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eLJay361 · 03-01-2016, 09:14 AM

I currently have a Pentax K-r camera. Can someone tell me the best lens to use for action shots from a distance. My daughter is a cheerleader and I'm often in the stands with my camera trying to get the best photo.

Franky2step · 03-01-2016, 09:38 AM

Indoor? Outdoor?

**jatrax** · 03-01-2016, 10:02 AM

Here you go: HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Should be available this month.

bertwert · 03-01-2016, 10:05 AM

What's your budget?

Na Horuk · 03-01-2016, 10:09 AM

Yeah, 70-200mm is a good bet. The HD DA 55-300mm is not as high quality, but it is still acceptable for a lot of people; especially due to its much more accessible price point. DA* 50-135mm is popular, as well, but might not be long enough if you are far away.
DFA 150-450 is interesting, as well.

The absolute cheapest is a used DA L 55-300mm, which is optically almost the same as the HD DA version. A little cheaper is the DA 50-200, but this one is a hair worse than the 55-300mm, and it doesn't have as much reach. Though, for some users its enough. I think the 55-300mm is better than the Tamron and Sigma 70-300mm lenses (here and here), though I'm sure you can find comparative reviews on the forum. There was a thread recently about these, with lots of sample photos and comments

Here are links to reviews:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-70-200mm-f28-ed-dc-aw.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-150-450mm-prelim/introduction.html?src=lrdb
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-Zoom-Lenses-c43.html

Some of these lenses have "official" PF reviews, as well as general user reviews. And you can check out the Sample photo gallery to see some user photos.
It comes down to your budget. With telephoto, there are big differences in price; and better is more expensive. Better means the photos are sharper, have more detail, AF is better, and low light performance is better.

bertwert · 03-01-2016, 10:11 AM

Also to add to Na Horuk as well there is the DA* 60-250/4

**TER-OR** · 03-01-2016, 12:31 PM

If you're indoors those Tamron 70-300 will be good. Outdoors, if not in a big contrast situation, they'll be fine. If you have a lot of contrast - like branches against a bright sky, you will get "purple fringing" aberrations.

I traded mine for a DA 55-300 when I got the K5. I still use one on the K3II. The DAL 55-300 is a good choice for the money, but if you have a couple extra bucks skip the "L" version. That will give you a better mount and a lens hood.

One word of warning - the 55-300 aren't the fastest lenses out there, in terms of light gathering and in focus speed. You'll probably be OK with your Kr at ISO 3200 which will let you shoot with a high enough shutter speed and stopped down a little. If you want "faster" get a 70-200.

K57XR · 03-01-2016, 12:40 PM

Events with cheerleaders involved are usually lit well. If you're budget is limited I think you could get away with any of the 55-300 flavors suggested above. If possible I would go for the non-kit version (DA without the "L") so to have quick-shift focusing, but that's just me.

golancer · 05-08-2016, 06:31 PM

it depends on you budget

03-01-2016, 09:14 AM	#1
eLJay361 Guest	Lens I currently have a Pentax K-r camera. Can someone tell me the best lens to use for action shots from a distance. My daughter is a cheerleader and I'm often in the stands with my camera trying to get the best photo.

03-01-2016, 10:09 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Yeah, 70-200mm is a good bet. The HD DA 55-300mm is not as high quality, but it is still acceptable for a lot of people; especially due to its much more accessible price point. DA* 50-135mm is popular, as well, but might not be long enough if you are far away. DFA 150-450 is interesting, as well. The absolute cheapest is a used DA L 55-300mm, which is optically almost the same as the HD DA version. A little cheaper is the DA 50-200, but this one is a hair worse than the 55-300mm, and it doesn't have as much reach. Though, for some users its enough. I think the 55-300mm is better than the Tamron and Sigma 70-300mm lenses (here and here), though I'm sure you can find comparative reviews on the forum. There was a thread recently about these, with lots of sample photos and comments Here are links to reviews: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-70-200mm-f28-ed-dc-aw.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-150-450mm-prelim/introduction.html?src=lrdb https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-Zoom-Lenses-c43.html Some of these lenses have "official" PF reviews, as well as general user reviews. And you can check out the Sample photo gallery to see some user photos. It comes down to your budget. With telephoto, there are big differences in price; and better is more expensive. Better means the photos are sharper, have more detail, AF is better, and low light performance is better. Last edited by Na Horuk; 03-01-2016 at 10:16 AM.

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03-01-2016, 09:38 AM	#2
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Indoor? Outdoor?

03-01-2016, 10:02 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Here you go: HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Should be available this month.

03-01-2016, 10:05 AM	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	What's your budget?

03-01-2016, 10:11 AM	#6
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Also to add to Na Horuk as well there is the DA* 60-250/4

03-01-2016, 12:31 PM	#7
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	If you're indoors those Tamron 70-300 will be good. Outdoors, if not in a big contrast situation, they'll be fine. If you have a lot of contrast - like branches against a bright sky, you will get "purple fringing" aberrations. I traded mine for a DA 55-300 when I got the K5. I still use one on the K3II. The DAL 55-300 is a good choice for the money, but if you have a couple extra bucks skip the "L" version. That will give you a better mount and a lens hood. One word of warning - the 55-300 aren't the fastest lenses out there, in terms of light gathering and in focus speed. You'll probably be OK with your Kr at ISO 3200 which will let you shoot with a high enough shutter speed and stopped down a little. If you want "faster" get a 70-200.

03-01-2016, 12:40 PM	#8
K57XR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 830	Events with cheerleaders involved are usually lit well. If you're budget is limited I think you could get away with any of the 55-300 flavors suggested above. If possible I would go for the non-kit version (DA without the "L") so to have quick-shift focusing, but that's just me.

05-08-2016, 06:31 PM	#9
golancer New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 1	it depends on you budget