[Blue]

give me the DA* 400mm f4 at $2,000

I am very budget conscious, but would love a big DA* 400 after hearing and seeing vnice IQ of the DA* 300

I just got a SMC 500mm f4.5 on a tripod which I am learning to deal with its size and manual issues, but could you hand-hold a DA* 400 f4; what weight could that be?

I doubt a DA* 400mm f4 would be hand holdable. My A 400mm f5.6 really isn't. I can do it in some situations but it is pushing it. I would guess the weight of a DA* 400 f4 would be nearly twice that of the DA* 300mm.

[rdrum76]

what is better; 400 f4 on a tripod or having the option to hand hold 400 f 5.6; for me I rather have the cheaper 5.6 and an option to handhold

[Blue]

what is better; 400 f4 on a tripod or having the option to hand hold 400 f 5.6; for me I rather have the cheaper 5.6 and an option to handhold

To get the best out of the A 400mm f5.6, I have to use a tripod or at the minimum a monopod. I can use it on a sunny day with a fast shutter speed but I consider it a tripod lens. The A 400mm f5.6 weighs 1250 grams and the DA* 300mm f4 weighs 1070 grams.

Edit: I think my previous estimate is probably underestimating the weight of a theoretical DA* 400mm f4. I would expect it to be more like 3600 (=/- 400) grams.

[rdrum76]

3.6kgs would be the same as a 500 f4.5 wow, probably it would be a little less but definitely needing a tripod

[rdrum76]

since we are talking big lens dreams; anyone have photos of wildlife taken with any big lenses and please note the lans and approx. distance from subject other metadata

[Blue]

3.6kgs would be the same as a 500 f4.5 wow, probably it would be a little less but definitely needing a tripod

The A* 400mm f2.8 weighs 6000 grams!

[borno]

The old tamron 400mm f4 is 2270g (5 lb. on the nose) certainly hand holdable for short periods. I used to hand hold my 300 f 2.8, also 5 lb. and it wasn't that bad. Good exercise too. A monopod for longer periods if you want mobility.

[PePe]

I have been using 300mm/2,8 lenses - with TC´s if needed - for years. These lenses weight around 3kilograms. For shorter sessions they can be used hand held, but it may not be great fun for an extended period of time. I quess 80-90% of my pictures with these lenses are shot using a monopod. A monopod doesn´t really limit your mobility and provides good grip. In quick shooting you can get reasonably good support for the camera by resting the monopod on the belt of your trousers.
A bean bag may also provide relief for your arms without compromising mobility.

Rdrum76 asked about pictures shot with big lenses. In the Nature-section of the Photo Gallery there are some. There seem to be a fair amount of 300/2,8 lenses in use, but big fast glass longer than this is not that easy to find.

[m8o]

since we are talking big lens dreams; anyone have photos of wildlife taken with any big lenses and please note the lans and approx. distance from subject other metadata

As I've posted in this thread I'll assume you've clicked my "best of Tanzania" link in my sig and both looked @ and read the whole thing? (you'll need to go back to the front of the thread after clicking the link)

BTW,when I was a "new to DSLR newb" here a few years ago I asked the exact same question regarding "distance". I didn't get a reply either. Just think about how hard that is foranyone to do. But with that said, if you read my annotations to my image posts in my Tanzania thread, where I cite whether I was using the 300/2.8 alone, or a 1.4x TC or a 2x TC, coupled w/the size of the subject, you should be able to decern distance to some degree.

[Jonson PL]

I just got a SMC 500mm f4.5 on a tripod which I am learning to deal with its size and manual issues, but could you hand-hold a DA* 400 f4; what weight could that be?

A 400/4 would be lighter than your 500/4.5. Likely around 2.5 - 3 kg. (And also shorter).

The user Marc Langille, from this site, carries his FA* 300/2.8 on a monopod, when he is out chasing wildlife in the forests.
A 400/4 would weight the same, so monopod or bean bag would be recommendable.

This Canon user is pretty wild. He handholds 600/4 ! :















He is a lot of fun, and has great advise at DPr.
His stunning portfolio matches his lens line-up, so he is no rookie
http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/wildlife


Robert N. Clark has the superb site :
Clarkvision.com home
He followed a brown bear cautiously, for an hour, two days in a row at Yellowstone National Park taking hundreds of pictures. This was done with 500 mm f/4 IS lens +1.4x TC on a Canon Eos 10D. (1120 mm equivalent focal length on 35mm)
ClarkVision Photography Bear


Stamina, will and condition determine what is possible. Depends on how bad you want the photos, and what type of gear you want to have at your disposal when the opportunity arises. (If you're out taking pictures at dusk or dawn, you might need the wider aperture, for faster shutterspeed).
Marc Langille walks a long way, with camera on monopod over his shoulder. But he used to do some extreme sport, so used to carry big canoes a long way as well
Sune...: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

[rdrum76]

this photographer is the real deal

i was the smc 500 had AF to even attempt to handhold

for now i will look for a used wimberley and big sticks and wait for the DA* 400 f4

I think I can do very well with the DA*400mm b/c you may easily move closer to the subject to take some creative angles

i am learning the limitations of using a big heavy lens; practice is the key

I am going to workout even harder at the gym now

[m8o]

I came to learn the best manner to hold my 300/2.8 for extended periods of time in this thread... You want answers? We need questions! (or ask Ron Reznick) - Digital Grin Photography Forum

http://www.trapagon.com/temp/LandscapeHold.jpg
http://www.trapagon.com/temp/PortraitHold.jpg

[Samsungian]

and there is a seller in India whose counterfeiting the first version. Flakey paint. Low quality bearing but they are cheap. Common aluminum instead of T series aircraft grade. Sell for Like $125 new. He uses search word "Gimbal" in his ebay ads, unless they shut him down? You got to be careful buying used as you may get a india made counterfeit version.

I owned the first version, sold it after I sold my 400mm 2.8 and wimberley had announced an improved second version. I did the loaner on second version to use my 135-600mm smc k mount pentax lens. This lens was so unbalanced due to bizzare rearward tripod mount placement I returned the new 2nd version gimbal head and sold the pentax lens. One day when I own another massive lens I will buy wimberly 2nd version.

They are real nice people to buy direct from. and they take credit card info and let you use the head for like 60 days before they charge you for it.

this photographer is the real deal

i was the smc 500 had AF to even attempt to handhold

for now i will look for a used wimberley and big sticks and wait for the DA* 400 f4

I think I can do very well with the DA*400mm b/c you may easily move closer to the subject to take some creative angles

i am learning the limitations of using a big heavy lens; practice is the key

I am going to workout even harder at the gym now

[frogger]

Damn, looks like I need to start working on my chicken wing arms :-)

[Blue]

Damn, looks like I need to start working on my chicken wing arms :-)

I'd like to actually see his results before I go that far!