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06-03-2015, 11:09 AM   #1
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A zoom equal to the DA* 300mm? The Sigma 120-400mm, or 50-500 maybe?

I've been using my 55-300 with the original Q for surf pix and am not totally happy with the outcome. I know the DA* 300 with the Q has become the combo to have but I need the ability to zoom. Is there a zoom out there with a 300mm or more on the long end that matches the DA* for sharpness?

06-03-2015, 11:14 AM   #2
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I think the D FA 150-450 will come closest. The Sigma 120-400 is really just a shorter version of the 150-500.
06-03-2015, 11:25 AM   #3
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Sigma 100-300/4
06-03-2015, 11:43 AM   #4
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None of the zooms will get you quite to the same level. The new pentax 150-450 is as close as you will get.

06-03-2015, 11:49 AM   #5
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The Sigma 120-400 is not that great IQ-wise -- it isn't bad, but closer to "consumer zoom" than "high end". The Sigma 100-300/4 is very good if you can find it, and is a true pro-level lens. (The DA*300 prime likely still somewhat superior though.) Other than possibly the new Pentax zoom mentioned above or one of the very expensive older FA long zooms, you probably can't beat the Sigma 100-300/4 if it has to be a zoom. They are a bit scarce though. All of the other Sigma zooms will be a step down IQ-wise (and speed-wise).
06-03-2015, 11:51 AM   #6
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150-450 indeed. If you can live with less than 300mm, the 60-250 comes to mind. Maybe with a teleconverter? Or the 70-200 with TC?
06-03-2015, 12:29 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
Sigma 100-300/4
+1 (if you can find one that somebody's prepared to sell)

06-03-2015, 01:29 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by percy Quote
if you can find one that somebody's prepared to sell
If to be used on Q "only", a canon, Nikon or other mount version will be much cheaper. I saw $600-800 out there last year before I bought 60-250.
06-03-2015, 03:58 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by grahame Quote
If to be used on Q "only", a canon, Nikon or other mount version will be much cheaper. I saw $600-800 out there last year before I bought 60-250.
I want to be able to use it on my other bodies as well.

Here's one of the sharper pix from that day at Trestles. One is uncropped with some exposure adjustments and smart sharpening in PS and the other is cropped as I would be inclined to do. Cropping such a small sensor only adds to the issues, I know, but I do feel it could be sharper to begin with
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06-03-2015, 06:36 PM   #10
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Hi. The link below is from a comparison I did few years back. I still think it is accurate today. I still have the DA* 300. It really is an excellent lena. Hope this helps.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/134439-sigm...-thoughts.html
06-03-2015, 10:40 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by candgpics Quote
Hi. The link below is from a comparison I did few years back. I still think it is accurate today. I still have the DA* 300. It really is an excellent lena. Hope this helps.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/134439-sigm...-thoughts.html
Thanks. You concerns about ISO are very much shared, especially with the Q.
06-04-2015, 11:04 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by percy Quote
+1 (if you can find one that somebody's prepared to sell)
Well, you're not having mine to start with
06-04-2015, 11:05 AM   #13
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I cannot say whether it is equal to the DA300/4, but my early sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX (non DG non macro) plus it's 1.4 x or 2x sigma TC gives excellent results.
06-04-2015, 04:54 PM   #14
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DFA 150-450 from what I see so far it equals my DA*300 ,really impressed with this baby(this heavy baby!!) have yet to try on Q,maybe this weekend..
06-04-2015, 05:19 PM   #15
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In your samples one thing to keep in mind when shooting with the Q and adapted telephoto is that atmospheric effects will be exaggerated as well.

I have found that shooting across a hot sandy beach to get pictures of shore birds, heat waves will blur the picture.
In this instance changing my position to the cooler wet sand that was getting lapped by the waves shooting parallel to the water line improved the shots since I did not have to deal with heatwaves.
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