You can do far better on the DA55-300 - or on the cheaper DA50-200, for that matter - by sticking a $40 Raynox 150 or 250 on the end of the lens. Actually, I think the DA50-200 is a far more useful lens than any 70-300, and much more fun to carry around and have on the camera because it is so much smaller, for not much more money. But not if you are more interested in animals than people - 300mm beats 200mm for wildlife, but the 50-70 beats the 200-300 range for portraits.

12-23-2008, 05:30 AM	#8
Idanz0r Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39 Original Poster	Marc, your comment made me change my point of view. I think the DA55-300 worth waiting some months until i have enough cash. Pentax own you one. Do someone know a good store(both price and reliability) in Canada? Thanks again all.

12-23-2008, 09:26 AM	#9
ivoire Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,381	Originally posted by Idanz0r Marc, your comment made me change my point of view. I think the DA55-300 worth waiting some months until i have enough cash. Pentax own you one. Do someone know a good store(both price and reliability) in Canada? Thanks again all. go here and offer $275. they will most likely take it... if not, up it $5. they are in canada. NEW PENTAX smc DA 55-300mm f/ K2000 K-m K20D K200D - eBay (item 310106209281 end time Jan-03-09 07:16:13 PST)

12-24-2008, 08:24 AM	#10
Idanz0r Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 39 Original Poster	ivoire, thank you very very much