Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras

List Price: $429.95 Price: $429.95

Product Details PENTAX SP coating protects the exposed lens elements ED elements compensate for chromatic aberration Developed specifically for PENTAX digital SLRs Focal length equivalent to 82.5mm to 450mm in the 35mm format

Product Description

- Constrictive telephoto range zoom lens- Focal length counterpart to 82.5mm-450mm in the 35mm format- PENTAX(R) SP coating protects frail lens elements- ED elements compensate for chromatic aberration- Seasoned specifically for PENTAX(R) digital SLR cameras

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The well-educated Pentax DA 55-300mm zoom lens offers a focal space fully equivalent of 82.5 to 450mm in the 35mm format, making it ideal for relieve to long sports and wildlife shots. The lens is outfitted with multiple ED goblet elements, which are designed to minimize chromatic aberration and makes images look crisper and sharper than ever before. The Pentax Wonderful Protective coating, meanwhile, protects the exposed lens elements against leavings and contamination. Other features include a focusing ring that permits undemanding manual focusing, a 4.6-foot close focusing detach, and a 58mm filter diameter. Specially adapted for high-quality Pentax and Samsung digital SLR cameras, the lens carries a one-year pledge.

Specifications

• Focal length: 55-300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4 to 5.8
• Least aperture: f/22 to 32
• Lens construction: 12 elements in 8 groups
• Bend of view: 29 to 5.4 degrees (when used with Pentax digital SLR camera centre)
• Number of diaphragm blades: 6
• Minimum focusing distance: 4.6 feet
• Pinnacle magnification: 0.28x
• Filter diameter: 58mm
• Diaphragm lever: Fully automatic
• Hood: PH-RBG 58mm
• Objective cap: O-LC58
• Case: S80-160
• Corresponding AF mounts: Pentax and Samsung
• Dimensions: 2.8 inches in diameter and 4.4 inches hanker
• Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

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Customer Reviews

Ripsnorting excepting lens.
I have adapted to this lens on several occasions since purchasing it and I am very satisfied with its performance and picture quality.

2010-08-12 (Richmond, VA United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Rectitude deal for the price
Purchased this lens for a Pentax K2000 so my ball would have a 300mm zoom for her cruise of the inter-waterways of southeast Alaska. She does not like to take pictures. With only a partly hour training session on how to use both the camera and lens she came home with only 500 hundred photos and no frustrations in using it. Significant lens for the price.

2010-06-13 | jlb (Pa) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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This was a give-away
This matter was a gift but the recipient seems to be very pleased with it. Once she was shown how to take off the existing lens and place this one, she has had no problems and is very joyful with the quality of the photos, not to mention that she no longer has to get within 3 feet to take a picture of a bird or other wildlife.

2010-06-04 | Thia B. (Mpls, MN USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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An Exellent Budget Recourse
The DA 55-300 is a noteworthy budget option to get to 300mm. It is quite sharp throughout its range, is compact, light and benefits from the in league shake reduction that is present in Pentax dSLRs. Just a quick comment about the trembling reduction. I am able to shoot comfortably at 300mm and 1/8 second and have very sharp images.

The DA 55-300 includes a lens hood and has skilful shift capability in which you can tweak the focus manually, without flipping a switch on the lens. In my taste, this is quite useful as it is easy to have the camera focus on a branch rather than the bird you are interested in.

The negatives of this lens are three: first of all, it has a summit aperture of f4-5.8. This means that shooting low light is pretty much out, although by pushing the iso on your camera, you do have some knack to take photos in these situations. The lens does stay at f4 -4.5 until 210mm. Second, the vehicle focus is noisy. Third, the auto focus tends to hunt in low light. I have used this on my K20 and K7 and it is much more tending to hunt on the K20 than the K7.

All in all, this is an excellent lens and to beat it, you would have to move up in price significantly to the DA *60-250 f4 or, the Sigma 100-300 f4, both of which are much more valuable (and bulkier) options.

2010-04-13 (Indiana) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Very Material Ergonomics, Good Image Quality
I got this lens as an upgrade to the Sigma 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6. I for the most part use these lenses at the long end, 200-300mm, and need a fairly high shutter speed to seize moving animals in daylight. Particularly wide open at the long end, the Sigma (non-APO archetype) has significant chromatic aberration (CA), isn't very contrasty, and is soft below f/8. For my main use shooting out of doors dog shows, neither the CA nor contrast were an issue, but sharpness was. More on this later.

The Pentax has a solid feel, polished zooming, and a non-rotating front element allowing effective use of polarizers. CA is minimal and contrast is very proper at all focal lengths. Could be easily carried all day on camera or in the camera bag.

Pros:
- Excellent lifeless build. Smooth zoom and manual focus.
- Minimal CA and very good contrast.
- Surprisingly miniature and lightweight. Smaller than competing Tamron and Sigma lenses; not a lot, but enough to make it easier for me to handhold (and I have quite large hands). Easy to use handheld in good light.
- Ability to manually centre when in autofocus mode by just turning the focus ring, rather than having to disengage autofocus.
Cons:
- Scarcely acceptable sharpness at f/5.8 at longer focal lengths. Improves steadily to substantial sharpness beginning at f/8.
- Automatic focus too slow for critical focus on fast poignant objects, such as a jogger running towards you, but no worse than comparable lenses.

All in all, this lens is very comfortable to use, and unequivocally at the top of its class. If you use the lens often, the build quality and superior ergonomics make its additional bring in, relative to the Tamron and Sigma offerings, worth it. I really needed a notch or two more wisely sharpness when nearly wide open at the long end, and better autofocus capabilities, so ended up using a Pentax DA* 300mm f/4 for dog shows. (Of definitely, that prime lens is more special purpose, costs about 3x as much, and is not in the same class).

2010-03-27 (Monument, CO USA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 4

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Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras

List Price: $249.95

Product Details Responsive "Quick-Shift Focus System" allows instant shift from auto focus to manual focus Pentax KAF Mount Comes with a lens hood to minimize flare and ghost images The image circle is designed to match the CCD used in Pentax digital SLRs

Product Description

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Van Focus Zoom Lens Features

The PENTAX smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 is recommended for use with digital cameras. Paragon for beginners, it provides a focal length covering a wide to soothe wide-angle range. Like all PENTAX lenses, the smc P-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom lens is treated with PENTAX's respected smc coating for maximum light transmission, sharp definition, and drugged contrast while minimizing flare and ghost imaging.

Features

• PENTAX KAF Mount
• Comparable focal length to 27.5mm-84mm in the 35mm format with *ist DS
• Compact dimensions with least aberrations
• Responsive “Quick-Shift Focus System” allows second shift from AF to MF
• The image circle is designed to match the CCD used in PENTAX digital SLRs
• Comes with a lens hood to devalue flare and ghost images

What's in The Box:

• DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL Lens (21547)
• Lens Hood PH-RBA 52mm (38741)
• Lens Cap F 52mm (31515)

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Customer Reviews

It's Daunting. All around usefull lens
Hay what can i say. I mark every Photographer should have this lens. It's a multi Lens.....

2010-02-10 | Kimohead (Hawaii) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Hey, I'm a photographer again!!
I was quite into photography way back in the now ancient film era, back when all focusing was manual and the camera could not even suggest an exposure, let alone set itself. Now, however, I am older; the eyes are not so consumable any more, and I tend to be a bit shaky. Recently, however, I discovered the Pentax K100d DSLR camera, with automatic focusing and an hardy-shake feature. Coupled with the DA 18-55mm Pentax lens, the quality of my photos more than compensates for my difficulties and I am once again cursed in the pure joy of taking quality photos that enhance the memories. This is an excellent workhorse lens, and I design to use it quite extensively, especially after retirement.

2009-11-08 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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one euphonic lens
this is one balmy lens, from the aluminum construction, to the awesome feel as I turn the barrel. Also the ability to concentrate manualy is a refreshing twist that Pentax should be given credit for.

Overall for the money this smokes..... reliable some will say this is only a starter lens...... Well the proof is in the pudding and this lens like I said is kind.

2009-10-07 | Topkat (SC, US of A) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Pentax DA 18-55mm Lens
Working brilliant. So much better than using my old manual lens from my film Pentax camera.

2009-05-12 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Pentax Lens 18-55mm
More than pleasantly surprised with the dignity and versitility of this lens. If you're a Pentax user, add this lense to your arsenal, you won't be disappointed

2008-12-28 | Doug H (NY) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Samsung GX-10 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm Schneider D-XENON Lens

List Price: $849.99

Product Details Weather-resistant body protects camera from water, sand, or other potentially harmful materials 2.5-inch LCD display; in-camera dust-reduction system and image stabilization Compatible with all Pentax KAF2, KAF, and KA mount lenses; kit includes Schneider D-Xenon 18-55mm lens 10.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints

Product Description

10mp - 2.5" LCD - Visual Picture Stabilization - Pentaprism - Dual Dust Remoal System - Schneider Optics Sealed Shape Body - 11pt A/F System

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Customer Reviews

No shadow up
First of all. Populace buying DSLR cameras expect to be a Photographer or take Great Pictures.
If you want to be a Photographer it will be way valuable since all Samsung/Pentax lenses are expensive and rare.
For example. A Canon 50mm 1.8 is US90, and Pentax 1.7 is like US200.
If you shortage to borrow a lens from Anyone. Will be impossible since I've never seen anyone using Pentax, or less Samsung.

Thats why most new to dslr companies go bust. The legacy is Important.
Nikon and Canon have an old Legacy of Old lenses Compatible with new Bodies.

SAMSUNG NOR PENTAX Makes Skilful Lenses or Cameras(NO Full frame cameras) means that if you buy lens from them you wont be able to use it in Full frame cameras.

Canon/Nikon is the way to go.

2009-05-14 | Overchan2 | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 2

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What a Camera! But...........
I betrothed this thing. Fantastic camera. Takes really great images, but.....

Try finding a Samsung traffic to buy accessories! While you can use Pentax accessories, being that the camera itself is made by Pentax, and in some cases is better then the Pentax itself (operating system for instance. The Samsung is different, and actually better then the Pentax)

Samsung replacement batteries for this camera? Unless you insufficiency to use a aftermarket battery, expect to pay no less then $100.00 after shipping and handling.

Samsung Battery Grip? Go on-pen-mark and read the horror stories of trying to find one--even in Europe!

Samsung-Schneider lenses? From what I can tell, made to apt, if your lucky to find one, they are almost twice the cost of a comparable Tamron lens--I think, because no one knows what the present quality of the lenses are other then the 18-55mm that comes with it. But its a pretty decent lens.

Yes, you can find SOME items on the internet for pay for, but these items are few and far between and even hard for the people hawking them to get. Samsung two DSLR models are not even carried or represented by any have faith in California. (I bought my from a very good store who sold me on Samsung in Lakewood, Washington, which ironically no longer carries the Samsung DSLR models. Go character! They like the product, but don't like dealing with the representation of the company)

Samsung needs to make up there note whether they want to be in the DSLR market or not--and distribute these cameras via walk in consumer who want to brand their purchase of such an item on sight, not unseen. While having the three-year warranty that came with the camera--one of the principal selling features for me, well, I'm wondering how they would be about backing it, let alone if its worth anything.

Get with it Samsung! Your marketing and sales department is destroying your standing! I love your camera, but honestly, if I had to do it over, I would be buying the Nikon.

2009-02-01 (La Habra, California United States) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 4

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GX-10 Samsung, terrific DSLR value
This is a grand camera. I've been a photographer for over 40 years. I'm taking better pictures than ever before since getting it about a month ago. I have only scratched the fa of the creative control it offers. It is big and heavy enough and has a really solid feeling build.

Mobile life is great it took me more than couple of weeks to shoot enough images to need to repay the battery with a fresh one. I instinctively bought three batteries. I like keeping spares on give out for any camera. If you're budget conscious you might consider recharging between shoots with only one battery pack and honourable keeping the thing topped up. It has plenty of capacity. I found I can remove and replace the SD chip or the freestyle even without removing the quick mounting plate for my tripod from the bottom of the GX10 body.

At the time of purchase, the incident that this camera is such a great value for money made me worry about quality. That worry was misplaced. It's a glaring deal and a great camera.

The Kit
Nothing has been disappointing so far, other than the 18-55mm kit lens. It simply is not good enough. I a moment ago tried it, printed some proofs and put it back in the box. It sits on the shelf waiting for me to choose it if I upon to take pictures at a riot or during a volcanic eruption. If you actually need this level of quality in a DSLR camera, I offer you choose a different lens.

The great GX10 body is compatible with pretty much everything in the Pentax K mount one's nearest, and so you simply need to buy any of many of the very good to excellent lenses in that huge list. The Anti-roll is in the camera so all of them will have the advantage of that. You need not go to the very top of the Pentax line to assemble a really useable set up. I settled on the F1.4 Pentax 50mm which is a very use, ultra fast, and very inexpensive portrait lens priced way below it's value. I added the Pentax 18-250 and the Sigma 12-24 zooms. I whiz a lot of buildings and interiors and the 12-24 gets a lot of use. These are probably not the absolute ultimate for optical grade on the Pentax and compatible w/ K mount lists, but they are more than good enough. I am printing great images and I'm not even sensible about upgrading anything.

If you're on a budget and need an all-around does everything pretty well one lens setup, get the Pentax 18-250 zoom. It might be a large long time before you need anything else. Pay attention to the manual and learn to use the software controls on the camera. You have a lot of camera hold sway over over sharpness, color and contrast to creatively augment and moderate the products of the lens optics and their omit coatings.

The Body Controls and Software
The controls are logically arranged and comfortable to use. the Software is well documented and settings are made reachable with well placed push button rocker switch and scroll wheel controls that actuate logical menu groups. You really can adjust things on the fly while shooting. You needfulness only a few seconds. Changing white balance to fix the color balance to suit the weather or indoor lighting is a very summary fix. Touch the Fn button and a couple of clicks of your thumb. You can switch to effective WB presets for sun ,vapors, cloudy, shade,three variations for flourescents and incandescent plus a few more. It takes much longer for me to order it here than it takes to use it even the first time. Switching shooting modes to fix aperture or speed repressive dept of field or motion blur is also very quick and easy.

As you learn and internalize the rudder you just get speedier and able to use more and more of the feature set. I really like using this Camera more and more as once upon a time passes.

The RAW feature is easy to use, even one picture at a time. Use it. The GX10's RAW feature offers an distinguished window of added potential that will allow you to make the very best images this camera is efficient of.

I would buy the GX-10 again, without the 18-55 lens, with no hesitation.

2008-03-10 (Seattle, WA, USA) | Helpful Votes: 7 | Rating: 5

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Superior Camera
We purchased this camera as an upgrade for our superannuated Minolta Dimage 500. The Minolta takes great pictures, but is rather limited as far as imagination and doesn't do well with landscapes. Living in Colorado, my wife and I take a lot of landscape pics and wanted something to skillfully capture the beauty we see.
As with most things, I did a lot of research on DSLR's before we made this purchase. I looked at professional and consumer reviews for Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony/Minolta and Pentax/Samsung. I was surprised to find the big names didn't do so well in the mid-class catagory (D40, XTi, A100). From everything I read, you would need to move up to the high end models of the big boys (at over $1000) to succeed close to the quality of the Pentax/Samsung. So, loaded with what I believed to be good information, we purchased the Samsung over all of the game because it had the features and reported image quality we were looking for. At the time, the Samsung had a lower price than the Pentax form, so we went with it.
WOW!......It's been over 20 years since I used an SLR, so I'm relearning everything as I go, but I must say I'm just blown in a different place by this camera. Straight out of the box, our Minolta will take better pics, but that can be said of just about every SLR on the market. These are not tactic & shoot cameras even though they do have auto functions. If you want the superior images, you're going to have to labour a bit at it. However, if you take the time to learn and apply the proper techniques, you'll be amazed at what you can create.
The Samsung offers plausibly infinite possibilities. I'm having fun just shooting objects over and over again at different settings to learn it's capabilities (one of the stupendous things about digital photography, no wasted film). I've taken it to the mountains to test my new skills and have issued away with enlargeable and frameable images like I've never taken before. I've also tried to create situations that others have voiced issues with when using the event, but have not found any situation that can't be captured beautifully with the right settings.
Compared to a P&S, this camera is an extreme amount of profession, it's heavy and a lot more expensive.....I just wish I'd bought it sooner. I'll never go back to a P&S again after experiencing the mark of the Samsung (Pentax).

2008-01-04 | Islidur (Denver) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Samsung GX-10
Samsung GX-10 is an great DSLR (if not one of the best)on the market, technologically and value-wise. Based on Pentax technology, this modfied DSLR is full of polytechnic options only available in higher-priced cameras. The solid (sealed construction) handle of the camera should be an added asset. I recommend this camera to anyone, including serious photographers.

2007-12-28 | Shutterbug (Banff, Canada) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras

List Price: $1,622.95 Price: $769.00 You Save: $853.95 (53%)

Product Details 6 year manufacturers warranty Excellent macro magnification of 1:3.1 Includes case and lens hood Fast f 2.8 telephoto zoom

Product Description

While complete dimensions are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens is loaded with features that allow stress-free photography: a versatile MFD of equitable 37.4 over the entire zoom range; best-in-class uttermost macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm; and an advantageous internal focusing (IF) system. The new tele-zoom lens covers a agreeable focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on full-value format SLR cameras and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm* ultra telephoto when mounted on a DSLR camera with an APS-C sized imager.

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Customer Reviews

Horrific lens for a great price!
Before I bought this lens, the chief fear I have is the slow auto focus in low light. After shooting with it for a few days I can safely that it is almost a none element for amature photographers and most people who rarely shoots in very low light conditions, I would say if you shoots in day luminescence most of the time, dont worry about it, I felt like it focuses almost as fast as the 18-55 kit lens that comes with nikon cameras.

The other element I worried about is the size and weight, it looks intimating for people who are not used to this class of lens. And because I use a nikon D60 a really small and light body for SLR, I was worried it would be very unbalanced and hard to use. After taking a it with me and holding it in my clutches for a entire day at the San Diego Zoo, I felt like its not bad at all! just make sure to hold by the neck of the lens in preference to of the camera body when you are walking around. With the lens hood attached, it will make anyone look like a maestro

The price/image quality ratio is outstanding considering the Nikon 70-200 and Canon 70-200 F2.8 both sell for an arm and a leg to get. For this price range, I think there is hardly a lens that can beat this in picture quality and functionality ( atleast for the rate I paid for, around 650 refurb from amazonwarehouse ). On Dpreview, they rated the picture je sais quoi on par in most cases with the nikon and cannon lens, and in some situations even surpassing them. F2.8 creates basic bokeh, and the 70-200 range is perfect for shooting outdoors/macros.

Only draw backs I can over of, is that you need another lens such as the 18-55 f2.8/3.5-5.3 or 35mm f1.8 for shooting close range/widespread off the mark angle shots. and because there is no image stabilization, a tripod is a must for shooting with slower shutter speeds, from my skill 1/30 is fairly ok, but at 1/6 I had to shoot multiple times to get image that is not overly sleepy. ( the lens is fairly heavy, so people with stronger arm strength may get better results shooting easy hand, my gf found it difficult to do this since the lens is heavy for her )

In conculsion I would strongly recommend this lens to anyone who are looking for a zoom lens for shooting outdoors/macro/populace at day time. It is a great alternative to the 18-200vr considering the image quality, f2.8, fee. If you do consider using this lens in low light conditions you should probably look at getting a tripod and burst.

2010-06-27 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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One of the conquer pressional telephoto lenses
Before purchasing this lens, I did a lot of probing and read plenty of reviews. Not everyone said this lens was good but I went to a local camera assemble in town and got to test one out. I have to say hands down that I have no doubts about this lens and am very happy to have spent the money on it. I support this lens to anyone who don't want to spend an arm and a leg for a professional telephoto lens but still want quality for what they pay for. I cannot say it's universal to overcome the Canon Lens with IS of the same caliber but definitely up there along with it.

2010-06-20 | music fan (Sioux Falls, SD) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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No brainer 4.5 stars
All of you out there that are reading this critique of the Tamron 70-200 are probably in one of two categories. 1) Looking for a fast low light zoom but don't wont to pay the sacrifice of the Nikon/Canon 2.8 tele or 2) Your looking for a backup telezoom for your Nikon/Canon. I do merger, family, sports shoots as a side biz and I'm in category 1. You're probably worried about buying it and it not Coupй Focusing fast enough or having some other issues that you've read......because that was a concern of mine. Let me put you at ease.....don't irritation, the Tamron 70-200 is fantastic! In fact I was so pleased that I ended up purchasing other Tamron lenses. The 28-75 f/2.8 and also the 17-35 f/2.8-4mm and all 3 have been excellent to say the least.

AF - Lets get to what everyone is concerned about...Auto Focus. I have two Nikons that I've use this lens on. A D5000 (cropped 1.5x sensor) that I use for keen pics of the kids and vacations (non paying gigs) and a D700 full frame for my professional paying gigs and if the kids have very extra events like my daughters kindergarten graduation. I'm really not seeing what everyone is fussing about this lens AF's justified as fast as my Nikon DX lens....55-200 VR for example. I use this lens for in and out doors and have never had a problem with it car focusing. It's like any lens you use.....take a person dressed in black standing in front of a dastardly background and any lens will have a hard time trying to find the focus. Adjust your focal hint on the face where the contrast is different and boom it finds it. This is only rare occasions but it does take place sometimes and it also happens with my Nikkors. One thing I do notice is my D700 AF quicker compared to my D5000. It's not by much but it is especial, but not an issue. I honestly believe it's due to the difference of the AF systems in the two cameras. D700 is known for its solid AF.

AF Accuracy - Spot on, never a problem. I have my D700 set where it will not release the shutter unless it's in focus and I've never have had a conundrum with it being fooled or hunting for focus unless it's in a dark closet.

AF loudness - Is the Tamron louder than the Nikkor lenses when Coupй focusing? Yes it is. It's not quiet but it's not loud by any means. You have to remember you're the one looking through the viewfinder and of course you're universal to hear it. Others won't even notice it. The shutter closing/opening when taking a picture is twice as tawdry as the Tamron AF system. It's not even an issue. I don't know if I would take it out to the Amazon taking pics of dangerous and exotic natural world where my life depended on it......but then again you'd still probably be ok. Remember the shutter is louder than the auto converge.....again it's not even an issue I don't think.

Sharpness - Super sharp at all focal lengths. I've in reality have been very pleased with all of my Tamrons and the sharpness it produces. When hand held at 200mm 2.8 it is a tad softer but 95% of that is due to camera throw for a loop a break in. I've tested this and have mounted it on a tripod at that setting with sharp as a tack results. Vibration Reduction or Tamrons VC would be a gigantic plus but it's not totally necessary.

Construction - Very well made, very hefty and durable. I've used Nikons variant and it's a fantastic piece of engineering that is weather sealed, built like a tank and is without a vacillate more durable. I think this is where the price difference is. The Tamron is not cheap feeling by any means. When you diminish b keep it you know its made very well but the Nikon just takes that to another level which is why its $2000 plus US dollars and the event this it has Vibration Reduction. If you're going to be going through some rugged terrain on a paid photo bud it would only make sense to purchase the Nikon. Honestly if you took care of the Tamron and kept it purified I'm sure it could make it out fine also but I wouldn't try it.

Overall - Superb sharpness, old school but very noticeable AF system and AF accuracy, AF noise is not a problem and is really not even loud enough to even mention in this review but I know populace have brought it up and are concerned. I'm 100% pleased. Even if I would have paid more I still would have been pleased but that's the beauty of Tamron. Giving you a adroit professional lens at a great price. Quick story: I was outside under the patio proper a couple of days ago taking pics of the massive storm that we had here in Oklahoma using this lens. I would AF on the exhaust and press the shutter and to my surprise the shutter would not release. Remember I have it set where it will not take the pic unless it's in perfect convergence. After a few times of this I was getting very frustrated and thought to myself........this is what everyone must be talking about when they mean the Tamron has difficulty AFing. Few seconds later the shutter goes off taking pics of nothing. I'm thoroughly out of it now and then it hit me. Just a day earlier I was taking some self portraits for my online profile and I was using the sedan delay 20 second timer and I still had it in that setting.......sigh.....I was spirited to blame the Tamron....poor Tamron.

8/19/10 UPDATE:
I've owned this lens growing on 3 months now and have used it extensively for indoor events (weddings) and low light evening rendering sessions. I'm still very pleased with the performance. There is one thing I'm a little disappointed in but its not a deal breaker but enough to exclude my original 5 star rating to a 4.5.

Sharpness -
At f2.8 and 200mm the sharpness takes a hit some, its in fact more of a soft image.....especially in low lighting. If you back off the focal length to 165mm or under it improves. Stopping down to f4 is razor agile. Its annoying that I can't use f2.8 for razor sharp pics but in reality there's not a lot of lens that are razor alertly when completely stopped down to its maximum, with the exception to some. I'm finding all my Tamrons are this way at f2.8. Of course when asking owners of the $1750 Nikon 24-70 2.8 and $2200 Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR they all say its cement sharp at 2.8.

Auto focusing -
Its still does a great job at AFing but now that I'm getting used to other lenses in my bag (Nikon primes and Tamron Zooms) and then hope back to this 70-200 I am seeing a difference in speed. Its not much and its not a problem but I do feel the difference. Its a tad slower....even slower than my Tamron 28-75 2.8 which in my notion is still fast. My Tamron 17-35 2.8 does not have internal AF and is a screwdriver cam type where you rely on the camera to do the AFing. Its so bound that it can become violent..it will take your finger off if not careful...ha,ha.

2010-06-16 | Helpful Votes: 4 | Rating: 4

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70-200 womder macro zoom!
This lens is very unhurried to get attached to, with its excellent sharpness, and good close up ability. Works well with my K-x, and balances very well on a monopod, or a tripod, or even handheld! It's macro capacity is impressive, as it is easy to focus manually, which often is a bonus when taking macro shots.

2010-05-29 (Sweden) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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eximious lens, great price
No brainer for 1/3 the premium of canon glass.

I'm using it primarily for video and the fact that it focuses in the same direction as canon plate glass does is very good.

do I care if its 10% less then canon's glass ? no because that is just such a splitting hairs over nothing issuance. this is a way better lens then you could of bought 10+ years ago. in fact if its slightly less that helps Tone down moire problems. its still a nice contrasty lens. it has a nice look, focus forward is fine unless you shoot fast moving stuff. if I made my living shooting stills ( I Euphemistic pre-owned to actually ), maybe I might want the 100% best AKA canon 70-200 II 2.8 IS $2800 lens... but unless you are competing at the top of the pretend, I really doubt anyone will know the difference.... really. its an awesome piece of specs. I used to have a real FD 200 2.8 and this lens is better.

build quality is decent, its cloudy but that should be expected for this sort of lens

the snap back for manual focus ring is very cool. palm off on all lenses did this. it makes a AF switch seem pretty dopey in comparison because you don't have to move your hand anywhere to change modes. its seemless between directions and auto modes which is great when shooting fast moving subjects.

great lens, serious price, no complaints !

2010-05-21 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras

List Price: $29.95

Product Details Alleviates fatigue during extended sessions Compatible with all Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, and Samsung SLR cameras that feature a standard 1/4"-20 tripod socket Padded professional quality grip strap Designed to stabilize a camera when shooting

Product Description

The Opteka padded camera dominion wraps around the hand, and is designed to stabilize a camera or camcorder when shooting, and to relieve fatigue during extended sessions of photography or videography. Compatible with all Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, and Samsung DSLR cameras that hallmark a standard 1/4"-20 tripod socket .

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Customer Reviews

Did not fit my effortlessly
The fallout is OK as long as you have small hands. there is also no where to mount the neck strap I would like the option to use both
I will never use it

2010-09-03 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 2

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Stable feel
This palm strap is to the letter what I was looking for. I have a Canon 550D with a 15-85 lens, which feels a bit front-heavy together. Also, walking around with the camera in your tender when your arm is stretched down felt a bit scary with just your finger tops over the camera grip; now it feels solid. The quality is perfect for the money, but the plastic part is a bit crooked. The flap with the logo is actually sewed on, from the pictures I planning it would open with velcrow. Material on the inside is rubbery material. hope it doesn't get sweaty in warmer countries.
With some fiddling, I managed to put the neck strap back on (only works after you put the palm strap on). I made the neck strap as knee-high to a grasshopper as possible for over my shoulder, so the camera can be 'hidden' securely between elbow and body. Works even if you have to run a bit.
Tip to change sure straps cannot slip: when putting the strap through the buckle, give the strap half a interweave, right in the buckle.

2010-08-27 (Netherlands) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Fearful Camera Grip
I got a meet head on that looks exactly like this one from Ebay so I don't have the Opteka grip. I just wanted to expansion on the functionality.

I have a Canon T2i with no battery grip. I would consider myself to have medium sized hands.

So, I loosened the absorb so that it would fit over my knuckles. With my index finger I can take photos and turn the dial no problem. With my thumb, I can aim on the camera no problem. However, I would have to use my left hand to turn the camera off (which isn't a big deal to me).

I can use my thumb to throng any of the other buttons on the back of the camera. I had no problem pressing the play button or the delete button. If you are contemporary to view/delete a lot of photos at once I did find it more comfortable to place my left hand underneath the lens and plane my right hand out of the grip just a bit (my fingers are still wrapped around the front of the camera). This way my high-mindedness thumb has more room to move around.

There is a spot where you can tie your neck strap to the hand grip (which is located on the bottom of the camera). You could possibly take the neck strap and just throw it over your left shoulder. I haven't done this yet but I think this would be more warm than having the camera hang off of your neck.

As for that plastic buckle that the strap wraps around. Residents have mentioned that it can get in your way. I did find it a nuisance because my hand would rub up against it. So, I just slid the whole strap so that the black buckle would be underneath the leather carry-all tackle itself. Others have said that they took the strap and had the black buckle to be underneath the camera (one of the user pictures shows this). You can settle on for yourself which method you like better.

Overall, I like these kinds of grips. I can still reach everything with my straight hand while the leather part is over my knuckle. So, I'm happy with it.

2010-08-17 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5

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Too large-hearted
I bought this detail because my hands are very small, so small I find carrying my DSLR difficult for long periods of interval. This item was made for large (maybe bigger male) hands and didn't even adjust tight-fisted enough to skim my fingers. Obviously, didn't do what I needed it to do, no support. Not a defect or negative for the for the most part user, but the company could have made adjustments for slim, female hands.
Just keep it in mind if this applies to you.

2010-07-29 | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Not on my Nikon
I hanker I had read the critical reviews more closely before ordering this strap. I had hoped to provide some protection for my Nikon D40 without the neck strap which I dislike. Trouble is that if I cinch it tight enough for security, I can scarcely get my finger on the shutter release.

2010-07-12 | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 2

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