Pentax smc DA 55-300mm v Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
Posted 19/02/2013 - 19:03 - Helpful Comment
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Get a new or second hand DAL 55-300 its the poor relation to the DA 55-300 as it comes with out a lenshood and lacks quickshift, I have one and for the money its a steal, the optics are the same as the dearer lens and you can find a cheap lenshood on ebay, its a very sharp lens for the money.
Posted 19/02/2013 - 19:37 - Helpful Comment
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The I have owned both, started out with the Sigma and was very happy with it.
But I then managed to pick up a DA 55-300 from the forum for £150 and it is a far better lens in my opinion.
That said, if it is to be your first long lens, go with the Sigma and see how you get on as you can always upgrade at a later date.
But I then managed to pick up a DA 55-300 from the forum for £150 and it is a far better lens in my opinion.
That said, if it is to be your first long lens, go with the Sigma and see how you get on as you can always upgrade at a later date.
Posted 19/02/2013 - 22:42 - Helpful Comment
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For the price the Tamron is well-regarded - considered to be better than the more recent VC version. on a par with the Sigma - I believe the Tamron is sharper but has purple fringing issues....
AKA Welshwizard/PWynneJ
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff
Posted 19/02/2013 - 23:30 - Helpful Comment
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Unless you need it urgently, keep your eye on Amazon. Following a post last week on 'Leads to Deals' I bought the Pentax 55-300mm off Amazon for £205 including postage. Looking now it is back up to £257. Amazon prices go up/down quicker than a yoyo. Here is the link to Amazon's 55-300mm.
Pentax 55-300mm Amazon
Pentax 55-300mm Amazon
6th Year Apprentice Pensioner
Posted 19/02/2013 - 23:59 - Helpful Comment
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No contest here, the 55-300 is in another league altogether when compared to the Sigma 70-300 for image quality. I have both and the Sigma never gets used. The only advantage the Sigma has IMHO is the pseudo macro capability, but it's not true macro and the 55-300 can focus fairly close anyway.
I can't comment on the Tamron, but the Pentax 55-300 is one lens that is always in my camera bag and is almost always fixed to my K-x or K-5!
Regards
David
I can't comment on the Tamron, but the Pentax 55-300 is one lens that is always in my camera bag and is almost always fixed to my K-x or K-5!
Regards
David
Posted 20/02/2013 - 07:06 - Helpful Comment
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I'm astounded by the 55-300, best 300 I've ever had. But given the opportunity I'd upgrade from DA-L to a DA or maybe even spend on something a bit longer that focusses faster...
Posted 20/02/2013 - 14:03
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Thanks everyone for all your helpful replies. Dangie thanks for letting me know about the price fluctuations, considering what the 55-300 sells for on Wex and Park I was thinking that £257 was a fair price. I think I'll hang on to see if it drops a bit. I see SRS have the DA-L at £199 but I fancy the DA now!
BTW what is the service like at SRS? I went there for my K-30 but got an unfriendly response when I asked the guy if he'd throw a bag in, so I went to Clifton instead. Maybe one of us was having a bad day.
BTW what is the service like at SRS? I went there for my K-30 but got an unfriendly response when I asked the guy if he'd throw a bag in, so I went to Clifton instead. Maybe one of us was having a bad day.
Posted 20/02/2013 - 14:06 - Helpful Comment
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I'd have to join the consensus in that the DA 55-300 is an astonishingly good lens for the price. It produces images with a sharp, crisp look that is on a par with much more expensive optics. It has decent bokeh, too.
I also have the (more expensive) 18-135WR and the 55-300 is noticably much sharper, and just produces better looking images generally IMO. Worth the effort of swapping out the WR and sticking the 55-300 on your body if you want to shoot anything at 55mm+ (weather permitting, of course).
I also have the (more expensive) 18-135WR and the 55-300 is noticably much sharper, and just produces better looking images generally IMO. Worth the effort of swapping out the WR and sticking the 55-300 on your body if you want to shoot anything at 55mm+ (weather permitting, of course).
My Flickr • Pentax K-5 • K-5 II • Sigma 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM • Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD ASL • SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 ED [IF] SDM • SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F/4-5.8 ED • SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] WR • Vivitar 100mm F/3.5 Macro AF • Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2
Posted 20/02/2013 - 14:16 - Helpful Comment
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K30git wrote:
BTW what is the service like at SRS?
Very good, generally speaking. Haven't used Clifton so can't compare.
BTW what is the service like at SRS?
My Flickr • Pentax K-5 • K-5 II • Sigma 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM • Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD ASL • SMC Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F/2.8 ED [IF] SDM • SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F/4-5.8 ED • SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] WR • Vivitar 100mm F/3.5 Macro AF • Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2
Posted 20/02/2013 - 14:25 - Helpful Comment
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Used Clifton and SRS and both very good
Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Posted 20/02/2013 - 16:26 - Helpful Comment
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The 55 - 300 Dal if far and away a better buy. Better value with the same image quality. I ugraded mine to the DA lens two years ago. Wished I hadnt. Wasted the money. The lens mount on the Dal, though plastic is substancial. I have never used quick shift once. Other than to find out how it works.
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
Stuart..
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82 posts
13 years
Bedfordshire
There's an offer on for the Sigma at £169 with the Pentax at £258. I need one or the other for a little fun on the coast with fishing boats/people at distance/surfers as well as a little general fun at home. I'm thinking I'll use at the long end quite a bit.
Having read reviews and other forum comments I understand that the Pentax choice is the accepted wisdom as the best choice below say £300.
However there are a number of comments that the OS version on the Sigma is better at the long range than internal stabilisation. There is also quite a price difference which I would appreciate but if there really was a substantial difference between the IQ I'd go for the Pentax.
I'm also thinking that when I go walkabout will I miss the 15mm shorter on the Pentax.
Decisions, decisions.........
Please would members share their views on my best choice. Cheers to all.