I have the F100-300/4.5-5.6 and have to agree with David that the
FA80-320 is a slightly better performing lens. It certainly is wide
open, but less so when stopped down 2-3 stops. I'm satisfied with how
well it works, overall, as I normally use it well stopped down on a
tripod.
That said, I'm pretty sure that the DA50-200 is probably the best
performer out of these. Unless you need even more reach than that
very often, I'd go with it.
Another lens that you might look for is the Pentax F70-210/4-5.6
ED ... I've heard nothing but praise for this lens. There was one
available at KEH recently for around $130.
Godfrey
On Aug 18, 2005, at 10:13 PM, Glen wrote:
Hi,
I was hoping that someone on the list could help me figure out
which of these Pentax zoom lenses performed the best. I would be
using these on the *istDS, so the crop factor might possibly be
something to consider. I think I also read somewhere that the
digital bodies especially need a lens with higher resolution,
because of their smaller image size. Also, if one of the lenses has
been reported to be slightly soft in the corners on 35mm film, that
might still be okay. With the digital body's smaller image size,
those "corners" no longer exist -- if you know what I mean. ;-)
Here is the group I'm tentatively considering:
SMCP-DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED
SMCP-FA J 75-300mm f/4.5-5.8 AL
SMCP-FA 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8
I realize that the first lens is the only one of the three designed
expressly for the digital bodies. I also realize that it's the only
one with internal focusing, and the only one which won't rotate my
polarizer during focusing.
However, which one should provide the best image quality?
If there is anything else I should know, feel free to mention it,
but image quality when used on an *istDS is my main concern for now.
thanks,
Glen
