[BPT]

I currently have the K110D with the 18-55mm kit lens. I had on order the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro on order which is now on back order with no projected delivery date. I was regretting the order a little anyway since the photos I have seen at full zoom look soft to me.

Any recommendations for a zoom lens to fill the 55 to at least 300 range? My budget is 300-400 which I know isnt that much, which is basically why I had settled for the sigma before.

[BPT]

I forgot to mention primary targets for the zoom lens is wildlife and things like the moon. The 18-55 handles the scenery and the close up stuff well

[nathancombs]

the Pentax smc FA 100-300 F4.5-5.6 is good i got mine for 60$ off KEH.com

i see some one was selling the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro on the market form on hear for 125$

[roscot]

The "Bigma"
Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 EX DG

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG AF Lens for Pentax AF

[Gaelen]

The Bigma is a bit out of his budget

I have a FA 80-320mm And I was thinking of upgrading to the Bigma
it is a good lense for the money, I shoot a lot of motorsports with it, It's a tad soft on the long end but still decent

[BPT]

Thanks for the responces

nathancombs, I totally missed the marketplace forum, the one in the market place forum is a non APO version and from the reviews I have read those are to be avoided. I dont know if that is 100% true though. I didnt think of going used, as it kindof worries me but it may just be a way to pick up a more expensive lens cheaper

The bigma like Gaelen said is out of my budget. My very lovely wife wouldnt go for that much expence. Unfortunalty I know you get what you pay for and in terms of lenses $300-$400 is not that much

[Clem Nichols]

I have the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro lens, and have been quite satisfied with it. I hasten to point out that I am neither a professional nor a pixel peeper, just an enthusiastic amateur. I purchased mine from B&H for $229. You can probably find it for less at sigma4less.com or Cameta camera's Amazon Store. I think the Macro capability is very good. (I'm attaching one of the pictures I've taken with it) I'd rather have the Bigma or one of the $3000 lens with a larger aperture, but there's no way I could justify spending that much money on a hobby, particularly when it's only one of several hobbies. For the money, I think the Sigma is a very good lens, and have no regrets about having purchased it. The simple truth is there aren't many options available when you're looking for a 300-400mm lens for less than $500 unless you'd consider a mirror fixed focal length lens.

Clem Nichols
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1384/749547205_cd48b542ab_b.jpg

[BPT]

The only reason I am not looking for fixed focal length is because I assume I would need to have a few at different focal lengths which would be more expensive. From what I read they are normally better then the ones with a zoom on them. But that is just what I read

It looks like I may be back to sigma after all this

[smcclelland]

Honestly, a lot of bashing goes on with the 70-300 and arguably I have seen some bad copies of the lens it seems but I personally am quite pleased with mine. I bought mine roughly 2 months back now to shoot the Canadian Grand Prix and it lived up to every dollar (I only spent $290 CDN on the APO DG version).

Some test pics below to show you.

Canadian Grand Prix Thread

[little laker]

My sigma 75-300 APO is the older version of the 70-300 and I just used it to get this picture the other day.

The subject was well over 150' away, and the camera was hand held

[Bramela]

I recently purchased this lens from your side of the Pacific for well under $300.
Much has been said about the softness of the shots taken above about 200mm.
Thus far, I have found this not quite the case. I am very pleased with results at all lengths. Include this shot taken at 300mm to show my point.This lens is worth a good look IMO.
Goodluck with your search

[BPT]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I am going to go with the sigma 70-300 APO version. sigma4less has it in stock and after exchange I should have it at my door for about $60 less then I am paying in Canada.

The pictures that were posted were great, I especially like the bird one since that would be my primary target

[smcclelland]

Thanks for all the replies, I think I am going to go with the sigma 70-300 APO version. sigma4less has it in stock and after exchange I should have it at my door for about $60 less then I am paying in Canada.

The pictures that were posted were great, I especially like the bird one since that would be my primary target

Something to be weary of, customs will ding you a good fee for shipping camera equipment from the US to Canada (I don't know the % rate is anymore but I ordered about $1200 of stuff from the US not too long ago and got zinged $120 by Fedex for duty fees). Since then I've been using Camera Canada - Canada's dot.com for Cameras for any purchases, $302 current price for the 70-300 APO DG.

-edit- is it normal that the site just translated my link into some sort of advertisement? O_o

[BPT]

Camera Canada also would have to order in the lens and it would take a few weeks. I was originally ordering from the camera store and they went from we are getting it in for you next week to we have no idea when we are getting it.

I am hoping I dont get dinged too much on duty, but I am betting not since I just got the k100D via fedex from the US with no duty at all. I am hoping that this is the case as well for this.

I guess I am just an impatient sort lol

[Peter Zack]

Camera Canada also would have to order in the lens and it would take a few weeks. I was originally ordering from the camera store and they went from we are getting it in for you next week to we have no idea when we are getting it.

I am hoping I dont get dinged too much on duty, but I am betting not since I just got the k100D via fedex from the US with no duty at all. I am hoping that this is the case as well for this.

I guess I am just an impatient sort lol

I have bought tons of stuff from the USA and now always insist that the store or seller sends it to me by USPS Air. There are never any brokerage fees and 80% of the time no duties attached. With Fedex, UPS etc you will always pay Brokerage and often duty as well. Insist on USPS or buy it at home. Duties can reach 20% and the rate seems to vary for some reason.