[noelpolar]

A few wide open.....not the best subjects as they were mostly moving....taken this morning.....I normally would have traded a stop or so of higher ISO for a smaller aperture with these.....mostly for Dof.... hand held snaps processed my normal way.

wide open at 450 (1/500, iso 250, f5.6)



wide open at 360 (1/500, iso 100, f5.6)



wide open at 270 (1/500, iso 160, f4.5)



wide open at 150 (1/500, iso 160, f4.5)



And just a nothing shot.... 310 (1/800, iso 320, f6.3)

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Last edited by noelpolar; 11-15-2015 at 05:08 PM.

[Dieseler]

A few wide open.....not the best subjects as they were mostly moving....taken this morning.....I normally would have traded a stop or so of higher ISO for a smaller aperture with these.....mostly for Dof.... hand held snaps processed my normal way.

wide open at 450 (1/500, iso 250, f5.6)



wide open at 360 (1/500, iso 100, f5.6)



wide open at 270 (1/500, iso 160, f4.5)



wide open at 150 (1/500, iso 160, f4.5)



And just a nothing shot.... 310 (1/800, iso 320, f6.3)

Looks like you got a good copy!

[Marc Langille]

I do mostly birding so Tav is my normal tele mode. Today I hope to compare AFC mode and speed between the da*300 and the spiffy new FA150-450 @300mm. If anything jumps out I will update this thread tonight.[COLOR="Silver"]


Yes, all of the shots with a TC were obviously lower IQ than without. I have no doubt there. If the samples did not demonstrate that well enough that's the fault of the poster....me. I use a TC on my best primes with great results in the past (da*300, A*400/2.8 and Sigma 500/4.5) but never found a zoom that could keep up.[COLOR="Silver"]

Folks - a note about comparisons here;


Downsizing a 13MB pic to 140KB really takes a toll on the fine detail. I have no doubt that the Sigma 500 shoots sharper, better detail on a birds feathers than the DFA150-450 @450 on its best day. I can provide a dropbox link to fullsized samples to anyone who PMs me an email addy.


But the 150-450 is a keeper for me. I can lug it and shoot handheld; not something the Sigma 500 can do.

Good evening! It has been a while.

I've read several pages and viewed images with interest. The FA* 250-600/5.6 is without any hesitation a prime quality lens as far as zooms go - discussed in some detail to the Sigma 500/4.5 a while back - and I am wondering if this would be worth considering for lighter travel options. Sounds like it is very capable in the right hands, but it's hard to be sure. That's not a negative comment - simply a smaller pool of people, versus another lens in the Canon/Nikon shooter population.

The Sigma 500/4.5 I used on a Canon body was a great lens, so additional input/thoughts on what I want/expect in the lens' IQ are welcome. Is the 150-450 truly that good? (Anyone is welcome to comment of course!)

Sometimes it's hard to tell as you've mentioned with image size samples posted.
I'm unsure if this lens would meet my expectations on IQ, since the 250-600 sets a very high benchmark.

Or... just rent it.

Hope everyone is doing well!
Marc

[noelpolar]

The way I see the 150-450 is - as a convienient zoom of the image quality thereabouts of a DA 300 (at 300 for the 150-450) ..... but with the flexibility of 150-450mm quickly and conveniently in a modern FF weather resistant format....thats just handholdable for most.

High end primes such as the sigma 500 or pentax 560 are in another price/image league without the flexibility (the pentax 250-600 is of course an expensive big freak!)...... I would imagine coming back to a 150-450 from shooting the others (500/560 etc) is akin to going back from a DA300 to a 55-300.....well maybe not quite that much....

[Greyser]

The way I see the 150-450 is - as a convienient zoom of the image quality thereabouts of a DA 300 (at 300 for the 150-450) ..... but with the flexibility of 150-450mm quickly and conveniently in a modern FF weather resistant format....thats just handholdable for most.

High end primes such as the sigma 500 or pentax 560 are in another price/image league without the flexibility (the pentax 250-600 is of course an expensive big freak!)...... I would imagine coming back to a 150-450 from shooting the others (500/560 etc) is akin to going back from a DA300 to a 55-300.....well maybe not quite that much....

That is exactly my thoughts. I see DFA 150-450 as slightly better DA 55-300 on steroids. I am Sigma 500/4.5 user, and I use it 99% hand held. However, I missed a few travel opportunities when taking the Sigma was not an option. I will keep shooting my 500mm prime as long as I can hold it. DFA plus HD 1.4x TC is a travel solution with a bonus of weather sealing. I have a limited experience with DFA. After a few field trips and some backyard test sessions I think it's OK for a zoom. My biggest bitterness with it is a lack of crispness and smudged details; especially when image is cropped.

[Fenwoodian]

I've reviewed all of the images posted on this thread.

Nice photos, especially the airplane photos.

[christiandre]

first session with the 150-450mm this afternoon

[Rupert]

Thanks guys and Noelpolar too! Sorry I'm late getting back over here.

Hi Rupert


One at 6.3

Plenty sharp at 6.3! I think we can safely rule out "not sharp until F8"

I also still own the OS Bigma, I think my old screw drive was actually sharper than the new OS.

I think you are right...the screw drive is sharper than the OS. At least mine is.

Sorry no squirrels around here.

I can send you a box full anytime!

Hi Rupert,

There are a few test shots below, including wide open DFA 150-450 crops. The first copy of the lens did not go well. There is a second copy. It may not as brilliant as what 'vcollerp' shoots, but quite decent for a zoom. These test shots not supposed to be posted as my internal tests. However, one DPR member asked for 100% crops. Here you go:

Nice comparisons, the 150-450 looks plenty good here also.

Noelpolar.....Ditto. Your shots were plenty sharp too.

I'm filing that comment about "not sharp until F8" in my file with flying pigs, bigfoot monsters and Frank the "flying" squirrel......


Since I am mostly a long zoom shooter, it is making more and more sense that I should own this lens. Maybe after Christmas.....if I get it now then Mrs Rupert will call it my Christmas present and I won't get anything else. I got the new Bigma back in the summer and my birthday was last Monday......and all I got was a card that said....Happy Zooming!

Regards! & Thanks again for the replies.

[littledrawe]

The first copy of the lens did not go well.

This was my experience as well. Due to a clerical error amazon never sent a replacement and out of frustration I went a different direction with my gear. It seems like quality control may be an issue with this lens which is not something that I am comfortable when spending thousands of dollars.

[jpzk]

Another bunch of very good images !

So, for the most part, people using the 150-450 are quite happy with it although I am seeing more frequent comments about the inconsistent "IQ quality": reports varying from that lens being "top notch" to "great" to "soft at 450mm" , etc ... It is a bit disconcerting when considering the price of this lens.

Is anyone courageous enough to post "soft" images taken at 450mm, wide open or not?

[Greyser]

Another bunch of very good images !

So, for the most part, people using the 150-450 are quite happy with it although I am seeing more frequent comments about the inconsistent "IQ quality": reports varying from that lens being "top notch" to "great" to "soft at 450mm" , etc ... It is a bit disconcerting when considering the price of this lens.

Is anyone courageous enough to post "soft" images taken at 450mm, wide open or not?

I did: 100% crops: DFA 150-450/4.5-5.6; Sigma 500/4.5, and DA*60-250/4: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Don't pay attention to Sigma 500/4.5 shots. It did back focus. Later I realized that AF microadjustment was reset to 0 after SW update.

[Mundus]

DFA 150-450 with 1,4x (630 mm). 1/125 s ISO 1600 f.8.0

[timautin]

Great shot!
I bought mine last week, and can't wait to be this weekend to try it on the field!!

[jpzk]

I did: 100% crops: DFA 150-450/4.5-5.6; Sigma 500/4.5, and DA*60-250/4: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Don't pay attention to Sigma 500/4.5 shots. It did back focus. Later I realized that AF microadjustment was reset to 0 after SW update.

Thanks!

I did take a look at the images from your link.
I would say that, at 450mm, the 150-450 is a tad "soft".
Amazingly, some users post razor sharp pictures here with that very same lens at 450mm and wide open .... is there such a thing as "good copy" and "bad copy" or has this something to do with the camera used, or the technique used or "whatever" ?

[noelpolar]

For something to do.....as part of the "single in challenge" withe the DFA 150-450 I took this selfie (some of us do a different selfie challenge each month) ...... it's shot wide open at 310mm and clearly shows the lens is way to sharp wide open..... case closed.....

PortraitPro 15 turned me into a glamorous Dame.... wifes fancy dress wig and earing.....makeup via PortraitPro adjustments

Dame Noel...? by Noel Leahy, on Flickr

---------- Post added 24-11-15 at 09:54 AM ----------

Thanks!

I did take a look at the images from your link.
I would say that, at 450mm, the 150-450 is a tad "soft".
Amazingly, some users post razor sharp pictures here with that very same lens at 450mm and wide open .... is there such a thing as "good copy" and "bad copy" or has this something to do with the camera used, or the technique used or "whatever" ?

One of the things to keep in mind is that a long zoom like this is purchased by many (me included) to use in a mobile kind of way.... at 450mm getting good shots I've found quite easy hand held..... but to get pixel peeping great shots is rarer hand held.