SOS - impartial lens buying advice needed urgently!

First and foremost my thanks to you all for taking the time to respond.

Tom and John: your photographs make a compelling argument in favour of the DA* 300mm and I'm seriously tempted, but am starting to come down on the side of the Sigma 100-300mm DG EX (see response to Mile P, below). Not because I believe it to be a better optic, although, pixel-peepers excepted, there doesn't seem to be a huge difference in every day use, but because of the increased flexibility it offers, widespread availability of a matched 1.4x TC and, at present, price.

John: I've been looking out for one of these for quite a while but without success. Either they are so good that no one will part with them or the production run with the Pentax bayonet must have been tiny.

Mat W: You are right to point out that a good lens/camera is no substitute for good field craft, preparation and subject knowledge (knowing when and where and how to capture your prey). I agree, too, that the Sigma 70-300mm, especially in its APO DG Macro incarnation, is a much maligned lens and one with which I have had some success at the 300mm end, but this has only whetted my appetite for more.

Stuey: I have explored that route but without the success/godd fortune that you have experienced. In the process, I've forked out quite a bit to return lenses that turned out, for a whole variety of reasons, not to 'cut the mustard'. Musn't grumble, though, because in every case the seller has given a refund once the lens had ben returned

Mike P: Great suggestion and the more I research the more I feel that the 100 - 300mm f4 EX DG may be the one to go for: especially as it seems that, if I move swiftly, I could get the lens and matched 1.4X converter new for around a grand. Would like to know if you shoot mainly hand-held, using a monopod or a tripod with a gimbal head?

In another week the school holidays will be upon us, giving me the time to get to a shop that stocks both or two shops that are in reach of each other. Unfortunately, my preferred supplier, SRS, only stock the Da* 300.

Cheers and thanks once again for your help and advice.

Jon

Always handheld.

A few pics taken with the Sigma 100-300mm f4.

K10D.




K20D. (just sold to Thoramay)




K-7.

Hello Jon

One of the things I love most about the forum is you ask a question and get great advice (possibly with the exception of mine - not that I am trying to sell anything)without being sold anything.

One of the other things I like is that you get the opportunity to take people's ideas on board and then make the decision that makes you happy.

Whilst I have no experience of the Sigma 100 - 300 plus the converter my guess (of course partly based on the recommendation and photo's above) is that this may well be an excellent combination in terms of quality/ convenience/price that is probably overlooked by many including myself - let's face it the key to this seems to be finding the correct balance of price, quality and convenience that suits you best.

If you do go for this combo please post a few results as when the time comes for me to get the urge for some longer glass that I don't have to focus myself it is now a combo I will look into as well, assuming of course this will happen (I am told it is inevitable)


Cheers



Stu

Hi Jon, hope this bit helps, but Practical photography did a lens test on long zooms a few months back, and the 120-400 was amongst them (it also included the Tamron 200-500, the Sigma 150-500 and even the Canon 100-400 L lens).
The one that won was the 120-400 in their opinion, and it was nothing to do with the price. They considered it the best image quality of the bunch.
Sure it won't be quite as good as a prime, but it is pretty good value, and has a motor drive, even for Pentax.

Well, I finally acted on the advice given and purchased the Sigma 100-300mm f4 AP0 DG EX. James at SRS was kind enough to hold me up and guide my strangely unresponsive first finger as I struggled to enter my pin number into the card reader, having first added the cost of a Manfrotto carbon-fibre monopod and compact ball head to the total

For the benefit of Stu and anyone else that can be 'arsed' to look here are some of the first shots taken using the above kit and K20D













C&C much appreciated and please let me know asap if you think I might have been 'sold a pup'

Jon

Congratulations, and well done, hope you enjoy your new lens.

Regards,

John

Hi Jon

I can't view the pic's in work due to stupid system restrictions but I will take a peak this evening.


Cheers


Stu.

Hello Again

I like those photo's - looks like a decent lens - one I would be happy with.

I don't know if it is the appearance and size of my (antiques road show) NPS 400mm but every time I attach it to the camera all wildlife bar doves disappear

Here's my torture test in terms of fringing etc - not sure if I did not quite hit the spot with focus but whilst not perfect it isn't bad - however I suspect it will not match the quality of your ex lens though

link

Congratulations on the purchase Jon, you've already put the lens to good use