Sigma 120-400 v Pentax 55-300

Hokonui · 05-19-2013, 12:27 AM

Would anyone who has experience of these lenses care to offer an opinion?

I'm aiming to replace my Sigma 100-300 which I use mostly for nature photography. Both the following seem to review quite well;

The Sigma has extra length which could be useful,
SIGMA APO 120-400MM F4.5-5.6 DG HSM ($NZ 743)

but the Pentax is quite a bit cheaper.
Pentax SMC-DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED ($NZ 606)

panoguy · 05-19-2013, 05:18 AM

Go Pentax. I tried the 120-400 and like many other people, found it to be soft from 300-400mm (which negates the extra reach). Replaced it with a brilliant 150-500; same basic design, but much better at the long end.

The DA 55-300 is lighter, smaller, and much sharper at the long end... plus you can get it used for $NZ 350 around here.

dmort · 05-19-2013, 05:43 AM

If you are thinking about replacing the sigma 100-300 f4 with the pentax, I think you will be disappointed. If you want another smaller and lighter weight option to use alongside the sigma, i think you'd be happy.

For me, in nice bright day time conditions, the pentax 55-300 is a great lens. But when it is a little darker out or your subject is moving, the sigma is the better choice. I owned the 55-300 and sold it in favor of the sigma 100-300 f4.

Also the pentax 60-250 might be a good compromise between size and reach.

Class A · 05-19-2013, 06:48 AM

I'm pretty sure he is talking about one of the cheap Sigma 100-300s. No one would ever think about replacing the Sigma 100-300/4 with anything.

I haven't used either of the two lenses suggested, but I know that some other Kiwis are quite happy with the Pentax 55-300.
Scoot to the "Kiwi Pentaxians" thread sometime and hear what they say.

**boriscleto** · 05-19-2013, 07:01 AM

I have always said they can have my 55-300 when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. Or Pentax makes a WR version.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

dmort · 05-19-2013, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Class A

I'm pretty sure he is talking about one of the cheap Sigma 100-300s.

Well duh. My bad!

Hokonui · 05-19-2013, 10:29 PM

Thank you all - yes I was talking about the cheap Sigma 100-300!

By the sounds of things the 55-300mm wins, I'd rather have a sharp 300mm than a soft 400mm.

dmort · 05-20-2013, 08:03 PM

cheap 55-300s show up all the time... watch the marketplace.

Edgar_in_Indy · 05-21-2013, 01:59 PM

I've owned several consumer 300mm zoom lenses from Pentax and Sigma, and they all provided similar performance. Okay sharpness and image quality, but not great. But I thought they all earned their keep as small, light, inexpensive lenses with good reach. In good lighting, they could all deliver very nice photos as long as pixel-peeping wasn't a priority. Until Tamron decides to release their latest 70-300mm zoom lens (which is excellent), the Pentax is probably as good an option as anything out there.

I've never heard much enthusiastic praise for the 120-400mm, so it's probably not worth the size/price increase. I used to own the Sigma 150-500mm, and it was an excellent lens with fantastic image quality for its reach, but it's much bigger and more expensive. It is very fun using a 500mm zoom lens though when conditions call for it.

BTW, just a couple days ago I contacted both Tamron Japan and Tamron USA to ask if there were any plans to release the 70-300mm for Pentax in the future now that the lens has already been available for Canon/Nikon/Sony for some time. They both responded that there were no current plans.

05-19-2013, 12:27 AM	#1
Hokonui Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gore, NZ Posts: 83	Sigma 120-400 v Pentax 55-300 Would anyone who has experience of these lenses care to offer an opinion? I'm aiming to replace my Sigma 100-300 which I use mostly for nature photography. Both the following seem to review quite well; The Sigma has extra length which could be useful, SIGMA APO 120-400MM F4.5-5.6 DG HSM ($NZ 743) but the Pentax is quite a bit cheaper. Pentax SMC-DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED ($NZ 606)

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05-19-2013, 05:18 AM	#2
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Go Pentax. I tried the 120-400 and like many other people, found it to be soft from 300-400mm (which negates the extra reach). Replaced it with a brilliant 150-500; same basic design, but much better at the long end. The DA 55-300 is lighter, smaller, and much sharper at the long end... plus you can get it used for $NZ 350 around here.

05-19-2013, 05:43 AM	#3
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	If you are thinking about replacing the sigma 100-300 f4 with the pentax, I think you will be disappointed. If you want another smaller and lighter weight option to use alongside the sigma, i think you'd be happy. For me, in nice bright day time conditions, the pentax 55-300 is a great lens. But when it is a little darker out or your subject is moving, the sigma is the better choice. I owned the 55-300 and sold it in favor of the sigma 100-300 f4. Also the pentax 60-250 might be a good compromise between size and reach.

05-19-2013, 06:48 AM	#4
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	I'm pretty sure he is talking about one of the cheap Sigma 100-300s. No one would ever think about replacing the Sigma 100-300/4 with anything. I haven't used either of the two lenses suggested, but I know that some other Kiwis are quite happy with the Pentax 55-300. Scoot to the "Kiwi Pentaxians" thread sometime and hear what they say.

05-19-2013, 07:01 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	I have always said they can have my 55-300 when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. Or Pentax makes a WR version. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-sample-photo-archive/153150-pentax-d...d-samples.html

05-19-2013, 11:10 AM	#6
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	Originally posted by Class A I'm pretty sure he is talking about one of the cheap Sigma 100-300s. Well duh. My bad!

05-19-2013, 10:29 PM	#7
Hokonui Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gore, NZ Posts: 83 Original Poster	Thank you all - yes I was talking about the cheap Sigma 100-300! By the sounds of things the 55-300mm wins, I'd rather have a sharp 300mm than a soft 400mm.

05-20-2013, 08:03 PM	#8
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	cheap 55-300s show up all the time... watch the marketplace.

05-21-2013, 01:59 PM	#9
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	I've owned several consumer 300mm zoom lenses from Pentax and Sigma, and they all provided similar performance. Okay sharpness and image quality, but not great. But I thought they all earned their keep as small, light, inexpensive lenses with good reach. In good lighting, they could all deliver very nice photos as long as pixel-peeping wasn't a priority. Until Tamron decides to release their latest 70-300mm zoom lens (which is excellent), the Pentax is probably as good an option as anything out there. I've never heard much enthusiastic praise for the 120-400mm, so it's probably not worth the size/price increase. I used to own the Sigma 150-500mm, and it was an excellent lens with fantastic image quality for its reach, but it's much bigger and more expensive. It is very fun using a 500mm zoom lens though when conditions call for it. BTW, just a couple days ago I contacted both Tamron Japan and Tamron USA to ask if there were any plans to release the 70-300mm for Pentax in the future now that the lens has already been available for Canon/Nikon/Sony for some time. They both responded that there were no current plans.