[OJGoreng]

It's here! And Photobucket doesn't work!

[timautin]

Congrats !
May I suggest you Dropbox ?

[normhead]

It's here! And Photobucket doesn't work!

Oh boy...... and darn that Photobucket.

[Shanti]

The Sigma 150-600 Sport is over 2000€, you can't buy it and a D7200 for the price of the Pentax - unless you can tell me where I can find D7200 for 200€ (I'll buy two!). So it has to be the Contemporary version, with different optics and construction.
AFAIK, the Sigma is losing performance at longer focal lengths. The only thing I can use to compare the two lenses is ephotozine.com, who tested both lenses - the Sigma on a Canon 5DMkIII, which I think it should give it an advantage.
I know it's too little, and I reserve further judgement when we'll have more data (and, perhaps, hands-on experience with the Pentax).

By the way, I'm not saying the Sigma is a bad lens - it definitely has its place as an "affordable" long telezoom. Just inferior to the Pentax

Jimmy, perhaps I could explain myself better in our native language and with some cold beer on the table.
Please understand, I'm also ignoring my own wishful thinking and try to be realistic - with the risk of sounding cynical and unsympathetic. The sad reality is that Pentax cannot price their high-end products with us in mind - so we have to do what we can, i.e. getting the best equipment we can afford.
And I'm sure a D FA 150-450 made to sell for half the price (MSRP) would be a different product, weaker than this one. Some sort of a 'Contemporary' version, perhaps not even that - due to Pentax' lower volumes.

Sigma Sports in Denmark
DKK 13000 https://www.dustinhome.dk/product/5010803965/af-150-60050-63-dg-os-hsm-sport...ent=5637147003

Nikon D7200 DKK 8500
https://www.dustinhome.dk/product/5010823582/d7200?ssel=false=5637146440

Pentax 150-450 DKK19900 PENTAX-D FA 150-450MM F4.5-5.6ED DC AW W objektiv k

OK so DKK 21500 for both D7200 & sigma sports €2866 total this includes 25% sales tax ,so you can see how its about the same for me here
and can get about 10% off if I order both..

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Last edited by Shanti; 05-01-2015 at 06:35 AM. Reason: mistake

[OJGoreng]

Holy cr*p, it's big, alright... here's a photo to put it into perspective, photobombed by my cat. The shot required use of a sub-par outdated camera, but why not. It's more or less the evolution of my bird lenses in one shot...



Left to right:
Pentax Q w/ Tamron di 70-300mm
Pentax K-5 w/ DA* 300mm & 1.4x converter
Pentax K-3 w/ DFA 150-450mm fully extended
Pentax Mz-6 w/ Sigma 170-500mm
Pentax MX with Noflexar 600mm

[JimmyDranox]

I would not buy a dslr or anything not nessesary if i would have to live on $4000 a year

Or you better understand that you have no right to tell me or to anybody what they must say or not. Or do you think that money give you the right to censor peoples opinions?

Same for Kunzite.

I don't want to say what kind of attitude is this, but anybody who knows a little history can understand.

[derekkite]

Not having seen the results yet, but with long lenses price isn't the first or even second consideration. First is sharpness wide open. What that means is you get the shot in early morning light but the less expensive one requiring stopping down doesn't even get taken out other bag.

Second is aperture. Larger the better. That means a faster shutter speed or lower Iso in low light conditions.

450 mm 5.6 sharp wide open is an expensive lens. That length at f4 is double or more the price.

As much as it is, you get what you pay for. I haven't seen the sigma sport, but most of the sigma zooms need stopping down substantially to get decent results.

Yes this stuff is expensive, but to get the results this is what it costs. Still far cheaper than the two sleds I see on the back of a heavy truck that guys have for their weekend fun.

And by the way, if you can't afford the lens Pentax isn't making it for you. They are building it for people who can afford it, and have high expectations.

[MMVIII]

Sigma Sports in Denmark
DKK 13000 https://www.dustinhome.dk/product/5010803965/af-150-60050-63-dg-os-hsm-sport...ent=5637147003

Nikon D7200 DKK 8500
https://www.dustinhome.dk/product/5010823582/d7200?ssel=false=5637146440

Pentax 150-450 DKK19900 PENTAX-D FA 150-450MM F4.5-5.6ED DC AW W objektiv k

OK so DKK 21500 for both D7200 & sigma sports €2866 total this includes 25% sales tax ,so you can see how its about the same for me here
and can get about 10% off if I order both..

And in Austria:

D7200 1100€ + Sigma 150-600 Sport (price only in Canon mount, guess Nikon is to order) 2100€

Pentax K-3II 1000€ + 150-450 2200€ (introduction price, probably lower after some time)

Now, obviously there are big differences in pricing in different countries and it might be wise to not generalise too much...

[rawr]

Or you better understand that you have no right to tell me or to anybody what they must say or not. ...

There is a PM system here for these sort of discussions ...

[normhead]

Hmmmm... SIgma Sport 150-600 in Canada $2,499.

Nikon D7200 $1300

Grand total $3800

Pentax K-3 $1150
Pentax D_FA 150-450mm $2750


Total $3900.

We know you can use a TC on the 150-450. Can you use a TC on the Sigma, and at ƒ6.3 do you even want to?
For the comparison you have to know that the Sigma is as good a lens.

I hate it when I see comparisons with so many unknowns.
But as a general rule, I shudder when i see people comparing Sigma's to Pentax lenses.If you have to go 3rd party to make your point....

[derekkite]

I hate it when I see comparisons with so many unknowns.

And it would take a couple months in the hands of a good photographer to know the strong and weak points of each one.

[thibs]

I don't own a car. And I consider that your rant is out of place. Everyone knows his finance, and can appreciate if something is too expensive for him or not. And has the right to express his opinion. I hope. And if you would have to live with 4000$(four thousands) a year, you will complain too about this price.

I bolded the problematic thing. I agree with you but people here do not (mostly) moan about the price for them, just the price for what the lens is. That is VERY different.

[JimmyDranox]

I had an opinion about the price. Only an opinion. But the fact that I have this opinion seems to disturb some people. I wouldn't continue this debate, but the fact that someone consider that he can tell me what to think and what to say make me a little upset.

Anyway, from my point of view, this is over. I have a long lens, 170-500, is OK for me for now on, and that's all. To all those people who will buy this lens today or in the future I wish them very good shots, and a lot of good subjects.

[Rondec]

Not having seen the results yet, but with long lenses price isn't the first or even second consideration. First is sharpness wide open. What that means is you get the shot in early morning light but the less expensive one requiring stopping down doesn't even get taken out other bag.

Second is aperture. Larger the better. That means a faster shutter speed or lower Iso in low light conditions.

450 mm 5.6 sharp wide open is an expensive lens. That length at f4 is double or more the price.

As much as it is, you get what you pay for. I haven't seen the sigma sport, but most of the sigma zooms need stopping down substantially to get decent results.

Yes this stuff is expensive, but to get the results this is what it costs. Still far cheaper than the two sleds I see on the back of a heavy truck that guys have for their weekend fun.

And by the way, if you can't afford the lens Pentax isn't making it for you. They are building it for people who can afford it, and have high expectations.

You are totally right and you often pay a premium for small improvements in image quality. A lens like the FA 31 limited is 1000 dollars, while a DA 35 is 134 dollars and a Sigma 35mm f1.4 is 900 dollars (B and H prices). The DA probably gives 90 percent of the performance of the other two lenses, but with a slower aperture and not quite as sharp at its widest apertures (and not as good build). Certainly not everyone needs an FA limited -- or can afford one for that matter, but when people are chasing ultimate image quality, small improvements cost lots of money.

This is particularly true in the telephoto department. People who are satisfied with a Sigma 50-500 or a Sigma 70-300 aren't going to be looking at a lens like this, but there plenty of birders who will scour the internet to see how much improvement over their current gear they could squeeze out of this lens.

[Stavri]

Holy cr*p, it's big, alright... here's a photo to put it into perspective, photobombed by my cat. The shot required use of a sub-par outdated camera, but why not. It's more or less the evolution of my bird lenses in one shot...

I personally learned to skim through long posts and search only for pictures and links. Congrats on your purchase, create an album for the 150-450 shots on you Flickr for all of us to see when you get a chance. Regards.

We're at a turning point right now, Ricoh is investing heavily in the brand, they looking to be competitive with Nikon and Canon not only in performance but also price. Since lens sales are a big part of the profit, the new lenses that will go in production from now on will carry higher (that expected) prices, similar to their competition in their respective classes. It will be a mistake to expect Sigma or Tamron prices on new Pentax lenses, these are 3rd party outlier that will always provide a sensible and less costly alternative. Sigma in particular with their "new vision" has begun to shed their image as cheap alternative, marketing their lenses in a similar price/performance category with the big boys. Let's hope the likes of Samyang and Rokinon fill in the the vacuum.

Change is filled with fraught, but it's coming and we must learn too accept it. If things go well for Pentax in the future the use of the 20 million legacy lenses will be for the loyalest of fans (and/or hipsters in plaids) Everyone else will try to have the latest and greatest...