[dirwood]

So I am trying to find a good lens for some bird photography. I am currently using a Sigma DG 70-300 1:4 - 5.6 on a K-r camera. It is my first dslr and I have been using this lens for awhile now so I am looking to upgrade for something with more distance and a sharper picture. Or...is the camera lacking and not the lens? I know when I did my research before purchasing this about 10 years ago that it was labeled as an entry level camera so I am not sure if a better lens would even help..I've just started searching ebay and the Sigma 150-500mm APO DG seem to be ok and in a comfortable price range so far...Any help would be appreciated as I see quite a few super telephoto lens for around 100 and I feel that, you know, you get what you pay for...

PS. Im not looking to spend 1 or 2,000 either...

[pepperberry farm]

F* or FA* 300/4.5 is a good place to start; entirely usable with or without a good 1.4 or 1.7x teleconverter....

[johndny]

Do you autofocus or manually focus?

[Bruce Clark]

I have the Sigma 150-500mm APO DG HSM version and use it on a K-7 and K5 IIs. I find it ok but heavy and quite slow to focus. I believe the newer 50-500 and 70-500 Sigmas are quicker but you may have to check that out.

[dirwood]

I tend to do more autofocus but will switch to manual from time to time if the birds are staying in the general area.

---------- Post added 05-16-20 at 09:16 PM ----------

I have a 2x teleconverter i bought and used once but never again. Even on a tripod the pictures were never sharp. I either am using it wrong or i bought a cheap one. Its vivtar if i remember right.

[luftfluss]

I have a 2x teleconverter i bought and used once but never again. Even on a tripod the pictures were never sharp. I either am using it wrong or i bought a cheap one. Its vivtar if i remember right.

You're not using it wrong, 2x teleconverters take a great toll on sharpness and only the top-end ones are any good - and they require the main lens to be fast and sharp ($$$).

[termy]

Sigma 150-500 or Sigma 50-500, the DG OS version, for both.

---------- Post added 05-16-20 at 06:27 PM ----------

oh yes.
The Sigma 120-400 DG OS HSM is a possible choice as well.

[dirwood]

Sigma 150-500 or Sigma 50-500, the DG OS version, for both.

---------- Post added 05-16-20 at 06:27 PM ----------

oh yes.
The Sigma 120-400 DG OS HSM is a possible choice as well.

The first 2 are the lens i keep circling back too. The 120-400 i have yet to find on ebay.

[luftfluss]

If I were in your shoes, I would definitely budget for a newer camera. The increase in megapixels would allow you to crop more.

[SSGGeezer]

Pepperberry Farm's comment about the F* or FA* 300 is a good one as they are available at reasonable prices and have lovely Image Quality. I personally preferred the Sigma 120-400 HSM OS over the 150-500 due to handling and how well it focused on my KP. The problem is as you said, finding one, and making sure it is a good one since they are in demand as full frame lenses. You should be surfing and posting here rather than trying to find that one gem on flea bay. If you post in the items wanted thread, I suspect you will get a response fairly quickly.

I also have to agree with Luftfluss on upgrading your camera ASAP also. The Kr is a fun bit of kit but stepping up to a used K-3 or Newer like a new K-70 would definitely give you more pixels to work with while not needing you to get a teleconverter. Good luck. I have had the FA* 300 4.5, the Sigma 120-400 HSM OS, Sigma 150-500 HSM OS, the DA* 300, and the D-FA 150-450. I loved the FA* and almost loved the Sigma 120-400, but I still have the DA* 300 and the D-FA 150-450 and love that one a great deal as I also shoot with a K-1.

Tell us what your gear budget is as we love to help people spend their money! It is our vicarious thrill!
I see a clue to your budget there, but for less than 1200.00 you could get a K--70 or a deal on a KP, either new or used and an FA* 300 or a DA*300 with it if you shop hard.

[dirwood]

Well, for an immediate buy, it would have to be under 500. Anything over and itll have to wait as I have other items more pressing to get (farm equipment) and those are expensive.

[dirwood]

Just some pictures I've taken recently with the sigma 70-300. I believe most were taken at 300mm then cropped and no other alterations were done. The eagle was about 100ft away and the rest of the birds were about 20ft away and taken through a window.

---------- Post added 05-16-20 at 11:21 PM ----------

Auto-focus was used for all these as well.

[hcc]

F* or FA* 300/4.5 is a good place to start; entirely usable with or without a good 1.4 or 1.7x teleconverter....

+1 for the FA*300 mm f4.5.
The lens is relatively small, smaller and lighter than the DA*300mm f4. This has been a big decision point for me and I purchased 2nd and the FA^300mm f4.5, without regret. Excellent IQ, and easy to use handheld. Work will with TC.
My 5 cents...

[kypfer]

The Sigma 150-500mm is a great lens and matches to my K-70 and KP very well, however, the K-r is "only" 12Megapixels and given the lens you have already, I'd suggest a camera upgrade would be more productive. With luck, a second-hand K-70 might be found within your budget. This will effectively give you 2x "crop-ability" (digital zoom) over your K-r, plus the advantage of improved low light performance, so you can keep your shutter speed up for nice crisp pictures of flapping birds

[jeallen01]

I definitely agree with comments that you should first spend some of the cash on a camera body upgrade. 8 years ago I bought a used K-R as a lightweight alternative to my (then) K-5 but was not impressed with the comparative overall sharpness of the results, especially with longer lenses.

Therefore I bought a new K-30 (the one still here with a "white" solenoid!) and the sharper results were immediately apparent, and that now works works with most modern lenses, including the 55-300 PLM, courtesy of the K-50 f/w hack! However, the K-70 is a notable further step up the ladder and is now my most used body, especially with the PLM, as the results are extremely good.