SIGMA 135-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO vs. DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8

Perrumpo · 04-06-2010, 03:47 PM

I have a DA 50-200mm lens. I would like to get to 400mm, but my funds are restricted. Does anyone know if I would be better off getting this Sigma used and keeping the aformentioned lens... or for the money, should I just sell my lens, not buy the Sigma, and get the DA 55-300mm?

Basically, because this Sigma is softer at 400mm, would I get sufficient results cropping with the DA 55-300 or would I truly miss out on the extra 100mm that the Sigma would provide?

From a financial perspective, here are the numbers:

I paid $145 for the DA 50-200mm new
Hopefully ≤$350 for the Sigma used
$250-$300 for the DA 55-300mm new or used

Last edited by Perrumpo; 04-06-2010 at 04:10 PM.

omega leader · 04-06-2010, 06:47 PM

I had the 135-400mm but sold it as I didn't find it too useful. It is a big lens and I couldn't ever be bothered to take it anywhere.

But it wasn't too soft, just too clumsy; and I'm lazy.

little laker · 04-06-2010, 07:54 PM

From the Sigma 135 - 400, at 400mm, wide open.

That's without any editing, other than re-size.

Same lens, 400mm shot at f19

I know that I haven't watched the marketplace lately, however I don't think that I've ever seen a copy of this lens for less than $500.00 for a reason

I wouldn't sell mine for less.

**Mallee Boy** · 04-06-2010, 08:05 PM

Also a 135-400 owner.

Think carefully about your intended useage.

The lens can do a good job, but you do need to be patient & careful beyond 300mm....monopod or tripod is a must.

I concur with the above comments about it being a big lens, mine does not get a lot of use for that reason alone.....I will always reach for the Tamron 70-300 first.

If the 300-400mm useage was only going to be occasional, think about the 55-300 and a teleconverter.

Good luck.

Perrumpo · 04-06-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by omega leader

I had the 135-400mm but sold it as I didn't find it too useful. It is a big lens and I couldn't ever be bothered to take it anywhere.

But it wasn't too soft, just too clumsy; and I'm lazy.

Hah, good to know. I doubt I'd mind it though. After Army gear, camera gear seems light as a feather

Originally posted by little laker

From the Sigma 135 - 400, at 400mm, wide open.
That's without any editing, other than re-size.

Same lens, 400mm shot at f19

I know that I haven't watched the marketplace lately, however I don't think that I've ever seen a copy of this lens for less than $500.00 for a reason

I wouldn't sell mine for less.

Nice photos! I will see how the hunt goes. I saw one with a Buy It Now of $350 in great cond.

Originally posted by Mallee Boy

Also a 135-400 owner.

Think carefully about your intended useage.

The lens can do a good job, but you do need to be patient & careful beyond 300mm....monopod or tripod is a must.

I concur with the above comments about it being a big lens, mine does not get a lot of use for that reason alone.....I will always reach for the Tamron 70-300 first.

If the 300-400mm useage was only going to be occasional, think about the 55-300 and a teleconverter.

Good luck.

Hmm, I was under the impression that a teleconverter with the DA 50-200mm or 55-300mm was not a very good option. I would have no idea, myself, but I guess I'm bound to run across some varying opinions!

Thanks for the help and any more input from anyone is greatly appreciated.

Eagle_Friends · 04-06-2010, 08:31 PM

The 55-300 is in my honest opinion, one of the 5 best lenses pentax has ever made, in account of cost of course.

04-06-2010, 03:47 PM	#1
Perrumpo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	Sigma 135-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO vs. DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 I have a DA 50-200mm lens. I would like to get to 400mm, but my funds are restricted. Does anyone know if I would be better off getting this Sigma used and keeping the aformentioned lens... or for the money, should I just sell my lens, not buy the Sigma, and get the DA 55-300mm? Basically, because this Sigma is softer at 400mm, would I get sufficient results cropping with the DA 55-300 or would I truly miss out on the extra 100mm that the Sigma would provide? From a financial perspective, here are the numbers: I paid $145 for the DA 50-200mm new Hopefully ≤$350 for the Sigma used $250-$300 for the DA 55-300mm new or used Last edited by Perrumpo; 04-06-2010 at 04:10 PM.

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04-06-2010, 06:47 PM	#2
omega leader Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Ontario Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	I had the 135-400mm but sold it as I didn't find it too useful. It is a big lens and I couldn't ever be bothered to take it anywhere. But it wasn't too soft, just too clumsy; and I'm lazy.

04-06-2010, 07:54 PM	#3
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	From the Sigma 135 - 400, at 400mm, wide open. That's without any editing, other than re-size. Same lens, 400mm shot at f19 I know that I haven't watched the marketplace lately, however I don't think that I've ever seen a copy of this lens for less than $500.00 for a reason I wouldn't sell mine for less.

04-06-2010, 08:05 PM	#4
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Also a 135-400 owner. Think carefully about your intended useage. The lens can do a good job, but you do need to be patient & careful beyond 300mm....monopod or tripod is a must. I concur with the above comments about it being a big lens, mine does not get a lot of use for that reason alone.....I will always reach for the Tamron 70-300 first. If the 300-400mm useage was only going to be occasional, think about the 55-300 and a teleconverter. Good luck.

04-06-2010, 08:06 PM	#5
Perrumpo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 207 Original Poster	Originally posted by omega leader I had the 135-400mm but sold it as I didn't find it too useful. It is a big lens and I couldn't ever be bothered to take it anywhere. But it wasn't too soft, just too clumsy; and I'm lazy. Hah, good to know. I doubt I'd mind it though. After Army gear, camera gear seems light as a feather Originally posted by little laker From the Sigma 135 - 400, at 400mm, wide open. That's without any editing, other than re-size. Same lens, 400mm shot at f19 I know that I haven't watched the marketplace lately, however I don't think that I've ever seen a copy of this lens for less than $500.00 for a reason I wouldn't sell mine for less. Nice photos! I will see how the hunt goes. I saw one with a Buy It Now of $350 in great cond. Originally posted by Mallee Boy Also a 135-400 owner. Think carefully about your intended useage. The lens can do a good job, but you do need to be patient & careful beyond 300mm....monopod or tripod is a must. I concur with the above comments about it being a big lens, mine does not get a lot of use for that reason alone.....I will always reach for the Tamron 70-300 first. If the 300-400mm useage was only going to be occasional, think about the 55-300 and a teleconverter. Good luck. Hmm, I was under the impression that a teleconverter with the DA 50-200mm or 55-300mm was not a very good option. I would have no idea, myself, but I guess I'm bound to run across some varying opinions! Thanks for the help and any more input from anyone is greatly appreciated.

04-06-2010, 08:31 PM	#6
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	The 55-300 is in my honest opinion, one of the 5 best lenses pentax has ever made, in account of cost of course.