A 400

**Ski Jumper** · 08-24-2022, 09:43 AM

K1 user. Is $350 too much to pay for a super clean A 400? I have the dfa 70-210. Considering a used DA300 (those are around 550-650). Manual focus not a big issue for what I'd use it for. Maybe the da300 and use a converter if need more reach. I've read older reviews. But looking for some more input. Thanks.

jcdoss · 08-24-2022, 10:12 AM - **1 Like**

No, I don't think so. It's an amazing lens, you should get it!

**pepperberry farm** · 08-24-2022, 11:42 AM

A400 or an FA* 300 with a teleconverter....

**tonyzoc** · 08-24-2022, 12:23 PM

The price is in the ballpark, but for $250 or less I could have a Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO. If I was wanted a Pentax 400mm I would be more inclined to go for a 150-450 or a D FA 400...but those are bigger $$$.

**Ski Jumper** · 08-24-2022, 01:40 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

A400 or an FA* 300 with a teleconverter....

Do you know if this is what I need? [IMG]20220824-153239[/IMG]

**luftfluss** · 08-24-2022, 02:06 PM - **5 Likes**

A400 is my favorite lens, ever. An excellent copy is well worth $350, IMO. It is also compatible with the excellent Rear Converter A 1.4x-L, the sharpest K-mount teleconverter ever made.

**UncleVanya** · 08-24-2022, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Ski Jumper

Do you know if this is what I need?

That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better.

Driline · 08-24-2022, 05:45 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better.

Would that fit on the Pentax A 400mm f5.6?

**UncleVanya** · 08-24-2022, 07:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Driline

Would that fit on the Pentax A 400mm f5.6?

Sure. The better option (as @luftfluss mentioned) is probably this however:
Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L Reviews - Pentax K-mount Teleconverters and Adapters - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

**Ski Jumper** · 08-24-2022, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Sure. The better option (as @luftfluss mentioned) is probably this however:
Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L Reviews - Pentax K-mount Teleconverters and Adapters - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I just bought a nice used da300 f4
I still may buy the a400. Such a great looking lens.

---------- Post added 08-24-22 at 08:04 PM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better.

Yes I would hope so for that price. Some used ones starting to float around though.

**Joetitch** · 08-25-2022, 12:20 AM

If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system.
However the best solution is to get closer to the subject😊which unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic.

**UncleVanya** · 08-25-2022, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by Joetitch

If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system.

That’s true enough. There’s an article somewhere that shows the impact of the hd da tc on the image circle but I can’t recall the link right now.

nonpigliounoshoot · 08-25-2022, 08:48 AM - **1 Like**

I got it for 350 euros. I had asked myself the same question. The 300 has an excellent quality with a wide possibility of crop, but it is a 300, more expensive and with the multiplier the expense increases even more. If you use it often and a lens of your main photograph I would take a 300 and look for a multiplier. If it's for occasional use with limited expense (like me) then you can make several compromises, and the alternatives with that budget are not many and perhaps they are worse.
I have seen that sigma zoom is also mentioned. When I bought I had both options and I chose the pentax. I wouldn't call it a great lens, at least my copy, but it does an honest job. The main problem is the purple sides in critical condition. I inform you that the focus is very long, it takes a complete turn.

**tonyzoc** · 08-25-2022, 08:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Joetitch

If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system.

However the best solution is to get closer to the subject

which unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic.

The 200, 300 and 560 DA lenses get straight A ratings at all apertures for full frame compatibility.

**Ski Jumper** · 08-25-2022, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Joetitch

If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system.
However the best solution is to get closer to the subject😊which unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic.

Da 300 officially covers full frame. It better lol.

08-24-2022, 09:43 AM	#1
Ski Jumper Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 672	A 400 K1 user. Is $350 too much to pay for a super clean A 400? I have the dfa 70-210. Considering a used DA300 (those are around 550-650). Manual focus not a big issue for what I'd use it for. Maybe the da300 and use a converter if need more reach. I've read older reviews. But looking for some more input. Thanks.

08-24-2022, 01:40 PM - 1 Like	#5
Ski Jumper Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm A400 or an FA* 300 with a teleconverter.... Do you know if this is what I need? [IMG]20220824-153239[/IMG] Attached Images Last edited by Ski Jumper; 08-24-2022 at 01:45 PM.

08-24-2022, 07:50 PM	#10
Ski Jumper Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Sure. The better option (as @luftfluss mentioned) is probably this however: Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L Reviews - Pentax K-mount Teleconverters and Adapters - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I just bought a nice used da300 f4 I still may buy the a400. Such a great looking lens. ---------- Post added 08-24-22 at 08:04 PM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better. Yes I would hope so for that price. Some used ones starting to float around though. Last edited by Ski Jumper; 08-24-2022 at 08:06 PM.

08-25-2022, 08:48 AM - 1 Like	#13
nonpigliounoshoot Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 735	I got it for 350 euros. I had asked myself the same question. The 300 has an excellent quality with a wide possibility of crop, but it is a 300, more expensive and with the multiplier the expense increases even more. If you use it often and a lens of your main photograph I would take a 300 and look for a multiplier. If it's for occasional use with limited expense (like me) then you can make several compromises, and the alternatives with that budget are not many and perhaps they are worse. I have seen that sigma zoom is also mentioned. When I bought I had both options and I chose the pentax. I wouldn't call it a great lens, at least my copy, but it does an honest job. The main problem is the purple sides in critical condition. I inform you that the focus is very long, it takes a complete turn. Last edited by nonpigliounoshoot; 08-25-2022 at 08:59 AM.

08-25-2022, 08:55 AM - 1 Like	#14
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Originally posted by Joetitch If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system. However the best solution is to get closer to the subjectwhich unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic. The 200, 300 and 560 DA lenses get straight A ratings at all apertures for full frame compatibility.

08-24-2022, 10:12 AM - 1 Like	#2
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,769	No, I don't think so. It's an amazing lens, you should get it!

08-24-2022, 11:42 AM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	A400 or an FA* 300 with a teleconverter....

08-24-2022, 12:23 PM	#4
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	The price is in the ballpark, but for $250 or less I could have a Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO. If I was wanted a Pentax 400mm I would be more inclined to go for a 150-450 or a D FA 400...but those are bigger $$$.

08-24-2022, 02:06 PM - 5 Likes	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	A400 is my favorite lens, ever. An excellent copy is well worth $350, IMO. It is also compatible with the excellent Rear Converter A 1.4x-L, the sharpest K-mount teleconverter ever made.

08-24-2022, 02:23 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by Ski Jumper Do you know if this is what I need? That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better.

08-24-2022, 05:45 PM	#8
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Originally posted by UncleVanya That should work but the hd da 1.4x Pentax is better. Would that fit on the Pentax A 400mm f5.6?

08-24-2022, 07:03 PM - 1 Like	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by Driline Would that fit on the Pentax A 400mm f5.6? Sure. The better option (as @luftfluss mentioned) is probably this however: Rear Converter-A 1.4x-L Reviews - Pentax K-mount Teleconverters and Adapters - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

08-25-2022, 12:20 AM	#11
Joetitch Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Leura NSW Posts: 502	If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system. However the best solution is to get closer to the subject😊which unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic.

08-25-2022, 05:37 AM	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by Joetitch If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system. That’s true enough. There’s an article somewhere that shows the impact of the hd da tc on the image circle but I can’t recall the link right now.

08-25-2022, 09:09 AM	#15
Ski Jumper Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, MO Posts: 672 Original Poster	Originally posted by Joetitch If I understand correctly the da is not FF but will cover most so if manually cropping can cover between APSC and FF. It converts in camera the lense focal length for the SR system. However the best solution is to get closer to the subject😊which unless you can walk on water or have wings can be somewhat problematic. Da 300 officially covers full frame. It better lol. Last edited by Ski Jumper; 08-25-2022 at 09:17 AM.

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