Any experience yet with K-3 and Sigma 50-500?

ChrisA · 11-05-2013, 03:11 AM

Would be most grateful to hear how the K-3 AF performs with the Sigma 50-500.

APO DG OS version, ideally, but earlier versions would be indicative.

It's my airshow lens, and the improvement, if any, is going to be the main factor influencing my decision to get the K-3, or get closer to throwing in the towel and going to Nikon.

awaldram · 11-05-2013, 04:32 AM

Ive been using the 50-500 DG EX variant without issue.
focus was fast and accurate but did have to dial in +1ev not sure why.

ChrisA · 11-05-2013, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by awaldram

Ive been using the 50-500 DG EX variant without issue.
focus was fast and accurate but did have to dial in +1ev not sure why.

Thanks, can you compare the performance with the K-5 at all?

panoguy · 11-05-2013, 05:33 AM

I have both the K-5 and K-3, and tested my BigmOS with both of them. The K-3 is a definite improvement in AF speed (the HSM actually seems to rack faster from point to point, unlike SDM lenses) and in accuracy (not much hunting or second guessing at 500mm, where it's f/6.3). Probably due to the more sensitive center AF points, since I'm using the center AF point array (9 points) and AF.S. That said, I can't say about tracking or AF.C yet...

Mark Frei · 04-11-2014, 02:57 AM - **1 Like**

Great Objektiv for the price.

sadatoni · 04-11-2014, 08:25 AM

I'll have to give it a try after work. Haven't used my "Bigma" since 2008 (got some good pics of the St. Helens crater in its last growing episode with a K20D). Almost put it on last night (if only there had been actual birds in the trees).

sadatoni · 04-11-2014, 01:21 PM

Tested.

My "ancient" Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO DG (screw focus) focuses at least twice as quickly on the K-3 as it does on the K5, It did hunt a little for one shot (overshot a tad and came right back to focus). Exposures look good with it on the K-3. Used the AF center point.

11-05-2013, 03:11 AM	#1
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393	Any experience yet with K-3 and Sigma 50-500? Would be most grateful to hear how the K-3 AF performs with the Sigma 50-500. APO DG OS version, ideally, but earlier versions would be indicative. It's my airshow lens, and the improvement, if any, is going to be the main factor influencing my decision to get the K-3, or get closer to throwing in the towel and going to Nikon.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any experience on Industar 50-2 50mm f/3.5 m42 pancake	hinman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	35	07-01-2022 07:03 PM
K-5 and Sigma 50-500 OS	Siluet23	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	59	09-21-2015 12:19 PM
Sigma 50-500 and Lightroom 4.3	LaurenOE	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	8	03-06-2013 12:08 PM
any experience with sigma 18-50 or tamron 17-50	photoman1	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	10-30-2012 12:48 PM
Any experience with the DA60-250 and any teleconverter?	planedriver	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	02-13-2011 10:32 AM

11-05-2013, 04:32 AM	#2
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Ive been using the 50-500 DG EX variant without issue. focus was fast and accurate but did have to dial in +1ev not sure why.

11-05-2013, 05:24 AM	#3
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393 Original Poster	Originally posted by awaldram Ive been using the 50-500 DG EX variant without issue. focus was fast and accurate but did have to dial in +1ev not sure why. Thanks, can you compare the performance with the K-5 at all?

11-05-2013, 05:33 AM	#4
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	I have both the K-5 and K-3, and tested my BigmOS with both of them. The K-3 is a definite improvement in AF speed (the HSM actually seems to rack faster from point to point, unlike SDM lenses) and in accuracy (not much hunting or second guessing at 500mm, where it's f/6.3). Probably due to the more sensitive center AF points, since I'm using the center AF point array (9 points) and AF.S. That said, I can't say about tracking or AF.C yet...

04-11-2014, 08:25 AM	#6
sadatoni Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 87	I'll have to give it a try after work. Haven't used my "Bigma" since 2008 (got some good pics of the St. Helens crater in its last growing episode with a K20D). Almost put it on last night (if only there had been actual birds in the trees).

04-11-2014, 01:21 PM	#7
sadatoni Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 87	Tested. My "ancient" Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO DG (screw focus) focuses at least twice as quickly on the K-3 as it does on the K5, It did hunt a little for one shot (overshot a tad and came right back to focus). Exposures look good with it on the K-3. Used the AF center point.