[normhead]

I was just watching some of the Toronto Star photography videos, this one is awesome.

Zooming from 400 to 200 without interrupting the tracking... and your 1.4 TC built in working from a switch.. Holy mackerel Andy. All for the price of "a small compact car".

Video | MasterGlass 52: Baseball's new best friend | Toronto Star

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Last edited by normhead; 07-03-2014 at 06:49 AM.

[DSims]

My favorite part was how he showed the "space needle"-like structure as a not-so-subtle reference to the price of the lens!


I never really thought before about how much having the TC built-in makes sense, because you can switch it on the fly during action shooting.


Also, does it strike anyone as odd that he previously "needed" the f/2.8 at 400mm, but now all of a sudden f/4 is fine (or f/5.6 at 560mm - sound like a familiar lens, anyone?). Looking briefly at the most expensive Canon lenses at B&H, I was surprised by a couple of observations:

1) The 400/4 is said by some reviewers to not be as sharp as the 500/4 (and probably not the 400/2.8 either). Don't you think Canon shooters should be hopping mad that they have to spend 2x the price for the 400/2.8 when they don't really need the faster aperture? By comparison, the Pentax *300 f/4 or f/4.5 lenses have excellent IQ that's close to the FA*300/2.8 (if not quite as good).

2) The Canon long lens lineup isn't actually as extensive as I always imagine it in my head. In addition to the new 200-400 zoom, there's the 800, the 600, the 400, and the 500 (all fast, expensive, and high IQ). That's it. One of each. All high-quality, well-executed lenses. The 400/4 DO is reportedly inferior, and the 300/2.8 is familiar territory to Pentaxians.

In other words, if Pentax would just bring back the *250-600/5.6 and brought out a long f/4 (either 400, 500, or 600mm), they'd be back in the game. Especially if they upgrade the focusing motors (for sports AF speed) in the DA*200 and 300. The 560/5.6 is kind of an oddball hanging out there that seems to disrupt a good game plan. Hopefully they have some of this waiting in the wings, which just didn't seem sensible until they had a FF DSLR or two. Maybe Pentax could be "weird" and create a 450/4 or something.



It would also be nice if that ~135-380 (or whatever it is) on the roadmap were fast enough to be a * lens. Perhaps they could build in something like their nice new 1.4x TC like Canon did and add $500 to the price (perhaps even more, because it'd probably be of the old dedicated Rear Converter L quality). In fact, why not even build a 400/4 with a built in TC and make a lot of people happy (which could be marketed as a FF lens which could quietly replace the 560/5.6 as well)?


In fact, a 400/4 with a built-in 1.4x TC, along with a revamped 600/4 with a built-in TC would give them 560/5.6 and 840/5.6 as well - effectively covering all the prime needs with two lenses. Pentax can't afford to engineer 4 primes here, so it wouldn't be lost sales - it would be gained sales by consolidating in this fashion. Alternately (since Canon's proven it's possible with the zoom) they can copycat the Canon 200-400/4 with built in TC, and make a 560/4 with built-in TC (for approximately 800/5.6).

[jogiba]

Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Built-in 1.4x 5176B002

If you need a longer reach or constant F2.8 there is the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8.

The Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Lens is a massive ultra-telephoto zoom lens that offers an impressive fast f/2.8 aperture throughout its entire zoom range, all the way up to 500mm. Combined with the included dedicated high-quality 2x teleconverter, this lens can be converted for use as a 400-1000mm f/5.6 lens. Now combine this with an APS-C sized digital SLR camera, and you're looking at approximately a 300-750mm f/2.8, or a 600-1500mm f/5.6 (with 2x teleconverter) lens.

This lens covers the widely used 200 to 500mm focal length range, and maintains its fast f/2.8 aperture over its entire zoom range. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all type of aberrations, and assure a high level of optical performance throughout its entire zoom range.

Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF Autofocus Lens 597101 B&H

Here are a couple of sample photos shot at 200mm and 500mm, both at f/2.8:



The Green Monster: A Look at the Sigma 200-500mm "Bazooka" Lens

[DSims]

If you need a longer reach or constant F2.8 there is the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8.

Thanks - that was so helpful to suggest replacing an 8 lb. lens with a 35 lb. lens that costs over twice as much!


"Roger Cicala reports that even when used with a 2x teleconverter for 1000mm images, the lens is “impressively sharp” — especially when stopped down."

Like "all" Sigma lenses, it's impressively sharp ... uh ... when stopped down!


I sincerely hope it was a focusing problem, as some of the comments suggested. Because it wasn't impressive. At all. I don't think I'd even buy it at half the price and half the weight of the Canon.

[jogiba]

Thanks - that was so helpful to suggest replacing an 8 lb. lens with a 35 lb. lens that costs over twice as much!


"Roger Cicala reports that even when used with a 2x teleconverter for 1000mm images, the lens is “impressively sharp” — especially when stopped down."

Like "all" Sigma lenses, it's impressively sharp ... uh ... when stopped down!


I sincerely hope it was a focusing problem, as some of the comments suggested. Because it wasn't impressive. At all. I don't think I'd even buy it at half the price and half the weight of the Canon.

Were did I suggest replacing the Canon lens ? If you have a hard time seeing it then here is exactly what I posted in bold :
If you need a longer reach or constant F2.8 there is the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8.

[DSims]

Were did I suggest replacing the Canon lens ? If you have a hard time seeing it then here is exactly what I posted in bold :
If you need a longer reach or constant F2.8 there is the Sigma 200-500mm F2.8.

My mistake. I assumed you were an average human being who'd never want to actually use that thing for more than a lark.

[jogiba]

My mistake. I assumed you were an average human being who'd never want to actually use that thing for more than a lark.

I guess you don't get out much.

[DSims]

I guess you don't get out much.

People posing with the lens is the most common thing I've ever seen done with it; when do people actually use it?

[jogiba]

500mm @f2.8
1000mm @f5.6

[DSims]

500mm @f2.8
1000mm @f5.6

I've looked at both of these sites; so far you've only proved my point.

[asp1880]

People posing with the lens is the most common thing I've ever seen done with it; when do people actually use it?

I think it's not intended for individuals but for organizations and government agencies. And they don't brag about their excursions with this behemoth.


Regards,
--Anders.

[rawr]

organizations and government agencies

Indeed. And it's not only for photos. I think the Lens Rentals blog mentioned that a TV station was using one of their big Sigma's for sports video.