80-320mm lens

I'm interested in buying this lens for the *istD. Anyone have any feedback to offer? Thanks

Hi Cazhy,
this is perhaps one of the worst tele-zoom-lenses Pentax ever made.
On the long end sharpness and contrast are besoming really poor.
The old -but quite famous- Pentax F 4-5.6/70-210 should be a much better choice.
If you really want a zoom from 80-300 take a look at the Sigma APO 75-300.

I myself have tried several zoom-lenses and I'm finally happy with the Pentax 70-210 (for AF) and the Sigma APO 3.5-4.5/70-210 (for MF with my MX).

For the long end I prefer a (quite cheap) 5.6/300 prime (Tokina, Tamron) which should be quite cheap and much better than the zoom.

Paul

This lens got a really excellent review in AP.

Perhaps you got a rogue one, Paul?

I must admit that I haven't used this lens but the comments on Stan's Potography ( http://stans-photography.info ) are quite interesting and a little varied. Most seem to think quite well of the lens and say it is better than the 100-300 (A lens I have use and relatively pleased with). This would tend to favour the view of AP. On the down side many reviews talk about the performance above 200mm being poor. This would favour Paul Fox's argument.
The problem would certainly appear to be at the "long" end and with the lens's relatively small aperture. For a film camera, I think I would favour a 70-210 size lens and if I needed longer think about about a 300 prime. This would result in a much faster combination to enable finer grain film and get rid of the weak performance at the long end. If the speed is not an issue and you only require occasional use above 200, the 80-320 would be more cost effective. Perhaps another alternative for the *istD would be the new FAJ 75-300.

Regards
Kim

The one other factor invloved is the shutter speed used. We don't know if the users who complain of poor performance are suffering from poor lens quality or good old camera shake. Over 200mm most people would, I suspect, be best with a very solid tripod ar some other secure support. If hand held, the results may well be poor.