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10-14-2017, 06:17 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by Auzzie-Phoenix Quote
if you don't mind the excessive weight
Lower weight is important to me.

10-14-2017, 06:20 AM   #17
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" DA*200 with Tamron-F 1.4x AF teleconverter"

I want to get a 300, as I want the most reach I can afford; I already have that TC.

Last edited by csa; 10-14-2017 at 06:27 AM.
10-14-2017, 07:58 AM   #18
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The 55-300 is better than the M or A. The M has fierce aberrations. The A is better. Don't spend too much on either. I managed a few decent shots with the A, but the window of acceptable is very narrow.
10-14-2017, 08:12 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by i_trax Quote
hi, my first choice is FA*300 , the second choice is DA*200 with Tamron-F 1.4x AF teleconverter, they both cover FF image.
DA*200 is a very undervalued lens and sometimes goes very cheap, I love mine. The Pentax 1.4x is not FF and very overpriced.
You can also get some old 200mm 2.8 lens with Pentax 1.7x AF converter, you will need to prefocus the lens but the Pentax converter will do the rest. They are both FF and very good IQ.
kind regards
jack
The DA*200 works well with the HD DA 1.4x Converter on K-1. Only a little bit vignetting in the corners. Not very strong. The A*300/4 is better than the DA*200 with the HD DA Converter, but best results you get from f5.6 on with the A*300/4. The A* has a neardistance of 4 meters! The modern 300er are better in this concern.
Best Converter for the DA*200 is the A 1.4x-L Converter, but it is a manual Converter no AF, but also no los of IQ with the DA*200. Best thing with the A 1.4x-L is you can stack it with another Converter liek the HD DA 1.4x or the F 1.7x AF Converter or if you are crazy and have a real good Tripod stack all three of them. The A 1.7x AF at the End and you have fast AF with a very long tele ... works fine, but no chance without a good tripod!

10-14-2017, 08:24 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by derekkite Quote
The 55-300 is better than the M or A. The M has fierce aberrations. The A is better. Don't spend too much on either. I managed a few decent shots with the A, but the window of acceptable is very narrow.
Wow, the lens reviews seem very high for either the A or the M.

What do you mean by the "window of acceptable is very narrow"?
10-14-2017, 08:53 AM   #21
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The M300 is tolerable at f8. The A300 doesn't have as severe aberrations, and I got some nice shots with it. A very narrow light level and background combinations give you acceptable shots. Both are like handling jewels.

Moving from a zoom to a prime should be an increase in quality. That isn't the case here. The F, FA or DA 300 gives you that increase in quality. All three are very nice lenses and worth what you pay for them.
10-14-2017, 09:01 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by derekkite Quote
All three are very nice lenses and worth what you pay for them
I have no doubt of this; however I cannot afford any lens around $1000!

10-14-2017, 09:27 AM   #23
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My first telephoto was a A-400 5.6. You can probably find one for $400.

Link to slide show with 137 A-400 images.

Mine has been used very little since I got my Tamron SP AF 300 3.8, that with the 1.4 TC gives me 420 ƒ4 or with the F 1.7x AF adapter gives me 510mm ƒ4.5 both with AF, although the 1.7x AF Adapter is a little harder to use.

But I paid for each of my TCs about what you want to spend altogether, so I'm not sure that information would be of any use to you.

Last edited by normhead; 10-14-2017 at 09:34 AM.
10-14-2017, 09:47 AM   #24
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Norm, fantastic shots! The only problem for me with the A400, is the weight.
10-14-2017, 10:13 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by csa Quote
Norm, fantastic shots! The only problem for me with the A400, is the weight.
It doesn't really feel all that heavy, a bit heavier than my 60-250, and it's quite long. It feels light for some reason, but it needs a tripod, just because it's 400mm. I have used it hand held in the past.

On the forum reviews, the 55-300 PLM is rated 9.22 and weighs about a pound. I don't see how you could beat that if weight is an issue.

Also highly rated the Sigma 18-300 although, I always suspect the ratings done by people who own those types of lenses, because I don't know if they've ever owned a quality lens.

Last edited by normhead; 10-14-2017 at 10:18 AM.
10-14-2017, 10:21 AM   #26
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I've heard great things about the PLM. However, I really want a primary, rather than another zoom. Also with the PLM, I'd have to finally update the firmware in my K3, and I'm very afraid of something happening, and "bricking" it.
10-14-2017, 10:25 AM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by csa Quote
I've heard great things about the PLM. However, I really want a primary, rather than another zoom. Also with the PLM, I'd have to finally update the firmware in my K3, and I'm very afraid of something happening, and "bricking" it.
True, but aren't you even a little curious about how fast th AF could be?
The PLM is basically the gold standard for fast focusing Pentax lenses.

But having been throug this many times with many different users, there just isn't really good cheap solution. The DA* 300 and HD DA 1.4 TC for me is way to go for getting into long lenses. Anything else involves compromise, with the 150-450 being the pinnacle... but then you are talking about some serious weight issues.

Last edited by normhead; 10-14-2017 at 10:38 AM.
10-14-2017, 10:30 AM   #28
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Not curious enough to take a chance on damaging my K3!
10-14-2017, 10:39 AM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by csa Quote
Not curious enough to take a chance on damaging my K3!
I always update to the newest anyway, so it's not really an issue for me. Apart from not using a charged battery, you can't really mess that up IMHO.

---------- Post added 10-14-17 at 01:42 PM ----------

Hey look here, oops maybe too late.
SMC Pentax K300mm f4 lens - PentaxForums.com

ƒ4 gives you the opportunity to eventually get a 1.7x and up your FL to 510mm ƒ6.3.. with limited AF.

Last edited by normhead; 10-14-2017 at 10:45 AM.
10-14-2017, 10:44 AM   #30
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I've read here in the forums of members having a problem updating, using a full battery. I'm not willing to take the chance!
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