Longer Telephoto Lens for the K-1

normhead · 10-13-2019, 06:46 AM - **1 Like**

Because I tend to favour lightweight I use the DA 55-300 even on my K-1.

It vignettes but the vignetting is manageable.

**Mikesul** · 10-18-2019, 08:17 PM

I agree the advantages of the lens far outwrigh a little vigneting. In Pentax land its speed is unmatched.

y0chang · 10-21-2019, 07:36 AM - **1 Like**

I use the DA 300mm on my K-1. While its a bit short for bird photography, its great for general wildlife photography. I had a Sigma 170-500mm which was quite light for a 500mm zoom, but the image quality was very inconsistent. Not sure if it was my technique, the SR being pushed at that long focal length, the lens being used, or just the slow aperture at the long end giving too long of shutter speeds. It was better from 400mm and lower.

**kiwi_jono** · 10-25-2019, 08:28 PM

The DA 55-300 is certainly pretty usable on the K-1 (from memory its pretty good from about 100 - 300).

I ended up getting a second hand (amazingly cheaply) Sigma 70 - 300 APO DG Macro (Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database) which is FF and close to the size of the DA 55 - 300. Its IQ is surprisingly good but build is rubbish (zoom is often sticky - a common complaint it would seem).

I also have a Tamron 500 SP f8 mirror which is, as far as mirrors go, pretty good IQ, relatively compact and I have a lot of keepers from it.

Also have a Tamron 70 - 200 f2.8 but thats not really long at all.

bryza_bone · 10-27-2019, 05:08 AM

I’ll throw in my 0.02c here, which also mirrors a lot of other posts...
I have a bigma 150-500, 55-300, da*200, 28-105, 18-135.. (and many more of course)
But these are the relevant key group when planning a shoot out n about- if I’m driving I’ll take the sigma 15-500, as it’s big and heavy but has great image quality and reach
If I’m on foot, the 55-300, and the 28-105 tag along- light and versatile range for daylight (if I take a crop body, the 18-135 is surprisingly handy)
The da*200 can easily be put in the back pack for low light shots, as it’s small and compact for its quality, and is just so fun to use for the bokeh on wildlife..

A DA1.4x is always there, and works great on all above lenses, on a k-1, or a k-3, or k-p

(And often a nifty-fifty FA1.4 finds it’s way somehow into the bag... sneaky little thing it is..

)

Wasp · 10-27-2019, 07:01 AM - **1 Like**

I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding.

pschlute · 10-27-2019, 04:00 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Wasp

I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding.

I have always wanted an M version for my collection.....not cheap though....one day !

**clickclick** · 10-31-2019, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding.

Didn't realize they ever made this.

sculptor666 · 11-01-2019, 06:45 AM

get the 150-450. if you find you're not using the 351-450 range, sell it and get the 300.

**catman6** · 11-02-2019, 11:07 AM

150 - 450 Pentax lens is very nice piece of kit on the K1 .
560 does vignette a bit but does get you close . If wild life pictures is your thing there very good. I've also used 1.4 adapter but you do have to crop and low light (UK weather) on the 560 does slow focus down.

Fernando Sousa · 11-02-2019, 11:35 AM

I have got a Tamron adapt all 500mm f8 mirror lens. Maybe with a PK adapter (which i would need to get), it works well with the K1. And with a 2X converter, than i would have 1000mm (but then at f16). Would this work well?

pts1958 · 11-04-2019, 10:54 AM

I have 150-450 for a year and I am conquered! It's made for K1 and I'm still waiting for a compatible multiplier. Some people think that it is heavy ... It is not light, but me who make aerial photography mainly, I almost never put on tripod.

Landscape_with_K1 · 12-02-2019, 04:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fobbo

Also some specific questions I have:
For people who own longer telephoto lenses (300mm+ ) what situations/subjects do you find yourself using these lenses in? How often do you use them?
Are FA/F lenses that different to the more modern lenses? How much of a difference do the coatings/newer AF make (keep in mind I'm not a professional)?
What's the best way to carry lenses of this size/weight around?

Just my two cents.. I am relatively new to longer lenses (For K-1, I have a cheap 70-300 and the Sigma 170-500 - the Sigma I purchased only recently and had some bad luck with a lot of dust inside). I am doing mostly landscape and nature photography (but not much wildlife - just haven't got the time for that). I usually carry my gear on me (hiking) or possibly on a bike or in a canoe etc so weight and size are a concrn. My experience is that even with the cheaper older lenses, the AF and coatings etc are good enough for my shooting, but I believe a modern DFA lens would be better in sharpness, colour rendering, contrast etc. (I do have the DFA 15-30 and DFA 24-70) but the old lenses do have much value for money: 80% of the performance for 5-10% of the money..

Based on my limited trials with the 170-500 and some more with the 70-300, I would say that these focal lengths have given me a lot of joy when experimenting with them. I have had some rewarding moments and a few good images as well. But the learning curve really is long and steep, and as a hobbyist with limited time to go around to my shooting spots, I am expecting it to take years before I can start showing some actual results. (Maybe at that time, I am getting the DFA 150-450?). The 170-500 is quite big and heavy, and it cannot be used as a general lens anyway, so basically you keep on swapping your lenses, or have a second body with you. Swapping lenses is not always a good idea out in the wild. I usually do have a second body with me anyway so this is not a big thing to me. However, this observation is clearly one part of answering your question. I also have not figure out a good way to carry the K-1 + Sigma 170-500 combo yet, unless you are driving and just have it on your passenger seat (which is of course risky). When outdoors, there is no practical and easily accessible bag which would fit this combination and also you will always need both hands for handling it.

**clickclick** · 12-29-2019, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by Landscape_with_K1

the AF and coatings etc are good enough for my shooting

Agree a lot of this depends on purpose and expectation.

SirTomster · 01-05-2020, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

If you need a reasonably priced alternative to the DFA150-450 there is always the Sigma 150-500 which can be found on the used market for $750ish in excellent condition. It's a DG lens so it was built from the outset as a FF lens by Sigma.
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

I have this lens and I am happy with it. Never tried the Pentax DFA150-450 though.

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10-13-2019, 06:46 AM - 1 Like	#46
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Because I tend to favour lightweight I use the DA 55-300 even on my K-1. It vignettes but the vignetting is manageable.

10-18-2019, 08:17 PM	#47
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	I agree the advantages of the lens far outwrigh a little vigneting. In Pentax land its speed is unmatched.

10-21-2019, 07:36 AM - 1 Like	#48
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	I use the DA 300mm on my K-1. While its a bit short for bird photography, its great for general wildlife photography. I had a Sigma 170-500mm which was quite light for a 500mm zoom, but the image quality was very inconsistent. Not sure if it was my technique, the SR being pushed at that long focal length, the lens being used, or just the slow aperture at the long end giving too long of shutter speeds. It was better from 400mm and lower.

10-25-2019, 08:28 PM	#49
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	The DA 55-300 is certainly pretty usable on the K-1 (from memory its pretty good from about 100 - 300). I ended up getting a second hand (amazingly cheaply) Sigma 70 - 300 APO DG Macro (Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database) which is FF and close to the size of the DA 55 - 300. Its IQ is surprisingly good but build is rubbish (zoom is often sticky - a common complaint it would seem). I also have a Tamron 500 SP f8 mirror which is, as far as mirrors go, pretty good IQ, relatively compact and I have a lot of keepers from it. Also have a Tamron 70 - 200 f2.8 but thats not really long at all.

10-27-2019, 05:08 AM	#50
bryza_bone New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 9	I’ll throw in my 0.02c here, which also mirrors a lot of other posts... I have a bigma 150-500, 55-300, da200, 28-105, 18-135.. (and many more of course) But these are the relevant key group when planning a shoot out n about- if I’m driving I’ll take the sigma 15-500, as it’s big and heavy but has great image quality and reach If I’m on foot, the 55-300, and the 28-105 tag along- light and versatile range for daylight (if I take a crop body, the 18-135 is surprisingly handy) The da200 can easily be put in the back pack for low light shots, as it’s small and compact for its quality, and is just so fun to use for the bokeh on wildlife.. A DA1.4x is always there, and works great on all above lenses, on a k-1, or a k-3, or k-p (And often a nifty-fifty FA1.4 finds it’s way somehow into the bag... sneaky little thing it is.. )

10-27-2019, 07:01 AM - 1 Like	#51
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding.

10-27-2019, 04:00 PM - 1 Like	#52
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	Originally posted by Wasp I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding. I have always wanted an M version for my collection.....not cheap though....one day !

10-31-2019, 07:33 PM	#53
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by Wasp I have never seen one of these bad boys in the metal and glass, but they do fascinate me. Perhaps it is just the thing for birding. Didn't realize they ever made this.

11-01-2019, 06:45 AM	#54
sculptor666 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 675	get the 150-450. if you find you're not using the 351-450 range, sell it and get the 300.

11-02-2019, 11:07 AM	#55
catman6 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 84	150 - 450 Pentax lens is very nice piece of kit on the K1 . 560 does vignette a bit but does get you close . If wild life pictures is your thing there very good. I've also used 1.4 adapter but you do have to crop and low light (UK weather) on the 560 does slow focus down.

11-02-2019, 11:35 AM	#56
Fernando Sousa Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 37	I have got a Tamron adapt all 500mm f8 mirror lens. Maybe with a PK adapter (which i would need to get), it works well with the K1. And with a 2X converter, than i would have 1000mm (but then at f16). Would this work well?

11-04-2019, 10:54 AM	#57
pts1958 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Orleans (France) Posts: 103	I have 150-450 for a year and I am conquered! It's made for K1 and I'm still waiting for a compatible multiplier. Some people think that it is heavy ... It is not light, but me who make aerial photography mainly, I almost never put on tripod.

12-02-2019, 04:28 PM - 1 Like	#58
Landscape_with_K1 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 47	Originally posted by Fobbo Also some specific questions I have: For people who own longer telephoto lenses (300mm+ ) what situations/subjects do you find yourself using these lenses in? How often do you use them? Are FA/F lenses that different to the more modern lenses? How much of a difference do the coatings/newer AF make (keep in mind I'm not a professional)? What's the best way to carry lenses of this size/weight around? Just my two cents.. I am relatively new to longer lenses (For K-1, I have a cheap 70-300 and the Sigma 170-500 - the Sigma I purchased only recently and had some bad luck with a lot of dust inside). I am doing mostly landscape and nature photography (but not much wildlife - just haven't got the time for that). I usually carry my gear on me (hiking) or possibly on a bike or in a canoe etc so weight and size are a concrn. My experience is that even with the cheaper older lenses, the AF and coatings etc are good enough for my shooting, but I believe a modern DFA lens would be better in sharpness, colour rendering, contrast etc. (I do have the DFA 15-30 and DFA 24-70) but the old lenses do have much value for money: 80% of the performance for 5-10% of the money.. Based on my limited trials with the 170-500 and some more with the 70-300, I would say that these focal lengths have given me a lot of joy when experimenting with them. I have had some rewarding moments and a few good images as well. But the learning curve really is long and steep, and as a hobbyist with limited time to go around to my shooting spots, I am expecting it to take years before I can start showing some actual results. (Maybe at that time, I am getting the DFA 150-450?). The 170-500 is quite big and heavy, and it cannot be used as a general lens anyway, so basically you keep on swapping your lenses, or have a second body with you. Swapping lenses is not always a good idea out in the wild. I usually do have a second body with me anyway so this is not a big thing to me. However, this observation is clearly one part of answering your question. I also have not figure out a good way to carry the K-1 + Sigma 170-500 combo yet, unless you are driving and just have it on your passenger seat (which is of course risky). When outdoors, there is no practical and easily accessible bag which would fit this combination and also you will always need both hands for handling it.

12-29-2019, 08:26 PM	#59
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by Landscape_with_K1 the AF and coatings etc are good enough for my shooting Agree a lot of this depends on purpose and expectation.

01-05-2020, 07:46 PM	#60
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	Originally posted by Docrwm If you need a reasonably priced alternative to the DFA150-450 there is always the Sigma 150-500 which can be found on the used market for $750ish in excellent condition. It's a DG lens so it was built from the outset as a FF lens by Sigma. Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database I have this lens and I am happy with it. Never tried the Pentax DFA150-450 though.