A while back, when the budget seemed to allow for the purchase of a Sigma 500/4.5, I didn't pay much attention to the ultra-zoom lenses available because I thought "
prime tele lenses are much better than tele- zoom lenses."
I still think the primes are better, unfortunately, budgetary restrictions make me now look into zoom lenses.
I have browsed for hours regarding two Sigma lenses:
1. Sigma 50-500 (the "new" version)
2. Sigma 150-500 (the new version too, as far as I can see from my searches)
This is a short summary of
some of the threads I have browsed:
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO OS HSM - Review - PentaxForums.com https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/215441-k-5-sigma-50-500-os.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-technique/83607-sigma-50-500-150-500-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/77699-sigma-50...170-500-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5/129646-pentax-k-5-sigma-150-500mm.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/171934-sigma-15...g-apo-hsm.html
and there are so many more that I stopped searching. And that is only from this site here. Tons of others from different websites as well.
What I am looking for is a tele-zoom which will have good IQ at the long end (400-500mm).
The reports/reviews are sort of a mixed bag of opinions; some will report the 50-500 as "better" at the 400-500mm than the 150-500mm counterpart.
Who's to believe? That's a tough call. So many different opinions.
I have been using the DA*300/4 for many years now and I am now convinced that any zoom lens will have a tough time to come close to its IQ; however, I still need to get to 500mm for my "birding" and other such wildlife photography.
I have tried the combo DA*300/4 plus the Pentax AF-A 1.7X adapter (that's 510mm) but I find the resulting images rather "just OK".
Am I kidding myself to think that those tele-zooms (Sigma 50-500 and 150-500) will be a better choice?
Just a note: I am presently experiencing the "Q + adapter + "adapted lenses" .... no great luck after just one day trying. I will be taking some more shots over the next few days with this combo and other lenses (the Tamron 70-200/2.8 is next on the list) and see if the Q kit suits me or not.
Further note: of course I am not expecting miracles with the Q as far as IQ is concerned although I still find it a very capable little camera.
I am looking forward to any suggestion (not just "opinions") from
actual users of either one or both of those Sigma lenses.
Thanks to all.
JP