[jpyykonen]

I guess this this kind of situation has been discussed million times before, but couldn't find any thread. So here's the problem:

I'm in a need of longer of 300mm telelens (preferably 500mm) and versatile zoom lens for inside sport events (horses). I would like to (if possible) buy only one new lens as I'm not too eager to buy two new 500€-1000€ lenses. I don't count teleconverters as lenses though Here are my options atm:

-Sigma 150-500 + Tamron 70-200 2.8 (most expensive solution, not preferred)
-Tamron 70-200 2.8 + 2x teleconverter (are there any teleconverters which are good?)
-Tamron 70-200 2.8 + 1.7x AF teleconverter for my A*300f4
-Only sigma 150-500 (would this be fast enough for inside shooting with not so good light? Even with K5 ISO 3200-6400?)

Other lenses that I could use in these situations are sigma 50mm 1.4, samyang 85mm 1.4, K135 2,5 and DA 55-300 (+A300f4). I own K7 atm. I know I'm asking for impossible lens here (as I also prefer small size and light weight), but would there be any reasonable solutions? What would you do in this kind of situation? Let's say the budget is ~1000€.

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Last edited by jpyykonen; 05-10-2012 at 08:48 AM.

[panoguy]

-Only sigma 150-500 (would this be fast enough for inside shooting with not so good light? Even with K5 ISO 3200-6400?)

Sorry, but no, it won't be fast enough. I've been using the Sigma 150-500 for about 6 months, and while it is a great lens for bright light and tripod work (see my review here) to be handheld at 500mm I need to bump the ISO to 1600 on overcast days outside, even. That sample image of the red panda in the review was taken on a bright, sunny day, on fresh snow, with Exp Comp -1 (for the snow) and still was ISO 560 to get that sharpness handheld (with OS on)!

The Sigma 150-500 has excellent optics for its price, and is quite sharp when stopped down to f/8 or f/11, but in an indoor arena you won't be able to both stop down that far and maintain fast enough shutter speeds for horses, much less hand-holding at 500mm. Go with the 70-200 f/2.8 and maybe the Tamron 1.4x AF teleconverter for your 300mm - still not 500mm, but that 2.8 will be a godsend indoors. You'll just have to position yourself closer to the action!

That' my .02 CAD, anyhow...

[Anvh]

Sigma 100-300 f/4 maybe?

[jpyykonen]

Sorry, but no, it won't be fast enough. I've been using the Sigma 150-500 for about 6 months, and while it is a great lens for bright light and tripod work (see my review here) to be handheld at 500mm I need to bump the ISO to 1600 on overcast days outside, even. That sample image of the red panda in the review was taken on a bright, sunny day, on fresh snow, with Exp Comp -1 (for the snow) and still was ISO 560 to get that sharpness handheld (with OS on)!

The Sigma 150-500 has excellent optics for its price, and is quite sharp when stopped down to f/8 or f/11, but in an indoor arena you won't be able to both stop down that far and maintain fast enough shutter speeds for horses, much less hand-holding at 500mm. Go with the 70-200 f/2.8 and maybe the Tamron 1.4x AF teleconverter for your 300mm - still not 500mm, but that 2.8 will be a godsend indoors. You'll just have to position yourself closer to the action!

That' my .02 CAD, anyhow...

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I should have guessed that sigma 150-500 wouldn't do the trick in not-so-good light. I should have been more precise for my demand though. I need the 300+mm telelens for outside shooting (f5.6-f6.3 would be enough) and ~70~200 for inside shooting (I don't need longer than 200mm inside, even Sigma 50-150 2.8 would be enough but unfortunately isn't available). This I would like to achieve with some kind of telelens + teleconverter combo for new lens or to addition for my existing ones. Tough call. Wish I had endless pockets and bag that weights nothing

Buying the Tamron 70-200 2.8 and 1.4x teleconverter might be one good solution. Would give me 70-200 2.8, ~100~300 f4 autofocus lens and 420 f5.6 manual focus lens for a bit more reach. Might there be any 1.4x teleconverters which would work fine with both tamron 70-200 and A*300f4?

Sigma 100-300 f/4 maybe?

As I understand this isn't available in pentax mount at the moment?

[DSims]

I suspect I'm not the only one who owns multiple TCs but never uses them. I have the Pentax A-S 1.4x and 2x, along with the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter. I chose all of them for better IQ than the competition (I also owned the latest Tamron 1.4x AF and a Tamron 2x). Despite them being the better examples of TCs, I still don't use them. Like you, my longest lens is a 300 (F*300/4.5).

I think the only satisfactory TCs are the A Rear Converter L models. Unfortunately, they don't fit my K200/2.5 without modification, and I don't think they'll fit your A*300/4 either.


I'd say get the DA*50-135 or Tokina 80-200/2.8, plus try the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter. If you don't like the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter then save up for the forthcoming Pentax 560/5.6. The IQ from the 1.7x AF adapter is almost as good as 1.4x TCs (probably at least equal to the Tamron 1.4x), plus it will add AF to your A*300. And if you don't like the 1.7x you won't like any 2x TCs either, so you can just skip them. I won't be surprised if the new Pentax 1.4x TC (when they finally release it in a year or two) is better than everything but the Rear Converter L models.

BTW, I think the IQ from the DA*50-135 is high enough that it's at least as good as having a 50-150 or 70/80-200, and the wider 50mm end is really useful when, in the middle of an event, you suddenly need to re-compose a shot on someone nearby, for example.

In the meantime, maybe a cropped image from high quality glass still works??

[panoguy]

Might there be any 1.4x teleconverters which would work fine with both tamron 70-200 and A*300f4?

Yes, the one I linked to originally. Check the reviews, as they mention both of the lenses you're thinking of using it with.

The Tamron Pz-AF 1.4x is probably the best "general purpose" (fits any lens) teleconverter for Pentax mount lenses, and it supports both SDM and screwdrive focusing. From my experience with it on both a DA*50-135 and the Sigma 150-500, I'd say it only lowers the contrast and makes (some) lenses more sensitive to flare, but otherwise doesn't degrade the sharpness perceptibly (far better than the Pentax 1.7x AFA, IMHO). It also autofocuses quite well on the K-5, even on the slow Sigma 150-500 at f/6.3.

Sure, it won't *add* AF to your A*300 like the AFA will, but it's a third the price (used) and produces better images. Only problem is finding one...

[dadipentak]

Shooting indoors with long lenses is going to be a tough proposition no matter how you slice it. Unless you're willing to spend big money, I'd recommend the DA*300/4 & the Tamron 1.4x &/or Pentax 1.7x TC. In my experience, the DA* performs much better with a TC than the A*300/4. A good 300/2.8 would be better still.

[jpyykonen]

Thank you all for your answers so far. DA* 50-135 would be nice lens to have in this kind of inside shooting, but unfortunately it's too expensive for me (~1000€). I would also love to own the DA* 300/4 but that is also out of my price range atm. And only problem with those teleconverters seems to be the lack of avalability as there seems to be only one available at the moment new (Sigma 1.4x EX DG). And there is quite small used market in my area (maybe 90% is CaNikon) so finding something used is quite rare. Would the Sigma 1.4x fit and work on the tamron 70-200 and the A*300f4? Only if I had also canon camera with nikon strap in sony bag with olympus labels, it would be quite a sight

[dadipentak]

Only if I had also canon camera with nikon strap in sony bag with olympus labels, it would be quite a sight

[jpyykonen]

Ok, here is what I ended up: 1.7x AFA (thanks MightyMike) and Sigma 50-150/2.8 II EX DC HSM. I felt I needed 50mm at wide end more than 200mm at long end and also the half the weight compared to 70-200/2.8's was big decisive factor. HSM focus was also important for me as I think it would be fast enough for my purposes. DA* 50-135 would have been good otherwise, but it was too expensive and the AF would have been slower than in the sigma. Most of all I aimed the most lightweight lenses possible as I know that I won't take heavy (and big) lenses with me. I guess I was bit lucky to find the sigma as it is discontinued (and maybe not too common in Pentax mount). The combined total cost for these items was bit more than Tamron 70-200/2.8 new so not too bad. So far I have shot plenty of shots with A*300/4+1.7x AFA combo and I have gotten pretty good results. Sigma is still on it's way (I get it maybe tomorrow) so no opinion of that yet. Happy shootings to everyone!

[Lowell Goudge]

I understand the OP and his problem, but maybe it is time to play in the used market.

I say this because the best overall solution is in my opinion used, because there are no teleconverters for HSM lenses.

I have an original SIGMA APO 70-200F2.8 EX (there were later versions designated EX DG for Digital, and also EX DG Macro and EX DG Macro II, and EX DG Macro HSM, and EX DG HSM II) with the exception of the EX DG version, all newer versions were no where near as sharp at 200mm or wide open as the original lens with perhaps the exception of the HSM II which gets great reviews.

I also have sigma APO 1.4x and 2x Teleconverters, and these work exceptionally well with the lens, allowing F2.8 under 200mm when needed, F4 below 300mm when needed or full 400F5.6 if you need the reach. Sadly these teleconverters are screw drive and wont autofocus with the HSM lenses.

there is or was one in the market place a few weeks ago with a TC.

[Eric Seavey]

I have seen some tests and amazingly the new Sigma 50-500mm with image stabilizer is quite good. i have the old version without the stabilizer and I am satisfied with it. The k-5 has good high iso performance that enables me to reduce the shutter speeds.