[kentster]

So .. I had a chance to shoot side by side my wife in less than desirable conditions last week.

Gray/over cast sky/not so much light.

Me - K3 and a Sigma 50-500 HSM/OS/DG/APO etc...etc.
My sweetie - Nikon D7100 Tamron 150-600

Same aperture..... Same aperture, Same ISO... her IQ was much better than mine.

The only difference was she was on spot metering and I was on average

I sure wish Pentax would get serious and make some of these other Lense manufactures take notice and produce glass for us.

Also - i was sure hoping they would have made a FF to compete or possibly smoke the Sony mirrorless..

I'm pondering the FF when it comes out. (After the price goes down and stabilizes of course) .......
Any solid specs on this one yet?
Is the primary benefits of a full frame higher ISO ?

[Adam]

Is the primary benefits of a full frame higher ISO ?

That and better image quality all-around, since the sensor is more than twice as large.

I think in this case the difference can more likely be attributed to the lens. The 50-500mm isn't that amazing beyond 300mm or so, based on my experience.

[luftfluss]

Same aperture..... Same aperture, Same ISO... her IQ was much better than mine.

Somewhere in this post there's a joke to be made about intelligence, but my IQ isn't high enough to figure it out...

Would you consider switching to Nikon, that way it's easier to share lenses?

[kentster]

We considered that -

Would you consider switching to Nikon, that way it's easier to share lenses?

Don't get me wrong... in certain scenarios I love my Pentax K3 and K20D. I just wish it was even playing field and had the same lenses to pick from

[Alex645]

That and better image quality all-around, since the sensor is more than twice as large.

I think in this case the difference can more likely be attributed to the lens. The 50-500mm isn't that amazing beyond 300mm or so, based on my experience.

Assuming you and your wife are equally good photographers, I agree that the biggest differences you may be seeing is the glass, not the cameras. Your 50-500mm is working a 10x magnification vs. the 150-600mm 4x on the other.

[r0ckstarr]

You have a K3. Instead of a new camera, why not just get a better lens? Problem solved.

[jrpower10]

I don't think the Op is saying he has a camera issue. I think he's saying he has a lens choice issue, i.e. Tamron won't give us the 150-600 in a K-mount so he can't use it like his Nikon-shooting spouse. I agree with him that I'd really like to see more third-party support of the Pentax system (the 150-600 was on my list too, but can't get it). The real point of the post is how do we get more third-party lens support so we can take advantage of ALL the fine glass Sigma and Tamron are producing (BTW, I also pined for 3 years the fact I couldn't get the new Sigma 120-300, so this isn't a new issue).


For the Op, he could invest in a Nikon body to use with specific glass his spouse owns. That's a way around it, and I suppose the rest of us could do the same, but I'd much rather not carry 2 systems and have to drag around another body. It's a well-discussed issue that won't get resolved unless the lens makers see a profit in it.

[luftfluss]

You have a K3. Instead of a new camera, why not just get a better lens? Problem solved.

Sure! So, what 500mm+ zoom lens is available for Pentax better than his Bigma?

---------- Post added 12-01-15 at 08:56 PM ----------

Assuming you and your wife are equally good photographers, I agree that the biggest differences you may be seeing is the glass, not the cameras. Your 50-500mm is working a 10x magnification vs. the 150-600mm 4x on the other.

Eh, what? 600mm is only 20% greater than 500mm.

[Imp]

You have a K3. Instead of a new camera, why not just get a better lens? Problem solved.

Sure! So, what 500mm+ zoom lens is available for Pentax better than his Bigma?

closest is the 150-450... but not 500, no better lens at 500. Unless you get the HD 1.4tc, which makes it a 630 f/8, rather slow

[r0ckstarr]

Sure! So, what 500mm+ zoom lens is available for Pentax better than his Bigma?[COLOR="Silver"]

He's using 50-500. She has 150-600. Why does he have to have only one lens to cover that much range on an interchangeable lens camera? The Sigma 500mm will blow the 50-500 away at 500mm. Get other lenses to fill in the rest of the focal range. Expensive, yes. Even more expensive would be the FA* 250-600mm, if you can find one. Good quality long glass isn't cheap.

If cost is the issue, a cheaper solution would be the 150-450. It is only 50mm less than the 500 he's using now and has much better IQ. Seems like a decent compromise for better quality photos.

[VoiceOfReason]

From what I've heard even the 150-500 is better than the 50-500, especially the first generation one, but yes, I do plan on getting the 150-450 unless Tamron releases the 150-600 in Pentax mount, and I am hopeful they will with teh forthcoming FF and with their work with Pentax on the new 24-70.

The FA* 250-600 f/5.6 is one of my dream lenses.

[Imp]

unless Tamron releases the 150-600 in Pentax mount

pls pls pls pls pls yes!!!

[Alex645]

Sure! So, what 500mm+ zoom lens is available for Pentax better than his Bigma?

---------- Post added 12-01-15 at 08:56 PM ----------



Eh, what? 600mm is only 20% greater than 500mm.

I'm not a math whiz, but a 50-500mm lens is mathematically changing the focal length 10x (50x10=500), whereas a 150-600mm lens is only 4x (150x4=600). In the same way an 18-55mm is inherently less compromised at 3x vs. an 18-300mm at nearly 17x.

[luftfluss]

I'm not a math whiz, but a 50-500mm lens is mathematically changing the focal length 10x (50x10=500), whereas a 150-600mm lens is only 4x (150x4=600). In the same way an 18-55mm is inherently less compromised at 3x vs. an 18-300mm at nearly 17x.

Oh, I see what you mean now. I'd never heard (or read) anyone refer to the the range of a zoom expressed as "magnification" before this.

---------- Post added 12-01-15 at 10:43 PM ----------

He's using 50-500. She has 150-600. Why does he have to have only one lens to cover that much range on an interchangeable lens camera? The Sigma 500mm will blow the 50-500 away at 500mm. Get other lenses to fill in the rest of the focal range. Expensive, yes. Even more expensive would be the FA* 250-600mm, if you can find one. Good quality long glass isn't cheap.

If cost is the issue, a cheaper solution would be the 150-450. It is only 50mm less than the 500 he's using now and has much better IQ. Seems like a decent compromise for better quality photos.

I'm making the assumption that the OP and his wife are shooting wildlife. I could be way wrong, of course. But, if you are a good and enthusiastic wildlife shooter, there will be times when 500mm is too long (I know this from much experience) and you won't have the opportunity to change lenses. And, toting multiple teles is burdensome.

The Pentax 150-450 would be good, yes. It's a shame it's nearly twice as much as the Tammy 150-600, which seems to be a very fine lens for the price.

---------- Post added 12-01-15 at 10:48 PM ----------

We considered that -

Don't get me wrong... in certain scenarios I love my Pentax K3 and K20D. I just wish it was even playing field and had the same lenses to pick from

Yeah, many of us have that lament. I don't see the situation changing near-term, though. Even if the upcoming Pentax FF is a world-beater, it will take a couple years to build a large user base.

[kentster]

I'll do some checking and see what the Sigma 500 runs...i think it's pretty pricey. I would for Tamron to make the 150-600 for us Pentaxians. Not holding my breath.....we'll see.