I had the final version of the Sigma (HSM not screwdrive) and it was a great lens but I found a Pentax version at a very good price so bought it. Having had previous versions of the Sigma I found the final one to be the best of the bunch, HSM is faster and quieter than screw drive and it was definately sharper in the corners.

I have to say the Pentax is sharper again but not oustandingly so (remember I am comparing it to the HSM lens which is sharper than the screw drive) and I struggled as to whether I should sell it on but in the end I kept the Pentax lens for the WR the fact I have always found Sigma's HSM to be a little dodgy where focus accuracy is concerned ... 90 times out of 100 it will nail it but Pentax lenses seem to get it right every time.

As for SDM it's a different motor so no worries there. (obviously I will not guarantee that answer)

When I wrote that i thought to myself that it could be misinterprited.

What I actually meant was that Ricoh themselves don't seem that interested in making a go of the brand.

To be fair they haven't made anything in Pentax mount worth buying for years anyway. Shame as they are knocking it out of the ballpark atm but I can see why they have stopped making lenses for Pentax and at the end of the day why should anyone else support the brand when the actual owners don't seem interested.

And an empty box

Sold on Ebay

Last one I had...

500mm f/8


White Egret - Keyhaven by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

You know how small a jumping spider is ... 100% crop 300mm


Jumping Spider - Blashford Lakes (100% Crop) by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

Anything under £500 is a good price, it's really worth around £600 I would say. As far as I am concerned if you can't run to a 150-450mm then this is a very good second best. The wider capability is handy at times and It also has very good close focus ability, not quite macro but not far off.

Must admit I had seen it before this thread was posted, was toying with making a cheeky bid once the reserve price became known but my cash is needed elsewhere now.

If you have to put a reserve price then put how much it is in the listing, that way if people aren't interested then they can just move on to the bargain they are looking for. Personally I just start it at the lowest price I am willing to take, if it goes for that then I'm happy enough.

I also don't bid on items with a reserve price.

Edit: Notice there is a bid on it now, having had 3 of these in the past first thing I would do is ditch the UV filter. Wonder if the mount conversion has been done for the K-1/KP.

That's the older non OS version, not as good optically but not a bad price for 500mm.

Unfortunately it seems most people seem to know someone/have read something/seen something about a new crop sensor body which has been "coming" for the last couple of years.

Please don't take this personally but I will believe it when I actually hold one in my hands (Or Chris from SRS says he has them in stock).