Compact Backpack for Pentax K1 II w/Grip & Pentax 150-450 Lens

PortrayingLife wrote:

In terms of birding, may I ask what you think the 150-450 will deliver over the DA*300+HD1.4TC you bought (per DPR thread) in July 2019?

I'm asking because I have both and know the pro+cons. I prefer the K-1 II+300+1.4 kit

Just curious... M

Good question.  I don't know first hand, but I've read several threads on this forum and the "other forum" (and elsewhere).  I've encountered your opinion and the the opposite.  Maybe not exactly the opposite.  A common opinion is that the 300 by itself has better IQ when that's all the reach you need.  With the 1.4 some say it's sharper than the 150-450, while others (perhaps many others) say the exact opposite, with one person showing 2 shots of the same experimental subject, one with each of those setups - it showed a clearly sharper image with the 150-450.

But the main thing is that the 150-450 is considered by many to have faster and more accurate autofocus than the 300 (with or w/o 1.4) and have at least "close enough" IQ.  Maybe because it is a 2015 issue vs. a 2008 issue with improved AF technology.  (My 2018 [I think] issue 55-300 PLM definitely has faster, and probably more accurate, AF than my 300 F4, but of course not as good IQ.)  So better for fast moving birds.  And of course there's the option of combining the 1.4 converter with the 150-450 for even more reach when needed.  Also the versatility of a zoom is often desirable.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 300 F4.  Another common opinion that it's good to have both.  I plan to do some more shooting in the park before making a final decision about buying the 150-450.

-Bob