Lens questions for my new k110D...

Hi all. Well I am glad to have found this forum.

I recently came into possesion of a brand new Pentax K110D.

I have been using the camera for about 2 weeks and I love it.

This is my first forray into Digial photography, and I have some questions regarding which lenses I shoulod buy first.

I am interested in shooting wildlife, and as a such have decided to get into a zoom lens up to 200mm-300mm.

Here is the problem I am having.

As an example, I have my eye on the Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8 EX DG, along with a 1.4x teleconverter. This setup will cost in the neighbourhood of $1000.

Now as I understand it, by using the teleconterter, I am loosing one stop so here is my question:

Based on the cost savings is it a substantial sacrifice (in terms of image quality and/or ease of use) to go with with a lens in the 300mm-400mm range that has a higher maximum aperatute say 4-5.6??

I hope I have worded my question correctly, basically I am looking for the best bang for my buck.

Thanks for the help!

Steve.

For $1000 you could buy the superb "Bigma"- the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3, which would do away with the need for a converter, and with the need to change lenses in the field, thereby reducing the chances of missing a shot and more importantly of getting gunge on your sensor.

I may be wrong on this but I don't think you need as fast a lens as a 2.8 for wildlife. I use either the Bigma (my new toy), or a Tamron 28-300.

Others here KNow more about this than I do and will give you a lot more advice on this but that is my two cents worth.

I am very pleased with my Sigma EX 100-300 f4, if that's any help

Thanks very much again for the feedback everyone.

Something else that I didn't think of originally, the DOF control that the faster lens will give me makes it more attractive overall as a first purchase.

I'm not sure how often I would use the 500mm lens, but if I find I'm missing it I guess I will re-evaluate.

Cheers!

Steve.

hello

Gwyn - how does the sigma handle? It seem very large and heavy? How does it work in low light?

The Sigma is big, hence the nickname Bigma. It is heavy too, just over 4lbs (1.8kg). But I have used it without a tripod and got good photos at 500. It is also good in fairly low light. I haven't had it that long (since August when the weather here was dire)and haven't used it lately, but hope to get out with it in the early mornings this week if I can so will really put it to the test then.

The reason I bought it (was given it ) was that I was frustrated by the Tamrom 28-300 when on safari - even allowing for the 1.5 crop factor it just wasn't big enough sometimes, but as I don't have a second body and don't want to be contsantly changes lenses in the field I wanted a lens that offered a good zoom range. I had seen the photos by members of another forum made with the Bigma and the *ds and was very impressed.
One (Canonist) birder swears by it now instead of some of his more expensive glass!


There are a few reviews about : http://www.vividlight.com/articles/413.htm, http://www.lonestardigital.com/Sigma_50-500.htm and of course http://www.dpreview.com/news/0505/05051901sigma_50-500mm.asp

One thing I notice when using it is that people are more aware of me taking photos and so walk behind me, or stop, instead of barging on through the frame! I have even been asked if I'm a pro - just cos of the size of my lens LOL

While on the subject of Sigma Lenses.....

Has anyone had any experience with the 135-400, I find my humble* Pentax 80-320 a little "short" on occasion and the above Sigma seems to be the best option without breaking the bank. I could buy both this lens and the K10D for the same price as my istD two years ago.


*by humble I mean the price tag in contrast to the Sigma

Yep, it's awesome. Light, well balanced on a istD with a grip and one set of batteries but best on a tripod and its built-in mount. Images are fabulous. I'll try and dig out some sample images to post. I have the non-DG version and paid less than £200 for it on special offer/end of line from Warehouse Express.

Thanks Peter, going to shop around a bit and see what I can come up with, if anyone on here see's one of these lenses going for a reasonable price then let me know....assuming you dont want it yourself!

Cheapest i''ve found so far is £395 (new)

I have to taken the plunge and bought the sigma 50 - 500 second hand. I will let you know how it handles in the field.

Dave