Affordable first zoom
Posted 19/08/2012 - 20:09
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Hi Matt, the Pentax 55-300 is very popular on this forum in either DAL or DA guise (DAL has plastic mount and no "quick shift" I believe.
I really like it and it gives you plenty of reach. The 50-200 is also well regarded but I sold mine to make way for the 55-300.
I really like it and it gives you plenty of reach. The 50-200 is also well regarded but I sold mine to make way for the 55-300.
Posted 19/08/2012 - 20:16
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Sorry, can I define affordable for me - under £100 second hand...
Posted 19/08/2012 - 21:45
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I got my F100-300 for £70 a couple of years back, and have seen them & the FA equivalent going for similar prices often enough. It's rather heavy but if you want longer than the 50-200 it makes a cheap option with reasonable IQ, and doesn't sacrifice the auto focus/aperture.
Going further back there are numerous manual focus lenses that fit your budget, but not many reasonable ones go much beyond 200mm without getting very expensive. You might be able to pick up something around 70-210 very cheaply, but I suspect you'll end up going for one of the autofocus models afterwards.
500mm mirror lenses (MF, fixed aperture, typically from ~£50) are an extra long option but an acquired taste, and the focal length is a big step up from the kit lens. I'd leave them for a possible later addition.
What are you planning on using it for? I find the K100d's viewfinder a little awkward for manual focusing (I came to it from an ME which is much easier) for wildlife or action shots you'll probably find autofocus is worth the extra, if it's just picking out details from distant views AF may not be an issue.
Going further back there are numerous manual focus lenses that fit your budget, but not many reasonable ones go much beyond 200mm without getting very expensive. You might be able to pick up something around 70-210 very cheaply, but I suspect you'll end up going for one of the autofocus models afterwards.
500mm mirror lenses (MF, fixed aperture, typically from ~£50) are an extra long option but an acquired taste, and the focal length is a big step up from the kit lens. I'd leave them for a possible later addition.
What are you planning on using it for? I find the K100d's viewfinder a little awkward for manual focusing (I came to it from an ME which is much easier) for wildlife or action shots you'll probably find autofocus is worth the extra, if it's just picking out details from distant views AF may not be an issue.
Mike
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Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.
.[size=11:].Flickr• WPF• Panoramio
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Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.
.[size=11:].Flickr• WPF• Panoramio
Posted 19/08/2012 - 21:54
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I could sell you my Sigma AF70-300Di for £55 including postage.....
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
Posted 20/08/2012 - 07:16
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I bought my 55-300mm Dal on here for under £90. Brilliant lens in my opinion. Bargains frequently come along.
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
Stuart..
Posted 20/08/2012 - 12:10
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I bought my 80-320 for under £100 off fleabay, its big and heavy and stands out like a sore thumb but it's a capable tool.
One day you'll find, 10yrs have got behind you.
Posted 20/08/2012 - 12:50
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I could sell you my TAMRON AF70-300Di for £55 including postage.....
Sorry about that - a senior moment
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
Sorry about that - a senior moment
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
Posted 20/08/2012 - 12:55
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Was wondering why you were getting CA with the Sigma
Pete
Pete
cbrog wrote:
I could sell you my TAMRON AF70-300Di for £55 including postage.....
Sorry about that - a senior moment
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
I could sell you my TAMRON AF70-300Di for £55 including postage.....
Sorry about that - a senior moment
Plasticky and can exhibit signs of CA if pointed skywards, otherwise quite a sharp lens and, in that respect at least, not that different to my 55-300.
pm me if interested?
Roger.
K-1 K-01 Q-7
some len
Close to the Edge
Down by the River
some len
Close to the Edge
Down by the River
Posted 20/08/2012 - 14:47
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bettyswolloks wrote:
I bought my 80-320 for under £100 off fleabay, its big and heavy and stands out like a sore thumb but it's a capable tool.
When it works, the 80-320 is not bad - but did not impress at the long end on my old film MZ-5N. However, the worst problem with many of them (mine most definitely included) was a tendancy for the extending barrel to wobble badly - then it just gets worse and cannot be repaired (by anyone!). IMHO, not worth a punt unless you can try before buying.I bought my 80-320 for under £100 off fleabay, its big and heavy and stands out like a sore thumb but it's a capable tool.
The 55-300 is in another league entirely - one heck of a lens, so keep looking for a DAL!
K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
Posted 20/08/2012 - 21:03
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jeallen01 wrote:
The 55-300 is in another league entirely - one heck of a lens, so keep looking for a DAL!
Fair comment , mine seems ok, for now (Thanx for the heads up)
bettyswolloks wrote:
I bought my 80-320 for under £100 off fleabay, its big and heavy and stands out like a sore thumb but it's a capable tool.
When it works, the 80-320 is not bad - but did not impress at the long end on my old film MZ-5N. However, the worst problem with many of them (mine most definitely included) was a tendancy for the extending barrel to wobble badly - then it just gets worse and cannot be repaired (by anyone!). IMHO, not worth a punt unless you can try before buying.I bought my 80-320 for under £100 off fleabay, its big and heavy and stands out like a sore thumb but it's a capable tool.
The 55-300 is in another league entirely - one heck of a lens, so keep looking for a DAL!
One day you'll find, 10yrs have got behind you.
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14 posts
14 years
Obvious choice seems to be Pentax 50-200mm DA f4-5.6, but should I consider another lens - some of the older lens's seem to be well regarded. Happy to have to play with an older lens - how much of a learning curve with a manual / partly manual lens is there?
Other than ebay, where else to look?
Thanks in advance.