Originally posted by mlines
I want a lens that performs well at 300mm whilst still being a zoom if possible. Must be noticeably sharper than my 55-300 and quicker to use to get the sharpness ie usable on wildlife
However as always it also has to be full frame, portable and cost effective.
Any recommendations ?
Perhaps one important aspect you got to upfront mention, is "budget".
How much are you willing to go to?
USD300? USD400? USD500?
Or more?
It might be quite difficult to have this trinity of "it also has to be full frame, portable and cost effective".
It is like, kind of, that perennial problem of designing main battle tanks, balancing that trinity of "mobility, firepower, protection (armour)" (and naturally, also the factor of "cost")
Usually, it will always be a case of "can have two aspects better and one will have to be lesser".
In terms of lenses, (i) full frame, (ii) portable, (iii) cost effective.
Perhaps a Sigma 100-300 f4?
It is full frame.
As for "portable", to me, that lens is definitely portable.
For "cost effective", that really depends on a number of things and how one sees "cost effective".
There's also the Pentax FA 80-320.
Full frame. Extremely portable.
As for "cost effective", again, depends.
If you aren't going to be happy with the results you get from it, even if it were to cost just USD50, it cannot be considered "cost effective".
Or the Pentax FA 100-300?
Same comments as above for the 80-320.
And cuz you mentioned "portable" and preferably "zoom", that effectively rules out any prime lens.
but yeah.
Think you got to indicate "budget".
That will help narrow down things quite a bit.
---------- Post added 07-04-22 at 05:32 AM ----------
Originally posted by pepperberry farm none - the three requirements you've listed above will cross off every zoom out there.... you have the sharpest consumer zoom available for Pentax at 300mm....
....
Plus+10.
Indeed, the 300PLM is as good as one can wish for, for a "consumer zoom".