Advise on new lens

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

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Good man, let's see the results when you get some

Good choice, I use one on a K5 and the AF is well fast too.

It's here

Someone could have told me I needed to go to the gym to use it, it didn't look that big on the website

Can't wait to have a play