What lens should I get?

[klips]

I've had a look for something that covers this, but I can't see anything on it (scarily enough) on this forum. I am looking for a new lens, and I'm currently using the Sigma 18-50mm f3.6-5.6 that came with my Pentax istDL. Now I am looking for something bigger, and advice.

The lens I am currently considering is the Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 which costs about $300 Australian ($227 US, and I don't know what the romanian currency is :P). Has anyone had experience with this or a similar lens, ad can you give me feedback on it? Just as a reference, I'm going to be using a larger lens for sports/skate photography. I am wondering if I'll nedd a faster lens, or if this is fast enough.

Thanks for any advice.

[andres_pad]

i just bought a canon ultrasonic 80-200 recently and i love it. it's a f4.5-5.6 and yeh, for me thats been fairly fast enough. but then again, the faster the better. its all up to you :)

if i were you, i'd head into your local camera store and ask to just try one out. they're normally more than happy to help you out and let you try things.

[klips]

looks like I'll be getting one, it was a choice between that ad the identical sigma, and as the friendly people stock the tamron and the grumpy people have the sigma I'll be going to the nice people, even though it's 95 cents more!

[andres_pad]

haahha
exactly what i did. it cost me $50 extra, but in the long run, the nice people have helped me with so many more things that it was way worth it :)

[Le Gab]

Hi! Well, i really depends on what you are planning to do with the new lens.

The Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 sounds very good for 277 $ considering that a canon 80-200 is about 800 $ (well, in my country, if ya buy em new). Consider the fact that buying a semi-tele will give you a lot of freedom and concealment but it wont let you shoot anything that's close to you.

Also, an f4-5.6 will give you a lot of trouble shooting at night and / or dusk since photos will be very dark. Trust me, it sucks ass to shoot night with f4-5.6 later than 10 PM, even during summer.

Ussually the rule is : longer focal lenght lower F. So ? What do you want? Zoom power or flexibility?

[Norwin]

DUDE! PENTAX rockz!!!
I have a Pentax *ist DS.

The Pentax 50-200mm is perfect for you. I did a lot of photos and I love the lens!
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/pentax_50-200mm.jpg
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021809pentax_50-200mm.asp

[klips]

Thanks for your input guys. what I am going to be using this for will mostly be sports photography (suprise!) for when I can't get close to the subject (e.g. stupid angle or from the sideline). On the 'shooting close' issue, my 18-50 can fit in my pocket or my bag (which I always have one me just about) so it's not really an issue ^_^. Also, in Australia the Canon 80-200 seems to be around $1000 (remember, australian dollars :P). Is there anything else I should consider?