My reason for giving Pentax a try again was the release of the K-5. My ideal camera had always been one with the build quality/rugged feel of a camera like my previous D300s in a small size. Other manufacturers, even Olympus, produce small DSLRs in their budget models but to get one that does'nt have controls hidden in menus, a top lcd,weatherproofing and fast fps etc. you're looking at something pretty big and heavy. For me,the downside is'nt the lack of lenses overall - there's obviously a large selection out there - but rather the lack of longer zooms which can take advantage of the K-5s improved focussing speed. The 55-300 compares very well optically with the Nikkor 70-300 vr but it's not exactly speedy or discreet!

I used to use aperture priority most of the time but since changing to Pentax with the K-5 it's mainly TAV. It's good to be able to choose both aperture and shutter settings in a mode other than fully manual.

I bought this lens new a couple of months ago mainly for a couple of specific events [was going to hire something but this seemed a better idea] always intending to sell again later. It's too big and heavy for my general use. It was bought from a UK store via their ebay outlet and is a UK model. It is virtually as new - the lens cap is a plain one as the original one got damaged - tripod ring, lens hood, soft pouch in box.
It's a nice lens to use - af is'nt that fast but it has a good manual focus ring making 'quick shift' adjustment easy to speed things up a lot. HSM is beautifully quiet of course.


some sample shots
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157626907237359/with/5967651007/

£490 plus postage - I'd estimate £20 ish special delivery - Paypal accepted [my ebay rating is 941 100%]

Mmm - odd. I've had no issues with using a Tamron 70-200mm on my K-5. In fact, after trying other lenses [inc. Sigma 70-200 - too heavy and Sigma 50-150 - too short] it's my lens of choice. Having said that, it may be that I'm using it in different situations where it performs better. My previous camera was a Nikon D300s which has class leading AF especially when used with AF-S lenses, and I've used other brands in the past too, so I'm able to give an opinion based on actual usage. Whilst the K-5 can't quite match the Nikon in terms of speed, it's still pretty quick and accurate. I almost always use centre point and rarely have hunting or non focussing issues - except in situations where any camera might struggle. The Tamron performs well in Pentax mount - on a Nikon it's really slooooow!

Having used both the later Sigma and the Tamron, the Tamron gets my vote - but mainly in terms of size/shape/weight, as in most circumstances there's probably not too much between any of them. Not actually having them both side by side to compare -from memory - the Sigma has the edge on af speed. I'm sure some of this, however, is a case of seeming much faster as it's virtually silent whereas the Tamron lets you know it's focussing. What is true is that the Tamron focusses faster on Pentax than it does on Nikon. I tried one when I had a Nikon body but found it very slow. Having recently spent a couple of days shooting fast moving agility dogs I'm pretty happy with the Tamron. I did try a third party 2x - which would af on a K20D but not a K-5 - but was'nt impressed - possibly a Tamron one would be OK but I'd assume a fall off in af speed. Sigma and tcons can be problematical with Pentax of course where HSM is involved.
some Tamron stuff with K20D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157607272018577/

some Tamron stuff with K-5
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157626720338568/

some Sigma stuff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157625452542277/

These were taken with a DA*200mm when I got my first K20D about 3 years ago - it is a very nice lens but I swapped it for a Tamron 70-200 which was far more practical - obviously first choice for owls though

With my 55-300 now making even stranger whirring noises as it afs I'm even more annoyed there's not a faster focussing alternative - not even a Sigma HSM at 300mm [one that's lightweight anyway!]. I'll forgive Tamron a bit though, as the 70-200mm is extremely nice...and has surprisingly nippy af considering the reviews

At the moment, with 2 camera bodies, the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 and Sigma 120-400mm are attached most of the time. Before getting the Sigma the Pentax 55-300 was the most used - and will probably return to that position when I get tired of the weight of the Sigma! Least used is normally the Sigma 17-70 simply because I usually want something longer, but currently I'd say the Pentax 50-200 wr I bought when it looked like we'd have continual rain through the summer - it's been mainly dry ever since I got it!

I got fed up with scaring the birds away with my 55-300 and got a Sigma 120-400mm os hsm - silent but but not exactly unobtrusive!

The cheaper 70-300mm lenses with a tcon are not really a good idea - apart from being too slow to af properly, if at all, there's a big liklihood of purple fringing [the Tamron has always been known for it]. The problem with Sigma HSM lenses is the lack of a Sigma tcon that will af with them. The 55-300 is a super lightweight walkaround zoom and great value for money - I tried mine with the tcon I had but would'nt have wanted to use it seriously. I had intended to stay light and make do with my 55-300 but as it seems as though it might need to go in for repair, and, as I've got some events coming up calling for a long zoom, last weeked I splashed out on a new Sigma 120-400 at a very good price [new uk stock] on ebay. Having read all the reviews I was'nt too sure if I'd made the right decision but so far I'm pretty impressed. The AF is slow but the focus ring is nice and big and I find quickly turning it to approximately focus then dabbing the shutter makes it speedy enough for most things. I was thinking of using it during the summer then selling it on but I think it's a keeper [unless I'm desperate for funds or can't manage the weight any more!]. Results are'nt bad at all even wide open.