Originally posted by RioRico Ask yourself: 1) Where am I going? 2) What will get me there? 3) What can I afford that will make me happy? Which boils down to: What do I want to do that I can't do with what I have?
If what you have isn't long and/or short enough, and you want to do stuff that requires going longer and/or shorter, then get something longer and/or shorter. And/or faster. And/or fisheyed. And/or macro. And/or some combination of cheap sharp used manual primes. And/or a tilt-shift. And/or German. Whatever.
When you ask, HEY GUYS WHAT LENS SHOULD I GET? you'll hear from people telling you what THEY like. Lots of us have emotional attachments to our gear. Maybe your choices shouldn't be based on our emotions. Hey, I like REALLY REALLY love this old manual M42 Isco-Westron (Schneider) 35/2.8 with 13 iris blades, you just wouldn't believe the creamy smooth bokeh, how ROUND the images look, how it's almost better than a Leica and only cost me US$27, you REALLY REALLY gotta get one, the only problem is that the filter thread is 54mm and it's hard to find hoods and rings in that size. But that's the lens you need. Why? 'Cause I say so.
Hehe, well... I have looked at the 55-300mm images and they DO look THAT good. Comparing to the Tamron, it really is better not only because it costs more, but they deliver. Tamron is pretty good too I'm not saying it's bad, but I have always believed that Pentax had some pretty dam good IQ. I don't think anyone can compete (or it just could be that Pentax has a really unique warmness to their lenses because that is what draws it to me) I only like the Tamron because of it's price, and it is not crap. The 50-200mm I threw in as a choice because I could sacrifice focal length for IQ of a Pentax. But ultimately a 55-300mm would be THE best, but also in return for higher price.
That is what I believe, I like to hear everyone's opinion before I buy something. I know what happens in guitar gear. People say oh I want a PRS, or I LIKE FENDERS AND GIBSONS. They are decent guitars, good in fact, I have listened to many people say what I should get, but I just heard the Ibanez and felt it and it was MINE.
So what I'm saying is... Pentax lenses call out to me because of it's warmness in tone.
But I am on a budget so I was wondering if anyone would compromise anything, and if it WAS that good, because I am by no means an expert photographer, I just thought that the IQ looked good, but I needed a second opinion.
In fact it is worth it, and my instincts were true all along, it probably is worth it.