[WPRESTO]

PM me if you have questions about the A star 400 f 2.8 , it could take many posts to answer every question you will have! Haha! Short answer... I bought the lens in 1987 with the 1.4 XL, but the K3-II with the AF 1.7 has given the lens a new life. I expect the K70, KP and the K1-11 will do the same.. It is a wonderful Astro lens.....

I see you're using a Bogen/Monfrotto heavy lens cradle. I've recommended that unit frequently as a low-cost alternative to high-priced gimbal heads, but few seem to have taken my advice. I've used one inverted = with the support arm above the lens, then attached a strobe with telephoto-Fresnel extender on the top bar for photographing birds. Works great!

[stihlmania]

WP, the Monfrotto "gimble" works well for a heavy lens, but not everyone likes them. I also have a Wimberly and both function as designed and both have different vibration issues that take time to master. I have no favorite gimbal, both have their + and -...Your a brave man to use the 393 " inverted".....although it does provide an excellent accessory mount position. Someday post a photo of that setup as I will never use mine like that! Haha! Gravity is my friend when using a gimbal.... the 393 does allow ground level use, I set up this way to get photos of Texas spiny lizards...( mounted on a Bogen 3033 )

[MossyRocks]

PM me if you have questions about the A star 400 f 2.8 , it could take many posts to answer every question you will have!

Thanks I will

It is a wonderful Astro lens.....

I was hoping so. The few pictures I have seen taken with it I looked at closely to see if it would be a problem and it didn't look like it. That is a nice moon photo too. I'm not planning on using it with a teleconverter especially since Andromeda will frame up nicely with it. I will post some pics once I have it and can point it up.

[tduell]

Osprey.
This bird swooped down and grabbed up the stick less than about 10m from where I was standing, then made off with it.
The action all happened very fast and being so close it was difficult to keep the bird in the frame.
This is an uncropped shot at minimum focal length.
K-3 II, DFA 150-450 + 1.4x TC, handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry

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[Weevil]

I also don't know anything about the rear drop in filter system which is what I have the most curiosity about so that would be helpful so I don't screw things up as I will be using a filter at night when shooting astro shots.

I don't own such nice beast, but i would if I could... but if this is like the FA* 250-600, the rear drop-in filter is part of the optical formula, and it may get worst if you remove it.

It is a wonderful Astro lens.....

I agree, if I was ablt to get this (single frame) shot below with the Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm f5.6 ED [IF] @ 600mm
30s, f6.3, ISO 6400

the 400mm with 2 more stops will sure be a winner!


Galaxie d'Andromède / Andromeda Galaxy (M31, NGC 224)

[kengoh]

Submitted this photo in last month's BIF, shot with K3 + Sigma 500/4.5

Monthly Contest Nominations - PentaxForums.com

[tduell]

Brahminy Kite.
K-3 II, DFA 150-450, handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry

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[Pentaxians]

Little Spiderhunter taken yesterday, local residents but hardly to be seen nowadays, picture was taken by K70, DA300mm + TC 1.4

[scc]

Apparently today was my lucky day and I found the SMC A* 400mm f/2.8 I've been trying to find for a while now. It should arrive next but apart from having a big heavy tripod and head capable of holding (I have both already) it what should I know about using this lens well? My main plan for it is to point it up into the night sky and chase the larger deep sky objects and suck in those elusive photons but what should I know for using it in other situations. Finding information on this rather elusive lens is hard so pretend I know next to nothing other than this thing exists. I also don't know anything about the rear drop in filter system which is what I have the most curiosity about so that would be helpful so I don't screw things up as I will be using a filter at night when shooting astro shots.

The filter cell is a frame with a M49 thread for a conventional filter. You just have to unlock the bolt, pull the cell, thread a filter in, re-insert the cell and lock it.
Look in the lens review section for information about the lens.
Good luck, it should perform well for astrophotography.

[Ducatigaz]

Here a couple of Wheatear pictures taken yesterday from the car with my K-3ii/FA*600mm F4 ED[IF]/Kirk window mount/RRS BH-55 ballhead.

[MossyRocks]

I agree, if I was ablt to get this (single frame) shot below with the Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm f5.6 ED [IF] @ 600mm
30s, f6.3, ISO 6400

Now you are just teasing me. I am eagerly awaiting the A* 400mm f/2.8 but it looks like rain is on the menu this week. I might have to take it for a road trip next weekend to find some clear skies.

[normhead]

A few from my last trip to the park. K-1 or K-5 and DA 55-300





Cedar waxwing



With Tess' k-5 and DA 55-300 PLM

[tduell]

Blue-faced Honeyeater.
K-3 II, DFA 150-450 + 1.4x TC, handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry

[Trissa]

The FA400 does a good job:


Only the CAs could be a problem (in hard light conditions):

[Ducatigaz]

Little Owl from the car with my K-3ii/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF]/Kirk window mount/RRS BH-55 ballhead.