Super zooms
Posted 08/08/2011 - 17:49
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Blythman wrote:
Bear in mind the Sigma 100-300 is heavy too at 1.44kg. The 120-400 is 1.64kg while the 150-500 is 1.78kg. In comparison the Pentax 55-300 is only 0.44kg
Bear in mind the Sigma 100-300 is heavy too at 1.44kg. The 120-400 is 1.64kg while the 150-500 is 1.78kg. In comparison the Pentax 55-300 is only 0.44kg
Indeed it's not a light lens but I beleive the balance is a b it better though then the 150-500, that one has one massive front element.
philstaff wrote:
that would be good Stefan if you have also photos using the 1.4 converter attached to the lens.
Ian
that would be good Stefan if you have also photos using the 1.4 converter attached to the lens.
Ian
I'm installing some of the photographic software i hadn't done yet after that i'll upload a photo.
Don't have one with the 1.4 converter though, sorry.
Posted 08/08/2011 - 19:47
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I should have a 1.4x for my 100-300 soon.
at 250mm, 1/320, f5 (!!), ISO 125:
that's on a Monopod. It really is a heavy thing; it brings the weight of a gripped K5 rapidly towards 3kg.
I can do some 100% crops, but to be honest, if you're worried about weight, then the best thing really is the 55-300 as everything else weighs a ton.
Another alternative which isn't *quite* so heavy is the Tok 80-400. Having until recently had one of those, I think it's really rather good and certainly holds its own against the 100-300, considering it's half the price - at least - and here's the proviso - on a K5. Because the 100-300 is a constant f4 and the Tok needs to be stopped down to f8 at least, meaning that where I can use the f5 of the 100-300 and complain because only the rear of the car is in focus (my fault), at f8 the whole thing works:
300mm, 1/800, f9, ISO640:
I like the compactness of the Tok (it fits in a Lens Case 4S, whereas the 100-300 needs a 4 - it's nearly a foot long) but it's still 800g or so and without the collar I'd find it unmanageable after a time. The Siggy was an opportunity to be taken and so far I'm reasonably impressed. However, it's neither cheap nor light and I can see me going for a 70-200 or even a 55-300 to complement it at some point for the times when I simply don't want to lug it around...
Bret
at 250mm, 1/320, f5 (!!), ISO 125:
that's on a Monopod. It really is a heavy thing; it brings the weight of a gripped K5 rapidly towards 3kg.
I can do some 100% crops, but to be honest, if you're worried about weight, then the best thing really is the 55-300 as everything else weighs a ton.
Another alternative which isn't *quite* so heavy is the Tok 80-400. Having until recently had one of those, I think it's really rather good and certainly holds its own against the 100-300, considering it's half the price - at least - and here's the proviso - on a K5. Because the 100-300 is a constant f4 and the Tok needs to be stopped down to f8 at least, meaning that where I can use the f5 of the 100-300 and complain because only the rear of the car is in focus (my fault), at f8 the whole thing works:
300mm, 1/800, f9, ISO640:
I like the compactness of the Tok (it fits in a Lens Case 4S, whereas the 100-300 needs a 4 - it's nearly a foot long) but it's still 800g or so and without the collar I'd find it unmanageable after a time. The Siggy was an opportunity to be taken and so far I'm reasonably impressed. However, it's neither cheap nor light and I can see me going for a 70-200 or even a 55-300 to complement it at some point for the times when I simply don't want to lug it around...
Bret
my pics: link
my kit: K3, K5, K-01, DA 18-55, D-FA50 macro, Siggy 30/1.4, 100-300/f4, 70-200/2.8, Samsung 12-24/f4, Tamron 17-50, and lots of other bits.
my kit: K3, K5, K-01, DA 18-55, D-FA50 macro, Siggy 30/1.4, 100-300/f4, 70-200/2.8, Samsung 12-24/f4, Tamron 17-50, and lots of other bits.
Posted 08/08/2011 - 20:12
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Sigma 100-300mm f4 with Sigma 2x teleconverter.
600mm handheld ... AF is a bit sluggish though.
Fallow Deer in the New Forest by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
600mm handheld ... AF is a bit sluggish though.
Fallow Deer in the New Forest by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Posted 09/08/2011 - 10:30
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Thanks Stefan,Bret and Mike I will check out the Tok Bret suggested. However looking at the shot of the Deer with the pentax and converter this looks a very good option. Would a 1.4 give a better IQ and also how much focal length would I loose compared to a 2x converter. Thinking back to the show I would imagine a focal length of 400 to 500 would have got me the shots I missed from the show by cropping the origanal photo tight to the plane.
Regards Ian
Regards Ian
Posted 09/08/2011 - 10:31
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Sorry should have read Sigma and converter.
Ian
Ian
Posted 09/08/2011 - 11:21
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the 1.4 / 2x comparison was posted recently by - i think - thoughton - and the 1.4 is slightly better than the 2.x. I'm interested to see how the 100-300 behaves with a 1.4 on the back, as I will have the combo hopefully in a couple of weeks.
100-300 x 1.4 = 140-420mm / f5.6
Bret
100-300 x 1.4 = 140-420mm / f5.6
Bret
my pics: link
my kit: K3, K5, K-01, DA 18-55, D-FA50 macro, Siggy 30/1.4, 100-300/f4, 70-200/2.8, Samsung 12-24/f4, Tamron 17-50, and lots of other bits.
my kit: K3, K5, K-01, DA 18-55, D-FA50 macro, Siggy 30/1.4, 100-300/f4, 70-200/2.8, Samsung 12-24/f4, Tamron 17-50, and lots of other bits.
Posted 10/08/2011 - 11:34
Link
Thanks Bret that reach would probably have got the photos I missed on the day.
Ian
Ian
Posted 10/08/2011 - 12:03
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Here's another vote for the Tokina 80-400. Solid build, very usable images once stopped down a bit, and a great long zoom. I think there's one on ebay at the moment 330597880388 that looks like a good copy.
Looks like the seller also has a classic 35-105 A series. Hmmmm, might even throw a bid on......
Regards
Looks like the seller also has a classic 35-105 A series. Hmmmm, might even throw a bid on......
Regards
Sam-Joseph
Pentax K7, Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 1.4x TC, Vivitar 2x TC. Takumar 135mm f2.5, SMC Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7, SMC Pentax -M 1:4 200mm, Pentax X70
Pentax K7, Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 1.4x TC, Vivitar 2x TC. Takumar 135mm f2.5, SMC Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7, SMC Pentax -M 1:4 200mm, Pentax X70
Posted 10/08/2011 - 12:30
Link
Quick and dirty test of the 100-300mm f4 with 1.4x teleconverter.
Nothing done apart from the crop ... af speed was reasonable, if it can lock onto a seagull then it should be ok with a jet or suchlike. Needs a bit of PP work though.
450mm f/11 1/400
Sigma 100-300mm f4 test by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Sigma 100-300mm f4 test by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Nothing done apart from the crop ... af speed was reasonable, if it can lock onto a seagull then it should be ok with a jet or suchlike. Needs a bit of PP work though.
450mm f/11 1/400
Sigma 100-300mm f4 test by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Sigma 100-300mm f4 test by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr
Posted 10/08/2011 - 14:53
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Thanks Mike thats good of you to share these they look fine to me Im going to weigh up the pros and cons between using a converter or have a look at a 150 500 or similar and see how I manage the weight.
Ian
Ian
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4248 posts
13 years
Blyth,
Northumberland
Well I've recently acquired the Sigma 150-500mm and good as it appears to be I wouldn't want to be pointing at the sky for long. It's blooming heavy!
Nwver realy thought about the wait and support needed but with spinal damage it looks like I will also have to take this point into consideration as well. Thanks for the feed back so far guys.
Ian
Bear in mind the Sigma 100-300 is heavy too at 1.44kg. The 120-400 is 1.64kg while the 150-500 is 1.78kg. In comparison the Pentax 55-300 is only 0.44kg
PPG
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