[jcdoss]

Pentax K-1 mII Limited Silver and K500f4.5 at f4.5

[jcdoss]

Playing around the house with this lens, trying to come to grips with its size and unwieldiness.Trying to like the lens, if I'm being honest. Turns out the thing is too much for my monopod, so I'll need to get a solid tripod if I ever take it in the field. The focus ring is stiff enough that I am considering having it sent off for lubrication. It's also got a fair amount of dust and grime inside which might actually be affecting image quality. Anyway, here's a couple of shots thru my window from this afternoon.



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f16, 1/2000s, and ISO 1600



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f4.5, 1/350s, and ISO 100



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f8.0, 1/250s, and ISO 100

[gatorguy]

Playing around the house with this lens, trying to come to grips with its size and unwieldiness.Trying to like the lens, if I'm being honest. Turns out the thing is too much for my monopod, so I'll need to get a solid tripod if I ever take it in the field. The focus ring is stiff enough that I am considering having it sent off for lubrication. It's also got a fair amount of dust and grime inside which might actually be affecting image quality. Anyway, here's a couple of shots thru my window from this afternoon.



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f16, 1/2000s, and ISO 1600



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f4.5, 1/350s, and ISO 100



Pentax K-1 mII and K500f4.5 at f8.0, 1/250s, and ISO 100

I had one earlier this year, and had the same experience. I really wanted to like it...

But it was NOT monopod friendly, even with purchasing a P-50 Arca plate in hopes of better balancing it. It was heavy, specifically FRONT-heavy, long and unwieldy, and in practice a pretty limiting lens as a 500mm only. If I were set-up in a fixed location and already knew where the subject was then perhaps it would have value for me, but that's not how I use a long lens. I stay on the move.

I kept it only a few weeks since it didn't take long to understand I would never like it, unless I dedicated myself to learning a way to make it tolerable, and still with no assurance it would ever be successful. I'm not that patient of a guy when there are other perfectly acceptable and owner-friendly options.

On paper, in my head, and seeing some of the images others have captured with it, I was excited to get one, and in such pristine condition! That excitement wore off fast. But there's no disputing the results when the stars align. That first shot of yours, the sat dish, is nice with excellent subject separation..

[jcdoss]

This lens's number came up today, so here's a couple of shots out the window of some flower pots in the neighbors' backyard. I had trouble getting a usable image tonight, but it could just be my lack of experience with this lens. Boy is it hard to handle, though. Getting consistently decent images with it will be a hard skill to acquire.



Pentax K-1 mII Limited Silver and K500f4.5 with 26mm auto extension tube at f8.0, 1/250s and ISO 6400, on a monopod



Pentax K-1 mII Limited Silver and K500f4.5 with 26mm auto extension tube at f8.0, 1/125s and ISO 6400, on a monopod