[noelpolar]

Here, I'm just returning from a parallel world, through one of the great down under, hidden gateways.

This one led to a world where Pentax is the world market dominator of all things photographic.... making me a born again pentaxian.

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Last edited by noelpolar; 10-04-2018 at 08:06 PM.

[RobA_Oz]

Here, I'm just returning from a parallel world, through one of the great down under, hidden gateways.

This one leads to a world where Pentax is the world market dominator of all things photographic.... making me a born again pentaxian.

If you don't mind me saying so, the birth canal looks like you might have had a rough ride...

[noelpolar]

If you don't mind me saying so, the birth canal looks like you might have had a rough ride...

Just a few splinters.

[BruceBanner]

Out and about today: I am really liking my K1-II over my K1. It just seems to do everything the K1 does only a bit better. And I am a big fan of my K1.

Interesting, I'd be keen for you to elaborate.

Through the grapevine I hear these things about the K-1ii;

1) IQ not as good
2) Colours worse (duller)
3) Dynamic PS is cool, but not necessary, stand PS is still king.
4) AF is better, but really only for targets moving away from the shooter (ie bum shots lol).

I've considered the upgrade, but more from an additional warranty perspective than the features. What are you finding that is 'better'? (no troll, serious question).

[LeRolls]

[Franc]

1.


2.


3.


4.

[Rondec]

Tractor and Sunburst



Sunset and Cornfield



(both shot with the DFA 24-70mm)

[Erictator]

Good job, & nice work. I was just thinking of ordering the 150-450, as it's on sale for $1695.00 right now at B&H.

If you can afford it without a strain on your budget, I don't think you will regret it. It is by far the best lens available of its type for the K-1.
I have seen them used (like I got mine) as low as $1400. I paid a little more from a forum member and still saved a couple hundred bucks over new with no regrets.

My biggest problem is watching my DA*300mm and Tamron 70-200 F2.8 collecting dust. IF the DFA 150-450mm was a hair smaller and lighter, it would be a little easier to let the DA*300mm go, but in reality, the 300mm is a lot more compact and lighter and I can carry a few other lenses with it, while the DFA is a beast, and tends to dominate my bag for the day, and I usually only bring one other lens when I know I'm going to be using it mostly. It is not the kind of extra weight you want to carry on your shoulder all day for nothing, "just in case" you might need it. Picking my camera bag and what I'm going to put in it for the day is always a tough choice, heh.
Eric

K-1 • FF Mode • 800 ISO • Pentax FA 35mm F2 AL


K-1 • FF Mode • 400 ISO • Pentax FA 35mm F2 AL
Tomatoes and Tuna Orechiette


K-1 • FF Mode • 100 ISO • Irix Blackstone 15mm F2.4

That first shot with the FA35mm is great, the flower looks almost like reef brain coral.
Eric

Excellent series of shots.

In regards to AF tracking, I find that situations like this AF manages just fine. It could be a plane or a helicopter in the sky, or a bird flying against the sky or against the sea/river, the AF knows what to lock onto. I don't think Pentax has ever struggled in this regard. And because there is typically an abundance of light (at least here in Australia) you can stop down plenty (as there's not such a need to separate/isolate a bird flying in the sky from the sky with wide open DoF) and thus everything looks pretty sharp and decent.
Pentax's AF struggles only in a handful of action situations, and this isn't one of them imo. Stuff where a target is coming fast towards the user (on busy land), or fast paced sport with lots of 'stuff' going on in the scene making the contrast areas harder to identify is gonna be problematic for it. That and of course burst frame rates and buffer clearance. Let's not forget other brands will also not get good focus at times, but due to the higher burst rate and faster clearing of buffer they get more chances to nail a good shot. So AF is just one aspect of that whole experience in getting a nice shot.
But really there are plenty of sports that are easily captured with Pentax's AF system, just a handful of those that aren't well suited. The bird or plane in the sky thing often gives the illusion of being something that would be tricky to capture and must therefore be an amazing AF situation, but in reality I think it's a situation that any camera handles very easily, it's quite favourable AF environment!

Absolutely excellent shots, I loved seeing the whole series

Thanks Bruce! Of course you are right, the background has a lot to do with focus lock and track, but even still, I think technique has a lot to do with it too, because there are people who blame the camera even with a clean background. I was just being chirpy and having fun. No oncoming weaving bicycles for me. ;-) Using Select 9, and CAF with the DFA 150-450mm set with the range limiter to 6m-Infinity does make it nice and quick. It makes the old DA55-300mm on my old classic K-5 seem like a snail in reverse by comparison.
Eric

On the hunt

HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW ƒ/7.1 450.0 mm 1/2500 iso1250

Making a splash

HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW ƒ/5.6 450.0 mm 1/1000 iso250

[normhead]

If you can afford it without a strain on your budget, I don't think you will regret it. It is by far the best lens available of its type for the K-1.
I have seen them used (like I got mine) as low as $1400. I paid a little more from a forum member and still saved a couple hundred bucks over new with no regrets.

My biggest problem is watching my DA*300mm and Tamron 70-200 F2.8 collecting dust. IF the DFA 150-450mm was a hair smaller and lighter, it would be a little easier to let the DA*300mm go, but in reality, the 300mm is a lot more compact and lighter and I can carry a few other lenses with it, while the DFA is a beast, and tends to dominate my bag for the day, and I usually only bring one other lens when I know I'm going to be using it mostly. It is not the kind of extra weight you want to carry on your shoulder all day for nothing, "just in case" you might need it. Picking my camera bag and what I'm going to put in it for the day is always a tough choice, heh.
Eric

Exactly why I never bought one. It's not fast, and it's not small. But more power to those who can carry it. It really should come with a case and shoulder strap. It's too big for camera bags.

[northcoastgreg]

The colors vine maple produce this time of year are extra special

I did not know the tree was a vine maple, but yes, the colors are special.

[wtlwdwgn]

Exactly why I never bought one. It's not fast, and it's not small. But more power to those who can carry it. It really should come with a case and shoulder strap. It's too big for camera bags.

Mine did!

[Franc]

Mine did!

mine is as well and its fits my camera bag

[Erictator]

Mine did!

So did mine, and the 2 zippers tied together by the little strap is a cool feature for fast access.

I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking an Optech stretchy foam strap upgrade would be a real good upgrade.

The lens DOES fit, even in my medium bag, even mounted on the K-1, if I pull the dividers and lay it across the top I even have fast access, that just means I have to put other stuff in the lower compartments which will be harder to get to fast... the only thing I was noting is the weight. When my bag gets over 15lbs on my shoulder, it limits my enjoyment of longer walks.
Eric

[wtlwdwgn]

So did mine, and the 2 zippers tied together by the little strap is a cool feature for fast access.

I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking an Optech stretchy foam strap upgrade would be a real good upgrade.

The lens DOES fit, even in my medium bag, even mounted on the K-1, if I pull the dividers and lay it across the top I even have fast access, that just means I have to put other stuff in the lower compartments which will be harder to get to fast... the only thing I was noting is the weight. When my bag gets over 15lbs on my shoulder, it limits my enjoyment of longer walks.
Eric

With arthritis in my neck I can't carry a backpack or shoulder bag any longer. When I'm in YNP I bring two bodies and four lenses and work out of my car. Getting older is not always fun.

[normhead]

Well, you learn new things every day.