[Frogfish]

It's worth noting that Sigma has announced an updated version of the 50-150mm, with in-lens stabilization (whoopty-doo) and "completely revised optical design with 21 elements in 15 groups". If one is considering the Sigma version, it may be worth waiting for that, although I would guess that the price will easily rise about the Pentax lens. You may not have a choice; it looks like nowhere has the 50-150mm in stock, at least not in a Pentax mount. BH lists it as discontinued. It's not even listed in any mount (as far as I can tell) at Adorama.

I've just exchanged a number of emails with Ffordes (UK) and am about to pull the trigger on their special offer (GBP400) - brand new of course. I'll have it sent to HK but no VAT will be charged so it will work out at around GBP360 delivered in HK to a friend to bring across to me.

So not only are new ones still available but some great deals can be had !

There is no way the 50-135 is worth twice as much. The only weakness in the Sigma is wide open within 3 metres (10') where it loses out to the Pentax. After that they are both needle sharp. the Sigma offers a 3 year guarantee vs a 1 year, has a little extra at the long end and, IMHO a biggie, offers HSM (and peace of mind) vs. SDM, so much faster and more reliable.

The only real downside is it's incompatibility with my Tamron x1.4 and AFA x1.7 .... but then I don't need it for those FLs anyway.

OK - I've convinced myself. I'm done.

[Frogfish]

Wow some great shots there Eddy. Lovely family you have ..... your daughter is just adorable !

[yusuf]

I have 70-200mm and love it. Having said that, it's relatively heavy and if there was no fear of infamous SDM failure, I would have gone for 50-135mm. My personal opinion about 50-135mm, great lens but not worth it if such an expensive lens is destined to fail.

Additionally, not sure if 135mm would have been sufficient for both these pictures.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I've just exchanged a number of emails with Ffordes (UK) and am about to pull the trigger on their special offer (GBP400) - brand new of course. I'll have it sent to HK but no VAT will be charged so it will work out at around GBP360 delivered in HK to a friend to bring across to me.

So not only are new ones still available but some great deals can be had !

There is no way the 50-135 is worth twice as much.

If I'm doing the conversion right, 360 GBP is about $585 US. That is a great price! I paid $750 for mine from Adorama in November.

Even if somebody WAS leaning toward the 50-135mm, it wouldn't be worth the price difference. In my case, the two lenses were about the same price (I think the cheapest price I found on the 50-135mm at the time was $800). So the Sigma was $50 less, but even if the lenses were the same price I still would have chosen the Sigma.

If your Sigma needs warranty work will you have to send it to Sigma UK?

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Anybody who's interested in the Sigma 50-150mm might want to the call the big camera stores and see if they have any copies left, even though it's not listed on their web pages.

[Frogfish]

If I'm doing the conversion right, 360 GBP is about $585 US. That is a great price! I paid $750 for mine from Adorama in November.

Even if somebody WAS leaning toward the 50-135mm, it wouldn't be worth the price difference. In my case, the two lenses were about the same price (I think the cheapest price I found on the 50-135mm at the time was $800). So the Sigma was $50 less, but even if the lenses were the same price I still would have chosen the Sigma.

If your Sigma needs warranty work will you have to send it to Sigma UK?

No it has an International 3 year warranty so I'd send it directly to Japan (just a couple of hour's flight from Shanghai) !

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Wow some great shots there Eddy. Lovely family you have ..... your daughter is just adorable !

Thanks for the compliments, but the female and baby are actually my wife's sister and her daughter. Here's a couple pictures of my two daughters taken with the 50-150mm at f/2.8:

(Be warned, if you pixel peep those two pictures at full size you may see some...crustiness...around the nose area. These pictures were taken when the girls had just woken up.)











And here's a few more random shots from my 50-150mm:

(The coke glass was taken at f/3.5. The first helicopter was shot at f/9.0 with a 1.6 sec shutter speed, the second helicopter was shot at f/9.0 @ 1/125 sec using strobes, and the picture of the singing girl was taken at f/2.8 @ 1/125 sec ISO 1600 using ambient lighting)

[The Kurly One]

Thank you for the argument from the Sigma camp, but I found a DA* locally that still has some warranty on it!

[Frogfish]

Super sweet photos Edgar ! So precious - and thanks for the warning, I didn't pixel peep

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Thank you for the argument from the Sigma camp, but I found a DA* locally that still has some warranty on it!

Congrats!

Depending on how much warranty is left, it may not be too late to purchase an extended warranty. I haven't checked lately, but I believe that Mack will let you purchase an extended warranty as long as there's at least 90 days left on the original manufacturer's warranty.

I'm not sure if you would be able to purchase it, or if the original owner would have to purchase the warranty. Probably doesn't matter, since you can always say it was a gift if the name on the original receipt is not yours.

Mack camera warranty prices are usually reasonable, and it will give you peace of mind. And even if you never use the warranty, you will probably still get the money back if you ever sell your lens since Mack warranties are transferable.

[The Kurly One]

Thanks again Edgar, I will look into it... would of been easier had you posted a link!!! It was purchased from B&H...

[Edgar_in_Indy]

Thanks again Edgar, I will look into it... would of been easier had you posted a link!!!

The way it works is you buy a Mack Camera warranty (they call it an extended service contract) from a dealer, and then you go onto Mack Camera's website and register your warranty to your lens.

Here is the page on Mack Camera's website describing the warranty and all the terms and conditions:

Mack Camera & Video Service

And here's a link to buy the "7-year warranty for lenses under $1000". This warranty is being sold by "Tapeworks Texas", one of the more popular Mack Camera warranty dealers. They charge $19.99 for the 7-year warranty:

TapeWorks Texas | Mack 7YR Warranty for Lens < $1,000 Call us 866-TAPEGUY

And here's a link to someone on Amazon.com apparently selling the same warranty for $14.59:

Amazon.com: Mack 7 Year Warranty Service Coverage for Lenses: Electronics

I don't have any lenses with Mack Camera warranties, but a year ago I did buy a used Panasonic PT-AX100U projector off eBay for $300, and the original owner had bought a Mack Camera warranty. I got the warranty transfered into my name, and when the projector developed a problem shortly thereafter I sent it into Mack Camera.

They deemed it un-repairable and gave me the choice of a brand new like-model projector, or a check for $1000 (which is what the new like-model, the PT-AX200U, would have cost). I elected to take the check, which I received a few weeks later.

[ben_leg]

at 20$ it start to make good business sense to buy a warranty. (unlike some retailer that are charging 20%)

[ben_leg]

Quit question: what is a "non professional level 35mm/APS lenses"..... does the DA* qualify???

[Frogfish]

Quit question: what is a "non professional level 35mm/APS lenses"..... does the DA* qualify???

No.

DA* lenses are qualified as *Pro-level* lenses, if that term in it-self actually makes any sense.