[ShoooRn]

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Hi all - I've had my KS2 for around 6 months now and just before I purchased the lense I was toying with the idea of getting a better zoom lense to get shots of wildlife, specific detail and sports.


The missus has kindly said she'll help towards the purchase of the lense for my birthday but I'm in a bit of a difficult situation and don't want to make the wrong choice so I'm curious if anyone can recommend me a lense to go alongside my 18-55mm kit lense?


I've read everywhere that the 50-300mm from Pentax is almost perfect; but at £300 is a bit steep for me!


The 50-200mm from pentax I think will make me wanting more zoom range especially for sports or zooming on animals! (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-50-200mm-4-5-6-Zoom-Lens/dp/B002BSGUZI/ref=s...entax+50-200mm) This is arguably at the max of my budget.


The Tamron 70-300mm I am a bit dubious about as I think the WR feature of the lenses may be a saving grace in the future however it is a 1/3 of the price of the Pentax equivalent and I've seen some great shots!
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-AF-70-300mm-4-5-6-Macro/dp/B000HP7L6E)


My missus also uses the camera - and it's here that the WR feature of the pentax lenses will come useful; she likes to photograph me and my rugby team when I play, and needless to say it rains a lot in the UK.



All things considered the purple fringing I've seen on the Tamron lense and the fact it's not WR is not putting me off completely (I am a beginner at the end of the day).


Any thoughts would be great.


P.S. apologies if this is in the wrong area.

[bertwert]

Budget around £200?

I'd say the extra £100 pounds is worth it for the 55-300!
I tried one in a store compared to my 50-200 and what a difference!
I wish I didn't be such a 'cheapy' and get the 50-200 and waited another month or so to get the 55-300.
If you convince your missus to eat beans on toast for a couple weeks you should be able to get the 55-300


Also you can look at used 55-300 which will be around £200.

[BigMackCam]

The HD DA55-300 is what you need, no doubt about it. SRS currently has it in stock for £279. I realise that's more than you want to pay, but it is worth every penny, and there really isn't much to compare with it optically for less. You could wait for a little while and watch the prices... They were also selling for £199 just after Christmas, and there is bound to be a sale sooner or later! In your position, that's what I'd do

[stevebrot]

I'd say the extra £100 pounds is worth it for the 55-300!
I tried one in a store compared to my 50-200 and what a difference!

^^^^^ What Bert said. If you need reach on a budget on APS-C, the 55-300 is your punches well above its weight in terms of performance per pound (pardon the pun )


Steve

[redimp]

I use an old FA 70-300 that I got off ebay for about £70. No WR and has a screw motor but it was only £70 and it performs well. You can then use the £130 to start to save up to £300 for the 50-300.

[skierd]

Shop for a used SMC WR 55-300 or pony up for a newHD 55-300. It really is a great budget lens. And frankly money well spent, I rarely regret spending a little more to get good glass.

If you can wait, there are usually sales around the major holidays at least in the US.

[mattb123]

The 18-135 is another to consider if you want wide and long(ish) in the same lens (reduces having to swap them).
It's very versatile and mine has worked out very well for me.
55-300 is good too but mine is loud and slow to focus. If that is important the DC focus in the 18-135 is quick and quiet.

[C_Jones]

If you get a 55-300, the newer version is the one you want to get that was recently announced. The older version took nice pictures, but the AF was not the "silent" type. The newer version will be the advanced performer, it is only available for pre-order in the U.S. right now, but if you can wait where you are, it would probably be the wisest choice. Below is a link to the U.S. description on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-55-300mm-4-5-6-3-PLM-Lens/dp/B01GVYHK42/ref=sr...R+RE+Announced

[gatorguy]

If you get a 55-300, the newer version is the one you want to get that was recently announced. The older version took nice pictures, but the AF was not the "silent" type. The newer version will be the advanced performer, it is only available for pre-order in the U.S. right now, but if you can wait where you are, it would probably be the wisest choice. Below is a link to the U.S. description on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Pentax-55-300mm-4-5-6-3-PLM-Lens/dp/B01GVYHK42/ref=sr...R+RE+Announced

Except don't you lose a stop with the new one just to gain video use improvements? Personally I'd stick with the current one, especially as the rugby guys won't notice how quiet the newer one is.

[pres589]

I think that, before we start recommending the 55-300RE, there should be some comprehensive tests of the lens to reference. Until then, the existing 55-300 versions already, and it's an easy lens to recommend.

I like images that I've seen from the 50-200 but the 55-300 seems to have a lot more fans. There's not too many other lenses in that price range with similar focal distances that I can think of to recommend over the 55-300.

[VoiceOfReason]

For what you want the 55-300 will fill the bill perfectly. Spring for the extra and get it.

[pathdoc]

Except don't you lose a stop with the new one just to gain video use improvements?

Half a stop or just under. From 4.0 - 5.8, the brand new one is 4.5 to 6.3.

I think that, before we start recommending the 55-300RE, there should be some comprehensive tests of the lens to reference.

The other thing is, I think it's (a) well over the OP's budget on declared introductory price and (b) a risk in that it incorporates two new technological advances in the same lens (new AF mechanism and electronic aperture control) as well as a new (to this design) "retractable" feature. However, its advent may drive the price of the HD 55-300 down and help the OP out in that respect.

[C_Jones]

Except don't you lose a stop with the new one just to gain video use improvements? Personally I'd stick with the current one, especially as the rugby guys won't notice how quiet the newer one is.

I would want the advanced performance of the newer model. Quiet AF is a valuable thing to have if you are at events or doing wildlife shooting.

[BigMackCam]

Both are listed as being F4-5.8

I thought the new one was very definitely f/4.5-6.3...

[gatorguy]

I thought the new one was very definitely f/4.5-6.3...

It is