[Blackink]

Hello, I haven't been here in awhile due to learning my, new to me, K-50 camera. Whoa..... there's a lot to learn about these cameras!

So I have 2 lenses that came with this camera kit. The one I find I'm using the most is the 50-200mm lens.

Can someone recommend a zoom lens stronger than the 50-200mm lens? I'd like to do some research on a few but there are soooo many lenses that I get confused about which ones I need to zero in on for research.

I don't need it to be super expensive either. If it has a plastic body like the ones I have here now, that's fine with me. As I am still learning this camera, I don't want to invest the big bucks for quality equipment until I have a better grasp as to what I'm doing.

So if I can get some recommendations on some zoom lenses that can really zoom in from afar, I would appreciate it.

Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Steve in Central Vermont

[boriscleto]

SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED Reviews - DA L Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Anything longer worth using is a considerable increase in size and cost.

Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Reviews - D FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Other camera systems have a lot more choice in long telephoto zooms.

[pres589]

Based on reviews and user comments I would either shop around the bay of e's or KEH and get a DA-L 55-300 for around $120 or so USD or get a DA RE 55-300 for around $400 brand new from the vendor of your choice. I think the older 55-300 is a performance bargain for the kind of money they go for (from memory) but the new lens is a clear step up in every way. Your call on if you want to spend the extra money. From what you'd described of yourself I think the older DA-L, with it's lower cost and lighter weight (due to less metal in the build of that version of the lens) would be the way to go.

My 2 cents, take it with a grain of salt.

[jatrax]

Can someone recommend a zoom lens stronger than the 50-200mm lens?

If by 'stronger' you mean a longer focal range then the 55-300 in its various iterations would be the obvious choice. A much more expensive option would be the DA*60-250 but that is a lot more lens.

Some cheaper options would be one of the longer FA zooms such as the 80-320 or one of the 100-300s. But unless price is the overriding concern go with 55-300.

[robiles]

My recommandation goes toward the 55-300 plm. It focuses with the speed of thought and it is compact. From a iq point of view i can not compare it to other 50-300 lenses as i have not own any, but this one seems pretty solid. Second hand it can be had for a reasonable price - got mine for 260€ including a couple of extras (spontaneous buy because of price).

[surfar]

a zoom lens stronger than the 50-200mm lens?

The latest 55/300 plm lens is fast,weather resistant and works with your k50.its cheap too.

[Sidney Porter]

Although I don't own the lens the 55-300 seems to be well liked and a good bang for the buck

Focussing on the OP "zoom lenses that can really zoom in from afar". The differences between 200 and 300 a few degrees 8 vs 5.5 on the diagonal. I would recommend reading some articles that discuss fov vs focal length and determine if the jump from 200-300 is enough. Or if the money would be better saved to afford a 400 or 600 which is going to cost more

[Bertrand3000]

I recommend the 55-300 PLM ; higher reach, much better IQ, state-of-the-art autofocus, and yet still not too highly priced. It is compatible with your K-50 with a firmware upgrade.

If it's too costly, then find any other 55-300, even the DA-L ; they focus more slowly and IQ is less stellar, but they are much cheaper and still a huge upgrade compared to the 50-200. DA-L 55-300, SMC DA 55-300 and HD DA 55-300 all share the same optics, but the first version will lack hood (generic hood is extremely cheap) and quickshift, and the latter version will feature HD coating (for flare reduction) and weather resistance. Otherwise there are very similar.

[Sidney Porter]

Keh currently has the 135-600 f 6.7 for $520. It is slow(6.7) and manual focus but it would be a lot of reach if that is the most important consideration

[ecostigny]

Another cheap alternative is a mirror lens. You might sacrifice a little image quality and everything is manual, but it does give you a lot more reach that your current zoom: Bower 500mm f/6.3 Manual Focus Telephoto Lens for Pentax B&H

[tibbitts]

You really need to provide examples of what you want to photograph and how you feel the 50-200 is insufficient. When you get past 200-300mm (and there isn't as much difference between those lengths as it might seem) you're getting to a point where demands significantly increase, both in terms of optical quality, and also your technique. Also consider how much you're willing to carry in terms of the combination of a larger/heavier lens and a tripod (or maybe a bigger/heavier tripod if you already use one.)

[ramseybuckeye]

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. That's the one

Best of all the 55-300s in IQ, autofocus, compactness, etc.

[Blackink]

OK folks! It looks like I got the information I needed to get started. I'll be busy doing some research on the different choices and recommendations people here provided but I sure do appreciate it.

Somebody suggested I post pictures of what I look at / take pictures of now with the 50-200mm lens but that wouldn't be much good.


For those of you that take walks out in the open country or along power lines, you'll know that you can see for quite the distance and for me to pull in an animal or bird at 50 or 100 yards through a lens so that I can get a better look and/or picture is what I'm looking for.
Maybe this is not clear enough but from what many of you have posted with the differing models of lenses, I'm sure I'll find what I need.

Thanks again,
Steve in Central Vermont

---------- Post added 12-23-20 at 07:09 PM ----------

I recommend the 55-300 PLM ; higher reach, much better IQ, state-of-the-art autofocus, and yet still not too highly priced. It is compatible with your K-50 with a firmware upgrade.

You mention a firmware upgrade. I have the latest 1.10 firmware for the K-50 camera. I should be good if that is all I need is a firmware upgrade, correct?

[tibbitts]

OK folks! It looks like I got the information I needed to get started. I'll be busy doing some research on the different choices and recommendations people here provided but I sure do appreciate it.

Somebody suggested I post pictures of what I look at / take pictures of now with the 50-200mm lens but that wouldn't be much good.


For those of you that take walks out in the open country or along power lines, you'll know that you can see for quite the distance and for me to pull in an animal or bird at 50 or 100 yards through a lens so that I can get a better look and/or picture is what I'm looking for.
Maybe this is not clear enough but from what many of you have posted with the differing models of lenses, I'm sure I'll find what I need.

Thanks again,
Steve in Central Vermont

I think you may be overestimating what any modest increase in focal length is going to buy you. A 300mm will make your subject appear closer than a 200mm, but the difference may not be as much as you would like it to be. On the other hand, you would probably be making a step-up in optical quality by switching to any of the 55-300 Pentax lenses - or even the older 3rd party 70-300s - from the 50-200. I don't have a PLM version but have read that it's better than the others in both focus speed and sharpness. You'll still need very good technique to get the kinds of images you want. For example, with animals and birds you generally want definition in hair/feathers and eyes, and that usually results from a moderate ISO, steady camera support, and very precise focus.

[DWS1]

The DA 55-300mm plm is a very good lens.