Sima 100-300 F4 EX

Hello all you experts

Can anyone offer any thoughts/advice/experience on this lens as I have the opportunity to acquire a very nice used one, in comparison to the Pentax 80-320 which I already have. Help me to decide!

Thanks

AFAIK it is a superb lens and easily outperforms the cheaper Pentax Zooms.

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Regards,
Dan

https://www.flickr.com/photos/honourabletyr/

BUY IT! It is the lens Pentax should have build years ago, but didn't
If you buy the 1.4 Ex converter also, you have every thing on the tele side you ever wish for.
Good luck,
Martin

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Best regards,

Martin.


Curious about my photography?? Just Follow the Light.

of course you'll have to find one first. Haven't looked for a while because I'm feeling poor and would just depress myself, but last time I looked you can't get these in PK mount for love nor money.

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you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help

I got a 100-300mm EX F4 second hand and soon got rid of my 80-320 Pentax, the Sigma is a very good lens but just a bit heavy for a walk-about lens. I do mainly wildlife photography and have found the auto-focus a little noisy so have a DA* 300mm F4 pre-ordered.
I will be keeping the 100-300 Sigma though as it really is a cracking lens.

Had a quick go on the Sigma at the weekend...
It's very big, and heavy(ish). Wasn't too bad using hand held in sunset light on the K10D with a grip and SR. Like all the Sigma EX lenses, it's well built, and the image quality is excellent too! Focus is quick and quiet too

As has been said, it's not exactly a "walk-about" lens, and the 80-320 fills that. It really depends what sort of photography you are intending to do...

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Patience might be a virtue here - it might be worth waiting for the Pentax 60-250 (there is not an enormous difference between 250 & 300 really), especially if there is an SDM converter in the pipeline. Mind you, it will almost certainly be pricier than the Sigma

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Tony Milner
Super A, ME Super, MZ6, K5II, Ricoh GR & lenses from 8-500mm
www.amilner.org www.flickr.com/photos/tonymilner

I have one of those lenses, and compared with my 70-300 APO Macro, it is much, much better...

I think the DA*60-250 will be marginally better in terms of IQ and flexibility and I might buy one, although not to replace the EX as I sometimes use the EX lenses on the film cameras..

You shouldn't be disappointed with it, what you will be amazed by is the improved VF brightness.

Thanks everyone Still undecided as I like the 80-320 as a walk-about and the 100-300 is a bit to big for that. My photgraphy interest is mostly wildlife and my lens for this is a Tamron SP. 300 2.8 with af1.7 on a K10D. I like the flexibility of the zoom though which I use on a Ds.
Matt ?, how do you find CA is with the 100-300 on the K10D. I find it sometimes (depending on lighting conditions) a problem with my Tamron and the K10D but not bad on the Ds.
Mick

Actually I was trying it on another K10D, not my own So, alas, I don't have any images to show for it.
Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

I have never noticed any significant CA with the EX 100-300. It may occur in certain circumstances, but none that I have used it for so far. One of the sharpest lenses I own and one of the easiest to recommend.

Neil

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http://www.arbitrary.co.uk http://www.ephotozine.com/u25920

Thanks to all your helpfull replys. (This forum is GREAT)

My local shop allowed me the opportunity to play with the lens last weekend and as been said it does appear to be a very nice lens. Sadly I noticed what I think are minute spots of fungus on the zoom assembly Still hopefull of a deal if they could clean and service.

Mike

Can anyone offer a comparison between this lens and the 135-400? Clearly the latter is slower but how about IQ? I've been trying to find reviews of the 135-400 but there aren't many around...

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Simon

K10D
www.photonetics.co.uk