150-450 v 150-500 v 300 + 1.4TC

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 03:55 PM

Hi,

I've got a K5 with 18-135 and 55-300 and 2xTC to cover the long end and a few shorter lenses (M and AF) that I rarely use.

The issue that I am pondering is the best option for a K5 user, I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration.

The issue: Which is the best buy/option? Pentax 150-450 or Sigma 150-500 or the *300 + 1.4 TC.

I enjoy taking photos of birds and wild life, nothing serious but I do like to get nice images of my subjects.

My question to the PF is as follows:

Which is the best option of the three in your opinion?

Cheers.

Last edited by FreeSpirit9; 08-02-2015 at 04:33 PM.

pathdoc · 08-02-2015, 05:06 PM

You need to think about whether you could do without a zoom's flexibility. If you can't, the prime plus TC option is out at once. After that, it comes down to quality and price (which will vary by location) vs. those extra 50mm at the long end.

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 05:10 PM

Good point about the zoom's flexibility. Something to think about. Price is also an issue. On the basis of this it seems the sigma is winning.

**jatrax** · 08-02-2015, 05:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FreeSpirit9

I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration.

So your budget will not support upgrading to a k-3 but it will support buying a $2,000 lens? Confused.

The best option, based on the images I have seen in the image thread, is the 150-450. It appears to be a superb lens. I know others might disagree but for birding I prefer a zoom as you do not always know where the bird will be. The DA*300 + HD 1.4x RC is also a good combination and a bit cheaper. But you have then a fixed focal length which IMHO is not ideal for birding.

pathdoc · 08-02-2015, 05:18 PM

Reading between the lines, I wonder if OP's upgrade path isn't currently the full frame.

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

So your budget will not support upgrading to a k-3 but it will support buying a $2,000 lens? Confused.

.

It's said that investing in lenses is the best option. I am happy with my K5 and have not tried a K3 so cannot comment on the upgrade. I've gotten some really great images with my K5 so I was thinking that upgrading my lenses is a better option. Also getting the extra reach is a bonus.

Do you think that getting a K3 is the better option?

pathdoc · 08-02-2015, 05:29 PM

I would rather have the lenses. I am in no hurry to upgrade from my own K 5, and in fact I would still be using an *istDL if it hadn't suddenly died.

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by pathdoc

Reading between the lines, I wonder if OP's upgrade path isn't currently the full frame.

Subconsciously Maybe? Hadn't thought about that....... Good point! That does change my thinking somewhat.....so then, what options does that leave me with for the long term? I am very happy with my K5.

**jatrax** · 08-02-2015, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by FreeSpirit9

Do you think that getting a K3 is the better option?

It is another option. One that allows you use your current lenses and crop to get a 'closer' image. Whether that would be better than the k-5 plus a good long lens is up for debate.

Look at it this way: if you have $2,000 to spend is it better (for you) to get a special purpose lens that might only get used occasionally or a new camera that gets used all the time? I'm not judging, only you can decide that. I'm just throwing out another option. One thing to consider is that the k-3 is heavily discounted now as end of life but the 150-450 is still getting top dollar or nearly so. So for only slightly more than the cost of the 150-450 you could get a k-3 and the DA*300 and the HD 1.4x RC. If you go used you could get that combo for quite a bit less.

Only you can decide based on your budget and what you shoot the most. If that is 100% birds then maybe the 150-450 is the best answer and wait another year or so for the camera.

pathdoc · 08-02-2015, 05:41 PM

The full frame will make your lenses appear less "zoomy" than an APS-C body, which is good for the wide angle fanatics, not so good for you. Wait and see what happens and how much it costs. By the time you've saved up for it, all the bugs will be known and the brave guinea pigs who rushed out and got it at once will have accumulated knowledge and advice to (hopefully) share with the more cautious ones.

gmans · 08-02-2015, 05:42 PM

The F* or FA*300 are a really great lens if you can find them on the second hand market. I have the FA*300 and a sigma 1.4 TC, which does a decent job of extending the focal length with a slight loss in contrast and no real loss in definition.

This combo is fairly good on AF as well.

PS; the sigma was a good price on ebay and there is reportedly better TC,s the tamron and Pentax 1.4.

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by pathdoc

The full frame will make your lenses appear less "zoomy" than an APS-C body, which is good for the wide angle fanatics, not so good for you. Wait and see what happens and how much it costs. By the time you've saved up for it, all the bugs will be known and the brave guinea pigs who rushed out and got it at once will have accumulated knowledge and advice to (hopefully) share with the more cautious ones.

Good point.

noelpolar · 08-02-2015, 05:52 PM

I see the K3 as a K5 with a TC attached as far as resoloution goes.... plus you get better focussing etc. k3 isn't much more expensive then a tc now as well......just a different way of thinking about it.

C_Jones · 08-02-2015, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by FreeSpirit9

Hi,

I've got a K5 with 18-135 and 55-300 and 2xTC to cover the long end and a few shorter lenses (M and AF) that I rarely use.

The issue that I am pondering is the best option for a K5 user, I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration.

The issue: Which is the best buy/option? Pentax 150-450 or Sigma 150-500 or the *300 + 1.4 TC.

I enjoy taking photos of birds and wild life, nothing serious but I do like to get nice images of my subjects.

My question to the PF is as follows:

Which is the best option of the three in your opinion?

Cheers.

I used a K5 and Sigma 150-500 combination very successfully for birding and wildlife. I sold one of my K5 cameras and then got a K-5IIs which lacks the AA filter, therefore causing me to get somewhat sharper photos with my Sigma 150-500 and the K-5IIs. But, let me tell you, the images I got using the K5 were great. If you were to purchase the Sigma 150-500 for Pentax mount and started by using it with your K5, you definitely are not going to be disappointed. The K5 has valuable performance qualifications, and if you do get a Pentax that lacks the AA filter (K-5IIs and later) you will gain the sharpness. If I were you, I would consider the Sigma 150-500 for the telephoto flexibility and the Sigma 50-500 if you have the budget and may need that extra zoom at the short end. The thing is you would most likely want to get a new one of whatever you get, and I am not sure if the 150-500 for Pentax mount is available to purchase anymore. The 50-500 would do the job if you cannot get the 150-500. I also want to mention, I still have a K5 which I retained as a second body for landscape and portrait.

FreeSpirit9 · 08-02-2015, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by C_Jones

I used a K5 and Sigma 150-500 combination very successfully for birding and wildlife. I sold one of my K5 cameras and then got a K-5IIs which lacks the AA filter, therefore causing me to get somewhat sharper photos with my Sigma 150-500 and the K-5IIs. But, let me tell you, the images I got using the K5 were great. If you were to purchase the Sigma 150-500 for Pentax mount and started by using it with your K5, you definitely are not going to be disappointed. The K5 has valuable performance qualifications, and if you do get a Pentax that lacks the AA filter (K-5IIs and later) you will gain the sharpness. If I were you, I would consider the Sigma 150-500 for the telephoto flexibility and the Sigma 50-500 if you have the budget and may need that extra zoom at the short end. The thing is you would most likely want to get a new one of whatever you get, and I am not sure if the 150-500 for Pentax mount is available to purchase anymore. The 50-500 would do the job if you cannot get the 150-500. I also want to mention, I still have a K5 which I retained as a second body for landscape and portrait.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated as I am of everyone else's advice given on this thread.

Thank you everyone for your good comments and ideas on which way to go; good food for thought.

08-02-2015, 03:55 PM	#1
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557	150-450 v 150-500 v 300 + 1.4TC Hi, I've got a K5 with 18-135 and 55-300 and 2xTC to cover the long end and a few shorter lenses (M and AF) that I rarely use. The issue that I am pondering is the best option for a K5 user, I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration. The issue: Which is the best buy/option? Pentax 150-450 or Sigma 150-500 or the 300 + 1.4 TC. I enjoy taking photos of birds and wild life, nothing serious but I do like to get nice images of my subjects. My question to the PF is as follows: Which is the best option of the three in your opinion? Cheers. Last edited by FreeSpirit9; 08-02-2015 at 04:33 PM.*

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08-02-2015, 05:06 PM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	You need to think about whether you could do without a zoom's flexibility. If you can't, the prime plus TC option is out at once. After that, it comes down to quality and price (which will vary by location) vs. those extra 50mm at the long end.

08-02-2015, 05:10 PM	#3
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557 Original Poster	Good point about the zoom's flexibility. Something to think about. Price is also an issue. On the basis of this it seems the sigma is winning.

08-02-2015, 05:15 PM - 1 Like	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by FreeSpirit9 I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration. So your budget will not support upgrading to a k-3 but it will support buying a $2,000 lens? Confused. The best option, based on the images I have seen in the image thread, is the 150-450. It appears to be a superb lens. I know others might disagree but for birding I prefer a zoom as you do not always know where the bird will be. The DA*300 + HD 1.4x RC is also a good combination and a bit cheaper. But you have then a fixed focal length which IMHO is not ideal for birding.

08-02-2015, 05:18 PM	#5
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Reading between the lines, I wonder if OP's upgrade path isn't currently the full frame.

08-02-2015, 05:20 PM	#6
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax So your budget will not support upgrading to a k-3 but it will support buying a $2,000 lens? Confused. . It's said that investing in lenses is the best option. I am happy with my K5 and have not tried a K3 so cannot comment on the upgrade. I've gotten some really great images with my K5 so I was thinking that upgrading my lenses is a better option. Also getting the extra reach is a bonus. Do you think that getting a K3 is the better option?

08-02-2015, 05:29 PM	#7
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I would rather have the lenses. I am in no hurry to upgrade from my own K 5, and in fact I would still be using an *istDL if it hadn't suddenly died.

08-02-2015, 05:32 PM	#8
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557 Original Poster	Originally posted by pathdoc Reading between the lines, I wonder if OP's upgrade path isn't currently the full frame. Subconsciously Maybe? Hadn't thought about that....... Good point! That does change my thinking somewhat.....so then, what options does that leave me with for the long term? I am very happy with my K5.

08-02-2015, 05:36 PM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by FreeSpirit9 Do you think that getting a K3 is the better option? It is another option. One that allows you use your current lenses and crop to get a 'closer' image. Whether that would be better than the k-5 plus a good long lens is up for debate. Look at it this way: if you have $2,000 to spend is it better (for you) to get a special purpose lens that might only get used occasionally or a new camera that gets used all the time? I'm not judging, only you can decide that. I'm just throwing out another option. One thing to consider is that the k-3 is heavily discounted now as end of life but the 150-450 is still getting top dollar or nearly so. So for only slightly more than the cost of the 150-450 you could get a k-3 and the DA*300 and the HD 1.4x RC. If you go used you could get that combo for quite a bit less. Only you can decide based on your budget and what you shoot the most. If that is 100% birds then maybe the 150-450 is the best answer and wait another year or so for the camera.

08-02-2015, 05:41 PM	#10
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	The full frame will make your lenses appear less "zoomy" than an APS-C body, which is good for the wide angle fanatics, not so good for you. Wait and see what happens and how much it costs. By the time you've saved up for it, all the bugs will be known and the brave guinea pigs who rushed out and got it at once will have accumulated knowledge and advice to (hopefully) share with the more cautious ones.

08-02-2015, 05:42 PM	#11
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	The F* or FA300 are a really great lens if you can find them on the second hand market. I have the FA300 and a sigma 1.4 TC, which does a decent job of extending the focal length with a slight loss in contrast and no real loss in definition. This combo is fairly good on AF as well. PS; the sigma was a good price on ebay and there is reportedly better TC,s the tamron and Pentax 1.4.

08-02-2015, 05:47 PM	#12
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557 Original Poster	Originally posted by pathdoc The full frame will make your lenses appear less "zoomy" than an APS-C body, which is good for the wide angle fanatics, not so good for you. Wait and see what happens and how much it costs. By the time you've saved up for it, all the bugs will be known and the brave guinea pigs who rushed out and got it at once will have accumulated knowledge and advice to (hopefully) share with the more cautious ones. Good point.

08-02-2015, 05:52 PM	#13
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	I see the K3 as a K5 with a TC attached as far as resoloution goes.... plus you get better focussing etc. k3 isn't much more expensive then a tc now as well......just a different way of thinking about it.

08-02-2015, 06:09 PM	#14
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	Originally posted by FreeSpirit9 Hi, I've got a K5 with 18-135 and 55-300 and 2xTC to cover the long end and a few shorter lenses (M and AF) that I rarely use. The issue that I am pondering is the best option for a K5 user, I've little intention on upgrading my K5 for some years to come unless I win the lottery; so you guessed it, money is a serious consideration. The issue: Which is the best buy/option? Pentax 150-450 or Sigma 150-500 or the *300 + 1.4 TC. I enjoy taking photos of birds and wild life, nothing serious but I do like to get nice images of my subjects. My question to the PF is as follows: Which is the best option of the three in your opinion? Cheers. I used a K5 and Sigma 150-500 combination very successfully for birding and wildlife. I sold one of my K5 cameras and then got a K-5IIs which lacks the AA filter, therefore causing me to get somewhat sharper photos with my Sigma 150-500 and the K-5IIs. But, let me tell you, the images I got using the K5 were great. If you were to purchase the Sigma 150-500 for Pentax mount and started by using it with your K5, you definitely are not going to be disappointed. The K5 has valuable performance qualifications, and if you do get a Pentax that lacks the AA filter (K-5IIs and later) you will gain the sharpness. If I were you, I would consider the Sigma 150-500 for the telephoto flexibility and the Sigma 50-500 if you have the budget and may need that extra zoom at the short end. The thing is you would most likely want to get a new one of whatever you get, and I am not sure if the 150-500 for Pentax mount is available to purchase anymore. The 50-500 would do the job if you cannot get the 150-500. I also want to mention, I still have a K5 which I retained as a second body for landscape and portrait.

08-02-2015, 06:17 PM	#15
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557 Original Poster	Originally posted by C_Jones I used a K5 and Sigma 150-500 combination very successfully for birding and wildlife. I sold one of my K5 cameras and then got a K-5IIs which lacks the AA filter, therefore causing me to get somewhat sharper photos with my Sigma 150-500 and the K-5IIs. But, let me tell you, the images I got using the K5 were great. If you were to purchase the Sigma 150-500 for Pentax mount and started by using it with your K5, you definitely are not going to be disappointed. The K5 has valuable performance qualifications, and if you do get a Pentax that lacks the AA filter (K-5IIs and later) you will gain the sharpness. If I were you, I would consider the Sigma 150-500 for the telephoto flexibility and the Sigma 50-500 if you have the budget and may need that extra zoom at the short end. The thing is you would most likely want to get a new one of whatever you get, and I am not sure if the 150-500 for Pentax mount is available to purchase anymore. The 50-500 would do the job if you cannot get the 150-500. I also want to mention, I still have a K5 which I retained as a second body for landscape and portrait. Thanks for your advice, much appreciated as I am of everyone else's advice given on this thread. Thank you everyone for your good comments and ideas on which way to go; good food for thought.