Pentax-FA 645 400mm F5.6 ED [IF] Lens Use for Wildlife Photography

btnapa · 01-28-2019, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by leonine

What about the Sony RX 10 Mk III or IV? 24-600mm range but with a 1" sensor at 20 MP. Can it yield equally good quality RAW images in the hands of a photographer compared to if the same photographer was using a Canon 50D (about 11 yrs old but working fine, by the way) with a Sigma 150-600?

I think you have it under control. It seems to me the choices are almost endless! If you have time, rent and test to see what camera, lens combo gives you the best results. You mentioned wanting to print. Try to print some of the images in the sizes you mentioned to make sure the gear you selected delivers the goods. Good luck.

leonine · 01-28-2019, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I intensely dislike the Sony user interface. However that is a very personal point. I wouldn't be happy with the Sony but I expect it might keep up with the Canon. Dxomark shows the Canon has a slight edge in ISO performance however the two seem very comparable. The Sony supposedly has better color depth and dynamic range.

Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10 III : Tests and Reviews - DxOMark

Canon EOS 50D : Tests and Reviews - DxOMark

I spoke to some local photographers who have shot in the Mara before. Their advice is that an APS-C sensor would be better than a 1" sensor any day if you need to print some day.

---------- Post added 01-28-19 at 01:48 PM ----------

Originally posted by btnapa

I think you have it under control. It seems to me the choices are almost endless! If you have time, rent and test to see what camera, lens combo gives you the best results. You mentioned wanting to print. Try to print some of the images in the sizes you mentioned to make sure the gear you selected delivers the goods. Good luck.

When it is a once in a lifetime trip, and money is not infinite, it would help to come to an optimal solution with available resources and the combined wisdom of the experts on the forum :-)

If possible, I shall try to rent the final gear decided and take some prints to make sure that it works.

Thank you all for the valuable advice. Shall keep you posted on the trip.

leonine · 02-03-2019, 10:53 AM

An update.....

Came across this Pentax 645 lens adaptor for Canon EOS 50D Pentax 645 SLR Lens to Canon EOS Mount SLR Camera Body Adapter ? Fotodiox, Inc. USA.

Does anyone have any experience with this? If this works without any degradation of the image quality, I could use this adaptor for the Pentax 645 400mm lens and mount it on Canon EOS 50D. This would be a more economical option to renting out a Canon 100-400 or a 400mm prime lens.

Any views?

**UncleVanya** · 02-03-2019, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by leonine

An update.....

Came across this Pentax 645 lens adaptor for Canon EOS 50D Pentax 645 SLR Lens to Canon EOS Mount SLR Camera Body Adapter ? Fotodiox, Inc. USA.

Does anyone have any experience with this? If this works without any degradation of the image quality, I could use this adaptor for the Pentax 645 400mm lens and mount it on Canon EOS 50D. This would be a more economical option to renting out a Canon 100-400 or a 400mm prime lens.

Any views?

It will be manual focus which could be a drag or be just fine. I'm unfamiliar with the Canon. How bright is the focus screen and how accurately will it focus.

leonine · 02-03-2019, 09:15 PM

Manual focus isn’t a problem for me personally. I am only concerned about drop in quality of the image as compared to not using an adaptor. Theoretically, it shouldn’t matter as there is no extra optics included by the adaptor. But maybe there are some practical considerations.

**UncleVanya** · 02-04-2019, 07:48 AM

Originally posted by leonine

Manual focus isn’t a problem for me personally. I am only concerned about drop in quality of the image as compared to not using an adaptor. Theoretically, it shouldn’t matter as there is no extra optics included by the adaptor. But maybe there are some practical considerations.

Given my experiences with no glass adapters on m43 I don't think you have much to worry over EXCEPT the fact that larger format lenses tend to not have the same level of optical quality as smaller lenses. The larger format is more forgiving so things that might be very minor on the native platform may show up on the smaller sensor.

Also while you may have manual focus skills - do you have them at 400mm with a crop sensor and a weak focusing screen for manual focus? My own experience is that I can use a 400mm on a manual focus film 35mm camera with a split screen and microprism collar but I struggle with a crop sensor camera with a digital matte focusing screen. The darker and smaller viewfinder and the lack of differentiation between in focus and out of focus on the typical digital screen lead to shots that LOOK good in the viewfinder or on the back LCD but then end up being slightly out of focus in 3 of 4 shots or more. My advice is to practice this and make sure you are very comfortable that you can get the results you want.

leonine · 02-04-2019, 11:04 AM

That's a very important bit of advice. Thank you. I shall practice more and get well conversant with the lens-camera combination before I venture out to the Mara.

**UncleVanya** · 02-04-2019, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by leonine

That's a very important bit of advice. Thank you. I shall practice more and get well conversant with the lens-camera combination before I venture out to the Mara.

Good luck! I'm hoping you post photos!

leonine · 02-06-2019, 09:30 AM

Thank you. Of course I shall post the pics :-)

angerdan · 02-24-2021, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by leonine

Thank you. Of course I shall post the pics :-)

We're curious

leonine · 02-26-2021, 08:10 AM

I posted a few on another thread perhaps. Then just got busy and forgot. I will do it in a while

leonine · 02-26-2021, 08:54 AM - **4 Likes**

Nothing great. It was the first time, the learning curve was steep. But learnt a lot. Would do a better job next time

**UncleVanya** · 02-27-2021, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by leonine

Nothing great. It was the first time, the learning curve was steep. But learnt a lot. Would do a better job next time

Shots 2 & 3 grab me.

leonine · 2 Days Ago

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Shots 2 & 3 grab me.

Thank you. Got some more decent images. But need to work on them.

**RICHARD L.** · 2 Days Ago

02-26-2021, 08:54 AM - 4 Likes	#27
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Nothing great. It was the first time, the learning curve was steep. But learnt a lot. Would do a better job next time Attached Images

2 Days Ago	#30
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 2,143	The 645 FA 400 mm f/5.6 is a good tele lens on a K3 or K5 (upper) or a K1 (lower).

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01-28-2019, 09:33 AM	#16
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,171	Originally posted by leonine What about the Sony RX 10 Mk III or IV? 24-600mm range but with a 1" sensor at 20 MP. Can it yield equally good quality RAW images in the hands of a photographer compared to if the same photographer was using a Canon 50D (about 11 yrs old but working fine, by the way) with a Sigma 150-600? I think you have it under control. It seems to me the choices are almost endless! If you have time, rent and test to see what camera, lens combo gives you the best results. You mentioned wanting to print. Try to print some of the images in the sizes you mentioned to make sure the gear you selected delivers the goods. Good luck.

01-28-2019, 01:43 PM	#17
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya I intensely dislike the Sony user interface. However that is a very personal point. I wouldn't be happy with the Sony but I expect it might keep up with the Canon. Dxomark shows the Canon has a slight edge in ISO performance however the two seem very comparable. The Sony supposedly has better color depth and dynamic range. Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10 III : Tests and Reviews - DxOMark Canon EOS 50D : Tests and Reviews - DxOMark I spoke to some local photographers who have shot in the Mara before. Their advice is that an APS-C sensor would be better than a 1" sensor any day if you need to print some day. ---------- Post added 01-28-19 at 01:48 PM ---------- Originally posted by btnapa I think you have it under control. It seems to me the choices are almost endless! If you have time, rent and test to see what camera, lens combo gives you the best results. You mentioned wanting to print. Try to print some of the images in the sizes you mentioned to make sure the gear you selected delivers the goods. Good luck. When it is a once in a lifetime trip, and money is not infinite, it would help to come to an optimal solution with available resources and the combined wisdom of the experts on the forum :-) If possible, I shall try to rent the final gear decided and take some prints to make sure that it works. Thank you all for the valuable advice. Shall keep you posted on the trip.

02-03-2019, 10:53 AM	#18
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	An update..... Came across this Pentax 645 lens adaptor for Canon EOS 50D Pentax 645 SLR Lens to Canon EOS Mount SLR Camera Body Adapter ? Fotodiox, Inc. USA. Does anyone have any experience with this? If this works without any degradation of the image quality, I could use this adaptor for the Pentax 645 400mm lens and mount it on Canon EOS 50D. This would be a more economical option to renting out a Canon 100-400 or a 400mm prime lens. Any views?

02-03-2019, 05:42 PM	#19
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,491	Originally posted by leonine An update..... Came across this Pentax 645 lens adaptor for Canon EOS 50D Pentax 645 SLR Lens to Canon EOS Mount SLR Camera Body Adapter ? Fotodiox, Inc. USA. Does anyone have any experience with this? If this works without any degradation of the image quality, I could use this adaptor for the Pentax 645 400mm lens and mount it on Canon EOS 50D. This would be a more economical option to renting out a Canon 100-400 or a 400mm prime lens. Any views? It will be manual focus which could be a drag or be just fine. I'm unfamiliar with the Canon. How bright is the focus screen and how accurately will it focus.

02-03-2019, 09:15 PM	#20
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Manual focus isn’t a problem for me personally. I am only concerned about drop in quality of the image as compared to not using an adaptor. Theoretically, it shouldn’t matter as there is no extra optics included by the adaptor. But maybe there are some practical considerations.

02-04-2019, 07:48 AM	#21
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,491	Originally posted by leonine Manual focus isn’t a problem for me personally. I am only concerned about drop in quality of the image as compared to not using an adaptor. Theoretically, it shouldn’t matter as there is no extra optics included by the adaptor. But maybe there are some practical considerations. Given my experiences with no glass adapters on m43 I don't think you have much to worry over EXCEPT the fact that larger format lenses tend to not have the same level of optical quality as smaller lenses. The larger format is more forgiving so things that might be very minor on the native platform may show up on the smaller sensor. Also while you may have manual focus skills - do you have them at 400mm with a crop sensor and a weak focusing screen for manual focus? My own experience is that I can use a 400mm on a manual focus film 35mm camera with a split screen and microprism collar but I struggle with a crop sensor camera with a digital matte focusing screen. The darker and smaller viewfinder and the lack of differentiation between in focus and out of focus on the typical digital screen lead to shots that LOOK good in the viewfinder or on the back LCD but then end up being slightly out of focus in 3 of 4 shots or more. My advice is to practice this and make sure you are very comfortable that you can get the results you want.

02-04-2019, 11:04 AM	#22
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	That's a very important bit of advice. Thank you. I shall practice more and get well conversant with the lens-camera combination before I venture out to the Mara.

02-04-2019, 03:22 PM	#23
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,491	Originally posted by leonine That's a very important bit of advice. Thank you. I shall practice more and get well conversant with the lens-camera combination before I venture out to the Mara. Good luck! I'm hoping you post photos!

02-06-2019, 09:30 AM	#24
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Thank you. Of course I shall post the pics :-)

02-24-2021, 11:13 AM	#25
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,702	Originally posted by leonine Thank you. Of course I shall post the pics :-) We're curious

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02-26-2021, 08:10 AM	#26
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	I posted a few on another thread perhaps. Then just got busy and forgot. I will do it in a while

02-27-2021, 09:55 PM	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,491	Originally posted by leonine Nothing great. It was the first time, the learning curve was steep. But learnt a lot. Would do a better job next time Shots 2 & 3 grab me.

2 Days Ago	#29
leonine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Shots 2 & 3 grab me. Thank you. Got some more decent images. But need to work on them.