[zzeitg]

Absolutely. My A3+ prints show that the IQ really has gone up with the KP. It is as good as the old K5, but with 8mp's more. Great achievement by Pentax!
Main reason for looking to switch is AF, but not only. I am looking for a compact, portable lens with reach when needed through extenders. This automatically brings me to Canon's 400mm f4 DOII, which is one of the rare lenses that work well with a 2xTC as well as with the 1.4TC.
I plan to travel (birding) in coming years, and cannot see myself taking the DA560, even if it were allowed on an airplane.
The 400mm DOII with 1.4TC mirrors the DA560, which has become so familiar, but at 800gr. less, and half the size. And with tracking abilities.
But the Canon APS-C sensors cannot compare to the Pentax/Sony tandem, sadly.

Chris

Yes, I can fully understand your point of view. It's sad that there's not such a lens (fast telephoto prime) even in the roadmap. In case of Nikon, you can have 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4, 600mm f/4... Some might say that there's not the market for these lenses in Pentax mount. I'd disagree. When you see how many guys participated in the "Birds" contest ( Contest Voting - PentaxForums.com ), it's quite obvious that there are wildlife enthusiasts in the Pentax family.

Z.

---

Last edited by zzeitg; 04-03-2018 at 12:43 AM.

[Des]

Yes, I can fully understand your point of view. It's sad that there's not such a lens (fast telephoto prime) even in the roadmap. In case of Nikon, you can have 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4, 600mm f/4... Some might say that there's not the market for these lenses in Pentax mount. I'd disagree. When you see how many guys participated in the "Birds" contest ( Contest Voting - PentaxForums.com ), it's quite obvious that there are wildlife enthusiasts in the Pentax family.

There are, but very few of us would be up for spending $US10,000 (Nikon 500 f4), $11,000 (Nikon 400 f2.8), or $12,000 (Nikon 600 f4) on a lens. The DA 560 f5.6 ($4000) was probably at (or beyond) the limit of commercial viability for a K-mount long tele prime.

[zzeitg]

There are, but very few of us would be up for spending $US10,000 (Nikon 500 f4), $11,000 (Nikon 400 f2.8), or $12,000 (Nikon 600 f4) on a lens. The DA 560 f5.6 ($4000) was probably at (or beyond) the limit of commercial viability for a K-mount long tele prime.

There's an FA* 250-600mm F5.6 on eBay for sale for about 9.000 USD (and it does not even seem to be in the best condition). Whenever an FA*600 appears, it's quickly gone.
While I believe that these are great lenses, I'd still prefer to pay some USD more to get a brand new, modern lens, with reduced weight, sealed, etc. and with full warranty.
I guess it's clear that we won't ever have the same choice as Canon or Nikon, but one modern fast telephoto prime...? It's a must, simply. Even if Pentax should donate it from the sales of other lenses or cameras.

[Chris Mak]

There's an FA* 250-600mm F5.6 on eBay for sale for about 9.000 USD (and it does not even seem to be in the best condition). Whenever an FA*600 appears, it's quickly gone.
While I believe that these are great lenses, I'd still prefer to pay some USD more to get a brand new, modern lens, with reduced weight, sealed, etc. and with full warranty.
I guess it's clear that we won't ever have the same choice as Canon or Nikon, but one modern fast telephoto prime...? It's a must, simply. Even if Pentax should donate it from the sales of other lenses or cameras.

I see two valid options for Pentax:
-a very good 400mm f4, with two new FF compatible tc's, 1.4tc and 2.0tc. It does not have to cost 10.000. Just take a look at e.g. two 500mmf4 lenses: the Sony 500mm f4 costs 15.000,-, while the Sigma 500mm f4 costs 6795,- and appears just as good. So at least in part, it is also a choice of how to price such a super telelens. My guess is, that if Pentax were to make a 400mm f4 with ringtype motor and first class optics to take both TC's, the could do so at the price of the DA560 or near 6000,- I f you add the two coverters, you would be all set. Accurate AF would ensure good IQ with bothe converters, assuming the bare lens has high IQ.
Expensive? Yes, but you would never need another super telelens.
-a high quality 250-600mm zoom lens. The superb DR and high iso of the latest Pentax bodies would make such a lens highly desireable for a large audience i.m.o. and would be possible at or around 2000,-/2500,-

Given the small Pentax userbase, I would avoid 500/4 or 600/4 lenses.

Chris

[zzeitg]

I see two valid options for Pentax:
-a very good 400mm f4, with two new FF compatible tc's, 1.4tc and 2.0tc. It does not have to cost 10.000. Just take a look at e.g. two 500mmf4 lenses: the Sony 500mm f4 costs 15.000,-, while the Sigma 500mm f4 costs 6795,- and appears just as good. So at least in part, it is also a choice of how to price such a super telelens. My guess is, that if Pentax were to make a 400mm f4 with ringtype motor and first class optics to take both TC's, the could do so at the price of the DA560 or near 6000,- I f you add the two coverters, you would be all set. Accurate AF would ensure good IQ with bothe converters, assuming the bare lens has high IQ.
Expensive? Yes, but you would never need another super telelens.
-a high quality 250-600mm zoom lens. The superb DR and high iso of the latest Pentax bodies would make such a lens highly desireable for a large audience i.m.o. and would be possible at or around 2000,-/2500,-

Given the small Pentax userbase, I would avoid 500/4 or 600/4 lenses.

Chris

Common opinion is that f/4 lens with 2x TC won't perform so well. Above you mentioned Canon's 400mm f4 DOII...what are the reviews saying in this sense?

[Chris Mak]

Common opinion is that f/4 lens with 2x TC won't perform so well. Above you mentioned Canon's 400mm f4 DOII...what are the reviews saying in this sense?

Reviews are very favorable for the 400DOII + Canon's 2.0 tc.
Canon used to be in a league of its own for 2.0 tc performance, but even the Sony 100-400 GM does very well with the 2.0 tc.
Modern, computer corrected and calcultated optics make it possible. You would end up with a 800mm f8, and I suspect it would perform as well or better than the DA560 with 1.4tc, provided the bare lens has very high IQ and AF is accurate.

Chris

[Dan Rentea]

Reviews are very favorable for the 400DOII + Canon's 2.0 tc.
Canon used to be in a league of its own for 2.0 tc performance, but even the Sony 100-400 GM does very well with the 2.0 tc.
Modern, computer corrected and calcultated optics make it possible. You would end up with a 800mm f8, and I suspect it would perform as well or better than the DA560 with 1.4tc, provided the bare lens has very high IQ and AF is accurate.

Chris

It depends also on what camera the lens and 2x TC are attached to. All cameras from Canon released after 7D Mark II have the Af module with af points sensitive to f8. That doesn't mean that the entry level model released a few months ago will perform as good at tracking as the high end models. I can confirm that on 80D, 7D Mark II and 6D Mark II it works reasonably well in decent lighting conditions and it is a lot better/accurate on 5D Mark IV and 1Dx Mark II. Canon 5D Mark III for example it doesn't do a good job with an f4 lens and 2x TC attached. You will have af, but only in very good light and you will not have tracking capabilities.

[dadipentak]

Ospreys from a beach walk near Cancun with the K-3, HD 1.4x & DA*300/4:

[zzeitg]

DA560

[ivanvernon]

Image quality is poor as the turkey flock was almost one-half mile away with poor lighting conditions, also hand-held plus this is heavily cropped. Anyway, I thought the image of these four mooning turkey toms was cute enough to post!

KIT: Pentax K-3 with Pentax-FA* 300 f 4.0 (with adapter).

[lukulele]

A little help with some cortisone in the right thumb cartilage this afternoon. K-3/A400. Rare Black Kite had many difficulties negotiating changing wind gusts (and a rather heavy tail) All Catawba River Mecklenburg/Gaston County NC border

[aslyfox]

Cheetah and fish at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha

[Weevil]

Not the best shot since it was again cropped heavily (5.5 mpx), but nice pose this duck was offering me under that golden light...

Petit fuligule / Lesser Scaup [Aythya affinis] ♂
Carignan, Québec, Canada
2018.04.02

Pentax K-1 + FA*250-600 @600mm
ƒ/6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 320



Petit fuligule / Lesser Scaup [Aythya affinis] ♂

[rod_grant]

Out today with the siggy 150-500, first time for a long time!
...down to a muddy lagoon near a mate's house.
He is always telling me about the bird life there; today only a couple of Australian White Ibis, a White-faced Heron, and an Australian Magpie.
All hand held and cropped.
And both Ibis and Magpie with black eyes hidding within a black face!! How do you cope with that?

[Chris Mak]

Not the best shot since it was again cropped heavily (5.5 mpx), but nice pose this duck was offering me under that golden light...
Fuligule milouinan / Greater Scaup [Aythya marila] ♂
Carignan, Québec, Canada
2018.04.02

The much alike Tufted ducks here are preparing to move back to their breeding grounds. The winter guests are found in large groups and are a very lively bunch! The males in particular are very much engaged with each other, constantly forming little assemblies and cruising the waters making their typical sounds.