[Heie]

So I was doing some lusting today, and I realized the perfect wildlife 2x body system.

1. Pentax K-5 + Sigma 300-800 Telephoto Zoom
2. Pentax K-5 + Pentax DA* 60-250

Yes, I know the Sigma is not in Pentax Mount (which is crap), nor could I afford it. But it seems to be the absolutely perfect set up.

Adam, any chance we can petition to have Sigma add Pentax to the mount selection for this lens? That way when they listen and finally get around to it, I will 1) have the money and 2) have a legitimate reason to own one. For me that's at least 10 years lol.

But in all seriousness, I am sure there are plenty of pro Pentax togs that would love to couple that baby with a K-5.

-Heie

[theflyingjocksman]

it sucks that sigma only think about canon or nikon for there high end lenses agreed on the petition

[Bob from Aus]

My Sigma 500mm and Pentax 60-250 is brilliant. I can always use the sigma 1.4 converter for the extra. At least i can carry my kit in the field.

[littledrawe]

I would say that one of those lenses should be a prime, especially if you were to have the 300-800mm, but I certainly would not complain if I was forced to use the setup you mention originally!

[Heie]

it sucks that sigma only think about canon or nikon for there high end lenses agreed on the petition

It really is a shame. But, from an objective, economic standpoint, lenses that are so niche as those, I can understand why they would neglect Pentax - a cost-benefit analysis would most likely yield a negative return for Sigma (despite the only change being the mount...). So I don't know...

My Sigma 500mm and Pentax 60-250 is brilliant. I can always use the sigma 1.4 converter for the extra. At least i can carry my kit in the field.

Can you comment further on how the 500 f/4.5 is? Some questions that I have not been able to answer are:

- Is it weather sealed? I assumed it was since it has the "EX" designation, but I was unable to discern officially.
- How would you rate it as compared to the best lenses Pentax has to offer?
- Is it true that only the Pentax mount has no HSM and is thus given screw drive? If yes, how loud/fast/effective is it on the K-5?
- What do you recommend with regards to tripod/monopod set-up?

I would say that one of those lenses should be a prime, especially if you were to have the 300-800mm, but I certainly would not complain if I was forced to use the setup you mention originally!

When lenses are that expensive and specially made, is there really that much of a difference between a prime and a zoom in terms of IQ? For instance, I would consider the DA* 60-250 as one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used (the DFA 100mm Macro not included, but because it's naturally a macro lens). I figured the 300-800 would be better than a 500mm prime because the negligible loss of IQ is far outweighed by such a flexible (and extensive) zoom range. Is that an incorrect assumption?

-Heie

[littledrawe]

I figured the 300-800 would be better than a 500mm prime because the negligible loss of IQ is far outweighed by such a flexible (and extensive) zoom range. Is that an incorrect assumption?

If I was going to take a zoom I would love to have the range of a 300-800, especially if it is an excellent lens in terms of image quality. I just don't think I would go with the 250-600 along with it I would take whichever was better.

[sterretje]

... but I certainly would not complain if I was forced to use the setup you mention originally!

I guess you will complain if you have to carry it around on a hike

[Lowell Goudge]

I am presently shooting a couple of different options that get out to 500mm, and also one that gets out to 400mm.

Here are my issues.

I think anything in the 500-800mm range is a tripod bound monster, even if you consider taking into account the K5D and its improved high ISO performance. I would like something at least as long and fast as my existing 200-500/5.6 with autofocus, and this is where the announced DA 560/5.6 comes in, especially if it can shoot wide open, and is intended to be sharp. and I mean really sharp wide open.

Ad for a shorter zoom, i think the 60-250 is too short and too slow, and you are better off with a 70-200 F2.8 that can accept teleconverters (I use an old screw drive sigma 70-200 plus both 1.4x and 2x sigma TCs,) This gives a ton of hand held shooting options on a second body, for the random things that come and go so quickly you cant get a shot with the tripod bound monster.

Keeping it real, this would make the ideal setup, something like the Sigma 500/4.6 or the DA 560/5.6 plus a 70-200/2.8 and some TCs. maybe an older FA lens that is 600 fixed or the 250-600 zoom for the long one, but you can see where I am headed

[Bob from Aus]

i think the 60-250 is too short and too slow,

The 60-250 pentax for me is a perfect match with the Sigma 500. I have 2 K5 bodies. I have a special backpack that will take the 500+K5. Both lenses have a rapid strap. Usually only have one swinging from my shoulder, but I can do it with both. Bottom line is you can take into the field without a tripod or monopod.

Once carrying a 500mm, I could not cope with a second bulky lens.

[LaurenOE]

Don't forget the Katana Gimbal!

[Lowell Goudge]

The 60-250 pentax for me is a perfect match with the Sigma 500. I have 2 K5 bodies. I have a special backpack that will take the 500+K5. Both lenses have a rapid strap. Usually only have one swinging from my shoulder, but I can do it with both. Bottom line is you can take into the field without a tripod or monopod.

Once carrying a 500mm, I could not cope with a second bulky lens.

I don't know, the sigma is heavier by about 400g than my tamron 200-500/5.6 and I think that is too heavy, but then again maybe that is just the result of having to deal with an MF lens, and the 500/4.5 would remove the need to control anything, just hold it.

it is the hand held weight, not the packing that is an issue as I have packed a ton of gear, and I too have a backpack that can hold my 200-500

[coreyhkh]

I cant wait for the 560mm even if it does cost a bit at least its is a Pentax. right now all I have is a D*300 and I have been able to get a lot of good pictures but longer would be welcome. Check out my Flickr Flickr: coreyhkh's Photostream

The K5 is an awesome body and unless its replacement has AF that blows the K5 out of the water I will be keeping it for a long time.

[Bob from Aus]

but then again maybe that is just the result of having to deal with an MF lens, and the 500/4.5 would remove the need to control anything, just hold it.

I have used the Sigma 50-500 before I got the Sigma 500. To get good results from the 50-500 I always had a flash on it. That brought it up to the weight to that of the 500mm. I do at time struggle hand holding the 500mm. However think about the monster canon and Nikon lenses and the Sigma 300-800.

I am over 60 and not particularly fit and I find the Sigma 500 manageable and it still hasn't been on a tripod or monopod.

[Lowell Goudge]

I have used the Sigma 50-500 before I got the Sigma 500. To get good results from the 50-500 I always had a flash on it. That brought it up to the weight to that of the 500mm. I do at time struggle hand holding the 500mm. However think about the monster canon and Nikon lenses and the Sigma 300-800.

I am over 60 and not particularly fit and I find the Sigma 500 manageable and it still hasn't been on a tripod or monopod.

I also use a flash at times, but mostly with either the K300/4 and 1.7x AF converter, or with the Sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x TC. Neither of those lens combos approaches even half the weight of the 500/4.5 and I don't have an issue with that weight. As I said, I suspect the biggest issue I have with my Tamron 200-500 are related to not really having enough hands to support the lens, zoom or focus, and press the shutter, all at the same time. Add to that the balance of the lens which is terrible due to a rear mount and you have a tripod as an absolute necessity. Perhaps a rifle stock would work with the lens because then the support and shutter could be integrated, and focus done by the other hand.

Considering only a 1 full stop gain over the Bigma, was the flash really all that necessary, or was it also an issue of not having the high ISO capability of the latest cameras.

[GibbyTheMole]

I think anything in the 500-800mm range is a tripod bound monster

Yep... At least that would be the case for me. I can shoot handheld up to 500mm in good light without problems, but anything much past that gets kinda tricky. 500mm is usually long enough for me, though I would like a good telescope with a K mount adapter someday.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)