[skinja]

I was wondering if you folks that own the 50-500 and upgraded to the K20D found better performance with the bigma with the higher ISO capability.

I love my Bigma, but due to the weather in western Washington I find that I don't get to use it near as much as I would like. I will be upgrading pretty quick to the K20D and it would be easy get the ok from the boss if I were to sale the Bigma first. I just don't want to regret it later.

What do you think?

Your input as always, is appreciated.

Thanks,

John

It's funny, I keep telling myself I'm going to get one but I always get something else instead. It's not a money issue although it would be nice if it did drop in price some. I think it's more of a case of the Bigma being a hard lens to compare with any other, it's sort of out there on it's own and it's nickname adds to that as well. I know it's a good lens but I'm not sure if it's that good. If I want that focal length, I think I would end up saving for a fixed FL lens and in the meantime I can get there with the new Pentax TC when it comes out.

[Taff]

how about the SUPER-BIGMA

[Taff]

how about the SUPER-BIGMA
PMA - The new 14kg Sigma super-BIGMA 200-500 f/2.8 - Digital Photography Now

[skinja]

Oh boy would I score some points if I brought that home. Not only would I need a new bag, I would need a second and third job just to be able to afford it. I'm pretty sure my wife wouldn't be happy with me.

[Lowell Goudge]

I guess I would need to ask what exactly are you talking about??? and please take no offence here.

While I don't own a Bigma, I have the sigma 70-200 F2.8 and use it a lot with a 2x TC (making it a 140-400 F5.6)

I also use a 300mm F4 plus 1.7x AF TC (500mm F6.7)

YOur Bigma is in the same order or perhaps 1/2 stop faster (it is bigger in diameter after all) than my combos.

I have shot at anywhere upto 1600 ISO on the K10D with good results,

I have also posted shots with flash to freeze the image as opposed to using natural light when it is just too slow, and shots where I hand held the 500mm combo at 1/100th and 1600 ISO in the shade to get shots.

I am surprised you don't feel there is enough light to use your bigma. Are you really sure you are trying hard enough?

I have thought about the K20 as well, but decided right or wrong, that it did not offer enough above my present cameras (k10D and *istD) to have a go at it.

Last week, while just out for a walk, I stopped into a camera store and they were talking about the new (?) K30D and ISO 128,000. I have to laugh about that, but maybe not. I think I'll wait and see. If the next pentax (K30D seems the logical number) has far superior high ISO, I will probably get one and get a Katz Eye for my K10D and use it for manual focus only. I will always keep the *istD because even though it is only 6MP, it does such a great job with true TTL flash.

[skinja]

I guess I would need to ask what exactly are you talking about??? and please take no offence here.

While I don't own a Bigma, I have the sigma 70-200 F2.8 and use it a lot with a 2x TC (making it a 140-400 F5.6)

I also use a 300mm F4 plus 1.7x AF TC (500mm F6.7)

YOur Bigma is in the same order or perhaps 1/2 stop faster (it is bigger in diameter after all) than my combos.

I have shot at anywhere upto 1600 ISO on the K10D with good results,

I have also posted shots with flash to freeze the image as opposed to using natural light when it is just too slow, and shots where I hand held the 500mm combo at 1/100th and 1600 ISO in the shade to get shots.

I am surprised you don't feel there is enough light to use your bigma. Are you really sure you are trying hard enough?

I have thought about the K20 as well, but decided right or wrong, that it did not offer enough above my present cameras (k10D and *istD) to have a go at it.

Last week, while just out for a walk, I stopped into a camera store and they were talking about the new (?) K30D and ISO 128,000. I have to laugh about that, but maybe not. I think I'll wait and see. If the next pentax (K30D seems the logical number) has far superior high ISO, I will probably get one and get a Katz Eye for my K10D and use it for manual focus only. I will always keep the *istD because even though it is only 6MP, it does such a great job with true TTL flash.

I appreciate you telling me to get out there and try harder, Damit I will.

I have not been to impressed with anything that I have shot above 800 @ 6.3 on the K10D. If I can get to ISO 800 F8 it improves alot. (probably has to do with my loft)

1600 is not really an option for me at this time on the K10D. I 'm not running any noise reduction software, light room does not manage noise very well.

I will keep the Bigma and wait to see the improvement with the K20D.

The price is right for me on the K20D, I plan on keeping the K10D as my backup and second body, The K10D may go by the way side in a couple of years when the price becomes right on the K30D.

Thanks for the kick in the rear. We always need to try harder!

John

[skinja]

Here is one that I took this fall at Zion National park with the K10D and the Bigma

[Lowell Goudge]

I appreciate you telling me to get out there and try harder, Damit I will.

I have not been to impressed with anything that I have shot above 800 @ 6.3 on the K10D. If I can get to ISO 800 F8 it improves alot. (probably has to do with my loft)

1600 is not really an option for me at this time on the K10D. I 'm not running any noise reduction software, light room does not manage noise very well.

I will keep the Bigma and wait to see the improvement with the K20D.

The price is right for me on the K20D, I plan on keeping the K10D as my backup and second body, The K10D may go by the way side in a couple of years when the price becomes right on the K30D.

Thanks for the kick in the rear. We always need to try harder!

John

John

no noise reduction on this shot. justr processed from raw in PSP X2 details of image speak for themselves

I personally don't see anything wrong with ISO1600

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/208249-post1.html

[skinja]

Here is the Exif Data for the above photo.

If you are getting good shots at 1600 I need a lot more practice.. ok thats besides the point. I will keep practicing and hope that some day, I can say, I don't have a problem with 1600 either.

I need to spend alot more time working with photshop. I am using elements 4.0 now and don't use it as much as I should.

Thanks for sharing your point of view.

John

Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/6.7
Focal Length: 500 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

X-Resolution: 360 dpi
Y-Resolution: 360 dpi
Software: K10D Ver 1.30
Date and Time: 2008:10:21 22:07:06
Exposure Program: Aperture priority
Date and Time (Original): 2008:10:15 07:36:50
Date and Time (Digitized): 2008:10:15 07:36:50
Shutter Speed: 11747/1359
Metering Mode: Spot
Sensing Method: One-chip colour area sensor
Focal Length In 35mm Film: 750
Contrast: Soft
Saturation: High saturation
Sharpness: Hard
Subject Distance Range: Distant
Coded Character Set: %G
Keywords: Trip to Southwest
Image Width: 3872 pixels
Image Height: 2592 pixels

[rfortson]

I just posted these from the K20D and the Bigma. I moved from the K10D to the K20D mainly to get better high ISO capability, so I understand where you're coming from. These shots obviously aren't low light, but the Bigma does okay on the K20D. At full resolution, it's a little soft, but it could just as easily be motion blur as I was shooting hand held.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/40526-wings-over-houston...6-lrg-pix.html