[WPRESTO]

That is one heck of a mouthful for the Gull!!!

+1 on that comment. Just looking at the still image makes my throat hurt. I'll take butterflies in the stomach over a fish that isn't quite dead.

[ivanvernon]

The last image - with the seal yawning - is definitely a winner.

---------- Post added 08-14-21 at 01:59 PM ----------



Not quite the response you''re looking for but; I've owned an SMCA 400mm f5.6; DA 300mm f4; Sigma 300 f4 APO; Tamron 400mm f4 and I currently own an Olympus 300mm f4. Ranking these by my perceived impression of IQ, or my "satisfaction" with images obtained by each:

1) Oly 300 f4 and Tamron 400mm f4 are the best and roughly equal

2) Pentax DA 300 f4
3) Sigma 300 f4 APO
4) Pentax 400mm f5.6 SMCA easily had the poorest IQ. I got it as a lighter, more compact alternative to the very large Tamron 400mm f4, but images with the Pentax were not good enough for me so kept the lens less than one year.

There are a lot of apples and acorns comparison here = film, FF digital, APS-C digital, and MFT digital. It is certain, however, that the Oly 300 and the Tamron 400 almost always delivered satisfactory images. Both lenses also maintained IQ when used with a 1.4X converter (Oly 1.4X or Pentax 1.4XL unit respectively)

Hi Walt: Sorry to be a nuisance. However, I want to be sure we are referring to the same two Pentax medium format 645 lenses. The two I am referring to are.

1. SMC Pentax-FA* 645 300mm f 4.0 ED (IF)

2. Not concerned with the Sigma lens.

3. SMC Pentax-FA 645 400mm f 5.6 ED (IF)

Are these two lenses the same ones you are referring to in your No, 1 and No. 3? or are you referring to K-mount lenses?

Thanks for clarifying this for me.

[WPRESTO]

Hi Walt: Sorry to be a nuisance. However, I want to be sure we are referring to the same two Pentax medium format 645 lenses. The two I am referring to are.

1. SMC Pentax-FA* 645 300mm f 4.0 ED (IF)

2. Not concerned with the Sigma lens.

3. SMC Pentax-FA 645 400mm f 5.6 ED (IF)

Are these two lenses the same ones you are referring to in your No, 1 and No. 3? or are you referring to K-mount lenses?

Thanks for clarifying this for me.

The lenses in my experience have been 35mm FF, APS-C and MFT. What is not clear to me is whether or not the formula for the 35mm FF SMCA 400mm f5.6 Pentax and the 645 400mm f5.6 is essentially the same or significantly different. If it were the same, then from MPOV it was/is a disappointing design.

[kengoh]

Stunning image Ken - beautiful!

Fabulous shot, Ken! You do amazing work with that big lens.
Thank you!

Thanks K2 to K50 and RobG.

[kengoh]

Little Spiderhunter shot with K5-IIs + Sigma 500/4.5

[RobA_Oz]

The lenses in my experience have been 35mm FF, APS-C and MFT. What is not clear to me is whether or not the formula for the 35mm FF SMCA 400mm f5.6 Pentax and the 645 400mm f5.6 is essentially the same or significantly different. If it were the same, then from MPOV it was/is a disappointing design.

I must admit the same question has crossed my mind when I’ve seen ads for the 645 lens. From the lens specifications here, they’re both 7 elements in 6 groups designs, with a 77mm filter, so it’s a fair question. Unfortunately, only the A lens optical design diagram is given. The FA* design is definitely different, even though it retains the same filter thread.

[ivanvernon]

The lenses in my experience have been 35mm FF, APS-C and MFT. What is not clear to me is whether or not the formula for the 35mm FF SMCA 400mm f5.6 Pentax and the 645 400mm f5.6 is essentially the same or significantly different. If it were the same, then from MPOV it was/is a disappointing design.

OK, yes, I understand now. The 645 400mm f 5.6 gets high reviews from Pentaxers, and my experience has also been quite positive. I am quite interested in a considered opinion by any Pentaxer who may have used both these two lens and can offer an evaluative perspective.

[amazing_universe]

Our regular guest. K3ii + Sigma 300 F2.8; Crop in lightroom.



---------- Post added 08-15-21 at 04:28 AM ----------

Little Spiderhunter shot with K5-IIs + Sigma 500/4.5

Love it.

[skolkmeier]

A cicada came to steal some bird seed.

[K2 to K50]

Great Closeup!

[swip]

Little Spiderhunter shot with K5-IIs + Sigma 500/4.5

Simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

---------- Post added 08-16-21 at 11:16 PM ----------

Gorgeous image Terry. Well worth the effort.

I'm doing the same. Crescent Honeyeaters at Yanakie, Victoria (near Wilson's Promontory). These males show the prominent crescent on the breast which gives the species its name. You can also see on their faces pollen from the banksias they have been feeding on. K-S2 + DA L 55-300mm f4-5.8 at 300mm, reprocessed with DxO PL4 and Nik Color Efex Pro.

Wonderful shots of a beautiful bird.

[Weevil]

Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis]
Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Peru, NY, USA
2018.09.01

Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis] | Ausable Marsh? | Flickr


Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis]

Pentax K-1 + smc PENTAX-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED[IF] @ 600mm
1/800, ƒ/5.6, ISO 5000
#PENTAX #K1 delivers with high ISO...

[RobA_Oz]

Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis]
Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Peru, NY, USA
2018.09.01

Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis] | Ausable Marsh? | Flickr


Castor / American Beaver [Castor canadensis]

Pentax K-1 + smc PENTAX-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED[IF] @ 600mm
1/800, ƒ/5.6, ISO 5000
#PENTAX #K1 delivers with high ISO...

Ricoh could do a lot worse than reviving that lens, perhaps with HD coatings and internal AF drive.

[Weevil]

Ricoh could do a lot worse than reviving that lens, perhaps with HD coatings and internal AF drive.

Yeah, we can dream of something like that...

[Mike.P®]

Yeah, we can dream of something like that...

Dunno about dream, going by Ricoh's present pricing policy I would be having nightmares I think