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01-07-2019, 03:54 AM - 1 Like   #30361
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
I was pleasantly surprised, but it makes sense. Primes do very well with TC's in my experience. The DA 300 works nicely with a 1.4 tc for example and all the super telephotos are kind of in a league of their own with teleconverter performance from what I've seen.
Very nice images of the combo!

Especially a F4 prime is ideally suited to take a 1.4TC. A F5.6 lens less so.
That is why I have not yet made up my mind what I will replace the DA560 with if Pentax does not deliver a significantly upgraded APS-C body this year. My first choice is stiil the Nikon D500 with the Sigma 500/f4 sports, but Nikon's 500mm f5.6 PF also has it's strong points, price being one of them, and weight! But 500mm is just not enough at many occasions, and I already know that it will not take a 1.4TC as well as the F4 lens...

Chris

01-07-2019, 04:48 AM   #30362
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QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Mak Quote
Very nice images of the combo!

Especially a F4 prime is ideally suited to take a 1.4TC. A F5.6 lens less so.
That is why I have not yet made up my mind what I will replace the DA560 with if Pentax does not deliver a significantly upgraded APS-C body this year. My first choice is stiil the Nikon D500 with the Sigma 500/f4 sports, but Nikon's 500mm f5.6 PF also has it's strong points, price being one of them, and weight! But 500mm is just not enough at many occasions, and I already know that it will not take a 1.4TC as well as the F4 lens...

Chris
I’ve been following the 500 PF closely and it actually does take the 1.4 tc very well. There are still disadvantages with shooting at f/8 and the cameras AF system as well as needing to have really good light as well. I’m leaning towards the Sigma you mentioned myself.
01-07-2019, 06:11 AM - 16 Likes   #30363
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Spent a few hours at the beach the other day. I was hoping for some Osprey action, but there are too many tourists right now.

1. [c][/c]

2. [c][/c]

3. [c][/c]

4. [c][/c]

5. [c][/c]

6. [c][/c]
01-07-2019, 08:04 AM - 4 Likes   #30364
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Pentax K1 + 150-450mm







---------- Post added 01-07-19 at 08:07 AM ----------





01-07-2019, 08:09 PM - 16 Likes   #30365
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Backyard hummingbird, with the DA* 300 + DA 1.4x converter:

01-08-2019, 04:09 AM   #30366
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alfa75ts


stunning shots, perfectly taken
01-08-2019, 08:05 AM   #30367
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Wow. That's terrific.

01-08-2019, 08:32 AM - 17 Likes   #30368
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A few shots with the D500 w/ 500mm F/4 G

Northern Harrier at Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge in Washougal, WA



Bufflehead at Steigerald Lake


Anna's Hummingbird in the backyard


---------- Post added 01-08-19 at 09:56 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
My plan is for my next lens purchase to be a super telephoto. I'm having a little bit of a problem deciding whether I should go with an extremely light and portable lens like the 500mm f/4 PF or go with something heavier like a Nikon 500mm f/4G or Sigma 500mm f/4 sport.

I wanted to see how I felt about shooting with a tripod all the time and how it would be to handle the larger 500 f/4 lens before making my decision. I looked into renting one, but even the rental is very expensive and I wouldn't get my money back. I happened to see a vintage 500mm f/4 lens on a forum and decided to give it a try. Even though it is manual focus, I figured it would handle similar and help me in making my decision. Once I'm ready to move on, I should be able to recoup all (or most) of the money spent when I sell it.

I've been pleasantly surprised by this lens. I took these photos mostly with the Nikon 1.4 TCB attached, shooting wide open to test it out. The reach of 700mm at f/5.6 has me really leaning towards going with a 500 f/4 lens for my long term purchase.
Your images are really exceptional. My thought is that if you are looking to use the TC more often than not, then the 400mm f/2.8 may be better choice vs. the 500mm f/4G. Losing a whole stop is definitely not appealing to me, especially living in the PNW where there are a lot of overcast/rainy days and when pairing my lens with the TC-14EIII, I found I had to stop to 6.3/7.1 before I observed desirable sharpness.

In my honest opinion, there are not enough sunny days in the year for me to fall back on a 7.1 long lens and the D500 isn't the cleanest at high ISOs for me to be satisfied.

Last edited by sutherland; 01-08-2019 at 09:02 AM.
01-08-2019, 12:49 PM   #30369
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
I’ve been following the 500 PF closely and it actually does take the 1.4 tc very well. There are still disadvantages with shooting at f/8 and the cameras AF system as well as needing to have really good light as well. I’m leaning towards the Sigma you mentioned myself.
Yes, the 500PF does work well with a 1.4TC it seems. I'm also closely following reports from users with this lens.
Still, F8 is limiting, pushing up the iso, and even when neglecting the hit on AF speed (accuracy seems great with the 500PF + 1.4TC), I would feel limited myself if I always had to shoot an F8 lens to get sufficient reach. Contrast drops in lesser light and images seem to lack something crucial often.

The DA560 is already a bit too short almost always. A 600mm F5.6PF would have taken away all doubts, but that may not surface anytime soon, so I am, despite the 500PF being a stellar and revolutionary lens, again leaning towards the Sigma 500mm F4 myself.

Chris
01-08-2019, 01:32 PM - 10 Likes   #30370
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01-08-2019, 02:59 PM - 7 Likes   #30371
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Rainbow Lorikeet.
These are very colourful characters, and always look like they have a bit of a smirk.
I would have preferred a more natural perch, but you can't pass up the opportunity for a shot like this.

K-3 II, DFA 150-450, handheld. See exif for shot detail.

Cheers,
Terry
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01-09-2019, 06:01 AM   #30372
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QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Mak Quote
Yes, the 500PF does work well with a 1.4TC it seems. I'm also closely following reports from users with this lens.
Still, F8 is limiting, pushing up the iso, and even when neglecting the hit on AF speed (accuracy seems great with the 500PF + 1.4TC), I would feel limited myself if I always had to shoot an F8 lens to get sufficient reach. Contrast drops in lesser light and images seem to lack something crucial often.

The DA560 is already a bit too short almost always. A 600mm F5.6PF would have taken away all doubts, but that may not surface anytime soon, so I am, despite the 500PF being a stellar and revolutionary lens, again leaning towards the Sigma 500mm F4 myself.

Chris
This is similar to where I'm at. I would love a 600 PF, but I'm not sure if they will ever even make one.

---------- Post added 01-09-2019 at 07:06 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by sutherland Quote
A few shots with the D500 w/ 500mm F/4 G

Northern Harrier at Steigerwald Lake Wildlife Refuge in Washougal, WA



Bufflehead at Steigerald Lake


Anna's Hummingbird in the backyard


---------- Post added 01-08-19 at 09:56 AM ----------



Your images are really exceptional. My thought is that if you are looking to use the TC more often than not, then the 400mm f/2.8 may be better choice vs. the 500mm f/4G. Losing a whole stop is definitely not appealing to me, especially living in the PNW where there are a lot of overcast/rainy days and when pairing my lens with the TC-14EIII, I found I had to stop to 6.3/7.1 before I observed desirable sharpness.

In my honest opinion, there are not enough sunny days in the year for me to fall back on a 7.1 long lens and the D500 isn't the cleanest at high ISOs for me to be satisfied.
The issues I have with the 400 2.8 is that it's too short, even with a 1.4 extender. The new Sony 400 is really nice and takes extenders extremely well, but is super expensive. If cost wasn't a factor I'd probably pick up a Nikon 600mm f/4 FL. The new Canon 600 is really amazing, but none of the Canon bodies are what I'm looking for anyway and it's also really expensive.
01-09-2019, 07:54 AM - 1 Like   #30373
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QuoteOriginally posted by str8talk83 Quote
he issues I have with the 400 2.8 is that it's too short, even with a 1.4 extender. The new Sony 400 is really nice and takes extenders extremely well, but is super expensive. If cost wasn't a factor I'd probably pick up a Nikon 600mm f/4 FL. The new Canon 600 is really amazing, but none of the Canon bodies are what I'm looking for anyway and it's also really expensive.
Compared to Nikon, Canon typically has a comparable option that is lighter and more 'affordable'. When I was switching systems, Canon was never a consideration as I do not care for the ergonomics and button layout.

There are a few 600mm F/4 Gs on the Bay that are going for around 6K. That might be a good consideration. Although the price is attractive, I would avoid the AIS models as they focus slower and when in need of repair, will be much more expensive than the AFS/Silent Wave Motor versions.
01-09-2019, 02:59 PM - 12 Likes   #30374
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Another Rainbow Lorikeet.
This blighter refused to come around to my side of the tree, or to the top, so wasn't able to get a full shot and settled for a closeup instead.

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

Cheers,
Terry
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01-09-2019, 03:24 PM - 10 Likes   #30375
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A portrait of a Scrub Jay taken with the D500 / 500mm f/4
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