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melander · 06-28-2009, 04:22 PM

Are they selling wifes in the general talk forum???
I better head over there, been single too long!

heatherslightbox · 06-28-2009, 05:10 PM

Gentlemen--
If you can't quite afford the 600, take a look at this one:

KEH Camera: Pentax Auto Focus - Fixed Focal Lengths - 300 F2.8 SMC FA ED INTERNAL FOCUS (43 DROP-IN) WITH FILTERS WITH HOOD, CAPS, CASE, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS

As for selling off various family members, I wouldn't recommend it, as you will almost certainly develop seller's remorse, sooner or later.

Heather

cwood · 06-28-2009, 05:34 PM

Originally posted by hwblanks

Gentlemen--
If you can't quite afford the 600, take a look at this one:

KEH Camera: Pentax Auto Focus - Fixed Focal Lengths - 300 F2.8 SMC FA ED INTERNAL FOCUS (43 DROP-IN) WITH FILTERS WITH HOOD, CAPS, CASE, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS

As for selling off various family members, I wouldn't recommend it, as you will almost certainly develop seller's remorse, sooner or later.

Heather

and to think I almost sold mine for $1000 less than that

netuser · 07-02-2009, 03:17 AM

About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great)

jem · 07-02-2009, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by netuser

About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great)

Because I wanted the 600mm f4 on my Pentax cameras.

netuser · 07-02-2009, 05:01 AM

Originally posted by jem

Because I wanted the 600mm f4 on my Pentax cameras.

Well, me two but, then my wife just made a reallity check on me, "get a canon 40D plus 400mm f5.6". "Problem" is, we save a ton of money like that.....

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 07-02-2009, 05:07 AM

Originally posted by melander

So, how much for the wife?

Originally posted by Marc Langille

Meland/Ron/Peter: we are approaching "General Talk" territory here...

More like the "Marketplace" I think

jem · 07-02-2009, 05:13 AM

Originally posted by netuser

Well, me two but, then my wife just made a reallity check on me, "get a canon 40D plus 400mm f5.6". "Problem" is, we save a ton of money like that.....

My reality check was my wife wanted a master bath renovation and I wanted a 600 f4. She now has a new bath and I have my lens. For me, money wasn’t the driving factor, my wife’s happiness is - (and mine as well).

Edit: Just wished the renovation was as cheap as the lens...

Best,
John

Peter Zack · 07-02-2009, 06:04 AM

I don't see how a Canon 40D (nice camera but not the same quality as a K20D - I've used it a few times) is comparable. Second the crop circle is almost the same as the Pentax. So how does a 400mm (much shorter), f5.6 (full stop slower) make any comparison to a K20D with a 600mm f4 lens? If you added a 1.5 TC to the canon (assuming AF and that's a big streatch) you are at f8.4. AF probably won't work, same focal length and so slow as to be almost useless for moving wildlife, completely useless for sports, not weather sealed and no SR/VR/IS?

Plus if I wanted to add the Tamron MC4 1.4 TC to this I have an 840mm lens at f5.6.

There simily is no comparison unless I need to take my meds.

If I had the money, I'd buy this in a heart beat.

k100d · 07-02-2009, 06:10 AM

although netuser picked the wrong lens for comparison (the 600 f4 is $7600 on B&H), for this type of work, i'd be reluctant to pick pentax as the system of choice

Peter Zack · 07-02-2009, 06:14 AM

I would agree as of today to a point. The K20D is a pretty good body at tracking and focusing. But there are better cameras (at a much higher $$$) from C/S/N. So I'd probabaly look at one of thsose bodies today.

Tomorrow I would stay put and get a K-7. If the AF is as improved as has been stated. This camera would do the job just fine.

netuser · 07-02-2009, 06:27 AM

I'm not jumping out of Pentax

DA 300/4 seems short to me and then FA600 seems "too expensive".

I'm just trying to find the best, money wise, solution for birding.

jem · 07-02-2009, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by netuser

I'm not jumping out of Pentax

Same here - got too much Pentax glass (that I like a lot) to move to another system. I've tried N/C - Pentax is my system of choice - both film & digital. It does what I want and fits well into my style of photography.

Others have a different opinion - it certainly isn't mine.

Originally posted by netuser

DA 300/4 seems short to me and then FA600 seems "too expensive".

I'm just trying to find the best, money wise, solution for birding.

I didn't mean to trivialize the typical price of a 600mm f4 - just trying to make a joke about my purchase process. The cost certainly is significant and can be daunting. But I've tried the 300mm & 400mm routes - got both lenses - very nice. They still would not quite get to what I want in my wildlife photography. For me the 600mm does that and has been worth the cost.

Best,
John

**Marc Langille** · 07-02-2009, 08:40 AM

Netuser: what's your budget? If you plan to stay with Pentax, then a budget is still needed. You can be successful with birding at 300mm, but it takes a different approach and more patience.

Having a 500mm lens is nice, 600mm is even better, but often you want even more. It depends on the subject! Shorebirds and such can be approached with some techniques that will let you fill the frame at 500mm (using a blind). I guess I am saying you need to clarify what birds you wish to photograph and how approachable they are. Most of the time my subjects are not used to human presence, so they move away or readily take flight. Hummingbirds are an exception if you still relatively still, but they are incredibly small at ~7-9 cm from head to tail.

Give us some thoughts/answers and perhaps we could help out more definitely for you...

Regards,
Marc

Blue · 07-02-2009, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by netuser

About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great)

An additional 200mm in focal length is significant in wildlife photog not to mention there is a big difference in 5.6 and 4, especially in a 600mm lens! I have the Pentax A 400mm f5.6 and it is a good lens. However, it isn't a substitute for a FA 600mm F4.

Edit: I don't consider a DA 300mm f4 lens a cheap lens. The f4 on a 300mm is neither slow nor fast in my opinion. f4 is fast on any lens greater than 400mm.

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06-28-2009, 04:22 PM	#16
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876 Original Poster	Are they selling wifes in the general talk forum??? I better head over there, been single too long!

06-28-2009, 05:10 PM	#17
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Gentlemen-- If you can't quite afford the 600, take a look at this one: KEH Camera: Pentax Auto Focus - Fixed Focal Lengths - 300 F2.8 SMC FA ED INTERNAL FOCUS (43 DROP-IN) WITH FILTERS WITH HOOD, CAPS, CASE, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS As for selling off various family members, I wouldn't recommend it, as you will almost certainly develop seller's remorse, sooner or later. Heather

06-28-2009, 05:34 PM	#18
cwood Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Posts: 851	Originally posted by hwblanks Gentlemen-- If you can't quite afford the 600, take a look at this one: KEH Camera: Pentax Auto Focus - Fixed Focal Lengths - 300 F2.8 SMC FA ED INTERNAL FOCUS (43 DROP-IN) WITH FILTERS WITH HOOD, CAPS, CASE, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS TELEPHOTO LENS As for selling off various family members, I wouldn't recommend it, as you will almost certainly develop seller's remorse, sooner or later. Heather and to think I almost sold mine for $1000 less than that

07-02-2009, 03:17 AM	#19
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great)

07-02-2009, 04:52 AM	#20
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by netuser About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great) Because I wanted the 600mm f4 on my Pentax cameras.

07-02-2009, 05:01 AM	#21
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by jem Because I wanted the 600mm f4 on my Pentax cameras. Well, me two but, then my wife just made a reallity check on me, "get a canon 40D plus 400mm f5.6". "Problem" is, we save a ton of money like that.....

07-02-2009, 05:07 AM	#22
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	Originally posted by melander So, how much for the wife? Originally posted by Marc Langille Meland/Ron/Peter: we are approaching "General Talk" territory here... More like the "Marketplace" I think

07-02-2009, 05:13 AM	#23
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by netuser Well, me two but, then my wife just made a reallity check on me, "get a canon 40D plus 400mm f5.6". "Problem" is, we save a ton of money like that..... My reality check was my wife wanted a master bath renovation and I wanted a 600 f4. She now has a new bath and I have my lens. For me, money wasn’t the driving factor, my wife’s happiness is - (and mine as well). Edit: Just wished the renovation was as cheap as the lens... Best, John

07-02-2009, 06:04 AM	#24
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I don't see how a Canon 40D (nice camera but not the same quality as a K20D - I've used it a few times) is comparable. Second the crop circle is almost the same as the Pentax. So how does a 400mm (much shorter), f5.6 (full stop slower) make any comparison to a K20D with a 600mm f4 lens? If you added a 1.5 TC to the canon (assuming AF and that's a big streatch) you are at f8.4. AF probably won't work, same focal length and so slow as to be almost useless for moving wildlife, completely useless for sports, not weather sealed and no SR/VR/IS? Plus if I wanted to add the Tamron MC4 1.4 TC to this I have an 840mm lens at f5.6. There simily is no comparison unless I need to take my meds. If I had the money, I'd buy this in a heart beat.

07-02-2009, 06:10 AM	#25
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	although netuser picked the wrong lens for comparison (the 600 f4 is $7600 on B&H), for this type of work, i'd be reluctant to pick pentax as the system of choice

07-02-2009, 06:14 AM	#26
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I would agree as of today to a point. The K20D is a pretty good body at tracking and focusing. But there are better cameras (at a much higher $$$) from C/S/N. So I'd probabaly look at one of thsose bodies today. Tomorrow I would stay put and get a K-7. If the AF is as improved as has been stated. This camera would do the job just fine.

07-02-2009, 06:27 AM	#27
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	I'm not jumping out of Pentax DA 300/4 seems short to me and then FA600 seems "too expensive". I'm just trying to find the best, money wise, solution for birding.

07-02-2009, 07:01 AM	#28
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by netuser I'm not jumping out of Pentax Same here - got too much Pentax glass (that I like a lot) to move to another system. I've tried N/C - Pentax is my system of choice - both film & digital. It does what I want and fits well into my style of photography. Others have a different opinion - it certainly isn't mine. Originally posted by netuser DA 300/4 seems short to me and then FA600 seems "too expensive". I'm just trying to find the best, money wise, solution for birding. I didn't mean to trivialize the typical price of a 600mm f4 - just trying to make a joke about my purchase process. The cost certainly is significant and can be daunting. But I've tried the 300mm & 400mm routes - got both lenses - very nice. They still would not quite get to what I want in my wildlife photography. For me the 600mm does that and has been worth the cost. Best, John

07-02-2009, 08:40 AM	#29
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Netuser: what's your budget? If you plan to stay with Pentax, then a budget is still needed. You can be successful with birding at 300mm, but it takes a different approach and more patience. Having a 500mm lens is nice, 600mm is even better, but often you want even more. It depends on the subject! Shorebirds and such can be approached with some techniques that will let you fill the frame at 500mm (using a blind). I guess I am saying you need to clarify what birds you wish to photograph and how approachable they are. Most of the time my subjects are not used to human presence, so they move away or readily take flight. Hummingbirds are an exception if you still relatively still, but they are incredibly small at ~7-9 cm from head to tail. Give us some thoughts/answers and perhaps we could help out more definitely for you... Regards, Marc

07-02-2009, 08:43 AM	#30
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by netuser About the price of the FA600, why to buy one when for less we can get a 400mm f5.6 and a 40d from canon ? (will work great) An additional 200mm in focal length is significant in wildlife photog not to mention there is a big difference in 5.6 and 4, especially in a 600mm lens! I have the Pentax A 400mm f5.6 and it is a good lens. However, it isn't a substitute for a FA 600mm F4. Edit: I don't consider a DA 300mm f4 lens a cheap lens. The f4 on a 300mm is neither slow nor fast in my opinion. f4 is fast on any lens greater than 400mm.

FA 600/4 on ebay

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