[Violet]

I've got a variety of lenses but the one I've found is my go to lens and always on my camera is the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE. Worked beautifully on the K3 and okay on the K1 II as long as the subject matter lends itself to cropping to avoid the vignetting that occurs. I tend to shoot long and as wide open as I can given light conditions. I'm a big fan of composing around the bokeh in the photo and the 55-300 PLM does a great job on that.

I'd rather not spend a huge amount of money but I don't buy lenses that often so I'll cough up the money if it seems worth it.

I've looked at the HD PENTAX-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW and the HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW specs in the forum data base. If I had to choose today, I'm leaning towards the 70-200mm but knowing how much I shoot long, I'm concerned about giving up that 100mm. And that nudges me towards the 150-450mm choice.

Is there anyone who has used both of those and can compare them?

Any worthy lenses from non-Pentax sources that I should consider?

[pepperberry farm]

why another zoom - why not a wider prime, say 24 to 35mm?

[Violet]

why another zoom - why not a wider prime, say 24 to 35mm?

If you look at my signature, you'll see I'm pretty well supplied in the "wide" range, DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited, DA 40mm F2.8 Limited, DA*55mm F1.4 SDM, DA*16-50mm F2.8ED AL [IF] SDM, DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL II, Pentax-M 50mm F1.7, Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4.

I don't know that a 24-35mm prime would add that much. As it is, I tend to carry the 35mm, 40mm and the 55-300 PLM when I'm trying to cut down on weight.

And the 55-300 PLM works well except for the vignetting on the K1 II which can be quite severe depending on the subject. Since I tend to shoot longer, I'm more interested in a long zoom that works on a full-frame camera.

[aslyfox]

Both are currently on sale

I like them both for different purposes

[ my * 70-200 is in Japan awaiting a decision on repairing it ]


have you considered the use of this
HD Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter

Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter
Introduction
Pentax released the long-awaited 1.4x autofocus teleconverter in March, 2014. This handy accessory mounts between your existing DSLR lens and the camera mount to increase the effective focal length by 1.4x, giving you extra reach at the expense of one stop of light. For example, a 300mm F4 lens paired with the teleconverter would give you the same field of view and maximum aperture as a 420mm F5.6 lens. We feel that the teleconverter is an important addition to the Pentax lens lineup, which currently has a limited number of extreme telephoto lenses.


Read more at: Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews


to extend the length of the D FA * 70-200mm F2.8

I don't shoot FF so I can't help on how much vignetting there might be


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another suggestion, consider renting either or both lenses to try them your self

I have used LensRentals.com and liked their service

[pepperberry farm]

If you look at my signature, you'll see I'm pretty well supplied in the "wide" range, DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited, DA 40mm F2.8 Limited, DA*55mm F1.4 SDM, DA*16-50mm F2.8ED AL [IF] SDM, DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL II, Pentax-M 50mm F1.7, Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4.

I don't know that a 24-35mm prime would add that much. As it is, I tend to carry the 35mm, 40mm and the 55-300 PLM when I'm trying to cut down on weight.

And the 55-300 PLM works well except for the vignetting on the K1 II which can be quite severe depending on the subject. Since I tend to shoot longer, I'm more interested in a long zoom that works on a full-frame camera.

ah - my bad; signatures do not show on mobile platforms...

[twilhelm]

I am primarily a prime shooter. After getting a K-1, my 55-300 saw so little use, I recently sold it. My go-to long(er) lens is the DA*200, it renders beautifully on the K-1. Soon I'm planning on adding the DA*300 and the 1.4 rear converter.

[DeadJohn]

70-200 doesn't seem long enough for the type of photos you want to take. That leaves the 150-450 or DA* 300 as reasonably (IMO) priced options. The 560 is another possibility but much more expensive and special-purpose.

In terms of image quality, the Sigma 50-500 is better than 55-300, worse than 150-450. The 50-500 was a good choice and could be found under $1000 used before it was discontinued. New-old-stock nearly doubled in price after being discontinued, and used prices became similarly nuts.

Check prices on the Sigma 50-500 and maybe prices have become sane again, but if the Pentax 150-450 is in the same price range get the Pentax.

[Docrwm]

300 prime seems built for you. Better f, better glass, long reach - ideal given your stated needs. Are you opposed to old glass on the long end? I see you have some wonderful old primes in the normal and wider range but nothing past 135. You can find some rather nice 300mm Pentax lenses in the K & M range for not a whole lot.

[twilhelm]

300 prime seems built for you. Better f, better glass, long reach - ideal given your stated needs. Are you opposed to old glass on the long end? I see you have some wonderful old primes in the normal and wider range but nothing past 135. You can find some rather nice 300mm Pentax lenses in the K & M range for not a whole lot.

This is a good place to start. I have the SMC K 300 f/4, rather heavy and very sharp. There is a bit of purple fringing, but nothing that hard to take care of in post. And they can be found between $200 and $300.

[Docrwm]

This is a good place to start. I have the SMC K 300 f/4, rather heavy and very sharp. There is a bit of purple fringing, but nothing that hard to take care of in post. And they can be found between $200 and $300.

I have the same lens. Yes, it's heavy but is very sharp. It's built like a tank. I've seen them go for <$200 in good shape but you have to be looking.

[Fenwoodian]

.
You said you are a "a big fan of composing around the bokeh in the photo". You also said you're set for wide and 50mm ish focal lengths.

For something different, and surprisingly affordable consider Leitax adapting Leica R 135/2.8 and 180/2.8 lenses. You can buy both in good used condtion for around $300 - $400. A Leitax adapter will cost $100 USD each. They are super easy to install on a Leica R lens.

With these two Leica's you'll get outstanding colors and bokeh. The 180 especially is very sharp.

I still own a copy of the SMC K 300 f/4 lens. Since getting the 180 Leica I have not used the Pentax 300 lens.

[twilhelm]

.
You said you are a "a big fan of composing around the bokeh in the photo". You also said you're set for wide and 50mm ish focal lengths.

For something different, and surprisingly affordable consider Leitax adapting Leica R 135/2.8 and 180/2.8 lenses. You can buy both in good used condtion for around $300 - $400. A Leitax adapter will cost $100 USD each. They are super easy to install on a Leica R lens.

With these two Leica's you'll get outstanding colors and bokeh. The 180 especially is very sharp.

I still own a copy of the SMC K 300 f/4 lens. Since getting the 180 Leica I have not used the Pentax 300 lens.

I would not argue against a Leitax adapted Leica R lens for color, bokeh or sharpness. Especially since I have the 50 and 135 variants. To me, they are like the FA Limiteds, no one else put that much thought into the final image from a lens.

[UncleVanya]

For lightweight with a bit of reach and less vignetting you could try on of the FA 100-300 or 80-320 lenses. These will vary in quality but the best will still be a bit poor in terms of CA and other defects. The overall sharpness may suffer at the full extension but just back from max they may be acceptable.

If that doesn't float your boat, the DA* 60-250 is a fixed f/4 zoom with fantastic image quality can be fairly simply modified to give very little vignetting and it offers a constant f/4. It has problems with focus breathing (reduced effective focal length/magnification at closer distances). It combines well with the HD DA 1.4x on the K-3, but I have no idea how well this combination works on the K-1. The lens will not be as swift to focus as what you already have (the 55-300 PLM is one of the fastest focusing.)

I shoot a K-3 but even without vignetting I prefer the DA 60-250 unless weight is a big factor

[aslyfox]

I don't know if any member has tried the Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter with the full frame K 1 or K 1 II, if there is, it might be good to see if this prediction is correct or not:

" We mounted the converter on a film body and did not notice any particular vignetting in the viewfinder with lenses 20mm or longer. This is not to say that the converter will be usable in practice with a full frame DSLR should Pentax release one, since firmware could prevent its use. "

Read more at: Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter Review - Conclusion | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[biz-engineer]

Having both DFA*70-200 and DFA150-450, with Pentax I'd go for the DFA*70-200 without hesitation. DFA*70-200 and DFA150450 are completely different lenses.

- DFA150450 is more of the "amateur" lens for safaris and wildlife, better than third party equivalent such as Tamrons and Sigma, but yet not such a fast lens like the serious ones for wildlife, sharpness is good but colors rendering and bokeh are so..so.

- DFA70-200 is more of the pro-league Pentax pedigree, f2.8, with star* class color and contrast rendering, and also this kind of lens turns into a 100-300 f4 when mounted on a TC, without much loss of image quality. If Ricoh release a FF 1.4 TC next year, that will be good.

I'd definitely go for the DFA*70-200.