[Pfan]

Delighted with my K-30 and the 18-135WR. Got a prime SMC M 50 and amazed at that.

Here in Blighty there's an offer on for the Sigma at £169 with the Pentax at £258. I need one or the other for a little fun on the coast with fishing boats/people at distance/surfers as well as a little general fun at home. I'm thinking I'll use at the long end quite a bit.

Having read the reviews and other forum comments I understand that the Pentax choice is the accepted wisdom as the best choice below say 350 USD.


However there are a number of comments that the OS version on the Sigma is better at the long range than internal stabilisation. There is also quite a price difference which I would appreciate but if there really was a substantial difference between the IQ I'd go for the Pentax.

I'm also thinking that when I go walkabout will I miss the 15mm shorter on the Pentax.

Decisions, decisions.........

Please would members share their views on my best choice. Cheers to all.

[Cynog Ap Brychan]

I have only experienced the 55-300, but I have an old Sigma 70-300 which, while sharp, lacks contrast (it can be overcome to some extent through PP). However, this is probably not a fair comparison, and I imagine newer Sigmas are much better. All I can say is that I was very pleased with the sharpness I got from the 55-300 considering its price. It's also light, so it's a very good candidate for a two lens set-up for travelling.

I have attached a picture taken with this lens at its 300mm setting.

[bullitt_60]

I owned the non-OS APO version of the Sigma and, if it has not changed optically, the Pentax is better in every way. At 300mm the Pentax is much, much sharper. The Pentax is also much smaller and lighter.