Choosing between 2 Sigma's

[Erasmo]

I sold my Sigma 135-400 but now i need a new telezoom...
I really can't choose between the Sigma 100-300 f/4 and the Bigma.

Sigma 100-300:
+Lighter and smaller than bigma
+f/4
-No HSM
-Range is smaller

Bigma:
+Loooong range
+HSM
-It's huge
-Not as fast as f/4

Did someone else here had the same dilemma? What did you choose and what do you advise me?

Thanks,
An unsure Erasmo

[68wSteve]

I don't have the 100-300 yet but will in a couple of days. I'm in the process of a trade from my DA*300. Personally i would say go with the 100-300 with maybe a 1.5 tc or something. I have heard the Sigma ones are nice. Myself i have a Kenko 1.5tc that I will be using with the 1-300. So it will get you to 450mm, which is pretty close to the bigma. I can't wait to get the 1-300mm, because i was without anything decent from 135mm to 300mm. Don't know if this helps much but i think you be better off with the 100-300mm. If you are looking to pick up the bigma however, i found one on the Korean used forums here for like $695us used that was in pretty good shape, and i can look into it more for you.

Steve

[Erasmo]

I'm hanging towards the 100-300, but i also have heard good stories about the 50-500. But also that for a good iq it requires some stopping down...
Stopping down @ f/6.3 @ 500mm, hello motion blur

Edit: Just saw a youtube video of the 100-300 hunting, dang that is fast!

[G_Money]

Bigma in the Pentax mount doesn't use HSM.

[Harry]

Strange, I would assume people looked first at the latest SIGMA lensen with SDM support. In this case the 120-400 or 150-500mm...

[Erasmo]

Originally Posted by Harry

Strange, I would assume people looked first at the latest SIGMA lensen with SDM support. In this case the 120-400 or 150-500mm...

Both aren't EX and even lacking HSM the 100-300 does focus very fast:
YouTube - SIGMA APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG AF Speed K20D

I think i'm going for the 100-300 by the looks of it now, f/4 is quite handy for me because i shoot a lot from a moving ship, so high shutter speeds are really important...

[Talisker]

I can't speak for the bigma, but the 100-300 F4 is an excellent (if now very pricy) lens. I've not had any issues with focussing speed, but I'm not an action photograher so don't ask for much in that department. IQ holds up well with the Sigma 1.4 teleconverter (although the TC is difficult to match to other lenses due to the protruding front element). It might be smaller than the Bigma, but be aware that its certainly no lightweight, and its pretty sizeable once you put the hood on!

[Erasmo]

Don't tell me about pricy, in the cheapest shop i can find it is €1100