This lens should be available in late May.

I currently have both the Tamron 70-300 and the Pentax DA 50-200 which is somewhat redundant.

I'm thinking about purchasing th 55-300 ro replace both of the above.

Anyone else considering this lens?

Ed

[Arpe]

Yes. But it's wait and see for now. I'm thinking about maybe considering swapping it perhaps for my FA 80-320.

[heatherslightbox]

I've thought about both it and the 50-200. The question I need to answer for myself is how much would I actually use the 200-300 range? The longest lens length in my kit right now is 210.

Just in case you're not already aware, Adorama has it for $349.99.

Heather

[Tuner571]

I would like to get, but I would like to see some reviews on it first. Right now, I have a manuel focus 70- 210mm, but it is difficult to carry around and shoot with.

[axl]

I've thought about both it and the 50-200. The question I need to answer for myself is how much would I actually use the 200-300 range? The longest lens length in my kit right now is 210.

Just in case you're not already aware, Adorama has it for $349.99.

Heather

Easy question to answer. Have you ever been in situation that you wanted to zoom in a bit more but you couldn't anymore?!? If so, then yes, you would use the 200-300 range

[jmdeegan]

I've thought about both it and the 50-200. The question I need to answer for myself is how much would I actually use the 200-300 range? The longest lens length in my kit right now is 210.

Just in case you're not already aware, Adorama has it for $349.99.

Heather

just keep in mind, they do not have it in stock yet. it's merely a listing for it, to let you know what they expect it will cost. but this lens is not in stock as of yet.

[heatherslightbox]

Amazon is also taking preorders on the 55-300...they have theirs for $349.95 + free shipping.

I'm thinking more and more that I could use that 200-300 range, so if my F70-210 doesn't sell anytime soon, then I may just hold off selling it until the 55-300 actually starts shipping.

Heather

[christinelandon]

Looks like a nice evolution of the 50-200 but, no, it's too slow on the long end to earn a long-term place in my bag. (Same goes for the 18-55mm; a good interim lens, but too slow for the long run.) I'm planning on constant aperture, f/4 or faster for my keepers.

[John Kovarik]

I just noticed there are two available out of Japan for $450 (eBay).

[Peter Zack]

Not much interest here. Only beacuse it doesn't feature a macro setting. I will get one of these 'super' zooms eventually and it will most likely will be an 18-250 Pentax or a Sig/Tam 70-300 and only because of the 1:2 macro advantage and slightly longer reach.

Someting for vacation, single lens shooting. My wife is a real trooper with me and the camera bag but during vacation I can see her doing the finger tap on the table if I'm switching lenses every 5 minutes as we explore some city.

Not much interest here. Only beacuse it doesn't feature a macro setting. I will get one of these 'super' zooms eventually and it will most likely will be an 18-250 Pentax or a Sig/Tam 70-300 and only because of the 1:2 macro advantage and slightly longer reach.

Someting for vacation, single lens shooting. My wife is a real trooper with me and the camera bag but during vacation I can see her doing the finger tap on the table if I'm switching lenses every 5 minutes as we explore some city.

Just curious re: the 1:2 Macro setting on the Tamron.

With a lens like the Pentax 55-300, couldn't the same thing be accomplished using a close up set like the +1, +2 & +4.

The two features on the 55-300 which appeal to me more than the Macro setting on the Tamron/Sigma is the non-rotating lens and quick shift feature.

I have the Tamron 70-300, and while I like it, I don't care for the rotating front element and having to switch the camera to "mf" to touch up the AF to my liking.

[Richard Day]

Not much interest here. Only beacuse it doesn't feature a macro setting. I will get one of these 'super' zooms eventually and it will most likely will be an 18-250 Pentax or a Sig/Tam 70-300 and only because of the 1:2 macro advantage and slightly longer reach.

Someting for vacation, single lens shooting. My wife is a real trooper with me and the camera bag but during vacation I can see her doing the finger tap on the table if I'm switching lenses every 5 minutes as we explore some city.

Just curious re: the 1:2 Macro setting on the Tamron.

With a lens like the Pentax 55-300, couldn't the same thing be accomplished using a close up set like the +1, +2 & +4.

The two features on the 55-300 which appeal to me more than the Macro setting on the Tamron/Sigma is the non-rotating lens and quick shift feature.

I have the Tamron 70-300, and while I like it, I don't care for the rotating front element and having to switch the camera to "mf" to touch up the AF to my liking.

The Tamron doesn't go that much closer even in the macro setting. It's closest distance is 0.95M against the DA 55-300 min close focus of just under 1.1M, which it can do at all focal lengths, the Tamron's minimum is 1.5M between 70 and 180mm.

I have found that I've hit the minimum focus distance from time to time at the normal setting, in fact you cannot use the lens with the macro mode selected under 180mm, it locks up. I think I would prefer to have a full time 1.1M minimum rather than a switched 0.95M at the long lengths only.

Another factor is that the AF rotation on the Tamron is very large and the AF mechanism is highly geared which gives rise to slow AF. The 55-300 has a lesser rotational angle and if it's like most of the other screw driven Quickshift lenses, the AF will be pretty snappy. I hope to try one out as soon as they appear here in the UK.

[Peter Zack]

Good point richard and Ed. I may have to reconsider. Wait and see what others think about this lens (especially Tam/Sig 70-300 owners). Then I'll decide between the 3 for a travel lens.

[squarerigger]

I have up to 200mm covered. So for me I am waiting patiently for a fixed 300mm - maybe the DA 300?

[heatherslightbox]

Since the 55-300 is available for preorder, I'm assuming it won't be too long before it'll ship. Does anybody have any idea of when it supposed to start shipping?

Thanks!
Heather