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Options for long telephoto lens for full frame (K1)

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StevoP2

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I am considerung moving systems or maybe adding another one and am hoping to find an answer to this question: What kind of long telephoto lenses are available for Pentaxians, in particular for full frame (e.g. for the new K1). I am thinking something in the 400-600mm range.

What are my options in a nutshell?

Thanks all!

Stevo
 
StevoP2 said:
I am considerung moving systems or maybe adding another one and am hoping to find an answer to this question: What kind of long telephoto lenses are available for Pentaxians, in particular for full frame (e.g. for the new K1). I am thinking something in the 400-600mm range.

What are my options in a nutshell?
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I am not a long tele guy. Some other here will chime in. But, I would guess that Nikon and Canon have the upper hand there. At least for now.
 
StevoP2 said:
I am considerung moving systems or maybe adding another one and am hoping to find an answer to this question: What kind of long telephoto lenses are available for Pentaxians, in particular for full frame (e.g. for the new K1). I am thinking something in the 400-600mm range.
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Here are lists of current (and future) Pentax lenses:

DPReview - Pentax Lenses

Ricoh - K-Mount Line Up (PDF)

Steephill above identifies the main ones in this range. (I have the 150-450mm he mentions, and I used it a lot last summer for airshows and motor sports).

Sigma are (rightly) a popular supplier of telephoto lenses for Pentax users.

--
http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Barry_Pearson
 
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DA*300 & DA*200 but may not be long enough for you.
 
For out of production lenses, the Sigma 400mm apo tele macro is an older lens that would probably work very well on the K-1. Unfortunately, it's hard to find in k mount, but cheaper than a FA 400mm by far I would expect.

The DA 300mm looks hard to beat at current prices and with 36 megapixels, maybe 300mm is enough reach with ability to crop.
 
Hi StevoP2

I shoot birds. Yes, other wildlife too. Reach is important but field craft is even more vital. the DA 560mm is only topped by the Canon 600mm and C/N800mms (and the Tamron 150-600mm). I have toyed with them and trust me, the subjects I wanted, were still out of reach.

A wildlife shooter with a FF would want to have noise free/ less noisy images in low light (and high shutterspeeds) and the ability to have images one need not have to crop if possible; and if cropped, the crop holds up well.

In any which ways you look at it, you need to get in close, very close.

I wouldn't worry too much. The DA 560, the 150-450 and the DA* 300mm (with/ without TC) should hold you in good stead.
 
Arijit Banerjee said:
In any which ways you look at it, you need to get in close, very close.

I wouldn't worry too much. The DA 560, the 150-450 and the DA* 300mm (with/ without TC) should hold you in good stead.
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I'm not sure how close you mean by "close"! But I've got some decent bird photos with the DA*300mm. Here are two, in the Pentax 5IIs:

Red Kite at Gigrin Farm
Red Kite at Gigrin Farm

Gannet over stormy seas at Bempton Ciffs
Gannet over stormy seas at Bempton Ciffs

However, I bought the D FA 150-450mm as a replacement for (among other things) the DA* 300mm for when I got the K-1. I found a fixed 300mm too inflexible and not always long enough.

--

User:Barry Pearson - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
StevoP2 said:
What are my options in a nutshell?
Click to expand...
If you can think of going down the second hand lane, there are more options. Lately there have been a number of A* 600mm f5.6 (manual focus) on ebay. Right now there is an FA* 600mm f4 (autofocus) from Japan, and an FA*400mm f5.6. Non of them are cheap, but still not as expensive as the unused options from any manufacturer.

Kjell
 
miles green said:
To complete the list, a couple of Sigmas:

500 f/4.5

50-500 "bigma"

I'd pick one of the Pentaxes personally.
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I had the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG. I sent it back to SRS in part exchange for the new "D FA" lenses.

I think it is fair to say the design is showing its age. The Pentax D FA 150-450mm focuses far faster on a K-3II, is about 2 kilograms instead of about 3 kilograms for the Sigma, is fully weather sealed, etc. (It is also cheaper when new).

It it sharp and deservedly respected - but in my opinion simply not the best match for what I assume the K-1 will be.

(I've never used a Bigma. I know an expert photographer who likes it).
 
Lovely shots Barry.

'Close' is not easily defined. The size of the bird, its activity, nature and many more things come into play. The DA* 300mm (with and without TC) have given me numerous shots, some better than most and some worse.

If I get the K1, I would stick to the 300mm +TC and try getting closer. Or else get myself (I can dream) the 560mm.
 
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