Looking for a new lens for my Pentax

cian1500ww

Hey guys, recently got a Pentax K-M with the standard 18-55mm lens. I was thinking of getting a 70-300mm lens or similar for it for motorsport shots. Anyoe any ideas ?

EDIT: Just seen this one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.ie/SIGMA-PENTAX-auto-focus-Lens-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-DG-Macro_W0QQitemZ370153343451QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item562edbc9db&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A2|294%3A50

Any ideas on what it'd be like ??

jen_23

That's a good price for that lens.
I bought it in the US last year and paid more.

I find that lens good and get loads of use out of it.

cian1500ww

jen_23 wrote: »

That's a good price for that lens.
I bought it in the US last year and paid more.

I find that lens good and get loads of use out of it.

Hi mate, thanks for that, how do you find the focusing speed of it ??

TJM

The Sigma is a great lens with the advantage of macro. The Pentax 55-300 is also very good - in my experience noticeably sharper - but doesn't have macro which can be annoying for certain shots. If getting the Sigma, make sure it's the APO version not the cheaper version which has quite a lot of chromatic aberration.

cian1500ww

TJM wrote: »

The Sigma is a great lens with the advantage of macro. The Pentax 55-300 is also very good - in my experience noticeably sharper - but doesn't have macro which can be annoying for certain shots. If getting the Sigma, make sure it's the APO version not the cheaper version which has quite a lot of chromatic aberration.

Whats the difference between the APO and standard ? I'd be looking at getting the standard one.

coylemj

Looks like there is a standard (non-APO) version of the Sigma 70-300mm for Pentax on sale over on adverts. Note that the photo of the lens shows it with the red band near the front of the lens which indicates the APO model but this is probably a stock photo as the ad. doesn't mention APO.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=117465&cat=51

cian1500ww

coylemj wrote: »

Looks like there is a standard (non-APO) version of the Sigma 70-300mm for Pentax on sale over on adverts. Note that the photo of the lens shows it with the red band near the front of the lens which indicates the APO model but this is probably a stock photo as the ad. doesn't mention APO.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=117465&cat=51

Its the DG one I think, has DG on the box anyways. If he accepts the offer I'll take it but I won't go any higher I don't think.

AnCatDubh

I know you are hoping to do motor sport - i haven't done that myself but the following might give you the jist of how it performs.

All the following on the Pentax K20D with the Sigma 70-300 DG Macro.

At last weeks Rás that lens gave me this @ 190mm focal length;



I had the shutter cranked up way (no really waaaayyyyy) too much so some of the distortion is actually sensor noise rather than anything to do with the optics of the lens.

I have to admit being a little surprised (plesantly) by the lens performance which although a proud owner I didn't rate overly high. I was shooting on continuous focus and continuous shooting and it did a reasonable job considering the speed at which the Rás boys flew by.

More samples from this model lens at the Rás are here;

@300mm - a focal length which I try to avoid due to aberration but I was happy enough with the result.



Lighting wasn't perfect on the dog but still it performed fine - not exceptional but not bad at all.

a high contrast b/w version of this here (a little processed / a little unsharp applied)

A black and white of a candid portrait taken with it again @ 300mm which has its aberration;



All the above were taken with the Pentax K20D and the Sigma 70-300 DG Macro.

The following are all taken with the older brother - the Pentax *ist DL and the same Sigma 70-300 DG Macro.

A macro taken a good while back for a boards challenge to demonstrate bokeh;



Again focal length @ 300mm / used macro setting as far as I can recall which by the way works in the 200mm - 300mm range (funny considering the 300mm is one i try to avoid i appear to be posting lots with that range - ah well warts and all).

Out at the other end of the focal length (again that which you should avoid) you get this;



70mm.

Click in on it and go to sizes in pix.ie and select original size which will demonstrate the aberration particularly visible along the lines of the white shirt.

The sweet spot of it should be a bit like this but i can still see the aberration in close - could also have been the intensity of white lit by the sun and my poor metering :pac:;



During the snow it also did a reasonable job on this again @ 300mm (note to self - stop cranking the zoom ;



The processing that I would generally dabble in is crop, contrast/curves/or levels, saturation, and brightness. So to varying degrees you'll be able to fill in for any flaws in the lens with a little post processing (i don't spend too much time at it - maybe that tells ).

Hope the above helps.

cian1500ww

Thanks mate, I appreciate that

cian1500ww

Ordered the Sigma non-APO version from Pixmania.ie, should be here in a few days so I'll post up a few pics then. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

melekalikimaka

photoshop does a great job in correcting ca imo.. i wouldnt make ca a deal breaker