Lens problem

[sleipnerofasgard]

ok i'm looking for a bit of advice and info,had a bit of a disaster today which ended with damage to my camera lens but luckily the camera was ok as the lens appears to have taken the brunt of it,anyway i had been saving for a new lens and this looks like speeding that process along.
the lens luckily was not that expensive as the repair to it would cost only slightly less than replacing itand as i have only had it six months i was wondering whether it was worth trying to claim on it? but in the event of being without a lens i have three options so any advice would be welcome,option one i can replace said lens with a similar one as i was very happy with it,option two i could go all out and get the bigma i have been saving for so any advice on suppliers and prices would help and thirdly buy a lens somewhere in between.
i was looking in my local wilkinsons and he suggested a Tokina AF 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 for around £440 but i didn't notice any pentax fit when i was looking around the net,or should i get a shorter lens with an f 2.8 to go with a TC which i already have.
seeing as i'm reduced to using a 200mm lens with my TC and the auto focus couldn't find my thumb in an empty room
i would be extremely grateful for any and all advice.
the only good news was my first sighting of a wheatear today before the tragedy struck

[glsammy]

From what I've read that lens is one to avoid. It's also had bad reviews in magazines. Here's some example shots: Tokina 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AT-X AF Lens Sample Photos and Specifications
Not very impressive.
If your hankering after a Bigma, getting this one wont take that hankering away!

[sleipnerofasgard]

Cheers for that graham that is one option of the list

[RichBrew]

Making an insurance claim for the damaged lens (as long as it's covered) should be your first consideration, because as you say, you are happy with the lens for the time being. Getting an f/2.8 lens short telephoto to use with a TC will be an expensive second option: these lenses don't come cheap, whoever makes them.

I'd take Graham's advice, and stick to the plan and get the Sigma lens, as it's the one you really want. It is false economy to buy stop-gap equipment, and it will cost you more in the long run.

RichBrew

[sleipnerofasgard]

thanks richbrew ,i think my mind was already made up to go down that track ,now all i need is a reliable and cheap distributor as there is bound to be one of those around £719 is the cheapest i've seen so far ah well beggars can't be choosers

[Geoff F]

If I remember correctly, somebody recently said that they got a good deal on that lens from Bristol Cameras. Making an insurance claim is often not worth while for smaller items as they will increase your premium next year. It all depends on exactly what the policy small print says.

[sleipnerofasgard]

Thanks geoff i have checked that option and it's a no goer and the price i quoted was indeed bristol cameras so they are looking favourite at the moment but still looking

[barquar]

Got mine second hand from Harbour 48 or might have been 49 from that well known auction site, Got it for £ 400 plus £19-00 p/p with case lens caps and filter.
Barquar

[sleipnerofasgard]

Sounds interesting Barquar i shall have a look ,was that a private seller or a company name?

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by glsammy

From what I've read that lens is one to avoid. It's also had bad reviews in magazines. Here's some example shots: Tokina 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AT-X AF Lens Sample Photos and Specifications
Not very impressive.
If your hankering after a Bigma, getting this one wont take that hankering away!

yep the tokina is best avoided - the other one to give the swerve too is the cosina/vivitar 100-400 which is imo terrible and not worth even its budget price.

if you are looking arround 400 notes max you could do worse than the sigma 135-400 , which can be had for in the region of 370 (mifsuds, srs etc) - its not as good as the bigma but its half the price and probably the best of the budget selection.