What to Buy
Posted 08/04/2013 - 14:44 - Helpful Comment
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The Pentax 55-300mm is ideal. It's a quality lens at a very reasonable price.
Best regards, John
Posted 08/04/2013 - 15:03 - Helpful Comment
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johnriley wrote:
The Pentax 55-300mm is ideal. It's a quality lens at a very reasonable price.
This was the same advice John gave me in late 2011 when I was tossing up between the Tamron or Sigma 70-300mm offerings. Everyone said get the DA 55-300 and luckily it was on special offer (probably one of the last branded under Pentax's Hoya ownership)The Pentax 55-300mm is ideal. It's a quality lens at a very reasonable price.
Go for it, you won't regret it. The AF tends to 'hunt' a bit at long distances but you get used to it and the IQ makes up for it.
I got it primarily for bird photograhy (I was given a present of a day at the Hawk Conservancy near Andover, where it was ideal). However, I've also used it on holiday as a 'carry around' lens. You will find lots of shots with this lens on a K-r in my Portfolio.
Best wishes
Peter
(West Berks)
Posted 08/04/2013 - 18:00 - Helpful Comment
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You could get the 'L' version for £199 at SRS LINK, I'm not sure what the difference is, I do know the optics are the same and I think the quick shift is missing, but it's a saving..
Cheers, HG
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
K110+DA40, K200+DA35, K3 and a bag of lenses, bodies and other bits.
Mustn't forget the Zenits, or folders, or...
PPG entries.
Posted 08/04/2013 - 18:22 - Helpful Comment
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I consider the quickshift essential with the 55-300mm.
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Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Posted 08/04/2013 - 18:47 - Helpful Comment
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Algernon wrote:
I consider the quickshift essential with the 55-300mm.
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Especialy because of the relatively slow AF and tendency to hunt - but those are probably the only downsides to the lens.
I consider the quickshift essential with the 55-300mm.
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K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
Posted 08/04/2013 - 19:21 - Helpful Comment
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The differences:
no lens hood (a must)
no quick shift
plastic mount
and if it's anything like other 'L' lenses, no distance scale
no lens hood (a must)
no quick shift
plastic mount
and if it's anything like other 'L' lenses, no distance scale
Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)
Posted 09/04/2013 - 06:27
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sorry to hi jack the post- I have a very nice DA 55-300 with for sale in classified would take an offer!
Posted 09/04/2013 - 07:45
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1947lcs wrote:
I keep thinking that I want to get a better telephoto lens to replace my Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD.
May I ask what is it about your Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD that could be better, I'm sure the Pentax 55-300 is a good lens but it might be worth checking that it will be a £236 improvement before handing over the cash.
I keep thinking that I want to get a better telephoto lens to replace my Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD.
Posted 09/04/2013 - 07:52 - Helpful Comment
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Having owned the Tamron (and Sigma) version and now the DA55-300 it's advantages to me are:
better colour/contrast and much reduced, infact insignificant CA/PF
The Tamron is very sharp, equal of the DA55-300 I think and it hunts less at the long end
Hope this helps
Simon
better colour/contrast and much reduced, infact insignificant CA/PF
The Tamron is very sharp, equal of the DA55-300 I think and it hunts less at the long end
Hope this helps
Simon
My website http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com
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My Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/landscapephotographyuk
Find me on Google+ link
Posted 09/04/2013 - 09:40
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Thanks for all the advice. My biggest criticism of the Tamron is PF. I tend to use the lens at 300 a lot of the time. Also it seems that focusing is soft when using it at the long end. As I paid less than £100 for the lens 3years ago I cant complain but I do get frustrated with it. Now I am wondering if there would be a significant improvement in the Pentax lens. I may see if I can try before I buy. A store local to me has one 2nd hand and will take the Tamron in exchange.
Sorry if this description is a bit vague but I still have a lot to learn re the technical jargon.
Thanks
Les
Sorry if this description is a bit vague but I still have a lot to learn re the technical jargon.
Thanks
Les
K5, DAL18-55,SMC 50mm f2,DA 55-300, SCM F 35-70 and all the help I can get.
Posted 09/04/2013 - 16:56
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Hi have seen the 55 300 pentax for £160 on the internet, may order it my self at that price, but dont think their is much warranty with it as its strait from Hong kong
Regards Dave
Regards Dave
Posted 09/04/2013 - 17:10
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Don't forget you may have to pay Duty and VAT on an import
Barrie - Too Old To Die Young
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
https://pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/barrieforbes
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189482630@N03/
Posted 09/04/2013 - 17:15
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Mike_L_76 wrote:
I was going to say that...
1947lcs wrote:
I keep thinking that I want to get a better telephoto lens to replace my Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD.
May I ask what is it about your Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD that could be better, I'm sure the Pentax 55-300 is a good lens but it might be worth checking that it will be a £236 improvement before handing over the cash.I keep thinking that I want to get a better telephoto lens to replace my Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 DiLD.
Best wishes,
Andrew
"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050
http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
Andrew
"These places mean something and it's the job of a photographer to figure-out what the hell it is."
Robert Adams
"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Ernst Hass
My website: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/bwlchmawr-199050
http://s927.photobucket.com/home/ADC3440/index
https://www.flickr.com/photos/78898196@N05
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213 posts
17 years
Berkshire
Any suggestions please.
Thanks
Les