Long Lense for K20D

Laidlaym · 01-06-2018, 08:24 PM

I have a Pentax K20D (DSLR) I bought in '09, I subsequently purchased a new 25-70 Pentax lense to replace the cheap Sigma lense that came with an earlier (film) camera, I also have a longer (100-200) Sigma lense. I am now disappointed with the photos from the longer lense. Initially I thought just buy a new better quality 100-200 zoom lense. But apparently Pentax are no longer fighting in the same retail space and Ford and GM (Canon and Nikon) so options are limited and expensive. Advice from retailer is to dump the lot and buy new (not surprisingly).

I think I feel like a traitor to Asahi Pentax, I bought my first SPF back in the '70s and a friend maintained them over many years. I am not a mad photographer, just trains, scenery and models (of trains). Options are:
1 Buy a new 100-200 lense to suit the K20D;
2 Buy a new kit based on Canon 200D or Nikon D5400;
3 Buy new Pentax Kit K70D;
4 Buy used 100-200 lense to suit the K20D.

Option 4 is my current preference, any other options or comments from the knowledgeable?
If used, what recommendations?

Mark in Melbourne

Last edited by Laidlaym; 01-06-2018 at 08:26 PM. Reason: Long Lense clafication

**boriscleto** · 01-06-2018, 08:55 PM

The HD DA 55-300...

HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Not the PLM version, that won't work with the K20D.

You don't say what your budget is...

SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX APO DG Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Or how heavy you are willing to go...

Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

audiobomber · 01-06-2018, 09:06 PM

You could add a DA 50-200mm WR, or a 55-300mm WR, but my recommendation is to add a DA 18-135mm WR. You do not currently have a wide angle lens, which the 18-135 would provide, and 135mm will likely be long enough for shooting trains. Also, the DA 18-135 has a built-in focus motor and will improve your autofocus speed. It works very well on the K20D.

Laidlaym · 01-06-2018, 10:26 PM

I should have listed my current lenses, the shorter lense is a Pentax DAL 18-55 (which for unknown reason will only wind back to about 25mm). The longer lense is a late '90s Sigma 100-300, this is where the murky photos came from. My aim is to equal the quality of photo from the 18-55.

Last edited by Laidlaym; 01-06-2018 at 10:36 PM. Reason: Clarification

**UncleVanya** · 01-06-2018, 10:53 PM - **1 Like**

Do you miss not being able to go wider than 25mm? If so the advice to buy an 18-135 is a pretty good start. The image quality of the 18-135 exceeds that of the 18-55 at every focal length they have in common and then goes to 135 on top of that. The differences aren't huge but they are there and the 18-135 is weather sealed which matches your K20D nicely.

The K20D is rather long in the tooth and digital cameras have made significant advances. If the budget permits then an upgrade to any of the 16mp or 20-24mp models would be a large improvement. However the first step is to determine what the end game should be. If it were me I would want to end up with the 18-135 (or a working 18-55 or a 16-85) and the 55-300. Newer bodies that can use the PLM version of this lens would be the best options.

However if you just want a simple cheap fix. Look for a used100-300 FA Pentax or the 80-320 lens. Those should give you good results. Later on you could either replace the 18-55 with an 18-55 WR or an 18-135 or 16-85 both of which are Weather resistant as well.

Good luck by the way!

As for Nikon - the 5xxx series is nice enough but I haven't warmed to it. The 3xxx series is cheap feeling and not my cup of tea. The 7xxx series isn't bad - but I prefer my K-3.

As for Canon - I have two major problems with them. 1) They abandoned their lens mount stranding customers with lenses that could never be used effectively on the new digital bodies. 2) They don't use sensors that are as good at high ISO as everyone else. They do internal sensor sourcing and they have fallen behind Sony in this area.

Brand loyalty is nice but you do need to have what fits you.

KevinR · 01-06-2018, 10:58 PM

If you are happy with the quality and results from the DAL 18-55 lens which is a typical Pentax consumer grade kit lens, then your best option is a second hand SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED or DAL 55-300 lens. Both very good optically for the price and with few "faults". You can get better lens, but only for significantly more cost and this would apply to all the other brands.

Lens review note here Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Can also do HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR which is better build quality and weather resistant, but not HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE which is not compatible with K20D.

Paul the Sunman · 01-07-2018, 04:30 AM

The DA 55-300 is a considerably better lens than the 18-55, and is an ideal match for it in terms of focal length.

Laidlaym · 01-07-2018, 04:36 AM

Thanks for the info, I am now looking for a DA 55-300 WR or an earlier FA 80-320.

Mark in Melbourne

**Skodadriver** · 01-07-2018, 04:46 AM

If you are not worried about having a WR lens (I believe the FA 80-320 is not) keep an eye open for the DAL version of the 55-300mm Pentax. Can be bought a fair bit cheaper than a WR version and if you can live with a plastic mount it has the same optics. A generic hood can be bought quite cheaply for it.

**pres589** · 01-07-2018, 10:00 AM

If it were me, and it's not so grain of salt, I wouldn't get the FA 80-320 unless I was handed one for nearly no money. The 55-300's punch well above their weight for the price they command. If you don't care about full frame coverage, the 55-300 is a no brainer.

**UncleVanya** · 01-07-2018, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by pres589

If it were me, and it's not so grain of salt, I wouldn't get the FA 80-320 unless I was handed one for nearly no money. The 55-300's punch well above their weight for the price they command. If you don't care about full frame coverage, the 55-300 is a no brainer.

I have the DA 55-300 and previously had the FA 80-320. The FA had much more difficult with purple fringing, and the lack of a Pentax hood made contrast suffer, but with a generic hood shots made in good light were reasonably sharp. If pressed, I too would pick the 55-300 unless the budget was very very tight.

**pres589** · 01-07-2018, 10:25 AM

Looking at Laidlaym's profile, they are in Australia, and ebay.com.au doesn't have a lot of sweet deals on 55-300's. USA ebay has DA-L's used for under $100 USD. Since most are coming out of Asia for those prices, I would assume that a person in .au could order from America's ebay and have no issues.

At ~$100 for the plastic mount 55-300's, how cheap would the FA 80-320 need to be to even consider one? $30 USD? This is why I suggested not spending only going with the FA only if it was nearly free.

**mikesbike** · 01-07-2018, 10:50 AM

It looks like you already have the Pentax DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 SDM WR?? That is an expensive, but very fine professional grade lens. You are not specific enough regarding what you have purchased, but that is my guess. There is no 25-70mm lens. There is also no 100-200mm lens that I've heard of, but there are plenty of 100-300mm lenses. The Pentax HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR is a very good telephoto lens and would make a good match with your DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 to extend your zoom range. It is also weather sealed (WR) like your K-20D camera body. There have been some upgrades in the newer models, including lower noise for low-light shooting, but the K-20D is still a very good, capable camera.

With Nikon or Canon, you will have to pay a lot more than you will with Pentax to get a camera model having a weather-sealed body, and a whole lot more to get a telephoto lens that is built having WR.

Laidlaym · 01-07-2018, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by mikesbike

It looks like you already have the Pentax DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 SDM WR?? That is an expensive, but very fine professional grade lens. You are not specific enough regarding what you have purchased, but that is my guess. There is no 25-70mm lens. There is also no 100-200mm lens that I've heard of, but there are plenty of 100-300mm lenses. The Pentax HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR is a very good telephoto lens and would make a good match with your DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 to extend your zoom range. It is also weather sealed (WR) like your K-20D camera body. There have been some upgrades in the newer models, including lower noise for low-light shooting, but the K-20D is still a very good, capable camera.

With Nikon or Canon, you will have to pay a lot more than you will with Pentax to get a camera model having a weather-sealed body, and a whole lot more to get a telephoto lens that is built having WR.

Existing lenses are listed above, nothing expensive though just Pentax DAL 18-55 and late '90s Sigma 100-300 (which is the one I am looking at replacing.

Cthulhugan · 01-07-2018, 01:29 PM

You mention model trains. A macro lens, like the D-FA 100/2.8 WR Macro, would let you get in close to the models, and will also work as an excellent 100mm tele. Most true macro lenses are primes, so you lose the flexibility of a zoom, but when you need to get in close they do the best job. It is also on the short end of your target range (100-200). AFAIK there are no currently available longer macros, but there are vintage A/F/FA macros up to 200mm (if you can find and afford one). The D-FA 100 isn’t exactly cheap, either.

01-06-2018, 08:24 PM	#1
Laidlaym New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 10	Long Lense for K20D I have a Pentax K20D (DSLR) I bought in '09, I subsequently purchased a new 25-70 Pentax lense to replace the cheap Sigma lense that came with an earlier (film) camera, I also have a longer (100-200) Sigma lense. I am now disappointed with the photos from the longer lense. Initially I thought just buy a new better quality 100-200 zoom lense. But apparently Pentax are no longer fighting in the same retail space and Ford and GM (Canon and Nikon) so options are limited and expensive. Advice from retailer is to dump the lot and buy new (not surprisingly). I think I feel like a traitor to Asahi Pentax, I bought my first SPF back in the '70s and a friend maintained them over many years. I am not a mad photographer, just trains, scenery and models (of trains). Options are: 1 Buy a new 100-200 lense to suit the K20D; 2 Buy a new kit based on Canon 200D or Nikon D5400; 3 Buy new Pentax Kit K70D; 4 Buy used 100-200 lense to suit the K20D. Option 4 is my current preference, any other options or comments from the knowledgeable? If used, what recommendations? Mark in Melbourne Last edited by Laidlaym; 01-06-2018 at 08:26 PM. Reason: Long Lense clafication

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01-06-2018, 08:55 PM	#2
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	The HD DA 55-300... HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Not the PLM version, that won't work with the K20D. You don't say what your budget is... SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX APO DG Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Or how heavy you are willing to go... Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

01-06-2018, 09:06 PM	#3
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	You could add a DA 50-200mm WR, or a 55-300mm WR, but my recommendation is to add a DA 18-135mm WR. You do not currently have a wide angle lens, which the 18-135 would provide, and 135mm will likely be long enough for shooting trains. Also, the DA 18-135 has a built-in focus motor and will improve your autofocus speed. It works very well on the K20D.

01-06-2018, 10:26 PM	#4
Laidlaym New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 10 Original Poster	I should have listed my current lenses, the shorter lense is a Pentax DAL 18-55 (which for unknown reason will only wind back to about 25mm). The longer lense is a late '90s Sigma 100-300, this is where the murky photos came from. My aim is to equal the quality of photo from the 18-55. Last edited by Laidlaym; 01-06-2018 at 10:36 PM. Reason: Clarification

01-06-2018, 10:53 PM - 1 Like	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,446	Do you miss not being able to go wider than 25mm? If so the advice to buy an 18-135 is a pretty good start. The image quality of the 18-135 exceeds that of the 18-55 at every focal length they have in common and then goes to 135 on top of that. The differences aren't huge but they are there and the 18-135 is weather sealed which matches your K20D nicely. The K20D is rather long in the tooth and digital cameras have made significant advances. If the budget permits then an upgrade to any of the 16mp or 20-24mp models would be a large improvement. However the first step is to determine what the end game should be. If it were me I would want to end up with the 18-135 (or a working 18-55 or a 16-85) and the 55-300. Newer bodies that can use the PLM version of this lens would be the best options. However if you just want a simple cheap fix. Look for a used100-300 FA Pentax or the 80-320 lens. Those should give you good results. Later on you could either replace the 18-55 with an 18-55 WR or an 18-135 or 16-85 both of which are Weather resistant as well. Good luck by the way! As for Nikon - the 5xxx series is nice enough but I haven't warmed to it. The 3xxx series is cheap feeling and not my cup of tea. The 7xxx series isn't bad - but I prefer my K-3. As for Canon - I have two major problems with them. 1) They abandoned their lens mount stranding customers with lenses that could never be used effectively on the new digital bodies. 2) They don't use sensors that are as good at high ISO as everyone else. They do internal sensor sourcing and they have fallen behind Sony in this area. Brand loyalty is nice but you do need to have what fits you.

01-06-2018, 10:58 PM	#6
KevinR Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 653	If you are happy with the quality and results from the DAL 18-55 lens which is a typical Pentax consumer grade kit lens, then your best option is a second hand SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED or DAL 55-300 lens. Both very good optically for the price and with few "faults". You can get better lens, but only for significantly more cost and this would apply to all the other brands. Lens review note here Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Can also do HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR which is better build quality and weather resistant, but not HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE which is not compatible with K20D.

01-07-2018, 04:30 AM	#7
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	The DA 55-300 is a considerably better lens than the 18-55, and is an ideal match for it in terms of focal length.

01-07-2018, 04:36 AM	#8
Laidlaym New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks for the info, I am now looking for a DA 55-300 WR or an earlier FA 80-320. Mark in Melbourne

01-07-2018, 04:46 AM	#9
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892	If you are not worried about having a WR lens (I believe the FA 80-320 is not) keep an eye open for the DAL version of the 55-300mm Pentax. Can be bought a fair bit cheaper than a WR version and if you can live with a plastic mount it has the same optics. A generic hood can be bought quite cheaply for it.

01-07-2018, 10:00 AM	#10
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	If it were me, and it's not so grain of salt, I wouldn't get the FA 80-320 unless I was handed one for nearly no money. The 55-300's punch well above their weight for the price they command. If you don't care about full frame coverage, the 55-300 is a no brainer.

01-07-2018, 10:12 AM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,446	Originally posted by pres589 If it were me, and it's not so grain of salt, I wouldn't get the FA 80-320 unless I was handed one for nearly no money. The 55-300's punch well above their weight for the price they command. If you don't care about full frame coverage, the 55-300 is a no brainer. I have the DA 55-300 and previously had the FA 80-320. The FA had much more difficult with purple fringing, and the lack of a Pentax hood made contrast suffer, but with a generic hood shots made in good light were reasonably sharp. If pressed, I too would pick the 55-300 unless the budget was very very tight.

01-07-2018, 10:25 AM	#12
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Looking at Laidlaym's profile, they are in Australia, and ebay.com.au doesn't have a lot of sweet deals on 55-300's. USA ebay has DA-L's used for under $100 USD. Since most are coming out of Asia for those prices, I would assume that a person in .au could order from America's ebay and have no issues. At ~$100 for the plastic mount 55-300's, how cheap would the FA 80-320 need to be to even consider one? $30 USD? This is why I suggested not spending only going with the FA only if it was nearly free.

01-07-2018, 10:50 AM	#13
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,558	It looks like you already have the Pentax DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 SDM WR?? That is an expensive, but very fine professional grade lens. You are not specific enough regarding what you have purchased, but that is my guess. There is no 25-70mm lens. There is also no 100-200mm lens that I've heard of, but there are plenty of 100-300mm lenses. The Pentax HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR is a very good telephoto lens and would make a good match with your DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 to extend your zoom range. It is also weather sealed (WR) like your K-20D camera body. There have been some upgrades in the newer models, including lower noise for low-light shooting, but the K-20D is still a very good, capable camera. With Nikon or Canon, you will have to pay a lot more than you will with Pentax to get a camera model having a weather-sealed body, and a whole lot more to get a telephoto lens that is built having WR.

01-07-2018, 01:11 PM	#14
Laidlaym New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike It looks like you already have the Pentax DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 SDM WR?? That is an expensive, but very fine professional grade lens. You are not specific enough regarding what you have purchased, but that is my guess. There is no 25-70mm lens. There is also no 100-200mm lens that I've heard of, but there are plenty of 100-300mm lenses. The Pentax HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR is a very good telephoto lens and would make a good match with your DFA 24-70mm f/2.8 to extend your zoom range. It is also weather sealed (WR) like your K-20D camera body. There have been some upgrades in the newer models, including lower noise for low-light shooting, but the K-20D is still a very good, capable camera. With Nikon or Canon, you will have to pay a lot more than you will with Pentax to get a camera model having a weather-sealed body, and a whole lot more to get a telephoto lens that is built having WR. Existing lenses are listed above, nothing expensive though just Pentax DAL 18-55 and late '90s Sigma 100-300 (which is the one I am looking at replacing.

01-07-2018, 01:29 PM	#15
Cthulhugan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 227	You mention model trains. A macro lens, like the D-FA 100/2.8 WR Macro, would let you get in close to the models, and will also work as an excellent 100mm tele. Most true macro lenses are primes, so you lose the flexibility of a zoom, but when you need to get in close they do the best job. It is also on the short end of your target range (100-200). AFAIK there are no currently available longer macros, but there are vintage A/F/FA macros up to 200mm (if you can find and afford one). The D-FA 100 isn’t exactly cheap, either.