[Nitrok]

Hi!

Bird and wildlife animal photography have become more and more intriguing for me so I have decided to invest for a new lens.

There are couple of lenses to choose from:

1. Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF
2. Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) SDM
3. Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG HSM APO
4. Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM APO

My biggest question is that will 300mm be enough? I would also prefer a zoom lens (which DA* 300mm don't have).
First two lenses are a bit faster and sharper than third or fourth. Of course they are also more expensive.

So which one should i get?

Any other suggestions are also welcomed.

[TER-OR]

The people I've talked with seem to prefer a multiplier than the Bigma 150-500 zoom. I have had good results with a Tamron 70-300, but it does show purple fringing above 200 in high contrast environments. You'll want to investigate the high end of any of those lenses in reviews, since I presume you'll be zoomed out a lot. I know I do.

[Lowell Goudge]

I have 2 combos

SMC 300 F4 plus SMC-F 1.7x AFTC and Sigma AOP 70-200 EX and 1.4x and 2x sigma TCs

The sigma is the winner over the older SMC lens but only marginally and the SMC lens has extra reach when used with the AF TC.

I like the 70-200F2.8 and TCs better than something like a BIGMA because on it's own the 70-200 F2.8 is also a great lens and faster than the BIGMA at shorter focal lengths.

if you go back even a few days in the forum you will find shots posted by me for both these, in similar threads

[Mike.P®]

Sigma 100-300mm f4 and Sigma 1.4x TC .. killer combo.

Excellent lens on its own and loses nothing with the teleconverter. (bit like the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and TC).

[SOldBear]

I had a Pentax A* 300mm F/4 and used it with a Pentax 1.7X AFA.

Then I bought a Sigma 150-500mm F/5-6.3 APO HSM.

The Sigma is much better than the combo A* 300mm + 1.7X AFA. The IQ is better. The focusing is quiet, speedier, and less hunting.

The only advantage of the combo A* 300mm + 1.7X AFA is that it's less bulky and heavy, and at 300mm (no 1.7X), it's faster and has better IQ. But for wildlife, 300mm oftentimes is not long enough.

So I sold the A* 300mm.

[Oggy]

Just to clarify one point, the 150-500 is not the Bigma. The Bigma is the 50-500 which is non HSM, quite a bit more expensive (in the UK anyway) and probably optically better than the 150-500.

I have the 150-500 and the DA* 300. First point, the 150-500 is not particularly sharp at 500mm fully open. It needs to be stopped down a little before it comes to life. In good light when you really need the length, it will give the DA*300 a run for it's money, but anything less and the 300 romps into the lead.

[Nitrok]

Thanks for the responses so far!
Seems like Sigma 100-300mm would be a great choice to use with tc especially if it's sharp when wide open.

[stormcloud]

well i faced a similar situation and just today infact i placed my order for the sigma 150-500
i've read some reviews of it in magizines and its come out on top in alot of them an has won the best lens category of gear of the year 2009 - also seen shots taken with it by people here on this forum and i'm pretty happy with my choice

hopefully its supposed to arrive tomorrow and will be able to start playing though have been warned that i'm likely not gonna like the first 500 images i take with it =) but once my skills with a lens this size catch up to my ambitions hopefully it should meet all my wildlife photography needs

[Nitrok]

well i faced a similar situation and just today infact i placed my order for the sigma 150-500
i've read some reviews of it in magizines and its come out on top in alot of them an has won the best lens category of gear of the year 2009 - also seen shots taken with it by people here on this forum and i'm pretty happy with my choice

hopefully its supposed to arrive tomorrow and will be able to start playing though have been warned that i'm likely not gonna like the first 500 images i take with it =) but once my skills with a lens this size catch up to my ambitions hopefully it should meet all my wildlife photography needs

My only concern is the speed of that lens. I understood that it is f/6.3 already @ 290mm?
Sigma 100-300 has f/4 @ 300mm and f/5.6 @ 420mm (when used with 1.4x TC).

[OrenMc]

My choice of course was the Sigma 100-300 and I instantly fell in love. I use it with the Tamron 1.4 and although it is still a little short at times it does the job quit well.

The 100-300 is why I went with the 70-200 also instead of the other offering. Now I have a little mini-me

[stormcloud]

well it arrived but its raining so no photos yet (dont ya just hate that!!!!!!) can confirm that 290mm f6.3 so yeah could be faster but for the price point it still performs remarkably

[lesmore49]

I use my Pentax 55-300. On the K10D it's a 462 mm (35mm equivalent). It's very sharp. PP tests indicate it has excellent resolution right through 55-300 mm, where a number of similar zooms get soft from 250 mm on.

[tmacdon]

Unfortuneatly this combo only works with the older 70-200 (non-macro, non-HSM). The TC does not work with the new on. Anyone have any ideas on how to extend this otherwise great lens?

[tmacdon]

Opps the combo is Sigma 70-200 with 1.4 TC

[Jimbo]

The one I really want Sigma to make for POentax is rthe 100-300 2.8. Now thats a lens. JIM