Is the 150-450 WORTH it on crop sensor?

UserAccessDenied · 07-13-2018, 10:09 AM

Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking...

Is it worth it?

I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA*300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature.
Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc.

I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people...

I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA*300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos.
I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still...

The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach?
Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA*300 + TC to an equivalent view?

I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA*300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor.

Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C?

At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse!
I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread!

All comments are welcomed; as long as it's somewhat related to the 150-450 topic...
LBA encouragement; FF vs APS-C debate; Pentax is doomed; etc

Last edited by UserAccessDenied; 07-13-2018 at 10:15 AM.

Adam · 07-13-2018, 10:20 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C?

You'd technically get more resolution with APS-C since you're packing more pixels into a smaller area. IMO the 150-450mm is a great way to go, especially if you're fine with the weight.

There are some general remarks here:

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

Apparently we also have an unpublished (but complete) in-depth review of the 150-450mm with the TC, so I guess I'd better push that through!

I wouldn't worry too much about FF vs APS-C when deciding to get this lens. Since the TC doesn't cover the FF image area, APS-C definitely has the advantage of extra reach.

**jatrax** · 07-13-2018, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people...

I'm not sure what it would have to do with FF or APS-C. The lens works great on either. And on APS-C you get more resolution, more pixels on your subject.

I eagerly await the review of the 150-450 and the TC but I can say from experience it works great but with the caveat that you are now working with a 600mm lens and that alone requires new skills.

The only downside to the 150-450 is the weight but any lens in that focal range is going to be heavy. Maybe rent or borrow one to see if you feel comfortable handling it.

aaacb · 07-13-2018, 10:30 AM

As a not-owner of this lens, and a k3ii owner, yes it's worth it (performance wise) but I don't have access to wildlife often enough to make it a viable purchase. On the few occasions when I used my 55-300 for birds, I always wanted more reach and a larger aperture.

UserAccessDenied · 07-13-2018, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Adam

You'd technically get more resolution with APS-C since you're packing more pixels into a smaller area. IMO the 150-450mm is a great way to get, especially if you're fine with the weight.

There are some general remarks here:

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

Apparently we also have an unpublished (but complete) in-depth review of the 150-450mm with the TC, so I guess I'd better push that through!

I wouldn't worry too much about FF vs APS-C when deciding to get this lens. Since the TC doesn't cover the FF image area, APS-C definitely has the advantage of extra reach.

Thanks for the response!
And I can't wait to read the review once it's published!!!

---------- Post added 07-13-18 at 01:40 PM ----------

Originally posted by jatrax

I'm not sure what it would have to do with FF or APS-C. The lens works great on either. And on APS-C you get more resolution, more pixels on your subject.

I eagerly await the review of the 150-450 and the TC but I can say from experience it works great but with the caveat that you are now working with a 600mm lens and that alone requires new skills.

The only downside to the 150-450 is the weight but any lens in that focal range is going to be heavy. Maybe rent or borrow one to see if you feel comfortable handling it.

Right, I've considered renting but the cost seems a bit high in my opinion... No one around here shoots Pentax so borrow is unlikely lol.

I couldn't agree more with that bold statement... I owned the Bigma and that was "tough" at 500mm to keep steady handheld. Anything under 1/1000s shutter came out with motion blur.
monopod helped. And I can't really lug around the tripod/gimbal where I shoot (I can but it's not desirable.)

Guess the APS-C vs FF doesn't matter so that's a good thing to note.

Cheers!

**aslyfox** · 07-13-2018, 10:41 AM - **1 Like**

IMHO yes

I suggest you rent one and do your own experimenting

I have used Lensrentals.com from Tennessee with good success

LensRentals.com - Rent a Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 DC AW

there are other companies

if you do rent, I recommend you purchase the maximum protection plan

LensBeginner · 07-13-2018, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

*snip*

I couldn't agree more with that bold statement... I owned the Bigma and that was "tough" at 500mm to keep steady handheld. Anything under 1/1000s shutter came out with motion blur.

*snip*

...try imagining what shooting with the new Coolpix P1000 would look like, at 3000 mm equiv. FoV!

**jpzk** · 07-13-2018, 11:14 AM

Having tried the D FA 150-450 on a K3 … great results !
With the TC.... OK.
I also presently have the DA*300 with the K3 ...great results again/with the TC: OK.

biz-engineer · 07-13-2018, 11:27 AM

The truth is, the 100-400 are made FF compatible but they are mostly used on crop. DFA150-450 is no exception. DA300 is optically great but the DFA150450 has such much better AF motoring features. I used to use the DA300 it gave me good photo when in good focus, after I got the 150450 I kept the da300 for while then sold it.

C_Jones · 07-13-2018, 12:18 PM

The Pentax 150-450 would be a great companion with an aps-c camera like the K-3 II. The pixels are there and the distance is also with that type dedicated aps-c body.

Barry Pearson · 07-13-2018, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking...

Is it worth it?

I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA*300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature.
Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc.

I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people...

I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA*300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos.
I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still...

The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach?
Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA*300 + TC to an equivalent view?

I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA*300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor.

Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C?

At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse!
I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread!

I owned all of K-3ii, K-1, DA*300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450. My K-1 is now a K-1ii, I still have the rest.

I bought the D FA 150-450mm for use on the K-3-series, before the K-1 was announced. It soon became my most used lens, almost always hand-held.

In my opinion, the D FA 150-450mm is a super lens for certain subjects. It is even better on K-1-series, because when shooting aircraft in flight, and motor sports, subjects sometimes exceeded the frame at 150mm on APS-C. With FF, there is extra space at 150mm.

(However, I find the D FA* 70-200mm is often better at motorsports, again because of the wider end).

I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding the Pentax HD 1.4x Rear Converter to the D FA 150-450mm. (Certainly not on FF, but I'm not convinced about APS-C either). It works on APS-C, but I'm not sure that it is better than cropping images from the "naked" 450mm end. However, someone who already has the 1.4x converter can do their own trials.

I stopped using my DA* 300mm when I got the D FA 150-450mm, because the latter gave more range, I'm now having second thoughts, for birds in flight, simply because of the weight. I can follow a moving bird faster with a 1-kilogram lens (DA* 300mm) than with a 2-kilogram lens (D FA 150-450mm). That is a personal limitation. On a tripod, there is no contest.

I've never regretted buying the D FA 150-450mm lens, whether used on APS-C or FF. Within its range it is excellent. If something happened to mine, I would buy another.

**mikesbike** · 07-13-2018, 12:46 PM

I think tele work is best with APS-C anyway. The D-FA 150-450mm is a very fine lens. It is DC rather than the old SDM, and it is also AW rather than WR, which means extra-durable build quality. I just saw it is selling at $567 off at B&H. Your DA* 300mm is certainly very fine, and no doubt its aperture is faster at 300mm than the DFA zoom lens at the same 300mm, but then you'd have a tele zoom lens, which allows you to frame as needed in the tele range with excellent quality. So if you need the speed, then the prime is the answer, but if you need to zoom, only a zoom lens can do that, plus some extra reach.

But if the tools you have do what you need.... the decision is more like would this lens do it better?

jddwoods · 07-13-2018, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking...

Is it worth it?

I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA*300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature.
Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc.

I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people...

I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA*300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos.
I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still...

The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach?
Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA*300 + TC to an equivalent view?

I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA*300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor.

Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C?

At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse!
I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread!

All comments are welcomed; as long as it's somewhat related to the 150-450 topic...
LBA encouragement; FF vs APS-C debate; Pentax is doomed; etc

I also have the DA*300 and the 1.4x TC and am very happy with this combination as a 420mm f5.6 reach for wildlife. The 150-450 is something I would love to have for wildlife but from what I have read, it is quite heavy, especially for someone like me who has hand tremors. The DA*300 with or without the TC is still hand holdable. Since I also have a DA* 200, DFA 100 macro WR and the 55-300 PLM for when I need a zoom, it is hard for me to justify the cost of the DFA 150-450, especially since I just retired and I have all of these focal lengths covered. Good luck with your decision. It is a great lens if you decide to go for it.

**jpzk** · 07-13-2018, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by Barry Pearson

I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding the Pentax HD 1.4x Rear Converter to the D FA 150-450mm. (Certainly not on FF, but I'm not convinced about APS-C either). It works on APS-C, but I'm not sure that it is better than cropping images from the "naked" 450mm end. However, someone who already has the 1.4x converter can do their own trials.
I personally tried the 150-450 on my K3 with and without the TC ... I found that the results are "better" with the DA*300/4 on its own, no TC. Cropping from the images taken with the 300mm alone gives me more keepers.
As for combining the 150-450 with the TC ... again, I prefer using the lens on its own with no TC, especially when roaming through dense woods with little available light (same with the DA*300/4).
I stopped using my DA* 300mm when I got the D FA 150-450mm, because the latter gave more range, I'm now having second thoughts, for birds in flight, simply because of the weight. I can follow a moving bird faster with a 1-kilogram lens (DA* 300mm) than with a 2-kilogram lens (D FA 150-450mm). That is a personal limitation. On a tripod, there is no contest.

Indeed the 150-450 can become quite heavy after a while, especially as you mention, for BIF photography.

**clickclick** · 07-13-2018, 04:12 PM - **1 Like**

I love my 150-450 on my K3II. Unless I'm out of light, that's my preferred combination over using it with my K1. I don't have the HD 1.4x converter, but I do have the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter/TC. It's much easier to get a better shot without the TC. In my test shots, sometimes the picture taken with the 1.7x is better than upsampling, but generally, the lens alone works best.

07-13-2018, 10:09 AM	#1
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677	Is the 150-450 WORTH it on crop sensor? Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking... Is it worth it? I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature. Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc. I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people... I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos. I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still... The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach? Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA300 + TC to an equivalent view? I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor. Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C? At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse! I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread! All comments are welcomed; as long as it's somewhat related to the 150-450 topic... LBA encouragement; FF vs APS-C debate; Pentax is doomed; etc Last edited by UserAccessDenied; 07-13-2018 at 10:15 AM.

07-13-2018, 10:20 AM - 2 Likes	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C? You'd technically get more resolution with APS-C since you're packing more pixels into a smaller area. IMO the 150-450mm is a great way to go, especially if you're fine with the weight. There are some general remarks here: HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Apparently we also have an unpublished (but complete) in-depth review of the 150-450mm with the TC, so I guess I'd better push that through! I wouldn't worry too much about FF vs APS-C when deciding to get this lens. Since the TC doesn't cover the FF image area, APS-C definitely has the advantage of extra reach. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

07-13-2018, 12:46 PM	#12
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	I think tele work is best with APS-C anyway. The D-FA 150-450mm is a very fine lens. It is DC rather than the old SDM, and it is also AW rather than WR, which means extra-durable build quality. I just saw it is selling at $567 off at B&H. Your DA* 300mm is certainly very fine, and no doubt its aperture is faster at 300mm than the DFA zoom lens at the same 300mm, but then you'd have a tele zoom lens, which allows you to frame as needed in the tele range with excellent quality. So if you need the speed, then the prime is the answer, but if you need to zoom, only a zoom lens can do that, plus some extra reach. But if the tools you have do what you need.... the decision is more like would this lens do it better? Last edited by mikesbike; 07-13-2018 at 12:59 PM.

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07-13-2018, 10:29 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people... I'm not sure what it would have to do with FF or APS-C. The lens works great on either. And on APS-C you get more resolution, more pixels on your subject. I eagerly await the review of the 150-450 and the TC but I can say from experience it works great but with the caveat that you are now working with a 600mm lens and that alone requires new skills. The only downside to the 150-450 is the weight but any lens in that focal range is going to be heavy. Maybe rent or borrow one to see if you feel comfortable handling it.

07-13-2018, 10:30 AM	#4
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,723	As a not-owner of this lens, and a k3ii owner, yes it's worth it (performance wise) but I don't have access to wildlife often enough to make it a viable purchase. On the few occasions when I used my 55-300 for birds, I always wanted more reach and a larger aperture.

07-13-2018, 10:37 AM	#5
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam You'd technically get more resolution with APS-C since you're packing more pixels into a smaller area. IMO the 150-450mm is a great way to get, especially if you're fine with the weight. There are some general remarks here: HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Apparently we also have an unpublished (but complete) in-depth review of the 150-450mm with the TC, so I guess I'd better push that through! I wouldn't worry too much about FF vs APS-C when deciding to get this lens. Since the TC doesn't cover the FF image area, APS-C definitely has the advantage of extra reach. Thanks for the response! And I can't wait to read the review once it's published!!! ---------- Post added 07-13-18 at 01:40 PM ---------- Originally posted by jatrax I'm not sure what it would have to do with FF or APS-C. The lens works great on either. And on APS-C you get more resolution, more pixels on your subject. I eagerly await the review of the 150-450 and the TC but I can say from experience it works great but with the caveat that you are now working with a 600mm lens and that alone requires new skills. The only downside to the 150-450 is the weight but any lens in that focal range is going to be heavy. Maybe rent or borrow one to see if you feel comfortable handling it. Right, I've considered renting but the cost seems a bit high in my opinion... No one around here shoots Pentax so borrow is unlikely lol. I couldn't agree more with that bold statement... I owned the Bigma and that was "tough" at 500mm to keep steady handheld. Anything under 1/1000s shutter came out with motion blur. monopod helped. And I can't really lug around the tripod/gimbal where I shoot (I can but it's not desirable.) Guess the APS-C vs FF doesn't matter so that's a good thing to note. Cheers!

07-13-2018, 10:41 AM - 1 Like	#6
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	IMHO yes I suggest you rent one and do your own experimenting I have used Lensrentals.com from Tennessee with good success LensRentals.com - Rent a Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 DC AW there are other companies if you do rent, I recommend you purchase the maximum protection plan

07-13-2018, 10:56 AM	#7
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied snip I couldn't agree more with that bold statement... I owned the Bigma and that was "tough" at 500mm to keep steady handheld. Anything under 1/1000s shutter came out with motion blur. snip ...try imagining what shooting with the new Coolpix P1000 would look like, at 3000 mm equiv. FoV!

07-13-2018, 11:14 AM	#8
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Having tried the D FA 150-450 on a K3 … great results ! With the TC.... OK. I also presently have the DA*300 with the K3 ...great results again/with the TC: OK.

07-13-2018, 11:27 AM	#9
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,225	The truth is, the 100-400 are made FF compatible but they are mostly used on crop. DFA150-450 is no exception. DA300 is optically great but the DFA150450 has such much better AF motoring features. I used to use the DA300 it gave me good photo when in good focus, after I got the 150450 I kept the da300 for while then sold it.

07-13-2018, 12:18 PM	#10
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,079	The Pentax 150-450 would be a great companion with an aps-c camera like the K-3 II. The pixels are there and the distance is also with that type dedicated aps-c body.

07-13-2018, 12:35 PM	#11
Barry Pearson Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Stockport Posts: 964	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking... Is it worth it? I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature. Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc. I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people... I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos. I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still... The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach? Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA300 + TC to an equivalent view? I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor. Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C? At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse! I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread! I owned all of K-3ii, K-1, DA300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450. My K-1 is now a K-1ii, I still have the rest. I bought the D FA 150-450mm for use on the K-3-series, before the K-1 was announced. It soon became my most used lens, almost always hand-held. In my opinion, the D FA 150-450mm is a super lens for certain subjects. It is even better on K-1-series, because when shooting aircraft in flight, and motor sports, subjects sometimes exceeded the frame at 150mm on APS-C. With FF, there is extra space at 150mm. (However, I find the D FA 70-200mm is often better at motorsports, again because of the wider end). I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding the Pentax HD 1.4x Rear Converter to the D FA 150-450mm. (Certainly not on FF, but I'm not convinced about APS-C either). It works on APS-C, but I'm not sure that it is better than cropping images from the "naked" 450mm end. However, someone who already has the 1.4x converter can do their own trials. I stopped using my DA* 300mm when I got the D FA 150-450mm, because the latter gave more range, I'm now having second thoughts, for birds in flight, simply because of the weight. I can follow a moving bird faster with a 1-kilogram lens (DA* 300mm) than with a 2-kilogram lens (D FA 150-450mm). That is a personal limitation. On a tripod, there is no contest. I've never regretted buying the D FA 150-450mm lens, whether used on APS-C or FF. Within its range it is excellent. If something happened to mine, I would buy another.

07-13-2018, 01:25 PM	#13
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Recent pricing of the DFA 150-450 has got me thinking... Is it worth it? I know there are a bunch of threads out there comparing the two (DA300 vs DFA 150-450), and there is no real consensus on which is "better" since they are different beasts in their own nature. Weight considerations; flexibility of the zoom; TC or no TC considerations; cost considerations; etc, etc, etc. I want to know if the APS-C vs FF body plays into this decisions for most people... I'm currently shooting a K-3ii and my DA300 + 1.4xTC pair well for wildlife photos. I definitely need the WR, I like the 420mm reach with the TC, but often find myself cropping still... The 450mm isn't much more reach than 420mm; but what about 630mm vs 420mm (considering the TC)? On a crop sensor, is the 150-450 much of an upgrade in terms of reach? Assuming I kept the TC and used on the 150-450, is it worth it vs cropping the DA300 + TC to an equivalent view? I don't even know if anyone here owns all of the above (K-3ii, K-1, DA300, 1.4xTC, DFA150-450)... It would be awesome to see a full comparison between the two lens combos, with and without TC, with posted apertures at each focal length AND compared between the APS-C and FF sensor. Is there higher resolve out of the 150-450 on FF and is that the same on APS-C? At the end of the day I'm happy with what I have. Things could be MUCH worse! I'm tempted to just save my money and wait it out for the K-3ii successor... but the 150-450 constantly draws my attention, and with the price being at near-all-time-low I'm even more intrigued. Hence the thread! All comments are welcomed; as long as it's somewhat related to the 150-450 topic... LBA encouragement; FF vs APS-C debate; Pentax is doomed; etc I also have the DA300 and the 1.4x TC and am very happy with this combination as a 420mm f5.6 reach for wildlife. The 150-450 is something I would love to have for wildlife but from what I have read, it is quite heavy, especially for someone like me who has hand tremors. The DA300 with or without the TC is still hand holdable. Since I also have a DA* 200, DFA 100 macro WR and the 55-300 PLM for when I need a zoom, it is hard for me to justify the cost of the DFA 150-450, especially since I just retired and I have all of these focal lengths covered. Good luck with your decision. It is a great lens if you decide to go for it.

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07-13-2018, 02:16 PM	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Barry Pearson I'm not convinced of the benefits of adding the Pentax HD 1.4x Rear Converter to the D FA 150-450mm. (Certainly not on FF, but I'm not convinced about APS-C either). It works on APS-C, but I'm not sure that it is better than cropping images from the "naked" 450mm end. However, someone who already has the 1.4x converter can do their own trials. I personally tried the 150-450 on my K3 with and without the TC ... I found that the results are "better" with the DA300/4 on its own, no TC. Cropping from the images taken with the 300mm alone gives me more keepers. As for combining the 150-450 with the TC ... again, I prefer using the lens on its own with no TC, especially when roaming through dense woods with little available light (same with the DA300/4). I stopped using my DA* 300mm when I got the D FA 150-450mm, because the latter gave more range, I'm now having second thoughts, for birds in flight, simply because of the weight. I can follow a moving bird faster with a 1-kilogram lens (DA* 300mm) than with a 2-kilogram lens (D FA 150-450mm). That is a personal limitation. On a tripod, there is no contest. Indeed the 150-450 can become quite heavy after a while, especially as you mention, for BIF photography.

07-13-2018, 04:12 PM - 1 Like	#15
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	I love my 150-450 on my K3II. Unless I'm out of light, that's my preferred combination over using it with my K1. I don't have the HD 1.4x converter, but I do have the Pentax 1.7x AF adapter/TC. It's much easier to get a better shot without the TC. In my test shots, sometimes the picture taken with the 1.7x is better than upsampling, but generally, the lens alone works best.