DA* 60-250?

I am interested in purchasing the new DA* 60-250 F4. Has anybody tried it out yet? What is it like? Please let me know...

One of Pentax's finest! Simply the best medium telephoto that anyone makes!

I've had quite a collection of long lenses, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 100-300 EX, Tamron 70-300 macro (both versions LD and Di), Tamron 70-200 f2.8 Di, Tokina 80-200 f2.8 ATX Pro, Tokina 80-400 ATX, Pentax DA 55-300, Pentax A*300 f4, Pentax FA*300 f4.5.

Only the FA* was as good, but the flexibility and convenience of the 60-250 is so convenient plus it's very sharp at all focal lengths and wide open.

I have a series of test shots and examples on my flickr site LINK

I pretty much agree with Richard

It is a very good lens, probably one of the best zooms Pentax makes and I would thoroughly recommend it. Slightly soft wide open but still very usable, certainly very sharp from f/4.5-5.0. Built like a tank.

Whether it's the best medium telephoto that anyone makes I'm not sure... I'm sure Richard was having a bit of a joke with that comment

I also have one, IQ is excllent but its quite a slow lens to autofocus (Like all the DA* lenses that I have). I bought a Sigma 100-300mm DG EX f4 so that I could compare them and actually prefer the Sigma to the Pentax.

I agree with Mike, it's not the swiftest focussing lens but it is faster on my K-7 than on my K20D. And it does have the big benefit of weather and dust protection of course.
Examples I have seen from the Sigma 100-300mm DG EX f4 that Mike has look equally excellent btw.

I find the DA*60-250 to be an excellent lens especialy for outdoor use (f4 being a little limiting indoors).

For general use it makes a fine pair with the DA*16-50 and I often take out just those 2.

It almost makes the DA*50-135, DA*200 and DA*300 unecessary, and as such is an excellent choice for a medium telephoto lens of a better quality than the DA lenses without moving to a different brand.

Without being able to site any specific reason I find I seldom use my 60-250. My DA* 50-135 and 300 both take a better picture.

I bought this lense to take on safari next year. Earlier this year I found the FA*300mm was too long for some shots, as we were so close to the animals. My wife got some great shots with the 50-200 zoom, so hence the choice of the 60-250. Results at home have been great. Just waiting to try it next May. Managed to pick one up from Park Camera before the price hike!

It's simply excellent IMHO, I use it for landscapes, it's sharp corner to corner. I rarely use my DA*200 now sniff !

search for my username on dpreview for some test shots (note most are 100pc crops with not much sharpening applied)

Thanx guys!!
I think that my mind is made up...the 60-250 it will be!!

You won't be disappointed.

I have just bought one but it has not yet been used, maybe this weekend

Superb lens in anyone's language with exemplary IQ and worth every penny.

Look at my DA*60-250 f4 images below for confirmation. I have not posted the images here because they are 1,200pixels wide and when they are downsized here to 800 pixels, there is resolution loss. Better to see them in a bigger version:
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/da60_250

Pay particular attention to these images:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/113910488


and a crop of it which has no sharpening applied:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/113910489

Also look at this gallery which has quite a few 60-250 shots in it. The tiger photo is taken with the DA*60-250:
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/taronga_zoo_280609

Also these galleries as well has some 60-250 shots in it:
http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/k7

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/taronga_zoo_oct2009

All images should have the lens used listed underneath the image.

Awesome lens. Since I got it I use it far more than any other. It's just a shame that AF is so slow. Though using AFS is not too bad AFC is woeful.

Have a look at the photos taken at the boxing match I went to last week -

link

I used the 60-250mm for these images and the AF wasn't brilliant but that may have been down to the low light at the venue.

I've used it a few airshows this year though and have been really pleased with it.

Rob