From Sigma 70-200mm HSM DG to Pentax D-FA 70-200mm

Malsi · 12-02-2017, 07:18 AM

Hello,

I have a Sigma 70-200mm DG HSM OS, used with my K-3. Now, I have a Pentax K-1. I would like to know if you think that it is interesting to move to the Pentax equivalent?

Is there a big difference in terms of quality? I've read the Pentax lens review with the comparaison with the Tamron.

Regards

Malsi

btnapa · 12-02-2017, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Malsi

I would like to know if you think that it is interesting to move to the Pentax equivalent?

@Malsi, I do not have the Pentax or the Sigma. However, I do have the Tamron and I love it. It is a little soft at f2.8 but it gets tack sharp from f3.2 or 3.5 on at all focal lengths. It is easily one of the best investments I ever made. I shot a wedding about two months ago and the images are way beyond my expectations. I have heard a lot of positive things about the Pentax, mainly that it is sharp even at f2.8. If I were to upgrade to the Pentax (@ more than twice the cost of the Tamron), it would be for sharpness at f2.8. The Tamron although noisy when focusing, is plenty fast in focus speed. The only place the noise bothered me was at the church during the ceremony.

Malsi · 12-02-2017, 09:19 AM

Thank you for your message. The Tamron lens is great and the comparaison clearly show it.

biz-engineer · 12-02-2017, 10:42 AM

Originally posted by Malsi

Is there a big difference in terms of quality?

The difference is significant wide open, the DFA*70-200 is sharp from wide open (defective copies excluded) with some star* like image rendering (microcontrast+color) and the build quality is really nice, at the cost of weight and price. Although, no one should expect fast AF for sports, that's Pentax. DFA*70-200 and Tamron SP or Sigma don't really compare with regards to value/money; those OEM lenses are sold as premium lenses, it's the same with Canon, Nikon, Sony 70-200 f2.8.

Malsi · 12-02-2017, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

The difference is significant wide open, the DFA*70-200 is sharp from wide open (defective copies excluded) with some star* like image rendering (microcontrast+color) and the build quality is really nice, at the cost of weight and price. Although, no one should expect fast AF for sports, that's Pentax. DFA*70-200 and Tamron SP or Sigma don't really compare with regards to value/money; those OEM lenses are sold as premium lenses, it's the same with Canon, Nikon, Sony 70-200 f2.8.

Thank you. I also wanted to use it for sports. I may be disappointed

.

pentaxfall · 12-02-2017, 01:59 PM

If F2.8 is not important I suggest looking at 60-250 F4.0. I have DFA* 70-200 and sometime think that I should gone with 60-250mm because it is lighter and also I do not use F2.8 at all. DFA* 70-200 is sharp at f.2.8 and that too at very close distance. Since you shoot sports AF is important, DFA* 70-200 has better AF(compared to 60-250mm). I hope Pentax makes f4.0 lens to match with DFA* 70-200.

robjmitchell · 12-02-2017, 02:13 PM

How does your sigma go at f2.8 on the K3? If it is sharp wide open then the centre of the image is going to be fine on the K1, which is what is important most of the time, especially with sports. Apart from wide open corner performance the big advantage of the DFA* is how it renders between in and out of focus areas, which is more important for portraiture. It also has a 3D pop from better micro contrast and probably transimits more light than the sigma (t-stop). Unless it going to be your main lens I would probably spend the money elsewhere.

**bwgv001** · 12-02-2017, 09:06 PM

I would say take pictures and decide whether they are good enough.

Malsi · 12-03-2017, 01:02 AM

Hello and thank you for your answers,

f/2.8 is important because I take photos inside (gymnasium) where the light quality is not always good. I've made some tests. At 70mm, it is very good while at 200mm, I consider it as poor. It was a quick test but when I've done the same with the other lens, I see the difference. The Tamron 70-200mm was considered better than the Sigma in that field while Sigma is silent (and better AF).

Regards

Malsi

Nicolas06 · 12-03-2017, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by pentaxfall

If F2.8 is not important I suggest looking at 60-250 F4.0. I have DFA* 70-200 and sometime think that I should gone with 60-250mm because it is lighter and also I do not use F2.8 at all. DFA* 70-200 is sharp at f.2.8 and that too at very close distance. Since you shoot sports AF is important, DFA* 70-200 has better AF(compared to 60-250mm). I hope Pentax makes f4.0 lens to match with DFA* 70-200.

The lens he already own is already quite sharp at f/4 and beyond and focus faster. On top of that the 60-250 has quite some focus breathing meaning that it does only cover 250mm near the infinite mark. I don't think this would be a significant upgrade. Different maybe, not an upgrade.

zapp · 12-03-2017, 11:41 AM

Simple strategy here: Use Pentax glass on Pentax cameras. THe D-FA 70-200 is very nice on K3 and K1. If you can do sport photography with Pentax, you can pair your camera with the D-FA. I have no direct comparison with the Sigma 70-200, but the Pentax is a solid bet. Try one before to get accustomed, to size and weight and check out performance yourself.

gm4life · 12-03-2017, 08:15 PM

The Pentax D FA * 70-200 HD is an awesome lens... Shoots awesome even wide open at F2.8 stuff is very sharp. I sincerely enjoy mine on my APS-C Pentax bodies. I haven’t used the Sigma but assume you will be very happy with the D FA * and it will be an even better piece of glass.

12-02-2017, 07:18 AM	#1
Malsi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Versailles Posts: 298	From Sigma 70-200mm HSM DG to Pentax D-FA 70-200mm Hello, I have a Sigma 70-200mm DG HSM OS, used with my K-3. Now, I have a Pentax K-1. I would like to know if you think that it is interesting to move to the Pentax equivalent? Is there a big difference in terms of quality? I've read the Pentax lens review with the comparaison with the Tamron. Regards Malsi

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12-02-2017, 08:42 AM	#2
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,616	Originally posted by Malsi I would like to know if you think that it is interesting to move to the Pentax equivalent? @Malsi, I do not have the Pentax or the Sigma. However, I do have the Tamron and I love it. It is a little soft at f2.8 but it gets tack sharp from f3.2 or 3.5 on at all focal lengths. It is easily one of the best investments I ever made. I shot a wedding about two months ago and the images are way beyond my expectations. I have heard a lot of positive things about the Pentax, mainly that it is sharp even at f2.8. If I were to upgrade to the Pentax (@ more than twice the cost of the Tamron), it would be for sharpness at f2.8. The Tamron although noisy when focusing, is plenty fast in focus speed. The only place the noise bothered me was at the church during the ceremony.

12-02-2017, 09:19 AM	#3
Malsi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Versailles Posts: 298 Original Poster	Thank you for your message. The Tamron lens is great and the comparaison clearly show it.

12-02-2017, 10:42 AM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by Malsi Is there a big difference in terms of quality? The difference is significant wide open, the DFA70-200 is sharp from wide open (defective copies excluded) with some star like image rendering (microcontrast+color) and the build quality is really nice, at the cost of weight and price. Although, no one should expect fast AF for sports, that's Pentax. DFA*70-200 and Tamron SP or Sigma don't really compare with regards to value/money; those OEM lenses are sold as premium lenses, it's the same with Canon, Nikon, Sony 70-200 f2.8.

12-02-2017, 11:50 AM	#5
Malsi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Versailles Posts: 298 Original Poster	Originally posted by biz-engineer The difference is significant wide open, the DFA70-200 is sharp from wide open (defective copies excluded) with some star like image rendering (microcontrast+color) and the build quality is really nice, at the cost of weight and price. Although, no one should expect fast AF for sports, that's Pentax. DFA*70-200 and Tamron SP or Sigma don't really compare with regards to value/money; those OEM lenses are sold as premium lenses, it's the same with Canon, Nikon, Sony 70-200 f2.8. Thank you. I also wanted to use it for sports. I may be disappointed .

12-02-2017, 01:59 PM	#6
pentaxfall Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 581	If F2.8 is not important I suggest looking at 60-250 F4.0. I have DFA* 70-200 and sometime think that I should gone with 60-250mm because it is lighter and also I do not use F2.8 at all. DFA* 70-200 is sharp at f.2.8 and that too at very close distance. Since you shoot sports AF is important, DFA* 70-200 has better AF(compared to 60-250mm). I hope Pentax makes f4.0 lens to match with DFA* 70-200.

12-02-2017, 02:13 PM	#7
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	How does your sigma go at f2.8 on the K3? If it is sharp wide open then the centre of the image is going to be fine on the K1, which is what is important most of the time, especially with sports. Apart from wide open corner performance the big advantage of the DFA* is how it renders between in and out of focus areas, which is more important for portraiture. It also has a 3D pop from better micro contrast and probably transimits more light than the sigma (t-stop). Unless it going to be your main lens I would probably spend the money elsewhere.

12-02-2017, 09:06 PM	#8
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	I would say take pictures and decide whether they are good enough.

12-03-2017, 01:02 AM	#9
Malsi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Versailles Posts: 298 Original Poster	Hello and thank you for your answers, f/2.8 is important because I take photos inside (gymnasium) where the light quality is not always good. I've made some tests. At 70mm, it is very good while at 200mm, I consider it as poor. It was a quick test but when I've done the same with the other lens, I see the difference. The Tamron 70-200mm was considered better than the Sigma in that field while Sigma is silent (and better AF). Regards Malsi

12-03-2017, 09:24 AM	#10
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by pentaxfall If F2.8 is not important I suggest looking at 60-250 F4.0. I have DFA* 70-200 and sometime think that I should gone with 60-250mm because it is lighter and also I do not use F2.8 at all. DFA* 70-200 is sharp at f.2.8 and that too at very close distance. Since you shoot sports AF is important, DFA* 70-200 has better AF(compared to 60-250mm). I hope Pentax makes f4.0 lens to match with DFA* 70-200. The lens he already own is already quite sharp at f/4 and beyond and focus faster. On top of that the 60-250 has quite some focus breathing meaning that it does only cover 250mm near the infinite mark. I don't think this would be a significant upgrade. Different maybe, not an upgrade.

12-03-2017, 11:41 AM	#11
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Simple strategy here: Use Pentax glass on Pentax cameras. THe D-FA 70-200 is very nice on K3 and K1. If you can do sport photography with Pentax, you can pair your camera with the D-FA. I have no direct comparison with the Sigma 70-200, but the Pentax is a solid bet. Try one before to get accustomed, to size and weight and check out performance yourself.

12-03-2017, 08:15 PM	#12
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	The Pentax D FA * 70-200 HD is an awesome lens... Shoots awesome even wide open at F2.8 stuff is very sharp. I sincerely enjoy mine on my APS-C Pentax bodies. I haven’t used the Sigma but assume you will be very happy with the D FA * and it will be an even better piece of glass.