Pentax A 400mm F5.6 and the Tokina 80-200mm F2.8 Bird photo comparison

Driline · 01-22-2023, 03:24 PM - **7 Likes**

Just a couple of quick comparison photo's between my 400mm Pentax A 5.6 and my 80-200mm Tokina F2.8 ( I was bored and looking for something to do

)

Both photos taken at F8.0 within 10 minutes of eachother.

For birding the 400mm really stands out for those close up shots.......

Tokina at 200mm F8.0

Pentax Prime at 400mm F8.0

AfterPentax Mark II · 01-22-2023, 03:50 PM

And the A 400 gives you the best colours. The Tokina ones are a bit dull both in colour and contrast.

**mikesbike** · 01-22-2023, 05:31 PM

The exposure or lighting is definitely brighter in the image with the Pentax lens. This can be seen in all parts of the image.

**AstroDave** · 01-22-2023, 06:14 PM

Love the bird feeder. Did you build that yourself? With manufactured wood (my favorite for outdoor exposure!)?

Driline · 01-22-2023, 08:03 PM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by AstroDave

Love the bird feeder. Did you build that yourself? With manufactured wood (my favorite for outdoor exposure!)?

I bought it myself. Does that count

I think I got it on Amazon. Not cheap but they last forever. I took the green rooftop off so that I can get better photo's of the birds.

---------- Post added 01-22-23 at 09:06 PM ----------

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

And the A 400 gives you the best colours. The Tokina ones are a bit dull both in colour and contrast.

Yep I agree. Gotta love that Pentax A 400 f5.6.....Here's another one with that lens.

AfterPentax Mark II · 01-23-2023, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by Driline

I bought it myself. Does that count

I think I got it on Amazon. Not cheap but they last forever. I took the green rooftop off so that I can get better photo's of the birds.

---------- Post added 01-22-23 at 09:06 PM ----------

Yep I agree. Gotta love that Pentax A 400 f5.6.....Here's another one with that lens.

It is so good I want to stroke that bird, it is quite peaceful to look at....

jcdoss · 01-23-2023, 02:48 AM

I have both the A400f5.6 and the M400f5.6. I haven't done any side-by-side comparisons like you did here, but I can say for sure the A version is a much better lens.

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-23-2023, 04:58 AM

It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow,

Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots?

Driline · 01-23-2023, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by jcdoss

I have both the A400f5.6 and the M400f5.6. I haven't done any side-by-side comparisons like you did here, but I can say for sure the A version is a much better lens.

I'd like to see that comparison someday.

---------- Post added 01-23-23 at 08:21 AM ----------

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow,

Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots?

ISO 200 shutter speed 500

**Lowell Goudge** · 01-23-2023, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow,

Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots?

Quote:

ISO 200 shutter speed 500

And all post processing is identical values for the two shots?

Just curious

Driline · 01-24-2023, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

And all post processing is identical values for the two shots?

Just curious

Yes capture one 20.
The sun may have peeked out a bit more on the Pentax but it’s hard to tell.

Driline · 01-29-2023, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

A couple of more recent bird photo's taken with the Pentax A 400mm F5.6 ......

You can see my house reflected in the birds eyeball......

normhead · 01-29-2023, 04:01 PM

I really liked that lens. But I wasn't using it. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Driline · 01-29-2023, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by normhead

I really liked that lens. But I wasn't using it. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Do you end up selling off the lenses you don't use? I've acquired a few over the years I probably should sell but they didn't cost me much. Most were around the $100 dollar mark.

normhead · 01-29-2023, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Do you end up selling off the lenses you don't use? I've acquired a few over the years I probably should sell but they didn't cost me much. Most were around the $100 dollar mark.

IN this case, I have the Tamron 300 2.8, with the F 1.7x AF adapter, that gives me 510mm and ƒ4.5. With the DA 55-300 PLM it gives me 420 9.3. The DA* 60 250 gives me 90 to 350mm with the 1.4. The DA*200 gives 280mm or 340mm. I have way too many lenses in that range. The result of buying back ups when things are in the shop. The 400 5.6 wasn't being used. I sold it to a forum member who put it to good use. It's since been passed on to another forum member. I bought it from a wedding photographer who claimed he'd only used it 5 or 6 times in the years he owned it, so it was in great shape, although the leather case looked little worn.

01-22-2023, 03:24 PM - 7 Likes	#1
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Pentax A 400mm F5.6 and the Tokina 80-200mm F2.8 Bird photo comparison Just a couple of quick comparison photo's between my 400mm Pentax A 5.6 and my 80-200mm Tokina F2.8 ( I was bored and looking for something to do ) Both photos taken at F8.0 within 10 minutes of eachother. For birding the 400mm really stands out for those close up shots....... Tokina at 200mm F8.0 Pentax Prime at 400mm F8.0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax A 400mm F5.6 vs Pentax FA*400mm F5.6	Driline	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	24	03-25-2021 01:35 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K30mm/F2.8, K105mm/F2.8 and Tokina 400mm/F5.6 ATX AF lens for Pentax	coolgobi	Sold Items	7	12-27-2011 02:54 PM

01-22-2023, 03:50 PM	#2
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,462	And the A 400 gives you the best colours. The Tokina ones are a bit dull both in colour and contrast.

01-22-2023, 05:31 PM	#3
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,552	The exposure or lighting is definitely brighter in the image with the Pentax lens. This can be seen in all parts of the image.

01-22-2023, 06:14 PM	#4
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	Love the bird feeder. Did you build that yourself? With manufactured wood (my favorite for outdoor exposure!)?

01-22-2023, 08:03 PM - 6 Likes	#5
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by AstroDave Love the bird feeder. Did you build that yourself? With manufactured wood (my favorite for outdoor exposure!)? I bought it myself. Does that count I think I got it on Amazon. Not cheap but they last forever. I took the green rooftop off so that I can get better photo's of the birds. ---------- Post added 01-22-23 at 09:06 PM ---------- Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II And the A 400 gives you the best colours. The Tokina ones are a bit dull both in colour and contrast. Yep I agree. Gotta love that Pentax A 400 f5.6.....Here's another one with that lens.

01-23-2023, 02:10 AM	#6
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,462	Originally posted by Driline I bought it myself. Does that count I think I got it on Amazon. Not cheap but they last forever. I took the green rooftop off so that I can get better photo's of the birds. ---------- Post added 01-22-23 at 09:06 PM ---------- Yep I agree. Gotta love that Pentax A 400 f5.6.....Here's another one with that lens. It is so good I want to stroke that bird, it is quite peaceful to look at....

01-23-2023, 02:48 AM	#7
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,769	I have both the A400f5.6 and the M400f5.6. I haven't done any side-by-side comparisons like you did here, but I can say for sure the A version is a much better lens.

01-23-2023, 04:58 AM	#8
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,890	It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow, Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots?

01-23-2023, 07:20 AM	#9
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by jcdoss I have both the A400f5.6 and the M400f5.6. I haven't done any side-by-side comparisons like you did here, but I can say for sure the A version is a much better lens. I'd like to see that comparison someday. ---------- Post added 01-23-23 at 08:21 AM ---------- Originally posted by Lowell Goudge It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow, Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots? ISO 200 shutter speed 500

01-23-2023, 05:25 PM	#10
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,890	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge It would be interesting to increase the exposure, in post processing for the image form the tokens lens to match that of the A 400. I think the camera metering was influenced by the snow, Can you give the iso and shutter speed also for both shots? Quote: ISO 200 shutter speed 500 And all post processing is identical values for the two shots? Just curious

01-24-2023, 09:50 PM	#11
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge And all post processing is identical values for the two shots? Just curious Yes capture one 20. The sun may have peeked out a bit more on the Pentax but it’s hard to tell.

01-29-2023, 03:51 PM - 1 Like	#12
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	A couple of more recent bird photo's taken with the Pentax A 400mm F5.6 ...... You can see my house reflected in the birds eyeball......

01-29-2023, 04:01 PM	#13
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I really liked that lens. But I wasn't using it. I'd recommend it to anyone.

01-29-2023, 06:57 PM	#14
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead I really liked that lens. But I wasn't using it. I'd recommend it to anyone. Do you end up selling off the lenses you don't use? I've acquired a few over the years I probably should sell but they didn't cost me much. Most were around the $100 dollar mark.

01-29-2023, 07:11 PM	#15
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Driline Do you end up selling off the lenses you don't use? I've acquired a few over the years I probably should sell but they didn't cost me much. Most were around the $100 dollar mark. IN this case, I have the Tamron 300 2.8, with the F 1.7x AF adapter, that gives me 510mm and ƒ4.5. With the DA 55-300 PLM it gives me 420 9.3. The DA* 60 250 gives me 90 to 350mm with the 1.4. The DA*200 gives 280mm or 340mm. I have way too many lenses in that range. The result of buying back ups when things are in the shop. The 400 5.6 wasn't being used. I sold it to a forum member who put it to good use. It's since been passed on to another forum member. I bought it from a wedding photographer who claimed he'd only used it 5 or 6 times in the years he owned it, so it was in great shape, although the leather case looked little worn.