[fwcetus]

Regarding the Tokina AT-X 400/5.6 SD AF -

However, if there is enough light to allow ~careful~ hand-held shooting at f/11, it can produce some good images.

So, to illustrate, here are three 100% crops (unprocessed, from the center of the image) of a distant tree branch at f/5.6, f/8, and f/11 -

f/5.6

f/8

f/11

It's pretty easy to see how, going from f/5.6 to f/11 allows the sharpness and contrast to both improve markedly.

[tromboads]

You have to stop it down that much to get a clear result?

Bugger. Buy a Tair 3!

This was wide open (f4.5) handheld, subject was about 4m away.

Click

[Imp]

You have to stop it down that much to get a clear result?

Bugger. Buy a Tair 3!

This was wide open (f4.5) handheld, subject was about 4m away.

Click

What is a Tair 3?

[pepperberry farm]

What is a Tair 3?

TAIR 3A / 300A 300mm, F4.5 Lens Reviews - Russian and Zenitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

[fwcetus]

Regarding the Tokina AT-X 400/5.6 SD AF - [...]
So, to illustrate, here are three 100% crops (unprocessed, from the center of the image) of a distant tree branch at f/5.6, f/8, and f/11 - [...]
It's pretty easy to see how, going from f/5.6 to f/11 allows the sharpness and contrast to both improve markedly.

You have to stop it down that much to get a clear result?
Bugger. Buy a Tair 3!

Hi, Tromboads. Your point is actually my point (at least approximately). I owned the AT-X 400/5.6 only briefly (perhaps a couple of months or so) before selling it. Long before then, and then most of the time during those couple of months, and ever since then, my #1 lens was/is the F* 300/4.5 (with "similar" specs to the Tair 3 300/4.5).

I had posted three pairs of test images from my "short term" AT-X 400/5.6 experience here, earlier in this thread, to show what the lens can do under the right conditions, and then I posted those last three (f/5.6, f/8, and f/11) images to illustrate my point that the lens does need a lot of light, because it really needs f/11 to shine.

My belief is that upsampled F* 300/4.5 images would match or even exceed what the AT-X 400/5.6 can do under most conditions.

I am also suggesting that using the F* 300/4.5 with the DA 1.4X (for 420mm FL) might also be equal to or superior to the AT-X 400/5.6 -- even if I had to stop the 300/4.5 down a bit, I might still have a faster effective f-stop with the TC than f/11.

All of this is why I still am using the F* 300/4.5 and no longer own that AT-X 400/5.6.

[mole]

Tokina ATX AF 400 is my favorite wildlife lens. Yes, it does take some stopping down, but it is so small and light - very convenient on the trail. Here are some recent photos taken with the Tokina:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/308352-nature-autumn-critters.html

[jb0501]

Bought mine new (ATX 400 5.6 AF) for use with my PZ-1 . This is a lens that I feel won't ever be sold. Have not used it yet with my new K3ii as I have the DA* 300-f4.

[Rupert]

Tokina ATX AF 400 is my favorite wildlife lens. Yes, it does take some stopping down, but it is so small and light - very convenient on the trail. Here are some recent photos taken with the Tokina:

Those are some fine shots Mole! You better hang on to that lens!

Shameless as Otis.....I am going to use this space to advertise that I am selling my beloved old model Bigma 50-500 on the Marketplace next week. It is still a wonderful lens, and perhaps better in the IQ department than my new Bigma HSM OS 50-500...at least damn close.

I am going to bargain price it, so if you are interested in an excellent long lens, keep your eye out next week in the Marketplace for old Rupert and the Bigma 50-500.

Hundreds of shots with it here...some good some not...but none of the bad ones are due to any Bigma fault...just mine!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35763648@N05/albums/72157618670129997

More here....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35763648@N05/albums/72157617360255629

Best Regards! & Merry Christmas to all my friends here at this great site!

[Mothballs]

This is all really quite interesting to me, as I DO Run the aforementioned TAIR-3, but an AF lens would be great.

The Tair is amazing, don't get me wrong. I've taken lots of shots of eagles and other big birds that don't move as fast with it and gotten great results (Even with a Q)

But Something somewhat automated would be great, and my budget is tight.

That said, more than 50% of the time I'm dealing with overcast skys and bad light, so stopping down to f11 isn't my idea of good...

[jb0501]

I use f 8 90% of the time with good results. It gave me shots for DU magazine and Wildbird magazine.

[lesmore49]

I would suggest a used Sigma 150-500 if you can find one at a good price, within your budget. I'm pleased with mine and have got some good pics of American White Pelicans, Great Horned Owls, Great Grey Owls and Bald Eagles. I'm a raptor fan, as you see.

[jddwoods]

Those are some fine shots Mole! You better hang on to that lens!

Shameless as Otis.....I am going to use this space to advertise that I am selling my beloved old model Bigma 50-500 on the Marketplace next week. It is still a wonderful lens, and perhaps better in the IQ department than my new Bigma HSM OS 50-500...at least damn close.

I am going to bargain price it, so if you are interested in an excellent long lens, keep your eye out next week in the Marketplace for old Rupert and the Bigma 50-500.

Hundreds of shots with it here...some good some not...but none of the bad ones are due to any Bigma fault...just mine!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35763648@N05/albums/72157618670129997

More here....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35763648@N05/albums/72157617360255629

Best Regards! & Merry Christmas to all my friends here at this great site!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Beautiful pictures. What species is Otis? Definitely not the eastern gray squirrel that is our regular backyard visitor in Delaware.

[boriscleto]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Beautiful pictures. What species is Otis? Definitely not the eastern gray squirrel that is our regular backyard visitor in Delaware.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_squirrel

[Rupert]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Beautiful pictures. What species is Otis? Definitely not the eastern gray squirrel that is our regular backyard visitor in Delaware.

Otis is a Fox Squirrel....and a damn handsome one too! He doesn't mind bragging about it either!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_squirrel

Shot this morning on the Cheater Branch.....



Smile for the camera Otis! Your fans are watching!



OK & Thanks Otis...now you can relax again, your favorite pastime, on this beautiful 75F day after Christmas in the Woods of Otis!



Fox Squirrels are most noted for their "Big Brain Thinking" and often give awards here to those that fit their requirements....He's never given me one, but others here have received a few.......


Regards! & Otis appreciates your inquiry and a chance to show his powerful good looks and high intelligence!

[y0chang]

I think the reason why the lens is under used is because since pentax has no cheap option at 400mm, the prices are inflated for all telephotos over 300mm. So the price for the image improvement gained are not worth the prices paid. I ended searching far and wide for a sub 500 dollar birding lens and if i didnt find a sigma 170-500 for 270 on keh, i would probably still be using my da 55-300mm because the pickings are so slim.