| Author: | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Posts: 99 | | Review Date: September 5, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $375.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Inexpensive, impressive long lens | | Cons: | It's huge and it weighs a ton. I call it the "baby Bigma". Slight IQ penalty when using OS mode 1. | | New Or Used: Used
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Especially for the $375 I got mine for, this lens is a no-brainer and an excellent inexpensive alternative to the D FA 150-450. Even at the $700-$900 they more typically go for, it's a decent choice.
I got mine so cheap due to a "blemish on the front glass" per seller, pic included in the listing, that turned out to be a smudge that was easily removed.
AF is slow but precise.
Has OS, there is a not huge, but noticeable penalty in IQ using it on mode 1. Haven't used it much it on mode 2, which is much less aggressive, and I suspect won't have as much of an IQ penalty.
I had no problem hand-holding it with OS off, using the 5-axis SR in the K-1, for this pic, a 100% crop:
At 400, F9. ISO 640. 1/250s. The 5-axis SR plus the lower pixel density in the K-1 makes all the difference, and I find the OS in the lens is largely unnecessary, but it's there if you want it which is nice.
Note, the above pic had to be resized to be uploaded to PF. The IQ took a hit. If you're in the "Pentaxians" facebook group, search Cullen Wassell's posts and you will find this pic in its full resolution at higher IQ.
If you find one of these, especially for cheap, just buy it, it's that good.
| | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2008 Location: Hradec Králové, Czech Republic Posts: 67 | | Review Date: April 4, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $493.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | autofocus, build quality, minimal focusing distance | | Cons: | caps | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-70
Autofocus: 10
New Or Used: Used
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Bought few months ago from a local guy pre-owned, price converted from CZK by current course. Overall I am really happy with this lens. Compared to Sigma 100-300/4 APO EX IF (non-DG version) this one is not as sharp, but everything other is better. Especially the AF - the non-DG 100-300 may refocus faster, when way off, but is noisy, hunts and does not focus precisely enough. The 120-400 focus may be described as smooth and sure in comparison and as a result is able to follow a moving object in CAF the best of all lenses I ever tried (but these were generally older lenses, except the set 18-135) . If I said the 120-400 is not as sharp as the 100-300, it just means the 100-300 is phenomenal (but only when precise focus is achieved), while 120-400 is still very good. Very well usable @400 wide open, although some loss of local contrast can be seen. Still, I stop down to 7.1 or better to 8 when possible. I do not agree this lens is heavy. Well built 400/5.6 can not be much lighter. Build is very reassuring, except the hood. The only really bad parts are the original caps - both front and back. Anything I ever used was better, the front one falls, the rear one has to be aligned precisely to put on - why when not needed with other makes? It is just a detail - as I started the review, I can repeat I am really happy with this lens.
A few photos with the lens from my posts, all more or less cropped and edited:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/434136-nature-firefl...ml#post5443900
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/435770-nature-sitta-...ml#post5479159
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/434129-nature-woodpe...ml#post5443863
EDIT: Some more photos in my Zonerama album - here you can zoom in to full resolution of the original (more than 1:1 actually, compared to viewing the same photo locally, probably depends on browser and OS settings of DPI), but give Zonerama time to load full detail, it is often blurred a second or two after zooming in. You can also look up EXIF. All photos developed from RAW with some sharpening, in few cases also some noise reduction, and taken handheld:
https://eu.zonerama.com/Tom44/Album/8326005 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Oamaru Posts: 49
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 31, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | zoom range, full frame, more compact than other bigmas | | Cons: | Heavy, Manual focusing while handheld | |
Was traveling to Tokyo, Japan and had planned to buy this lens there while planning the trip. In Tokyo I went to many of the famous camera shops and ended up at the well known MAP camera store in Shinjuku. There they had the lens on clearance (I knew this as I had checked online beforehand) and they had the last one in stock. Lucky me!
Sure got an extra discount for the last one and left pretty happy. The camera gear collection you see in stores there, old and new, you cannot find anywhere in the world! So much eye candy!
Well, onto the lens review. I have had this lens since May 2014 and seriously have not been able to take full advantage of it. Many different reasons. My Pentax K-30 broke while staying in India, so had no camera for a year to use the lens with. Also the lens is quite heavy, so have had to leave it home while traveling. I am not a tripod user and carrying it around in public transport and walking is just not fun.
For the few times I have used it, it is excellent! It is still better than carrying a 150-500mm Bigma which are just too big! Using an APS-C Camera gives me even longer focal length but I think for myself it may be an overkill.
Images are sharp when used with a tripod or if you have extremely strong and steady hands.
I would recommend this lens any day over the larger Bigmas but if you don't need the longer range, then better to go for a 70-200mm F2.8 lens which are much sharper, compact and faster.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Stoke-on-Trent Posts: 13
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 29, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $795.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | image quality, zoom range, OS ,HSM focussing ,Tripod mount doubles as carrying handle , Price | | Cons: | Weight | |
i bought this to do some wildlife and sports, what attracted me was the range, Image quality and the price.
On a cropped sensor such as my K-30 it is very very good ,and focusses very quickly and silently .
I was originally looking at getting a 70-200 but realised it would have the reach for the locations I am visiting , and with a teleconverter( although none available for Pentax in UK) it would be a 400mm f/5.6 so I decided to go for the 120-400 straight away , and realise it was the best choice I could've made.
It has excellent colour, contrast and a nice bokeh , the 77mm filter size also means that filters aren't overly expensive either . The build quality is superb and on a par with the top of the line EX lenses , but without the crinkle paint finish .
It is VERY heavy at over 2kg with the tripod mount in place , but the built in Os is very good and it is possible to shoot at around 1/60 sec and get blur free images .
I heartily recommend this lens to anyone wanting to get into wildlife , sports and not spend a vast amount of money.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2012 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 4, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, colourful, contrast | | Cons: | Manual focusing | |
I like this lens. There are some cosmetic defects like as weight or size, but this is tele-zoom these are its properties. Lens have f4.5 at only 120mm zoom. At longer focal lengths f5.6. With stabillizer you can take shots from hands but you need a good sunshine for short times of shutter. Its a really good idea to get a tripod.
I have only one bigger problem with this. Location of focusing ring. It is really hard manually focusing and moving lens with object 
Some photos:
Jay
Squirrel
Exploring
Surrendering
Swan
Battle on the riverFree flight | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $880.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Long reach, zoom range, IQ, sharp, great AF on K5 | | Cons: | Heavy, focus great on K5, no so fast on Kx or even K7 | |
I got this lens and used it on a K7 first. It was good, but the low ISO of the K7 did not allow for killer shutter speeds or fast AF. However, once on the K5, this lens became the A+ that it is. This is my carry at all times lens. I had to buy a lens crib from Adorama to carry at all times. I do recommend this lens. It is worth. Here are some samples with K7 and K5 taken at 400mm focal lenght:
K5-Sigma120-400-MourningDove2-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K5-Sigma120-400-compadres7a-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K5-Sigma120-400-jilgueros3-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K5-Sigma120-400-Finch1-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K7-Sigma120-400-gorrion101-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K7-Sigma120-400-finch102-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
K7-Sigma120-400-gorrion107-1 by Palenquero, on Flickr
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: February, 2011 Location: N-W of Poland Posts: 34
1 user found this helpful
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2008 Location: south africa, johannesburg Posts: 228
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | perfect focus, sharp at all focal lengths, excellent stabilisation for handheld pix | | Cons: | heavy, AF sometimes does not lock on but can be manually overridden | |
Sharp, sharp, sharp! Plus no CA and absolutely minimal distortion. What a lens, pity it is heavy but it has opened new doors for me. Handheld shots at 400mm! Amazing lens.
I use it with DxO software which tweaks the sharpness even further and can also adjust distortion but guess what, there is virtually no distortion to adjust. And one cannot see CA. This must be the best long lens for the money that one can buy.
The manual focus override when in AF mode is the icing on the cake.
If you've been thinking of going long, get this one - I'm using it with a 16mp sensor camera and it is a brilliant combo. I have an old Sigma 170 - 500mm APO lens and it is junk in comparison.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Gothenburg, aka Göteborg Posts: 233
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 30, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Excellent at its short end - sharp and nice bokeh | | Cons: | Not that excellent at its long end, and a bit heavy | |
I've had this for over two years, and while I've taken excellent photos with mine, the best have been at short distance and at 120 mm, but it is OK at its long end, but not amazing!
As with its bigger brother, the 150-500, it is a bit bulky, and not that easy to use without a monopod, but it is doable, thanks to its excellent OIS.
I think the 150-500 is overall better, but the very knowledgeable Sigma technician, that had to service my 120-400 the same day as I had bought it, thought the optical characteristics of the 120-400 were better than that of its bigger brother.
At minimum focal distance, and at the short end (120-150), it is quite amazing, but at the other end (towards 400) it is pretty soft.
Have not found any TC that works with it, and Sigma themselves say none of theirs work, if you are a Pentax user!
I use mine for bird and aircraft shooting, mostly, but it has kind of been superseeded by my 150-500!
Exchanged it for a zoom to my V1, both parties very pleased!
When you carry it around the lens changes from 120 to 400 unless you lock it -
a pity, but its bigger bother has the same tendences, if not that pronounced.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2008 Location: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia Posts: 589
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Zoom range versatility, light enough to travel with | | Cons: | Large & heavy | |
I originally did a review based on a lens owned by a friend of mine - he was having some difficulty getting used to it and I tried it out to find that his copy had a substantial front focus at 400mm. Once that was rectified with an in-camera adjustement, the results were outstanding.
I have since acquired my own copy of this lens because I wanted something in the super-telephoto range that I could easily travel with, and although my Sigma 500 f4.5 APO DG EX is just about perfect, it is rather large and heavy, and not so easy to travel with on airlines or hand hold.
My initial results with this lens were not so good and it took me a while to play around with the focus adjustments. My copy has a slight front focus at 400mm, so I have now applied a -2 focus adjustment. With that adjustment, the resuklts are just about as good as it gets, and it competes for sharpness with the 500 f4.5 APO DG EX sufficiently for me to not subjectively be able to tell the difference. While it doesn't quite have the reach of the 500, or the wider aperture that allows faster focusing, it does have great versatility.
Focus can be a little slower than I would like - it can take a while to lock focus, but I find it tracks well once locked on.
Additionally, it competes very well on price. I paid circa $6000 for the 500, but slightly less than $700 for the 120-400. If one wanted to get into birding and wanted a starter lens, I would readily recommend this lens. For shooting birds, I generally find I use both lenses at f6.3, both to get sufficient depth of field and also just to get that little extra bit of sharpness. Second photo is a 100% crop of the first. Taken at 400mm at f6.3.
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