Sigma and Tamron are the two largest third-party Pentax autofocus lens manufacturers.  As evidenced by our user lens reviews and in-depth reviews, a handful of Sigma and Tamron lenses are in fact highly-regarded and hold their ground against genuine Pentax counterparts. Unfortunately, given the minuscule market share of the Pentax K-mount DSLR system, the aforementioned lens manufactures have somewhat neglected Pentax in recent years.  Sigma has only been releasing a subset of its recent lenses for Pentax, while Tamron has ceased releasing new designs completely.  We thus decided to speak with Sigma and Tamron representatives at CP+ 2015 to see if this might change in the future. A Tamron representative at the show stated that Tamron is not considering any new Pentax products at the moment.  The company will continue to produce what current lenses it has for Pentax, but nothing new will be released. This means that it is unlikely that we will ever see Pentax versions of some of Tamron's latest lens designs. 

With that said, the SMC Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM is in fact a quietly-rebranded Tamron lens launched in 2012, so Pentax incarnations of future Tamron super zooms could potentially emerge through the same kind of partnership with Ricoh Imaging. In response to a question about a modern universal lens mount, Tamron stated that it has been considered, but no firm decision has been made. Now, let us move on to our discussion with Sigma representatives. Sigma currently has no plans to re-release additional lenses in the Pentax K-mount despite the recent full-frame DSLR announcement.  The following Global Vision lenses are only available in other mounts at this time (mainly Canon/Nikon/Sigma): Fortunately, we learned that production of older Sigma lenses for Pentax currently listed on the Sigma web site (such as the 8-16mm) has not ceased.  A notable exception to this is the 70-200mm F2.8 OS HSM, which was only discontinued in the Pentax mount.  We suspect that this lens will soon be replaced by a "Sports" version, however.

Sigma also stated that while production of the 150-600mm "Contemporary" in Pentax and Sony mounts has not been ruled out, it is currently not planned. We are still awaiting a follow-up to our inquiry about the inconsistent autofocus performance of the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 and we will therefore report on this separately. As with anything in the photo industry, it is entirely possible that Sigma's plans for Pentax could change from one day to the next, so we will be keeping a close eye on the company's press releases over the course of the coming months.  In the mean time, we plan to post in-depth reviews of the remaining Global Vision Lenses that we have not yet had a chance to examine, including the 18-200mm and 18-300mm "Contemporary".  We already have in-depth reviews of the following Global Vision Lenses:Find Lens Plates & Replacement Feet by Camera Brand The suggested plates below allow enough length to easily balance your lens in almost every configuration. The plates are generally at least ¾″ longer than the mounting foot of the suggested lens, allowing the attachment of a flash bracket to the top surface of the plate though these are only suggestions.

If you wish to buy a plate other than the one suggested, or if your lens is not listed, use the plate pictures and dimensions on each page to guide your selection or call 1-888-667-0559 and we’ll be happy to assist!costco targus backpack Looking for a quick release plate for a camera body? swissgear scansmart laptop backpack weightSee the Wimberley P-5 Universal Plate.55l backpack big enough Learn about Wimberley lens plate compatibility and features →tezenis backpack 50-300 4.5 AI-SP-20 70-180 MicroP-10 70-200 2.8 VRP-20 (1ef) 70-200 2.8 VR IIP-20 70-200 f4P-20 80-200 2.8P-10 80-200 2.8 AF-SP-10 80-400 VRP-10 200 2.0 VRP-20 200 4.0 Micro P-10 200 4.0 Macro P-10 (1ef) 200-400 f/4 VR II AP-554 (or P-40); awolnation backpack

for WH-200 AP-554 + AP-900; for SK-100 200-400 MF P-40 200-400 VR P-40, AP-553, ‡ 200-500 f/5.6 P-30 300 4.0 P-10 300 2.8 MF P-20 300 2.8 AF P-20 300 2.8 AF-I P-20 300 2.8 AF-S P-30 300 2.8 VR P-30 400 2.8 MF P-50 400 2.8 AF-I P-50 400 2.8 AF-S I AP-452 ‡ 400 2.8 AF-S II AP-452 ‡ 400 2.8 AI-S P-50 400 2.8 E FL ED VR P-40 or AP-554 400 2.8 VR AP-452 ‡ 400 3.5 MF P-30 500 4.0 E FL ED penshoppe backpack 2013VR P-50 500 4.0 MF P-30 500 4.0 AF-I P-40 500 4.0 AF-S I P-40, AP-553 ‡ 500 4.0 AF-S II P-40, AP-553 ‡ 500 4.0 AF-S VR P-40, AP-553, NR-52 ‡ 600 4.0 MF P-50 600 4.0 AF-I P-50 600 4.0 AF-S I AP-452 ‡ 600 4.0 AF-S II AP-452 ‡ 600 4.0 E FL ED VR P-50 600 4.0 VR AP-452, NP-61a ‡ 600 5.6 MF P-30 800 5.6 MF P-50 AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II NLF-250 AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II NLF-250 AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR II NLF-250 AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8G ED VR II NLF-460 AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4G ED VR II NLF-460 AF-S Nikkor 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR NLF-460

80-200 2.8 P-10 100-400 4.0 P-10 300 4.0 P-10 300 2.8 P-20 400 5.6 P-10 28-300 IS P-20 35-350 P-20 65 2.8 1-5x macro (w/ collar “B”) P-20 70-200 2.8 P-20 70-200 2.8L IS II P-10 70-200 4.0 P-10 70-300 4.0-5.6 L IS (w/ collar “C”) P-20 80-200 2.8 P-20 100 Macro collar P-20 100-400 P-20 100-400 4.5-5.6 L IS II P-10; for WH-200 anti-twist nubs to front of lens foot P-20; for SK-100 180 Macro P-20 200 1.8 P-20 200 2.0 P-20 200 2.8 w/opt. collar P-20 EF200-400mm f4L IS II 1.4x CLF-456 EF300mm f2.8L IS II CLF-300 EF 300mm f/2.8 IS II CR-30 300 4.0 P-10 300 4.0 IS P-20 300 2.8 P-20 300 2.8 IS P-30 400 5.6 P-20 400 4.0 DO P-20, CP-42 ‡ 400 2.8 P-50 400 2.8 IS P-50 (1rb), AP-602 ‡ EF400mm f2.8 IS CLF-456 EF400mm f2.8L IS II CLF-456 500 4.5 P-40 500 4.0 IS P-40 (1rb), CP-51b ‡ EF500mm f4L IS CLF-456 EF500mm f4L IS II CLF-456 600 4.0 P-50 (1rb) 600 4.0 IS P-50 (1rb), CP-61a, AP-602 ‡ 600 4.5 P-50 EF600mm f4 IS CLF-456 EF600mm f4L IS II CLF-456 800 5.6 P-50 (1rb), CR-80 ‡ 800 5.6 IS P-50 (1rb)

, AP-602 ‡ EF800mm f5.6L IS CLF-580 70-200 2.8 P-20 70-200 2.8 with collar P-10 150-600 5-6.3 P-30 180 Macro 2.8 P-10 200-400 5.6 P-10 200-500 5.6-6.3 P-10 300 2.8 P-20 TS-41 Foot and collar P-40 50-500 P-40 70-200 2.8 P-10 80-200 2.8 P-10 80-400 4.5 P-40 100-300 4.0 P-10 150 2.8 Macro P-20 150–600 Contemporary P-30 150–600 Sport P-50 120-300 2.8 P-20 120-400 HSM P-30 135-400 5.6 P-10 150-500 P-50 170-500 5.0 P-10 180 Macro P-10 300 4.0 P-10 300 2.8 P-20 300-800 5.6 P-50 (1rb) 400 5.6 P-10 500 4.5 P-30 (1rb) 500 4.5 HSM P-50 800 5.6 P-50 APO-TELYT-R Modular System 280-560P-40 (1rb) 400-800P-40 (1rb) 70-200 2.8 P-10 80-200 2.8 P-10 300 2.8 P-20 400 4.5 P-10 600 4.0 P-50 (2rb) Olympus (Zuiko Digital Lenses) 35-100 2.0 P-20 50-200 P-20 90-250 2.8 P-40 150 2.0 P-10 300 2.8 P-30 60-250 4.0 ED (IF) P-20 250-600 5.6 ED (IF) P-50 300 2.8 MF SMCP-A P-20 300 2.8 AF SMCP-FA P-30 400 4.0 ED (IF) P-30 400 2.8 ED(IF) P-30 500 4.5 MF SMCP P-40 560 DA 5.6 ED AW P-50 600 4.0 AF SMCP-FA P-50 800 6.7 IF SMCP-67 P-50 1200 8.0 MF SMCP-A P-50

70-200 2.8 P-20 70-200 4 P-20 500 4 P-40 70-400 P-20 300 2.8 P-30 Fasteners & Reducer BushingsYou may wish to purchase separate, extra fasteners with the plate in the quantity indicated.You may wish to purchase separate, extra reducer bushings with the plate in the quantity indicated. The recommendations for Sigma lenses assume the standard factory foot is installed on the lens. In some cases, Sigma sometimes installs their larger TS-41 Replacement Collar and Foot instead. Measure the length of the foot on your lens to ensure the suggested plate is correct; the plate should be about one inch longer than the foot on your lens. ‡ About Optional Replacement Lens Feet Custom low-profile replacement feet replace the factory foot on the rotation collar of your lens and also serve as the Arca-Swiss style quick-release plate for your lens. No additional quick-release plate is needed. It makes your lens handle better on a conventional tripod head, such as a ball head, and also makes it easier to pack.

Using replacement feet on your large lens decreases the overall height of the lens, lowering the center of gravity and achieving proper balance when used on a gimbal head. Replacement feet are specifically designed to allow for optimal gimbal head performance and may be required when using specific lenses on the Wimberley Sidekick and other side-mount heads. All our replacement feet are milled to slide right into an Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamp, and also have ¼″ and/or ⅜″ tapped holes for mounting to non-quick-release tripod heads and monopods. They have the same dual safety stops and flash bracket compatibility as most lens plates. All tools needed to replace your existing lens foot are included. Some lenses have multiple versions of replacement feet available; NatureScapes, Wimberley or 4th Generations Designs. In general the NatureScapes and 4th Generations Designs models offer more finger clearance than the Wimberley models but the 4th Generations models do not offer tapped holes for mounting to non quick release tripod heads and monopods.