From time to time this lens (FA 80-320) gets regular bashing, and apparently from the same Sigma proud owners. I'd like to hear from someone who actually owned both Pentax and Sigma tell us his impressions. Published tests don't give neither lens a significant edge at the long end. Sigma is sharper in the center (300 mm only), while Pentax is more homogeneous across the frame and sharper wide open.
In my experience, the Pentax delivers exceptional to excellent sharpness up to 200 mm, with little difference between wide open and f/11. Beyond that there's a significant fall in sharpness but *only* at infinity. Closer than 10 meters, the lens is still very good and can sustain 11x enlargements. General contrast holds on very well and so does wide-open performance. Add to these the fluid bokeh and the long manual focus throw and what more could you ask for the money? Servus, Alin Joseph wrote: JT> I haven't tried the Pentax - because Pentax's offerings in this range JT> don't get many great comments. The F/FA 80-200 f4.7-5.6 and the older JT> SMC F 70-210 are sharper lenses (I have them both) but don't have the JT> reach. I can recommend the Sigma if you can work around its limitations JT> at 300 mm. I think anything else you look at will have similar JT> limitations at the long end, and perhaps won't be as sharp as the Sigma. JT> I'm happy with it so far. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
