[BillyCooper]

Hi All,

I'm ready and need a longish telephoto by the end of this month. I really like the concept of the 2.8 300 (i know where a nice used copy is), but I think I may need the reach of the 150-450, so I'm wondering if the 300 w/telecoverters is a viable choice. I know the 300 is loved and scores very highly, but will its iq hold up with a 1.4 or 2x converter? (and does a 2x really turn it into a virtual 600?) I also like the price of the 300.

I'm shooting a K1markii, and I love me some fast lens, although i'm not sure if all that speed is needed at length, although I am seduced by the light gathering capabilities of the fast lensfor low light situations.

All crits and opinions gladly accepted.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SUCH A GREAT RESOURCE!

Bill

[tduell]

I wouldn't think that the difference in reach between the 150-450 at full reach and the 300 + 1.4x TC would be noticeable, although the 300 + 1.4x TC at f/4 would be useful.
The HD-DA AF rear converter 1.4x AW has excellent quality, I use it a lot with the 150-450, and with the K-1, and although it does vignette, it is little and for me it isn't a problem as I usually crop anyway, but might affect you.
Regarding cost, all the FA* 300 f/2.8 I've seen have been much more expensive than a new 150-450, so if you like the price of the one you have your eye on, I'd say get before it goes!
I should add that the 150-450 will be more flexible in framing your shot, and with the 1.4x TC will give you 210-630mm, albeit with a loss of one stop.

Cheers,
Terry

[noelpolar]

As a 150-450 owner.... must just point out that the zoom would eat at least one more stop of light for the same aperture..... it's light transmitance isn't great....

[kypfer]

Depending on the nature or the subject(s), my only reservation would be the potential difficulty of "finding" the subject in the viewfinder with a fixed focal-length tele lens. It can be so much easier to start "zoomed out", find your subject, then zoom in to frame. It can also, on occasion, be frustrating to find oneself "too close" to a subject and unable to "zoom out".


YMMV

[Wild Mark]

The Pentax A* 300mm f2.8 + Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L is a killer combination

[derekkite]

The Mark II and 150-450 is a remarkably good combination. I have the Sigma 500 f4.5 as well. I'm finding that the elusive search for a stop of light becomes secondary with the low light capability of the sensor, secondary to other considerations such as flexibility and weight. I use the Sigma when I want that extra reach, but the 150-450 is almost always on the camera body.

[Wild Mark]

The Mark II and 150-450 is a remarkably good combination. I have the Sigma 500 f4.5 as well. I'm finding that the elusive search for a stop of light becomes secondary with the low light capability of the sensor, secondary to other considerations such as flexibility and weight. I use the Sigma when I want that extra reach, but the 150-450 is almost always on the camera body.

I tend to agree save for one main distinction. The fast glass does give better subject isolation (narrower depth of field). This cannot be readily achieved with f5.6 as your starting point. This said, the 150-450 is a mighty lens and comparable on sharpness to the fast 300mm + tele

[jeffdrew]

Fwiw, I weighed the comparisons of size &weight vs “reach” vs approximate annual usage etc. of same lenses. The 300mm + TC combo won my wallet and no significant regrets. There is never enough magnification, aperture, budget for every possibility!

[derekkite]

Fwiw, I weighed the comparisons of size &weight vs “reach” vs approximate annual usage etc. of same lenses. The 300mm + TC combo won my wallet and no significant regrets. There is never enough magnification, aperture, budget for every possibility!

Great! Have fun with it. And never forget the power of 'and'.

[angerdan]

Hi All,

I'm ready and need a longish telephoto by the end of this month. I really like the concept of the 2.8 300 (i know where a nice used copy is), but I think I may need the reach of the 150-450, so I'm wondering if the 300 w/telecoverters is a viable choice. I know the 300 is loved and scores very highly, but will its iq hold up with a 1.4 or 2x converter? (and does a 2x really turn it into a virtual 600?) I also like the price of the 300.

I'm shooting a K1markii, and I love me some fast lens, although i'm not sure if all that speed is needed at length, although I am seduced by the light gathering capabilities of the fast lensfor low light situations.

All crits and opinions gladly accepted.

THANK YOU ALL FOR SUCH A GREAT RESOURCE!

Bill

Why not the DA 560 mm?

• DA 560 vs Sigma 500: Help me Decide
• DA 560mm vs the Sigma 500mm f4.5
• DFA 150-450mm versus DA 560mm
• FA* 250-600 or DA 560
• FA* 300/f2.8 vs DA*300/f4
• Sigma 500mm 4.5 vs. FA* 300mm 2.8 with 1.5x TC

[Yoda boy]

Having used the DFA 150-450 for over a year now, I can comment that this is an exceptional lens. I have used it on both my K3 and my K1 II. I also have the 1.4 teleconverter but have not needed to use it with this lens.

[tduell]

As a 150-450 owner.... must just point out that the zoom would eat at least one more stop of light for the same aperture..... it's light transmitance isn't great....

Hello Noel,
Do you think it eats as much as that?
Have you done any tests on this?

Cheers,
Terry

[mikesbike]

My reasoning would be- there will most likely be times when having the f/2.8 capability will be important and 300mm will be adequate. Then also having the option of adding the TC for more reach and still at an impressive aperture for the FL. You'd be at 420mm and a shade under f/4 aperture. With the 150-450mm lens you'd be at f/5.6 at the long end or close to it, which is about one stop difference. This also translates into higher shutter speeds for the 300mm f/2.8 + TC option in dealing with action, low lighting, and hand holding.

[Albert Siegel]

Why not the DA 560 mm?

I love my DA 560, but the 150-450 would also be a great long lens solution that gets close enough and allows you the versatility of a zoom. The plus side to either of these is the ability to service them if needed. Parts for the old FA lenses are difficult to get if needed.

[noelpolar]

Hello Noel,
Do you think it eats as much as that?
Have you done any tests on this?

Cheers,
Terry

I did.... a few years ago.... simply metered through camera with my F*300/4.5 v's 150-450.... some others might also have tried it..... was a bit of an issue for me with the K3... not so much with K-1.

I can check it again now quite easily... as I have 2 K-1s... if worth while for you.


Anyway.... I don't regret getting the 150-450.... really suits the K-1.... one would really need a specialised purpose to want 300/2.8 on a modern camera such as the K-1.... or to just want one!

Isolation 150-450 style