[monochrome]

Both.

One for the thrill of shooting a legendary legacy * lens on the MZ-S and K-1, and the other for all the boring, modern reasons.

[zapp]

You may want to tell us something about your usage of the lenses. A 560 prime and a 250-600 serve different purposes. 560 may be used handheld while 250-600 is tripod only. 250-600 is old and used - no warranty, and it is likely that Pentax is out of spare parts. One is real FF, the other is APS-C and shows vignetting on FF. Zoom vs prime.
Currently I would add a different camera body in super tele land. Other manufacturers have more recent and used options to choose from, work on diffractive optics, ... The price of the Pentax 560 is right at the moment, but a physically super long lens with close focus of just below 6 meters and no real FF coverage does not fit my bag.

[zzeitg]

DA 560mm is DC - not SDM.

Advantages of the DA 560mm:

• available new (means replacements parts still available)
• much! cheaper
• less weight
• easier af limiter
• WR

Advantages of the FA* 250-600mm:

• Variable focal length
• less vignetting
• PZ

You may want to tell us something about your usage of the lenses. A 560 prime and a 250-600 serve different purposes. 560 may be used handheld while 250-600 is tripod only. 250-600 is old and used - no warranty, and it is likely that Pentax is out of spare parts. One is real FF, the other is APS-C and shows vignetting on FF. Zoom vs prime.
Currently I would add a different camera body in super tele land. Other manufacturers have more recent and used options to choose from, work on diffractive optics, ... The price of the Pentax 560 is right at the moment, but a physically super long lens with close focus of just below 6 meters and no real FF coverage does not fit my bag.

Thanks, guys... but my original post is more than 2 years old.

To sum up, these are the options that we have when it comes to long telephoto prime (with AF):

1) new lens
- DA 560mm f/5.6 AW, quick-shift, 3040g
(but telescope design, slower AF, DC only (no screw drive), min. focus 5,6 m, with f/5.6 not the fastest (therefore using of TC problematic))

2) discontinued lens (last items probably still available in US, none in Europe)
- Sigma 500mm f/4.5, 3150g
(no AW, no quick-shift, but easier handling, faster AF (screw-drive only), min. focus 4 m, with f/4.5 using of TC should be realistic)

3) legacy lenses
- Pentax FA* 600mm f/4, 6830g
- Pentax F* 600mm f/4, 6830g
(both older design, heavy, no AW, no quick-shift, but fast AF, min. focus 5m, both fast with f/4 making use of TC possible)

In zooms the choice is not much wider, we have DFA 150-450, legacy FA* 250-600 and discontinued Sigma 50-500 or 150-500.

I tend to prefer primes and 95% of the time I'm shooting handheld. So my final dilemma was between DA560 and Sigma 500. Then I found a new DA560 for a good price in a store in England and my decision was made.
With more than 2 years experience in DA560 I can say that (and especially considering the limited options) I'd certainly buy it again.

However, I'd love to add a 2nd longer telephoto, something like 300mm f/2.8 or 400mm f/2.8 or f/4. A fast telephoto prime, a new APS-C flagship and a new 1.7x TC. Wouldn't it be great...?!

[builttospill]

I'm bringing back this old thread because I recently purchased a DA 560. I'm writing a new thread about my experience with the 560 and the F* 250-600.

[jatrax]

How about a link to the new thread?

[builttospill]

How about a link to the new thread?

DA 560 Compared to F* 250-600 (Lots of Photos) - PentaxForums.com