[Stavri]

I have been looking for a Sigma APO 400mm f5.6 Macro for ages. I bought one for Nikon a while back (and even bought a D300 to test it for a brief time) although the Sigma performed incredibly well, I couldn't get used the the Nikon body so sold them both. This morning to my amazement I saw a listing from a Japanese seller of the APO 400mm f5.6 Macro in Pentax mount in Excellent condition, needless to say I jumped at the opportunity. In a few weeks when it arrives I'll put this lens through its paces and post my impressions (maybe do a head to head comparison with the EX 300mm f2.8 + 1.4tc)

This is the lens: Sigma 400mm F5.6 APO (AF) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

---

Last edited by Stavri; 10-06-2014 at 08:11 PM.

[Na Horuk]

Whoah, sounds good! Looking forward to some photos

[Stickler]

Is that the 72mm or 77mm filter diameter? I have an older AF version of the Sigma 400/5.6 (Ø72mm) and its a "compact" fun to use really long lens, I jumped on it when I saw it used on B&H, because I'd never seen inexpensive long K-mount primes for sale. It's worth at least what I paid for it and I've found acceptable, but not spectacular IQ. Mostly seems to lack the contrast and color pop I'm used to with Pentax primes. I need to use it more and also would look forward to some shots from other variants of 400mm lenses.

[Stavri]

Is that the 72mm or 77mm filter diameter? I have an older AF version of the Sigma 400/5.6 (Ø72mm) and its a "compact" fun to use really long lens, I jumped on it when I saw it used on B&H, because I'd never seen inexpensive long K-mount primes for sale. It's worth at least what I paid for it and I've found acceptable, but not spectacular IQ. Mostly seems to lack the contrast and color pop I'm used to with Pentax primes. I need to use it more and also would look forward to some shots from other variants of 400mm lenses.

The 77mm, (I've spend too much time researching this lens so I'm familiar with all the variations on the Sigma 400mm f4.6) The APO Macro version (77mm filter thread and larger of the bunch) is reported to be the best performer of them all. I'm' excited to test its performance first hand once I receive it (an early Christmas present to myself i suppose) From what i remember it was a decent performer on the D300
Sigma APO 400mm f5.6 on Nikon D300 @f7.1

Attached Images

 

---

Last edited by Stavri; 10-06-2014 at 10:52 AM.

[crewl1]

I had a Sigma 400 f5.6 APO MF lens once, it was good but suffered from an internal element separation issue so the images lacked a bit of contrast.
I do not recall the filter diameter.

[Stavri]

I had a Sigma 400 f5.6 APO MF lens once, it was good but suffered from an internal element separation issue so the images lacked a bit of contrast.
I do not recall the filter diameter.

It was 72mm and quite smaller than the one i just bought. The APO MF and AF have a tendency to develop separation towards the middle elements with time, The AF version suffers from focus gear stripping with prolonged use (the Minolta versions experience such issue due to the power of the screw-drive motor). Let's hope this one comes in good working order.

I couldn't find side-by-side picture of the Sigma APO MF/AF and the Macro version but I found this one of the Tokina At-X AF 400 f5.6 which is slightly bulkier ( also 72mm filter thread) than the Sigma APO 400mm f5.6 MF/AF to illustrate the size difference. The Sigma APO AF 400mm f5.6 Macro is considerably larger (As tall and almost as heavy in my experience as the Sigma EX 100-300mm f4, though the later is bulkier)

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-400mm-f5-6-apo.html