advice on longer lens, please

Thanks, Peter. The reason that I need to turn to you guys for advice is that there are no dealers on the I.o.W. that hold stock of any Pentax..Full stop. It would mean a day trip to Southampton or Portsmouth costing twenty pounds and an all day venture. When you have a walking problem, it's not on, so, thanks again for your willingness to give me advice. Have you used the 55-300? How did you find it? I am simply torn between the varying reviews and responses. regards Ron.

I have been very pleased with the Pentax 50-200mm and 55-300mm lenses, which are both very good indeed.

As is well documented, I would say stick with the Pentax lenses and there will be a much lower possibility of disappointment.

As far as I am concerned, my nearest Pentax dealer is Watford

I have no personal experience of the 55-300mm lens, but I'll be getting one when I've sold my Sigma 70-300mm.

Just to like to say I purchased the DA 55-300mm and think it's a great lens. For me it complements the DA 16-45mm perfectly.

/Ian

Well thanks to Mike _P pointing out the deal at SRS & cashback they have my order for a Pentax 55-300.

I have been waiting for the price to fall to that level and in the meantime reading lots of reviews, forum posts etc. I have no concerns at all that it's the right choice for this focal length / budget. The only consistent 'downside' seems to be slow AF if moving from near to far, I'll happily trade that for sharp pictures (vs Sigma) and no PF (vs Tamron) as I do a lot of watersports shots and black wetsuits vs white surf in sun is a PF nightmare.

Although there seems to be a bad copy or 2 out there I know SRS will sort it out if I am unlucky enough to get one.

Already have a 50-200 and a Tamron Adaptall SP 300 5.6, will do some comparative shots but suspect both may end up on e-bay if the 55-300 is as good as many make out.