longer range

Hello i have a k20d with 18-55mmda lens.
i am looking for longer range and am considering a 50-200mm with a tele converter .
although there seem to be a vast difference in price between
this product,
is there a brand that works better with this lens?

Regards

Nadeem

Don't even think of using a cheapish consumer 50-200 zoom with a converter as it won't work, specifically it won't autofocus and even if you manually focus the image quality from a cheap zoom stretched with a convert is likely to be poor. Converters work best on fast (f2.8, possibly f4) high quality lenses.

If you want a longer lens than 200 the cheapest option is to simply buy a longer lens in the first place, something like the 55-300. If you want a 50-200 genuine Pentax ones are widely available at sensible prices as many folks originally bought them as part of a kit and subsequently upgraded. Some Sigma and Tamron types are OK too but as you can get a proper Pentax one cheap I wouldn't bother.
Actually - if anyone wants one and is really strapped for cash I have an old Sigma 50-200 (not as good as the current Sigma model let alone the Pentaxes) which can go for virtually nothing except patience (as I am just about to go away for a fortnight's holiday).

gwing....Am considering a 50-200mm wr pentax lense...with maybe a Kenko or Jesssops teleconverter or similar.

Regards

Good choice

Don't, save your money.

I agree with gwing in going for the 55-300. I've tried a number AF converters with zoom lenses and they don't work well, if at all, with small apertures. Is the Pentax 50-200 not f6.3 @ 200.

Also, sticking a 2x teleconvertor on a lens that is already very slow at f5.6 will drop it down another 2 stops. You'll need a very bright day to even use it. Will be completely hopeless.

There is also the 70-300 options from Sigma and Tamron. Less than half the price of the Pentax 55-300 and approx the same as the 50-200. Optically they are on a par with the 50-200 and only a smidge below the 55-300.

Russ i have considered the tamron 70-300 although it may be too close to the 50-2000wr.
I am consisdering a wr lens , did not consider the 18-55wr to have the range and the 18-135wr is pricey .

have just spotted "wide angle conversion" lense by "
Digital King"

This seems to have some value in that , an wide angle lens may not be needed.

Also (this may be too much, in one thread) but are T mount lense useful or gimmicky , there seems to be mixed opinion on this.

Regards

Ah sorry, you already have the 50-200. I thought you were looking to buy both the 50-200 and convertor.
I know the Tamron maybe seen as little close to the 50-200 but it does offer 50% extra 'longer range' over the 50-200. And can be had for a great price. I bought and sold mine for £45. And another sold here recently for £45. I think that's the cheapest way of getting an extra 100mm reach without sacrificing quality too much. Or sell the 50-200 WR and buy the 55-300.

When you say T mount lenses, do you mean the old M42 thread lenses? Or is this using a T adapter on the camera?

Finally I have one of those wide angle conversion lenses for my Panasonic GF2 and its 14-42 kit lens. It degrades the optical quality and introduces severe vignetting at the lower focal lengths. It was only £12 but could only be described as a fun toy at best, not a proper camera lens.

But I know where you are coming from with all these ideas and plans. I too have tried all these money saving ideas. Sadly none of them really worked out.

Russ ...cheers yes there are many options .