Performance Zoom Lens?

I currently have a DA 50-200mm bit finding the reach and sharpness is not producing nice images, it is also a bit slow.

Looking for recommendations on a replacement lens f/2.8 at all focal lengths would be good, also need to be able to zoom in an out so fixed prime would not do the job.

Reason is to take images of wild life in particular birds at local salt marsh and surrounding coastal areas, getting up close enough with 50-200mm is not proving a good option.

Thanks in advance.

Gary.

http://www.superdigitalcity.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=579109

Gary this new Sigma has my attention at the moment. Not seen any reviews on it yet but would be surprised if its not up too scratch :

Have a look at the Sigma 135-400 or 50-500 APO zooms. It's not 1:2.8, but then you won't need a mortgage to buy it either. Where lenses are concerned, long + fast = astronomically expensive + very heavy.

If you want a longer focal length than 200mm then F2.8 is going to be a problem.

The Sigma i mentioned can be picked up brand new for less than you pay for a Bigma

True Clarky but it is still only a 20mm lens. What Mannesty says is true for longer focal lengths. No indication of how weavy the beast is either.

Does anyone have any experience of this lens :

For me it would appear to be ideal, carrying on where my 50 -135 stops.

Sorry my understanding was Gary was looking for something in the 200mm range at 2.8
The 70-200mm weighs in at a hefty 1.3 kgs compared to 1.8kgs for the bigma. So its no light weight

This looks like the only cost effective f/2.8 option we have for Pentax, combined with a converter this may work well.

However still some debate as it has HSM which means no AF on Pentax, Manual focusing may prove to be a show stopper for some.

I think Pentax needs to extend its lens road map to include a lens we can use for this reach. We are missing out

Gary my understanding is it will Auto focus, I believe it works with HSM and as standard auto focus.

The pentax 60-250 is due out in april is it not. but that is f4 not f2.8

Thanks Clarky for the info much appreciated:

I have added this lens to my list now, I will wait out on the 60-250 reviews.

However the Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Lens might be the better option now if AF works. (combined with converter the glass would allow this to work in the range I am looking for).

The speed at 1:2.8 satisfies Gary's speed requirement bit it's still only 200mm at the long end. Not long enough for his intended subject.

EDIT: I should have read the following posts where this point is already mentioned. Sorry.

Yes, I have one, and it's a superb optic. I haven't used it recently but I'll try to dig out some pics taken with it next week.

Peter,

Thank you for the information.

Having carried out a bit more research this morning I see that Sigma are due to release two new Pentax fit lenses 120 - 400 4.5 / 5.6 and 150 - 500 5.0 / 6.3 (both DG OS lenses).

Although theoretically HSM as well, I assume that the Pentax version will not have the motor.

They are listed on the Sigma site but not currently shown as Pentax fit, although Park Cameras list them as Pentax fit but with no price, as yet

They are both meant to use HSM on Pentax (so they will only AF on the K10D and K20D) - they won't provide OS, though, within the lens.