Any Tamron/Sigma compare to Pentax 55-300?

Thanks for the input on the 50-200 Marc. I may look into that one again. The size is very nice.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

While we're looking at shorter choices like the Pentax 50-200 what about this one?

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

The 18-55 II is optically the same design as the DAL kit. If you really want improvement in the kit range you'll have to spring for the DA 17-70 f4 which is a great lens but is quite a bit larger and heavier - 67mm filters. I don't regret buying it and it doesn't come off my K-x.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

I should note while I got some good results with the 18-55 I was generally unhappy with it. The 17-70 is in a different league. If you shoot mostly landscapes or portrait get he 17-70 before bothering with a telephoto. It will be your most used lens.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

Marc Sabatella said:

SRT201 said:

I know the Pentax 55-300 is well regarded (unlike the 50-200)

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Actually, that's not true. Aside from photozone, who very clearly (from the samples) got a defective copy..... Snipped.....

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Don't you mean 2 defective copies after sending one back to pentax and them supplying another that was within pentax specs? A quote from the review "Please note that the 1st tested lens has been replaced by Pentax and the 2nd tested lens has been reconfirmed by Pentax to be within specs."
I think the slrgear test is very similar.

BTW I have the 50-200 and used it mainly between 80-135 where it performs well, and stopped down quite a lot outside those lengths to ensure a reasonable shot. I haven't really used the 50-200 since getting the tamron 70-300, it's just gathering dust, although it is lovely and compact.

--
Walt

http://picasaweb.google.com/waltdall

Thanks - I decided to get the 18-55mm WR, rather than the II. Reviews seem to be better for the WR as far as sharpness and fast autofocus than on the II. Unfortunately, I can't afford the 17-70mm.

SRT201 said:

I'm looking for a decent tele lens for the Kx. I have the Pentax 17-70 which is a great lens for just about everything. Still though I'm looking for a companion lens for occasional telephotos.

I know the Pentax 55-300 is well regarded (unlike the 50-200) but I would like to go with a less expensive lens if anything compares well to the 55-300.

Specifically I'm looking at these.

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Scott

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I do not know about the current Tammy or Sigma offerings, but Pentax made quite a few different FA consumer grade zooms between 70-300mm over the years. There was even an 80-320mm version, I think.

These can be bought pretty cheaply. KEH has a few choices, most of which are around $100, some less.

I am not sure how well these would perform on the latest bodies, but if you can find one cheap enough, it might be worth a try.

Ray

The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM seems a very nice lens for US $199. That's only $50 more than the Pentax DA 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 WR. You lose the WR, but get silent focus instead. I'm not sure if the OS is going to be an advantage or not, but you have the choice.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sigma-18-50mm-f-2-8-4-5-dc-os-hsm-interchangeable-lens-review-12753

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622377-REG/Sigma_861109_18_50mm_f_2_8_4_5_DC_OS.html

Performance
Focal Length 18 - 50 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/2.8 - 4.5
Minimum: f/22
Camera Mount Type Pentax K
Format Compatibility Pentax Digital (APS-C)
Angle of View 69.3° - 27.9°
Minimum Focus Distance 11.8" (29.97cm)
Magnification 0.24x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:4.1
Groups/Elements 12/16
Diaphragm Blades 7
Filter Thread 67 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.91 x 3.49" (7.39 x 8.86cm)
Weight 13.93 oz (395g)

Thank you
Russell

The Sigma AF 75-200mm f3.8 is a really nice lens to have. They usually are sold under US $100 and some under US $50. It is the fastest AF zoom I have on the K20D. It is very sharp even wide open and I love the push pull zoom. I don't use a neck strap so the zoom creep isn't an issue. On a tripod, I haven't noticed any zoom creep.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hi-ho.ne.jp%2Fsbko-hq%2FKyoceraAF%2F48.html

Composition: 12 groups Angle of view 9: 32 ° ~ 12 °
Minimum focusing distance: 1.2m
Minimum Aperture: f: 22
Filter Diameter: φ55mm
Dimensions: φ73mm × 109.5mm
Weight: 640g
Domestic price (then): \ 47,000

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hi-ho.ne.jp%2Fsbko-hq%2FZEISS%2FJZS_AF75-200mm.html

"CARL ZEISS JENA, JENAZOOM SUPER 75-200 f: 3.8"

Telephoto zoom lens with the AF mount Carl Zeiss Jena Kyocera brand, only the original aperture is f zoom lens Sigma AF Mount Kyocera: fixed at 3.8, Sigma AF Zoom 75-200mm f: 3.8 Lens is.

Except for the red headband design remains completely Sigma.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=31058863

Thank you
Russell

Seems like a steal. The same outfit is selling the DA-L 50-200 for $129!

I think I'll try the 55-300. The DA WR version doesn't do my K-x any good anyhow for almost double the price. The DA-L should be lighter as well.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

I gather the DA-L version does not have the Quick Shift focus found on the DA version. If so, that's a good thing IMO. I find the 1/8 turn Quick Shift on my DA 17-70 virtually useless. It's also easy to flick the overly sensitive Quick Shift ring inadvertently knocking focus out.

Who at Pentax thought 1/8 turn manual focusing could be precise enough to use!?

Good idea, bad implementation.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

I gather even the $129 DA-L 50-200 comes with Quick Shift.

--
Happiness is a want... Contentment is a choice.

I keep thinking about getting a 55-300 for extra reach and the rave reviews but I don't know. The output on my 200 has never let me down:









Maybe I will get the Tammy 70-300 and still have money left over for a DA35 2.4
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Jim

SRT201 said:

I gather the DA-L version does not have the Quick Shift focus found on the DA version. If so, that's a good thing IMO.

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Since the lens lock is on the right hand side of the camera on Pentax cameras, it is easy to depress with your right hand ring finger. As depressing the lock moves the AF screw away from the lens, this enables any lens to have be manually focus while the lens and camera are set to auto focus.

Another plus to this is that it allows focus trapping on AF lenses without an AF switch. The AF motor does still turn while the lens lock and shutter buttons are depressed, but as the AF motor can't actually focus the lens, the shutter will only trip when focus is achieved manually, or the target moves into focus.

Thank you
Russell

missysen1 said:

Hi, I had asked a question and someone referred me to this thread. I am getting the K-r and Pentax 55-300 lens - I was contemplating purchasing the Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for macro - I want to get great pics of butterflies, dragonflies and hummers.

I gather from this thread that you think the Pentax 55-300 will do a great job for what I want to do. Am I correct?

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No the DA55-300mm lacks macro. It was one feature that was kinda hard to give up but the IQ difference compared to the Sigma 70-300mm APO was enough that I did. I use my Sigma 17-70mm for non moving macro shots.

If macro is your thing IMO the Tamron is the better of the 3 for those types of shots for these reason. One, the Pentax can't focus that close, the Tamron seems faster to AF for butterflies or insects and is just plain sharper IMO than the Sigma APO which can shoot macro as well.

Wait... you might be saying the DAL version versus the normal DA version. Of those two opticaly they are again the same but the none DAL version has a metal mount, quick shift focus (I never use on this lens), and a lens hood (a must have). So if there is not much difference in cost go with the DA18-55mm II version versus the DAL.

missysen1 said:

Also, I am planning to get the Pentax 18-55mm II, rather than the kit lens. Any thoughts on this compared to the kit lens?

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They are both the same! There are only two optically different Pentax DA18-55mm lens, the first is the original DA18-55mm AL , then the next 3 all share the same improved optics but different packaging (to meet the needs of the kit), the DA18-55mm AL II , DA L 18-55mm AL , DA18-55mm AL WR . Those last 3 will take equal pics. However if possible a hood is a nice feature as is a metal mount.

You may be be saying the DAL version versus the normal DA II version. Of those two optically they are again the same but the none DAL ( II version) has a metal mount, quick shift focus, and a lens hood (a must have). So if there is not much difference in cost go with the DA18-55mm II version versus the DAL.

missysen1 said:

Your thoughts/comments will be appreciated (I am a novice, and want to make sure I have the right tools to accomplish my goal.

Thanks.

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No matter what you do the K-r is a really nice dSLR and so are the lens your getting, have fun.

--
jamesm007,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/

Now I am very confused. I just today ordered the Pentax 18-55wr, which has the hood. I had read that the wr was sharper than the dal kit lens. Hopefully, they will be right. I had the k-x, and felt sharpness was lacking. I sold it and purchased the kr body which I will be getting tomorrow - the 18-55wr will come in on Friday.

I still have the kit 55-300 (DAL), which I originally thought I would be able to zoom from a distance and be able to get pics of butterflies, etc. Not sure this will work for that. Probably only good for zooming in on hawks in the air?

Would the 55-300 DA be faster and sharper than the DAL kit lens? Costs about $100 more than the kit does.

I did get a cheap Sigma 28-80 macro lens, but have to wait until kr comes in to try it out. Does anyone know if this lens would keep me just far enough away to get the butterflies and hummers? I wish I could afford to get a real good high mm macro lens, but I just can't. So if anyone knows of an older lens I might be able to find on Ebay at a cheap cost that would do the job for me, I sure would appreciate you passing the info along to me.

missysen1 said:

Now I am very confused. I just today ordered the Pentax 18-55wr, which has the hood. I had read that the wr was sharper than the dal kit lens. Hopefully, they will be right. I had the k-x, and felt sharpness was lacking. I sold it and purchased the kr body which I will be getting tomorrow - the 18-55wr will come in on Friday.

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Bad info, the WR version and dal use the same exact elements; they are the same lens. However the dal to save money does not have WR, a metal mount, a lens hood and quick shift. What your are experiencing is copy variation trust me, its a very real concept. No two lens are the same nor bodies.

missysen1 said:

I still have the kit 55-300 (DAL), which I originally thought I would be able to zoom from a distance and be able to get pics of butterflies, etc. Not sure this will work for that. Probably only good for zooming in on hawks in the air?

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No the DA55-300mm is great for portrait work (as shown here by other posters) and many aspects of photography. But if your needs are solely limited the Tamron or even the Sigma does a really good job butterfly type macros. Here is some butter fly shots I did with the Sigma and garden shots of a little figure no higher than two inches.

missysen1 said:

Would the 55-300 DA be faster and sharper than the DAL kit lens? Costs about $100 more than the kit does.

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No it would not be faster or sharper; that being said the lens hood can add extras sharpness or contrast while shooting in the sun.

missysen1 said:

I did get a cheap Sigma 28-80 macro lens, but have to wait until kr comes in to try it out. Does anyone know if this lens would keep me just far enough away to get the butterflies and hummers? I wish I could afford to get a real good high mm macro lens, but I just can't. So if anyone knows of an older lens I might be able to find on Ebay at a cheap cost that would do the job for me, I sure would appreciate you passing the info along to me.

Click to expand...

Here is some macro work with the Sigma APO 70-300mm f/4-5.6. Its a fine lens for this type of work. dSLRs are pro type gear and require sometimes many lens to cover a wide range of photography. I like landscaped so my fav lens is the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6! Your lens kit will grow as you get LBA. Also know lens and body variation is a chronic problem sans brand. So make sure your body is tuned well. If pics are sub-par first post them here or send it to Pentax. Once the camera is known to be well tuned you can focus (pun) on the lens and perhaps AF fine tune it. At macro distance with a dSLR you want to be at f/11 or higher!











Hey over the years I have taken every-type of photo there is,including doing a wedding for a friend. I have over 80,000 pics in my album and can find example of anything taken by me it seems .

Have fun! Experiment, read...

It takes time, and I mean serious time to get to know how to use dSLRs even coming from Film SLRs. But have fun, post your pics.

The most enjoyment I had was experimenting keeping mental or written notes of what worked, what did not. Reading all I could. I am still in that process of learning so jump on the train of Photography its not point and shoot or film anymore. Can be confusing but all your gear is good stuff (and if tuned well) you should have no problem, really and truly.

--
jamesm007,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/jamesm700/

I don't own any of those lenses, so I couldn't say. I could only comment on the beastly 50-500mm "Bigma" Sigma I have.

Thanks for all the detailed info!

If I purchased the Sigma 70-300 APO in order to get the macro side, could this be a complete replacement for the Pentax 55-300? also, is it the APO DG? In order to get the Sigma, I would have to sell the 55-300, or wait a very long time to save up for it - is the Sigma a true 300m, or is it like the Pentax 300 which translates to a 460mm?

Thanks.

missysen1 said:

Thanks for all the detailed info!

If I purchased the Sigma 70-300 APO in order to get the macro side, could this be a complete replacement for the Pentax 55-300? also, is it the APO DG? In order to get the Sigma, I would have to sell the 55-300, or wait a very long time to save up for it - is the Sigma a true 300m, or is it like the Pentax 300 which translates to a 460mm?

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All slr lens are quote as to the 35mm Field of View .

so the Sigma 300mm is the same as Pentax 300mm

Both are 300mm lens which will have a FoV of 450mm on aps-c cameras.

Focal length is simply how far a lens has to be from the sensor to bring a target at infinity into sharp focus.

So a 300mm lens should be 300mm long but because it has multiple lens inside this size can be reduced (telephoto)

FoV is how much of that sharp image fit on the sensor as compared to 35mm

i.e if using a 300mm on aps-c you need need to use a 450mm lens to get the same image on 35mm.

This is what give the imagined magnification factor , You will view both at the same size.

i.e if looking at 1:1 for 35mm you will enlarge aps-c by 1.5 to get the same viewing size

missysen1 said:

Thanks.

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--
My PPG

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/home#section=ARTIST&subSection=1471087&subSubSection=0&language=EN
My Photo Stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awaldram/