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Is 300mm much better that 200mm?

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Steve Chasey
Posted 28/10/2008 - 13:39 Link
If you wait til the end of November (ish), Sigma should be releasing the Pentax fit versions of their 120-400 and 150-500mm zooms. Don't think Chris at SRS has given any indications of the price, but the C***n fit version is £650. Probably need a monopod with either of these.

I found the FA80-320 on a K10 gave me good results in the Kruger. I'd go for the extra length every time, especially for wild life.

For low mobility options, try to pick up a SMC K 135-600. It weighs 4kg, requires a very substantial tripod and a slave/lens bearer to carry it all .

Steve
In the Pack - Gripped K5 (SE),K7 & K20, Gripped MZ-S(SE)& MZ-S,DA10-17, DA12-24, DA14, DA*16-50, 50-135, 60-250 & 300mm; FA31mm/43mm/77mm Ltds; Sigma 8-16, 135-400 & 150-500
Half Backs: K10+BG,DA16-45, DA50-200
Backs: LXs,Super As and lots of A, M & K lenses
Impact Subs: 28mm Shift, K 135-600 (the Banahan of Pentax zooms ), 400-600 Reflex
patrickt
Posted 05/11/2008 - 12:42 Link
I have the 50-200mm and the 55-300mm. I just got the 55-300 a few days ago. Both are fine lenses. As to which is best, I don't know. They both give me good results but I'll probably use the 50-200 more than the 55-300. I don't shoot wildlife or birds and for shooting in the city the 50-200 gets the nod. There are special occasions where I will use the 55-300 such as the sports parade later this month.
aldoose
Posted 05/11/2008 - 20:44 Link
Steve Chasey wrote:
C***n

that is quite pathetic
Canon
Canon
Canon
Canon
Canon
'Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself' Joanne Rowling
and a person who has outsold the Bible knows a thing or two.
K20D
18-55mm II
55-300mm
Panasonic FZ-50
DMW-LT55
Mannesty
Posted 05/11/2008 - 23:16 Link
Steve Chasey wrote:
. . . try to pick up a SMC K 135-600 . . .

Steve

I'm open to reasonable (read very good) offers

These lenses are as rare as hens teeth alongside rocking horse manure.

The attachment lens on mine has some de-lamination to the coating. This screw on lens reduces the minimum focussing distance from something like 6 metres to about 3 metres I think, but at the cost of no infinity focus. I've never used it on mine. The 135-600mm lens itself is in perfect condition and is a fabulous wildlife lens.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Edited by Mannesty: 05/11/2008 - 23:32
LiamD
Posted 05/11/2008 - 23:52 Link
Remember it well Peter.. what was it you out bid me by.. £0.50.. and the price was.............

silly me, can't remember. in that order..

Halvies on the profit..

Can't blame a guy for trying..

Cheers
Liam


"Make your hands respond to what your mind demands." Jesse James

Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'. Ernst Haas
fatspider
Posted 06/11/2008 - 00:30 Link
I am going to start sounding like a broken record....as I've said this many times before in previous threads

Why dont you look round for a used Pentax 80-320? you could pick one up for anything from £50-£80 on ebay (if you can find one)

I offered my own on here a few weeks back and I'm amazed it didn't sell, unfortunately (for you) I've decided to hang on to it.
My Names Alan, and I'm a lensaholic.
My PPG link
My Flckr link
Mannesty
Posted 06/11/2008 - 07:32 Link
I have a 80-320mm under offer with a forum member at the moment. I should know today if he wants it. If not, it'll be available and in UK on Monday.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Pwynnej
Posted 06/11/2008 - 09:26 Link
If you don't mind used then the FA 80-320 is a good option

If money is tight then the Sigma APO DG 70-300 or Tamron Di 70-300 are good bets

If you have the 'ALT 156' 219 (sorry I have a european keyboard...) then the DA55-300 is a really good bet...

If you can find one and can stump up the money I do recommend the Sigma EX 100-300 f4 DG, it blows the others away and good for arm muscle building...

Budget zooms or Superzooms? Forget them, you will regret buying them
Z-1p, K-1, P50
F50 1.7. SMC-FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. HD-FA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon
Daniel Bridge
Posted 06/11/2008 - 09:45 Link
Or just get the DA*300mm. £799 at SRS and there's £50 cashback at the moment too. Bargain!

Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
MattMatic
Posted 06/11/2008 - 09:47 Link
The SMC-FA 80-320 is a fine lens and can be had quite cheaply.
However, the SMC-DA 55-300 is apparently sharper, and more compact (because it's for digital).

Quote:
and a person who has outsold the Bible knows a thing or two.

Huh?! Estimated Bible distribution to date stands at an estimated 7.5 billion copies. Pretty sure JK hasn't sold quite that many

Quote:
Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself

Quite agree. I have no problem saying C..., Can.... I mean, aghh, Canon! There! Said it
Just don't get me started on the N word


When comparing against your Panasonic - don't forget that the sensor is minuscule in comparison to a DSLR, and consequently the lenses can be smaller and cheaper Large, bright, fast lenses are very heavy, expensive items... but lovely to use. The 55-300 is a fine lens indeed

Why don't you check out some of the sample images on the web. For example, www.pbase.com has a search facility where you can search by make & lens. (But there's a wide variety of skills on Pbase!)

HTH!
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
ttk
Posted 06/11/2008 - 11:21 Link
for you Matt, NIKON.NIKON.NIKON.NIKON..NIKON.NIKON.NIKON.NIKON..
Tel,
MattMatic
Posted 06/11/2008 - 12:08 Link
ROFL!!
Careful - you'll be getting Canonikonitis
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
PeteWelshPhotography
Posted 06/11/2008 - 16:07 Link
I have just purchased a 70-300mm tamron macro lens from London camera exchange and with cokin filter adaptor and skylight filter cost less than £130.. I think you should maybe have a look around... The other option is the sigma 70-300 which I also have.. I have managed to get some very good animal,sport,portrait shots and also macro shots with thes lenses ... But I would class them as being expensive .. both at less than £150 each new..

Check out my site at www.petewelsh-photography.co.uk to see some of the shots taken with it/them

regards
Pete
Pentax K7 and K5 and several black tubey things with magnifying glass in that twist around and move in and out - to be honest I am not sure exactly what I have. Will list the proper names one day..
Edited by PeteWelshPhotography: 06/11/2008 - 16:09
Mike-P
Posted 06/11/2008 - 16:31 Link
PeteWelshPhotography wrote:
I have just purchased a 70-300mm tamron macro lens from London camera exchange and with cokin filter adaptor and skylight filter cost less than £130

Do you meant THIS one ?
PeteWelshPhotography
Posted 06/11/2008 - 17:31 Link
You do realise you have given me a case of major depression..
Theres me saying about shopping around and now I feel like I have been ripped off by paying nearly double.. This lens will be going back..

Thanks Mike .. I think
Pentax K7 and K5 and several black tubey things with magnifying glass in that twist around and move in and out - to be honest I am not sure exactly what I have. Will list the proper names one day..
Edited by PeteWelshPhotography: 06/11/2008 - 17:32

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