K-1 and Pentax DA 1.4 converter: surprising results

RockvilleBob · 05-24-2016, 01:00 PM

I get pretty good results with the Pentax 1.4 and 1.7 TC using various lenses on the K-3 - including the Sigma 500 4.5 - with good light. The vignetting with the Pentax 1.4 on the K-1 is probably a major hurdle for me considering the K-1 even if the auto focus tracking is improved over the K-3 since I would rely on a TC to make up for the loss "reach" going from the K-3 to a K-1 for wildlife photography. I could use the 1.7 but that precludes most moving wildlife and AF.C with tracking. I will just have to see how improved tracking in AF.C mode is with the K-1 over the K-3.

Unregistered User · 05-24-2016, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by RockvilleBob

I get pretty good results with the Pentax 1.4 and 1.7 TC using various lenses on the K-3 - including the Sigma 500 4.5 - with good light. The vignetting with the Pentax 1.4 on the K-1 is probably a major hurdle for me considering the K-1 even if the auto focus tracking is improved over the K-3 since I would rely on a TC to make up for the loss "reach" going from the K-3 to a K-1 for wildlife photography. I could use the 1.7 but that precludes most moving wildlife and AF.C with tracking. I will just have to see how improved tracking in AF.C mode is with the K-1 over the K-3.

I did some additional testing with the K-1 + Pentax 1.4x TC + 150-450 and the vignetting depends on how much the sensor moves to help me stabilize. It is a minor problem since when it comes to wildlife I always have to crop. If I am on a monopod and pretty stable it almost does not vignette but there is a small loss in the corners. IQ vice I have not descided yet.

RockvilleBob · 05-24-2016, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

I did some additional testing with the K-1 + Pentax 1.4x TC + 150-450 and the vignetting depends on how much the sensor moves to help me stabilize. It is a minor problem since when it comes to wildlife I always have to crop. If I am on a monopod and pretty stable it almost does not vignette but there is a small loss in the corners. IQ vice I have not descided yet.

Thanks for posting. I am looking forward to the Forum review - specifically tracking in AF.C since most of my wildlife here is birds and I would like to spend more time photographing birds in flight. If the K-1 provides a significant improvement in tracking over the K-3, I will probably get one even at 4 fps and a vignetting TC.

Unregistered User · 05-24-2016, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by RockvilleBob

Thanks for posting. I am looking forward to the Forum review - specifically tracking in AF.C since most of my wildlife here is birds and I would like to spend more time photographing birds in flight. If the K-1 provides a significant improvement in tracking over the K-3, I will probably get one even at 4 fps and a vignetting TC.

Personally I would say yes, it is a significantly better AF. I use K-1 and 150-450 and I get more keepers than before. I will however take the K-3 with me next time to do a side by side test.

Ptitboul · 05-26-2016, 10:56 AM

If we go back to the original post, we may ask about the 55-300.
Which gives more detail: the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-3 II with pixel shift, or the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-1 + TC + pixel shift?

Unregistered User · 05-26-2016, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by Ptitboul

If we go back to the original post, we may ask about the 55-300.
Which gives more detail: the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-3 II with pixel shift, or the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-1 + TC + pixel shift?

I would guess the K-3II. The TC will degrade to much.

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05-24-2016, 01:00 PM	#31
RockvilleBob Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lewes DE USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,780	I get pretty good results with the Pentax 1.4 and 1.7 TC using various lenses on the K-3 - including the Sigma 500 4.5 - with good light. The vignetting with the Pentax 1.4 on the K-1 is probably a major hurdle for me considering the K-1 even if the auto focus tracking is improved over the K-3 since I would rely on a TC to make up for the loss "reach" going from the K-3 to a K-1 for wildlife photography. I could use the 1.7 but that precludes most moving wildlife and AF.C with tracking. I will just have to see how improved tracking in AF.C mode is with the K-1 over the K-3.

05-24-2016, 01:45 PM	#32
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by RockvilleBob I get pretty good results with the Pentax 1.4 and 1.7 TC using various lenses on the K-3 - including the Sigma 500 4.5 - with good light. The vignetting with the Pentax 1.4 on the K-1 is probably a major hurdle for me considering the K-1 even if the auto focus tracking is improved over the K-3 since I would rely on a TC to make up for the loss "reach" going from the K-3 to a K-1 for wildlife photography. I could use the 1.7 but that precludes most moving wildlife and AF.C with tracking. I will just have to see how improved tracking in AF.C mode is with the K-1 over the K-3. I did some additional testing with the K-1 + Pentax 1.4x TC + 150-450 and the vignetting depends on how much the sensor moves to help me stabilize. It is a minor problem since when it comes to wildlife I always have to crop. If I am on a monopod and pretty stable it almost does not vignette but there is a small loss in the corners. IQ vice I have not descided yet.

05-24-2016, 02:42 PM	#33
RockvilleBob Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lewes DE USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,780	Originally posted by Tjompen1968 I did some additional testing with the K-1 + Pentax 1.4x TC + 150-450 and the vignetting depends on how much the sensor moves to help me stabilize. It is a minor problem since when it comes to wildlife I always have to crop. If I am on a monopod and pretty stable it almost does not vignette but there is a small loss in the corners. IQ vice I have not descided yet. Thanks for posting. I am looking forward to the Forum review - specifically tracking in AF.C since most of my wildlife here is birds and I would like to spend more time photographing birds in flight. If the K-1 provides a significant improvement in tracking over the K-3, I will probably get one even at 4 fps and a vignetting TC.

05-24-2016, 03:14 PM	#34
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by RockvilleBob Thanks for posting. I am looking forward to the Forum review - specifically tracking in AF.C since most of my wildlife here is birds and I would like to spend more time photographing birds in flight. If the K-1 provides a significant improvement in tracking over the K-3, I will probably get one even at 4 fps and a vignetting TC. Personally I would say yes, it is a significantly better AF. I use K-1 and 150-450 and I get more keepers than before. I will however take the K-3 with me next time to do a side by side test.

05-26-2016, 10:56 AM	#35
Ptitboul Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 56	If we go back to the original post, we may ask about the 55-300. Which gives more detail: the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-3 II with pixel shift, or the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-1 + TC + pixel shift?

05-26-2016, 01:03 PM	#36
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by Ptitboul If we go back to the original post, we may ask about the 55-300. Which gives more detail: the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-3 II with pixel shift, or the 55-300 at 300mm on a K-1 + TC + pixel shift? I would guess the K-3II. The TC will degrade to much.

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