Sigma-Z 300mm f5.6 WTF did I just buy on eBay?!?

jbrothman · 02-20-2011, 03:24 PM

I think I search eBay for "Pentax 300mm" at least 2-3 times a day because I am obsessed with finding a prime lens to use when taking lacrosse photos of my girls' teams on Saturdays. For more on that, see: Joel Rothman's Lacrosse Photos.

So yesterday, during a time out, I checked eBay on my iPhone and found this had been recently listed: Sigma-Z 300mm F5.6 Man lens for Pentax k-mount w/ case - eBay (item 270708424823 end time Feb-20-11 04:53:36 PST)

It was still there this morning. So I bought it. It was too cheap to think too hard.

Can someone please tell me what I have just purchased?

SpecialK · 02-20-2011, 04:30 PM

You bought a manual focus, manual aperture lens. It will take some getting used to.

jbrothman · 02-20-2011, 06:06 PM

Yes, but what is a Sigma-Z? Where can I get more info? Minimal results googling. Can't find anything at all on a 300mm prime. Any ideas?

**boriscleto** · 02-20-2011, 07:09 PM

Google Translate

Most likely a M42 lens.

RioRico · 02-20-2011, 07:12 PM

The Z-series was Sigma's consumer-grade line produced in 1970-1975. I have a T-mount Sigma-Z 24/2.8 that was ultra-cheap and isn't a bad performer, it's just not exciting. Your 300/5.6 is probably a competent piece of optics. I'd not have paid so much for it, but I'm a cheap bastard.

jbrothman · 02-20-2011, 08:03 PM

Okay, but at $45 I can afford to experiment. Worst thing is I give it to my daughter for her to use with my old *istD.

**dadipentak** · 02-20-2011, 08:29 PM

They play lacrosse in Florida? Who knew?

RioRico · 02-20-2011, 10:33 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jbrothman

Okay, but at $45 I can afford to experiment.

Oh, the seller waived the US$15 shipping charge? I always figure shipping etc into the cost. That way I don't mislead myself... nor try to buy too many lenses shipped from Athens nor Kiev. Of course, I'm post-employment. Y'all folks with incomes can spend what you like. [/me puts out begging bowl and sign: WILL SNORE FOR CASH]

Just to make you feel bad: I scan eBay's COMPLETED LISTINGS and see a couple Vivitar 300/5.5's that sold for ~US$20 including shipping, and a couple Aetna Rokunar 300's that DIDN'T sell for that cost. If I didn't already have a nice Chinon 300/5.6 (US$13) that I don't use, I might be tempted. But I'm a cheap bastard. Not like my brother-in-law, who runs up US$500 bar tabs many nights. Brother, can you spare a fin?

**Pepe Guitarra** · 03-07-2011, 10:57 AM

I have seen this lens (same actual lens) sold several times on eBay from $20 to $50. I guess everyone who buys it, sells it immediatley. It takes an old timer to deal with manual everything. I do, an dI believe it is a good lens. Not as good at the Takumar 400mm f4 though!

02-20-2011, 03:24 PM	#1
jbrothman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28	Sigma-Z 300mm f5.6 WTF did I just buy on eBay?!? I think I search eBay for "Pentax 300mm" at least 2-3 times a day because I am obsessed with finding a prime lens to use when taking lacrosse photos of my girls' teams on Saturdays. For more on that, see: Joel Rothman's Lacrosse Photos. So yesterday, during a time out, I checked eBay on my iPhone and found this had been recently listed: Sigma-Z 300mm F5.6 Man lens for Pentax k-mount w/ case - eBay (item 270708424823 end time Feb-20-11 04:53:36 PST) It was still there this morning. So I bought it. It was too cheap to think too hard. Can someone please tell me what I have just purchased?

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02-20-2011, 04:30 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	You bought a manual focus, manual aperture lens. It will take some getting used to.

02-20-2011, 06:06 PM	#3
jbrothman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28 Original Poster	Yes, but what is a Sigma-Z? Where can I get more info? Minimal results googling. Can't find anything at all on a 300mm prime. Any ideas?

02-20-2011, 07:09 PM	#4
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Google Translate Most likely a M42 lens.

02-20-2011, 07:12 PM	#5
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The Z-series was Sigma's consumer-grade line produced in 1970-1975. I have a T-mount Sigma-Z 24/2.8 that was ultra-cheap and isn't a bad performer, it's just not exciting. Your 300/5.6 is probably a competent piece of optics. I'd not have paid so much for it, but I'm a cheap bastard.

02-20-2011, 08:03 PM	#6
jbrothman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28 Original Poster	Okay, but at $45 I can afford to experiment. Worst thing is I give it to my daughter for her to use with my old *istD.

02-20-2011, 08:29 PM	#7
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	They play lacrosse in Florida? Who knew?

02-20-2011, 10:33 PM - 1 Like	#8
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by jbrothman Okay, but at $45 I can afford to experiment. Oh, the seller waived the US$15 shipping charge? I always figure shipping etc into the cost. That way I don't mislead myself... nor try to buy too many lenses shipped from Athens nor Kiev. Of course, I'm post-employment. Y'all folks with incomes can spend what you like. [/me puts out begging bowl and sign: WILL SNORE FOR CASH] Just to make you feel bad: I scan eBay's COMPLETED LISTINGS and see a couple Vivitar 300/5.5's that sold for ~US$20 including shipping, and a couple Aetna Rokunar 300's that DIDN'T sell for that cost. If I didn't already have a nice Chinon 300/5.6 (US$13) that I don't use, I might be tempted. But I'm a cheap bastard. Not like my brother-in-law, who runs up US$500 bar tabs many nights. Brother, can you spare a fin?

03-07-2011, 10:57 AM	#9
Pepe Guitarra Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,223	I have seen this lens (same actual lens) sold several times on eBay from $20 to $50. I guess everyone who buys it, sells it immediatley. It takes an old timer to deal with manual everything. I do, an dI believe it is a good lens. Not as good at the Takumar 400mm f4 though!