[gemini]

if i want a lens +300mm, what are your suggestions?

sigam 50-500mm?

ad then?

[fwcetus]

if i want a lens +300mm, what are your suggestions?

sigam 50-500mm?

ad then?

I looked at this post, but didn't know where to begin. (I notice that, just as I started to write this, that your post was viewed 63 times with no replies.) Perhaps you should provide some more information about what sort of shooting you intend to do, etc...

[Ben_Edict]

if i want a lens +300mm, what are your suggestions?

sigam 50-500mm?

ad then?

What do you want to do with that lens, shoot wildlife or the moon? What are your needs? Should it be fast, should it be a zoom or not? Do want it leightweight, because you carry it into remote places etc. You will sure get good replies, if you add just a bit more information.

[gemini]

thanks for your messagges :-)

i asked info about a lens for wildlife, or better for birds!

maybe a zoom is better. or not?

[Ben_Edict]

thanks for your messagges :-)

i asked info about a lens for wildlife, or better for birds!

maybe a zoom is better. or not?

Whether a zoom is "better" or a fixed focal length is "better" is open to debate and you'll find loads of threads arguing about that. A zoom is certainly more versatile and faster, because you don't need to change lenses. But in terms of pure optical performance a fixed focal length lens(aka "prime lens") is usually "better".

If you are into birding, the longer the focal length (fl) of the lens, the better. I for once advocate to go for lenses with at least 400mm fl, 500 is better and beyond that, it really gets interesting. There are not too many lenses currently in production, that reach this length, mainly the Sigmas. A possible alternative would be the Sigma 50-500 versus a Pentax DA 300mm + 1.4x tele convertor. Both would give you about the same reach, but will yield different advantages.

Another possible route could be to use a birding scope and try to use that as a telephoto lens. This can offer tremendous magnification, but is often a bit cumbersome to use.

Whateever you buy, it should be clear, that any lens with such a long focal length, required a really capable tripod to give sharp results (and lots of practicing, too).

So, now - this is not a definite answer - I juszt I can trigger more specific questions from your side!

Ben

[GerryL]

I think 'coz people can't decipher what he is saying.
He is asking for our thoughts about a lens that he would want to get if it where above 300mm range (that's why there is a "+" sign before the 300mm).

300mm by APS-C range (multiplied by the crop factor 1.5) is already a 450mm lens.
That actually is already a lot of range.
If you want more range than that then there are a couple of things you can consider depending on your budget and how you shoot.
1.) Get a teleconverter with either a 1.4X or 2X if you really want range.
2.) Consider the mirror reflex lens (500mm + range). I hear the tamron is good.
3.) Get the zoom lenses that are being offered in the 300mm+ range.

Decide on the above 3 choices then you can narrow it down a bit.

[gemini]

i use aps-c system, but 300mm (450mm equivalent) is short

i prefer a zoom lens because more versatile.
only sigma 50-500mm???

i will find info also for a mirror reflex lens

[Jodokast96]

i use aps-c system, but 300mm (450mm equivalent) is short

i prefer a zoom lens because more versatile.
only sigma 50-500mm???

i will find info also for a mirror reflex lens

Sigma also has the 150-500. And if you've got the cash, there's always their 200-500 f/2.8.

[GerryL]

A 500mm reflex mirror is being sold on the marketplace now: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/61537-sale-500-f8-mirror.html

You might want to ask the seller a few questions and some sample pictures maybe, so you'ld know how it works and if it is any good or would just about suit your needs.

[Lowell Goudge]

There was a post about a month or 2 ago where someone was looking for different options to go +300mm

Basically I think there are 3 price groups.

Lowa 400mm F5.6 MF lens or 500mm F8 mirror at $100-300

Middle
getting used Bigma or 70-200F2.8 plus 2x TC, or an SMC 500mm F4.5, or a 300mmF4 (or maybe a tamron or tokina 300mm F2.8) and a 1.7x AF TC for between 600$ and $900

buying new either bigma or a 70-200 F2.8 plus TC for a little over $1000.
High
or stepping up to the plate with in excess of $2500 for a brand new sigma 300 F2.8 and TC or $5000 for a sigma 500 F4.5 or an older pentax 400 F2.8 or similar

[robjmitchell]

pentax also has a DA super telephoto on the current (outdated) roadmap. I would expect it to be a 400+ zoom but thats just guessing.

[pingflood]

I don't know if this was made in Pentax mount, but Sigma had a 400/5.6 that can be found used and is often a VERY good performer.

[gemini]

thanks a lot for info!

about zoom, i see only:
- sigma 50-500mm
- sigma 150-500mm

tamron has a 200-500mm but not for pentax.


a question: but an heavy lens (70 oz = 2.000 gr) is easy to bring?
or then i must use a tripod?

[pingflood]

It depends.

I use a 400mm that weighs 2.8 lbs and don't find it too heavy. The Sigma 50-500 (which I also have) is a little too big to carry around and shoot handheld all day though.

[gemini]

i found also
- Sigma 120-400mm