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Which telezoom?

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Balrog

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Pentax has a dazzlingly confusing array of lenses with similar range and speed .. which one of these would you guys recommend?
D-FA 50-200 f4-5.6,
FA 70-200 f4-5.6,
F 70-210 f4-5.6
FA-J 75-300 f4-5.6,
FA 80-200 f4.7-5.6,
FA 80-320 f4.5-5.6,
FA 100-300 f4.5-5.6 ...
Also, how do the Tamron or Sigma 70-300 "macros" compare to these?
 
According to http://www.jcolwell.ca/_SPLOSdb/ . . .

? D-FA 50-200 f4-5.6
x FA 70-200 f4-5.6
  • F 70-210 f4-5.6
? FA-J 75-300 f4-5.6
  • FA 80-200 f4.7-5.6
  • FA 80-320 f4.5-5.6
x FA 100-300 f4.5-5.6
  • Sigma 70-300 "macros"
So, of those you listed, the best ones are the F 70-210 and the Sigma 70-300. I have the 80-320 and am quite happy with it. However, I use it less and less because I have the Sigma EX 70-200/2.8 and EX 100-300/4 that covers the same range. When I want to travel light, I'll take the 80-320.

--
Steven
GMT -8
 
No problem ! The search function is good but as you know, it has to be worded "just so"...let me know which one you decide to get ! I was torn between the Tamron 70-300 and the Pentax 50-200mm but I definitely am glad I went with a 300mm for the longer range- I now lust after a 400 mm :-)
If you have the dough, the Tokina seems to be the "one" to get.
--
Kimnicho
http://kimnicho.smugmug.com/
smugmug code: 13ZCJZatfoLSQ
 
I only have F70-210 f/4-5.6 and would highly recommend it for image quality and the price. But this lens is surely heavy (for me) as all around lens (maybe because I use the D which is small in size and a little bit heavy already). I prefer FA28-70 f/4 for everyday lens, but this one is lack for build quality and not in a telezoom range.
--
Jabriky
 
I have the Tamron 70-300 and like it a lot.
Of the pentax lenses, the FA80-320 has the best range.

In some review sites it is not listed as something special but I have seen wonderfull results in this forum
--
janneman
http://www.pbase.com/jl2
 
Balrog said:
Pentax has a dazzlingly confusing array of lenses with similar
range and speed .. which one of these would you guys recommend?
D-FA 50-200 f4-5.6,
Click to expand...
A good performer, specially designed for digital with extra coatings and extra low dispersion glass to give an above average performance of it's price. This would definately be my choice.
Balrog said:
F 70-210 f4-5.6
Click to expand...
Has excellent reputation, but hard to find (production stopped many years ago).
Balrog said:
FA-J 75-300 f4-5.6,
Click to expand...
Easy to find and with good performance.
Balrog said:
FA 80-200 f4.7-5.6,
Click to expand...
No longer made, can be hard to find. Good performance.
Balrog said:
FA 80-320 f4.5-5.6,
Click to expand...
Replaced by the FA J 75-300, a good performer but is getting harder and harder to find.
Balrog said:
FA 100-300 f4.5-5.6 ...
Click to expand...
Oh, an old one and with power zoom function. Large and heavy, unbalanced on the DS. Not easy to find (was a poor seller).

You miss one...
Balrog said:
F 100-300 f/4-5.6
Click to expand...
Essentially the same as the FA version, but without power zoom. This means that it's lighter (but still heavy). I have it myself and I'm really longing for the DA 50-200 instead since that one is better balanced on my DS. The FA/F 100-300 is not for handholding...
Balrog said:
Also, how do the Tamron or Sigma 70-300 "macros" compare to these?
Click to expand...
Tamron AF 70-300 LD is good, Sigma 70-300 APO is good, non APO not as good - but Sigma has problem with sample variations. That is - some APO's are very good, some are not as good as the non APO's. You never know until you tried the actual unit... Tamron has a more consistent quality.

Take care
  • R
 
Balrog said:
Pentax has a dazzlingly confusing array of lenses with similar
range and speed .. which one of these would you guys recommend?
D-FA 50-200 f4-5.6,
Click to expand...
It's a DA lens, not D FA. DA lenses are made for the APS-C sized sensor in the *ist D serie (D, DS, DS2, DL). D FA lenses covers 35mm full frame (and so they are more expensive).

Take care
  • R
 
Hey thanks for all the in-depth info guys .. exactly what I was looking for. I just ordered an *ist DS with the kit lens from dbuys, and I wanted to get some range next ..

Right now I'm leaning pretty strongly towards the DA50-200 .. mostly because of the performance to SIZE ratio - I don't want to lug heavy stuff around, and it seems like stellar performance in an absolutely diminutive package. The fact that it can share filters with the kit is an added bonus.
 
The DA 50-200 is certainly a match for the kit lens. They are more like close brothers than cousins. Taking the same filters is an advantage. I have yet to find the sweet spot on mine. Maybe I just need to devote an afternoon to really exercising the thing.

Not sure if you are into saving money or not. I found the best price on an ebay auction from Cameta. I always wondered about them. Their prices were just too good and they also sell a lot of what some of us would consider junk. But, the price they had for the DA 50-200 was just too good.

I hesitated a few days and nobody got the thing (buy it now price). I placed my bid and received an e-mail right away with payment options. A little bit different than most ebay auctions. I had to call the shop during open hours and give them my payment information. They don't accept paypal or any other ebay endorsed payment option. The lens was shipped quickly, well packed, and was obvious that it was new and not a customer return or otherwise a used lens.

Cost was only $220 with an additional $12 for shipping. Not a bad deal considering the cost that other internet retailers sell the thing for. And, Cameta is one of the few large internet retailers who will leave positive feedback for you without you having to ask.

I would purchase more from them, if they only carried something I would want. That is the drawback. Their offerings for Pentax stuff is little.

--
Steven
GMT -8
 
Balrog said:
Hey thanks for all the in-depth info guys .. exactly what I was
looking for. I just ordered an *ist DS with the kit lens from
dbuys, and I wanted to get some range next ..
Right now I'm leaning pretty strongly towards the DA50-200 ..
mostly because of the performance to SIZE ratio - I don't want to
lug heavy stuff around, and it seems like stellar performance in an
absolutely diminutive package. The fact that it can share filters
with the kit is an added bonus.
Click to expand...
Sounds like an excellent choice...my family and I were at the zoo today sporting the Tamron 300mm lens and we got A LOT of stares and comments like "Now, THAT'S a Camera" .... I was a tad embarassed when they started yelling at their kids to "move out of the way of the Big Camera" :-O

--
Kimnicho
http://kimnicho.smugmug.com/
smugmug code: 13ZCJZatfoLSQ
 
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