Advise on new lens

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32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 25/08/2012 - 22:27

I'm looking at getting a new lens, I've found 2 that I'm looking at, Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 APO DG HSM or Sigma 150-500mm F5.6-6.3 APO DG HSM which would be the best and why?

Or can anyone recommend a better lens round the £500-700 mark

Body: Pentax K-r & K-3 + D-BG5 Battery Grip
Lens: Pentax 18-55mm L - Pentax 18-55mm AL WR - HD PENTAX-DA 15mm F4 - Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM - Sigma 50mm EX DG Macro - Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Kenko 2x Teleplus
Flash: AF-360FGZ

Last Edited by Beermonster on 25/08/2012 - 22:51

SteveEveritt

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1,700 posts

13 years
Somewhere warm and sunny

Link Posted 25/08/2012 - 22:34

The Sigma 150-500 for £599 at SRS, you will not get better VFM or IQ for that money!

My Flickr link

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)

Beermonster

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32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 25/08/2012 - 22:53

Thanks Steve I had found that one just put 120 not 150 in my original post, but why is the 120-400 so much dearer?

fritzthedog

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1,908 posts

13 years
Knaresborough, North Yorks

Link Posted 26/08/2012 - 00:14

I have both of these lenses - both are excellent - although personally I prefer the 120-400. To me it is a little sharper and as it is faster - it can be used on days when the 150-500 struggles and handles a TC better than the 150-500.

The 120-400 is not really more expensive - it is not as common and the 150-500 at £599 is extremely cheap - the RRP is around £800. The RRP on the 120-400 when I got mine was £799

Carl

No matter how many lenses I have owned - I have always needed just one more

Last Edited by fritzthedog on 26/08/2012 - 00:15

Beermonster

Member

32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 19:20

I'm almost ready to give the plastic an outing and have almost decided on the 150-500mm but then I noticed the 50-500 at a good price, so which would best the one to go for? The way I see it is if I got the 50-500 I would probably rarely use my 18-250mm but if I got the 150-500 I would be more likely to use both and I wouldn't feel like the 18-250 was dead money.

SteveEveritt

Member

1,700 posts

13 years
Somewhere warm and sunny

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 19:27

The 18-250 will get used, on holiday so keep it. If you can get hold of the 50-500 then do it as the extra range means less to carry. With the 50-500 you only need a DA*16-50 and a decent macro lens (and a set of tubes) and you've got everything covered, pretty much.

My Flickr link

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)

Beermonster

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32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 19:38

I have a pretty good macro lens would it be worth getting tubes?

davidstorm

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4,934 posts

12 years
Sheffield, England

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 20:08

Beermonster wrote:
I have a pretty good macro lens would it be worth getting tubes?

It depends how close you want to get and what magnification you are after. Even a 1:1 Macro lens is not enough for most macro photographers and the best way to get closer without losing IQ is to use tubes or to reverse the lens (which is trickier). Tubes are not easy but can yield spectacular results. Be prepared for fully manual operation (exposure and focussing) unless you spend a lot (£100+) on tubes that maintain automatic functions. I would recommend you buy quality second hand tubes from the likes of FFordes Photography, not the cheap ones on ebay & Amazon as these are absolute rubbish. £15 will get you a quality set of manual tubes.

Regards
David

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Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs

Beermonster

Member

32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 20:19

David, could I ask you to post a link to what I need to fit the K-r I'm a bit weary buying camera bits online just in case I get the wrong fit

LennyBloke

Member

6,458 posts

15 years
Worcestershire

Link Posted 29/08/2012 - 20:26

Another advantage of tubes is that they can be used with other lenses (not just you macro) as well to provide closer focus. I use them this way quite often (although I only use Auto tubes for this).

David is quite right - your better getting a quality set of tubes (well engineered) and if you are happy to use them fully manually then they can be had for under £20, Auto tubes are dearer. Another method I have read about (but not tried myself) is to buy a cheap PKA converter and remove the glass - this will allow some "auto" functions - to give you a single tube - ffordes often have cheaper 4 element converters for around £15. As I said, I've not tried this myself - but it may be an option.

LennyBloke

Beermonster

Member

32 posts

12 years

Link Posted 30/08/2012 - 14:08

Took the plunge and went for the 150-500 should be with me tomorrow