BTW, in case you didn't notice my sig, this will be for a
Pentax K100D dSLR.
Originally posted by Mo The Pentax FA 80-320mm is pretty cheap (under $300), so try to go for it if you can find it. It's very sharp for such a consumer zoom, even at 320mm!
I looked at the FA 80-320mm f/4.5-5.6, but came away with several people telling me the image quality beyond 200mm left much to be desired.
At least that's what most said after having also used the DA 50-200mm and shooting at its 200mm extreme (which I do right now).
I.e., they said it won't give me anything I want to use beyond 200mm than the DA 50-200mm.
I don't need a zoom, a prime would be great, of which I was hoping the "cheap primes" might be "as good as" a "quality zoom." I'll be using the DA 50-200mm as my primary lens, and only pulling out when I'm going to be shooting at the long focal length consistently, so it can be a prime -- like 400mm or even 500mm. I think 250 or 300mm might be limiting, although I'm not against a solid 320mm.
Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I saw a 500mmF8 tameron mirror lens for $250 cdn, and there are similar lenses on Adorama for about $150 us.
Not to ask you to do anything for me, but do you have any recommendations?
I.e., links to products at Adorama?
Originally posted by Lowell Goudge they are light weight, can be hand held, have excellent close focus capabilities compared to normal lenses, and providing you don't mind out of focus donuts and no depth of field control they are a reasonable solution.
I don't mind that at all.
It'll teach me a lot anyway -- since I can fire off 500+ shots and learn from them.
Originally posted by Lowell Goudge My own adventure into long lenses came when a store had a closing out sale in 1982 of a 400mmF5.6 vivitar for $160.
Yeah, there is a Vivitar 400mm f/5.6 on eBay right now -- $120 first bid with a $170 "Buy It Now" price.
Unfortunately the reviews I found on it sucks, and sucks hard.
Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Shop around, you will find bargons
That's what I'm trying to do.
Originally posted by little laker I have a 500mm Phoenix, and in all reality it's worth every penny and then some.
Is that sarcasm?
Or does the Phoenix 500mm f/8 prime actually do okay, as long as you realize it's f/8 limitations?
I was hoping a cheap, prime would be tolerable, as long as one realizes its f-stop limits -- like f/8.
Originally posted by little laker Whatever you do don't get their 2x teleconverter.
I'm not doing a teleconverter period, I'll put a full lens on.
Originally posted by little laker However I don't use it very often. It's a little tough getting good image quality on anything other than a perfect day.
I don't mind being at f/8 and will do it out in daylight or very well light stadiums.
That's all I want it for.
Originally posted by little laker This pic was taken on it on a cloudy day, and although the subject was fair the background had more noise than I like.
What camera did you use?
I can't seem to bring up the photo -- are there shots posted elsewhere?
Originally posted by NaClH2O Well, it's still only a 300mm.
Yeah, I know, 50% more reach than the DA 50-200mm, but I was hoping for 400mm.
I guess I'm just wishing for a little too much?
Originally posted by neighhoma If you want quality, then you'll have to go the prime route. But some of those may be quite expensive. I've heard good things about the Tamron 70-300mm. The only other lens I can think of is the Sigma 100-300 f4. I don't know if they make it in Pentax mount.
Yes, they make the Sigma 100-300mm and 100-400mm in a Pentax K mount, but they are either crappy ($200-400) or costly ($600-1,000+).
If you didn't see my other thread, I bought a Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Model 185D -- what a POS at image quality.
The DA 50-200mm absolutely roasted it at both 50mm and 200mm in image quality -- literally grainy v. sharp.
The DA 18-55mm "kit" and an FA 28-105mm also roasted it at 50mm and 50mm and 100mm as well -- worlds of difference.
I know the Tamron 70-300mm would be better than that Tamron 28-300mm superzoom, but it's still only 300mm in the end.
I'd really like to get to 400mm.