I hope you get your problem sorted quickly as the Tamron is a cracking lens - but just a thought from my experiences with this lens and the K5...

The K5 autofocus can calculate the wrong thing to focus on - recent experience at motorbike trials being a case in point with trees, leaves and other detritus about a meter or two away all being consistently in focus but the bike and rider not. Once the continuous AF "got it"/switched to manual focus the keeper rate improved dramatically.

Never had a K10D so not sure if it might suffer the same problem?

Matt

I'd second George's (carmagw) summary - different lenses for different applications. I haven't owned a 55-300 (although tried one) however having said that....

I can't fault my Tamron - very good in low light and one of the sharpest lenses I have. Weight and price tag are not out of step with the competition for a 70-200 F/2.8. You will need a rucksack to move it long distances but weight isn't really an issue - I had it out the bag all day wandering around the cross country track at Burghley horse trials the other weekend without issue.

The only downside for me are the screwdrive autofocus (just noisier and a tad slower compared to it's Sigma rival on the K5.) And I'll leave the comparisons between Tamron & Sigma 70-200 there as it's been extensively described elsewhere.

Matt

I've got the Tamron and don't find it a problem, all the shots in my gallery on here have been taken with it.

The choice between the Tamron and the Sigma really based on cost for me - I was being offered a very good deal! The only thing that lets it down is the slightly slower autofocus (although for motorsports and equestrian you can generally pre-focus) and noise (only a problem if your using it for wildlife I suspect.)

Matt

I use a pair of Tamron lenses; 10-24 & 70-200. Can't fault either so far, and very good value.

For what it's worth - I had a similar choice when I bought the K5.

Handled various Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony bodies, but of all of them the Pentax just felt right. For me the ergonomics are second to none (admittedly that's fairly subjective) but for motorsports etc your going to be holding (and moving) it for quite a while! Tried the Pentax system with motorsport, go-karts, horse trials and a few others and can't fault it - but then any problems may be covered up by user error!!

From a newbie to all of this; it seems that all the major systems have the lenses that allow you to shoot what you want - you just have to go for the one that feels right. Also, if you've already got a Pentax you presumably have glass already??

Matt

Thanks all.

There are indeed some great shots there Simon! And no problems with going OT, is this just a problem with the 100-300 or have you had problems with the 150-500 as well?

Hi all,

I'm sure this sort of question comes up a lot, but I can't seem to use the search function properly. I'm off to several motorsports events this year and obviously the camera is coming to! Most of my shots from previous events (using a bridge camera) have been at 200-400mm.

I happened to be able to play with a Sigma 150-500mm which seems like a very nice piece of glass, and really liked it. However, does anybody know how it compares to the 120-400? The 50-500 is well outside of my price range and a tad bigger than I'd like. Any other lenses within this focal length folk would recommend?

I have a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 but think this may be a bit short. A teleconvertor may be an option but Tamron don't seem to support these with digital? Any advice on if they can, which to use and how they work?

Thanks in advance.
Matt

Thanks Mike... I've got trouble stopping the constant desire for new glass let alone new bodies!

Thanks for all the comments (and links to incredible shots) thus far - I'll definitely be trying them out before buying. I'll go away and have a look at the 8-16 which is something I hadn't initially thought of.

I have seen several threads on the zoom vs prime debate and I'm sure I don't want to open that one - suffice to say there are a few primes are on the wishlist.

Hi all,

I've been using the kit lens (18-55 WR) quite a bit but think I need something wider. The main use I was thinking was for landscapes/Interiors of buildings. However it would have been quite useful at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta...

Options I've been looking at are:

Pentax 12-24
Sigma 10-20
Tamron 10-24

I'd be interested in any experience anyone has had with any (or indeed all) these lenses. I've had a look on the other forum and thought I'd try here as well.

Matt