Another dilemma: I will need a zoom lens in the 70-200mm range ... Relatively Cheap !

**microlight** · 01-18-2017, 03:34 PM

As Uncle Vanya, I'd use my 20-40 on the K-3II for the indoors, plus the 50/1.8 plastic fantastic on the K-5 as a fast short tele.

bobmaxja · 01-18-2017, 03:44 PM - **1 Like**

I have at one time the Da55-300 and it performed very well. Could need fine AF adjustment.

**DW58** · 01-18-2017, 03:45 PM

End of last October I bought a new K-3. Have had only a few opportunities to put it to use because of weather here in the Pacific Northwest. Most of those were just here in the yard. Next time the sun comes out I plan on checking the AF fine tune with my lenses. So if you do borrow the 55-300mm you may want to get it early enough to check it out on your camera(s). Just a thought.

Edit: Bob beat me to it.

**Quartermaster James** · 01-19-2017, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by bobmaxja

I have at one time the Da55-300 and it performed very well. Could need fine AF adjustment.

This. Plus, IMHO, this lens needs a lot of light to perform at its best.

**pres589** · 01-19-2017, 09:04 AM

Still curious why people are suggesting lenses like the 55-300; it's not a performer in low light due to the max available aperture, and it's normally offered up as a good value in birding / wildlife shooting. Is the pool party a block away? Is the dinner and dance going to be held in a tanning bed?

**jpzk** · 02-02-2017, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the help to all.
I'm late relying here because I had "almost" struck a good deal on a 50-135 converted to screw drive but the person has been encountering some problems.
So, I am still looking for a decent lens not quite in the range originally described and after much thought, I decided to put a Wanted ad at the Marketplace and see what happens.
Budget: $400.00 (give or take a few bucks)
Focal range: 50(or less) to 135-150mm ...

**Quartermaster James** · 02-03-2017, 12:25 AM

Any love for legacy glass?

Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com

noelpolar · 02-03-2017, 03:53 AM

I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens.

**jpzk** · 02-03-2017, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

Any love for legacy glass?

Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com

To be honest, I have not seen this before.
Looks like a good contender ... if available at all.

---------- Post added 02-03-17 at 11:53 AM ----------

Originally posted by noelpolar

I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens.

Yes, I did have a Tamron 70-200 a while back but I had sold it.

---------- Post added 02-03-17 at 11:54 AM ----------

Originally posted by noelpolar

I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens.

Yes, I did have a Tamron 70-200 a while back but I had sold it.

Oldschool · 02-03-2017, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

Any love for legacy glass?

Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com

Another vote for this lens if you can find one.

audiobomber · 02-03-2017, 10:44 AM

Do you have a longer prime lens? Carry two bodies, one with the 16-50 mounted and one with a longer prime (85 to 135mm). I would probably choose my D FA 100mm for its auto-focus but I wouldn't hesitate to use my A 135mm f2.8.
Maybe you can find an F or FA 135mm f2.8 for sale.

**caliscouser** · 02-03-2017, 11:55 AM

Tamron 28-75 2.8 supplemented by Flash where necessary

**Quartermaster James** · 02-03-2017, 12:13 PM

Originally posted by Oldschool

Another vote for this lens if you can find one.

They show up on eBay pretty regularly.

**jpzk** · 02-03-2017, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Do you have a longer prime lens? Carry two bodies, one with the 16-50 mounted and one with a longer prime (85 to 135mm). I would probably choose my D FA 100mm for its auto-focus but I wouldn't hesitate to use my A 135mm f2.8.
Maybe you can find an F or FA 135mm f2.8 for sale.

The only "longer prime lens" is an old, all manual, 135/2.8 Vivitar "Close Focus "lens:
Vivitar Auto Close Focusing (1:2) 135mm f/2.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
For me, it would be a chore to handle that at the pool with lots of moving "targets".
No problem with two bodies: K5 and K3 and I do have the DA*16-50 already.
Just have to find what I am looking for.

**Scorpio71GR** · 02-03-2017, 01:05 PM

I have a few lenses just sitting around that fit that range. I have a very old Tamron 70-300 that I have not used in years. I also have a DA 18-135 that I am no longer using. I replaced it with a 16-85. I also have an older Sigma 50-200 kit lens that is not too bad. That lenses is in like new condition. I had my Tamron 70-200 2.8 stolen but I missed it so much I had to replace it. I have been going to list some stuff in the Marketplace but I have been working crazy hours. If you are interested just let me know. None of these lenses come anywhere close to your budget.

01-18-2017, 03:45 PM	#18
DW58 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Rural Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,062	End of last October I bought a new K-3. Have had only a few opportunities to put it to use because of weather here in the Pacific Northwest. Most of those were just here in the yard. Next time the sun comes out I plan on checking the AF fine tune with my lenses. So if you do borrow the 55-300mm you may want to get it early enough to check it out on your camera(s). Just a thought. Edit: Bob beat me to it. Last edited by DW58; 01-18-2017 at 06:58 PM.

02-02-2017, 08:04 PM	#21
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Thanks for the help to all. I'm late relying here because I had "almost" struck a good deal on a 50-135 converted to screw drive but the person has been encountering some problems. So, I am still looking for a decent lens not quite in the range originally described and after much thought, I decided to put a Wanted ad at the Marketplace and see what happens. Budget: $400.00 (give or take a few bucks) Focal range: 50(or less) to 135-150mm ... Last edited by jpzk; 02-02-2017 at 08:10 PM.

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01-18-2017, 03:34 PM	#16
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	As Uncle Vanya, I'd use my 20-40 on the K-3II for the indoors, plus the 50/1.8 plastic fantastic on the K-5 as a fast short tele.

01-18-2017, 03:44 PM - 1 Like	#17
bobmaxja Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Laval, Quebec Canada Posts: 2,171	I have at one time the Da55-300 and it performed very well. Could need fine AF adjustment.

01-19-2017, 08:52 AM	#19
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Originally posted by bobmaxja I have at one time the Da55-300 and it performed very well. Could need fine AF adjustment. This. Plus, IMHO, this lens needs a lot of light to perform at its best.

01-19-2017, 09:04 AM	#20
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Still curious why people are suggesting lenses like the 55-300; it's not a performer in low light due to the max available aperture, and it's normally offered up as a good value in birding / wildlife shooting. Is the pool party a block away? Is the dinner and dance going to be held in a tanning bed?

02-03-2017, 12:25 AM	#22
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Any love for legacy glass? Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com

02-03-2017, 03:53 AM	#23
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens.

02-03-2017, 09:52 AM	#24
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by Quartermaster James Any love for legacy glass? Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com To be honest, I have not seen this before. Looks like a good contender ... if available at all. ---------- Post added 02-03-17 at 11:53 AM ---------- Originally posted by noelpolar I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens. Yes, I did have a Tamron 70-200 a while back but I had sold it. ---------- Post added 02-03-17 at 11:54 AM ---------- Originally posted by noelpolar I keep my 70-200/2.8 mostly for this sort of stuff.... plus kids and animals.... even though I don't use it much as a hobby lens. Yes, I did have a Tamron 70-200 a while back but I had sold it.

02-03-2017, 10:31 AM	#25
Oldschool Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,278	Originally posted by Quartermaster James Any love for legacy glass? Sigma 75-200 f3.8 AF - poor mans DA* 60-250 - PentaxForums.com Another vote for this lens if you can find one.

02-03-2017, 10:44 AM	#26
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Do you have a longer prime lens? Carry two bodies, one with the 16-50 mounted and one with a longer prime (85 to 135mm). I would probably choose my D FA 100mm for its auto-focus but I wouldn't hesitate to use my A 135mm f2.8. Maybe you can find an F or FA 135mm f2.8 for sale.

02-03-2017, 11:55 AM	#27
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Tamron 28-75 2.8 supplemented by Flash where necessary

02-03-2017, 12:13 PM	#28
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Originally posted by Oldschool Another vote for this lens if you can find one. They show up on eBay pretty regularly.

02-03-2017, 12:34 PM	#29
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber Do you have a longer prime lens? Carry two bodies, one with the 16-50 mounted and one with a longer prime (85 to 135mm). I would probably choose my D FA 100mm for its auto-focus but I wouldn't hesitate to use my A 135mm f2.8. Maybe you can find an F or FA 135mm f2.8 for sale. The only "longer prime lens" is an old, all manual, 135/2.8 Vivitar "Close Focus "lens: Vivitar Auto Close Focusing (1:2) 135mm f/2.8 Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database For me, it would be a chore to handle that at the pool with lots of moving "targets". No problem with two bodies: K5 and K3 and I do have the DA*16-50 already. Just have to find what I am looking for.

02-03-2017, 01:05 PM	#30
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	I have a few lenses just sitting around that fit that range. I have a very old Tamron 70-300 that I have not used in years. I also have a DA 18-135 that I am no longer using. I replaced it with a 16-85. I also have an older Sigma 50-200 kit lens that is not too bad. That lenses is in like new condition. I had my Tamron 70-200 2.8 stolen but I missed it so much I had to replace it. I have been going to list some stuff in the Marketplace but I have been working crazy hours. If you are interested just let me know. None of these lenses come anywhere close to your budget.