[YJD]

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The problem is the Sigma APO is at $190, for $50 more I can get the 55-300. So I'm back to the beginning.

[Jodokast96]

$190 new vs. $250 used. Look for a used Sigma.

[Jodokast96]

Here Sigma APO PENTAX AF 70-300/4-5.6 DG Macro NIB FREE SHIP - eBay (item 280331080756 end time Apr-09-09 10:38:04 PDT)

[RioRico]

Thank you both RioRico and deadwolfbones.

I have seem the Pentax FA 100-300/4.7-5.8 but cannot find it on eBay. The Quantaray/Sigma 100-300mm f/4.5-6.7 look really good for a great price! I'll be OK with one of the 2 since I cannot tell which one is the best.

I've looked at eBay and Amazon and cannot find any of them.. any other palce where I can get one?

Sorry for the delay, I'm packing for the next part of this journey. Anyway, I just googled PENTAX FA 100-300 and got at least 2 offers on the FA at abound US$160 and one on the Sigma at around US$105. A little googling does wonders, eh?

[Marc Sabatella]

Marc, I though, but not 100% sure that the Quantaray version was the same as the Sigma, which should have less PF (again not 100% sure).

Ritz (the company the owns the Quantaray brand) seems to change the source for their lenses at the drop of a hat. Mine is actually the non-Di version, but cosmetically, it seems identical to the non-Di Tamron and looks nothing like the Sigma. So I'm quite sure mine is the Tamron. The one they currently sell does indeed look more like the Sigmas. In any case, I'm also basing my opinion on pictures posted by others.

[Jodokast96]

One way to figure out which is which is the filter size it takes. Sigmas are 58mm, Tamrons 62mm. And in both cases it will not be the APO or Di LD version of the lenses, but the more inexpensive ones.

[Marc Sabatella]

I'd say far from exaggerated. It's pretty obvious in the posted examples

Might be obvious in *some* posted examples, but far from obvious in others. Like I said, I don't see it all in most of my shots viewed full screen. Viewed larger, I see it more often, but many shots simply don't tend to generate it at all. One sees it mostly in very high contrast situations - branches against the sky, that sort of thing. Not a big deal, as far as I'm concerned.

[hinman]

YJD,

I would prefer three choices as in

• Sigma 70-300mm APO 1:2 Macro
  -- similar to Tamron but without PF/CA
  -- a bit more on price
  -- sharpness is close, maybe a wash, to Tamron
  -- I prefer Tamron on the sharpness based on my user experience
  -- great on 1:2 close up
• Tamron 70-300mm Di LD Macro 1:2 Macro
  -- Hin's biased favorite in terms of sharpness,
  -- caveats on CA/PF, some easily fixable in pp
  -- great on 1:2 close up
• Pentax DA 55-300mm
  -- the best one in terms of IQ and focal range
  -- lacks close up as compared to Tamron and Sigma zoom
  -- price is more but worth the extra

I prefer 70-300mm over 100-300mm unless there is aperture advantage or superior advantage in IQ, which I can't comment as I have not used any 100-300mm. And I say that again in case you also like DA 50-200mm, give that zoom a chance and try it in the zoo and walk closer to the animals in the shooting. I love that under-rated zoom and I still miss it as it has the most valuable zoom range from 50-200mm which I miss whenever I use DA* 50-135mm. I tend to think none of 300mm consumer zooms mentioned can give you the IQ as good as the DA 55-300mm but I think the DA 50-200mm can get very close to the DA 55-300mm for the shorter range under 200mm -- that is my gut feel.

Thanks,
Hin

[YJD]

Thanks everybody, I bought my lens.

I follow what hinman said (he is my source for lens anyway) and especially what Jodokast96 said and the link he provide to buy the Sigma APO 70-300.

Thank you so much to everybody! I'll post pictures... I do have to post pictures, it has been a long time and I went to Arizona in the mean time for vacation.

[OregonJim]

Some sample shots from my Quantaray/Sigma 100-300mm f/4.5-6.7:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/453022-post9.html

*note that the one for sale in that thread sold for just $55.

I have the Sigma/Quantaray 100-300 also. For the money, it's a quite decent lens. Build quality is pretty typical for the price range, so I wouldn't want to take it on safari or anything...

[Mike L]

I know you've already bought a lens but I'm surprised no one mentioned the Pentax FA 80-320mm, click for lens review.

You should be able to find one for less than US $150 and stopped down it is perfectly acceptable

Some samples from mine

[dcmsox2004]

Pentax Lens Review Database - 100-300mm F4.7-5.8
'our' review for the plastic fantastic 100-300 f4.7-5.8 ..................
seems to be the rodney dangefield of pentax lenses.... also, 'googling' this specific lens, which i did ad nauseum, is a relatively cheap and viable option for your telephoto needs....
i too would like the 55-300mm, but the stimulus ain't hit me yet.....
i'm planning to grab the 100-300mm silver wonder as soon as i can take the money from my wife's purse without her catching me...
for about 100 bucks, i don't think you can go wrong.....
check all the reviews right here on the 'forum'..... pentaxians are the best judge...

[YJD]

Thanks for the extra info, I just couldn't pass the Sigma APO 70-300 for $130 shipping included. Otherwise I would have bought the silver 100-300.

[billhardie]

I too can not believe it took 3 pages before the mention of the FA 80-320mm!

[Marc Sabatella]

One way to figure out which is which is the filter size it takes. Sigmas are 58mm, Tamrons 62mm. And in both cases it will not be the APO or Di LD version of the lenses, but the more inexpensive ones.

My Quantaray is 62mm, and as I stated, not Di (but is *does* say LD). But FWIW, I never had had any particular flare issues with this lens either.