Need to Change Lenses for Complete Focal Length?

68wSteve · 07-07-2009, 03:45 PM

So i have a great setup in DA* lense. 16-50mm 2.8, 50-135 2.8 and 300mm F4. Sometimes though the difference between 135-300 is lacking. Heres a couple ideas i have.

Sell the 50-135 and get a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens
Sell the 300mm and get a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO
Sell 50-135 and 300mm and get a DA* 60-250mm F4

If anything i think # 2 option sounds the best that way i have a lapse in coverage from 100-300. Though the 60-250 would be nice, but dont know if i would miss the extra 50mm on the far end.

Opinions needed, im satisfied with quality of all 3 lenses, just looking for more coverage. Also i will be upgrading to the K7 from K20D once i can get my hands on it.

Thanks

Steve

RonMexico · 07-07-2009, 03:57 PM

Option 2:

Sell the Pentax 300mm, and buy the Sigma 100-300mm

You're not losing aperture and you're gaining range.

bwield · 07-07-2009, 04:01 PM

What about saving for a DA 200mm?
Can be had on ebay for 1000 Canadian

GLXLR · 07-07-2009, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by bwield

What about saving for a DA 200mm?
Can be had on ebay for 1000 Canadian

HA! Option 4.

Buy the DA* 200mm f/2.8 and get 200mm f/2.8 without option one which loses f/2.8 from 50-70mm, although option 2 is also very good. I was planning on getting the Sigma 100-300mm (or 200 with 1.4X teleconverter) after getting my K-7. 35mm f/2, and 16-45mm or DA* 16-50mm, but since you already have the DA* 300mm (not to mention the Sigma is $300 more expensive), you should just get the DA* 200mm new on ebay with cashback. You could probably sell your 300mm for around $800-900, so that leaves you with another $400-500 to earn. The 200mm shouldn't be TOO hard to get, considering you don't have to buy any EXTRA filters (other than UV) due to the 77m filter thread of both your 300mm.

my thoughts

**Lowell Goudge** · 07-07-2009, 04:13 PM

option 5

sell both the 50-135 and the 300 and get a used sigma 70-200 F2.8 (non HSM) and a pair of sigma TCs (1.4 and 200x)

then look at going wide (10-12mm)

kristoffon · 07-07-2009, 05:09 PM

option 1 appeals the most to me.

but it depends on which focal lenght you use the most often.

if you use 300mm a lot I'd go with option 1.

if you use the 50-135 more then I'd go with 2.

if you use them about the same option 3 seems the best compromise.

GLXLR · 07-07-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

option 5

sell both the 50-135 and the 300 and get a used sigma 70-200 F2.8 (non HSM) and a pair of sigma TCs (1.4 and 200x)

then look at going wide (10-12mm)

He'd still be losing the 50-70mm range. Of course, you can say that about about the 300mm too (as in sell the 300mm and get a 1.4X teleconverter for the 70-200mm but the 300mm has the option of putting a 1.4X teleconverter without losing too much quality ( I wouldn't EVER put a 2.0X teleconverter on ANYTHING).

MikePerham · 07-08-2009, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by RonMexico

Option 2:

Sell the Pentax 300mm, and buy the Sigma 100-300mm

You're not losing aperture and you're gaining range.

I have the Sigma 100-300 and find I use it almost exclusively at the 300 end. My 50-135 gets most of the use when I need something wider. I was thinking of going the other way ...sell the Sigma and buy a DA* 300 ...but waiting for the 1.4 TC then maybe the DA*200 f/2.8 and that would give me a 280 f/4.0 with the TC. Last choice is also a good match up if we get 400 F/4.0 in the future.

07-07-2009, 03:45 PM	#1
68wSteve Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas 76053 Posts: 474	Need to Change Lenses for Complete Focal Length? So i have a great setup in DA* lense. 16-50mm 2.8, 50-135 2.8 and 300mm F4. Sometimes though the difference between 135-300 is lacking. Heres a couple ideas i have. Sell the 50-135 and get a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens Sell the 300mm and get a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Sell 50-135 and 300mm and get a DA* 60-250mm F4 If anything i think # 2 option sounds the best that way i have a lapse in coverage from 100-300. Though the 60-250 would be nice, but dont know if i would miss the extra 50mm on the far end. Opinions needed, im satisfied with quality of all 3 lenses, just looking for more coverage. Also i will be upgrading to the K7 from K20D once i can get my hands on it. Thanks Steve

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07-07-2009, 03:57 PM	#2
RonMexico Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 215	Option 2: Sell the Pentax 300mm, and buy the Sigma 100-300mm You're not losing aperture and you're gaining range.

07-07-2009, 04:01 PM	#3
bwield Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 444	What about saving for a DA 200mm? Can be had on ebay for 1000 Canadian

07-07-2009, 04:04 PM	#4
GLXLR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sugar Land, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 684	Originally posted by bwield What about saving for a DA 200mm? Can be had on ebay for 1000 Canadian HA! Option 4. Buy the DA* 200mm f/2.8 and get 200mm f/2.8 without option one which loses f/2.8 from 50-70mm, although option 2 is also very good. I was planning on getting the Sigma 100-300mm (or 200 with 1.4X teleconverter) after getting my K-7. 35mm f/2, and 16-45mm or DA* 16-50mm, but since you already have the DA* 300mm (not to mention the Sigma is $300 more expensive), you should just get the DA* 200mm new on ebay with cashback. You could probably sell your 300mm for around $800-900, so that leaves you with another $400-500 to earn. The 200mm shouldn't be TOO hard to get, considering you don't have to buy any EXTRA filters (other than UV) due to the 77m filter thread of both your 300mm. my thoughts

07-07-2009, 04:13 PM	#5
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	option 5 sell both the 50-135 and the 300 and get a used sigma 70-200 F2.8 (non HSM) and a pair of sigma TCs (1.4 and 200x) then look at going wide (10-12mm)

07-07-2009, 05:09 PM	#6
kristoffon Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brazil Posts: 532	option 1 appeals the most to me. but it depends on which focal lenght you use the most often. if you use 300mm a lot I'd go with option 1. if you use the 50-135 more then I'd go with 2. if you use them about the same option 3 seems the best compromise.

07-07-2009, 05:30 PM	#7
GLXLR Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sugar Land, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 684	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge option 5 sell both the 50-135 and the 300 and get a used sigma 70-200 F2.8 (non HSM) and a pair of sigma TCs (1.4 and 200x) then look at going wide (10-12mm) He'd still be losing the 50-70mm range. Of course, you can say that about about the 300mm too (as in sell the 300mm and get a 1.4X teleconverter for the 70-200mm but the 300mm has the option of putting a 1.4X teleconverter without losing too much quality ( I wouldn't EVER put a 2.0X teleconverter on ANYTHING).

07-08-2009, 08:00 AM	#8
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by RonMexico Option 2: Sell the Pentax 300mm, and buy the Sigma 100-300mm You're not losing aperture and you're gaining range. I have the Sigma 100-300 and find I use it almost exclusively at the 300 end. My 50-135 gets most of the use when I need something wider. I was thinking of going the other way ...sell the Sigma and buy a DA* 300 ...but waiting for the 1.4 TC then maybe the DA*200 f/2.8 and that would give me a 280 f/4.0 with the TC. Last choice is also a good match up if we get 400 F/4.0 in the future.