Lens for k20d

Can anyone recommend a lens with a decent zoom which is a bit quieter focusing than the tamron 70-300mm? its a nice lens but so noisy. I had a look at the sigma 18-250 hsm but it is pricey and I dont know anything about it. Anyone know much about it or can recommend anything else, especially if its cheaper, I also saw a pentax 75-300mm at srs but Ive never heard of that one and know nothing about it, thanks, jacqui.

The SMC Pentax-FA J 75-300mm is a nice lens, not as sharp as the SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm or DAL 55-300mm, but with an attractive quality of its own.

I would suggest as the best cost/performance option you could look at the DAL lens, although you will sacrifice the metal mount, QuickShift focusing and the lens hood. The optics are the same as the more expensive version.

Depends on what your shooting preferences are ? I have both the DA55-300 and Dal versions, I dont really find the quickshift so useful. So personally would recommend the Dal, as its far cheaper for practically the same lens. Though having said that, they are both generally, too noisey for photographing birds. Due the focusing drive system. Which i'm sure others can expand upon. Otherwise they are excellent.

Yes, they are a bit noisy and I do photograph a lot of birds. I looked at the sigma 18-250 hsm, (just because I could get that on finance) but pricey and I dont know what it is like. Also tried to find a pentax or tamron 18-250 but haven't been able to find any at all, and they would probably be too much anyway. I would really like something quieter, so I guess I will keep looking

Jacqui you have a pm

Dave