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10-21-2014, 10:26 AM   #1
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DA 560 news...

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For the first time I can remember you can buy a DA 560 for the same price as a Sigma 500 ƒ4.5. One wonders, if this is going to cut into sales of the Sigma enough to cause it's cancellation. It seems recently Sigma has pulled out of every segment of the market where they have competition, and some where they don't. I'm betting, when existing stocks are gone, that's it for this lens. If you want one, get it soon.




Last edited by normhead; 10-21-2014 at 10:28 AM. Reason: typo
10-21-2014, 11:10 AM   #2
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Do you mean Sigma will stop producing it in Pentax mount? That's a possibility, as it always is, but Sigma doesn't stop making a lens when there is a competition from OEM gear... just look at what they offer for Nikon and Canon. Sigma only stops making lenses for a certain mount when there is not enough sales to justify doing it. That's been the case with PK mount for a while now...
10-21-2014, 11:22 AM   #3
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I think that's where Norm was going with this. If you can get the 560 for the price of the Sigma lens, more buyers will opt for the DA, which could in turn cause Sigma to discontinue the k-mount version (read no longer enough sales to justify). If I had $6k burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get the DA to marry up with my HD 1.4x.
10-21-2014, 11:31 AM   #4
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You can get the Sigma for this at B&H but if they were the same price I would get the DA.

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10-21-2014, 12:02 PM   #5
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More reasonable, but of course I would purchase the Sigma for $5k.... even if the Pentax reduced the price of the 560 down to $5k.

F/5.6 doesn't take teleconverters very well, and I need a telephoto at that length, not a "normal" lens.
10-21-2014, 12:29 PM   #6
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Those poor lenses will be all appear to be a bit shorter once a Pentax FF arrives, if you've been shooting them with current Pentaxes.

But if you mount the 1.4 TC on them to restore your 'lost' reach, you end up with minimum f8 or f5.6 lenses
10-21-2014, 12:47 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by ElJamoquio Quote
More reasonable, but of course I would purchase the Sigma for $5k.... even if the Pentax reduced the price of the 560 down to $5k.

F/5.6 doesn't take teleconverters very well, and I need a telephoto at that length, not a "normal" lens.
That's what is probably wise, although if memory serves me well there are a few 1.4 TC images taken with the 560 that are pretty good.

A-400 with 1.4 TC



Mind you I usually focus without the help of the AF system.

But the 560 is earning a reputation already.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...enses-928.html

On this page there are some images taken with the FA*250-600 5.6, with the TC. They seem to hold up pretty good.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...enses-927.html

1.4 with the 500
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...enses-925.html

Looking on this page...
1.4 TC with Sigma 500 compared to images further down the page taken with the 560, the 560 looks better. it's not conclusive evidence of anything but it's one kick at the can.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...enses-925.html

10-21-2014, 12:53 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by ak_kiwi Quote
You can get the Sigma for this at B&H but if they were the same price I would get the DA.
The launch price for the DA 560 was simply not out of this world.
But even if they were the same price I am not sure. As a long-time Sigma 500/4,5 user I know this lens sets the standard pretty high. In terms of image quality the DA is not going to be significantly better. Knowing the optical formula of the DA I would be really interested in seeing a thorough test of these two lenses.
10-21-2014, 02:25 PM   #9
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Have a look at the photos in this thread with the DA560 and 1.4TC. This seems to contradict the claim that the DA560 and a TC doesn't work well.
10-21-2014, 02:49 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by RobG Quote
Have a look at the photos in this thread with the DA560 and 1.4TC. This seems to contradict the claim that the DA560 and a TC doesn't work well.
Those look to be resized to web resolution.
10-21-2014, 03:10 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
For the first time I can remember you can buy a DA 560 for the same price as a Sigma 500 ƒ4.5. One wonders, if this is going to cut into sales of the Sigma enough to cause it's cancellation. It seems recently Sigma has pulled out of every segment of the market where they have competition, and some where they don't. I'm betting, when existing stocks are gone, that's it for this lens. If you want one, get it soon.
Norm,

Were these prices from a Canadian outfit, i.e.: in CDN dollars ?
If so, it does compare quite well with B&H pricing, in USD.

JP
10-21-2014, 03:14 PM   #12
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Don't need this type of lens anymore. My drone will get me close enough. I just have to figure out how to keep the hawks from attacking it. Maybe I could dress the drone up as a pig???
10-21-2014, 04:06 PM   #13
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I can't imagine why anyone will use a converter with such a long lens. I own the FA* 600/4 and it is hard enough to hit focus with it alone. Let alone preventing image blur due to vibrations even with the sturdiest tripod (mine weigths 8kg: the lens 7kg). With this kind of magnification I'll try to shoot at 1/4000s everytime I can. For this kind of magnification a sturdy tripod do not really exist; you need three point support bolted to a rocky ground.
You probably get better result with a DA* 300/4 lens and a Q......
10-21-2014, 04:11 PM   #14
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The 560 price is from these guys but is in US dollars... the Sigma 500 price was from Henry's.
NEW HD PENTAX DA 560mm F 5.6 ED AW LENS SUPER-TELEPHOTO WEATHER-RESISTANT items in Prodigital2000 store on eBay!

---------- Post added 10-21-14 at 07:26 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Pål Jensen Quote
I can't imagine why anyone will use a converter with such a long lens. I own the FA* 600/4 and it is hard enough to hit focus with it alone. Let alone preventing image blur due to vibrations even with the sturdiest tripod (mine weigths 8kg: the lens 7kg). With this kind of magnification I'll try to shoot at 1/4000s everytime I can. For this kind of magnification a sturdy tripod do not really exist; you need three point support bolted to a rocky ground.
You probably get better result with a DA* 300/4 lens and a Q......
Except, the Q images I've seen have all been diffraction limited, and softer than you'd get with a 560 and a larger sensor. The Q gives you magnification, so far I'm not convinced it gets you clean images.
10-21-2014, 04:28 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by ziscwg Quote
Don't need this type of lens anymore. My drone will get me close enough. I just have to figure out how to keep the hawks from attacking it. Maybe I could dress the drone up as a pig???
I'll use a drone when pigs fly! Oh, wait...
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