Sigma 70-300 vs Pentax 55-300 vs Pentax 50-200

[pihe]

Hello Pentaxians, please help me with this dilemma. I currently own a Pentax 50-200 which is a great lens but sometimes I find the long end a bit short. I haven't really found sample pics or a review about the Pentax 55-300 that has been released recently - though it's a bit pricey when compared to the 50-200 but still affordable. On the other side, a few friends own the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5,6 Apo DG, unfortunately all of them are using the other two camera brands. Some say it's a nice mid-class lens but Sigma and me never had that big friendship. I have an oooold Sigma 75-300 f/4-5,6 DL (produced in the early 1980s, extremely bulky, extremely hard to use) and the quality is quite far from perfect.

What's your opinion, which is better: swap the 50-200 for the Sigma, or give the extra money for the 55-300, or keep the 50-200 and try to be happy with the 200mm end? )

Thanks in advance!

[calsan]

Just to confuse the issue, the difference between 200mm lens and 300mm lens is not that great on an APS camera:  8.2° to 5.5° angle of view.
To get the idea: looking at your own hand span at full arms length shows 15° (test this: horizon to 90° azimuth is 6 hands at arms length.)
200mm lens shows half a hand's field of view, 300mm lens shows 1/3 hand's field of view.

(The hand span is a neat trick for bush navigation, star gazing and guessing the time without a watch.)

I like my Sigma APO 70-300, but it's the only long lens I have.  If I had the money for a 70-200 F2.8, I'd get that instead as the extra stops are more useful than the extra length.

[Roberts]

Calsan is right. There is no big difference between 200mm and 300mm on aps-c camera. You said You have friends with 70-300 lenses in other brands. You can ask Your friend to give You a camera with this lens for a minute, then turn zoom ring to 200mm, look in viewfinder, and turn zoom ring till the end (to 300mm) and You will see the very little difference. And this is the answer - stay with your 50-200 and, if You need long end very much, better save for sigma 50-500.

[pihe]

Thanks for the prompt replies! The Sigma 50-500 is a dream and I don't really need that focal length. Anyway, your comments were really helpful, especially calsan's measuring technique was handy. Thanks, have a nice day.

[sooming]

Alternatively, you may wanna consider the Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 Di. It's a good lens for less price than the Sigma equivalent. I've used two copies, and they are good, even at 300mm.

[Sammy Sung]

the sigma 70-300 is a great lens its cheap and its worth every penny

the 50-200 kit lens is good as well as for the difference in focal length it is not a lot but its still longer

and of course you have the excellent macro function as well which becomes 1:1 with a cheap 2x converter

these photos are all taken through a filthy window so dont judge them for quality except the macro which was taken outside yesterday

Id buy another 70-300 sigma or tamron if mine broke and yes id take it over the 50-200 kit lens in a minute

this is only one mans opinion but what the heck

Rob

photos are at 190mm

300mm

600mm with 2x converter

lastly 1:2 macro

[Huato]

I have the SIgma 70-300, I felt the Sigma produce a bit mute color when shooting towards backlite object. I don't know about Tamron. But I borrow Tamron 70-300 from friend occationally when shooting together.

The Tamron 70-300 auto focus faster than the noisy Sigma 70-300.

But the purple fringing of Tamron 70-300 is a nightmare if you shot high contrast scene. Sigma 70-300 got more tamed purple fringing & CA.

Sigma 70-300 color a bit warmer, Tamron 70-300 a bit cooler.

Both plastic feel, but Sigma a bit solid.

Below are sample shots from DA55-300, the image quality is much better than Tamron & Sigma. An affordable way to get pro quality.
http://www.photomalaysia....ad.php?t=51806&page=2

[shark81]

What do you thing about  55 300  I want to buy that lens.Do you prefer or anybody have photos example for big size  it  Oo)

[pihe]

Shark81, I'll hopefully get one tomorrow. I will post a few example shots late this week or the beginning of next week.

[shark81]

Thank you very much  by the way  I am waiting for you.

[Mike Pearson]

I have had the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro which was excellent but I have recently replaced it with the new Pentax DA 55-300mm. I find the Pentax faster and lighter with a better build quality than the Sigma. I didn't use the Macro function all that often but one of my daughters now has the lens and loves it. I also have the Pentax DA 50-200 ED which I think is a great lens.

The 55-300 has mostly been used for railway photography so far and here are a couple of examples at 300mm and 55mm, also some flowers at 135mm.

Mike

[shark81]

Did you  compared  sigma and pentax  about image quality? I have sıgma but  I am not happy  because off built quality and it makes  a lot off noise.Thank you

[Mike Pearson]

I did not experience noise with the Sigma but it was bigger, heavier, and the zoom was stiffer than the Pentax. I think that when it comes to comparisons of the Pentax, Sigma and Tamron lenses it is purely a matter of personal choice. Everyone will have there own preference. They are all excellent lenses with my personal preference being the Pentax - maybe I'm brand biased!

Here is an eaxample from the Sigma.

Mike

[calsan]

I remember Rob saying the sigma makes a sound like "Robo Cop".  That's exactly how mine sounds.    Oo)
I haven't noticed any softness at the long end of the zoom.
This is a good cheap & fun lens for use amateur bird spotting on the weekend: If there's enough light.
At 70mm it has excellent sharpness and, dare I say it, bokeh for portraits even.

It is a full frame lens, which makes it bigger than some of the alternatives.
Both photos below at 300mm end of the lens.

[shark81]

Thank you very much for information  and  how is bokeh  this lens  better than sigma or  similar? I like sharpness 55 300 good color  When I see your photos.