Sigma 55-300mm or Pentax 55-300mm ?

ajaya · 07-19-2010, 09:09 PM

Hi,

Next week I am getting Pentax kx white and i need only tele lens also so i am thinking which one to choose from Sigma 70-300mm APO or PENTAX 55-300MM

My Requirements:
--> Good IQ
--> Portraits
--> birds
---> Macro
Since Sigma has got Macro capabilities i am leaning more towards it but Pentax one is little Lighter compared to sigma. i have not seen much of Macro pictures so it will helpfull if any one post some Macro pics of Both the lens.

AJ

Last edited by ajaya; 07-20-2010 at 12:39 AM.

hcc · 07-20-2010, 12:26 AM

I assume that you meant the Sigma 70-300mm APO: Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Review / Test Report.

ajaya · 07-20-2010, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by hcc

I assume that you meant the Sigma 70-300mm APO: Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Review / Test Report.

Oops sorry. Yes its the 70-300mm which you have mentioned.

kytra · 07-20-2010, 12:57 AM

I am very pleased with the Sigma. probably the photozone guy got a bad copy or I have a very good one.

Kid_UK · 07-20-2010, 01:38 AM

I went with the k-x twin lens kit that has the 55-300 lens and so far am very happy with the results it can produce.

baldrick · 07-20-2010, 01:39 AM

I have both lenses. The Pentax is not a macro lens and does not focus very close (about 1.4 metres). The Sigma is a very good lens, Having said that the Pentax is streets ahead of the Sigma in all other respects.

ajaya · 07-20-2010, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by baldrick

I have both lenses. The Pentax is not a macro lens and does not focus very close (about 1.4 metres). The Sigma is a very good lens, Having said that the Pentax is streets ahead of the Sigma in all other respects.

hi baldrick,
so do u think i should go for twin kitlens and get some raynox later for macro photos?

AJ

SpecialK · 07-20-2010, 09:28 AM

5 or 10 other threads about the the 55-300 are currently going. Get that one.

**Ex Finn.** · 07-20-2010, 04:47 PM

55-300 is not a macro but does focus pretty close.

ajaya · 07-20-2010, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by Ex Finn.

55-300 is not a macro but does focus pretty close.

Wow

thanks i will go for 55-300 then

imtheguy · 07-20-2010, 09:55 PM

You will get FAR better macro from the DA55-300 with a slim, clip-on Raynox150 for $35 than anything other than a real dedicated macro lens (Sigma 105/2.8 macro, Tamron 80/2.8 macro, etc.) plus the 55-300 (as you see from the replies) is highly regarded as a consumer class 300mm zoom.

kytra · 07-21-2010, 12:55 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

You will get FAR better macro from the DA55-300 with a slim, clip-on Raynox150 for $35 than anything other than a real dedicated macro lens (Sigma 105/2.8 macro, Tamron 80/2.8 macro, etc.) plus the 55-300 (as you see from the replies) is highly regarded as a consumer class 300mm zoom.

I am curious of some pics, if possible

imtheguy · 07-21-2010, 01:09 AM

Kytra....I'm happy you reread my post and updated your response. A sample coming up, none online at the moment. I will just edit this post in a few minutes with a sample.

EDIT - Taken shortly after I got my first real camera and actually one of the first shots in the field with the Raynox. If it had not been in my pocket the Black Widow inside a cinder block would have gone unphotographed that day. This was also before I understood how much to stop down to get a little DOF. Knowing what I do know, i could get a much deeper and bigger shot but I was very happy with this.

k20d, da55-300 @ 55mm, f7.1 iso400, Raynox 150

ajaya · 07-21-2010, 01:42 AM

Originally posted by imtheguy

Kytra....I'm happy you reread my post and updated your response. A sample coming up, none online at the moment. I will just edit this post in a few minutes with a sample.

EDIT - Taken shortly after I got my first real camera and actually one of the first shots in the field with the Raynox. If it had not been in my pocket the Black Widow inside a cinder block would have gone unphotographed that day. This was also before I understood how much to stop down to get a little DOF. Knowing what I do know, i could get a much deeper and bigger shot but I was very happy with this.

k20d, da55-300 @ 55mm, f7.1 iso400, Raynox 150

Thanks for sharing the pics

raynox is really touching the spider here

bc_the_path · 07-21-2010, 01:51 AM

I have used both.
Sigma is bigger &heavier of the two.
Towards the tele end, both deteriorate a bit and loose contrast; Pentax remains somewhat better.
For most other focal lengths there is ittle difference between them. Still, Pentax always feels better.
Overall, I am pleased by the Pentax one (I have more Sigma glass which I like) and sold the Sigma.

07-19-2010, 09:09 PM	#1
ajaya Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150	Sigma 55-300mm or Pentax 55-300mm ? Hi, Next week I am getting Pentax kx white and i need only tele lens also so i am thinking which one to choose from Sigma 70-300mm APO or PENTAX 55-300MM My Requirements: --> Good IQ --> Portraits --> birds ---> Macro Since Sigma has got Macro capabilities i am leaning more towards it but Pentax one is little Lighter compared to sigma. i have not seen much of Macro pictures so it will helpfull if any one post some Macro pics of Both the lens. AJ Last edited by ajaya; 07-20-2010 at 12:39 AM.

07-20-2010, 04:47 PM	#9
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	55-300 is not a macro but does focus pretty close. Last edited by Ex Finn.; 11-11-2014 at 05:51 PM.

07-21-2010, 01:09 AM	#13
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Kytra....I'm happy you reread my post and updated your response. A sample coming up, none online at the moment. I will just edit this post in a few minutes with a sample. EDIT - Taken shortly after I got my first real camera and actually one of the first shots in the field with the Raynox. If it had not been in my pocket the Black Widow inside a cinder block would have gone unphotographed that day. This was also before I understood how much to stop down to get a little DOF. Knowing what I do know, i could get a much deeper and bigger shot but I was very happy with this. k20d, da55-300 @ 55mm, f7.1 iso400, Raynox 150 Last edited by imtheguy; 07-21-2010 at 01:20 AM.

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07-20-2010, 12:26 AM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	I assume that you meant the Sigma 70-300mm APO: Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Review / Test Report.

07-20-2010, 12:40 AM	#3
ajaya Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by hcc I assume that you meant the Sigma 70-300mm APO: Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Review / Test Report. Oops sorry. Yes its the 70-300mm which you have mentioned.

07-20-2010, 12:57 AM	#4
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	I am very pleased with the Sigma. probably the photozone guy got a bad copy or I have a very good one.

07-20-2010, 01:38 AM	#5
Kid_UK New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 5	I went with the k-x twin lens kit that has the 55-300 lens and so far am very happy with the results it can produce.

07-20-2010, 01:39 AM	#6
baldrick Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bulli, NSW Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 67	I have both lenses. The Pentax is not a macro lens and does not focus very close (about 1.4 metres). The Sigma is a very good lens, Having said that the Pentax is streets ahead of the Sigma in all other respects.

07-20-2010, 05:05 AM	#7
ajaya Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by baldrick I have both lenses. The Pentax is not a macro lens and does not focus very close (about 1.4 metres). The Sigma is a very good lens, Having said that the Pentax is streets ahead of the Sigma in all other respects. hi baldrick, so do u think i should go for twin kitlens and get some raynox later for macro photos? AJ

07-20-2010, 09:28 AM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	5 or 10 other threads about the the 55-300 are currently going. Get that one.

07-20-2010, 08:36 PM	#10
ajaya Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ex Finn. 55-300 is not a macro but does focus pretty close. Wow thanks i will go for 55-300 then

07-20-2010, 09:55 PM	#11
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	You will get FAR better macro from the DA55-300 with a slim, clip-on Raynox150 for $35 than anything other than a real dedicated macro lens (Sigma 105/2.8 macro, Tamron 80/2.8 macro, etc.) plus the 55-300 (as you see from the replies) is highly regarded as a consumer class 300mm zoom.

07-21-2010, 12:55 AM	#12
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Originally posted by imtheguy You will get FAR better macro from the DA55-300 with a slim, clip-on Raynox150 for $35 than anything other than a real dedicated macro lens (Sigma 105/2.8 macro, Tamron 80/2.8 macro, etc.) plus the 55-300 (as you see from the replies) is highly regarded as a consumer class 300mm zoom. I am curious of some pics, if possible

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07-21-2010, 01:42 AM	#14
ajaya Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by imtheguy Kytra....I'm happy you reread my post and updated your response. A sample coming up, none online at the moment. I will just edit this post in a few minutes with a sample. EDIT - Taken shortly after I got my first real camera and actually one of the first shots in the field with the Raynox. If it had not been in my pocket the Black Widow inside a cinder block would have gone unphotographed that day. This was also before I understood how much to stop down to get a little DOF. Knowing what I do know, i could get a much deeper and bigger shot but I was very happy with this. k20d, da55-300 @ 55mm, f7.1 iso400, Raynox 150 Thanks for sharing the pics raynox is really touching the spider here

07-21-2010, 01:51 AM	#15
bc_the_path Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ankara, Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 401	I have used both. Sigma is bigger &heavier of the two. Towards the tele end, both deteriorate a bit and loose contrast; Pentax remains somewhat better. For most other focal lengths there is ittle difference between them. Still, Pentax always feels better. Overall, I am pleased by the Pentax one (I have more Sigma glass which I like) and sold the Sigma.