55-300mm

Hi, I'm pretty happy with the 18-125mm DC lens quality that came with my k100d but I am thinking about selling it and going for the 55-300mm because I tend to do a lot of bird/wildlife photography so the longer reach would be good for that. Is the 55-300mm as good/better than 18-125mm. don't know much about lenses. I don't want to go and buy one that is not as good, also is there a difference, in terms of quality, between the 55-300mm DA and DAL? thanks.

*Caveat* Note that I don't own a Pentax brand 55-300, however as with most one always keeps these things under radar scrutiny for possible future acquisition.

That said, in all my research of reviews and comments I've come across on both, fairly overwhelming consensus suggests that the 55-300 is a better product overall - and is even one more desirable to own compared to others in its similar focal range cover. (eg. the many Sigma or Tamron 70-300's)

So remember to take that with the proverbial grain of salt; and by all means do your own research out there, as exhaustive as you need, to properly justify any future expenditure and commitment.

Fwiw: In case you missed seeing it on here, and if you're UK resident ?, the local supplier, SRS, has got an apparent good price deal (for UK market anyway) going ATM on the full-featured DA version of 55-300.

Also, you mentioned disposing of your 18-125 if and when... don't forget, else you may regret, to equate losing that valuable 18-55 gap in your weaponry.
For what you'd likely get for it, it might be worth keeping. 55-300 isn't exactly the same walkaround.

HTH and GL.

.R.

The DA-L is exactly the same as the DA, minus a hood, quickshift, and with plastic mount. I would consider quickshift a useful feature, on a lens which has very badly behaved AF (in my experience!) And you would probably want to obtain a hood so take the cost of that into account.

If you don't mind removing a bit of purple fringing, I would also consider the cheaper Tamron 70-300mm, which seems to be about as sharp at the long end (but none of these lenses are stellar at 300mm!)

thanks for your advice, I went out with the camera yesterday and found that I was zooming in pretty much all the time so I think it would be more useful to me to have the bigger zoom, I would like to keep both but I don't think I can afford to really actually I don't even know how much I would get for the 18-125mm as I haven't really seen any secondhand ones around, only the hsm ones and even then they are mainly new ones. I will keep a look out and see what comes up anyway. thanks for your comments.

..... the 18-125 is a Siggy DC somethingorother with 3.5/5.6, no? I'd put its value at less than a ton.

You can get a 50-200 for that, but the 55-300 is a lot more.

Bret

from what i have seen the DA 55-300mm go for up to £200 second hand SRS currently have it at £219 brand new . i think you would regret selling your 18-125mm as you are sure to want that wide end at some point. been there, done that

hi, yes maybe you are right, I would like a longer zoom, what about teleconverters? are they any good? I do like 18-125mm lens just wish I could get more reach for bird photography. thanks for your comments

There are plenty older 70-300mm zooms on ebay from Pentax, sigma and Tamron. These would work out cheaper than the current 55-300 and may allow you to then keep your current lens too. As to general quality of these older lenses, I'm afraid I've never had a 300mm zoom, so can't advise.

ok thanks maybe I will have a look and see what's around.

Tamron/Pentax 18-250mm?

Hi mike, any idea what they are like? that would be a good solution longer zoom, and wide angle, thanks.

Hello,

I do not know about the 18-125mm but there is a big chance the DAL is better, at least from 100 to 300mm!

- I saw 2 people selling the 55-300mm DAL on the forum within the last week or so, one for 100 quid delivered (muggins), the other one i don't remember
- I saw 3 people selling the sigma 70-300mm within a week or so, one of them for 60 quid!
- 18-250mm is an option that's for sure but much more expensive (250 or so)


I don't know what you shoot but I would definitely recommend keeping a wide angle; my suggestion:

1) sell your sigma 18-125mm (do some research, if you cant find any second hand usually they sell around 30% off new price)
2) find a cheap 55-300mm or 70-300mm
3) buy a 18-55mm (any version), they start at 25 quid on ebay

Basically you should be able to trade your lens for 2 lenses, will cover much more and will probably be the same quality if not better

I love the Tamron - it was Mike's

He can show you shots taken with it - mince are not a patch on his

I am not Mike but I have experience of both Tamron and Pentax versions of the 18-250mm lens. They seem to be optically identical which is not surprising as the Pentax is a rebadged Tamron. A small point in favour of the Pentax version is that the in camera aberration and distortion correction setting(available in recent Pentax cameras) works with the Pentax but not the Tamron.

I currently have the Pentax 18-250 and for travel, family outings or when it is inconvenient to change lenses it is very useful.

If the long tele end 1s what you are after the Pentax 55-300 gives a slightly longer reach and is probably a little sharper at 300mm but loses on versatility.

I like the 55-300, a good all round versatile lens. Have it on my camera jst about permanently. Sharp pictures and easy to use. Sure there are photos where the wide angle is necessary, so I have a 18-55 also.

I tried a teleconverter once, but it somehow reduced the light availability, like halving the ISO. Plus the sharp focus just seemed to be lacking a bit.