[Gold Coast]

Looking ahead to this fall I want a good Zoom in this range. How does this lens perform? I would like to stay with Pentax lenses BUT I can go with another brand lens to get me in this MM range. If there are other makes in the same range I can look at those too. In my previous thread I will be getting the 18-135 when I order the camera. The bigger zoom will have to wait a little while. Feedback greatly appreciated thanks Bill

[VoiceOfReason]

Mine focuses very fast, is sharp wide open, and is waaaay ahead of the Sigma 150-500 I used to have. I think this is the best long lens in the Pentax lineup.

[Adam]

Sounds like you're looking to use this on a crop body? The Pentax lens is going to be your best bet optically, see the review below for details:

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

That said, it's quite a big lens, and unnecessarily so on crop bodies. You may also want to look at something like the Sigma 50-500 or 150-500mm, both of which are about half the price.

[Paul the Sunman]

The price is a big issue, particularly in Australia where it is a ridiculous $3300 or thereabouts. This compares to the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary at about $1300 and the Sport about $1900. By all accounts, the Sport has excellent IQ comparable to the DFA 150-450 (and of course 150mm more reach). The fact that neither of these is available in K-mount is the only thing keeping the Pentax from being laughed off the market.

I am very supportive of the rush of great innovations that have hit the market from Ricoh/Pentax lately, but the pricing of the DFA 150-450 (especially in non-US markets) beggars belief.

[gidewey52]

Looking ahead to this fall I want a good Zoom in this range. How does this lens perform? I would like to stay with Pentax lenses BUT I can go with another brand lens to get me in this MM range. If there are other makes in the same range I can look at those too. In my previous thread I will be getting the 18-135 when I order the camera. The bigger zoom will have to wait a little while. Feedback greatly appreciated thanks Bill

Pros: Sharp. Sharp. Sharp.

Cons: Zoom only locks at 150mm. When I haul this thing through the woods on my tripod it creeps back from 450mm to something shorter. In the heat of battle with a bird I often forget to re-zoom. User error, I know. Also, the tripod adaptor has some movement which sometimes freaks me out a bit when I sling the tripod over my shoulder and feel movement.

I am even thinking about selling my DA* 300 ( which I would put up against anybody's 300mm) because it is so good.

Jerry
Manassas VA USA

[surfar]

All reports indicate this is a very good lens.However, its so pricey that a K1 is cheaper.


I use the DA 55-300mm with a 1.4 TC,77-420mm losing 1 stop.Considering my cost(10% of the 150/450), Im happy with the combo.It works in FF mode on the K1.


The new DA55-300 will be interesting.

[chuck_c]

The price is a big issue,

Price is always a part of the equation. The regular price on this lens is $2496.95. I just checked right now (June 12 at ~ 5:00pm EST) and Adorama has it at $2399.00, where B&H has it for $2205.16,and Amazon has it at $2199.81. Last November on Black Friday I got mine from B&H for $1896.95. And I am pretty sure I saw it priced back in March of this year at $1796.00.
My point being, that if you keep your eye on the market the price on this lens has been very fluid in the last 8 months. When you get close to the time where you think you may be ready to take the plunge, start checking around, including here in the PF Marketplace.

[VoiceOfReason]

I ended up getting mine for a total of $1501 after a cash back bonus on it earlier this year. I think I still have by far the cheapest new one on record here. Keep an eye on Amazon price wars.

[KiloHotelphoto]

B&H has a used one right now for $1799.95. I would keep a eye on that as well.

[Gold Coast]

Thanks

[carolina_sky]

After much internal debate (price!) I bought it for a lava shooting trip in Hawaii which I expected to be my first outing with K-1. As it turns out the K-1 arrived at my doorstep 3 hours after my plane to Hawaii had departed (), so I had it stuck on my K-3ii. I am pretty blown away by the image quality. it beats my 60-250 for sharpness (though not by a huge amount). It's a big heavy beast though. I had thoughts of selling the 60-250 but don't think I'm going to because for most travel shooting I will keep the 60-250 in the bag, reserving the beast for outings where I absolutely know I need the reach.
A couple of samples from Hawaii (1st at 150mm, second at 300mm) using K-3 @ISO 1600, 1/1000, and one action shot on K-1 at 450mm (also ISO 1600).
Other images here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skymatthews/albums/72157665852222213

[edit] oh yeah, the lava shots were shot handheld from a helicopter :-)

[noelpolar]

After much internal debate (price!) I bought it for a lava shooting trip in Hawaii which I expected to be my first outing with K-1. As it turns out the K-1 arrived at my doorstep 3 hours after my plane to Hawaii had departed (), so I had it stuck on my K-3ii. I am pretty blown away by the image quality. it beats my 60-250 for sharpness (though not by a huge amount). It's a big heavy beast though. I had thoughts of selling the 60-250 but don't think I'm going to because for most travel shooting I will keep the 60-250 in the bag, reserving the beast for outings where I absolutely know I need the reach.
A couple of samples from Hawaii (1st at 150mm, second at 300mm) using K-3 @ISO 1600, 1/1000, and one action shot on K-1 at 450mm (also ISO 1600).
Other images here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/skymatthews/albums/72157665852222213

[edit] oh yeah, the lava shots were shot handheld from a helicopter :-)

I must admit, I love lots of your flickr shots!....great photographer.....check out caroline's flickr steam everyone.

Anyway, the way I see it (as a DFA 150-450 owner)..... it's a very good zoom if you are committed to the Pentax system for other reasons. If not, there is a strong case to combine another brand of camera and an alternate zoom, mostly based on price and possibly a better APSC focus system etc.

Like others have also hinted, one tends to hang onto a smaller lens, such as a 300 or 60-250 as a convenient alternative for general travel etc. if one can afford to (I have a F*300/4.5 for this). Also, if one thinks the 55-300 is likely to be good enough, then it probally is (meaning your are not likely to be all that discerning about IQ or success rate)

Having used the 150-450 on a K3 and K-1, I can see it still being a very good lens on a FF 50-70mp 7fps Pentax body in 4-5 years time....so its easily a 10 year purchase....Its very nice on the K-1.

[carolina_sky]

I must admit, I love lots of your flickr shots!....great photographer.....check out caroline's flickr steam everyone.

Thank you very, very much! You have no idea - that means a lot to me. Very much appreciated!