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09-16-2017, 05:21 AM   #1
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Looking for more reach

Hello,

I am looking for a 300mm-ish lens for my K-1. Currently, I have a Tamron 70-200 which can be a tad too short for nature and wildlife, and an old FA 100-300 (the plasticky silver version) which gets really soft in the 200-300mm range. I would like to keep a usable autofocus (the 100-300 is really bad at long range, I guess the lack of contrast and sharpness can confuse the AF) and decent image quality. Here are a few options I thought of:
  • get a DA* 300 and be done with it,
  • get a teleconverter for the 70-200,
  • or maybe a used Sigma 120-400 or 150-500?

The DA* 300 is tempting, but it's difficult to find used, and the 1200 euros price tag is a bit steep. I can afford it, but I'm not sure I can justify it as I probably won't use it that often.

The 120-400 might be an option, used copies crop up quite often and are usually well in my price range, but I'm afraid it will be too heavy for me; I'm not sure I'd like to carry around anything heavier than the 70-200 on a regular basis. The 150-500 is in the same boat, a bit longer, a bit more expensive and quite heavier.

The converter would address both of these problems. I'm not sure I would get as good pictures though; I don't really know how much current converters degrade image quality. Also, as far as I understand, the current Pentax TC is not full-frame compatible, and I don't know which other options exist.

Any thoughts?

09-16-2017, 06:06 AM   #2
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Tamron-F MC4 7-element 2x Teleconverters aren't all that expensive. Why not give one a try? If it isn't what you need you can probably sell it for what you paid for it. (They were also sold as Kenko)
09-16-2017, 06:36 AM   #3
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Makes sense. There are a few in the 100+ euros range on ebay, I will get one and try it. I was hoping to get a 1.4x or 1.5x but they seem much less common.
09-16-2017, 07:28 AM   #4
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I have tried numerous 2x tc's with a variety of lenses, the only combo that for me was pretty workable was with a tamron MF 300mm f2.8. With anything other than fast "pro" lens quality the loss of 2 stops and IQ was too great. Don't underestimate the issues with focus, both MF and AF, as you go past f5.6 and slower!

1. You've got lots of pixels, I bet you can work with cropping a lot of the time.
2. get a good 1.4x tc (I have a kenko, its good enough, I have got pretty good results even with my DAL 55-300mm, and that even autofocussed most of the time in good sunny light on my K5) to go with your good tammy 70-200mm. Gives you nearly 300mm with loss of just one stop and little loss of iq.
3. for some of those occasional wildlife opps, how about one of the better MF 400mm f5.6 or 6.3 - preferable to 300mm most of the time for wildlife. Decent results are perfectly obtainable, see my posts in the 300mm lens club. Absolutely the cheapest option. Or perhaps a 500mm mirror eg the tamrons.

09-16-2017, 07:43 AM   #5
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Tokina ATX 400 f5.6 k mount version. DA*300+TC = approx . 420mm f5.6.
Cheap and good long lenses do not exist.
On a budget, for less than $1000: Panasonic FZ2000.
09-16-2017, 08:14 AM   #6
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After all the threads I've read on this topic, the only one I'd currently recommend for you would be the DA*300 and 1.4 TC, or the DFA 150-450.

My own choice is Tamron AF SP 300 2.8 as my heavy lens. With it I use the 1.4 TC for 420mm ƒ4 or the F 1.7x AF adapter, 510mm ƒ4.5
For my lightweight option, I use the DA*200 2.8 with both adapters, 280mm ƒ4 or 340mm ƒ4.5, or stacked 476mm ƒ6.3.

The 1.4 will vignette and requires cropping, but that's not an issue with most long glass images. Your K-1 will give you 30 MP instead of 36 MP at worst, sometimes the vignetting is not noticeable.

That'w where I've ended up. On the way, I've used a Sigma 70-300, a Sigma, 120-400, an A-400, and my DA*60-250, my F 70-210 and an FA 28-200.

None of those options give me what I'm getting now.
And I bought a Pentax XG-1 instead of the Panasonic FZ2000 mentioned above for $200 and in good light it gets me to 1250mm equivalent. That's the inexpensive way to go if you can find one second hand.
Pentax XG-1, 1250mm equivalent, at 500 meters (close to 2 football fields away).
09-16-2017, 08:52 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by normhead Quote
the only one I'd currently recommend for you would be the DA*300 and 1.4 TC, or the DFA 150-450
i second the advice for the 150-450. I know it may be over your budget and heavier than you would want, but.....

It may be the same price in the long run as you trying different combinations and being disappointed and then trying something else....

it will give you more flexibility than a single focal length.....

it will give you full AF freedom with your K1, and it will give you excellent image quality and the ability to crop extensively.....

get yourself a decent monopod to use with it, this is actually essential, and you won't be looking for another lens in this FL, ever !

09-16-2017, 11:21 AM   #8
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Thanks for all the advice.

The 150-450 seems great but it is definitely too heavy for me. I am prone to shoulder tendinitis and there's no way I will be able to carry 3kg of camera and lens for several hours. The DA* 300 is still near the top of my list; I guess I will try the 70-200 with a used teleconverter first as it is far more affordable and at worst I will resell the converter with a minimal loss.

If the 2x converter doesn't cut it, I guess I will have a closer look at the DA 1.4x converter; there is a Pentax shop in Paris where they will have it in stock. If the TC with 70-200 is good enough that's great, if not I guess I will have to get a DA* 300. :-)

An old 400mm may be fine but I really want AF. I may get a long manual lens as well in the future, maybe a 500mm mirror lens, but this is not what I am looking for at the moment.
09-16-2017, 11:28 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by nono Quote
Thanks for all the advice.

The 150-450 seems great but it is definitely too heavy for me. I am prone to shoulder tendinitis and there's no way I will be able to carry 3kg of camera and lens for several hours. The DA* 300 is still near the top of my list; I guess I will try the 70-200 with a used teleconverter first as it is far more affordable and at worst I will resell the converter with a minimal loss.

If the 2x converter doesn't cut it, I guess I will have a closer look at the DA 1.4x converter; there is a Pentax shop in Paris where they will have it in stock. If the TC with 70-200 is good enough that's great, if not I guess I will have to get a DA* 300. :-)

An old 400mm may be fine but I really want AF. I may get a long manual lens as well in the future, maybe a 500mm mirror lens, but this is not what I am looking for at the moment.
I'm telling you, DA*200 with stacked 1.4 and 1.7 TCs. The lightest way to get to 476mm.
09-16-2017, 12:42 PM   #10
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If you want to keep FF image circle: FA* 400mm 5.6, used available below $1.400.
Or the DA*300mm 4.0 (maybe even with Kenko 1.5x Pz-AF TC).
09-16-2017, 12:45 PM   #11
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I doubt you want a mirror lens. I had the Pentax 400-600, and was not impressed. See the reviews in the lens database (I agree with the two oldest ones - it's pretty much an amusing toy).
09-17-2017, 12:17 PM   #12
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I use Tamron 70-200 with 1.4x Tamron TC and K-1, and I really do not think such combo can compete with DA 300 in terms of image quality. Actually I face similar dilemma as you - I need tele lens, but my Bigma needs to retrofitted by Sigma to be mounted on K-1, so for a time being I can't even tell how it performs on FF.
09-18-2017, 05:26 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by nono Quote
The 150-450 seems great but it is definitely too heavy for me. I am prone to shoulder tendinitis and there's no way I will be able to carry 3kg of camera and lens for several hours.
That's what monopods are for!

The 150-450 is definitely a lens which calls for a monopod. But it's also, by far, the best option for long tele with Pentax currently. What a lens!
09-18-2017, 05:26 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by nono Quote
The 150-450 seems great but it is definitely too heavy for me. I am prone to shoulder tendinitis and there's no way I will be able to carry 3kg of camera and lens for several hours.
That's what monopods are for!

The 150-450 is definitely a lens which calls for a monopod. But it's also, by far, the best option for long tele with Pentax currently. What a lens!
09-18-2017, 05:52 AM   #15
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A clear example of Pentax's philosophy. The lens isn't 150-600. it doesn't push the limits of the genre. Pentax engineers seem to be comfortable going with the best optical results regardless of the current fads. I don't own the lens but it's images have slowly won me over.

But because of the whole ageing arthritis, tendonitis body generally falling apart thing, the DA* 200 with TC that will get me out to 476mm in a nice light package is all I would consider at the moment. Even my DA*60-250 is too heavy these days. And if I won't carry my 60-250, I'm definitely not going to carry a 150-450.
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