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**luftfluss** · 03-20-2020, 09:09 PM - **5 Likes**

More than half a year after I acquired this imposing beastie, I finally get around to starting the lens sample thread for it

**luftfluss** · 03-20-2020, 09:16 PM - **18 Likes**

I barely had a chance to test the lens when I impulsively decided to lug it to one of my favorite hangouts - a local pond. I had the lens + K-3 II mounted on a monopod, which felt not entirely sufficient to wield the lens optimally. Couple my tenuous setup with a blustery afternoon and, well, it was a bit of a struggle. I had hoped to photograph a great blue heron who was a frequent visitor to the pond, but to my surprise I was treated to the arrival of a family of green herons.

cropped away about 2/3 of the frame

cropped about 1/2 of the frame

All of these shots were taken at 600mm, f/8 - f/11.

Unregistered User 8 · 03-20-2020, 09:54 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by luftfluss

More than half a year after I acquired this imposing beastie,

You needed that time going to the gym so you can carry that monster.

Originally posted by luftfluss

I finally get around to starting the lens sample thread for it

And wonderful images they are too, Well captured.

**ramseybuckeye** · 03-20-2020, 10:08 PM - **1 Like**

Very impressive results, Most impressive is getting that heron to stand still long enough to frame him using a tripod. Well done!

**rod_grant** · 03-20-2020, 10:58 PM - **1 Like**

yep, very nice series

**PJ1** · 03-21-2020, 12:18 AM - **1 Like**

Very nice. That lens certainly deserves its reputation.

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-21-2020, 03:56 AM

I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have.

It suffers all the same issues, specifically the tripod mount is way too far back to balance. Did you experience any purple fringing? How much did you have to do in post processing?

I like your shots. I have read that this lens has a fairly long minimum focusing distance, was that giving you trouble? It is one reason I got the Tammy, it focuses to about 10 feet (at 500mm) it is really goofed for the little birds

**Digitalis** · 03-21-2020, 04:11 AM

Nice find! I have been spending some time hand holding a Pentax 560mm f/5.6 this week...my shoulders are killing me.

**boriscleto** · 03-21-2020, 05:35 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have.

You really should check what auto-correct is doing...

Zygonyx · 03-21-2020, 07:45 AM

Cool weapon & nice shots !

What is the minimum focussing distance ?

**luftfluss** · 03-21-2020, 08:00 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have.

It suffers all the same issues, specifically the tripod mount is way too far back to balance. Did you experience any purple fringing? How much did you have to do in post processing?

I like your shots. I have read that this lens has a fairly long minimum focusing distance, was that giving you trouble? It is one reason I got the Tammy, it focuses to about 10 feet (at 500mm) it is really goofed for the little birds

I haven't yet run into the long MFD issue, nor have I tried the included close-up adapter lens for it. I did have to correct for a fair amount of CA and PF in PP. Of the photos I've posted so far, the only one I feel I really "nailed" was the close-up of the green heron. Many of my shots had slight focusing errors, or shake, or subject movement. Not really a good job by me in charging into the fray with a lens I barely knew - in my experience it can take months to really learn a new long tele lens.

I do have the Tamron SP 200-500/5.6, and at some point I'll make a quick and boring comparison. My current impression is the Tamron is a bit sharper, and like you I enjoy the fact that it has a short MFD. I've recently acquired a better tripod and a long lens plate, so am now better equipped to compare the two lenses.

Originally posted by Digitalis

Nice find! I have been spending some time hand holding a Pentax 560mm f/5.6 this week...my shoulders are killing me.

Using the K 135-600 for a couple of hours left me pretty sore, too, and I didn't even hand-hold the lens. It's pretty unwieldy on a monopod, plus having to fight the gusty wind and squat down at odd angles to photograph through/around the brush was uncomfortable.

...........

135-600 + Pentax Rear Converter A 2x-L

**luftfluss** · 03-21-2020, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

Cool weapon & nice shots !

What is the minimum focussing distance ?

The MFD is 6 meters, but that is reduced to 3.3m with the close-up lens screwed onto the front.

**onlineflyer** · 03-21-2020, 08:57 AM - **1 Like**

For a new (to you) lens and mounted on a monopod, I'd say you did exceptionally well on your first outing. I can't wait to see what you do with some practice and a solid tripod. Please keep the pics coming.

**sergysergy** · 03-21-2020, 10:27 AM - **1 Like**

wow, quality is pretty nice!

**Larrymc** · 03-21-2020, 11:19 AM - **1 Like**

Superb shots for the first time out and all the monopod limitations!

03-20-2020, 09:09 PM - 5 Likes	#1
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628	SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7 More than half a year after I acquired this imposing beastie, I finally get around to starting the lens sample thread for it

03-20-2020, 09:16 PM - 18 Likes	#2
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628 Original Poster	I barely had a chance to test the lens when I impulsively decided to lug it to one of my favorite hangouts - a local pond. I had the lens + K-3 II mounted on a monopod, which felt not entirely sufficient to wield the lens optimally. Couple my tenuous setup with a blustery afternoon and, well, it was a bit of a struggle. I had hoped to photograph a great blue heron who was a frequent visitor to the pond, but to my surprise I was treated to the arrival of a family of green herons. cropped away about 2/3 of the frame cropped about 1/2 of the frame All of these shots were taken at 600mm, f/8 - f/11. Last edited by luftfluss; 03-20-2020 at 09:39 PM.

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03-20-2020, 09:54 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by luftfluss More than half a year after I acquired this imposing beastie, You needed that time going to the gym so you can carry that monster. Originally posted by luftfluss I finally get around to starting the lens sample thread for it And wonderful images they are too, Well captured.

03-20-2020, 10:08 PM - 1 Like	#4
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Very impressive results, Most impressive is getting that heron to stand still long enough to frame him using a tripod. Well done!

03-20-2020, 10:58 PM - 1 Like	#5
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	yep, very nice series

03-21-2020, 12:18 AM - 1 Like	#6
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,486	Very nice. That lens certainly deserves its reputation.

03-21-2020, 03:56 AM	#7
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have. It suffers all the same issues, specifically the tripod mount is way too far back to balance. Did you experience any purple fringing? How much did you have to do in post processing? I like your shots. I have read that this lens has a fairly long minimum focusing distance, was that giving you trouble? It is one reason I got the Tammy, it focuses to about 10 feet (at 500mm) it is really goofed for the little birds

03-21-2020, 04:11 AM	#8
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Nice find! I have been spending some time hand holding a Pentax 560mm f/5.6 this week...my shoulders are killing me.

03-21-2020, 05:35 AM - 6 Likes	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have. You really should check what auto-correct is doing...

03-21-2020, 07:45 AM	#10
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Cool weapon & nice shots ! What is the minimum focussing distance ?

03-21-2020, 08:00 AM - 6 Likes	#11
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I would be really curious to compare this lens against the tampon SP 200-500/5.6 that I have. It suffers all the same issues, specifically the tripod mount is way too far back to balance. Did you experience any purple fringing? How much did you have to do in post processing? I like your shots. I have read that this lens has a fairly long minimum focusing distance, was that giving you trouble? It is one reason I got the Tammy, it focuses to about 10 feet (at 500mm) it is really goofed for the little birds I haven't yet run into the long MFD issue, nor have I tried the included close-up adapter lens for it. I did have to correct for a fair amount of CA and PF in PP. Of the photos I've posted so far, the only one I feel I really "nailed" was the close-up of the green heron. Many of my shots had slight focusing errors, or shake, or subject movement. Not really a good job by me in charging into the fray with a lens I barely knew - in my experience it can take months to really learn a new long tele lens. I do have the Tamron SP 200-500/5.6, and at some point I'll make a quick and boring comparison. My current impression is the Tamron is a bit sharper, and like you I enjoy the fact that it has a short MFD. I've recently acquired a better tripod and a long lens plate, so am now better equipped to compare the two lenses. Originally posted by Digitalis Nice find! I have been spending some time hand holding a Pentax 560mm f/5.6 this week...my shoulders are killing me. Using the K 135-600 for a couple of hours left me pretty sore, too, and I didn't even hand-hold the lens. It's pretty unwieldy on a monopod, plus having to fight the gusty wind and squat down at odd angles to photograph through/around the brush was uncomfortable. ........... 135-600 + Pentax Rear Converter A 2x-L

03-21-2020, 08:02 AM	#12
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,628 Original Poster	Originally posted by Zygonyx Cool weapon & nice shots ! What is the minimum focussing distance ? The MFD is 6 meters, but that is reduced to 3.3m with the close-up lens screwed onto the front.

03-21-2020, 08:57 AM - 1 Like	#13
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,093	For a new (to you) lens and mounted on a monopod, I'd say you did exceptionally well on your first outing. I can't wait to see what you do with some practice and a solid tripod. Please keep the pics coming.

03-21-2020, 10:27 AM - 1 Like	#14
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	wow, quality is pretty nice!

03-21-2020, 11:19 AM - 1 Like	#15
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Superb shots for the first time out and all the monopod limitations!

SMC Pentax 135-600mm F6.7

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