Which Telephoto Lense to choose

Hi, I have a K10D and want to purchase a Telephoto lense.

I am unsure of which to buy?

Pentax
Tamron
Sigma

I also like Macro photography but this would only be a bonus if the lense was capable. I do not want to compromise image quality and will save for a Macro lense if needed.

I see alot of recent reviews on the Pentax SMCP - DA 55-300 Is this the best for the money?

Thanks.

Yes

If you put a wanted post on the forum I am sure you will get a few PM's offering you a very reasonably priced one.

Just to add .. not from me.

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. My Flickr

Would recommend the 55-300, superb lens

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Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

PPG link
Flickr link

amazon had it on offer last week for £135(Pentax SMCP - DA 55-300)

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k-5, K-5ii,60-250 f4, 50 f1.4 af,17-70 f4, 100mm macro wr,siggy 10-20 siggy 100-300f4

That's useful to know.

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. My Flickr

I would recommend the 55-300mm.

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K3ii, K-5, K-x, DA150-450mm, DA16-85WR, DA16-45, DA18-55WR, DA18-135WR, DA35 F2.4, M100mm F4 Macro, DA55-300mm, FA50mm 1.4, AF360 Flash, AF540 Flash

What's your budget and do you need to go as far as 300mm? If not consider the excellent Pentax 50-135
The 55-300 sounds like a good lens - never tried one - however you might want to consider a few other lenses too.

The excellent 50-135 2.8 from Pentax is one option and the 50-150 2.8 from Sigma another (own the first owned the second in Nikon mount). On my unscientific experience the first has the lead on image quality the other on focus speed and price but it might be a bit rare as it has been discontinued.

The Tamron 70-200 2.8 is also a great lens and s/h very reasonably priced if you want something a bit longer than the other two options.

You also have the option of the rather expensive but well reviewed 60-250 f4 from Pentax too.

Slightly rare Sigma 100-300 F4 is quite good so I hear.

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My piccies.

Definitely buy the Pentax lens.

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Pentax K1-ii and MZ6
Pentax Lenses 28-80 F, 300 DA*, 80-200 F, 35 F2.4 AL, M50 F1.7, 28-105 DFA, 20 F4 SMC
ONE UNITED Member

Prize for understatement of the year goes to Snappychappy.

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. My Flickr

Personally I think the DAL or DA 55-300mm are excellent choices, depending on your budget, naturally. Optically the same and I have not had any problems with the plastic mount on the DAL. As third party hoods are readily available (DAL doesn't come with one) the main differential would be how much you are prepared to pay for the useful quickshift.

Not quite sure what you want here . ... a telephoto zoom, a telephoto non-zoom, or a macro lens ?

If money is tight then the Tamron 70-300 is a very decent zoom for very little dosh (around £80 - 100 ?) and although the 55-300 is definitely a better lens, the Tamron wins hands down when it comes to macro as it does a very decent 1:2 that is no gimmick and will give you lovely flower shots etc. .. the Pentax doesn't do macro full stop.

Otherwise if you are looking for a telephoto macro lens then the best value for money by far is the Tamron 90 Di Macro which does a superb 1:1 and is also a very good telephoto for portraits, street etc.

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http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0

Maybe a DA55-300 and a Raynox macro adapter (DCR-150).

Plenty of samples on pentaxforums: The Raynox Macro club

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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)

Thanks for all of the comments.

I think I will wait and save up for a DA 55-300 and then add a Raynox Macro as these look really good.

My main aim is to have a lense for wildlife photography and the macro side is a bonus.

Maybe Amazon will sell them for £135 again some day soon. keeping my fingers crossed.