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04-09-2010, 06:41 AM   #16
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I have a rebadged version of the Tamron and it works fine. The DA 55-300mm is surely better, but more expensive as well.

04-09-2010, 07:28 AM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by Marc Sabatella Quote
While that is true, a $40 Raynox 150 in front of the 55-300 turn it into a far better macro lens than the 70-300. No way would I choose the 70-300 over the 55-300 on this basis.
I love my DCR-150; however, to use it effectively you really need to be close to the subject. The Tamron's 1:2 "macro" capability is wonderful for casual close-ups, and the 39" minimum focus distance is very convenient.

Last edited by flippedgazelle; 04-09-2010 at 07:36 AM.
04-09-2010, 08:53 AM   #18
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Once again, thank you for all the input. I understand,
  • Pentax 55-300 has better optical quality
  • Tamron 70-300 has better features
  • Tamron 70-300 does not have any compatibility issues with Pentax K-x
Eventhough, I didn't look much at Sigma 70-300, I noticed an interesting article in pentax forum.

The German magazine says Sigma is better than Tamron. Reading most of the reviews, I thought Tamron was better than Sigma!


QuoteQuote:
TESTED: Pentax 55-300 vs. Sigma 70-300 vs. Tamron 70-300



German photo magazine "Fotohits 04/2009" tested and compared:
  • Pentax smc DA 55-300 F4-5.8
  • Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 DG APO Macro
  • Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 Di LD Macro
And the winner is ... Pentax.

Measurements:
- Resolution 300mm f/5.6 [Lp/PH] Pentax/Sigma/Tamron: 2447 / 2156 / 1785
- Resolution 100mm f/8.0 [Lp/PH] Pentax/Sigma/Tamron: 2941 / 2905 / 2937

Chromatic abberations Pentax/Sigma/Tamron: Fair / Good / Poor.


Comment:
"The Pentax was by far superior in the tele range, out-performing its test competition as well as bridge cameras or mega/super zooms. Contrast was excellent. Somewhat lesser resolution towards the image borders, more like its competitors there."
04-09-2010, 12:40 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by krishna Quote
Once again, thank you for all the input. I understand,
  • Pentax 55-300 has better optical quality
  • Tamron 70-300 has better features
  • Tamron 70-300 does not have any compatibility issues with Pentax K-x
Eventhough, I didn't look much at Sigma 70-300, I noticed an interesting article in pentax forum.

The German magazine says Sigma is better than Tamron. Reading most of the reviews, I thought Tamron was better than Sigma!
Heh, there is a Tamron vs Sigma camp when comparing 70-300 lenses. Basically, what I've read/heard is:

- Tamron is a bit sharper and built better.
- The Sigma has better color and much less PF/CA.

I've neglected to mention Tamron's warranty - 6 years vs Pentax's 1 year. The one time I needed to use Tamron's warranty service, they were outstanding, returning my repaired lens to me less than 2 weeks after I sent it out.

04-09-2010, 02:02 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by krishna Quote
Does the SR function in Pentax K-x work with Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens?

Do we need to manually input focal length in K-x for this lens? I could not find much information on this in the user manual.

Is there any compatibility issues observed in K-x with the above mentioned lens?
SR works with tamron 70-300 lens, but for best results you want SR off especially on the long end. I don't really see the justification to pay up more for the pentax lens. Much rather spend that difference on another lens.
04-10-2010, 01:07 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by tokyoso Quote
SR works with tamron 70-300 lens, but for best results you want SR off especially on the long end.
??? That's not true at all. Unless you mean when using a tripod, or panning, or macro shooting. But in ordinary shooting, you're definitely always better off with SR on than off.

QuoteQuote:
I don't really see the justification to pay up more for the pentax lens. Much rather spend that difference on another lens.
Depends on how important the difference in image quality is to you, or the 55-70mm range, or quick shift. But overall, I tend to agree. I prefer smaller & lighter lens, so the DA50-200 makes more sense to me than either the 70-300 or 55-300, but between the latter two, I'd seriously considering taking the 70-300 and spending the difference on another lens. Although the "L" version bundled with the K-x is a good enough deal that I wouldn't hesitate to go that way if so inclined.
04-11-2010, 06:19 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by Marc Sabatella Quote
??? That's not true at all. Unless you mean when using a tripod, or panning, or macro shooting. But in ordinary shooting, you're definitely always better off with SR on than off.



Depends on how important the difference in image quality is to you, or the 55-70mm range, or quick shift. But overall, I tend to agree. I prefer smaller & lighter lens, so the DA50-200 makes more sense to me than either the 70-300 or 55-300, but between the latter two, I'd seriously considering taking the 70-300 and spending the difference on another lens. Although the "L" version bundled with the K-x is a good enough deal that I wouldn't hesitate to go that way if so inclined.
Yeah, the L version with K-x is quite a good deal, only a $100-150 difference from the one lens kit, unless you really detest plastic lens mounts. The best camera deal out there right now is the k-x double lens kit, IMHO.

My experience with the tamron has always been better with SR off (see other thread regarding SR). On the long end, I always have SR off and compensate with higher shutter speeds, so maybe SR is not for my type of shooting or i just don't see the results.

04-12-2010, 11:03 PM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by tokyoso Quote
My experience with the tamron has always been better with SR off (see other thread regarding SR). On the long end, I always have SR off and compensate with higher shutter speeds, so maybe SR is not for my type of shooting or i just don't see the results.
I'd do a controlled tests: same shot with same exposure settings with and without SR, 10 times each. Do this for a variety of shutter speeds. If you're really finding that you consistently get better results without SR in such a test, your camera is defective.
04-13-2010, 08:08 AM   #24
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I use it with K100D and k-x, absolutely no problem with SR.

Yusuf
04-13-2010, 11:57 AM   #25
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The Tamron is not super-sharp but is generally OK. Like all lenses, it does need some understanding of it's optical character to get the best out of it.

The review of the Tamron lens below is very useful in this regard:

Pentax Lens Tests

Basically, try and avoid shooting wide-open at any focal length, and shoot at around f5.6 to f8 between 70 and 200mm if you want the best resolution out of the lens. At 300mm stop the lens down even further to f8-f11 if you want decent sharpness. Past 70mm, be aware of the additional CA risk if you shoot high contast scenes.
04-16-2010, 08:10 AM   #26
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QuoteQuote:
Does the SR function in Pentax K-x work with Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens?

Do we need to manually input focal length in K-x for this lens? I could not find much information on this in the user manual.

Is there any compatibility issues observed in K-x with the above mentioned lens?
I received my new Tamron 70-300 lens yesterday and the following are my observations:
  • SR Function works
  • No need to manually input focal length
  • However, the "Lens Correction" in menu is disabled. This works only with Pentax lenses.
Many thanks to our forum members for suggesting the solution for this with the software "PTLens".

Thanks,
Krishna
04-16-2010, 10:40 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by krishna Quote
I received my new Tamron 70-300 lens yesterday and the following are my observations:
  • SR Function works
  • No need to manually input focal length
  • However, the "Lens Correction" in menu is disabled. This works only with Pentax lenses.
Many thanks to our forum members for suggesting the solution for this with the software "PTLens".

Thanks,
Krishna
Lens correction only works with Pentax Lenses, True Even with them, not all are in the list of corrected lenses. The last K7 firmware update included corrections for the Pentax FA Limited (31.43.77) lenses.

Enjoy the Tamron. Most times when I put mine on the camera, I'm impressed.



900
08-23-2010, 02:04 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by krishna Quote
Thank you for your quick reply.

I had been doing a research on the following lens for a long time for my Pentax K-x:
  • Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
  • Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom Lens
  • Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD
Just for my information, how about compatibility with older Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD lens?

Most reviews states Pentax 55-300 having an edge over Tamron 70-300.
Well mijn 55-300mm staat te koop , heb ik juiste een nieuwe 50-135mm gekocht.
Een scherpe prijs voor u
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