[ajtour]

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Hello, all!

Thanks in advance for putting up with this question, as I'm sure you get this all the time .

I most enjoy candid photography (street, events, sports), and have had great luck with a third-party, manual focus 135mm lens for awhile. I also have a third-party, manual focus 80-200mm that gives me decent results. Last week, however, I went out to a practice round of a PGA TOUR event and wished I had a little more reach + autofocus for my long-range zoom.

My choices right now are as follows:

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Di LD Macro ($130 shipped)

Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 LD ($134 shipped)

Pentax SMC-FA 80-320mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom with Hoya HMC UV filter ($240 shipped)

I'll primarily be using the 'winner' on a K110D body for outdoor sports (tennis, golf, football) and outdoor events (fairs, festivals, etc.) as well as for a walk-about lens while on vacations. I'm happy with my AF kit 18mm-55mm for landscapes and anything I need wider.

Any/all help would be appreciated, as all the reviews I'm reading and samples I'm seeing are rating these three pretty even. Does one stand out? Am I missing one that I haven't mentioned?

Smile!
A.

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Last edited by ajtour; 06-02-2008 at 04:39 PM.

[Arpe]

Have you considered the Sigma APO 70-300? Supposed to be better than the non-APO version.
Pentax DA 55-300? Very good results on this so far from forum members.

[ajtour]

Thanks for your reply, Arpe! The Pentax DA 55-300 is over my budget for now. I'll take a look at the Sigma.

[ivoire]

just 2 of the many tamron 70-300 posts:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/24756-tamron-70-300mm.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/23471-newbie-t...at-s-diff.html

[ajtour]

Many thanks for your posts, Ivoire. After reading them, I can safely toss out the 75-300.

I'm having trouble finding much info at all (here or via Google) on the Pentax 80-320mm. Does anyone have experience with this lens? Right now, I think the Tamron 70-300mm is a winner . . . but I want to make sure I'm not missing a good "diamond in the rough" opportunity with the Pentax.

[clawhammer]

have you checked out the lens database?

From what I've heard, the 80-320 can be a little better than the Tammy or Sigma, but probably not to the tune of $100 better. I think the Tammy Di or Sigma APO should suit your needs.

[Big Dave]

I have the 80-320mm and like it a lot. I found one on ebay for $175 buy now used or less at auction. The usually go for $130 to $140 at auction.

Dave

Pentax 80-320/f 4.5-5.6 zoom lens - eBay (item 300229410977 end time Jun-06-08 08:29:55 PDT)

Hello, all!

Thanks in advance for putting up with this question, as I'm sure you get this all the time .

I most enjoy candid photography (street, events, sports), and have had great luck with a third-party, manual focus 135mm lens for awhile. I also have a third-party, manual focus 80-200mm that gives me decent results. Last week, however, I went out to a practice round of a PGA TOUR event and wished I had a little more reach + autofocus for my long-range zoom.

My choices right now are as follows:

Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Di LD Macro ($130 shipped)

Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 LD ($134 shipped)

Pentax SMC-FA 80-320mm f/4.5-5.6 Zoom with Hoya HMC UV filter ($240 shipped)

I'll primarily be using the 'winner' on a K110D body for outdoor sports (tennis, golf, football) and outdoor events (fairs, festivals, etc.) as well as for a walk-about lens while on vacations. I'm happy with my AF kit 18mm-55mm for landscapes and anything I need wider.

Any/all help would be appreciated, as all the reviews I'm reading and samples I'm seeing are rating these three pretty even. Does one stand out? Am I missing one that I haven't mentioned?

Smile!
A.