Sharpest, cheapest and fastest long zoom?

As Bart Simpson is fond of saying "Cool your jets"

Remember this is a friendly forum and if such a lens as zelousdp asked about really did exist in such specific terms, members would have been falling over themselves to offer advice.

Ken, consider my jets cooled!

Crikey...this thread has been an entertaining read.

Back onto subject however (if I may).

My 2p's worth would be to open the budget a little more - you can pick up the Tamron 70-300 for about £65 if you have the patience to look around.

In my opinion it trumps the DA 55-300 in terms of price vs performance. It's also quite quick at AF, which the 55-300 sadly is not at all.

The DAL version of the 55-300 is currently available at SRS for £159 which is a steal - but considering the OP's budget was circa £40; I'd say the Tamron offers the sharpest cheapest and fastest long zoom money can buy for Pentax. It's sharper and has better IQ than the 50-200; and is on a par with the 55-300 for IQ (with the exception of purple fringing - the Tammy is awful for that - but with a little PP it is'nt an issue).

Tammy 70-300 I'd say without a doubt.

Thanks Snootchies. Will look into that.

As I suggested the Pentax-M 75-150mm f4 as a lens that is cheap, sharp and fast(ish), it seems reasonable to offer a sample. I claim no artistic merit whatever for the following photo. It is one of many "holiday snaps" that I took in August last year. I vaguely recall taking it with the lens at 150mm (but I might be wrong).

This photo was taken from a headland at the northern side of Clachtoll beach in Sutherland.




This is a 100% crop ........



and so is this.




The lens was an Ebay purchase a year or two back. From memory, I think I paid £22.50 for it, so it definitely satisifies the "cheap" criterion Whether it satisfies the "sharp" and "fast" criteria is maybe not my call in this thread. I do know it (the lens) satisifies me and is a definite keeper.

Cheers
Andrew

Great suggestion Andrew - you can't argue with £22.50!!!!

Personally, 150mm would'nt be what I consider to be a long zoom - but it wins by a clear mile in terms of speed (can't fault F4) and price.

I dont have my gear handy - but would be curious to know what the Tammy offers in terms of max aperture at 150mm - I'd guess it would be around f4.5.

I only have one other lens with which I can compare it. It is definitely sharper than my Sigma 135mm f3.5 mini-tele prime (which is not a keeper!!).


Cheers
Andrew

Where's George when you need him?

First 2 are with the 50-200mm kit lens
last 2 with the tamron

It would be nice to see 100% crops of photos. I don't think you can really tell anything about the resolution of a lens with a resize of the full frame.


Andrew

I suppose there's another point I should make - the Bokeh of the Tammy 70-300 is'nt bad at all:

One of my two favourite cheap/efficient lenses - the 28-300 Sigma Aspherical IF - used on the Pentax *istD hand held from the deck of the Condor ferry as we entered St.Peter Port Guernsey.My other favourite is the 70-300 FAJ.
Neither cost over £75 and both have served/are serving me well.

Tony

Bob, that first shot (in particular) is gorgeous.

Oh the 70-300 can do that too........................!!

Lovely shot of the forget-me-nots.

This is also with the Tammy whereas this was shot with my now sadly defunct SMC-M 200mm f/4.

K.