What to expect from the DA* 60-250mm compared to Sigma 50-500mm OS HSM

shaolin panda · 03-19-2012, 02:16 PM

Hello everybody,

I purchased a Pentax K200D a couple years ago along with a Pentax DA 18-250mm lens. I've been fairly happy with the quality of the pictures but on recent trips I wanted more reach for wildlife photos. Since I'm going to the Everglades in 2 weeks I wanted a long zoom lens and the Sigma 50-500mm got decent reviews after the redesign so I pulled the trigger and got it. Overall I was not satisfied with the lens even mounting it onto a tripod in bright daylight with a fast shutterspeed. I noticed some haloing around the edges of my objects(I guess this means it's soft?). I also felt the bokeh was not that beautiful which people talked about in the reviews. I did not feel that it was usable so I am returning it.

So here is my question - Would I be better off purchasing the DA* 60-250mm F4 and cropping my subjects or in the future when Pentax comes out with a decent 1.4 teleconverter sacrifice a stop and get more reach with the DA* optics? Also it would complement my K200D which is weather sealed since the DA* lens are as well.

Currently in my mind I feel the DA* 50-135mm and DA* 60-250mm is worth investing from all the rave reviews but the DA*16-50mm maybe I should wait for something better or go with the DA 12-24mm or DA Limited 15mm?

I apologize my post is all over the place but any input on any of these topics above would be helpful.

**jac** · 03-19-2012, 03:27 PM

I have them both. Overall, I prefer everything about the 60-250mm (with th AF 1.7) except ultimate reach. I walk a lot and the Bigma is BIG. Even if it's the only lens of the day, you know it's there after a few minutes. I've some luck hand-holding but I'm getting on so CIF birds are darned near out of the picture - pun intended. And the IQ of the 60-250mm is superior across the board and reasonable to handle off the tripod. All that being said, if you have the Bigma stabilized on a tripod or even a monopod, it can produce some pretty nice images. To me, the question would be "Do you need the extra reach?" if you're after song-birds and squirrels, probably yes. Or nesting Egrets and Herons.
Reach versus versatility. You'll have to decide.

**wizofoz** · 03-19-2012, 04:10 PM

I have no experience with the Sigma 50-500, but I have both the Sigma 150-500 and Pentax 60-250. If I assume the 50-500 and 150-500 are simmilar in IQ then I agree with you about the quality of the pictures the Sigma's take. They lack 'punch'. I'm not sure if it is micro contrast, colour saturation or just inferior galss, but I can tell the difference between a sigma shot and a Pentax shot immediately.

I only use the Sigma when I need the reach, the 60-250 is far and away a better lens in every sense. I posted a few sample pics from the DA* 60-250 here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/73997-da-club-60.html#post1865935

JinDesu · 03-19-2012, 04:20 PM

Sorry to interject - the above two posters: I think he's asking specifically if cropping the 60-250 to equal reach will provide better pictures than his 50-500.

**jac** · 03-19-2012, 05:49 PM

O.K. In my option, the answer is yes. But I seldom pixel peep. I happen to prefer the colour in Pentax.

bossa · 03-19-2012, 06:15 PM

The 50-500 is a much better lens than the 150-500 and I still can't work out why Sigma didn't make that 150-500 the premier lens. But I doubt either of them are a match IQ wise for the 60-250.

shaolin panda · 03-20-2012, 09:31 AM

Thank you for your input gentlemen(assuming all men). Everybody's thought process and input is very valuable to me since I don't have anybody close to talk to about Pentax gear. Everybody is Nikon, Canon or Medium format users. It's sometimes hard to ask them specific questions since they think their gear is the best and they don't know Pentax at all. Thank you again everybody.

Also what does everything think about the future in APS-C sensors? Would APS-C in the future rival Medium format sensors of today?

**jac** · 03-21-2012, 04:51 PM

I ain't touchin' that one :-)

03-19-2012, 02:16 PM	#1
shaolin panda New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Diamond Bar, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 7	*What to expect from the DA 60-250mm compared to Sigma 50-500mm OS HSM** Hello everybody, I purchased a Pentax K200D a couple years ago along with a Pentax DA 18-250mm lens. I've been fairly happy with the quality of the pictures but on recent trips I wanted more reach for wildlife photos. Since I'm going to the Everglades in 2 weeks I wanted a long zoom lens and the Sigma 50-500mm got decent reviews after the redesign so I pulled the trigger and got it. Overall I was not satisfied with the lens even mounting it onto a tripod in bright daylight with a fast shutterspeed. I noticed some haloing around the edges of my objects(I guess this means it's soft?). I also felt the bokeh was not that beautiful which people talked about in the reviews. I did not feel that it was usable so I am returning it. So here is my question - Would I be better off purchasing the DA* 60-250mm F4 and cropping my subjects or in the future when Pentax comes out with a decent 1.4 teleconverter sacrifice a stop and get more reach with the DA* optics? Also it would complement my K200D which is weather sealed since the DA* lens are as well. Currently in my mind I feel the DA* 50-135mm and DA* 60-250mm is worth investing from all the rave reviews but the DA*16-50mm maybe I should wait for something better or go with the DA 12-24mm or DA Limited 15mm? I apologize my post is all over the place but any input on any of these topics above would be helpful.

03-21-2012, 04:51 PM	#8
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	I ain't touchin' that one :-) Last edited by jac; 03-21-2012 at 04:52 PM. Reason: Sp.

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03-19-2012, 03:27 PM	#2
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	I have them both. Overall, I prefer everything about the 60-250mm (with th AF 1.7) except ultimate reach. I walk a lot and the Bigma is BIG. Even if it's the only lens of the day, you know it's there after a few minutes. I've some luck hand-holding but I'm getting on so CIF birds are darned near out of the picture - pun intended. And the IQ of the 60-250mm is superior across the board and reasonable to handle off the tripod. All that being said, if you have the Bigma stabilized on a tripod or even a monopod, it can produce some pretty nice images. To me, the question would be "Do you need the extra reach?" if you're after song-birds and squirrels, probably yes. Or nesting Egrets and Herons. Reach versus versatility. You'll have to decide.

03-19-2012, 04:10 PM	#3
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	I have no experience with the Sigma 50-500, but I have both the Sigma 150-500 and Pentax 60-250. If I assume the 50-500 and 150-500 are simmilar in IQ then I agree with you about the quality of the pictures the Sigma's take. They lack 'punch'. I'm not sure if it is micro contrast, colour saturation or just inferior galss, but I can tell the difference between a sigma shot and a Pentax shot immediately. I only use the Sigma when I need the reach, the 60-250 is far and away a better lens in every sense. I posted a few sample pics from the DA* 60-250 here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/73997-da-club-60.html#post1865935

03-19-2012, 04:20 PM	#4
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Sorry to interject - the above two posters: I think he's asking specifically if cropping the 60-250 to equal reach will provide better pictures than his 50-500.

03-19-2012, 05:49 PM	#5
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	O.K. In my option, the answer is yes. But I seldom pixel peep. I happen to prefer the colour in Pentax.

03-19-2012, 06:15 PM	#6
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	The 50-500 is a much better lens than the 150-500 and I still can't work out why Sigma didn't make that 150-500 the premier lens. But I doubt either of them are a match IQ wise for the 60-250.

03-20-2012, 09:31 AM	#7
shaolin panda New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Diamond Bar, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thank you for your input gentlemen(assuming all men). Everybody's thought process and input is very valuable to me since I don't have anybody close to talk to about Pentax gear. Everybody is Nikon, Canon or Medium format users. It's sometimes hard to ask them specific questions since they think their gear is the best and they don't know Pentax at all. Thank you again everybody. Also what does everything think about the future in APS-C sensors? Would APS-C in the future rival Medium format sensors of today?