[dannybou]

I am kind of new to digital SLR's so I would need some guidance from the experts. I am looking to purchase a few lenses for my Pentax istDL and just don't know which ones to get.

I am interested in buying a macro lens to photograph up close and a telephoto lens which will give me great zooming and not break my bank account. I so far have a Sigma Zoom 100-300mm and the usual 18-50mm lenses. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[joefru]

For a dedicated macro lens, the Tamron 90mm macro seems pretty popular. As for tele, are you dissatisfied with your Sigma? The most popular budget teles are the Sigma and Tamron 70-300. Both suffer past 200mm, the Sigma with softness and the Tamron with purple fringing.

[Wheatfield]

Pretty much any macro lens you buy is going to be a good lens. They all seem to be. I'm partial to the older manual focus glass for macro work, the A100/2.8 is a particular favourite. The A100/4 is a very good lens, and probably easier to find. The old Vivitar 90mm/2.5, either the Series1 or it's predecessor are excellent. They often appear under the Kiron name as well. Tamron's 90mm is excellent also.
You already have a 100-300mm zoom, which is pretty long on the DSLR format, so unless you want to replace it or want longer, you should be fine.

[Jewelltrail]

Wheatfield, my vote is definitely with joefru. I will be buying one of the Tamron SP AF90MM F/2.8 Di Macro's 1:1 soon. I have been researching that lens for three months and it is amazing the praise it gets, in all mounts. Here is a review of it by 39 people---it scores, on a scale of 1 through 10, a 9.5. This is amazing when you figure the rating is the mean of 39 different people. BTW, this is a great site to get a feel for many different lenses. Check out what they have to say:


FM Reviews - SP AF90MM F/2.8 Di Macro 1:1

Ernest


"Humanity subdues inhumanity like water over fire."

Mencius 6A:18

[ll_coffee_lP]

I would personally recommend the Sigma 70mm f2.8 1:1 macro, however for more bang for your buck you might be interested in the Pentax 50mm f2.8 macro. With this lens you will have a "quick fifty" (not the "fast" 1.4 fifty) and will be able to do 1:1 macros with one lens. Most SLR users tend to carry a fast/quick 50mm lens in their arsenal because they are fairly cheap for the great optics you get.

As for a zoom lens the Pentax DA 50-200 is a solid lens for around $200 new, and it compliments the 18-50mm kit lens nicely.

I hope this helps!

c[_]

[Adam67]

For the money it's hard to beat the Sigma 70-300mm APO macro. You can shoot some amazing macro shots at the full 300mm end.....it's a zoom and a macro all in one.

[dannybou]

OK thanks for all the input. I'll probably go for the Tamron macro.

[dannybou]

Well went to Henry's today and bought a Pentax 100mm f2.8 macro lens. Hope I will get some good shots with it. Again thanks to all.