Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO Tele Macro - still around?

rawr · 05-09-2011, 10:24 PM

I recently saw a Pentax mount Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO Tele Macro listed in a local online camera store in Australia for AUD $899. They were offering it new, with full, local 2yr warranty, but subject to it being ordered in.

I thought this lens was discontinued well over 5 years ago. Is Sigma still actually maintaining some sort of trickle production of this lens, and basically manufacturing each lens to order or something, maybe only for the Japanese or other selected markets??

If anyone knows anything about the status of this lens, I'd be interested to learn about it. It seems a good lens at not a bad price, especially new and with a 2 yr warranty.

The retailer was confident they could get the lens in if I wanted it.

Adam · 05-09-2011, 10:45 PM

There's the 120-400mm zoom at about the same price, not sure about the prime though: Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM Autofocus Zoom 72A109

(plus how could the prime have been a macro?)

rawr · 05-09-2011, 11:09 PM

Thanks Adam.

I think it is a pseudo-macro - the 400 5.6 has an unusual (for a 400) close focus distance of 1.6m which lets it get a 1:3 magnification ratio.

I looked at the 120-400. But the 400 prime sounds a better optical performer at 400 (by a long shot) than the 120-400. Photozone in particular likes the 400 prime a lot::
Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 HSM APO macro - Review / Test Report

planedriver · 05-11-2011, 06:57 AM

Can You post the link to that online store?

Thanks, Andras

rawr · 05-14-2011, 02:16 AM

Originally posted by planedriver

Can You post the link to that online store?

Sorry for the delay.

Here it is:
SigmaSLR Lenses CameraAction.com.au Camera Specialist
Open up the 'Tele Lenses' section.

Interestingly, despite my scepticism about the real availability of this lens, the store is adamant in saying that it is still available. According to them, the lens is not made until an order is placed. Hence the 6 to 8 week delay in fulfilling the order.

I am an optimist. I've bought from these guys before, so they are reputable.

belrosevj · 05-14-2011, 06:20 AM

Mate, make sure that it has got the 77mm filter thread. The one on that web site is the 72mm which is not in the same league as the 77mm thread. I sold my 77mm tele macro for the same price about a month ago.

**dadipentak** · 05-14-2011, 07:02 AM

It's the 72mm lens

rawr · 05-14-2011, 07:04 AM

I asked them about the 72mm vs 77mm issue a few days ago.
No reply so far. I'll email them again. The 72mm version was, as I understand it, not the Tele-Macro, so their listing seems a bit jumbled.

**dadipentak** · 05-14-2011, 07:16 AM

Originally posted by rawr

I asked them about the 72mm vs 77mm issue a few days ago.
No reply so far. I'll email them again. The 72mm version was, as I understand it, not the Tele-Macro, so their listing seems a bit jumbled.

The listing says 72.

pop4 · 05-14-2011, 07:38 AM

FWIW, I've got the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro, and mine has a 77mm front filter thread.

belrosevj · 05-15-2011, 05:30 AM

Originally posted by pop4

FWIW, I've got the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro, and mine has a 77mm front filter thread.

It is a great lens. Due to weight concerns I replaced it with a DA*300mm + 1.7x AF adapter.

**pentaxman** · 05-15-2011, 10:12 PM

The item pictured in the ad is the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro. The 72mm filter is an error, or the photo is an error. The filter size should be 77mm as several people have posted. I have one and I like it a lot. What other lens can you take a 1:3 macro shot from 1.6M away! The focus is fast and accurate although it can tend to hunt in poor light.

planedriver · 05-15-2011, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by belrosevj

It is a great lens. Due to weight concerns I replaced it with a DA*300mm + 1.7x AF adapter.

Hello! Can you compare the da300 with the converter and the sigma?

Thanks Andras

seachunk2 · 05-16-2011, 12:15 AM

I have the 400mm Sigma 5.6 APO Tele-macro manual focus version, which also uses the 77mm filter.

rawr · 05-16-2011, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by pentaxman

The item pictured in the ad is the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro. The 72mm filter is an error, or the photo is an error. The filter size should be 77mm as several people have posted. I have one and I like it a lot. What other lens can you take a 1:3 macro shot from 1.6M away! The focus is fast and accurate although it can tend to hunt in poor light.

Thanks for that input. It confirms what I thought - they must have the filter size wrong. The lens pictured is the 77mm version, and the 'APO Tele-Macro' name also only belongs to the 77mm version.

From what you say, the lens sounds better the more I hear of it...

It's also interesting that the store is only advertising it as available for Pentax mount - not Canikon/Sony. That's gotta be a first

I retain a degree of scepticism about the real availability of the lens though. I fully expect an email from the store any day now saying 'sorry, we got it wrong, the lens is not available any more. We need to cancel your order'.

05-09-2011, 10:24 PM	#1
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Sigma 400mm 5.6 APO Tele Macro - still around? I recently saw a Pentax mount Sigma 400mm f5.6 APO Tele Macro listed in a local online camera store in Australia for AUD $899. They were offering it new, with full, local 2yr warranty, but subject to it being ordered in. I thought this lens was discontinued well over 5 years ago. Is Sigma still actually maintaining some sort of trickle production of this lens, and basically manufacturing each lens to order or something, maybe only for the Japanese or other selected markets?? If anyone knows anything about the status of this lens, I'd be interested to learn about it. It seems a good lens at not a bad price, especially new and with a 2 yr warranty. The retailer was confident they could get the lens in if I wanted it.

05-09-2011, 10:45 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	There's the 120-400mm zoom at about the same price, not sure about the prime though: Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM Autofocus Zoom 72A109 (plus how could the prime have been a macro?) Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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05-09-2011, 11:09 PM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913 Original Poster	Thanks Adam. I think it is a pseudo-macro - the 400 5.6 has an unusual (for a 400) close focus distance of 1.6m which lets it get a 1:3 magnification ratio. I looked at the 120-400. But the 400 prime sounds a better optical performer at 400 (by a long shot) than the 120-400. Photozone in particular likes the 400 prime a lot:: Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 HSM APO macro - Review / Test Report

05-11-2011, 06:57 AM	#4
planedriver Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Velence, Hungary Posts: 664	Can You post the link to that online store? Thanks, Andras

05-14-2011, 02:16 AM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913 Original Poster	Originally posted by planedriver Can You post the link to that online store? Sorry for the delay. Here it is: SigmaSLR Lenses CameraAction.com.au Camera Specialist Open up the 'Tele Lenses' section. Interestingly, despite my scepticism about the real availability of this lens, the store is adamant in saying that it is still available. According to them, the lens is not made until an order is placed. Hence the 6 to 8 week delay in fulfilling the order. I am an optimist. I've bought from these guys before, so they are reputable.

05-14-2011, 06:20 AM	#6
belrosevj Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria Posts: 36	Mate, make sure that it has got the 77mm filter thread. The one on that web site is the 72mm which is not in the same league as the 77mm thread. I sold my 77mm tele macro for the same price about a month ago.

05-14-2011, 07:02 AM	#7
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	It's the 72mm lens

05-14-2011, 07:04 AM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913 Original Poster	I asked them about the 72mm vs 77mm issue a few days ago. No reply so far. I'll email them again. The 72mm version was, as I understand it, not the Tele-Macro, so their listing seems a bit jumbled.

05-14-2011, 07:16 AM	#9
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by rawr I asked them about the 72mm vs 77mm issue a few days ago. No reply so far. I'll email them again. The 72mm version was, as I understand it, not the Tele-Macro, so their listing seems a bit jumbled. The listing says 72.

05-14-2011, 07:38 AM	#10
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	FWIW, I've got the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro, and mine has a 77mm front filter thread.

05-15-2011, 05:30 AM	#11
belrosevj Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Victoria Posts: 36	Originally posted by pop4 FWIW, I've got the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro, and mine has a 77mm front filter thread. It is a great lens. Due to weight concerns I replaced it with a DA*300mm + 1.7x AF adapter.

05-15-2011, 10:12 PM	#12
pentaxman Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 250	The item pictured in the ad is the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro. The 72mm filter is an error, or the photo is an error. The filter size should be 77mm as several people have posted. I have one and I like it a lot. What other lens can you take a 1:3 macro shot from 1.6M away! The focus is fast and accurate although it can tend to hunt in poor light.

05-15-2011, 10:35 PM	#13
planedriver Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Velence, Hungary Posts: 664	Originally posted by belrosevj It is a great lens. Due to weight concerns I replaced it with a DA*300mm + 1.7x AF adapter. Hello! Can you compare the da300 with the converter and the sigma? Thanks Andras

05-16-2011, 12:15 AM	#14
seachunk2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	I have the 400mm Sigma 5.6 APO Tele-macro manual focus version, which also uses the 77mm filter.

05-16-2011, 03:06 AM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913 Original Poster	Originally posted by pentaxman The item pictured in the ad is the Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO Tele Macro. The 72mm filter is an error, or the photo is an error. The filter size should be 77mm as several people have posted. I have one and I like it a lot. What other lens can you take a 1:3 macro shot from 1.6M away! The focus is fast and accurate although it can tend to hunt in poor light. Thanks for that input. It confirms what I thought - they must have the filter size wrong. The lens pictured is the 77mm version, and the 'APO Tele-Macro' name also only belongs to the 77mm version. From what you say, the lens sounds better the more I hear of it... It's also interesting that the store is only advertising it as available for Pentax mount - not Canikon/Sony. That's gotta be a first I retain a degree of scepticism about the real availability of the lens though. I fully expect an email from the store any day now saying 'sorry, we got it wrong, the lens is not available any more. We need to cancel your order'.