New lens time

Hi all, i fancy a new lens, am going for the 28-300 tamron, the only trouble is, it will put my other two lenses out of a job more all less, which is the 18-55 and the 55-200, or do i just bite the bullit and move on. Ive allso was thinking of the 70-300 tamron lens just so that i will still use the other lenses i have, but i ask myself whats the point.

What is it you want in the new lens? What's lacking with the 18-55 and 50-200?

If it's the long end, you could buy a Pentax 55-300 and sell the 50-200.

Personally it is not the way I would go. Superzooms are useful when you need to travel light but you will experience a drop in quality.

For me a 28-300 is a lens that a serious photographer buys last and in addition to other lenses.

I would consider a prime or a macro first, or if you really want 300mm, get the 70-300.

Hi john, i like the idea of tamron because of the macro and allso the 300m long ended bit, plus the fact i havent got change lenses to many times, does this sound idle ? the other two lenses are not lacking in anything except i want a bit more.

PM sent

If you really like the idea of macro, you would be better off with a real macro, like the DFA100, tamron 90 or sigma105. These will give you true 1to1 macro and you will probably notice your picture quality improve. 'More' is not just magnification it also comes in other ways!

The difference in image quality will probably only fuel you into full LBA though, whether you use for macro or anything else. You have been warned.

I had a Tamron 28-300 on my Ds for Africa. It was at the time the best one lens solution I could afford for the trip.

When I got the K20D I gave his nibs the DS and lens. He loved it for his snaps. He broke the Ds, so got a new Pentax. He then broke the lens, falling into a waterfall in Goathland. He treats it as a luxury Bridge camera, and never changes lenses.

Luckily Chris at SRS had a Sigma 28-300 for him. The only thing he doesn't like is that it isn't wide enough.

The "macro" on the Tamron is not that good. Really it isn't. It isn't true macro for a start. You will end up getting frustrated by it very quickly. If you want to get into macro look for a second-hand macro lens - you can get the superb Tamron 90mm for a very reasonable price.
If you want longer then go for the 55-300 which is an amazing lens for the price.


If you really want a one lens solution look for a Tamron or Pentax 18-250, or the Sigma 18-250, which I had for a while as a holiday lens before deciding one lens solutions are not for me.

Hi all, I finally got my new lens, i went for the tamron sp90 a lot of lens for the money, you do need a tripod for the close up shot aw the slightest movement will cause you to be out of focus, the auto focus is noisy but doesent bother you, am looking forward to getting some decent shots, thanks for your replys