[brecklundin]

Hello, I just recently bought a Pentax K200D for my first DSLR camera, so far I am very pleased with it. It came with the standard 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

I am looking to buy a second lens, something with more range, and was originally looking on getting the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 lens, Which i found for about $350... there are other third party lenses from Tamron and Sigma which can be had for a little more than half of the Pentax's price. They are both 70-300mm.

I know they say that you get what you pay for, but is it worth it for me to spend the extra cash on the Pentax over the cheaper alternatives? Specifically this tamron Tamron | 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens | AF017P700 | B&H

and this sigma
Sigma | 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Autofocus Lens | 509109 | B&H

thanks.

If you are stilll considering the Sigma, you want this version not the one you linked to:

Sigma | 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Autofocus Lens | 508109

This one is a much improved lens over the non-APO model. I owned it in a Canon mount and found it to be a very good lens, but w/o stabilization it was no good to me beyond about 150mm. Given the SR built into the Pentax it makes the Sigma a very nice lens and not expensive at all really. The focus was not very fast, still it worked well enough.

EDIT: oops...ya got the tammy...good choice and maybe smart to spend less now and move to something else later after some experience with a longer lens...have FUN!!

[flockofbirds]

Yep and it came just this morning!





So far from what I have done with it, it gives me plenty of reach and the "macro mode" is more useful than I thought it would have. I'll make sure to write add a review for it