[ElJamoquio]

I can't imagine why anyone will use a converter with such a long lens. I own the FA* 600/4 and it is hard enough to hit focus with it alone. Let alone preventing image blur due to vibrations even with the sturdiest tripod (mine weigths 8kg: the lens 7kg). With this kind of magnification I'll try to shoot at 1/4000s everytime I can. For this kind of magnification a sturdy tripod do not really exist; you need three point support bolted to a rocky ground.
You probably get better result with a DA* 300/4 lens and a Q......

Agree with everything until the last point. I never had good results with my 300 + Q. Of course I had cheap adapters so that was likely a lot of the problem.

[RobG]

Those look to be resized to web resolution.

So is everything I post. You can't create a high quality web resolution image from a poor quality full size image.

[ElJamoquio]

So is everything I post. You can't create a high quality web resolution image from a poor quality full size image.

I guess I disagree. I'm not saying they're not beautiful, they're nice pics.

[derekkite]

It isn't a zero sum game. A selection of quality long lenses attracts buyers to the brand.

[Pål Jensen]

Except, the Q images I've seen have all been diffraction limited, and softer than you'd get with a 560 and a larger sensor. The Q gives you magnification, so far I'm not convinced it gets you clean images.

Softer than a 560 with a converter?

[Mistral75]

In Ricoh's so-called 'VIP lounge' at the French Salon de la Photo, I learned from the main retailer of Pentax gear in France that the DA 560's MSRP (€6,799 at launch, currently €5,499) would soon be lowered to €3,999.

This should be announced during the international wildlife photo festival of Montier-en-Der (20th to 23rd November).

The reason for this price drop is simple: non-existent sales at current price.

[JinDesu]

Well, at that price it should start to see sales from beyond the few who could afford it now. That being said, that price seems way more reasonable than the MSRP.

[Mistral75]

Well, at that price it should start to see sales from beyond the few who could afford it now. That being said, that price seems way more reasonable than the MSRP.

€3,999 will be the (new) MSRP.

[ElJamoquio]

I dunno. I think on the high end it's worth $4k. I would consider it a good deal at $3k. Keep in mind you can get a sigma 150-600 + a camera for $3k.

[monochrome]

€3,999 will be the (new) MSRP.

I dunno. I think on the high end it's worth $4k. I would consider it a good deal at $3k. Keep in mind you can get a sigma 150-600 + a camera for $3k.

Isn't €3,999 ≈ $4,999?

[Mistral75]

Isn't €3,999 ≈ $4,999?

It is not. €3,999 includes 20 per cent. VAT and corresponds to approx. $4,175 (excl. sales tax).

[Dave L]

€3,999 will be the (new) MSRP.

Available for £2,999 in the UK (approx. €3,768).

[ElJamoquio]

Isn't €3,999 ≈ $4,999?

Something like that. But as others have mentioned, after VAT, etc, the euro price and the dollar price end up about the same in the market.

FWIW I'm not telling you what you should pay for it, I'm saying what I would pay for it. Everyone else can buy what they want of course, they have different needs than I do.

[monochrome]

you should pay for it

Given my inability to achieve a sharp image with anything longer than 300mm I doubt I'll ever pay anything for it.

[ziscwg]

Given my inability to achieve a sharp image with anything longer than 300mm I doubt I'll ever pay anything for it.

stop shooting at 1/25 with your 300 and no tripod.