Personal lens roadmap...

bwield · 06-10-2009, 05:58 AM

Been doing a large re-organization of my lens kit.
I am keeping
16-45mm / F 50mm 1.7 and thats it.

I am looking at two different options too add..

1) 50-135mm / 100-300mm / 1.4 tele converter

2) sigma 70-200 hsm II / DA * 300mm / 1.4 tele converter..

3) I considered just adding the 60-250 and the 1.4 but I loose the 2.8 all together...

Option 1 I think i would prefer, but its approximately 1000-1200 more expensive
I am getting into more sports photography and really like wildlife.

Any opinions on why one would work over the other? or why one option may not make any sense?

Thanks everyone!

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-10-2009, 06:54 AM

this is a big assumption because there is no 1.4x or 2x HSM TC YET

If someone develops a HSM TC for pentax why not just go for it and a 70-200 F2.8 plus 1.4x and 2x TCs.

While the purists will argue the DA300 is much better than any sigma zoom and a TC, I have excellent results with my APO 70-200 F2.8 EX and sigma's 1.4x and 2x APO DG teleconverters.

The results have been so good, I am not looking at any 300mm F4 prime to replace them.

Note this does not imply I am not looking for a 300 F2.8

edit note

one other question

why not the 50-135 and the DA300 plus a TC . Unless you feel you need 200mm at F2.8 this would be lighter than the other combos.

bwield · 06-10-2009, 07:01 AM

I had not considered the 50-135 / 300mm / TC... this would be a fair bit smaller than the other combos I woudl think.
Thanks!

Any others with advice?

SylBer · 06-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Hi. I also have a 50-135 and when I started looking for something a little longer, I hesitated between the DA*200 and the DA*300. Since I wanted to use this new lens inside (gymnasium and arena), I decided to go with the DA*200 because it opens at 2.8. Later, I still wanted a little bit more reach for outside action and wildlife. I bought a 1.7X adapter. Coupled with my DA*200, it gives me nice 340mm f/4.5. I am very happy with this setup so far.

bwield · 06-10-2009, 08:01 AM

Suggestions keep getting better and better.
Thanks!

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-10-2009, 08:27 AM

It's interesting but I keep repeating that when planning your personal roadmap yoou need to consider how to go from 10mm to 200/400 mm depending on your interests. And that the your objective should be to do this with zooms, and have a maximum aperature from 20mm to 200mm at F2.8.

Special situations get covered separately with primes, and if you are not really into wild life or sports you can possibly drop the 200mm down to 135-150mm.

Form these simple points, there are as many ways to suit this as there are forum members.

I wish you luck in your decision

bwield · 06-10-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the advice...
I have picked up the DA 50-135mm.. because for me this focal range is my everyday.
Now I just need to decide on the long end.. Sigma 100-300 or *300mm...
all things being equal I think I would go with the sigma, but its approx 500$ more

Votesh · 06-11-2009, 11:57 AM

If I were you I'd get the DA*300. I have the Sigma, and it is a very good lens, but I almost always use it at 300mm, so the zooming is not important to me. Otherwise, its AF is noisy, it isn't weather sealed, and I much prefer Pentax lens coatings. Basically, I think that if the zoom ability isn't of utmost importance to you the DA* would be a better choice.

Originally posted by bwield

Thanks for the advice...
I have picked up the DA 50-135mm.. because for me this focal range is my everyday.
Now I just need to decide on the long end.. Sigma 100-300 or *300mm...
all things being equal I think I would go with the sigma, but its approx 500$ more

bwield · 06-11-2009, 01:11 PM

Well I just have to decide if zooming is that important... because everything else favour the 300mm...
1) image quality (equal or edge to 300mm)
2) size
3) weather sealing
4) price

I will probably end up with the 300

jsherman999 · 06-11-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by bwield

Well I just have to decide if zooming is that important... because everything else favour the 300mm...
1) image quality (equal or edge to 300mm)
2) size
3) weather sealing
4) price

I will probably end up with the 300

As I mentioned in the other forum, the DA* 300 also focuses closer, 53 inches to 70 inches, for 1:4 vs 1:5 magnification.

That Sigma sure is sweet, though....

.

bwield · 06-11-2009, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

As I mentioned in the other forum, the DA* 300 also focuses closer, 53 inches to 70 inches, for 1:4 vs 1:5 magnification.

That Sigma sure is sweet, though....

.

Thanks for making the decision easy!

06-10-2009, 05:58 AM	#1
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444	Personal lens roadmap... Been doing a large re-organization of my lens kit. I am keeping 16-45mm / F 50mm 1.7 and thats it. I am looking at two different options too add.. 1) 50-135mm / 100-300mm / 1.4 tele converter 2) sigma 70-200 hsm II / DA * 300mm / 1.4 tele converter.. 3) I considered just adding the 60-250 and the 1.4 but I loose the 2.8 all together... Option 1 I think i would prefer, but its approximately 1000-1200 more expensive I am getting into more sports photography and really like wildlife. Any opinions on why one would work over the other? or why one option may not make any sense? Thanks everyone!

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06-10-2009, 06:54 AM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	this is a big assumption because there is no 1.4x or 2x HSM TC YET If someone develops a HSM TC for pentax why not just go for it and a 70-200 F2.8 plus 1.4x and 2x TCs. While the purists will argue the DA300 is much better than any sigma zoom and a TC, I have excellent results with my APO 70-200 F2.8 EX and sigma's 1.4x and 2x APO DG teleconverters. The results have been so good, I am not looking at any 300mm F4 prime to replace them. Note this does not imply I am not looking for a 300 F2.8 edit note one other question why not the 50-135 and the DA300 plus a TC . Unless you feel you need 200mm at F2.8 this would be lighter than the other combos.

06-10-2009, 07:01 AM	#3
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444 Original Poster	I had not considered the 50-135 / 300mm / TC... this would be a fair bit smaller than the other combos I woudl think. Thanks! Any others with advice?

06-10-2009, 07:58 AM	#4
SylBer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Quebec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	Hi. I also have a 50-135 and when I started looking for something a little longer, I hesitated between the DA200 and the DA300. Since I wanted to use this new lens inside (gymnasium and arena), I decided to go with the DA200 because it opens at 2.8. Later, I still wanted a little bit more reach for outside action and wildlife. I bought a 1.7X adapter. Coupled with my DA200, it gives me nice 340mm f/4.5. I am very happy with this setup so far.

06-10-2009, 08:01 AM	#5
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444 Original Poster	Suggestions keep getting better and better. Thanks!

06-10-2009, 08:27 AM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	It's interesting but I keep repeating that when planning your personal roadmap yoou need to consider how to go from 10mm to 200/400 mm depending on your interests. And that the your objective should be to do this with zooms, and have a maximum aperature from 20mm to 200mm at F2.8. Special situations get covered separately with primes, and if you are not really into wild life or sports you can possibly drop the 200mm down to 135-150mm. Form these simple points, there are as many ways to suit this as there are forum members. I wish you luck in your decision

06-10-2009, 03:58 PM	#7
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice... I have picked up the DA 50-135mm.. because for me this focal range is my everyday. Now I just need to decide on the long end.. Sigma 100-300 or *300mm... all things being equal I think I would go with the sigma, but its approx 500$ more

06-11-2009, 11:57 AM	#8
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	If I were you I'd get the DA300. I have the Sigma, and it is a very good lens, but I almost always use it at 300mm, so the zooming is not important to me. Otherwise, its AF is noisy, it isn't weather sealed, and I much prefer Pentax lens coatings. Basically, I think that if the zoom ability isn't of utmost importance to you the DA would be a better choice. Originally posted by bwield Thanks for the advice... I have picked up the DA 50-135mm.. because for me this focal range is my everyday. Now I just need to decide on the long end.. Sigma 100-300 or *300mm... all things being equal I think I would go with the sigma, but its approx 500$ more

06-11-2009, 01:11 PM	#9
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444 Original Poster	Well I just have to decide if zooming is that important... because everything else favour the 300mm... 1) image quality (equal or edge to 300mm) 2) size 3) weather sealing 4) price I will probably end up with the 300

06-11-2009, 02:33 PM	#10
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by bwield Well I just have to decide if zooming is that important... because everything else favour the 300mm... 1) image quality (equal or edge to 300mm) 2) size 3) weather sealing 4) price I will probably end up with the 300 As I mentioned in the other forum, the DA* 300 also focuses closer, 53 inches to 70 inches, for 1:4 vs 1:5 magnification. That Sigma sure is sweet, though.... .

06-11-2009, 03:14 PM	#11
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444 Original Poster	Originally posted by jsherman999 As I mentioned in the other forum, the DA* 300 also focuses closer, 53 inches to 70 inches, for 1:4 vs 1:5 magnification. That Sigma sure is sweet, though.... . Thanks for making the decision easy!