Originally posted by C_Jones I have the Sigma 150-500 DG OS. I have shot wildlife, including birds in flight, and sports with it on both my K-5IIS and K-3II, and I have gotten excellent results. I have found that from F8 on that the images show consistent detail. The light needed for those shots is always a factor. I doubt that you would be disappointed if you purchased the 150-500 if it is in fact in excellent condition, but as for myself I would purchase a new Pentax 150-450 if I was in your situation without a doubt. I am also not a user of teleconverters, so I would not be weighing that as a deciding factor. If you got the 150-450, you would be buying into exactly what you described you needed. When I bought my Sigma 150-500, I had basically the same intentions/need as you, so I invested about $1,100 in the new Sigma. This was before the Pentax 150-450 was made/available, so I did not have that option like you do. The Pentax is a newer model, so I would presume it to be advanced technologically somewhat. Sigma now makes a 150-600, but not for the Pentax K-mount. So, the Sigma 150-500 I have is great and I prize it, but I would recommend a new Pentax 150-450 for your type situation as I mentioned before.
As you say, I was headed towards the Pentax and I was securing money/preparing wife for that kind of purchase (
) until that 150-500 came my way at something like 350ish €, which definitely got my attention...
I'm going to check it out and see if that is working as it should, if fw is updated to work with the K1 and eventually give it a go.
What I'm thinking is that I may have the opportunity to use that long of a lens in sporadic occasions (like on eventual weekend excursions or the once a year into the wild field trip/vacation that we do) so I have to take that factor into consideration before spending the money for the Pentax (also considering I have to upgrade my wide angle to FF as well).
Admittedly that is a much better lens, but being an occasional wildlife shooter, cost is a factor. The 150-500 has been on my radar ever since, but the copies I found were almost double the price of this one, and that made me think it was probably not worth it, and that I should bite the bullet and go for the Pentax. But...at this rock bottom price I'm leaning towards it.
I just wanted to know how worse it is compared to the Pentax.
What I seem to get from all you guys is that the Pentax is a superior lens, and obviously it comes at a price, the Sigma is more of a consumer grade but can achieve good results if stopped down and used with a good handing technique (and paying attention to dust/moisture), and if found for a decent price it can be worth it. Am I right?
---------- Post added 11-09-17 at 09:47 AM ----------
Originally posted by normhead Can't wait.
Me Too
L.