Which zoom??

Hi there,

I’m looking to buy a new zoom lens for my k20d. I mainly need it for photographing rugby and some motor sport as well as general work. I’m looking for something robust with great IQ and a fast-ish focus.

I currently have a Tokina ATX pro 70-200 f2.8, which has graet build quality by is soft at f2.8 and I tend to be finding I’m using at 200mm a lot where again it’s a bit soft. I also have a Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 di, which is great for the money, but again gets a bit soft past 250mm.

I’m looking at the Sigma 100-300 F4 EX, the Pentax DA*50-250 or the Pentax DA 55-300. I’ve heard and read great things about the Sigma, and the DA*, although I could only afford the latter second hand and it only goes to 250mm. The DA55-300 seems well regarded and is obviously much much cheaper, but on paper at least doesn’t seem much different from my Tamron.

Does anyone have any comparative experience of these lenses, or any other ideas?

Best

Nick

The difference between 250 and 300 is not so big as you might think
http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php

You already have a 70-200 lens so a 100-300 would be more of an addition than a 60-250 lens.
As for the 55-300 I don't think it's that much sharper than the 70-300 but I could be wrong.

I recently sold my Tamron AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD MACRO 1:2 version, and bought a 55-300mm from this forum, having used the 55-300 only briefly I think its slightly better than the 70-300.

Hope that helps a little.

Regards

I did try Sigma 100-300. It's stunning lens. Bit on the bigger side but fantasticly build, with great IQ right from f4. It's IF as well which is neat.
On the other side, nearly all owners of the DA*60-250 are very happy with it.
DA55-300 is a very good lens, but I don't think it measures up to the standard of those other two...

having said that, I have only really tried the Sigma

my 2p

Have had the 55-300mm and both the 60-250mm and 100-300mm are much better right from f4. Personally I would take the Sigma as its nice and sharp, well built and works very well with the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter (giving extra length should you need it .. and you will).

I've had both of these. The Tamron 70-300's main shortcoming is its horrendous purple fringing. The Pentax isn't anywhere near as bad in this respect.

ISTR that the Tamron can focus a bit closer, and is quite a bit cheaper than the Pentax. That said, I sold my Tamron and kept the Pentax.

Just noticed this comment.

The Pentax DA 50-300 is often described as having very slow focusing. If you need it to go from one end of its throw to the other in the blink of an eye, forget it. However, if it's already reasonably close, it's fine (I use it at airshows). And 'reasonably close' means anywhere from a few metres to infinity - about half the focus throw is the first 3m.

Quick shift, which the Tamron doesn't have, is very useful in this respect.