worth paying double to get a Siggy 120-400 over the Pentax 55-300mm?
Frankly - to me, other than price - the only advantage of the 55-300-- is weight - although I have no issue hand holding the 120-400 - there is no denying it is a much bigger heavier lens than the 55-300.
If I had the funds to buy either - for me the choice would be a very simple one.
Carl
Stuart..
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
pentax da*50-135 pentax da*60-250 sigma af 400mm pentax 1.7 af adapter
Pentax af aw 1.4 rear converter and a flash
I was also considering the Pentax 300/4 and Sigma 300/2.8, though I believe the 300/4 would be the logical choice based on IQ and used prices. Anyone care to chip-in further based on qualified use and ownership of all or any of the above? I know what the 120-400 non-OS and 100-300/4 can do, so am looking for opinions on the OS 120-400, 300/4 Pentax and Sigma 300/2.8.
Thanks all. 120-400 ordered.. was the way I was leaning toward as I have never had anything over 300mm but mainly the longest I have had and for the past few years is 70-200 so it has that something new feeling.
Did you buy it via the SRS evilBay outlet store as delivery is free as opposed to claiming it back on their main website? Once you get it, can you post your initial findings in terms of IQ throughout the focal range, OS operation/battery life and CA control as having owned 2x copies of the non-OS version, I found it severely lacking in AF speed due to the stupid HSM which I found works like a speed governor slowing it down unlike a screw-driven lens and IQ was no better than a budget zoom. I'm hoping the current OS version will be a huge improvement from it's predecessor, though I have that horrible feeling . . .
[quote]Falling to understand why Pentax K mount has been singled out as expensive. The Pentax version of he new lens is £499 at SRS. Both the Canon and Nikon version are £629
Failing to understand why Pentax K mount has been singled out as expensive. The Pentax version of he new lens is £499 at SRS. Both the Canon and Nikon version are £629
I know, SRS have ongoing sales for the Pentax mount of Sigma lenses, though depending on where you buy, prices for other mounts can be cheaper depending on lens model, but the point remains valid as to why certain models demand 2x the price for K-Mount.
but the point remains valid as to why certain models demand 2x the price for K-Mount.
Supply and demand ... Both the 100-300mm f4 and the Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro are very hard to source for Pentax mount as Sigma sold relatively few and people tend to keep them once found.
I did tell you this when you first advertised for one but you knew better
Failing to understand why Pentax K mount has been singled out as expensive. The Pentax version of he new lens is £499 at SRS. Both the Canon and Nikon version are £629
I know, SRS have ongoing sales for the Pentax mount of Sigma lenses, though depending on where you buy, prices for other mounts can be cheaper depending on lens model, but the point remains valid as to why certain models demand 2x the price for K-Mount.
Simply because us Pentax users are starved for good quality long glass while much more is on the market for other makes. So when a Siggy 100-300f4 comes up we descend on it like a ravening hord and push the price up, there isn't the same demand for it in other mounts so the price is lower. Same goes for the Siggy 400 telemacro etc. etc.
At the time I couldn't find it anywhere else in stock, glad I bought it as its a great lens.
I can imagine other brands 2nd hand are also cheaper due to the Sigma 120-300 being available which I understand was seen as the replacement for the 100-300.
Regards
George
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148 posts
11 years
Leicester
in Canon I did this with a 70-200 L glass and yes I had to crop with small birds but they kept the sharpness good enough..
now I have got everything now that I thought essential and have some spare funds so I was quite prepared to get the 55-300 off Amazon @ £257 with £20 going back to my Amazon account so making it £237..
the I started looking at the Sigma 120-400 on SRS, I am tempted but and more so if its worth the extra money, the extra size & weight is not an issue and its the top end of my available funds but again if its worth it I don't mind..
any thoughts, real time feedback appreciated... what I don't like about the 55-300mm is it overlaps my 55-135 but that is pretty low down on the list of reasons not to choose that lens..
Ta
Pentax K50