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08-30-2009, 05:32 PM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by 68wSteve Quote
I have had the same problem with Kenko 1.5tc with the DA*300mm. I can try it again if you want to give you better feedback.


You have to find the right Kenko tc... not all the 1.5x ones will work unfortunately. If you do find one of the ones that work though it gives excellent results.



John

08-30-2009, 06:41 PM   #17
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Wow, this has been great advice! I really appreciate the hands-on perspectives. I've been continually impressed with PentaxForums since joining in how measured and helpful the advice is. I rarely see the typical "this lens sux dude" comments like on so many other forums.

I think I've been convinced to go with the DA* 300mm. I'll just bide my time until someone develops an SDM-compatible converter for it. I have to admit the Canon 300mm f/4L lens was my favorite lens and was the hardest to part with when I jumped ship. I even had the 70-200mm f/4L IS and just didn't connect with it like I did the 300mm. I have a feeling I'm just about to acquire a new best friend.

Thanks for the feedback on this issue, borno, Mike, C-R, and Steve. Thanks for the pics, borno! They're great close-ups with the lens. I'll keep an eye out for that T-C in the marketplace (hopefully posted late at night so I'm the only one ready with a PM). This advice has really has helped me find a solution that will work for me. So, anyone have a gently loved DA* 300mm lying around that they aren't using? JK. I'll be posting in the Wanted area but will realistically just plop down the cash for a new one since it's cheaper than the budgeted amount for the 100-300mm anyway.
08-31-2009, 07:00 AM   #18
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Somebody correct me if i'm wrong... My Tamron's TC has power-zoom contacts that are used by SDM... so the SDM is fully functional on these... At least that's the answer i've got when I was facing the simmilar dilema...
09-09-2009, 09:24 PM   #19
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Regarding the query in the OP, I'll start by saying I'd gladly give-up my Sigma 300/2.8 for the Sigma 100-300/2.8 if Sigma only had enough brains to release it for Pentax, and I could get the right price for my prime. The/a long prime is just too limiting. I just updated a thread I'd started weeks back asking if I should take my long lens on my upcoming trip with my conclusion that a zoom in the 100-300mm range would have been much much more useful on the trip than the 300mm prime that I had.

So all this is to say I'd personally go for a excellent f/4 zoom over a excellent f/4 prime, based on my experience over my past 2 years w/my 300mm prime.

edit: even in Tanzania, even the Serengeti where you're so far away from animals you can never get a lens long enough, there are times still where I'd need to be just a bit wider. (Not easy or possible to move the Land rover back/over a few feet.) The zoom again would have allowed me to get more of the lion cub and mother in the frame, instead of barely fitting both heads, and clipping some of the head parts off. My prime frustrates me very often:



Last edited by m8o; 09-09-2009 at 09:34 PM.
09-10-2009, 05:45 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by m8o Quote
, I'll start by saying I'd gladly give-up my Sigma 300/2.8 for the Sigma 100-300/2.8 if Sigma only had enough brains to release it for Pentax,

Aint that the truth!
04-30-2011, 06:55 PM   #21
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I pick a prime over a zoom any day. My Pentax-K 80-200mm/4 has no image quality advantage over my cheap, off-brand 500mm/8 refractor, on at their respective focal lengths.
04-30-2011, 10:32 PM   #22
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I have the 100-300 and apparently I am in the minority because I use the zoom all the time. I also have the 1.4 TC and really don't want for anything else in this area. I have 420mm of reach with great IQ, fast AF, and a great build. What's not to love? I have much respect for the DA*300 and know that I would be satisfied with the IQ if I had to use that lens, but I'd definitely miss the zoom, and as you can see from my signature, I'm not strictly a zoom guy.

05-02-2011, 03:27 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by flash1100 Quote
the Sigma 100-300/2.8 if Sigma only had enough brains to release it for Pentax

they are.

I own the 100-300mm f/4 and in my experience at f/8: it's pretty hard to tell the difference between the 100-300mm f/4 and the Pentax FA*300mm f/2.8 - the only situations where there are observable differences is when the aperture values go below f/8 or at short focus distances involved because the optical quality of the sigma 100-300mm f/4 takes a dive when it is set to 300mm at a focus distance less than 3m even stopping down to f/11 provides little improvement. So in that situation a prime will almost always beat a zoom, but for general photography in good daylight the differences between a prime and a zoom aren't as big as people want you to think. Though I will add that the angular 9 bladed aperture in the 100-300mm f/4 can cause some interesting bokeh effects.

Last edited by Digitalis; 05-02-2011 at 03:33 AM.
05-02-2011, 08:37 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
they are.

I own the 100-300mm f/4 and in my experience at f/8: it's pretty hard to tell the difference between the 100-300mm f/4 and the Pentax FA*300mm f/2.8 - the only situations where there are observable differences is when the aperture values go below f/8 or at short focus distances involved because the optical quality of the sigma 100-300mm f/4 takes a dive when it is set to 300mm at a focus distance less than 3m even stopping down to f/11 provides little improvement. So in that situation a prime will almost always beat a zoom, but for general photography in good daylight the differences between a prime and a zoom aren't as big as people want you to think. Though I will add that the angular 9 bladed aperture in the 100-300mm f/4 can cause some interesting bokeh effects.
This pretty much sums up my experience as well. Of course, when I'm using that lens there's little to no chance of me shooting something at 3m or less, so that's a moot point for me. I do find the IQ to be quite good even at f/4, though. I've never used a DA*300, so I can't compare the two. I've also always quite liked the bokeh it produces, but perhaps I just haven't experienced a unique enough situation to produce anything weird.

BTW, to m80 and flash1100, Sigma is releasing the 120-300/2.8 (not 100-300) in K-mount, but it's about $3200. Plus, we Pentaxians can't use their TC's with it.
05-02-2011, 04:23 PM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by DogLover Quote
when I'm using that lens there's little to no chance of me shooting something at 3m or less
One of the reasons why the FA*200mm f/4 ED Macro and the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro I own are such useful lenses. they are designed for close focusing the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG really isn't. Also another point worth considering is that the sigma 100-300mm isn't exactly the most flare resistant lens, it doesn't take much to have flare completely wreck an image which doesn't happen as often with Pentax SMC lenses.
05-02-2011, 04:43 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
One of the reasons why the FA*200mm f/4 ED Macro and the Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro I own are such useful lenses. they are designed for close focusing the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG really isn't. Also another point worth considering is that the sigma 100-300mm isn't exactly the most flare resistant lens, it doesn't take much to have flare completely wreck an image which doesn't happen as often with Pentax SMC lenses.

Maybe, but it's never been a factor for me. I mean, as huge as the hood is, you'd almost have to shoot directly into the sun.
05-08-2011, 09:08 PM   #27
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I've used my metal mount 55-300 for almost three years, primarily wildlife/birds. Very happy with it, used in 25 below, also even at 300 mm it's very sharp.

I know you didn't mention it in your options...but I think it is a good lens to consider.
05-09-2011, 02:10 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by DogLover Quote
I mean, as huge as the hood is, you'd almost have to shoot directly into the sun
The worst situation where I had to deal with the flare from the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 - I had the sun's reflection coming from windows from a tall building that caused some pretty bad flare, you also have to be pretty careful around strong point sources of light - something that Pentax SMC coatings don't have a problem with.
05-10-2011, 02:02 AM   #29
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I find the 120-300 f / 2.8 is too heavy to be carried around, specializing tied around his neck.

Sometimes I think I will, see my 100-300 f / 4 for the pentax 55-300 is true that pentax is more dark, but sigma to be very sharp (@ 300mm) is close to f / 5.6 and above.
Sigma But I can multiply, without becoming too dark, using f / 4 f / 5.6.
Pentax f/6.3 minimum
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