Thanks for the kind words, John. Not sure what version of the lens you have, but mine is the early f/4-6.3 APO DG and it is definitely a good copy. I've heard others complain of the long end and usually they stop using it at 400-450mm. But I think many of them have the later f/4.5-6.3 (which most say is better than the earlier one). I can't say because mine is the only one that I have ever used.
I have heard people say that the 150-500mm is the one to have and it can be found at reasonable prices. B&H recently had a used one for $499. (You'd probably be able to sell yours and pick one of those up and leave money in your pocket). The only (slight) downside to that lens is that it is a bit slower: f/5-6.3. You'll find lots of examples of good IQ from it and people also like it because it is lighter than the Bigma (if memory serves). There is also a version of it with Optical Stabilization in the lens (for more money). Reviews of that one here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-150-500mm-f5-6-3-apo-dg-os-hsm.html On Fri, Nov 6, 2015 at 2:45 PM, Ken Waller <[email protected]> wrote: >> Nor, the nearly $6000 I'd need for a SMC Pentax-FA* 600mm F4 ED [IF], >> assuming I could even find one for sale. > > > And don't forget the tripod, gimbal head, backpack and sherpa to haul all > this around ! > > Kenneth Waller > http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/kennethwaller > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "John" <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: PESO: Beside the Platte River > > > >> On 11/5/2015 9:38 AM, Darren Addy wrote: >>> >>> Still looking for decent images from the myriad I took the day I was >>> birding with my sister a few weeks ago. I always knew that birds were >>> challenging subjects, but I certainly have a greater appreciation for >>> those that capture them after seeing what an incredibly high >>> percentage of reject images I got from that day. The whole experience >>> even has me eyeing those 256GB SD cards. I really only got a meager >>> handful of images that I would want to show anybody and most of them >>> are quite ordinary. >>> >>> This is certainly an ordinary bird and a pretty ordinary shot, but at >>> least it made it into the small pile that I care to show anyone. It is >>> a vertical crop from a horizontal image taken with the K-3 and the old >>> Sigma EX 50-500mm f4-6.3 APO DG. >>> >>> >>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/22777551706/in/dateposted-public/ >>> >>> Comments and criticism welcome in equal measure. >>> >> >> You're getting a lot better images out of your 50-500 than I've been >> able to get from mine. >> >> At the 500mm end, mine's just NOT very sharp. It's really disappointing >> because 500mm is the only focal length I need it for. From 300mm on down >> I have good, fast glass. >> >> I occasionally take a look at Sigma's 500mm f/4.5 prime, but it just >> depresses me, because I don't have $5000 to drop on a lens. I doubt I >> EVER will. >> >> Nor, the nearly $6000 I'd need for a SMC Pentax-FA* 600mm F4 ED [IF], >> assuming I could even find one for sale. >> >> Pentax used to make an 800mm f/4 and a 600mm f/4 for the 6x7 system. Has >> anyone here ever had a chance to try either of those out with the Pentax >> "Adapter K for 6X7 Lens"? If so, how was the image quality? >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Science - Questions we may never find answers for. >> Religion - Answers we must never question. > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. -- Life is too short to put up with bad bokeh. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
