[Marcus]

^ For $1100, the Sigma is hard to beat. I haven't seen every review, but on the test specs I've seen, it's performed very well. For $1100 with very good specs, it's better than $1500 from Pentax.

First off, $1500 is outnormous. Second, Pentax QC issues. Of course Sigma has them as well, but because Pentax is more expensive, it's worse for them. It makes that price tag look worse. I think the Sigma will be hard to beat optically, and I don't expect the Pentax to win out. I might be wrong, but Pentax gives me little confidence until I see otherwise. Maybe it's just my gripe with the price tag speaking, but I'm not ready to spend $1500 for f4 that may or may not have QC issues. :ugh:

The Sigma 18-50 did better in tests than the Pentax 16-50. At least in the PopPhoto tests, if you count those. For all those QC issues and the bigger price tag, why even bother when you can get optically better for less? I have a gut feeling it's going to be the same scene here.

Unless this is a seriously stellar lens, they've lost me.

The Sigma 100-300 f4 is only $1100. I think that is a very fair price. And I'm calling this one in early: it'll probably be the better lens.

Wanna bet?

Radu

[Kunzite]

Well, I think we should wait&see. I may be one of the few that thinks Pentax can actually produce excelent lenses.
At least, the DA* SDM is fast&quiet, unlike the Sigma (I hope Sigma will make a HSM version of the 100-300, it's always better when you can choose). And it's weather sealed. Those features and the brand name can count for 100-200$ over the Sigma's price (remember, the 1500$ is list price, while the Sigma was on the market for some time).

Same dealer prices for accuracy,

Foto Erhardt - Digitalkameras,Spiegelreflexkameras,Videocamcorder und mehr - Sigma 100-300/4 - 1161 Euro

Canon 70-200 mm EF 1:4L IS USM - Foto Erhardt - Canon 70-200/4 - 998 Euro

Canon 70-300 mm EF 4.5-5.6 USM DO IS - Foto Erhardt - Canon 70-300/4.5-5.6 - 1178 Euro

Canon 70-200 mm EF 1:2.8L IS USM - Foto Erhardt - Canon 7-=200/2.8 - 1629 Euro

You know, everybody but Pentax scr...es Europeans so they could subsides Americans (no offence I hope)! I guess I am asking to much but can we see first the lens and its quality before making any judgment? In the end if Pentax is confident to ask this much money they may have a clue didn't they? And after we're going to see some comparative tests against Sigma and Tamron stuff then we'll see who overcharged and who underachieved.

Radu

[alohadave]

Did you see the shipping weight of the 60-250 in the Amazon specs?

67 pounds.

That is one heavy lens.

It may be the lens costs $500. to produce, but the price has to be set at triple that because of shipping costs when dealing with such heavy glass...

That's got to be a mistake. They are listing the 55mm and the kit with flash at 7 pounds each.

[thibs]

Look at the spec sheet from Pentax Germany, the lens is a bit over 1Kg.
It goes to about 1.2Kg with hood and tripod collar.