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Find your perfect Lens
The HD Pentax 560mm F5.6 ED AW DC ($6999) super telephoto lens started shipping in the US just last week, and we are now in posession what we believe to be one of the first production examples of this lens. Today we have for you an unboxing video:
We will be posting some more first impressions later this week, so please stay tuned! This upcoming post will discuss things such as autofocus speed, general handling, and full-frame compatibility.
We have been told that this lens is designed for bird shooters who want to hand-hold their setup in the field. So far, it seems to us that Pentax has done a good job of ensuring good handling based on the lens's easy-to-hold barrel, and by supplying a case that can be used in the field as opposed to a metal monstrosity.
Not pictured in the video is the 40.5mm circular polarizer filter, which is included with the lens. This filter was previously available for the FA* telephoto lenses back in the nineties.
We will be posting an in-depth review of the 560mm lens in a few weeks, so stay tuned for that as well.
Holler when you get some sample shots to display. I'm anxiously waiting !
It is now March - you guys must be having a lot of fun with that lens so no time to produce the review. Not that I will be able to afford one any time soon so it is just as well, I guess.
How insanely good is this lens going to have to be to lure people away from the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 which is several thousand dollars less???
Congrats on the new lens! Quick, go birding and post some pics for us! :)
Un-boxing?? Why?? Just get on and test the blasted lens!!!
pics or it's not a lens
It is a lot of cash. I look around at other hobbies people do in the area, and find my hobby quite reasonable. I see pickup trucks with two snowmobiles, ski passes for the family, which would take a serious chunk out of the price of this lens. etc. I will buy either this one or the Sigma 500 f4.5 at one point in the future. 300mm is just too short for birds.
I wonder if the tripod mount( where it is placed) will balance the weight between the head and the camera body. Otherwise a long lens plate will be needed.
HD instead of SMC, it's like Nikon's Nano Crystal Coating.
So its a DA HD?
Pretty rad. I want this thing so badly. Would be awesome for wildlife, surfing, and interesting looks when filming. It's a little hard without a camera mounted to it, but I find it to look surprisingly not huge. Definitely look manageable, and way smaller than a canikon 600 f/4; although obviously, not f/4.
Shouldn't someone tell this guy that the lens can be attached to a camera?
Given the low production numbers of this lens, the cardboard box alone probably cost $25 ;-)
I hand hold the Sigma F/4.5 all the time but for smaller birds in shaded conditions I have a hell of a time trying to get sharp shots. Use a monopod with it in lower light.
I agree that for $7000, I would expect some sort of hard case to protect it. Not a rectangular metal one, but a black plastic form fitted on that is not too big.
Sounds like a great lens, and probably super sharp wide open (most likely sharp enough to outresolve the K-5 IIs, perhaps even diffraction limited!), but it's way too expensive, given that it's only f/5.6. It would make sense closer to $3000. I would want to say that low production volumes are to blame for the high price, given how few people are using Pentax...
Holy Mother of Lenses, I want one! That is a beautiful piece of glass!
I'm pretty sure I will never own this lens. Cool to see what it can do, though.
I used to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, then I discovered birding.
With the lens shade extended, that's one long piece of gear. I would be interested in how easy it is to carry using a Blackrapid shoulder strap with a monopod attached. The Sigma 500 works well with that setup, and that's the competition.
Russ
"antzutd Feb 12th, 2013 5:05AM
so where do you attach the CL-P? is it at the back of the lens?"
There is a drop in filter slot near the back of the lens.
Looks like a great lens but if it's meant for bird photography I'm surprised the body colour isn't a bit more muted. I guess the diehards will go to it with their camo tape!
LOL... That thing costs $2K more than my car.
Clavius, I'm starting to see how easy it is to become a birder (and consequently become willing to drop serious cash for it). My daughter really loves birds and so the two of us have been going out birding lately - her with her field guides and I with my camera. It's yet another obsession that I really don't need (and can't afford) but can't seem to resist either. I just wish lenses weren't sooooo expensive (sigh..).
Has that guy sold all his household possesions bar two chairs to buy that lens???
That's a helluva lens! Loved the unboxing commentary: "Ooh more packaging!" and how the MMs kept changing throughout the video.
A must have for my $200 Q, if I could just afford the OEM adapter. :)
so where do you attach the CL-P? is it at the back of the lens?
No hardcase, that would be good for such a lens. It looks great.
That amount of cash, just for shooting birds... and shooting the ISS. You'd have to be a real ornitologophile to make that step.
That's serious business right there. Very nice.
I find it hard to believe that Pentax couldn't toss in a hard case for $7,000.00
"...back in the *nineties*"
Sorry, copy editor in me.
Niiiiice!