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06-01-2020, 05:00 AM   #1
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Pentax DA* 300mm f4 or Sigma 100-300mm EX DG f4

My current telelens is the Pentax 55-300mm DA 1:4-5.8 ED.
In my experience, this lens is reasonable sharp for birds upto ~20 meter distance.
Some of my pictures are in my Photo Albums:
basrietkerk's Album: PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED - PentaxForums.com

I want to improve my birding pictures especially for longer distances then the current ~20 meter.
My camera's are K5 and K3II.
Based on the reviews on this forum I selected down too two lenses:
Pentax DA* 300mm f4
SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
or
Sigma 100-300mm EX DG f4
Sigma APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

There is a lot of information about each individual lens but I didn't find a direct comparison between these two on this forum.
What are your thoughts about these two lenses when it comes to birding and especially to some distance shooting (>50m)?
Do you prefer one of these two? And if so, why?
And can you recommend the use of teleconverters with one of these lenses?

06-01-2020, 05:45 AM - 1 Like   #2
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I have the same lens as you. DA 55-300mm and the DA* 300mm. I have never shot with the Sigma APO 100-300mm. I upgraded the DA 55-300mm to the DA 55-300mm PLM version and it is a significant improvement. I can't imagine the image quality of the Sigma being much better. The DA* 300mm's image quality is in an entirely different league than the others. Far superior than the others in every aspect, except versatility and perhaps weight. It also works extremely well with the DA 1.4x tele-converter whereas any version of the 55-300mm does not work very well.
06-01-2020, 05:58 AM - 2 Likes   #3
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If memory serves me well, the Sigma 100-300 ƒ4 is a very highly regarded lens. Don't write it off too quickly. The only issue is can you find one at good price.

In the Optical limits test it doesn't seem to handle the 1.4 TC very well, but it's still as good as say a 70-300 type lens, and probably the pre PLM 55-300s.
https://www.opticallimits.com/Reviews/328-sigma-af-100-300mm-f4-ex-hsm-apo-l...review?start=1

But, the 300 with the 1.4 is almost the consensus minimum for birding.

I hope you find someone who's used both, good luck. I'd generally steer away from Sigma lenses but this one has a rep as being a great performer. It deserve a look.

Last edited by normhead; 06-01-2020 at 06:06 AM.
06-01-2020, 06:13 AM - 1 Like   #4
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I have both and they are both amazing lens. You would be well served with either. You have added flexibility with the sigma but the 300 is awesome as well. All depends on what you are looking for. You will want the extender though.

06-01-2020, 06:38 AM - 1 Like   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
But, the 300 with the 1.4 is almost the consensus minimum for birding.
The only thing really holding me back from this setup for birding are the not so favourable reviews about it's autofocus..
The autofocus is clearly still very usable, but it's also clearly identified as the lenses weak point.
I'm going to stay with my 55-300 PLM for birding and hope that Pentax releases some other fast telephoto prime in the future.

SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
06-01-2020, 06:47 AM - 1 Like   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by pearsaab Quote
I have both and they are both amazing lens. You would be well served with either. You have added flexibility with the sigma but the 300 is awesome as well. All depends on what you are looking for. You will want the extender though.
Any hints on why you'd take out one or the other?
Fine if you don't, I don't know why some days I take out my DA* 60-250 and some days I take out my DA*200, it seems to be mood thing, but maybe you're more analytical than me.
06-01-2020, 06:51 AM - 1 Like   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by DWS1 Quote
I have the same lens as you. DA 55-300mm and the DA* 300mm. I have never shot with the Sigma APO 100-300mm. I upgraded the DA 55-300mm to the DA 55-300mm PLM version and it is a significant improvement. I can't imagine the image quality of the Sigma being much better. The DA* 300mm's image quality is in an entirely different league than the others. Far superior than the others in every aspect, except versatility and perhaps weight. It also works extremely well with the DA 1.4x tele-converter whereas any version of the 55-300mm does not work very well.
The Sigma 100-300 f4 is a premium constant aperture lens. It is often said to be as sharp as the DA 300, it is viewed in much the same way as the DA 60-250 - as a premium telephoto zoom.

06-01-2020, 06:54 AM - 1 Like   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
Any hints on why you'd take out one or the other?
Fine if you don't, I don't know why some days I take out my DA* 60-250 and some days I take out my DA*200, it seems to be mood thing, but maybe you're more analytical than me.
I'm with you... I take the one whim dictates. I couldn't define why most of the time. The one exception would be when I expect to shoot closer than 20 feet and need a 200mm perspective. The focus breathing on the 60-250 disqualifies it for that use.
06-01-2020, 07:36 AM - 2 Likes   #9
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I have the Sigma 100 - 300 F4, it must be 10 - 15 years old now, its one of the early versions that sufferer with the peeling finish, disregarding that, its a cracking lens and I wouldn't part with it, like others I've read good things about the 300*

The problem with the Sigma is finding one and they do hold their value, I purchased one a couple of years ago, in absolute mint condition for a friend as he'd tried mine, it was a later version with the better finish and paid £600 GBP
06-01-2020, 07:40 AM - 7 Likes   #10
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I have had the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG for a number of years and it is an extremely capable lens, albeit difficult to find due in no small part to the excellent optical qualities is has.

Over the years my one main gripe with it is the lack of a focus limiter, which means hunting can be an issue on camera bodies with slower AF like the K10D, but on the KP and K-1 AF speed is quite fast and accurate.




Pentax K-7 - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG



Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG



Pentax K10D- Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG


Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG.


Pentax K-7 Sigma 100-300mm f/4. APO EX DG
06-01-2020, 08:01 AM - 3 Likes   #11
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Strange. I previously had a DA 55-300 mm f/4-5.8 that gave good results on my K5 but was dismal on my K3. I gave it to my daughter a few years ago. I just bought second-hand a more recent HD DA 55-300 mm WR and I can't believe the difference between the two. The new version gives very good images on the K3 and remains sharp all the way to 300 mm. It is like an entirely new lens.






Last edited by RICHARD L.; 06-01-2020 at 08:17 AM.
06-01-2020, 08:05 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by RICHARD L. Quote
The new version gives very good images on the K3 and remains sharp all the way to 300 mm. It is like an entirely new lens.
The PLM is an entirely new lens.
It had to be completely reworked to accommodate a smaller focusing group that the PLM motor could move.

The new PLM 14 elements in 11 groups.
The one before it 12 elements in 8 groups.

There's that blue again.
06-01-2020, 08:16 AM   #13
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True blue, Norm, true blue ... lol !
06-01-2020, 08:59 AM - 1 Like   #14
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I had the same thought when I spotted a 100-300mm at auction - a possible good economy alternative to the DA 300mm.

Check which version of the sigma 100-300mm it is. I have, I think, the first version, pre digital. It pretty much matches my DFA 150-450mm 100-200mm, but at 300mm f4 iq is a little off (see this post), killing it for tc use. At 300mm f8 it is tack sharp again. I did actually send an online inquiry to sigma re a check/collimation - but they won't do discontinued lenses and it's not clear that the cost will result in any improvement..
I think the later DG versions are better. If your use is primarily going to be at 300mm then that lowers the utility of the zoom...
Oh and btw, birding at distances 20m and more, really what you want is 600mm!

Last edited by marcusBMG; 06-01-2020 at 09:07 AM.
06-01-2020, 09:09 AM - 3 Likes   #15
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My only observation for the OP is that birding at distances of 50 meters requires a longer lens
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