[NSX167]

Greetings, I need a little help here. By spec and functionality, are there any lenses better than Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX DG HSM APO? Thanks.
Would like to get Pentax or other brands instead of Sigma.

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Last edited by NSX167; 12-05-2012 at 07:18 PM.

[boriscleto]

That lens is no longer in production. I don't think the HSM version was ever made for Pentax.

[Adam]

Take a look at this one:
SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[JinDesu]

Besides the 60-250, I don't think there are any equals.

[calsan]

Nothing wrong with Sigma lenses... Especially their EX line.
Made in Japan, too.

[L33tGreg]

You can have my Sigma 100-300/4 when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[msatlas]

There's the DA* 60-250, or one of the Pentax 300mm primes: F* 300/4.5, FA* 300/4.5 & DA* 300/4.

[snostorm]

As previously stated, there is no lens for Pentax, close to this range and spec, that's better than the Sigma 100-300 f4. I believe that it's correct that this lens was not made in HSM for the K mount, and assuming this, the sigma stands alone in versatility because it's a screw drive AF lens and fast enough to use with TCs at this time. We've been promised an SDM TC for years and though it might truly be closer to realization, I won't believe that it's really coming until I actually see a production model in use.

That being said, the lens is pretty much of a beast -- I have one, but rarely use it because I greatly favor my FA* 300 f4.5 for its size and weight. I might not be and average user though, because whenever I use an ultra tele zoom, it's at the long end about 99% of the time. . . so YMMV.

Scott

[NSX167]

Thanks for the inputs guys, it's helpful, and I'll stick with Pentax. Sometimes I can gain some satisfaction feeling when I use low-end gears to against hi-end gears. Photography skills does matter.

[Lowell Goudge]

Another option, but again playing in the used market, is the screw drive APO 70-200/2.8EX (non DG non Marco). It has the reputation of being the sharpest sigma in this range, wide open and at the longest focal lengths, the macro and HSM versions (except maybe the last we're not as good). Being screw drive you can use it easily with sigma's TCs and it gives excellent results. Just go to the lens sample archive and check out some of my posts there, or in the 300mm plus club, or in the nature section of the user photo gallery for shots I have uploaded

[HGMonaro]

Thanks for the inputs guys, it's helpful, and I'll stick with Pentax. Sometimes I can gain some satisfaction feeling when I use low-end gears to against hi-end gears. Photography skills does matter.

I always had a thing against Sigma as I'd only ever seen/touched their low end stuff which is truely horrible. After not being able to source a Pentax mount 100-300/4 I bought a Nikon one (off this forum) based on the glowing reports they get, and purchased a camera to suit. Very happy with it.

[jpzk]

Greetings, I need a little help here. By spec and functionality, are there any lenses better than Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX DG HSM APO? Thanks.
Would like to get Pentax or other brands instead of Sigma.

By "functionality", do you mean that you'd still want a "zoom" lens?

If not, then consider the Pentax DA*300/4 ... possibly the best long lens in that range at the moment.
I have been using it for quite some time with my K20D, then K7, and now with the K5 and it a wonderful lens.

Zooms? ... The Pentax DA*60-250 ... I don't own one but I read tons of good things about it.
Also, consider a Tamron 70-200/2.8 (I have one of those): extremely sharp, albeit " AF mechanism noisy" (for the "old" model)
And, as someone pointed out: the Sigma APO 70-200/2.8EX (non DG non Macro) as Lowell points out earlier in this thread.

By the way: I did own a Sigma 100-300 for a while and it was a great lens too. However, I needed/wanted a "prime", so I sold the Sigma and bought the DA*300.

JP

[NSX167]

thanks, JP. I might go for Pentax DA*60-250