Hi folks,

I have the DA* 300 and like it, but I find it doesn't AF as much as I need when filming flying snowy owls. Even without using the Pentax 1.4x TC

Does anyone in the Ottawa area have the Pentax 150-450? Of course the lens itself is a special order so I can't rent it to try it out. I'd really like to see the difference 1st hand.

I don't want to borrow overnight - just shoot a bit with it while the owner is with - I get that it isn't cheap lol

Not really interested in any of the Sigma lens.

Getting super jealous of all the folks with Nikon and Canon lens' getting in much closer than I am.

Plus the simple fact I'm not getting as many keepers as I would like.

Cheers,
Brian

[KiloHotelphoto]

What body are you using? The DA* 300 I thought was the best Pentax lens I had, I also had the DA560 and started with the a Sigma 150-500. I used it on the K3 and the K1 and thought it did good on both.

The Sigma was not bad, but I think images from the DA*300 were better cropped than the Sigma at 500mm.

I am now one of those Canon folks because of the longer lenses and auto focus for birds in flight.

[WPRESTO]

I am now one of those Canon folks because of the longer lenses and auto focus for birds in flight.

True confessions: I went to Canon because of long glass selection and quick focus. The Tamron 150-600mm (2nd version) locks focus lightning quick with a Canon D7, much faster than a Pentax 150-450mm on my K1.

Hi folks,

I have the K3.

You both did what I am leaning towards - a switch to Nikon or Canon for faster af plus longer lens selection.

I really like my K3. I’m also having fun shooting owls, but watching folks with longer lens and what appears to be faster af, has me thinking.

Oh boy. Lol

Cheers
Brian

[KiloHotelphoto]

The lens selection was what pushed me. I didn’t think the autofocus was that bad on the Pentax until I switched and used the Canon first hand.

I have a Canon 5dsr and a 7D mk2, they replaced my K1 and K3. The image quality I think is better on the K3 than the 7D but the focusing isn’t even close. I know a guy who shoots the Nikon d500 and I think that is better than the Canon and Pentax crop bodies in every way.

If you are looking to stick with a crop right now I say Nikon but rumors about the Canon 7d mk2 replacement coming this year are rampant like the K3 II replacement rumors. The Canon will probably leap frog the d500 and you will have lots of lenses to choose from. The Pentax replacement I’m sure will be improved also but I’m not sure if they will have the leap in autofocus to match the Nikon and Canons and you are still limited in longer lenses to chose from.