Pentax DA* 300mm Prime v Sigma EX DG 100-300mm Zoom

Is anybody here able to make a direct comparison of the results of these 2 lenses ? I'm primarily interested in the Sigma's performance at 300mm.

Here's what I know about the spec's:

• 
  Make------Filter---------Weight---------Min. Foc--------Blades----Price (SRS)
  Pentax------77-----------1070g----------140cm------------9--------£849
  Sigma-------82----------1440g-----------180cm------------9--------£759
  

For me, the Pentax wins on weight and minimum focus distance, but how do images compare at 300mm? Prices are too similar to be an issue.

Thanks in advance for any info.[/list]

Hi Mannesty,
As it happens i bought the Sigma APO AF F4/100-300 EX DG.
First results are posted here: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7928 You have seen enough examples of the Pentax
DA* 300, I presume. Maybe you can compare some. And for prices:
I ordered the lens here:http://stores.ebay.com/Matsuiyastore
It costed me 1200 usd, shipping included. That would be about the 610 pound mark. That is a lot less compared to the prices you mentioned.
I ordered the lens on Sunday evening, asked to pack it as a gift . Got conformation stating: NO Problemo 4 days later( thursday morning) it was delevered at my doorstep by EMS. No extra billing for customs. When reading thru the invoice attached to the box I saw a lot of japanese characters, and the words: Gift & Value 69,- usd.
I presume you understand I am very pleased.
HIH,
Martin.

Thanks Martin, I've seen your Sigma pics, and others, and I'm impressed by what I've seen. Pentax DA* 300mm pics are plenty at the moment but not too many Sigma 100-300mm shots available so far for comparison.

If the quality of the images at 300mm is similar I'd probably go for the Sigma Zoom for its versatility (I like good zooms).

There now follows a short lessson in spanish. "No problemo" is a phrase used by Arnie in one or more of his Terminator movies, and often quoted. It's actually incorrect, problemo doesn't exist in the spanish language, it's problema. My wife still says it incorrectly after 4 years of living here, and tells me off for correcting her.

Cheers,

No Problema ,
I'll be back
Martin.

I have the non-DG version of the Sigma and I think it's very good at 300 mm (better than my 70-200 at 200mm )

Having looked at the DA* in Japan I think that it's in a different league, it worked like a dream on the K20D I was playing with...

Yes, the Pentax lens does benefit from SDM focussing I guess, and it's water-resistant.

Water ingress is not such a problem here in southern spain, but dust is.

I'm swaying towards the Pentax at the moment . . . an hour ago it was the Sigma. Ho hum, decisions . . . decisions.

Hi Mannesty,
I took the liberty to do some test shots. Still very subjective, but I think you get an impression. There is one overall shot. There rest are 100% crops of the original files at different apertures.
The conditions were virtually the same, very flat, but bright light.
The power mast was about 1 mile away. Camera was on a sturdy tripod, with ball head. All shot were taken with a cable release, self timer set @ 2 sec. ISO 100 and SR off. Lens set at 300mm with central auto focus point active. Pef files were run thru Bibble Pro, with no other things done to it, except an auto level setting. No sharpening. Afterwards converted to Full size jpeg's at 100% quality.
The full picture:


100% crop @ F4:


100% crop @ f5,6:


100% crop @ F8:


100% crop @ F11:


100% crop @ F16:


100% crop @ F22:


100% crop @ F32;



What strikes me is the lack of PF on any given aperture. Again I want to emphasize "this test", doesn't prove anything. It just gives you an idea about sharpness, any CA or PF issues. Optimal aperture seems from: F5,6 - F11. Hardly a surprise. I guess you should decide based on your personal impression based on what you see. Feel free to go to my site and download the original files, so you can print them. You can find them in the test shots gallery.Than you have a better idea , I think. seeing the results, i can conclude that i am happy with this lens. I know that the DA* 300 is a better lens in every way.( It should be at that price difference and being a Prime. )
I hope it helps you , making the rights choice.
Martin.

I went through the same exercise and ended up with the Pentax, which for me was definitely the right decision.

Martin,

Thanks for taking the trouble to put together these images which I found very useful. It's obvious from these that the Sigma is a good performer, particularly at f8/11. It appears to be quite soft at the extremes of aperture and that's to be expected.

I don't suppose you'd like to buy a Pentax DA* 300mm and repeat the test ?

I thought not.

Thanks again for some very useful feedback.

Regards,

No regrets then?

After a few hours of deliberation, I'm still on the Pentax side of the fence. Time will tell.
Thanks for your feedback.

Regards,

No problema,
If you fund it, I give it a thorough test for a couple of years and give you the results, say end 2010?

Only thing I want to add in my comments about the lens, is the fact that shooting at infinity isn't the ideal way. But on the other hand you can conclude that at normal distances quality will increase.
Happy hunting,
Martin.

No regrets.

Leaving aside any debate about image quality, the Pentax is significantly lighter and I wanted a lens that could be used hand held or if absolutely necessary with a monopod.

You may wish to consider the subjects you will be photographing.
I chose the Sigma because at 300mm you are generally taking photographs of things that are moving (eg animals, motorsport, athletics, aircraft) and a zoom lets you get the shot on those occasions where the subject gets too close and you are unable to move backwards. You can also get the matched Sigma 1.4 converter when conversely the subject is too far away.

Whichever one you buy I don't think you'll regret it.

Tim

My main quest is wildlfe. I live within spitting distance of a national park which is rich in wildlife of all kinds. The largest being wild boar (yes, really wild) and Aruis (a type of sheep, or is it a goat?), to reptiles, butterflies, birds, etc. etc.

I have what I thought would be the perfect long lenses for my requirements. SMCP-M 400mm, Sigma APO 135-400mm, and SMCP 135-600mm. All have issues.
The SMCP-M 400mm is very sharp edge to edge but does not render colours as I would like. It'll probably be ebay'd shortly.
The Sigma 135-400mm is a bit soft at the edges at 400mm, any aperture.
The SMCP 135-600mm is a dream with good colour rendition, excellent edge to edge sharpness at all apertures, and very long at 600mm. The downside is it's physical size and weight. A sturdy (stiff) tripod is essential for this lens and that's extra weight to carry around.

I suppose I'm looking for a good compromise of all three lenses. I want one as sharp as the SMCP-M 400mm and SMCP 135-600mm, with the zooming convenience of the Sigma 135-400mm of secondary importance, and the colour reproduction of the SMCP 135-600mm.

The compromise would be the shorter focal length.

If only the SMCP 135-600mm was an FA lens, half the weight, and half the length. Well, I can dream.

My choices are still between the Pentax DA* 300mm and Sigma 100-300mm EX DG IF lenses, but which one . . .

I don't have either, or anything like them. But how could you go wrong with the DA* 300mm? I have seen some stunning images taken with it. Unfortunately I have nothing like the need or the funds to get one.