which telephoto zoom?

Hi all

Having waited for what seems like an eternity for Pentax to make the new 60-250mm lens available, I have now reluctantly decided not to wait any longer as the lens, if and when it finally appears, will apparently be beyond my financial means.

I have, therefore, decided to opt instead for the 55-300mm zoom. However, before I do so, I was wondering what the members think of this lens as a suitable alternative and should I also consider the Sigma and Tamron in the same range? Which, in your opinion, would be the wisest choice? I am looking to spend no more than £350, which should mean some left over for another lens!!

Many thanks for bearing with me!

Dave

The DA 55-300 is the best lens in that price range hands down. The Sigma and Tamron lenses are cheaper however, so deppending on what else you want to spend your money on they may still be worthy of consideration.

Personally I don't think the price difference between the Sigma APO and the Pentax DA is enough to make the Sigma a contender, but the Tamron 70-300 is very cheap and very good value, though it does reportedly suffer from chromatic aberation.


In your shoes, I'd take the Pentax DA 55-300, possibly the Tamron if there was something very specific I wanted to spend the other £89 on.

Save yourself the headache and just buy the Pentax 55-300. It is a brilliant lens and at it's current price it's a steal.
I had the tamron and the purple fringing drove me mad. Can't comment on the Sigma because I've never tried it and now that I've got the Pentax I see absolutely no need to even look at it.

Just have to add another recommendation on the pile for the 55-300.
Can't add much more to what has been said, but I do feel this lens is pretty darned nice for the price and zoom range.

I took this link with the 70-300 Tamron. Not sure if that helps to show it's performance. It was a hand held shoot at about 200mm I think.

Nice shot geclinke.

On my K200d my Tamron doesn't perform that well, if I could afford it I'd go for the Pentax 55-300, after all it's designed for our cameras not a generic lens on a KAF mount.

Hi all

Many thanks for your comments. They were much appreciated and pretty much confirmed what I was thinking and they helped to remove any lingering doubts.

Well, as of this morning, I am the proud owner of a new 55-300 lens, thanks to the next-day delivery service from SRS. I ordered it over the phone with the charming and helpful Nicky and I can thoroughly recommend them to any fellow members who may be thinking of using SRS.

I am really looking forward to getting to grips with it and widening my photographic horizons. I may even post a few shots here, if I can work out how to do it!

Thanks again

Dave