sigma 300mm F2.8

K5DK · 06-07-2011, 01:14 AM

Hi guys, im all new here. i just jumped ship from Canon (7D) and bought a K5
for its landscape capabilities. i am fairly serious with my photography,
both landscape and wildlife (mostly birds of prey) as i hope you will
see by looking at my website

i have had a fair bit of big L glass from canon, and im now looking to
find something similar in pentax mount. so for my wildlife needs i have
been looking at the Sigma 300mm f/2.8

anyone here have some experience with this lens. focus speed, color, etc ?
i know it's not HSM in Pentax mount, but what is it... screw-drive ?

Thanks in advance

/Christian
www.fiftydee.com

aurele · 06-07-2011, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by K5DK

i know it's not HSM in Pentax mount, but what is it... screw-drive ?

asking that shows that you are definitly a new Pentaxian

screw drive is the AF motor that is built in the body.

Take your body, turn it to see the K mount.

see the lonely little pin on the right ? that's it.

thank to that you can use old pentax F/FA lenses on AF mode.

Mike.P® · 06-07-2011, 03:55 AM

He is asking if the lens is screw drive ... not what is screw drive.

And yes .. it is.

psychdoc · 06-07-2011, 04:02 AM

You have some great pics on your website. I was under the impression that people did not use Pentax to shoot birds due to lack of [new] longer lenses. Obviously one can use older glass or third party lenses too...

K5DK · 06-07-2011, 06:04 AM

Thank you for your feedback :-)

yes im all new to the Pentax game, and as stated i primarily got the K5 for landscape work
but i would like to be able to continue with birds and wildlife without having 2 systems.

so im trying to figure out it theres a valid Pentax k-mount route i can take. and the only
options i know of, if i dont want 20 year old lenses, is the Sigma 300 2.8 and hopefully
the new 120-300.

i just wasnt sure about the focus method on the 300.. but now i know it's screw-drive (sigh)

So does anyone have any milage with this lens in terms of focus noise/speed/color/contrast ?

:-)
/Christian

luke0622 · 06-07-2011, 06:20 AM

I would consider the new Sigma 120-300mm/2.8 OS with a tele... it's going to be a lot sharper than the Sigma 300mm/2.8

Mike.P® · 06-07-2011, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by luke0622

I would consider the new Sigma 120-300mm/2.8 OS with a tele... it's going to be a lot sharper than the Sigma 300mm/2.8

IF it is ever released ... I wouldn't hold my breath (unfortunately)

K5DK · 06-07-2011, 06:36 AM

im pretty sure it will be :-)
i have emailed just about every supplier in europe asking about it. the last reply i got was
from AC-Foto in Germany.
"we have listed this item for the Pentax mount, as we know it will be available"
was what they said. so im going to wait for this non-screw lens :-)

im not sure that stone-age screw drive could keep up anyway, but if it were my only
choice i would have taken it.

/Christian

**jpzk** · 06-07-2011, 07:13 AM

I often wondered why this was initially not offered in Pentax mount. According to your sources, there WILL be a Pentax fit?
Looking at the price, $4700, is this a "good deal"?

JP

Blue · 06-07-2011, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by K5DK

im pretty sure it will be :-)
i have emailed just about every supplier in europe asking about it. the last reply i got was
from AC-Foto in Germany.
"we have listed this item for the Pentax mount, as we know it will be available"
was what they said. so im going to wait for this non-screw lens :-)

im not sure that stone-age screw drive could keep up anyway, but if it were my only
choice i would have taken it.

/Christian

The Sigma website shows it being available when it is released in Sigma, Nikon and Canon mount.

Originally posted by jpzk

I often wondered why this was initially not offered in Pentax mount. According to your sources, there WILL be a Pentax fit?
Looking at the price, $4700, is this a "good deal"?

JP

BH has a price of $3100 for the Sigma mount when it arrives.

K5DK · 06-07-2011, 07:29 AM

yeah i know they dont list it... but i got the same answer from 3 different Sigma dealers
so i dont know. i guess i'll just keep my arms up :-) . would love to have a capable lens
with the K5. i cant tell much difference between it and the 7D, and i have shot alot with that one.

And i would absolutely love to give the CaNikon boys a run for their money with an
"off" brand. just need that one good wildlife lens :-)

/Christian

Blue · 06-07-2011, 08:15 AM

I have been watching this lens because with a matched tc, it has a lot of possibilities and the splash proofing is a bonus.

Eruditass · 06-07-2011, 09:15 AM

Unfortunately the market is always small for these lenses on Pentax. On Canon/Nikon you can pick up the 120-300mm f2.8 at ~1.5~2K USD used.

RonHendriks1966 · 06-07-2011, 09:34 AM

Well I'm hoping for the sigma also, unless Pentax makes something new. I had the 300mm/f2.8 only breefly on my K-5 and it is superfast in AF and it was spot-on. Only did some close-up photo's so nothing to tell about longer distances.

Mike.P® · 06-07-2011, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Blue

I have been watching this lens because with a matched tc, it has a lot of possibilities and the splash proofing is a bonus.

The current Sigma teleconverters dont work with their Pentax fit HSM lenses so they would have to release new versions of these as well.

Personally I can't see it happening but would love to be proved wrong.

Also don't think they will release the 150mm macro either ... I would have bought both.

06-07-2011, 01:14 AM	#1
K5DK Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 13	sigma 300mm F2.8 Hi guys, im all new here. i just jumped ship from Canon (7D) and bought a K5 for its landscape capabilities. i am fairly serious with my photography, both landscape and wildlife (mostly birds of prey) as i hope you will see by looking at my website i have had a fair bit of big L glass from canon, and im now looking to find something similar in pentax mount. so for my wildlife needs i have been looking at the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 anyone here have some experience with this lens. focus speed, color, etc ? i know it's not HSM in Pentax mount, but what is it... screw-drive ? Thanks in advance /Christian www.fiftydee.com

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06-07-2011, 03:49 AM	#2
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by K5DK i know it's not HSM in Pentax mount, but what is it... screw-drive ? asking that shows that you are definitly a new Pentaxian screw drive is the AF motor that is built in the body. Take your body, turn it to see the K mount. see the lonely little pin on the right ? that's it. thank to that you can use old pentax F/FA lenses on AF mode.

06-07-2011, 03:55 AM	#3
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	He is asking if the lens is screw drive ... not what is screw drive. And yes .. it is.

06-07-2011, 04:02 AM	#4
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	You have some great pics on your website. I was under the impression that people did not use Pentax to shoot birds due to lack of [new] longer lenses. Obviously one can use older glass or third party lenses too...

06-07-2011, 06:04 AM	#5
K5DK Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thank you for your feedback :-) yes im all new to the Pentax game, and as stated i primarily got the K5 for landscape work but i would like to be able to continue with birds and wildlife without having 2 systems. so im trying to figure out it theres a valid Pentax k-mount route i can take. and the only options i know of, if i dont want 20 year old lenses, is the Sigma 300 2.8 and hopefully the new 120-300. i just wasnt sure about the focus method on the 300.. but now i know it's screw-drive (sigh) So does anyone have any milage with this lens in terms of focus noise/speed/color/contrast ? :-) /Christian

06-07-2011, 06:20 AM	#6
luke0622 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Photos: Gallery Posts: 388	I would consider the new Sigma 120-300mm/2.8 OS with a tele... it's going to be a lot sharper than the Sigma 300mm/2.8

06-07-2011, 06:25 AM	#7
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by luke0622 I would consider the new Sigma 120-300mm/2.8 OS with a tele... it's going to be a lot sharper than the Sigma 300mm/2.8 IF it is ever released ... I wouldn't hold my breath (unfortunately)

06-07-2011, 06:36 AM	#8
K5DK Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 13 Original Poster	im pretty sure it will be :-) i have emailed just about every supplier in europe asking about it. the last reply i got was from AC-Foto in Germany. "we have listed this item for the Pentax mount, as we know it will be available" was what they said. so im going to wait for this non-screw lens :-) im not sure that stone-age screw drive could keep up anyway, but if it were my only choice i would have taken it. /Christian

06-07-2011, 07:13 AM	#9
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I often wondered why this was initially not offered in Pentax mount. According to your sources, there WILL be a Pentax fit? Looking at the price, $4700, is this a "good deal"? JP

06-07-2011, 07:17 AM	#10
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by K5DK im pretty sure it will be :-) i have emailed just about every supplier in europe asking about it. the last reply i got was from AC-Foto in Germany. "we have listed this item for the Pentax mount, as we know it will be available" was what they said. so im going to wait for this non-screw lens :-) im not sure that stone-age screw drive could keep up anyway, but if it were my only choice i would have taken it. /Christian The Sigma website shows it being available when it is released in Sigma, Nikon and Canon mount. Originally posted by jpzk I often wondered why this was initially not offered in Pentax mount. According to your sources, there WILL be a Pentax fit? Looking at the price, $4700, is this a "good deal"? JP BH has a price of $3100 for the Sigma mount when it arrives.

06-07-2011, 07:29 AM	#11
K5DK Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Albums Posts: 13 Original Poster	yeah i know they dont list it... but i got the same answer from 3 different Sigma dealers so i dont know. i guess i'll just keep my arms up :-) . would love to have a capable lens with the K5. i cant tell much difference between it and the 7D, and i have shot alot with that one. And i would absolutely love to give the CaNikon boys a run for their money with an "off" brand. just need that one good wildlife lens :-) /Christian

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06-07-2011, 08:15 AM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I have been watching this lens because with a matched tc, it has a lot of possibilities and the splash proofing is a bonus.

06-07-2011, 09:15 AM	#13
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Unfortunately the market is always small for these lenses on Pentax. On Canon/Nikon you can pick up the 120-300mm f2.8 at ~1.5~2K USD used.

06-07-2011, 09:34 AM	#14
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well I'm hoping for the sigma also, unless Pentax makes something new. I had the 300mm/f2.8 only breefly on my K-5 and it is superfast in AF and it was spot-on. Only did some close-up photo's so nothing to tell about longer distances.

06-07-2011, 11:06 AM	#15
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by Blue I have been watching this lens because with a matched tc, it has a lot of possibilities and the splash proofing is a bonus. The current Sigma teleconverters dont work with their Pentax fit HSM lenses so they would have to release new versions of these as well. Personally I can't see it happening but would love to be proved wrong. Also don't think they will release the 150mm macro either ... I would have bought both.