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12-28-2014, 03:26 PM   #1
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sigma 170-500

could i get some opinions and advice please. i am looking at a 170-500 sigma to use on a K3 and a K5. i have recently had some trouble with an older tamron lens not even getting close using auto focus and am wondering if anyone has used this particular lens on either body and any opinions and advice anyone might have. i read the reviews on the site and am impressed and am seriously considering it for birding and wildlife.

12-28-2014, 03:35 PM   #2
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It's a bit soft at the long end!
12-28-2014, 04:44 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by nitehntr Quote
could i get some opinions and advice please. i am looking at a 170-500 sigma to use on a K3 and a K5. i have recently had some trouble with an older tamron lens not even getting close using auto focus and am wondering if anyone has used this particular lens on either body and any opinions and advice anyone might have. i read the reviews on the site and am impressed and am seriously considering it for birding and wildlife.
Are you referring to the Sigma 150-500? That's the one I have and I absolutely love it. Well built, incredible value for the money, and plenty sharp for me. I use it for wildlife photography and have gotten many terrific shots with it. I only wish it were a bit faster (f/5-6.3), but that would mean a lot more money. Sigma's Pentax-mount lenses are first class.
12-28-2014, 05:47 PM   #4
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I've used the 170-500mm on a K30 and found the focus to be satisfactory. Are you able to try-before-you-buy on your own gear?

12-28-2014, 09:20 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kath Quote
Are you referring to the Sigma 150-500? That's the one I have and I absolutely love it. Well built, incredible value for the money, and plenty sharp for me. I use it for wildlife photography and have gotten many terrific shots with it. I only wish it were a bit faster (f/5-6.3), but that would mean a lot more money. Sigma's Pentax-mount lenses are first class.
I've got the Sigma 150-500 also and I second Kath's opinion.

The Sigma 150-500 and the 170-500 are two different lenses. The 170-500 is I believe an older design.
12-29-2014, 03:27 AM   #6
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I have the DG version of the 170-500mm which gives sharp results - looking at the reviews of the non-DG version I think there is quite a difference so if you can't get the DG version then it may make sense to splash the cash and stretch to the 150-500mm lens
12-29-2014, 05:10 AM   #7
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If you have never used a 500mm lens before, they take some getting used to. The size and weight is very different to say a 55-300, and you need to get your technique right (stance, bracing, grip, breathing etc). The longer the focal length, the more sensitivity there is to movement, so if you are shooting handheld at 500mm even with shake reduction on you need to use a fast shutter speed (at least 1/500th sec and preferably 1/1000th second). Of course (given the maximum aperture of f6.3 at 500mm) this means you need good light, or expect to use high ISO. Use a solid tripod if possible - this will let you use a slower shutter speed.

Like most zooms, this lens produces better resolution when stopped down one or two stops. Above about 320mm, the widest aperture is f6.3, so for best results you need to stop down to f8 or so. Another advantage of using f8 is that the greater depth of field is more forgiving if you have trouble focusing precisely (e.g. a bird in flight, when you just have to shoot and hope).

While on the subject of focus, I find my 170-500 auto-focuses fine. Of course with a maximum aperture of f6.3 it will struggle to focus in low light. Like any screw-drive lens AF is a bit noisy, but it isn't slow.

The 170-500 is much lighter weight (1.3kg) than the later Sigma models, 150-500 or 50-500 (each close to 2kg). Believe me, that 600g difference really matters when carrying it.

As for resolution and IQ (I have the non-DG version), the key is not to expect too much of the lens at 500mm. Don't expect National Geographic photos of small birds 100m away. But it does very well with subjects within say 20m or so. And it is very good indeed at the wider end - at 300mm it is a smidge faster than the 55-300 (f5.6 v f5.8) and the IQ is as good or better.

Some samples.

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12-29-2014, 06:13 PM   #8
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As I recall from my purchase research some years ago, the 170-500 is not quite as highly-rated as the 150-500, which I bought, though recently sold. I now have the Tamron 150-600 on a Canon now which seems to give better AF results at airshows, etc., than the Sigma on the K5.
12-30-2014, 10:55 AM   #9
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I've owned the 170-500mm and the 150-500mm in the past. The 150-500mm has better image quality, but the 170-500mm is still decent. It was actually surprisingly sharp near the "wide" end (lol, if 170mm can be called "wide"), but as others have said, it does soften up as you approach 500mm. That being said, it was still useful for casual use, and was a lot of fun. I did not have any autofocus problems with my copy.

I will also reiterate that shooting at 500mm is a different experience. It's something that takes practice and skill. The 170-500mm would be a great lens to learn on, since it can be had for much less than other 500mm options. I believe it usually goes for under $500, and if you're lucky you can find it for much less. Mine was in the $300's. If 500mm turns out to be your thing, you can always upgrade, and shouldn't have any trouble selling your 170-500mm.

I used to have a review thread with lots of pictures, but I lost the server space so the pictures are gone. Here's the link though, sans pictures:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/159245-sigm...nal-bigma.html

BTW, I just noticed that I wrote in that thread that I paid $730 for the 170-500mm, when it was actually $370.
12-30-2014, 09:08 PM   #10
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I had an older 170-500 and it was soft. A fun lens to use, light, focused quickly, but not sharp enough. The 150-500 is better. Both need pretty good light since you have to stop it down to f8 at least.
12-31-2014, 04:28 AM   #11
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Here's a shot and 100% crop shot on a not particularly sparkling day using my 170-500mm DG

Last edited by Johndav; 07-15-2016 at 05:35 AM.
01-11-2015, 03:27 AM   #12
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Mine is for sale in the marketplace: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/285493-sal...hood-case.html
01-18-2015, 04:52 PM   #13
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This series of "cat" photos (actually my pet sheep Oscar) were taken from the same position at different focal lengths. All handheld, at f8. None is cropped.

170mm:


250mm:


310mm:


400mm:


500mm:
01-19-2015, 08:31 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Des Quote
This series of "cat" photos (actually my pet sheep Oscar) were taken from the same position at different focal lengths. All handheld, at f8. None is cropped.
I don't know. I don't want to call you a liar...but Oscar definitely looks a bit cropped to me.

Last edited by Edgar_in_Indy; 01-19-2015 at 02:38 PM.
01-19-2015, 12:37 PM - 1 Like   #15
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Good stuff, plus it's nice to see an animal with built in white balance
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