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07-13-2017, 02:26 AM   #1
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Budget long lens option/combo for K3

I have a K-3 with some reasonable shorter lenses and would like something in the 400-500 mm range, specifically for wildlife photography.
(I already have the DAL 55-300 mm).

Cost is a factor hence the following suggestions, maybe;

A fast 200 mm plus 2x teleconverter
Or a med to fast 300 mm plus 1.4x teleconverter
Perhaps something like the Sigma 120-400 mm F4.5-5.6
Or an older 400-500 mm prime like the Sigma 400 mm F5.6 perhaps

What option / combo does the forum suggest?

07-13-2017, 02:54 AM   #2
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manual or autofocus?
07-13-2017, 03:08 AM   #3
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Either, auto would be convenient but I can work with manual if that gave the better image quality option.
07-13-2017, 03:35 AM   #4
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I found myself a Tokina 400 5.6 af for 350, just as sharp as the 55-300 if not sharper, quick af, but some CA if not stopped down to f8 or f11

07-13-2017, 04:45 AM   #5
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RMC Tokina 400mm f/5.6 - this is a superb lens for not so much money. Use it to decide whether 400mm is long enough. If you buy the new PLM zoom lens then maybe the extra sharpness would allow you to crop.
07-13-2017, 08:20 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
I have a K-3 with some reasonable shorter lenses and would like something in the 400-500 mm range, specifically for wildlife photography.
(I already have the DAL 55-300 mm).

Cost is a factor hence the following suggestions, maybe;

A fast 200 mm plus 2x teleconverter
Or a med to fast 300 mm plus 1.4x teleconverter
Perhaps something like the Sigma 120-400 mm F4.5-5.6
Or an older 400-500 mm prime like the Sigma 400 mm F5.6 perhaps

What option / combo does the forum suggest?
Don't know what you consider budget. I purchased a Sigma 50-500 non HSM version for $450 that I am happy with. A bit noisy but I have had no issues with that so far. You just have to wait for a good deal as they are usually around $600 plus, sometimes a little less.
07-13-2017, 09:46 AM   #7
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I would suggest start with DA 1.4 rear converter and perhaps even the new PLM version of 55-300. Fast focusing and good tracking, high IQ specially based on the price you pay. The aperture will be slow of course, but the combo works great with the newer more sensitive af modules like the ones in K-3 and Kp (which I use the combo with).


Last edited by hekr; 07-13-2017 at 11:45 AM.
07-13-2017, 11:29 AM   #8
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The "Bigma" Sigma 50-500mm has had a good reputation for a long time.
07-13-2017, 02:23 PM   #9
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The Sigma 50-500 would be a good option but best price I can see at the moment is around $1000 US.
(NZ isn't big enough to have much used Pentax gear available locally so I'm pretty much reliant on what turns up on Ebay or Pentax Market for used gear).

I'm happy to spend $500 and might manage $1000 ... but definitely prefer the former.

Tokina 400 5.6 looks interesting, as does the Pentax 55-300 PLM with 1.4x converter option.

Thank you all for the suggestions, much appreciated.
07-13-2017, 10:14 PM   #10
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Maybe look at the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro ( $769.00 At B&H) with a Pentax HD DA 1.4X AW Rear Converter. The Tamron lens is screw drive AF so should work with the Pentax 1.4TC. The Sigma 50-500mm is a good lens. If you can afford it the Pentax DA*200mmF2.8 + 1.4TC. I also have the DA*300mmF4 which are both great long lenses when combined with the TC, but will cost more.

Last edited by Craig66; 07-13-2017 at 10:24 PM.
07-14-2017, 09:44 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
Tokina 400 5.6 looks interesting, as does the Pentax 55-300 PLM with 1.4x converter option.
How well does the 1.4x converter work with an f 6.3 lens?
07-14-2017, 10:16 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by sibyrnes Quote
How well does the 1.4x converter work with an f 6.3 lens?
hekr responded that the PLM works OK with the 1.4x if used on the KP/K3 modules that can handle lower light. Still, the combination of a consumer lens - that isn't really any sharper than the earlier 55-300 - with a DA converter designed to work with faster lenses, and yielding an effective f/9 wide open doesn't make much sense to me unless you are planning to use the combo in nothing but bright lighting.

The Tamron 70-200 is plenty sharp enough to handle a DA converter well, but the combined reach is only 280mm - so only picking up the stop of aperture and edge sharpness, but no gain in reach.

Perhaps the Tokina 400 prime is the best solution. I would advise against the Tokina 80-400, though. I found it unacceptably soft (shot on Canon).
07-14-2017, 12:21 PM   #13
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I do understand that the combo of DA 55-300 PLM and DA 1.4 rear converter can't handle all situations like a more expensive tele lens can do. But the 55-300 PLM is actually quite sharp and to my surprise also works great with the rear converter.

These two shots are very quick and dirty, I just made with the given combo

1. "Macro" shot at 420 mm (300x1.4)


2. Hand held shot at dawn but still quite light outside. I know I should had lower ISO and more open aperture, but as I said, these shots are just quick and dirty. Focal length 420 mm (300x1.4)



Another benefit with the rear converter is that it works great with other lenses as well!
07-14-2017, 01:57 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
Either, auto would be convenient but I can work with manual if that gave the better image quality option.
QuoteOriginally posted by Hokonui Quote
The Sigma 50-500 would be a good option but best price I can see at the moment is around $1000 US.
(NZ isn't big enough to have much used Pentax gear available locally so I'm pretty much reliant on what turns up on Ebay or Pentax Market for used gear).

I'm happy to spend $500 and might manage $1000 ... but definitely prefer the former.

Tokina 400 5.6 looks interesting, as does the Pentax 55-300 PLM with 1.4x converter option.

Thank you all for the suggestions, much appreciated.
If you can find one, the Pentax A 400/5.6 is probably the best one can do for the lower end of your price range. A couple years ago I would see them for around $400 USD, but I see fewer these days.

The A 400/5.6 is very sharp - and even nicely sharp wide open - has excellent build quality and a lovely focusing throw that is smooth and precise, if a bit long. It's light enough to be easily hand-holdable for most folks. The one bugaboo is chromatic aberration when used at f/8 and wider, although the CA can be mostly ameliorated in your image editing program.

Using a manual focus tele lens requires dedication, though. I see many photos made with long MF teles posted here and elsewhere that are soft or even blurry, most often due to poor focus. To get the best results from a MF tele, you need to "live the life".
07-14-2017, 03:50 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Craig66 Quote
Maybe look at the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro ( $769.00 At B&H) with a Pentax HD DA 1.4X AW Rear Converter. The Tamron lens is screw drive AF so should work with the Pentax 1.4TC. The Sigma 50-500mm is a good lens. If you can afford it the Pentax DA*200mmF2.8 + 1.4TC. I also have the DA*300mmF4 which are both great long lenses when combined with the TC, but will cost more.
The Tamron 70-200mm, or any screw drive lens, will auto-focus with more humble TC's like the 1.4X Tamron and 1.5X Kenko. For DC, SDM or PLM lenses, you need the Pentax HD 1.4X RC for reliable auto-focus.
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