Zoom lens

geoffw · 03-10-2014, 01:21 PM

Hi all. I've been using a sigma 70-300 apo lens for a while now but getting a bit fed up with the focus noise. Can anyone recommend a good, quiet alternative please. Needs to be sharp too if possible. Thanks.

fgaudet · 03-10-2014, 01:44 PM

Sigma has 2 HSM Multi purpose zooms. The 18-200 (C) and the 18-250. Not the sharpest of them all (they're on par with the other brands) but if you're looking for sharpness, you shouldn't be looking at a super-zoom. They also have the 70-200 which is extremely good.
Pentax has a few... DA*16-50, DA*60-250, DA*50-135. There is also the DA18-135 which uses SDM
Tamron has nothing using SDM

Apapukas · 03-10-2014, 01:53 PM

Small correction: DA 18-135 uses DC motor instead of SDM.

fgaudet · 03-10-2014, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by Apapukas

DA 18-135 uses DC motor instead of SDM.

My bad... I meant 18-270

VisualDarkness · 03-10-2014, 02:24 PM

DA* 60-250 is probably the most similar upgrade way.

Oldbayrunner · 03-10-2014, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by fgaudet

Sigma has 2 HSM Multi purpose zooms. The 18-200 (C) and the 18-250. Not the sharpest of them all (they're on par with the other brands) but if you're looking for sharpness, you shouldn't be looking at a super-zoom. They also have the 70-200 which is extremely good.
Pentax has a few... DA*16-50, DA*60-250, DA*50-135. There is also the DA18-135 which uses SDM
Tamron has nothing using SDM

If your going to include the Pentax*16-50mm then Sigma has the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary). It's extremely quiet.

DSims · 03-10-2014, 03:46 PM

If the noise is a big deal, you may end up getting a much better (and more expensive) lens in the process, as others have indicated.

The DA* lenses are and the Sigm70-200 HSM are particularly good.

---------- Post added 03-10-14 at 03:48 PM ----------

Originally posted by Oldbayrunner

If your going to include the Pentax*16-50mm then Sigma has the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary). It's extremely quiet.

But they're both extremely short too!

Bagga_Txips · 03-11-2014, 07:10 AM

Price wasn't mentioned, so the DA* 60-250 seems like the best fit.

AquaDome · 03-11-2014, 09:52 PM

The DA*300 doesn't zoom, but its sharp as a harpoon at 300mm.

03-10-2014, 01:21 PM	#1
geoffw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193	Zoom lens Hi all. I've been using a sigma 70-300 apo lens for a while now but getting a bit fed up with the focus noise. Can anyone recommend a good, quiet alternative please. Needs to be sharp too if possible. Thanks.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Manual focus zoom lens Focal length setting	Bertminator	Pentax K-30 & K-50	11	10-12-2016 12:03 AM
Sears Model 202 auto zoom lens 80-200mm	RedneckPictureTaker	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	02-25-2014 07:31 PM
36 exposure review of the Pentax-08 Wide Zoom Lens	hoffo	Pentax Q	7	01-01-2014 03:23 PM
Vivitar 75-205mm 1:3.8 MC Macro Zoom Lens with 2x Matched Multiplier?	mgvh	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	08-02-2013 07:59 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax autofocus zoom lens DA50-200	mike.hiran	Sold Items	2	10-24-2012 07:39 AM

03-10-2014, 01:44 PM	#2
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	Sigma has 2 HSM Multi purpose zooms. The 18-200 (C) and the 18-250. Not the sharpest of them all (they're on par with the other brands) but if you're looking for sharpness, you shouldn't be looking at a super-zoom. They also have the 70-200 which is extremely good. Pentax has a few... DA16-50, DA60-250, DA*50-135. There is also the DA18-135 which uses SDM Tamron has nothing using SDM

03-10-2014, 01:53 PM	#3
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Small correction: DA 18-135 uses DC motor instead of SDM.

03-10-2014, 02:13 PM	#4
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	Originally posted by Apapukas DA 18-135 uses DC motor instead of SDM. My bad... I meant 18-270

03-10-2014, 02:24 PM	#5
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	DA* 60-250 is probably the most similar upgrade way.

03-10-2014, 03:39 PM	#6
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by fgaudet Sigma has 2 HSM Multi purpose zooms. The 18-200 (C) and the 18-250. Not the sharpest of them all (they're on par with the other brands) but if you're looking for sharpness, you shouldn't be looking at a super-zoom. They also have the 70-200 which is extremely good. Pentax has a few... DA16-50, DA60-250, DA50-135. There is also the DA18-135 which uses SDM Tamron has nothing using SDM If your going to include the Pentax16-50mm then Sigma has the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary). It's extremely quiet.

03-10-2014, 03:46 PM	#7
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	If the noise is a big deal, you may end up getting a much better (and more expensive) lens in the process, as others have indicated. The DA* lenses are and the Sigm70-200 HSM are particularly good. ---------- Post added 03-10-14 at 03:48 PM ---------- Originally posted by Oldbayrunner If your going to include the Pentax*16-50mm then Sigma has the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (Contemporary). It's extremely quiet. But they're both extremely short too!

03-11-2014, 07:10 AM	#8
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	Price wasn't mentioned, so the DA* 60-250 seems like the best fit.

03-11-2014, 09:52 PM	#9
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	The DA*300 doesn't zoom, but its sharp as a harpoon at 300mm.