DA 300 mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM OR FA* 400mm f/5.6 ED IF

netuser · 06-13-2009, 02:29 PM

Hi all

For this two lenses, are the IQ the same ?

Between this two lens witch one would you get for the k20d ? Why ?

Thanks in advance

( Edit: Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4,0-6,3 DG Pentax AF aka BIGMA can also be considered even if I don't like the weight

, any other lens suggestions with similar focal length are welcome )

Last edited by netuser; 06-13-2009 at 02:37 PM.

Erasmo · 06-13-2009, 02:41 PM

What's your budget?

netuser · 06-13-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Erasmo

What's your budget?

I was checking again the sigma specs and it's out of the question ... too heavy.

DA 300 f4 is the one I can get at a really better price.

FA* 400 would cost me more 500/600 euros than the DA 300

netuser · 06-14-2009, 07:40 AM

I tried today the Canon EF 400mm f/5,6 L USM on the 40D body and made some great shots.

Besides the focal lenght I also liked the silent/speed of the ultrasonic motor.

taking into consideration my initial question, which one should I get ? DA ? FA ?

DA seems not long enought, FA seems not to fast focus since it doesn't have SDM and it's noisy ... noise is not very good for birds

Please advice.

Thanks

Last edited by netuser; 01-27-2010 at 03:52 AM.

MrEspie · 06-14-2009, 08:31 AM

I can vouch for the capabilities of the DA* 300mm F4. I got to try it out at the Henry's show a while back. The fact that you can make out every pore and little hair on someone's face at 20-30 paces away, wide open, through the viewfinder ought to say enough about the sharpness. It may not be the extra 100mm long, but it's sharp enough that 100% crops are certainly not out of the question. Also keep in mind that, with a good teleconverter, you've got a 600mm F8!

netuser · 06-14-2009, 08:43 AM

600mm F8 is not that useful when shooting birds at early morning like the ones I did above

melander · 06-14-2009, 10:24 AM

DA300 with a teleconverter?

and · 06-14-2009, 10:28 AM

DA 300 + 1.5tc = 450mm f5.6 = 50mm more reach at same speed

netuser · 06-14-2009, 10:34 AM

The FA* 400 lens on k20d would give focal view of +/- 550/600mm right ? Does this mean also DA* 300 will give +/- 450mm focal view on k20d ?

and · 06-14-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by netuser

The FA* 400 lens on k20d would give focal view of +/- 550/600mm right ? Does this mean also DA* 300 will give +/- 450mm focal view on k20d ?

fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C
da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C

(k20d is APS-C)

kevindt · 06-14-2009, 11:09 AM

400 mm focal length is 400 mm focal length on any camera. The sensor is about 2/3 of the size of 35 mm film, so the picture looks like a 35 mm film shot cropped to show the center 2/3 and then magnified to the size chosen.

I cannot comment much on the FA400 (other than I'd love to try one

), but I do have a DA*300 and a Sigma 150-500 HSM zoom. The Sigma is a big, heavy beast to carry but does work well. Note that this one does have HSM. I do not find that it beats the DA*300 and a Tamron 1.4x TC for IQ, but it is pretty close.

Here are a few bird shots with the DA*300 on the K20D (no TC)

Western Meadowlark

Not sure who

Bald Eagle (the zoom would have been nice - I underestimated wingspan while waiting for takeoff

)

Killdeer

And with the Sigma

Marsh Wren (one of our tinier birds) - Sigma at 340mm

California Quail - Sigma at 370mm

Western Kingbirds - Sigma at 400mm

netuser · 06-14-2009, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by and

fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C
da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C

(k20d is APS-C)

Straight to the point. Thanks

netuser · 06-14-2009, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by kevindt

400 mm focal length is 400 mm focal length on any camera. The sensor is about 2/3 of the size of 35 mm film, so the picture looks like a 35 mm film shot cropped to show the center 2/3 and then magnified to the size chosen.

I cannot comment much on the FA400 (other than I'd love to try one

), but I do have a DA*300 and a Sigma 150-500 HSM zoom. The Sigma is a big, heavy beast to carry but does work well. Note that this one does have HSM. I do not find that it beats the DA*300 and a Tamron 1.4x TC for IQ, but it is pretty close.

Here are a few bird shots with the DA*300 on the K20D (no TC)

.....

So, for you, between the two DA*300 wins due to weight and better IQ. a light lens is also important to me and silent

netuser · 06-14-2009, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by and

fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C
da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C

(k20d is APS-C)

DA*300 is FF compatible ?

asdf · 06-14-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by netuser

DA*300 is FF compatible ?

Yes.

------

06-13-2009, 02:29 PM	#1
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	*DA 300 mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM OR FA 400mm f/5.6 ED IF Hi all For this two lenses, are the IQ the same ? Between this two lens witch one would you get for the k20d ? Why ? Thanks in advance ( Edit: Sigma EX 50-500mm f/4,0-6,3 DG Pentax AF aka BIGMA can also be considered even if I don't like the weight , any other lens suggestions with similar focal length are welcome** ) Last edited by netuser; 06-13-2009 at 02:37 PM.

06-14-2009, 11:09 AM	#11
kevindt Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 322	400 mm focal length is 400 mm focal length on any camera. The sensor is about 2/3 of the size of 35 mm film, so the picture looks like a 35 mm film shot cropped to show the center 2/3 and then magnified to the size chosen. I cannot comment much on the FA400 (other than I'd love to try one ), but I do have a DA300 and a Sigma 150-500 HSM zoom. The Sigma is a big, heavy beast to carry but does work well. Note that this one does have HSM. I do not find that it beats the DA300 and a Tamron 1.4x TC for IQ, but it is pretty close. Here are a few bird shots with the DA300 on the K20D (no TC) Western Meadowlark Not sure who Bald Eagle (the zoom would have been nice - I underestimated wingspan while waiting for takeoff ) Killdeer And with the Sigma Marsh Wren (one of our tinier birds) - Sigma at 340mm California Quail - Sigma at 370mm Western Kingbirds - Sigma at 400mm Last edited by kevindt; 06-14-2009 at 11:31 AM.*

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06-13-2009, 02:41 PM	#2
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	What's your budget?

06-13-2009, 02:59 PM	#3
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	Originally posted by Erasmo What's your budget? I was checking again the sigma specs and it's out of the question ... too heavy. DA 300 f4 is the one I can get at a really better price. FA* 400 would cost me more 500/600 euros than the DA 300

06-14-2009, 07:40 AM	#4
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	I tried today the Canon EF 400mm f/5,6 L USM on the 40D body and made some great shots. Besides the focal lenght I also liked the silent/speed of the ultrasonic motor. taking into consideration my initial question, which one should I get ? DA ? FA ? DA seems not long enought, FA seems not to fast focus since it doesn't have SDM and it's noisy ... noise is not very good for birds Please advice. Thanks Last edited by netuser; 01-27-2010 at 03:52 AM.

06-14-2009, 08:31 AM	#5
MrEspie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: University of Waterloo, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 239	I can vouch for the capabilities of the DA* 300mm F4. I got to try it out at the Henry's show a while back. The fact that you can make out every pore and little hair on someone's face at 20-30 paces away, wide open, through the viewfinder ought to say enough about the sharpness. It may not be the extra 100mm long, but it's sharp enough that 100% crops are certainly not out of the question. Also keep in mind that, with a good teleconverter, you've got a 600mm F8!

06-14-2009, 08:43 AM	#6
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	600mm F8 is not that useful when shooting birds at early morning like the ones I did above

06-14-2009, 10:24 AM	#7
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	DA300 with a teleconverter?

06-14-2009, 10:28 AM	#8
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	DA 300 + 1.5tc = 450mm f5.6 = 50mm more reach at same speed

06-14-2009, 10:34 AM	#9
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	The FA* 400 lens on k20d would give focal view of +/- 550/600mm right ? Does this mean also DA* 300 will give +/- 450mm focal view on k20d ?

06-14-2009, 10:44 AM	#10
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Originally posted by netuser The FA* 400 lens on k20d would give focal view of +/- 550/600mm right ? Does this mean also DA* 300 will give +/- 450mm focal view on k20d ? fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C (k20d is APS-C)

06-14-2009, 03:41 PM	#12
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	Originally posted by and fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C (k20d is APS-C) Straight to the point. Thanks

06-14-2009, 03:46 PM	#13
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	Originally posted by kevindt 400 mm focal length is 400 mm focal length on any camera. The sensor is about 2/3 of the size of 35 mm film, so the picture looks like a 35 mm film shot cropped to show the center 2/3 and then magnified to the size chosen. I cannot comment much on the FA400 (other than I'd love to try one ), but I do have a DA300 and a Sigma 150-500 HSM zoom. The Sigma is a big, heavy beast to carry but does work well. Note that this one does have HSM. I do not find that it beats the DA300 and a Tamron 1.4x TC for IQ, but it is pretty close*. Here are a few bird shots with the DA300 on the K20D (no TC) ..... So, for you, between the two DA*300 wins due to weight and better IQ. a light lens is also important to me and silent

06-14-2009, 03:52 PM	#14
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236 Original Poster	Originally posted by and fa 400mm is 400mm on FF and 600mm on APS-C da 300 + 1,5tc is 450mm on FF and 675mm on APS-C (k20d is APS-C) DA*300 is FF compatible ?

06-14-2009, 03:56 PM	#15
asdf Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,252	Originally posted by netuser DA*300 is FF compatible ? Yes. ------