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Sigma 120-400mm or 50-500mm for Wildlife Photography?

morpheus71
Posted 02/01/2019 - 13:39 Link
Hi, I am looking to buy a second-hand telephoto lens pretty soon for wildlife photography and am keen to hear thoughts from anyone who has used the Sigma 120-400mm and/or Sigma 50-500mm. I have had the chance to try using the 50-500mm briefly... which seemed rather hefty to cart around.


Also if anyone is considering selling one of these two lenses in the near future, that would be great to know too.


Thanks,


Phil
ilovesaabs
Posted 02/01/2019 - 16:54 - Helpful Comment Link
Don't write off the 150-500mm variant, I had one and it was a very good lens, but quite a handful
AKA Welshwizard/PWynneJ
Assorted Pentax/Nikon/Mamiya stuff
morpheus71
Posted 02/01/2019 - 20:47 Link
ilovesaabs wrote:
Don't write off the 150-500mm variant, I had one and it was a very good lens, but quite a handful

Many thanks for your advice
bforbes
Posted 02/01/2019 - 21:31 - Helpful Comment Link
If you are using an crop body, the DA*300+pentax 1.4 converter is a brilliant combination for IQ. Unfortunately while the lens can be used FF the converter can not.
royd63uk
Posted 02/01/2019 - 23:11 Link
regards
Roy

Pentax K3 gripped,and some lenses
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pentaxroy/

my pbase gallery
Edited by royd63uk: 02/01/2019 - 23:14
morpheus71
Posted 03/01/2019 - 00:09 Link
bforbes wrote:
If you are using an crop body, the DA*300+pentax 1.4 converter is a brilliant combination for IQ. Unfortunately while the lens can be used FF the converter can not.

Thanks Barry I have a K3
morpheus71
Posted 03/01/2019 - 00:15 Link

Cheers Roy I'll keep an eye on the 120-400 on there... definitely want the option of zooming rather than fixed focal length though
Algernon
Posted 03/01/2019 - 08:54 - Helpful Comment Link
I've never heard the 120-400mm called a good lens. You need to check on what it can produce.

For size. weight and good IQ the Tokina 80-400mm (any model) is hard to beat. Screw drive AF is a bit harsh, but it's the best tele lens I've ever used for MF on a K-5.

The heavy Sigma 150-500mm is excellent.

--
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi
morpheus71
Posted 03/01/2019 - 09:33 Link
Algernon wrote:
I've never heard the 120-400mm called a good lens. You need to check on what it can produce.

For size. weight and good IQ the Tokina 80-400mm (any model) is hard to beat. Screw drive AF is a bit harsh, but it's the best tele lens I've ever used for MF on a K-5.

The heavy Sigma 150-500mm is excellent.

--

Many thanks for your advice Algi
vic cross
Posted 03/01/2019 - 14:26 Link
Have you seen the thread from MikeP He is selling what you want.
CHEERS Vic.
Born again biker with lots of Pentax bits. Every day I wake up is a good day. I'm so old I don't even buy green bananas.
morpheus71
Posted 03/01/2019 - 16:30 Link
vic cross wrote:
Have you seen the thread from MikeP He is selling what you want.
CHEERS Vic.

Thanks Vic, I saw the post but was hoping to get one a bit cheaper than that Not got enough saved yet at £700, even if it's top quality unfortunately.
Edited by morpheus71: 03/01/2019 - 18:19
morpheus71
Posted 05/01/2019 - 16:41 Link
Does anyone think this is worth me making a bid, as I've not bought any lenses off ebay before?

f:0" class="outlink" target="blank">Pentax Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG


I gather that the APO version is the more recent variant with the hypersonic motor / OS?

I emailed the seller to ask a few questions, as it has a fair amount of cosmetic 'character' and got the response below:

"No, there are no dust or fungus.
Otherwise I would definitely would have mentioned this!
Yes, the lens is used but taken care properly.
Just some signs of use outside, what you see best in the pictures.
I real life it does not look so much eye catching as the pictures does."
Kim C
Posted 05/01/2019 - 17:02 - Helpful Comment Link
morpheus71 wrote:
Does anyone think this is worth me making a bid, as I've not bought any lenses off ebay before?

f:0" class="outlink" target="blank">Pentax Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG


I gather that the APO version is the more recent variant with the hypersonic motor / OS?

I emailed the seller to ask a few questions, as it has a fair amount of cosmetic 'character' and got the response below:

"No, there are no dust or fungus.
Otherwise I would definitely would have mentioned this!
Yes, the lens is used but taken care properly.
Just some signs of use outside, what you see best in the pictures.
I real life it does not look so much eye catching as the pictures does."

That listing still has a few days to run. Most of the bids come in the last few seconds. Buying lenses on eBay is generally not a problem. However, as it is coming from Holland, it will be more difficult to resolve things if there is a problem and you are buying from an unknown seller.

Not sure what it will go for but I would generally be prepared to pay just a little extra to get a good one from a known forum member.
morpheus71
Posted 05/01/2019 - 17:16 Link
Kim C wrote:
morpheus71 wrote:
Does anyone think this is worth me making a bid, as I've not bought any lenses off ebay before?

f:0" class="outlink" target="blank">Pentax Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG


I gather that the APO version is the more recent variant with the hypersonic motor / OS?

I emailed the seller to ask a few questions, as it has a fair amount of cosmetic 'character' and got the response below:

"No, there are no dust or fungus.
Otherwise I would definitely would have mentioned this!
Yes, the lens is used but taken care properly.
Just some signs of use outside, what you see best in the pictures.
I real life it does not look so much eye catching as the pictures does."

That listing still has a few days to run. Most of the bids come in the last few seconds. Buying lenses on eBay is generally not a problem. However, as it is coming from Holland, it will be more difficult to resolve things if there is a problem and you are buying from an unknown seller.

Not sure what it will go for but I would generally be prepared to pay just a little extra to get a good one from a known forum member.

Many thanks for your reply Kim The sensible part of my mind agrees with your last words "I would generally be prepared to pay just a little extra to get a good one from a known forum member"... which I guess is why I asked on here if anyone was planning to sell one soon.

I remember one going on here for £470 a couple of months ago and some similar-ish prices earlier in the year. Guess I would be wise to wait
Kim C
Posted 05/01/2019 - 17:39 - Helpful Comment Link
morpheus71 wrote:
Kim C wrote:
Quote:
Does anyone think this is worth me making a bid, as I've not bought any lenses off ebay before?

f:0" class="outlink" target="blank">Pentax Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO DG


I gather that the APO version is the more recent variant with the hypersonic motor / OS?

I emailed the seller to ask a few questions, as it has a fair amount of cosmetic 'character' and got the response below:

"No, there are no dust or fungus.
Otherwise I would definitely would have mentioned this!
Yes, the lens is used but taken care properly.
Just some signs of use outside, what you see best in the pictures.
I real life it does not look so much eye catching as the pictures does."

That listing still has a few days to run. Most of the bids come in the last few seconds. Buying lenses on eBay is generally not a problem. However, as it is coming from Holland, it will be more difficult to resolve things if there is a problem and you are buying from an unknown seller.

Not sure what it will go for but I would generally be prepared to pay just a little extra to get a good one from a known forum member.

Many thanks for your reply Kim The sensible part of my mind agrees with your last words "I would generally be prepared to pay just a little extra to get a good one from a known forum member"... which I guess is why I asked on here if anyone was planning to sell one soon.

I remember one going on here for £470 a couple of months ago and some similar-ish prices earlier in the year. Guess I would be wise to wait

They do say "act in haste, repent at leisure".

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