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70-300 AF zoom for new K-3II

Started Jan 22, 2017 | Discussions
barbakane Regular Member • Posts: 110
70-300 AF zoom for new K-3II

OK, have had my K-3II for two weeks now, and boy, I got a LOT to learn. Got it mainly to replace my Fuji p&s, with the idea I'll really break it in in March when I go to Colorado.

After plumbing the knowledge base here, I went with the Pentax 16-85 F3.5 ED DC WR...figured what the heck.

I already have my legacy 70-210, but I'm wondering a few things:

-should I get the Pentax HD 55-300 ED WR ..lackluster reviews though?

-or go with the Sigma 70-300 DG macro...seems it gets very favorable reviews

-perhaps Tamron AF 70-300...fully realizing 300 is gonna probably be tough.

-or suck it up and stay with the 70-210, put my big boy pants on.

Would REALLy like autofocus though...mainly for wildlife shots.

My budget really shouldn't go over $300, cuz I slurged on the 16-85.

Thanks to the forum for helping me make the jump to a real camera.

Pentax 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 WR Pentax 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
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AviPro
AviPro Senior Member • Posts: 1,254
Re: 70-300 AF zoom for new K-3II
1

barbakane wrote:

-should I get the Pentax HD 55-300 ED WR ..lackluster reviews though?

I feel this is a great lens, whatever I have read is great about this lens.
I also checked the photos on flickr and this lens is simply fantastic.

However I would go with the newer 55-300 PLM for its fast AF and it also works on K-3II body.

Since u have an APSC body.. this gives best bang for buck and weight

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--Avi

 AviPro's gear list:AviPro's gear list
Pentax K-5 II Nikon Z5 Pentax smc DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] DC WR +1 more
MightyMike Forum Pro • Posts: 41,691
Re: 70-300 AF zoom for new K-3II
1

barbakane wrote:

OK, have had my K-3II for two weeks now, and boy, I got a LOT to learn. Got it mainly to replace my Fuji p&s, with the idea I'll really break it in in March when I go to Colorado.

After plumbing the knowledge base here, I went with the Pentax 16-85 F3.5 ED DC WR...figured what the heck.

I already have my legacy 70-210, but I'm wondering a few things:

-should I get the Pentax HD 55-300 ED WR ..lackluster reviews though?

-or go with the Sigma 70-300 DG macro...seems it gets very favorable reviews

-perhaps Tamron AF 70-300...fully realizing 300 is gonna probably be tough.

-or suck it up and stay with the 70-210, put my big boy pants on.

Would REALLy like autofocus though...mainly for wildlife shots.

My budget really shouldn't go over $300, cuz I slurged on the 16-85.

Thanks to the forum for helping me make the jump to a real camera.

The 55-300 is just a little better than the Tamron 70-300 but the Tamron 70-300 does 1:2 macro at 300mm which may come in handy. Either splurge on the new fast focusing PLM version of the 55-300 or buy the cheaper 70-300 until you're ready to upgrade. I have a 70-300 up for sale in the Pentax forums marketplace, just PM me and I'll send you the link

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Mike from Canada
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