[Imp]

I got myself the Tokina 400mm 5.6 ATX AF for about $350. It's as sharp as if not sharper than the HD DA 55-300 that i've also got. The AF is really really fast, although not necessarily good at tracking and things like that (Mainly a Pentax thing) but going from A point to B point it is really quick. There is CA, so it's preferrable to shoot at at least f/8, it's better at f/11, so it's a lens that needs a lot of light.

I love it, for the price, I've gotten some great shots.

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Last edited by Imp; 04-02-2017 at 10:43 AM.

[C_Jones]

The Sigma 150-500 DG OS for Pentax (which I have), Sigma 50-500 DG OS for Pentax (which I do not have), or a Sigma 120-400 for Pentax which I have seen listings for (shortcut below).

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?tag=pentaxforums-20&url=search-alias...400+for+pentax

The 500 length is going to give you some more capability that you may want. I would recommend the Sigma 150-500 DG OS for Pentax because I have successfully used it for thousands of shots.

[normhead]

Isn't the Sigma 100-300 a premium lens?

[bertwert]

Also if you're interested in the Sigma 50-500, it can be found new on ebay from Japan at less than $1000.

Isn't the Sigma 100-300 a premium lens?

What do you mean by 'premium lens'?
It can be found under $1000, even with a Sigma 1.4x (see ChatMechant's listing: Sigma APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG + 1.4 TC - PentaxForums.com)

[normhead]

Also if you're interested in the Sigma 50-500, it can be found new on ebay from Japan at less than $1000.



What do you mean by 'premium lens'?
It can be found under $1000, even with a Sigma 1.4x (see ChatMechant's listing: Sigma APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG + 1.4 TC - PentaxForums.com)

That's the constant ƒ4, regarded as one of the best Pentax lenses ever, with a sharpness rating of 9.8 and listed as $1077 average selling price?

If you can pick one up for under $1000 grab it.

A lens that sharp my be sharper than many of the 400s mentioned, if you just shoot with it and crop to a 400mm field of view.

Every time you see one in the market place the seller is practically bawling his eyes out because he has to sell it.

[bertwert]

That's the constant ƒ4, regarded as one of the best Pentax lenses ever, with a sharpness rating of 9.8 and listed as $1077 average selling price?

If you can pick one up for under $1000 grab it.

Every time you see one in the market place the seller is practically bawling his eyes out because he has to sell it.

Yes, that one I posted is under $1000 with the Sigma 1.4x as well.
It is really tempting but then I remember the exchange rate

(I'm not affiliated with ChatMechant and attempting to sell his lenses just saying it's a good deal...)

[normhead]

Yes, that one I posted is under $1000 with the Sigma 1.4x as well.
It is really tempting but then I remember the exchange rate

(I'm not affiliated with ChatMechant and attempting to sell his lenses just saying it's a good deal...)

That should be a great combo.

[wissink]

I certainly enjoy that combo. I sold it and bought it back a few months later.

[Lowell Goudge]

if you can live with a little CA, any of the manual focus 300/4 lenses with the SMC-F 1.7x AF Converter will do the trick

Cross posted from the sample image archive
the first shot is from the K7 using the 1.7x AFA and the K300/4 at ISO 1600,

and 100% crop of the head


this next shot is using my *istD with flash again using the 1.7x AFA

[Rupert]

I

*shameless plug->

Don't pick on young Bert.....he has been without bacon for an entire week and it is causing him some mental laxes and definite mental anxiety. Once he gets his bacon fix he will be just fine!

For owners of the K1, the Bigma 50-500 might be a good choice for a reasonable price. I had the old model and now the newer HSM OS version. Both do very well on the K1 and focus fast and sure even in low light. This was certainly not the case in my previous Pentax bodies, where they tended to hunt like a blind hound. I bought the HSM OS versoion on the Marketplace for an even $1K.....and it was as new as new can be. The IQ of the old model is just as good as the new model, in my observation. The HSM is nice...and very fast....the OS is also very good in the new model.

You won't get the same IQ Norm gets with his lens assortment, but you might not anyhow, he is not your average shooter by a long shot. Here is my gallery of K1 Bigma shots, all have Exif info, all are handheld and almost all were shot through my window panes......so judge accordingly. I post the good, bad, and ugly there so it is a wide assortment of what the Bigma 50-500 can offer. I've been very happy for over 10 years shooting the Bigma, but a lot more so with the K1 since it eliminated hunting and slow focus problems.
Pentax K1 | Flickr

Regards & Good luck on finding what you need!

[zapp]

get a K3 and enjoy the crop factor on your current lens + TC + 200 mm
Really long glass is often replaced by APS-C cameras these days.

[bpv_UW]

All - thanks greatly for the wealth of replies. Lots to think about. Will try to check back in and let folks know what I decide.

Brandon