Pentax 560mm ?

derekkite · 09-16-2012, 11:58 AM

A bit of a data point; there is a Nikon 600 f4 at KEH for $8500. Used.

This market values lenses at the shots they couldn't get otherwise. Longer, faster allows you to get shots of things you couldn't otherwise. A friend has a very nice Nikon 300mm f2.8, stabilized and very fast focus action. He uses a 2x teleconverter, giving him 600mm 5.6. He gets great shots, clear and sharp. His kit was somewhere around $6500 or so plus body. But, a big but, he can't get the thing to focus on birds in flight against the forested mountain background.

For all the moaning and complaints about the K-5 focus, using a cheap 170-500mm sigma on my K5 it focuses just fine in that situation. The sigma focuses quickly even using screw mount, if it hunts it finds it very quickly. His will hunt at lightning speed back and forth without finding focus.

Assuming all else equal, that the IQ is excellent, and the DC focus motor is fast, mounted on a K5 or even better the new version, Pentax shooters may be going home with shots that others couldn't get. Then word will spread about the quick shift function as well, and people will be imagining the shots they missed and could have got with Pentax gear.

Will I buy it? It is a bit long for my style of shooting. 300mm is a bit too short, I am using a manual 400mm f4 and enjoying the length. I get close for small birds which is my preference. The Sigma 500mm f4 is tempting as well. The promised TC from pentax will be in my bag as soon as it is released.

LamyTax · 09-16-2012, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by Anvh

huh???

You're discussing a lens without knowing its specifications?

Originally posted by MMVIII

LamyTax, you are repeating this quite sour rant endlessly... I just looked it up, a Canon 600mm can't focus closer than 5.5m, a Nikon 5m, what do you want?

Is it brand loyality that makes you say that
600mm/5.5m or 600mm/5m is compareable to 560/5.6m?
It is not. It translates to higher magnification ratios with both the Nikon and the Canon. And every bit counts because then you don't have to crop (7000$ for a lens so you have to rely on cheap extension tubes and cropping? Awesome!).
Especially considering that for the Canon, you even have great working extension tubes available made by Canon.

Since the 560 is between 600 and 500, you might as well compare it to the 500/4, not much better. Matter of fact, it's not the longest lens but has the longest MFD.
The 560 isn't a birder's dream, or anyone who shoots smaller animals, for that matter.
I'm not sure what you guys are shooting, but you seldomly use such a long lens at long range anyway. IQ will suffer due to atmospheric disturbances. MFD, however, really matters.

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

He want Pentax lenses to be given away for free...

Yes, yes, exactly. When you like the 560 that much, have you placed a preorder yet? I'm thrilled to find out how it will do on extension tubes. Or on 2x TC... oh, wait...

Anvh · 09-17-2012, 08:35 AM

I do but i've no idea what you mean with that sentance.

Why on earth do you need to focsu that close with such a lens, just get a macro lens

Kunzite · 09-17-2012, 11:38 AM

Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow?

MMVIII · 09-17-2012, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by LamyTax

You're discussing a lens without knowing its specifications?
...
Is it brand loyality that makes you say that
...

Yeah, right, makes perfect sense. Sorry if I won't argue with you on that, but...

**Ex Finn.** · 09-17-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow?

And hand hold and track it

. That be awesome, should be doable with the new AF module, I am getting the K-5II.

mgbirder · 09-17-2012, 07:43 PM

Having seen the Footage at Photokina i got a real impression of how big this lens is, i cant think that it would be comfortably hand holdable, not because of the weight itself,but because it appears to be front heavy. I primarily shoot birds with my Sigma 150-500mm, and have been following this thread with great interest, but my hunch is that this lens would only be usable with a tripod or monopod, both of which i personally feel limiting when taking pictures of birds. I sure would have hoped for a collapsible design (not to speak of the price ;-) ). But i to think that the Sigma 500mm seems more attractive every day.

traderdrew · 09-17-2012, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by mgbirder

Having seen the Footage at Photokina i got a real impression of how big this lens is, i cant think that it would be comfortably hand holdable, not because of the weight itself,but because it appears to be front heavy. I primarily shoot birds with my Sigma 150-500mm, and have been following this thread with great interest, but my hunch is that this lens would only be usable with a tripod or monopod, both of which i personally feel limiting when taking pictures of birds. I sure would have hoped for a collapsible design (not to speak of the price ;-) ). But i to think that the Sigma 500mm seems more attractive every day.

It would depend on the tripod that I would use if it would feel limiting. A friend of mine has the 800mm Canon and uses it with a gimbal head. His setup is an absolute pleasure to use.

The Vivitar 1.4x teleconvter is compatible with the Sigma 500mm F/4.5. It slows down my autofocus but I have taken some sharp shots with the combo as seen here.

mgbirder · 09-17-2012, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by traderdrew

It would depend on the tripod that I would use if it would feel limiting. A friend of mine has the 800mm Canon and uses it with a gimbal head. His setup is an absolute pleasure to use.

I have not yet used a Gimbal Head, but i assume that it allows very fluid movements. I really have not really used a tripod or monopod a lot because i like the flexibility that i get when holding the lens by hand, i also use a Camera Harness by Opteka which resembles the Cotton Carrier, that does no allow me to have a ball head plate attached at the same time as the accessory used to hold the camera and lens in place while walking, so i would only use a tripod or monopod when at a very open space like a lake or wetland, or if im sure that the bird will not move in a long time.

Those are some great pics of the Kestrel, the Sigma 500mm delivers excellent detail! The Sigma 500 f4,5 is definitely on my wishlist.

traderdrew · 09-17-2012, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by mgbirder

Those are some great pics of the Kestrel, the Sigma 500mm delivers excellent detail! The Sigma 500 f4,5 is definitely on my wishlist.

Thanks... I will also say those shots were cropped along with 99% of my bird photos. It is tough to get close to kestrels and the above bird was somewhat cooperative. Because of that reason, an APS-C 560mm wouldn't bother me much.

My dream lens would be a Sigma 650mm F/4.5 with a teleconverter.

derekkite · 09-17-2012, 09:36 PM

mgbirder: A monopod with gimbal gives you a stable base along with the ability to follow moving birds. In this racket you don't gain something except by giving something else up, so indeed you lose some mobility. On the weekend I was following an osprey for a good 5 minutes as it flew around and over me. I couldn't handhold for that long. I use the Jobu Jr 3 gimbal on their monopod. It is quite light and very stable. I use it on a tripod from time to time, but as you say it is good for more static objects.

LamyTax · 09-18-2012, 01:20 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow?

Not only sparrows... but yes!
Either way, I've just got myself a Bigma. I had saved up 3500$, that leaves quite a lot for next year's camera releases and a K5II.

mgbirder · 09-18-2012, 07:02 AM

Originally posted by derekkite

mgbirder: A monopod with gimbal gives you a stable base along with the ability to follow moving birds.

Thanks, i will try to get hold of a Gimbal and try out this setup.

mgbirder · 09-19-2012, 04:50 PM

There is a new video of the 560mm lens out there:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/199553-hd-pentax-da-56...rst-video.html

I kind of like it more every second...

froeschle · 09-27-2012, 09:10 AM

Price in Germany according to Geizhals Deutschland:
€6999 (about $9000)

09-16-2012, 10:56 PM	#902
LamyTax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 376	Originally posted by Anvh huh??? You're discussing a lens without knowing its specifications? Originally posted by MMVIII LamyTax, you are repeating this quite sour rant endlessly... I just looked it up, a Canon 600mm can't focus closer than 5.5m, a Nikon 5m, what do you want? Is it brand loyality that makes you say that 600mm/5.5m or 600mm/5m is compareable to 560/5.6m? It is not. It translates to higher magnification ratios with both the Nikon and the Canon. And every bit counts because then you don't have to crop (7000$ for a lens so you have to rely on cheap extension tubes and cropping? Awesome!). Especially considering that for the Canon, you even have great working extension tubes available made by Canon. Since the 560 is between 600 and 500, you might as well compare it to the 500/4, not much better. Matter of fact, it's not the longest lens but has the longest MFD. The 560 isn't a birder's dream, or anyone who shoots smaller animals, for that matter. I'm not sure what you guys are shooting, but you seldomly use such a long lens at long range anyway. IQ will suffer due to atmospheric disturbances. MFD, however, really matters. Originally posted by Pål Jensen He want Pentax lenses to be given away for free... Yes, yes, exactly. When you like the 560 that much, have you placed a preorder yet? I'm thrilled to find out how it will do on extension tubes. Or on 2x TC... oh, wait... Last edited by LamyTax; 09-16-2012 at 11:02 PM.

09-17-2012, 08:35 AM	#903
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	I do but i've no idea what you mean with that sentance. Why on earth do you need to focsu that close with such a lens, just get a macro lens Last edited by Anvh; 09-17-2012 at 08:40 AM.

09-17-2012, 03:05 PM	#906
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Kunzite Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow? And hand hold and track it. That be awesome, should be doable with the new AF module, I am getting the K-5II.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DA 50mm, DA 560mm, D-FA 645 90mm to be revealed at CP+	Adam	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	56	02-10-2012 08:56 AM
Leitz 560mm f/6.8 Telyt-R - first shots and impression	Piotr	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	05-11-2009 02:42 AM

09-16-2012, 11:58 AM	#901
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	A bit of a data point; there is a Nikon 600 f4 at KEH for $8500. Used. This market values lenses at the shots they couldn't get otherwise. Longer, faster allows you to get shots of things you couldn't otherwise. A friend has a very nice Nikon 300mm f2.8, stabilized and very fast focus action. He uses a 2x teleconverter, giving him 600mm 5.6. He gets great shots, clear and sharp. His kit was somewhere around $6500 or so plus body. But, a big but, he can't get the thing to focus on birds in flight against the forested mountain background. For all the moaning and complaints about the K-5 focus, using a cheap 170-500mm sigma on my K5 it focuses just fine in that situation. The sigma focuses quickly even using screw mount, if it hunts it finds it very quickly. His will hunt at lightning speed back and forth without finding focus. Assuming all else equal, that the IQ is excellent, and the DC focus motor is fast, mounted on a K5 or even better the new version, Pentax shooters may be going home with shots that others couldn't get. Then word will spread about the quick shift function as well, and people will be imagining the shots they missed and could have got with Pentax gear. Will I buy it? It is a bit long for my style of shooting. 300mm is a bit too short, I am using a manual 400mm f4 and enjoying the length. I get close for small birds which is my preference. The Sigma 500mm f4 is tempting as well. The promised TC from pentax will be in my bag as soon as it is released.

09-17-2012, 11:38 AM	#904
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow?

09-17-2012, 12:06 PM	#905
MMVIII Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: EU Posts: 1,121	Originally posted by LamyTax You're discussing a lens without knowing its specifications? ... Is it brand loyality that makes you say that ... Yeah, right, makes perfect sense. Sorry if I won't argue with you on that, but...

09-17-2012, 07:43 PM	#907
mgbirder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cali Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	Having seen the Footage at Photokina i got a real impression of how big this lens is, i cant think that it would be comfortably hand holdable, not because of the weight itself,but because it appears to be front heavy. I primarily shoot birds with my Sigma 150-500mm, and have been following this thread with great interest, but my hunch is that this lens would only be usable with a tripod or monopod, both of which i personally feel limiting when taking pictures of birds. I sure would have hoped for a collapsible design (not to speak of the price ;-) ). But i to think that the Sigma 500mm seems more attractive every day.

09-17-2012, 07:54 PM	#908
traderdrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 639	Originally posted by mgbirder Having seen the Footage at Photokina i got a real impression of how big this lens is, i cant think that it would be comfortably hand holdable, not because of the weight itself,but because it appears to be front heavy. I primarily shoot birds with my Sigma 150-500mm, and have been following this thread with great interest, but my hunch is that this lens would only be usable with a tripod or monopod, both of which i personally feel limiting when taking pictures of birds. I sure would have hoped for a collapsible design (not to speak of the price ;-) ). But i to think that the Sigma 500mm seems more attractive every day. It would depend on the tripod that I would use if it would feel limiting. A friend of mine has the 800mm Canon and uses it with a gimbal head. His setup is an absolute pleasure to use. The Vivitar 1.4x teleconvter is compatible with the Sigma 500mm F/4.5. It slows down my autofocus but I have taken some sharp shots with the combo as seen here.

09-17-2012, 08:25 PM	#909
mgbirder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cali Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	Originally posted by traderdrew It would depend on the tripod that I would use if it would feel limiting. A friend of mine has the 800mm Canon and uses it with a gimbal head. His setup is an absolute pleasure to use. I have not yet used a Gimbal Head, but i assume that it allows very fluid movements. I really have not really used a tripod or monopod a lot because i like the flexibility that i get when holding the lens by hand, i also use a Camera Harness by Opteka which resembles the Cotton Carrier, that does no allow me to have a ball head plate attached at the same time as the accessory used to hold the camera and lens in place while walking, so i would only use a tripod or monopod when at a very open space like a lake or wetland, or if im sure that the bird will not move in a long time. Those are some great pics of the Kestrel, the Sigma 500mm delivers excellent detail! The Sigma 500 f4,5 is definitely on my wishlist.

09-17-2012, 08:39 PM	#910
traderdrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 639	Originally posted by mgbirder Those are some great pics of the Kestrel, the Sigma 500mm delivers excellent detail! The Sigma 500 f4,5 is definitely on my wishlist. Thanks... I will also say those shots were cropped along with 99% of my bird photos. It is tough to get close to kestrels and the above bird was somewhat cooperative. Because of that reason, an APS-C 560mm wouldn't bother me much. My dream lens would be a Sigma 650mm F/4.5 with a teleconverter.

09-17-2012, 09:36 PM	#911
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	mgbirder: A monopod with gimbal gives you a stable base along with the ability to follow moving birds. In this racket you don't gain something except by giving something else up, so indeed you lose some mobility. On the weekend I was following an osprey for a good 5 minutes as it flew around and over me. I couldn't handhold for that long. I use the Jobu Jr 3 gimbal on their monopod. It is quite light and very stable. I use it on a tripod from time to time, but as you say it is good for more static objects.

09-18-2012, 01:20 AM	#912
LamyTax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 376	Originally posted by Kunzite Maybe he wants to fill the frame with a sparrow? Not only sparrows... but yes! Either way, I've just got myself a Bigma. I had saved up 3500$, that leaves quite a lot for next year's camera releases and a K5II.

09-18-2012, 07:02 AM	#913
mgbirder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cali Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	Originally posted by derekkite mgbirder: A monopod with gimbal gives you a stable base along with the ability to follow moving birds. Thanks, i will try to get hold of a Gimbal and try out this setup.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-19-2012, 04:50 PM	#914
mgbirder Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cali Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 235	There is a new video of the 560mm lens out there: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/199553-hd-pentax-da-56...rst-video.html I kind of like it more every second...

09-27-2012, 09:10 AM	#915
froeschle Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 552	Price in Germany according to Geizhals Deutschland: €6999 (about $9000)