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02-01-2012, 05:09 PM   #1
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Suggestions for first telezoom

Hi,

I have never had a tele lens (whether zoom or prime) and would like to try one. I do not really feel the difference between 100mm, 200mm or 300mm, so I think of buying a zoom in that range: 55-300, 100-300 etc to gather experience.

With this lens I plan to shoot everything - to try various possibilities, see what's needed in various use cases, hit the limits. I treat this more like a learning (and fun exercise.

I do not want to spend too much: new DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED would be perfect but is too expensive for me this time, kit DAL 55-200 has good price but it's too short (I really would like to try 300mm).

I have thought about buying a used lens, so that I can sell it without too much loss once I learned what I want from telezoom and decided to shop knowing my expectations more precisely.

So I have two questions:
- (broader one) what lens would you recommend for trying tele inexpensively?
- (narrower one) as above + a lens that can be sold back ?

I would prefer autofocus lens, but should be fine with MF too. I would like to get at least decent/good IQ (yes, I do realize that there are many definitions of "decent/good". Use yours

I will be grateful for any opinions/suggestions.
Thanks,

02-01-2012, 05:42 PM   #2
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The 50-200 doesn't have a particularly good reputation and is not in great demand on the used market, so I don't recommend buying a new one if you think you might want to resell it. If you buy a used one at a good price, of course you have a better chance of reselling it at little or no loss. The 55-300 is widely considered good value so if you can find a used copy within your budget, that is a good choice.

Last edited by baro-nite; 02-01-2012 at 05:53 PM. Reason: typo
02-01-2012, 05:47 PM   #3
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really though, if you want a good tele zoom in that range for relatively cheap, just try to save up a bit more for the 55-300. It'll most definitely be worth it
02-01-2012, 05:51 PM   #4
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Agree, a 50-200 would be very difficult to sell, while a 55-300 much easier. I think you'd be better of buying a DAL 55-300.

02-01-2012, 05:54 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
Agree, a 50-200 would be very difficult to sell, while a 55-300 much easier. I think you'd be better of buying a DAL 55-300.
+1 The DAL should be ~$100 less than the DA. Same lens optically, but with a plastic mount & no quick-shift. That said, I'm happy with my 50-200. I'm not a much of a birder or wildlife shooter, so I don't need the extra range, and I like the compactness of the 50-200.
02-01-2012, 06:00 PM   #6
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The other alternatives are the 70-300's from Tamron or Sigma. They go for as low as about $100 in the marketplace, but they are not the best performers. The Pentax 55-300 is superior to either.
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