Tameron/Pentax

Hi all, I am thinking of buying a zoom lense for my K-r and am wondering if the extra £130.00 for the Pentax 55-300 is worth it over the Tameron 70-300 at £119.00, I'm a total amature and would like to take some wildlife shots so what are your thoughts, thanks.

In a word ... yes.

Pentax lens is imo underpriced for what it is, you won't get better unless you spend a lot more money.

Thanks Mike, What about the Sigma 70-300 from Amazon at £131.59?

Nope - the Pentax 55-300 is a class above both and is an excellent lens. The Tamron is also a very good lens, can be a little prone to PF but still good and has an excellent 1:2 macro function if you need it (think flowers more than insects).

Nope .. go with the Pentax otherwise you will only regret it later.

I have one and it goes everywhere with me .. unlike other much more expensive 300mm+ lenses which tend to get left at home.

Thanks for that, looks like i'll go with the Pentax one then.

Only thing you need to consider is the 'macro' close focusing function. I have used the Tamron for lots of butterfly and flower shots and really pleased with the results.

I don't if the Pentax has a similar close focusing ability.

Hi,

The Pentax requires you to me three feet away but to be honest that's often best.

It is a lovely lens. Isn't it made by Tamron?

No, it's made by Pentax .. or is it Hoya .. or Ricoh ... well one of those 3 anyway.

The Sigma does get very good reviews, better than the Tamron, and it does have macro!

So does the Tammy! and knocks spots of the Sigma any day imo.

I'm sure the Pentax is best, but i bought the Tameron due to budget restraints...i have no regrets, i think its a great lens!

Example images below...if anyone has examples of the Pentax i'd love to see them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhorrocks/6319444345/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhorrocks/6296005791/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mhorrocks/6296008347/

The Tamron does look very good value but most reviews say it has lense creep but the Sigma don't! Cliff why do you think the Tamron is so much better than the Sigma? They are very good shots bluenose.

If you promise to never spell it 'lense' again (it's 'lens' ), I'll be selling a Pentax one shortly.

Amazon were doing them at a substantial discount recently, and I bought one, intending to keep the new one and sell the one I've had for several years.

I haven't decided which one to sell yet, but even if it's the older one, it's in mint condition and fantastic.

This was taken with it...

[IMG]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/Aviation/Farnborough%202008/IMGP0652.jpg[/IMG]

It's not bad, but when you realise that the next one is a crop from that image, you realise how sharp the lens is:

[IMG]http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/chris5gd/Aviation/Farnborough%202008/IMGP0652-cr1.jpg[/IMG]

So keep an eye on the classifieds. Naturally I'll make it very clear whether I'm selling the 2nd hand one or the new one.

Ok I promise never to spell lens "lense" again, I will keep my eye out for it. I see your south west i'm near Epsom.