[Pepe Guitarra]

Hi, I am contemplating the purchase of a 300/2.8 AF lens. I would like to purchase the Pentax FA 300/2.8, but I find old copies with microadjustment needed and with prices of over $3,400. For $3,300, I can buy a brand new Sigma DG EX 300/2.8, with all the warranties, etc. Ihave been lucky with my Sigmas in my life with Canon, so I trust Sigma. However, having my Pentax gear, I would like to hear from several of you what would you do. I currently have the Pentax F* 300/4.5 and I love it. However, I miss the 300/2.8. Your help is appreciated.

[ramseybuckeye]

Hi, I am contemplating the purchase of a 300/2.8 AF lens. I would like to purchase the Pentax FA 300/2.8, but I find old copies with microadjustment needed and with prices of over $3,400. For $3,300, I can buy a brand new Sigma DG EX 300/2.8, with all the warranties, etc. Ihave been lucky with my Sigmas in my life with Canon, so I trust Sigma. However, having my Pentax gear, I would like to hear from several of you what would you do. I currently have the Pentax F* 300/4.5 and I love it. However, I miss the 300/2.8. Your help is appreciated.

For me that would be a very large purchase, I would want the warranty to protect my investment. A used lens can go tomorrow, or last forever. If your pockets are deep go with whichever lens you feel gives the best results.

[Stavri]

I have the Sigma Ex 300mm f2.8, and although I haven't had the opportunity of shooting with a FA 300mm f2.8, I can only compare it to the Sigma 100-300mm f4 and the 400mm f5.6 telemacro. The 300mm f2.8 is the sharpest of the lot, from f3.2 and up and slightly less contrasty wide open. It's heavy and needs a tripod or monopod. My copy was purchased used from another member and was send repeatedly for service (3 times, twice for adjustment and once for a re-chip) On the Canon forums they place the Sigma 300mm f2.8 between the first and second versions of the L 300mm f2.8 in terms of performance. Another advantage of the Sigma 300 f2.8 is that the AF works well with 1.4x and 2x converters.

[woodywesty]

I have the Sigma Ex 300mm f2.8, and although I haven't had the opportunity of shooting with a FA 300mm f2.8, I can only compare it to the Sigma 100-300mm f4 and the 400mm f5.6 telemacro. The 300mm f2.8 is the sharpest of the lot, from f3.2 and up and slightly less contrasty wide open. It's heavy and needs a tripod or monopod. My copy was purchased used from another member and was send repeatedly for service (3 times, twice for adjustment and once for a re-chip) On the Canon forums they place the Sigma 300mm f2.8 between the first and second versions of the L 300mm f2.8 in terms of performance. Another advantage of the Sigma 300 f2.8 is that the AF works well with 1.4x and 2x converters.

Have you used the Sigma 300 f2.8 with the new Pentax 1.4 TC? It would be important for those two to communicate well.


Bob

[ElJamoquio]

I had a Sigma 300 for a bit and I wasn't thrilled with it. Didn't fiddle with AF adjustment but when both were 'focused' according to the camera, I was happier with the DA*300 from F/4 on up.

The DA*300 of course wouldn't benefit from the F/2.8, so YMMV. But I don't recommend the Sigma 300.

[gmans]

I would go (if money allowed) for which ever is the sharpest at f2.8, but if it was the Pentax, it would have to be in great condition. The pentax is fairly robust where as the Sigma I dunno? Hope this helps in you difficult circumstance.

[tom1803]

I own the older non-DG version of the Sigma 300/2.8 lens.

I find that it does lose some contrast and slight sharpness when shot wide-open. Also, it does suffer from loss of contrast when shooting back-lit subject, although this is probably due to the lens being non-DG version. There's also some chromatic aberration (purple fringing) but not bad enough to worry about as it can easily be corrected in post processing. (The lens has been serviced by Sigma Japan very recently so the optics should be very clean. :-) )

I have never had the opportunity to use the Pentax FA* 300/2.8 but I suspect it will handle the contrast situation better due to the superior SMC coating, but it may lose out to the Sigma in respect to chromatic aberration. My FA* 85/1.4 is a great lens in all aspects except for the purple fringing. It may be same with the FA* 300/2.8.

I can also verify that the Sigma lens works very well with the matched Sigma 1.4X teleconverter, with very little degradation in IQ. I have also tried the lens with Kenko Pz-AF 2X MC7 teleconverter and it too works quite well (no focus issues when matched with K-3).

[Stavri]

Have you used the Sigma 300 f2.8 with the new Pentax 1.4 TC? It would be important for those two to communicate well.


Bob

Unfortunately I don't have the Pentax 1.4x AW to test it on, so far I've used the Sigma 1.4x, 2x and the Kenko 1.5x SHQ, they all which work well. (I suspect it should work with the Pentax)

[DSims]

I would think the FA*300/2.8 on the K-3 would be a great combo. The FA* has some impressive results on the PPG - even wide open, as long as it's in focus. And the K-3 is ideal for focusing it.


How do you like Sigma rendering? That's what it would come down to for me. For me, I'm happier with the colors and rendering from Pentax glass.


I guess you've already worked out that you're OK with the weight and you want the speed. I don't want the weight, speed, or expense, so I'm content with the F*300/4.5. I also use it hand-held most of the time - sometimes for hours on end. I know the size of the FA*300/2.8 would make it a whole different ballgame, although I'm sure the f/2.8 is nice for using TCs and other situations.

[Digitalis]

The pentax lens has a focus limiter, the sigma lens does not. The pentax lens has a filter drawer that I'll admit is a bit fiddly, and prone to becoming loose. The Sigma 300mm f/2.8 does have a filter drawer but I haven't had much experience of working with the Sigma lens to make any comments on how well suited it is to the rigors of professional use.

My FA* 85/1.4 is a great lens in all aspects except for the purple fringing. It may be same with the FA* 300/2.8.

These are two completely different lenses built for completely different purposes, the FA*300mm f/2.8 doesn't suffer from the kinds of chromatic aberrations that the FA*85mm f/1.4 does.

[goubejp]

I have the FA*300 f2.8 and it works very fine with the Pentax TC. I also have had the Sigma TC, it doesn't work with the Pentax 300. What is important is that the Pentax TC converts the focal length to 420 mm, this is essential for a good image stabilisation. The Sigma doesn't, and as it transmit the focal length of 300 mm, the image stabilisation will not be efficient.
I haven't had the opportunity to work with the sigma, for me that is using it a lot for birding, my choice was driven by the faster AF of the Pentax, plus the good reputation of this lens. The faster AF is related to the focus limiter that prevent the lens to explore all the focusing range if focus is lost.
The Pentax is build like a tank, even if the silver finish is very prone to scratches.
As I own 2 copies of the FA*300 and want to sell one, cause I'm on the low side of money after paying all the taxes that the french government has introduced this year - may be I'm not objective if I suggest you to choose the Pentax . But nevertheless, when I had to choose a F2.8 300 I went to the Pentax without regret.

[Franc]

As I own 2 copies of the FA*300 and want to sell one, cause I'm on the low side of money after paying all the taxes that the french government has introduced this year - may be I'm not objective if I suggest you to choose the Pentax . But nevertheless, when I had to choose a F2.8 300 I went to the Pentax without regret.

well, put it on the board! I can't wait

[Stavri]

Here's a quick comparison between two systems done by a forum member:

Sigma 300mm F/2.8 lens on Pentax K-3 vs. Canon 1D mark IV, 7D & 300mm F/2.8 II

Birds That Fart - Blog

[woodywesty]

Here's a quick comparison between two systems done by a forum member:

Sigma 300mm F/2.8 lens on Pentax K-3 vs. Canon 1D mark IV, 7D & 300mm F/2.8 II

Birds That Fart - Blog

Great review and great photographer!

[goubejp]

well, put it on the board! I can't wait

It is on sale on the forum