[Jake21209]

I am considering a mid-range telezoom for purchase next year. The two I am considering are the Pentax 60-250 f/4 ED DA*SMA and the Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX DG APO HSM. The ranges are reasonably close but there are some other issues -

1. Price - the Pentax is currently priced @B&H at $1,996.95 (rebate ends 12/31/2012) and the Sigma is $1,399.00 (rebate ends 9/30/2012) both rebates are not considered since the purchase will not be made until 2013.

2. Weight - The Pentax is listed at 2.29lb (1.04kg) and the Sigma is listed at 3.15 lb (1.43kg).

From a price stand point, the Pentax is about 43% more than the Sigma, but the Pentax weighs about 3/4 of a pound less.

Both price and weight are issues, and I am looking for someone who has owned either lens to provide some advice.

There is a virtue to the Sigma at a lower cost and the nearly $600 is certainly a big factor. But, the difference in weight of the Sigma vs the Pentax is also important. And finally, the extra stop that the Sigma provides could make a difference in low light. I will mostly be using the lens primarily for wildlife photography.

I am thinking price vs weight even though the Pentax is lighter. The Sigma gives me an extra stop and saves me about a third of the price of the Pentax.

If you have used either lens, I would appreciate your experience is using the lens.

Thanks in advance,

Jake

[Adam]

1. Price - the Pentax is currently priced @B&H at $1,996.95 (rebate ends 12/31/2012) and the Sigma is $1,399.00 (rebate ends 9/30/2012) both rebates are not considered since the purchase will not be made until 2013.

Call to get the Pentax for $1224 (Adorama at 800-815-0664 / 646-758-8887 or B&H at 877-849-6359 / 212-502-6343)

The crazy price is web-only basically, hopefully this policy goes away soon.

Now, if I were you, I'd get the Sigma as it's got faster AF and aperture.

[Docrwm]

What Adam said, on both counts. f4 vs f2.8 is a bit of a difference and if he says that AF is faster for the Sigma that's another plus beyond not having to worry about SDM issues.

[maxfield_photo]

Or buy used.

[msatlas]

There's also the Tamron 70-200/2.8 for only $769.