Large telephoto

dConvert · 08-09-2017, 06:11 AM - **1 Like**

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Originally posted by Mike Dowling

So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good?

I like mine, but it is a bit heavy for carrying around, so only really comes out for motorsports & airshows.
A couple of my favorites with it from my old K7:

At 500mm where it's reportedly slightly soft (that probably not helped by my panning)

And over a much longer distance:

**clackers** · 08-09-2017, 04:37 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mike Dowling

So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good?

I do have one, Mike, it's okay.

Long lenses are an expensive business as your research indicates.

Just for fun, Google what a Nikon owner pays for a 600mm f4 prime.

Mike Dowling · 08-10-2017, 02:13 AM

Thank you all, most helpful.

**luftfluss** · 08-10-2017, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by Mike Dowling

So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good?

Strikes me as a very good price for that lens.

angerdan · 08-11-2017, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by Mike Dowling

As far as I can see Pentax only make one really long lens.
Are there any others that can be used on a Pentax K50 which will retain auto focus etc.
If not can anyone recommend a really good, not too expensive long lens (over 300mm) that I could look for ?

Pentax had 5 AF-Lenses from 300-600mm in production between 1988-2004. And 6 MF Lenses form 400-600mm with f5.6 or faster.
>= 397mm <= F6 >= 480g Lenses | PentaxForums.com

Originally posted by Mike Dowling

Various Sigma lenses are available I know but Sigma indicate that they don't work with Pentax cameras. I don't really understand why they shouldn't, any ideas?
Manual focus doesn't bother me, I tend to use it a lot anyway.
My main interest is wildlife photography which is why I would still like something a bit bigger but with a decent 'f' setting. Good condition 2nd hand would be fine.

I don't know any Sigma lens for Pentax which don't work with Pentax cameras. Do you have an example?
Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Current Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database
Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Legacy Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

If you're fine with MF, you'll find more cheap supertele lenses.
Pentax (smc,FA) (400,500,600) -(67,6,7,645,600,sigma,m42) in Camera Lenses | eBay

Wasp · 08-11-2017, 02:00 PM

I have an A 400mm f/5.6 that I have owned for a long time and will never sell. My kids can inherit it one day.

If you can get by with manual focus, there is this M on ebay at the moment. Looks good for $290.

NEAR MINT Pentax M SMC 400mm F/5.6 PK MF Lens Made In Japan #Z146 | eBay

For wildlife MF might be OK. I haven't done a lot of wildlife but I get by with MF for sports and airshows.

**Des** · 08-11-2017, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Mike Dowling

So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good?

About the most affordable way to 500mm in a K-mount AF lens. But be careful what you wish for Mike. A 2kg lens takes, um, some getting used to.

One lateral suggestion. Consider upgrading to a used K-3. Far superior autofocus, better metering, no AA filter, more heft balances well with a bigger lens, more battery life and the 24 mp sensor gives a lot more scope for cropping. I say this from experience, having come from a K-30. The cheap and lightweight Rogue Safari flash extender works well with the popup flash on the K-3 (but not with the K-30 so presumably not with the K-50) for wildlife with a slow lens or for fill. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/25628...-extender.html

Last edited by Des; 08-11-2017 at 03:18 PM.

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08-09-2017, 06:11 AM - 1 Like	#16
dConvert Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 41	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by Mike Dowling So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good? I like mine, but it is a bit heavy for carrying around, so only really comes out for motorsports & airshows. A couple of my favorites with it from my old K7: At 500mm where it's reportedly slightly soft (that probably not helped by my panning) And over a much longer distance:

08-09-2017, 04:37 PM - 1 Like	#17
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Mike Dowling So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good? I do have one, Mike, it's okay. Long lenses are an expensive business as your research indicates. Just for fun, Google what a Nikon owner pays for a 600mm f4 prime.

08-10-2017, 02:13 AM	#18
Mike Dowling New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Thank you all, most helpful.

08-10-2017, 08:58 PM	#19
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	Originally posted by Mike Dowling So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good? Strikes me as a very good price for that lens.

08-11-2017, 12:06 PM	#20
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Originally posted by Mike Dowling As far as I can see Pentax only make one really long lens. Are there any others that can be used on a Pentax K50 which will retain auto focus etc. If not can anyone recommend a really good, not too expensive long lens (over 300mm) that I could look for ? Pentax had 5 AF-Lenses from 300-600mm in production between 1988-2004. And 6 MF Lenses form 400-600mm with f5.6 or faster. >= 397mm <= F6 >= 480g Lenses \| PentaxForums.com Originally posted by Mike Dowling Various Sigma lenses are available I know but Sigma indicate that they don't work with Pentax cameras. I don't really understand why they shouldn't, any ideas? Manual focus doesn't bother me, I tend to use it a lot anyway. My main interest is wildlife photography which is why I would still like something a bit bigger but with a decent 'f' setting. Good condition 2nd hand would be fine. I don't know any Sigma lens for Pentax which don't work with Pentax cameras. Do you have an example? Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Current Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Legacy Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database If you're fine with MF, you'll find more cheap supertele lenses. Pentax (smc,FA) (400,500,600) -(67,6,7,645,600,sigma,m42) in Camera Lenses \| eBay

08-11-2017, 02:00 PM	#21
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have an A 400mm f/5.6 that I have owned for a long time and will never sell. My kids can inherit it one day. If you can get by with manual focus, there is this M on ebay at the moment. Looks good for $290. NEAR MINT Pentax M SMC 400mm F/5.6 PK MF Lens Made In Japan #Z146 \| eBay For wildlife MF might be OK. I haven't done a lot of wildlife but I get by with MF for sports and airshows.

08-11-2017, 02:55 PM	#22
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by Mike Dowling So my friendly experts, how about this - sigma ex 150 500 f 5.0 6.3 hsm dg os second hand about £300. Any good? About the most affordable way to 500mm in a K-mount AF lens. But be careful what you wish for Mike. A 2kg lens takes, um, some getting used to. One lateral suggestion. Consider upgrading to a used K-3. Far superior autofocus, better metering, no AA filter, more heft balances well with a bigger lens, more battery life and the 24 mp sensor gives a lot more scope for cropping. I say this from experience, having come from a K-30. The cheap and lightweight Rogue Safari flash extender works well with the popup flash on the K-3 (but not with the K-30 so presumably not with the K-50) for wildlife with a slow lens or for fill. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/22-pentax-camera-field-accessories/25628...-extender.html Last edited by Des; 08-11-2017 at 03:18 PM.