I get the most "pleasure" (ahem) from the 180mm macro. So that one

Thanks I have used it a little with a Kenko 1.5x TC with the Pz contacts. It was OK, but I've since come to the conclusion that TC's really degrade picture quality too much for me and you get better results by simply zooming/cropping a photo (esp. on the K20D).

Hard for me to choose between:
Pentax: 300mm DA*
Sigma: 180mm Macro

Again, down to the type of photography you prefer.

I use:

. A tripod (you can squeeze them in between the seat and the viewing slot if you're careful)
. A bean bag (make sure you get one with a length of cord which you attach to your belt, otherwise you may end up losing your bean bag through the hide slot)
. A monopod (not really a good idea as it wobbles around too much)
. Rest the lens on the tripod foot in the hide slot

The last one is now my preferred options after trying all the others. If you don't have a tripod foot, I'd go with the bean bag - those give you the best range of motion and the ability to move quickly if a surprise turns up at a tricky angle.

In a tent hide I'd use a tripod as there's nothing else to rest on.

This is using the Tamron 300mm SP, the Pentax DA* 300mm and the Sigma 500mm f4.5

Same here.

A few shots taken with the new AF160FC:

Initial impressions:

1. Very well built with a sturdy construction and quality connections and parts

2. Heavy, but has a very good balance on the K20D

3. Works without any vignetting on the DFA 100mm Macro and the Sigma 180mm Macro - the latter needs an additional 67-72mm step-up ring which I purchase on fleabay for ~£3

4. From my limited testing to date - exposure is spot on. For 1:1 macro work at f/16 I did need to dial in the provided +0.5 power on the dial

5. Slower recharge rate compared to me Metz 48 AF-1

6. Cable might be unwieldy for some, but fine for me

7. Although composed of two flash lights, they almost completely encircle the flash (semi-circular in design) giving a much better (IMHO) reflection that the Sigma or Metz macro flashes (small straight strip flashes) that produce distinct separate bars which (again IMHO) don't look as attractive in 1:1 macro

8. Having 5 settings for full, full-left full-right left and right flash are excellent and allow you to play with different shadow effects

9. Excellent service from SRS as always

Some examples with my K20D:

Springtail (Sigma 180mm Macro):


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/3276541942/

Mothfly (Pentax DFA 100mm) - 1:1 macro:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/3293181266/

Snowdrop (Pentax DFA 100mm):


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/3293241406/

A few more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/tags/af160fc/

My apologies I do agree that the Sigma is the best value for money macro flash and would probably have got it if the Pentax hadn't got theirs out before Spring.

Unfortunately, this is very typical for Sigma and their flashes. It's the main reason I didn't go with their ring flash and now have the AF160FC in my grubby mitts

Great shot. It's a true bug (as opposed to the American "bug" meaning insect) nymph.

It depends on what you're photographing and what your requirements are. Do you want a zoom or a prime? Would an old manual mirror lens suffice?

For that kind of money, perhaps the latest Sigma 150-500mm would be the best to look at for overall versatility (especially that it sports HSM). Just be aware that you will compromise some at the long end, in particular light, which will need to be good to get optimum focus on distant objects.

If you are happy cropping photo's and you can put up with a little more walking , then the Pentax DA*300mm is a lovely lens.

You could look into the older Pentax lenses which come up now and again ebay, but you may be looking at manual focusing, etc. then.