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Albert Siegel · 01-19-2008, 07:53 PM

What would you think a Sigma 400mm 5.6 autofocus lens be worth? It's the first AF version that takes a 72mm filter. Any ideas?

Lens looks very similar to this:

ericc · 01-19-2008, 08:18 PM

I paid $175US for mine on fleaBay in June 2006. It was in good but used condition. That photo looks a little darker than mine, but the bits are in the same places.

David07 · 01-20-2008, 05:37 AM

Hello,

I read some reviews saying that this first version of the Sigma 400mm is not so good. On the other hand, the more recent version (Sigma APO Tele Macro) has a much better reputation (for a detailed review of this lens on a Canon system, see photozone.de: Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 HSM APO macro - Test Report / Review)

I've got the APO version few months ago from Henrys for about 400$. It was used but in great condition, and I really like this lens.

David

roy · 01-20-2008, 07:33 AM

don't get the non-APO/non-AF version.. i did and can testify that it's not even a good paper weight.. there's also a macro version that's good..

ChrisA · 01-20-2008, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by roy

don't get the non-APO/non-AF version.. i did and can testify that it's not even a good paper weight..

You must have had a bad one then.

I've had two AF ones and a MF one (of which I still keep the better AF one, having sold the others), and although it's not stellar, wide open, it's much, much better than a paperweight.

These were taken with the MF one:

And these with the AF one:

They're all reduced for the web, so you can't tell anything directly about the sharpness, but the originals aren't bad. Not fantastic, but not bad.

ChrisA · 01-20-2008, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by ericc

I paid $175US for mine on fleaBay in June 2006. It was in good but used condition. That photo looks a little darker than mine, but the bits are in the same places.

They come in grey and black. The one pictured is a black one, I think, unless it's very underexposed. Is yours a grey one?

Albert Siegel · 01-20-2008, 09:53 AM

As grey as a Soviet tank. It's the one with the small/short tripod mount.

digitaldevo · 01-20-2008, 04:35 PM

I too have the MF/non-apo and have no problems with it. Excellent lens! Some CA/PF of course, but nothing that is not correctable. I think you got a bad copy Roy.

creampuff · 01-20-2008, 04:49 PM

Also have the manual non-APO version but mine comes in a green finish. No problems, image quality is acceptable.

A quick handheld snap at max aperture taken at a recent Singapore Pentax users meet-up

roy · 01-20-2008, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by digitaldevo

I too have the MF/non-apo and have no problems with it. Excellent lens! Some CA/PF of course, but nothing that is not correctable. I think you got a bad copy Roy.

J, you might be right. i do know i have a file for that lens's shots and there's only 7 images in it..
here's one of them at f11 after EXTENSIVE PP. i could pull decent images from it but it was just too much trouble. i did make a little on it at resell.

Albert Siegel · 01-21-2008, 05:47 PM

Here is an actual photo of the lens:

I really like the lens. I am quite happy with the IQ. A little too much CA sometimes, but an easy fix in photoshop. Just wondering what it's worht. I just hope I got a good deal.

FastPhotography · 01-21-2008, 06:25 PM

I think you're better off getting a 300/4 of some sort. Faster, better overall from what I've researched. There's one on KEH for something like 300, I think

Ian Mc · 01-22-2008, 10:09 PM

Hi Albert
I have the same lens and it is good for bird shots at the estuary.
Don't know much about prices in the US but If you got USD $100.00 I think you'd be doing quite well.
I would prefer a Tokina ATX 100-400 if they brought it out in Pentax KAF mount.
Ian McHenry

Albert Siegel · 01-22-2008, 10:26 PM

I think I over paid.. it has now developed an issue. The aperture seems to get stuck wide open sometimes. It feels like the spring might not be as tight as it should be. Perhaps because the lens was left in the 5.6 position for nearly a decade without use? Is there anyway to repair this?

cmv · 01-24-2008, 07:33 PM

Yes, it should be simple for any lens repair person to open up the rear and replace the springs. You could try it yourself if there is no warranty concerns and you have some tools. Suitable replacement springs can be salvaged from other junk lenses or teleconverters but it might take a while to find a good one. I expect a repair person would have an assorted box of springs.

01-19-2008, 07:53 PM	#1
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	What's a Sigma 400mm worth? What would you think a Sigma 400mm 5.6 autofocus lens be worth? It's the first AF version that takes a 72mm filter. Any ideas? Lens looks very similar to this:

01-20-2008, 04:49 PM	#9
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Also have the manual non-APO version but mine comes in a green finish. No problems, image quality is acceptable. A quick handheld snap at max aperture taken at a recent Singapore Pentax users meet-up Last edited by creampuff; 01-20-2008 at 04:57 PM. Reason: typo

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01-19-2008, 08:18 PM	#2
ericc Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Western Oklahoma Posts: 412	I paid $175US for mine on fleaBay in June 2006. It was in good but used condition. That photo looks a little darker than mine, but the bits are in the same places.

01-20-2008, 05:37 AM	#3
David07 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec, CA Posts: 74	Hello, I read some reviews saying that this first version of the Sigma 400mm is not so good. On the other hand, the more recent version (Sigma APO Tele Macro) has a much better reputation (for a detailed review of this lens on a Canon system, see photozone.de: Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 HSM APO macro - Test Report / Review) I've got the APO version few months ago from Henrys for about 400$. It was used but in great condition, and I really like this lens. David

01-20-2008, 07:33 AM	#4
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	don't get the non-APO/non-AF version.. i did and can testify that it's not even a good paper weight.. there's also a macro version that's good..

01-20-2008, 08:14 AM	#5
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393	Originally posted by roy don't get the non-APO/non-AF version.. i did and can testify that it's not even a good paper weight.. You must have had a bad one then. I've had two AF ones and a MF one (of which I still keep the better AF one, having sold the others), and although it's not stellar, wide open, it's much, much better than a paperweight. These were taken with the MF one: And these with the AF one: They're all reduced for the web, so you can't tell anything directly about the sharpness, but the originals aren't bad. Not fantastic, but not bad.

01-20-2008, 08:16 AM	#6
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393	Originally posted by ericc I paid $175US for mine on fleaBay in June 2006. It was in good but used condition. That photo looks a little darker than mine, but the bits are in the same places. They come in grey and black. The one pictured is a black one, I think, unless it's very underexposed. Is yours a grey one?

01-20-2008, 09:53 AM	#7
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372 Original Poster	As grey as a Soviet tank. It's the one with the small/short tripod mount.

01-20-2008, 04:35 PM	#8
digitaldevo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: PA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154	I too have the MF/non-apo and have no problems with it. Excellent lens! Some CA/PF of course, but nothing that is not correctable. I think you got a bad copy Roy.

01-20-2008, 05:03 PM	#10
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	Originally posted by digitaldevo I too have the MF/non-apo and have no problems with it. Excellent lens! Some CA/PF of course, but nothing that is not correctable. I think you got a bad copy Roy. J, you might be right. i do know i have a file for that lens's shots and there's only 7 images in it.. here's one of them at f11 after EXTENSIVE PP. i could pull decent images from it but it was just too much trouble. i did make a little on it at resell.

01-21-2008, 05:47 PM	#11
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372 Original Poster	Here is an actual photo of the lens: I really like the lens. I am quite happy with the IQ. A little too much CA sometimes, but an easy fix in photoshop. Just wondering what it's worht. I just hope I got a good deal.

01-21-2008, 06:25 PM	#12
FastPhotography Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kansas, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 123	I think you're better off getting a 300/4 of some sort. Faster, better overall from what I've researched. There's one on KEH for something like 300, I think

01-22-2008, 10:09 PM	#13
Ian Mc Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Christchurch NZ. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25	Hi Albert I have the same lens and it is good for bird shots at the estuary. Don't know much about prices in the US but If you got USD $100.00 I think you'd be doing quite well. I would prefer a Tokina ATX 100-400 if they brought it out in Pentax KAF mount. Ian McHenry

01-22-2008, 10:26 PM	#14
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372 Original Poster	I think I over paid.. it has now developed an issue. The aperture seems to get stuck wide open sometimes. It feels like the spring might not be as tight as it should be. Perhaps because the lens was left in the 5.6 position for nearly a decade without use? Is there anyway to repair this?

01-24-2008, 07:33 PM	#15
cmv Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 147	Yes, it should be simple for any lens repair person to open up the rear and replace the springs. You could try it yourself if there is no warranty concerns and you have some tools. Suitable replacement springs can be salvaged from other junk lenses or teleconverters but it might take a while to find a good one. I expect a repair person would have an assorted box of springs.

What's a Sigma 400mm worth?

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