Hi, I own and recommend the Tamron AF 70-300 1:4-5.6 LD Tele-Macro (1:2). You can snag one for $180-200 at B&H. Seems sharp to me at the long end if i use a fast enough shutter speed or a tripod. The lens also has great bokeh. No lens creep problem so far. I think the lens has a good multi-coating and design, just remember that zooms are compromises. FWIW I think that the Nikon 70-300 ED is a Nikon badged Tamron. A friend of mine shoots Nikon and loves hers.
A fellow Pentaxian and list member has the Pentax 80-320 and states that it has great bokeh(I was searching for recommendations last fall). I avoided the Pentax because of lens creep issues. SMC and great bokeh might make lens creep seem less of an issue to you. It was a tough decision for me to NOT buy the Pentax lens. Who knows, maybe I'll buy one someday just to see how it measures up against the Tamron. Good luck in your decision making. Robert - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
