[MadMathMind]

I'm going to consider selling my DA*300 to acquire this lens. No plans either way but I will think about it when I see the results.

[Ian Stuart Forsyth]

I think a lot of people want to see the image quality of the 150-450mm before dropping the big bucks on it.

On a FF 36mp camera this would be a very versatile rig for Wildlife Photography

[Shanti]

On a FF 36mp camera this would be a very versatile rig for Wildlife Photography

Yes I'm hoping that as well,would be nice to get the FF specs soon maybe even a 50MP sensor

[noelpolar]

I'll be getting it to compare it to the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG and the Canon EF100-400mm f/5.6L IS USM II - those two are the lenses to beat. Forget about the slow as hell 150-600mm options, those lenses are of no interest for me.

That will be interesting! Hurry up and get on with it...

[Digitalis]

2015 has hardly started, and already my bank balance has been hit by the amount I have earmarked for the New full frame DSLR and lenses.

I'll also have to include the FA*250-600mm f/5.6 ED [IF] to the lens comparison. But the FA* lens has three times the mass of all the lenses I'll be comparing it to so it may not be all that fair. From what I have seen the Pentax FA* lens beats the Canon 100-400L II

[jocelys1]

Reckon this lens will shine between 200-400 and the extra 50mm at either end is a bonus. Question is - what would be the aperture between 200-400 ? Is a constant 4.5 /5.0 wishful thinking ?

[Ishpuini]

I will definitely purchase the 150-450. I've been postponing getting a lens in that range for ages. Basically since Pentax hinted at it on its roadmap. I sort of have it on pre-order, i.e. I let my B&M store know I would buy it once they had it in.

I've always used a 300mm for my wildlife so far, and have been wishing for a equivalent lens with some zoom flexibility on both sides of the 300mm mark. I know there have been other options, but none with the feature set of the new 150-450 (AW!). Why did I never buy a Sigma or a Tamron? I have a Sigma EX180/3.5 which I like very much, as well as a Sigma 8-16. However, my past experience with long Sigma zooms was always below par and every time I ended up selling because of metering issues, focus issues, etc...

Wim

[pete-tarmigan]

I fancy one...and am off to see it in a couple of weeks time at the photoshow in Birmingham UK. It is either this one or the 70-200 and flog my 60-250. I've already got the 1.4x tele and a 1.5x kenko as well. I really want WR that both lenses offer. My other thought is get the 150-450 and then buy a 70-200 Tamron depending on how noisy they are.

It will be interesting to hear your opinions on the lens' autofocussing speed, given Stavri's post suggesting that Ricoh might have placed a priority on this kind of performance.

[Stavri]

I for one am glad we're not pondering on compromises anymore, wrangling with purchasing decisions on decades old legacy glass, worrying about compatibility issues with 3rd party manufacturers and choosing the lesser evil. All is new and shiny again. The premise of having it all, the features, the glass, the image quality (fingers crossed) all in one package makes me ecstatic. I have to confess that at first, being burned before I didn't think much of Ricoh, but looking at their efforts so far and the current brand offerings I'm starting to develop genuine feelings for them. It seems Ricoh respects and values the Pentax brand, and I can't help it but reciprocate.

The jury is still out on this yet untested lens, but looking at the very promising specs, MTF charts and features I think it will deliver. This lens is indeed expensive I agree, but at least we're not complaining about anything else. I hope that whomever gets this lens falls in love with it for the right reasons.

[jocelys1]

The front element is 86cm. With the 1.4TC will it make a difference on the lens ?

[VoiceOfReason]

2015 has hardly started, and already my bank balance has been hit by the amount I have earmarked for the New full frame DSLR and lenses.

I'll also have to include the FA*250-600mm f/5.6 ED [IF] to the lens comparison. But the FA* lens has three times the mass of all the lenses I'll be comparing it to so it may not be all that fair. From what I have seen the Pentax FA* lens beats the Canon 100-400L II

This is a lens I wish was re-released.

[Stavri]

This is a lens I wish was re-released.

Wish no longer....PUFF.... it's done! There are rumors about a 300mm f2.8 project going on behind closed doors, maybe a version of the 250-500mm will come next.

Let's start moving some FF bodies this fall to surpass their projections and replicate the 645Z effect, so they can start bringing more legacy glass to the 21st century and accelerate the D-Fa lens production.

[JinDesu]

One of the other threads (https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/16-pentax-news-rumors/290412-report-bruss...days-dfas.html) says the pre-production 150-450 is very fast focusing on the k-3, making the Sigma 150-600 on a D800 feel "pedestrian".

Given that pre-production can be improved, the new FF camera likely outperforms the k-3 in focusing, and the D800 is no slouch at AF performance, this bodes well for the 150-450.

[GeneV]

One of the other threads (https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/16-pentax-news-rumors/290412-report-bruss...days-dfas.html) says the pre-production 150-450 is very fast focusing on the k-3, making the Sigma 150-600 on a D800 feel "pedestrian".

Given that pre-production can be improved, the new FF camera likely outperforms the k-3 in focusing, and the D800 is no slouch at AF performance, this bodes well for the 150-450.

That is encouraging.

Right now, my fast, long zoom is a DA*300 +- the 1.4x. Quality is superb, so the new lens will need to be special.

[LaurenOE]

Absolutely! I have rented the sigma 150-500 twice and the 50-500 once, trying to love them at max or near max range. Love never blossomed due to diminished IQ near 500mm. Yes, I know a lot of folks love these items and I say more power to you. If the new pentax super zoom is hand holdable and has IQ better than the sigmas at 450mm then I will stand in line to buy one. Waiting for the opportunity to hold one or at least read a hands on review.


I strongly believe Adam should be the first customer in prep for his FF later.

Yep. I agree.
I own the Bigma and I have never fell in "love" with it.
If the IQ is good, then I will sell my Bigma and buy one of the new lens.
IQ is everything in my book.