Zoom Lens

Hello Everybody
I have just purchased a Pentax isds. I tried all the other usual suspects but the handling and the beautiful viewfinder of the Pentax decided it for me.
I know nothing about Pentax lenses. Could you help me in deciding on a 70-300 zoom (preferably all black) that is compatible with the ds and that will give good results. My budget would be £200 max.
Or could it be worth holding out for pentax to produce a digital only longer lens.
I welcome suggestions and recommendations.
Many thanks to you all.

There are plenty of Pentax zooms that will be fine with the *istDS. I would recommend sticking to Pentax optics for the optimum in handling and quality.

Enjoy your new camera!

Hello John
Thanks for replying.
Sticking to Pentax, which is what I would like to do, means one option only in the 70-300 area, the SMC 75-300 f4.5-5.8 AL which is silver. Is this correct, as I could not find any other Pentax lenses covering this range.

You could consider the 100-300mm and the 80-320mm Pentax zooms, but as far as I know they are only available in silver. I prefer black lenses myself, they don't catch attention as much as silver ones, but from an optical point of view it won't make any difference.

Does anyone know if there are black versions of these lenses?

Yes, the 80-320 is available in black only, but it still looks great in black/silver And optics are a treat

See: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
and:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/zooms/long/FA80-320f4.5-5.6.html

Matt

Thanks for that Matt. I will keep my eyes open.
As a matter of interest would there be any compatabilitiy problems woth say the Sigma 70-300 apo II Macro. It gets some excellent reports and looks goood. Obviously more expensive though.

There are no compatibility problems provided there is an "A" setting on the aperture ring, and there will be with all current Sugma lenses.

The problem I have with independent lenses is that I have rarely been happy with them - even if they have possessed good optics the construction quality or bulkiness have been a problem IMHO.

But there are lots of happy Sigma, Tamron and other users out there!

I think you'll find that the RRP for the 80-320mm Pentax is more than the Sigma Second hand price for the Pentax is around £100 for mint (but the RRP was £300).

Like John, I've never been that happy with third party lenses - I'm all Pentax now (But the Sigma EX range are superb, but soooo heavy and expensive!)

The best thing is to try them out if you can, or save up until you can get what you need

Matt

John & Matt; Thanks so much for your efforts here.
I too would prefer to have Pentax lenses on my new camera for exactly the reasons you stated. But to get what I'm looking for there seems to nothing much available other than second hand.
I honestly don't like buying second hand especially without seeing the product up front and maybe getting a second opinion. That's just me.
Perhaps I should wait and surely Pentax will bring out longer lens options specefically for the digital . Either that I should bite the bullit on the silver problem.
Are there any rumours that Pentax might be increasing their digital range of lenses?
Thanks Again
Tom

There are new digital lenses on the way, the 55-200 might suit you. I'm waiting for the 12-24.

Buying second hand is fine as long as you are very careful. I buy (and sell again sometimes) on eBay, and I look for absolutely mint items. Don't be tempted into paying too much, and most of the time you will be OK.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I have the faj 75-300 on my ds. Yep it's silver, but it works well, it's light and it only cost about 90 quid new!