Winner of the Powerball seeking to purchase Sigma AF 400mm f5.6 Macro for Pentax

DreTAX · 08-17-2014, 08:18 AM - **1 Like**

My Sigma 300 isn't going anywhere! Looks sharp to me wide open and gets crisp at f4.5.

I too think the DA* 300 would be better, but not by much.

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DreTAX · 08-17-2014, 09:29 AM - **1 Like**

From my research the Sigma 400 apo macro was the best of its kind and it took well over a year for me to find one. I haven't been disappointed by its optical performance.

Don't give up the hunt Mirton!

Slight crop, wide open with a K5

Mirton · 08-17-2014, 09:57 AM

The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them. There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance.

DreTAX · 08-17-2014, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by Mirton

The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them. There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance.

If you go to the trouble of running someone over, you may as well grab the lens and scarper! I'm sure you're joking because that would be too risky in damaging the lens, but you can be sure I will be crossing the road with extra caution from now on.

I have seen another one sell in the past year, I was tempted but resisted. Luckily you still have age on your side.

Mirton · 08-17-2014, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by DreTAX

If you go to the trouble of running someone over, you may as well grab the lens and scarper! I'm sure you're joking because that would be too risky in damaging the lens, but you can be sure I will be crossing the road with extra caution from now on.

I have seen another one sell in the past year, I was tempted but resisted. Luckily you still have age on your side.

I completely forgot about putting the lens at risk

, that's thoughtless of me.

**Des** · 11-19-2014, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by Mirton

There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance.

It was $A900 (not $US) and it included a teleconverter:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/36-sold-items/254842-sale-sold-sigma-apo-...po-1-4-tc.html

They are hard to find, and this drives prices up, but they are not astronomical:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/279133-sigma-400mm-...acro-ebay.html

I bought one recently for $A510. I think I was lucky, but be patient, keep an eye out and one will turn up.

Originally posted by Mirton

The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them.

I'm really going to look both ways whenever I cross the street now.

If you are that keen, don't just look on this forum or ebay - try local classifieds like Gumtree or craigslist as well. With a quick search I found one for sale on Gumtree in South Africa:
http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-lenses/bellville/sigma-400mm-f5-6-apo-telemacro-p...20910341057209
Be aware of the risks of buying through sites like this, although the risks are still probably less than those associated with assault or robbery.

---------- Post added 11-20-14 at 03:12 PM ----------

Originally posted by Mirton

The smaller sigma 400mm f5.6 APO (non-macro) with 72mm filter thread performs exhibits good CA control, but it doesn't have the IQ of its bigger brother especially at large aperture settings.

The 72mm version also has the advantages of being lighter, more compact, cheaper and much more readily available.

Here's a guy who argues that the difference in quality between the 72mm versions and the 77mm tele macro has been overstated:
Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 APO (1988-1995) / Test and Sample Images
(Tested in Nikon mount.) Dr Kopp says that the 72mm version shares the virtue of the later model of having fairly even levels of sharpness from wide open (f5.6) to f11.

**crewl1** · 11-19-2014, 10:48 PM

There is one on ebay right now. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/279133-sigma-400mm-...acro-ebay.html

**Des** · 11-28-2014, 05:08 AM

Originally posted by Mirton

Has anyone successfully converted this legendary lens into a Pentax mount (with possible A/AF functionality)?

Yes and no: Test: Nikon - Pentax K adapter with Sigma 300/4 APO macro !: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (speaking of the 300, but no doubt the same issues/results).

The lens seems to be not uncommon in Nikon mount, and goes for around $US400. Maybe easier just to buy a second-hand Nikon body, if you can live without image stabilization?

08-17-2014, 05:56 PM	#20
Mirton Banned Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: At a Starbucks, most likely! Photos: Albums Posts: 123 Original Poster	Originally posted by DreTAX If you go to the trouble of running someone over, you may as well grab the lens and scarper! I'm sure you're joking because that would be too risky in damaging the lens, but you can be sure I will be crossing the road with extra caution from now on. I have seen another one sell in the past year, I was tempted but resisted. Luckily you still have age on your side. I completely forgot about putting the lens at risk, that's thoughtless of me.

11-19-2014, 08:55 PM	#21
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by Mirton There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance. It was $A900 (not $US) and it included a teleconverter: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/36-sold-items/254842-sale-sold-sigma-apo-...po-1-4-tc.html They are hard to find, and this drives prices up, but they are not astronomical: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/279133-sigma-400mm-...acro-ebay.html I bought one recently for $A510. I think I was lucky, but be patient, keep an eye out and one will turn up. Originally posted by Mirton The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them. I'm really going to look both ways whenever I cross the street now. If you are that keen, don't just look on this forum or ebay - try local classifieds like Gumtree or craigslist as well. With a quick search I found one for sale on Gumtree in South Africa: http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-lenses/bellville/sigma-400mm-f5-6-apo-telemacro-p...20910341057209 Be aware of the risks of buying through sites like this, although the risks are still probably less than those associated with assault or robbery. ---------- Post added 11-20-14 at 03:12 PM ---------- Originally posted by Mirton The smaller sigma 400mm f5.6 APO (non-macro) with 72mm filter thread performs exhibits good CA control, but it doesn't have the IQ of its bigger brother especially at large aperture settings. The 72mm version also has the advantages of being lighter, more compact, cheaper and much more readily available. Here's a guy who argues that the difference in quality between the 72mm versions and the 77mm tele macro has been overstated: Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 APO (1988-1995) / Test and Sample Images (Tested in Nikon mount.) Dr Kopp says that the 72mm version shares the virtue of the later model of having fairly even levels of sharpness from wide open (f5.6) to f11. Last edited by Des; 11-19-2014 at 11:38 PM.

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08-17-2014, 09:57 AM	#18
Mirton Banned Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: At a Starbucks, most likely! Photos: Albums Posts: 123 Original Poster	The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them. There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance.

08-17-2014, 03:41 PM	#19
DreTAX Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria. Photos: Gallery Posts: 118	Originally posted by Mirton The 400mm f5.6 APO Macro for Pentax are so rare that I'd have better luck running someone with a 400 over then buying it from them. There was a guy on Pentaxforum who was selling his for $900 to get a 300mm f2.8, about a year ago but i missed my chance. If you go to the trouble of running someone over, you may as well grab the lens and scarper! I'm sure you're joking because that would be too risky in damaging the lens, but you can be sure I will be crossing the road with extra caution from now on. I have seen another one sell in the past year, I was tempted but resisted. Luckily you still have age on your side.

11-19-2014, 10:48 PM	#22
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	There is one on ebay right now. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/279133-sigma-400mm-...acro-ebay.html

11-28-2014, 05:08 AM	#23
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by Mirton Has anyone successfully converted this legendary lens into a Pentax mount (with possible A/AF functionality)? Yes and no: Test: Nikon - Pentax K adapter with Sigma 300/4 APO macro !: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review (speaking of the 300, but no doubt the same issues/results). The lens seems to be not uncommon in Nikon mount, and goes for around $US400. Maybe easier just to buy a second-hand Nikon body, if you can live without image stabilization?