500mm lenses for k-5

Solesy · 06-23-2011, 02:11 AM

Hi,
I am wanting to buy a lense of up to 500mm and dont want to spend over $1200 aud who to buy from? I currrently have a new K-5 with a pentax 18-135mm wr lense with it...

xjjohnno · 06-23-2011, 02:35 AM

500mm lenses don't come cheap uless you settle for a mirror lens.

Solesy · 06-23-2011, 02:41 AM

Hi xj any suggestions? on 500mm lenses brands,

adpo · 06-23-2011, 02:48 AM

KEH, BHphotovideo, Adorama, Amazon and the pentaxforum marketplace are where i usually buy camera stuff from.
As for 500mm lenses in that price range, you have several choises. The cheapest (and least satisfying) are the cheap 100 dollar ones off ebay. These are slow and not all that sharp.
Next up are mirror lenses. A bit less slow and performance can be quite iffy, although i know a guy who does amazing things with his.
Then you got used 500mm lenses. These typically are rare, so dont count on finding one, IQ varies so be sure to check the lens reviews on this site.
Finally, we got the sigma 150-500. You can snag a new one off BH for a little under 1.1k and also get free site supporter status on the forums.

xjjohnno · 06-23-2011, 05:06 AM

Sigma and Tamron both make 500mm zooms currently on the market, expect to pay $1500 or so new. I'd suggest looking at the lens review section or the 300+ lens as well as the mirror lens thread in the lens section as some of the older glass, while suffering from CA in some situations will get you the length desired as well as reasonable results.
I own 2 Russian mirror lenses, the Sigma 50-500 and a Leica Telyt 560. You could also loom at a Tamron Adaptall mount SP 300mm f2.8 with either a 2x or 1.4x tele converter, another combo I have with the circuitry occassionally playing funny buggers.
Mirror lenses for 500mm usually are apertured at f8 which can be quite gloomy in the view finder although there are some faster 500s that are not all that easy to use due to the shallower depth of field.
Some useful sections in the forum
Pentax Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/71775-mirror-lens-club.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ng-lenses.html

**Eric Seavey** · 06-23-2011, 07:01 AM

I found the Sigma 50-500mm to be quite sharp and the large zoom range very handy. The way I justified my purchase few years ago is that I can eliminate one lens because of the zoom range. With only two lenses (my 17-70mm) and 50-500mm I can zoom from wide angle to supertelephoto with minimal lens changes. I will warn that it is a heavy lens!

**Michaelina2** · 06-23-2011, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by Solesy

Hi,
I am wanting to buy a lense of up to 500mm and dont want to spend over $1200 aud who to buy from? I currrently have a new K-5 with a pentax 18-135mm wr lense with it...

Easy!

But go slow....

I suggest you get a DA*300/4, then shoot it for a while. Once you learn how to use the lens and are comfortable with your K-5's setting, if feel you really need more, get the Pentax 1.7 TC... instant 550mm... in about as light weight a kit going... that's what I've done... works great...

BTW: What's your purpose and what's magic about 500mm? For consistently acceptable camera-motion-free 500mm results you will also need a very good tripod/head combo (budget around $1K, but you might get it for less, if you watch for specials). I've found anything much greater than 300mm is almost impossible to hand-hold. The weight of the K-5, plus lens is not the issue. Constant motion error is introduced by your body's normal movement which is just part of life.

...my 2 cents... good luck...

Cheers...

Solesy · 06-23-2011, 04:17 PM

I am wanting it for wildlife pictures and photos of my childs soccor and other sporting activities

dave2k · 06-23-2011, 05:23 PM

I have found my Sigma 70-200 adequate for most sports. I could possibly benefit from going up to a 300, but I would say you do not need to go all the way to 500 for the majority of mainstream sports. I appreciate a fairly light weight set-up that is very mobile and can be redirected very quickly to catch the action. I can't speak to the wildlife shots though. 500 may be much more beneficial for that purpose. I'll let the wildlife folks provide advice there.

Solesy · 06-23-2011, 09:27 PM

Thanx for your thoughs Dave

Osama Binhidin · 06-23-2011, 10:23 PM

I use the sigma 150-500 and have taken good surf shots on overcast days hand held at 500 standing balanced on rock out crop in the sea the higher iso of the k5 gave a better shutter speed.

xjjohnno · 06-23-2011, 10:36 PM

Those little birds like our wrens and robins are definitely going to need a longer lens. The major headache with the modern zooms with inbuilt Auto Focus is they can get a bit confused by background or foreground stuff like twigs etc.

RussellW · 06-24-2011, 03:45 AM

I use Sigma 300 f2.8 d and 70-200 HSM II OS for motorsport, you can see a number of photos as rswphotos.net a 500 lens would be nice however it comes down to how many times it would be used over the number of times you would use a smaller lens.
I do have for sale 70-200 HSM II in the marketplace, the only reason in selling this lens is that i prefer to take photos with this style lens without a monopod, and the OS allows me to take photos at very slow speeds.

Designosophy · 06-24-2011, 07:07 AM

When you go above 300mm, the price really jumps, particularly for autofocus. You could try an inexpensive 70mm-300mm from Tamron or Sigma, or the DA 55-300 from Pentax.

If you want over 300mm, you might keep your eyes open for a used Sigma APO 400/5.6. It's not a zoom, so you're stuck with one focal length. Make sure it is an autofocus version. I've seen them go for under $300 on ebay.

If you're okay with manual focus, you could try a Pentax-A* 300/4 (or M 300/4. They're the same optically, but the A has auto aperture). I love my Pentax-M 400/5.6. It's one of the longest lenses you can comfortably hand hold. Manual focus is not going to be easy for sports, however. Of course, it's doable. There were sports photographers before autofocus became available.

As others have said, check the lens database for Pentax, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. See how many reviews there are to get an idea of availability. Check the prices to make sure you don't pay too much. Keep in mind, however, that prices both on the used and new markets have gone up over the past couple years. My experience is that a lens someone bought for, say, $350 two years ago might be unavailable for less than $400 today.

rvannatta · 06-25-2011, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Solesy

Thanx for your thoughs Dave

I quite agree with dave. 500 mm is way too much for sports. A fast lens
is more useful than a long lens, as the lighting is often bad. One of my daughters is a highschool teacher in a small (very small) highschool and she has drawn the short straw to take the sports yearbook pictures (with her own equipment of course)

I've been working with her to sort out suitable equipment of for the task to start next fall. We have after some work agreed that a 135mm for indoor sports
and a 200 mm for outdoor sports--- as fast as possible (within the zero budget available for the task.)

As for wildlife---you will find that they don't expose themselves in well lit conditions either----that makes them food for a preditor.
Rather they are usually lurking in shadows, making lighting there (think fast lens) significant as well.

06-23-2011, 02:11 AM	#1
Solesy New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8	500mm lenses for k-5 Hi, I am wanting to buy a lense of up to 500mm and dont want to spend over $1200 aud who to buy from? I currrently have a new K-5 with a pentax 18-135mm wr lense with it...

06-25-2011, 09:00 AM	#15
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	Originally posted by Solesy Thanx for your thoughs Dave I quite agree with dave. 500 mm is way too much for sports. A fast lens is more useful than a long lens, as the lighting is often bad. One of my daughters is a highschool teacher in a small (very small) highschool and she has drawn the short straw to take the sports yearbook pictures (with her own equipment of course) I've been working with her to sort out suitable equipment of for the task to start next fall. We have after some work agreed that a 135mm for indoor sports and a 200 mm for outdoor sports--- as fast as possible (within the zero budget available for the task.) As for wildlife---you will find that they don't expose themselves in well lit conditions either----that makes them food for a preditor. Rather they are usually lurking in shadows, making lighting there (think fast lens) significant as well. Last edited by rvannatta; 06-25-2011 at 09:05 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Testing 500mm lenses	stormtech	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	06-21-2011 07:47 PM
Sigma 300 & 500mm lenses	garyk	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	11-17-2010 08:03 PM
Where to get older 500mm + lenses	GordonZA	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	01-26-2010 11:09 PM
Sigma 50-500mm vs 150-500mm or Pentax DA 55-300mm with 1.4 TC?	mikejustice	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	20	12-18-2009 07:59 PM
Ok cheaper longer lenses (500mm+, <=$250)	Nass	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	34	09-11-2009 12:13 PM

06-23-2011, 02:35 AM	#2
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	500mm lenses don't come cheap uless you settle for a mirror lens.

06-23-2011, 02:41 AM	#3
Solesy New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8 Original Poster	Hi xj any suggestions? on 500mm lenses brands,

06-23-2011, 02:48 AM	#4
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	KEH, BHphotovideo, Adorama, Amazon and the pentaxforum marketplace are where i usually buy camera stuff from. As for 500mm lenses in that price range, you have several choises. The cheapest (and least satisfying) are the cheap 100 dollar ones off ebay. These are slow and not all that sharp. Next up are mirror lenses. A bit less slow and performance can be quite iffy, although i know a guy who does amazing things with his. Then you got used 500mm lenses. These typically are rare, so dont count on finding one, IQ varies so be sure to check the lens reviews on this site. Finally, we got the sigma 150-500. You can snag a new one off BH for a little under 1.1k and also get free site supporter status on the forums.

06-23-2011, 05:06 AM	#5
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	Sigma and Tamron both make 500mm zooms currently on the market, expect to pay $1500 or so new. I'd suggest looking at the lens review section or the 300+ lens as well as the mirror lens thread in the lens section as some of the older glass, while suffering from CA in some situations will get you the length desired as well as reasonable results. I own 2 Russian mirror lenses, the Sigma 50-500 and a Leica Telyt 560. You could also loom at a Tamron Adaptall mount SP 300mm f2.8 with either a 2x or 1.4x tele converter, another combo I have with the circuitry occassionally playing funny buggers. Mirror lenses for 500mm usually are apertured at f8 which can be quite gloomy in the view finder although there are some faster 500s that are not all that easy to use due to the shallower depth of field. Some useful sections in the forum Pentax Reviews - Pentax Lens Reviews & Pentax Lens Database https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/71775-mirror-lens-club.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ng-lenses.html

06-23-2011, 07:01 AM	#6
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307	I found the Sigma 50-500mm to be quite sharp and the large zoom range very handy. The way I justified my purchase few years ago is that I can eliminate one lens because of the zoom range. With only two lenses (my 17-70mm) and 50-500mm I can zoom from wide angle to supertelephoto with minimal lens changes. I will warn that it is a heavy lens!

06-23-2011, 07:06 AM	#7
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,301	Originally posted by Solesy Hi, I am wanting to buy a lense of up to 500mm and dont want to spend over $1200 aud who to buy from? I currrently have a new K-5 with a pentax 18-135mm wr lense with it... Easy! But go slow.... I suggest you get a DA*300/4, then shoot it for a while. Once you learn how to use the lens and are comfortable with your K-5's setting, if feel you really need more, get the Pentax 1.7 TC... instant 550mm... in about as light weight a kit going... that's what I've done... works great... BTW: What's your purpose and what's magic about 500mm? For consistently acceptable camera-motion-free 500mm results you will also need a very good tripod/head combo (budget around $1K, but you might get it for less, if you watch for specials). I've found anything much greater than 300mm is almost impossible to hand-hold. The weight of the K-5, plus lens is not the issue. Constant motion error is introduced by your body's normal movement which is just part of life. ...my 2 cents... good luck... Cheers...

06-23-2011, 04:17 PM	#8
Solesy New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8 Original Poster	I am wanting it for wildlife pictures and photos of my childs soccor and other sporting activities

06-23-2011, 05:23 PM	#9
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	I have found my Sigma 70-200 adequate for most sports. I could possibly benefit from going up to a 300, but I would say you do not need to go all the way to 500 for the majority of mainstream sports. I appreciate a fairly light weight set-up that is very mobile and can be redirected very quickly to catch the action. I can't speak to the wildlife shots though. 500 may be much more beneficial for that purpose. I'll let the wildlife folks provide advice there.

06-23-2011, 09:27 PM	#10
Solesy New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8 Original Poster	Thanx for your thoughs Dave

06-23-2011, 10:23 PM	#11
Osama Binhidin Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Mallacoota inlet Photos: Albums Posts: 87	I use the sigma 150-500 and have taken good surf shots on overcast days hand held at 500 standing balanced on rock out crop in the sea the higher iso of the k5 gave a better shutter speed.

06-23-2011, 10:36 PM	#12
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	Those little birds like our wrens and robins are definitely going to need a longer lens. The major headache with the modern zooms with inbuilt Auto Focus is they can get a bit confused by background or foreground stuff like twigs etc.

06-24-2011, 03:45 AM	#13
RussellW Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	I use Sigma 300 f2.8 d and 70-200 HSM II OS for motorsport, you can see a number of photos as rswphotos.net a 500 lens would be nice however it comes down to how many times it would be used over the number of times you would use a smaller lens. I do have for sale 70-200 HSM II in the marketplace, the only reason in selling this lens is that i prefer to take photos with this style lens without a monopod, and the OS allows me to take photos at very slow speeds.

06-24-2011, 07:07 AM	#14
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137	When you go above 300mm, the price really jumps, particularly for autofocus. You could try an inexpensive 70mm-300mm from Tamron or Sigma, or the DA 55-300 from Pentax. If you want over 300mm, you might keep your eyes open for a used Sigma APO 400/5.6. It's not a zoom, so you're stuck with one focal length. Make sure it is an autofocus version. I've seen them go for under $300 on ebay. If you're okay with manual focus, you could try a Pentax-A* 300/4 (or M 300/4. They're the same optically, but the A has auto aperture). I love my Pentax-M 400/5.6. It's one of the longest lenses you can comfortably hand hold. Manual focus is not going to be easy for sports, however. Of course, it's doable. There were sports photographers before autofocus became available. As others have said, check the lens database for Pentax, Tamron, and Sigma lenses. See how many reviews there are to get an idea of availability. Check the prices to make sure you don't pay too much. Keep in mind, however, that prices both on the used and new markets have gone up over the past couple years. My experience is that a lens someone bought for, say, $350 two years ago might be unavailable for less than $400 today.