Wow. Thanks again to everyone who responded. I really appreciate the thought and time you put into your replies. Lots of good input to consider and it looks like I have some more reading to do.
Originally posted by DeadJohn Check prices on the Sigma 50-500 and maybe prices have become sane again, but if the Pentax 150-450 is in the same price range get the Pentax.
I looked around and as best as I can remember from last night the prices for the Sigma 50-500 for Pentax were in the $1300-1400 range. Thanks for the tip.
Originally posted by Docrwm Are you opposed to old glass on the long end?
No, I kind of like working with old glass though I don't get it out nearly often as I should. I have a Super-Takumar 135mm F3.5 that produces some beautiful shots. I just find that I use the zoom a lot in framing a shot that I can't necessarily physically walk up to.
Originally posted by Fenwoodian For something different, and surprisingly affordable consider Leitax adapting Leica R 135/2.8 and 180/2.8 lenses.
Originally posted by twilhelm To me, they are like the FA Limiteds, no one else put that much thought into the final image from a lens.
This is intriguing, at least the 180 is. But again... the zoom. I'll keep them in mind for next year's presents (birthday, anniversary)!
Originally posted by biz-engineer - DFA70-200 is more of the pro-league Pentax pedigree, f2.8, with star* class color and contrast rendering, and also this kind of lens turns into a 100-300 f4 when mounted on a TC, without much loss of image quality. If Ricoh release a FF 1.4 TC next year, that will be good.
I'm really glad to see an evaluation from someone who has both lenses.
Originally posted by aslyfox the * 70-200 is definitely " faster " with F2.8 available through out its focal ranges
That's helpful. I've queued up the articles for reading but I haven't gotten all the way through them yet. Thanks for the links.
Originally posted by steve_k I could lend you the Tamron if you would like to check out the focal range and see if it does what you want. If interested PM me.
Thanks for this offer. I may take you up on that!
Originally posted by bdery Both are amazing. The 70-200mm is probably the best all-around lens I've ever tested.
The 150-450 offers a combination of reach and IQ unmatched on the K-mount.
The latter almost always requires a monopod or tripod to use at the long end.
Both will serve you well but seriously, the choice should be easy once you determine what you intend to shoot with them.
Thanks for this. The point about the monopod/tripod is good to know though I would think that it might be true for the 70-200 as well. Both appear to be built like tanks in terms of size and weight.