Which telephoto would you choose?

Which telephoto would you choose?


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tootboink

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Oct 29, 2009
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I thought i knew - but i think i really don't. Hence i am seeking more opinions as i go about reaching a decisions.

In addition, I do not have the chance to try out the differences between the Tamron and Pentax 18-250s. Can anybody with experience or knowledge with those two tell me the differences? The tamron one is easily half the price of the pentax - worth the compromise(if any) in your opinion?
 

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It really depends.

I had a Sigma 28-200mm. The super zooms are good all round walk about lenses. Optically there is a compromise, but no big deal if all you want is to catch a scene and don't pixel peep. The convenience of not needing to change lenses is very good as well.

The 55-300mm is a good budget lens. Put it this way. You only need to spend around $500 to get this and together with the kit lens, you are covered from 18-300mm. Image quality is very good for the 55-300 wide open. This is important, since other lenses may have the the same reach, but may need to stop down a stop to be sharp, thereby making a slow lens even slower.
Imagine shooting 1/60 instead of 1/120 because of that 1 stop.

Budget not a problem, then get the expensive F*, FA*, DA*300mm or Sigma 100-300. Others would be the Sigma or Tamron70-200/2.8 and add a teleconverter.
 

thanks pinholecam for the advice.. i think ultimately it's what i decide to have, huh.

as a side note, no one chose pentax's own 18-250? :think:
 

thanks pinholecam for the advice.. i think ultimately it's what i decide to have, huh.

as a side note, no one chose pentax's own 18-250? :think:

I have the 18-250 and I do like it for its 2 primary purposes, when I need long zoom or when I am overseas and want to bring only 1 lens.
Optically it is nowhere near the limiteds. That is why recently I added the sigma 17-70mm to my range for general purpose zoom but I guess 70mm is too short for your use?
Between the Tamron and pentax, the tamron is cheaper and optically they are similar I suppose. I just like it better with the "pentax" logo on my Kx..heh heh.
Same for the 17-70. It was after a long futile search for a pentax 17-70 that i settled for the Sigma 17-70 instead. Have been trying it out for 1 week now. :)

But if you ask me, if super zoom is not critical, the older 18-200 are even cheaper and probably offer better value for money.:)
 

thanks pinholecam for the advice.. i think ultimately it's what i decide to have, huh.

as a side note, no one chose pentax's own 18-250? :think:

Yes, depends on style of use (ie. don't want to change lens; one lens covers all; no pixel peeping; etc).

My advice is look at the photos you have been taking and think over what the additional focal length would do for you or what you missed out w/o the additional length.

The advantage of a 55-200/300 would be that you can leave the added size and weight at home if you know you won't need it, or just want to travel light.
 

I have the 18-250 and I do like it for its 2 primary purposes, when I need long zoom or when I am overseas and want to bring only 1 lens.
Optically it is nowhere near the limiteds. That is why recently I added the sigma 17-70mm to my range for general purpose zoom but I guess 70mm is too short for your use?
Between the Tamron and pentax, the tamron is cheaper and optically they are similar I suppose. I just like it better with the "pentax" logo on my Kx..heh heh.
Same for the 17-70. It was after a long futile search for a pentax 17-70 that i settled for the Sigma 17-70 instead. Have been trying it out for 1 week now. :)

But if you ask me, if super zoom is not critical, the older 18-200 are even cheaper and probably offer better value for money.:)

hmm, i often find myself needing a higher zoom.. but exactly how much more, i must admit i am not sure. so how do you find your sigma 17-70? how much did you buy it for and where from? also what is the aperture size?
 

I would prefer to get the 55-300mm. But eventually went with the 18-250mm because I was planning to take it on holiday.... and "Mr Wong" happen to come along at the right time :D
 

hmm, i often find myself needing a higher zoom.. but exactly how much more, i must admit i am not sure. so how do you find your sigma 17-70? how much did you buy it for and where from? also what is the aperture size?

From a fellow forummer who had put it up on sale since Oct. I held back in the hope of getting a pentax 17-70 instead but no offer came so I made a final failed ebay attempt before settling for it. heh heh. Its f/2.8 to f/4.5. But seriously its a pain to use with internal flash because of the shadow at the bottom. I wonder why Sigma chose to have a flange design at the front of the lens. So far the lens performs ok although low light is not as good as my fast primes as expected and when using the flash, I needed to zoom in more to avoid the shadow.
:)
 

thanks all for the advice!:D:D

i got a pentax 18-250mm in the end! while it is nowhere near a prime, it is surprisingly sharp and has nice colours and i am loving it =D
 

thanks all for the advice!:D:D

i got a pentax 18-250mm in the end! while it is nowhere near a prime, it is surprisingly sharp and has nice colours and i am loving it =D

Congrats and welcome to the "P250" club! Do update the price with Gengh and location you bought from. :)
 

Congrats and welcome to the "P250" club! Do update the price with Gengh and location you bought from. :)

He bought over from me last nite ... :bsmilie:

I'm glad it is in good hands now.;p
 

what is "P250" by the way?

oh and uncle benjamin you flatter me.. in safe hands - that will be certain. as for being in good hands.. i am still trying my very best :)
 

He bought over from me last nite ...

I'm glad it is in good hands now.

Yup. Another forummer is also interested in it and I pointed him your way but I guess he was too slow. :sweat:

what is "P250" by the way?

oh and uncle benjamin you flatter me.. in safe hands - that will be certain. as for being in good hands.. i am still trying my very best

"P250" = Pentax Up-to-250mm Club...i invented the term just now haha :bsmilie: Soon there will be the p50 and p500 clubs!;)
 

$400! :bigeyes: That's a really good price. I can't imaging selling my Pentax 18-250 second hand for that price and its brand new too (i think? ). :)

$400 with a catch :think: wonder if it's worth the risk :dunno:
 

$400 with a catch :think: wonder if it's worth the risk :dunno:

well, occassionally good deals do happen so you just need to meet up and test it out before buying. :)
 

Yeah, when I got the Pentax 18-250mm for $500 I thought very good deal already. Now $400...
 

Yeah, when I got the Pentax 18-250mm for $500 I thought very good deal already. Now $400...

I got mine around $900 brand new....sigh...but was amongst the first to own it...early adopters..bah! :sweat:
 

well, occassionally good deals do happen so you just need to meet up and test it out before buying. :)

seems like that seller is not really interested in letting ppl try. it's buy at your own risk ... can't even ask simple qns ... welll , what to do ... cheap price comes at a trade off .... very very tempted to get it