Long-time Pentax user interested in wildlife photography
Sep 10, 2017 15:44:40 #
I'm Jim, a new Forum participant interested in wildlife photography. I've been a Pentax user for a very long time, and mostly satisfied with my results. For wildlife shooting, I am using a Pentax K-3 with an old Sigma 170-500mm zoom, and am not entirely satisfied with my results in this area. Two problems I seem to be facing are: 1) lack of sharpness when shooting at greater distances and the high end of the zoom range (usually with a tripod), and 2) slow focusing response when trying to shoot moving subjects. Actually, I guess there is a third concern as well: In addition to being slow, the focusing mechanism on this old Sigma is very noisy, to the extent that it has sometimes scared birds away before achieving focus. So I've been wondering if I need to replace the old Sigma zoom with a newer version (options seem to be the Pentax 150-450 zoom and the newest version Sigma 50-500). Can I expect to experience satisfactory focusing speeds and sharp images with one of these lenses on my K-3 or should I be considering jumping to another brand, say Canon or Nikon, to get the results I'm looking for?
Sep 10, 2017 16:43:40 #
JamesRBowman wrote:
I'm Jim, a new Forum participant interested in wil... (show quote)
From one Jim to another....Hellow from Mr PentaxK5ii, and welcome to the UHH. I have a K5ii, Kr and an older K10D, for wildlife I use a Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6. I shoot from land and a 14ft touring kayak. I have had good results with this set up. You might need to go to a newer lense, not shure when your lens came out. the pentax 150-450 is not cheap, but it's a much better lens, the Sigma 50-500 would be a better choice.
Sep 11, 2017 06:24:32 #
Sep 11, 2017 06:42:59 #
It all comes down to this..... good glass is the answer but it is an answer that is not cheap.
The K3 will do the job and it comes down to finding the lens to fit your situation. I have used the Sigma 50-500 (it was a loaner, I do not own it), and it did a fine job.
I use my Pentax 60-250 for the long shots but found I do not like hauling the tripod. It made a difference in my shots vs handheld.
The K3 will do the job and it comes down to finding the lens to fit your situation. I have used the Sigma 50-500 (it was a loaner, I do not own it), and it did a fine job.
I use my Pentax 60-250 for the long shots but found I do not like hauling the tripod. It made a difference in my shots vs handheld.
Sep 11, 2017 08:17:12 #
Sep 11, 2017 09:10:43 #
Welcome from Pennsylvania from a former K-100D, K-x, K-50 (died) and now K5IIs owner. I don't shoot wildlife so can't help you on that front. Always pleased to see another Pentax shooter!
Sep 11, 2017 09:39:59 #
Well since I forgot... welcome. It is nice to see fellow Pentax folks here.
Let us know what direction you go on the lens question.
See if you have a local camera shop that you might be able to rent lenses from to give them a field test and then make your decision.
Let us know what direction you go on the lens question.
See if you have a local camera shop that you might be able to rent lenses from to give them a field test and then make your decision.
Sep 11, 2017 10:48:16 #
Sep 11, 2017 12:49:29 #
Sep 11, 2017 13:20:54 #
Sep 11, 2017 13:45:10 #
JamesRBowman wrote:
I'm Jim, a new Forum participant interested in wil... (show quote)
I actually throw a new 50-500 Sigma in the trash, I had one it was badly front focusing, I send it in and the next one I got was badly back focusing. I had that one replaced (all under warranty) with a third one and that one was not focusing at all! At the time I was really mad about it and on the way home I threw it in a dumpster. A few hours later it made me feel sort of bad and I drove back to the dumpster, but it was gone already. But I got over it very fast, I really didn't loose anything ( I was not going to use it anymore anyway!The Pentax 150-450 looks like a nice lens!
Sep 13, 2017 09:41:47 #
Welcome! Looking forward to your posts and pictures. Happy shooting!
Sep 14, 2017 16:32:50 #
Hello, Everyone:
Thanks to you all for your responses to my question!
The overall message I'm hearing so far is that my K-3 should be fine for what I want to do, but that I may indeed want to consider a new lens. I think I'll experiment a bit more with what I have to see if I can improve on my results before taking the new lens plunge. (Yes, the Pentax 150-450 looks good, but so does the Sigma 50-500, which has a longer reach and is less expensive. I read positive responses from some of you on both of these; the response about throwing one of the Sigmas in the dumpster was a bit concerning, however...)
Thanks again. As requested, I'll let you know where I end up going with this.
Jim
Thanks to you all for your responses to my question!
The overall message I'm hearing so far is that my K-3 should be fine for what I want to do, but that I may indeed want to consider a new lens. I think I'll experiment a bit more with what I have to see if I can improve on my results before taking the new lens plunge. (Yes, the Pentax 150-450 looks good, but so does the Sigma 50-500, which has a longer reach and is less expensive. I read positive responses from some of you on both of these; the response about throwing one of the Sigmas in the dumpster was a bit concerning, however...)
Thanks again. As requested, I'll let you know where I end up going with this.
Jim
Sep 15, 2017 13:23:11 #
Welcome to the forum!!! 
I like Pentax, repaired and restored 6X7s for years!
I like Pentax, repaired and restored 6X7s for years!Sep 17, 2017 18:34:29 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.