[jpzk]

I had bought a Trekking double shoulder harness : Dot Line Twin Kit for Trekking Safari Camera Harness TK-12319
They apparently don't carry that model anymore.
It's been replaced with this: http://www.trekking.fr/photo/ficheProduit.php?recordID=282
and NEVER used it !
Reason: too darn complicated.
How about that for spending a good chunk of money on the "wrong" equipment?

So, I will probably sell it and look into the Optech gear, or some other brand.

JP

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Last edited by jpzk; 04-04-2013 at 06:45 PM.

[jatrax]

look into the Optech gear,

+1 on the Op/Tech, seriously the most used and least expensive accessory I ever bought.

[jpzk]

+1 on the Op/Tech, seriously the most used and least expensive accessory I ever bought.

I just received an email from Optech regarding a "double"-able harness and the fellow mentions that this can be done and also can be used for a single camera or, when needed, two cameras.

So, I am going to order what he is suggesting: good price too, much less expensive than the Trekking (or Black Rapid for that matter.)

Thanks.

JP

[audiobomber]

I carry my camera on a sling, my second camera is on the opposite side of my body, in a messenger bag. The bag allows me to carry a spare lens(es), batteries, water bottle, etc.

[stormtech]

I just received an email from Optech regarding a "double"-able harness and the fellow mentions that this can be done and also can be used for a single camera or, when needed, two cameras.

So, I am going to order what he is suggesting: good price too, much less expensive than the Trekking (or Black Rapid for that matter.)

Thanks.

JP

That's great JP. Great product - great customer service - great price. You're neck will thank you!

[belrosevj]

JP,

I have been following the discussion on this thread with interest. could you please comment on the IQ of the 150-500mm vs DA 300mm + 1.7 AF Adapter. My experience mirrors yours in that the amount of keepers with the DA 300mm + 1.7 AF Adapter is quite few(may be I need to improve my technique). Here are some of the photos I took recently with the DA300mm handheld that I posted in the https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ml#post2340895. Most of them have been cropped and a bit of PP done. I am sitting on the fence whether to buy the 150-50mm or save up for the Sigma 300 2.8 + TC(1.4x or 2x). My experience has been that the 300mm + 1.7x seems okay with stationary subjects. would like to hear your impressons on the 150-500mm

[joe.penn]

I am sitting on the fence whether to buy the 150-50mm or save up for the Sigma 300 2.8 + TC(1.4x or 2x)

Here is one I snapped today with the Sigma 300 2.8 w/ Sigma 1.4 TC - light was extremely harsh but still turned out decent...



This one was also done with the 300 2.8 without the TC, much better lighting also...

[jpzk]

I carry my camera on a sling, my second camera is on the opposite side of my body, in a messenger bag. The bag allows me to carry a spare lens(es), batteries, water bottle, etc.

If you mean by "sling" the regular strap(s) which come-s with the camera(s),
I tried that method for a while.
Did not work out that great (for me) with two cameras:
1. K7 and Tamron 70-200/2.8
2. K5 with grip and DA*300/4

But if you mean some sort of harness ... Is that it?

JP

[jpzk]

JP,

I have been following the discussion on this thread with interest. could you please comment on the IQ of the 150-500mm vs DA 300mm + 1.7 AF Adapter. My experience mirrors yours in that the amount of keepers with the DA 300mm + 1.7 AF Adapter is quite few(may be I need to improve my technique). Here are some of the photos I took recently with the DA300mm handheld that I posted in the https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ml#post2340895. Most of them have been cropped and a bit of PP done. I am sitting on the fence whether to buy the 150-50mm or save up for the Sigma 300 2.8 + TC(1.4x or 2x). My experience has been that the 300mm + 1.7x seems okay with stationary subjects. would like to hear your impressons on the 150-500mm

So far, I haven't used the Sigma 150-500 that much. Lighting conditions were not at their best and I see that this lens will require a good amount of decent light.
I have posted some pics using the Sigma here on this thread and one (one only) of a Cooper Hawk in flight, very far away, handheld:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/216903-help-me...-sigma-13.html
If you browse a bit, you will also see some more (but stationary objects mostly).

For the DA*300/4 plus 1.7X TC: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/218748-nature-redpolls-f...ing-510mm.html

So, I am about to test the Sigma again tomorrow, weather permitting of course.

The Sigma 150-500 seems to be quite good once one gets used to it.
You need goo-to-excellent lighting conditions and a good steady arm. (if you go handheld).
Some people have posted sample shots with this same lens, taken using a tripod (or monopod).

The Sigma 300/2.8 with a TC seems like quite a good combination. I was going to go with that after skipping on the 500/4.5 because of budget restrictions ... for both those lenses actually.

Keep checking here on this thread and I will certianly return with more shots taken with the 150-500.

Cheers.

JP

[audiobomber]

If you mean by "sling" the regular strap(s) which come-s with the camera(s),
I tried that method for a while.
Did not work out that great (for me) with two cameras:
1. K7 and Tamron 70-200/2.8
2. K5 with grip and DA*300/4

But if you mean some sort of harness ... Is that it?

JP

I'm done with neck straps. I use either a sling or a wrist strap.

This is my sling, the Carry Speed CS-Pro. I wear it over my left shoulder:



Over my right shoulder, I carry a messenger bag with the second body and spare lenses.

[audiobomber]

If you mean by "sling" the regular strap(s) which come-s with the camera(s),
I tried that method for a while.
Did not work out that great (for me) with two cameras:
1. K7 and Tamron 70-200/2.8
2. K5 with grip and DA*300/4

But if you mean some sort of harness ... Is that it?

JP

I'm done with neck straps. I use either a sling or a wrist strap.

This is my sling, the Carry Speed CS-Pro. I wear it over my left shoulder:



Over my right shoulder, I carry a messenger bag with the second body and spare lenses. The second body has a wrist strap on it.

[photoracer]

This is interesting, this combination doesn't seem to be very common. Has anyone had experience with this lens and TC? 420mm is really nice for what I do. I would buy a pentax 1.4 tc as soon as it is announced for use with my DA*300, along with a K5IIs or K3 with better low light capabilities.

What stops me from considering the sigma zoom is the aperture. For much of the year it would be unusable because it is too slow and the light is so low. I get my best shots early in the morning just before sun rise and shortly after. I'm having trouble getting the DA*300 to focus on my K5 due to low light. The Sigma would be left at home.

Dane.dawg shot for a long while with a 150-500 and could tell you what he thinks of it. He sold it here recently and bought a 500 f4.5. I think he ran into issues where higher iso noise was losing detail as opposed to the optics.

I used to use the Sigma 300/2.8 APO with TCs in my late film days with no issues shooting motorsports. I found the images to be very good. Most of the time it was mounted on a monopod.

[photoracer]

In my personal opinion from using telephotos for close to 40 years, that while I own and use 300/2.8s even now I prefer the versatility of the old Sigma 100-300/4 best many times. At 300mm the IQ is almost indetectable from that of the some of my Canon mount 300/2.8s and definitely on a par with the Canon EF 300/4 USM L. I would match it against a DA* 300/4 anytime and would doubt anyone could tell the difference. One advantage that I don't have with my Pentax system is the better TCs available for Canon lenses in my other system. Even the Pentax AFA 1.7X is no match in IQ for the Canon EF 1.4x II or III or the Kenko Pro 300 1.4x. I know I just sold my 1.7x here over the weekend after owning it for close to 2 decades. I used it mainly to AF my Tamron 300/2.8 and other AD-2 lenses including my last 360B model I also sold this weekend. However my Sigma 100-300/4 in Canon mount was owned by a nature photographer and I saw much of his work before he sold it to me so I knew I was getting a good one. Also sold my Sigma 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 this weekend as I am trimming my Pentax system down to a max of 3 lenses plus my Vivitar S1 105-2.5 Macro. All F4 lenses as I'm getting too old to use F2.8 all the time. 12-24, 17-70, and 60-250 but right now I have the Sigma 24-60/2.8 EX DG slotted in the middle while I locate the ones I want. I have very good FA 28-70/4 and 24-90/3.5-4.5 Pentax lenses also. Generally zoom lenses with ranges over 3x are not particularly good at the long end. Too many compromises must be done, but making them slower (50-500) can help some however they still get weaker the higher you go. If I needed 500mm for Pentax I would spring for the Sigma 500/4.5 EX DG APO. That lens is way better than any of the zooms, but it costs accordingly. As an aside the optics in the current 500/4.5 EX DG are the same as the much older 500/4.5 APO and EX APO, they just don't have the DG coatings and can't be firmware upgraded by Sigma any longer like the DG version can.

[photoracer]

Here is what I use for lenses with tripod feet up to 300mm.

Clik Elite Performance packs for adventure photographers.

[joe.penn]

I use the Vulture A4:



Vulture Equipment Works - Products