which teleconverter to use?

**UncleVanya** · 12-16-2018, 03:55 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

One easy thing that may help if you aren't already doing it is to bring a monopod or a tripod to allow the iOS to stay a little lower at the expense of a slower shutter speed. You will have to experiment to see what works.

maj · 12-16-2018, 10:27 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for your suggestion to use a mono-pod, that may be something I will try whilst photographing the surfers, but most of the time I am looking for birds in flight.
I will attach a couple of photos so you can see why I would like to be able to get a little closesr. The photos aren't brilliant but they are ok for me.
Thanks again Margaret

**UncleVanya** · 12-18-2018, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by maj

Thanks for your suggestion to use a mono-pod, that may be something I will try whilst photographing the surfers, but most of the time I am looking for birds in flight.
I will attach a couple of photos so you can see why I would like to be able to get a little closesr. The photos aren't brilliant but they are ok for me.
Thanks again Margaret

Those are great! With a monopod with a tilt and swivel head you *might* get shots like those but I doubt it. You have a good eye and the shots look good, the main "improvement" that you can likely make is additional reach. I'd just keep shooting what you have for now. All the options for more reach are heavier and more costly. If you decide some day you have to have that reach you can come back and ask our help spending your money LOL.

Wasp · 12-18-2018, 01:32 PM

Instead of a TC, rather put the money towards a used manual focus 400mm or 500mm. That will give you some useful extra reach on a budget. The SMC Pentax A 400mm f/5.6 and SMC Pentax 500mm f/4.5 are good examples. Alternatively, check out the Sigma 150-500mm if you want autofocus.

maj · 12-18-2018, 02:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Those are great! With a monopod with a tilt and swivel head you *might* get shots like those but I doubt it. You have a good eye and the shots look good, the main "improvement" that you can likely make is additional reach. I'd just keep shooting what you have for now. All the options for more reach are heavier and more costly. If you decide some day you have to have that reach you can come back and ask our help spending your money LOL.

Thanks again for your help, I have settled on just keeping the lens I have and be happy with that reach. A bigger lens would be too heavy for me, but I will take my monopod out more often with me. Hope you have a great Christmas and once again thanks for your help

---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 02:34 PM ----------

Originally posted by Wasp

Instead of a TC, rather put the money towards a used manual focus 400mm or 500mm. That will give you some useful extra reach on a budget. The SMC Pentax A 400mm f/5.6 and SMC Pentax 500mm f/4.5 are good examples. Alternatively, check out the Sigma 150-500mm if you want autofocus.

Thanks but bigger lens are just a bit too heavy for me

**UncleVanya** · 12-18-2018, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by maj

Thanks again for your help, I have settled on just keeping the lens I have and be happy with that reach. A bigger lens would be too heavy for me, but I will take my monopod out more often with me. Hope you have a great Christmas and once again thanks for your help

Post some more shots when you have time! Enjoy.

Wasp · 12-19-2018, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by maj

Thanks but bigger lens are just a bit too heavy for me

You could try a 500mm or 600mm f/8 manual focus mirror lens. Plenty of those in the used market.

Cheap, small and light (about the same weight as your superzoom) but image quality is not great:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-500mm-f8-mirror-lens.html

More expensive, double the weight but IQ is said to be better:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-600mm-f8-mirror.html

Last edited by Wasp; 12-19-2018 at 02:24 PM.

chd · 12-20-2018, 02:51 PM

One minor correction, though probably won't change anything...

Originally posted by Des

The gold star solution is a DFA 150-450 - a very fine lens but as heavy as a Bigma and it costs in the region of $A3000, even when on sale.

This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly.

-C

**Des** · 12-20-2018, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by chd

This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly.

Not in Australia, unfortunately. Pentax Au has it listed for $A3299 (Ricoh Imaging | Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED Lens) and DCXpert (an outlet of C R Kennedy, the official distributor, which is usually the cheapest supplier) has it now for $A3447.55 (PENTAX HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 DC AW ZOOM LENS - FULL FRAME | eBay) with a 5% ebay discount. (These prices include GST.) During the November sales, the price dropped to a bit below $A3000.

I see that B&H have it for $US1600. Add $US44 shipping and $US170 in taxes (incl 10% GST) brings it to $US1814. That's about $A2600 once you allow for international transfer fees. Still about $A400 cheaper than the recent sale price in Australia certainly. But there's no manufacturer's warranty. If there's a problem it would need to be shipped back to the US, at the purchaser's expense (probably the return shipping as well). Bit of a gamble I think.

chd · 12-20-2018, 03:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Not in Australia, unfortunately. Pentax Au has it listed for $A3299 (Ricoh Imaging | Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED Lens) and DCXpert (an outlet of C R Kennedy, the official distributor, which is usually the cheapest supplier) has it now for $A3447.55 (PENTAX HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 DC AW ZOOM LENS - FULL FRAME | eBay) with a 5% ebay discount. (These prices include GST.) During the November sales, the price dropped to a bit below $A3000.

I see that B&H have it for $US1600. Add $US44 shipping and $US170 in taxes (incl 10% GST) brings it to $US1814. That's about $A2600 once you allow for international transfer fees. Still about $A400 cheaper than the recent sale price in Australia certainly. But there's no manufacturer's warranty. If there's a problem it would need to be shipped back to the US, at the purchaser's expense (probably the return shipping as well). Bit of a gamble I think.

I stand corrected... bummer.

**Des** · 12-20-2018, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by chd

I stand corrected... bummer.

You can't always pick it. I got my KP in the sales for about $A850 - that is just over $US600. That's as good a price as I've seen anywhere. I've also picked up a number of lenses at prices equivalent to those in the US (even with GST payable). It seems to be with low-volume products like the 150-450 where there's a marked price differential. The retailers can have stock like that on the shelf for some time, and I guess that feeds into the price. The falling $A in the last few years makes it more difficult too.

maj · 12-20-2018, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by chd

One minor correction, though probably won't change anything...

This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly.

-C

Thanks but more than I want to pay for a lens

**UncleVanya** · 12-21-2018, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by maj

Thanks but more than I want to pay for a lens

And you have already said based on the choices available you'll stick to what you have. Makes sense. Not to continue fanning the flames of buying fever... did anyone suggest a smaller sensor camera? You can get bridge cameras or even the Q series with smaller densely packed sensors and use smaller telephoto lenses for wildlife with good results.

I personally think your shots are great as is. And while you might be able to get more reach with a bridge camera I'm not sure you want a dedicated camera just for this use.

maj · 12-21-2018, 08:33 PM - **2 Likes**

I do actually have a Panasonic FZ1000 (bridge camera) which I have been happy with for a few years but it doesn't allow me do several things I wanted to. The F setting only goes up to 8 and the bulb setting only allows the shutter to be left open for 2 minutes. It does have a time lapse which works really well but I had wanted to do star trails and light trails. I have managed to snap some nice wildlife photos and a couple of star shots just from our back yard with this camera, see attachments

I have made a mistake buying the sigma lens and should have bought a prime 300mm lens then I could have added a tc should I want to, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. The Panasonic has a 800mm intelegent zoom so I will be content with that.

Thanks again for you helpful suggestions

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
which teleconverter to use with SMC Pentax-DA L 50-200mm	Vicioustuna2012	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	03-01-2017 10:42 AM
Which Filter are better, to use or not use with Pentax K3, Pentax K3II and Pentax K1?	Genki	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	40	06-17-2016 05:56 PM
Which Teleconverter to use/buy?	vandamro	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	04-01-2010 09:07 PM
For Sale - Sold: Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 Teleconverter & Quantaray 2x Teleconverter	DaveInPA	Sold Items	15	09-24-2009 06:28 AM

12-16-2018, 03:55 PM	#16
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. One easy thing that may help if you aren't already doing it is to bring a monopod or a tripod to allow the iOS to stay a little lower at the expense of a slower shutter speed. You will have to experiment to see what works.

12-18-2018, 06:15 AM	#18
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by maj Thanks for your suggestion to use a mono-pod, that may be something I will try whilst photographing the surfers, but most of the time I am looking for birds in flight. I will attach a couple of photos so you can see why I would like to be able to get a little closesr. The photos aren't brilliant but they are ok for me. Thanks again Margaret Those are great! With a monopod with a tilt and swivel head you might get shots like those but I doubt it. You have a good eye and the shots look good, the main "improvement" that you can likely make is additional reach. I'd just keep shooting what you have for now. All the options for more reach are heavier and more costly. If you decide some day you have to have that reach you can come back and ask our help spending your money LOL.

12-18-2018, 01:32 PM	#19
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Instead of a TC, rather put the money towards a used manual focus 400mm or 500mm. That will give you some useful extra reach on a budget. The SMC Pentax A 400mm f/5.6 and SMC Pentax 500mm f/4.5 are good examples. Alternatively, check out the Sigma 150-500mm if you want autofocus.

12-18-2018, 02:31 PM - 1 Like	#20
maj New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: New South Wales Posts: 29 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Those are great! With a monopod with a tilt and swivel head you might get shots like those but I doubt it. You have a good eye and the shots look good, the main "improvement" that you can likely make is additional reach. I'd just keep shooting what you have for now. All the options for more reach are heavier and more costly. If you decide some day you have to have that reach you can come back and ask our help spending your money LOL. Thanks again for your help, I have settled on just keeping the lens I have and be happy with that reach. A bigger lens would be too heavy for me, but I will take my monopod out more often with me. Hope you have a great Christmas and once again thanks for your help ---------- Post added 12-18-18 at 02:34 PM ---------- Originally posted by Wasp Instead of a TC, rather put the money towards a used manual focus 400mm or 500mm. That will give you some useful extra reach on a budget. The SMC Pentax A 400mm f/5.6 and SMC Pentax 500mm f/4.5 are good examples. Alternatively, check out the Sigma 150-500mm if you want autofocus. Thanks but bigger lens are just a bit too heavy for me

12-18-2018, 08:52 PM	#21
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by maj Thanks again for your help, I have settled on just keeping the lens I have and be happy with that reach. A bigger lens would be too heavy for me, but I will take my monopod out more often with me. Hope you have a great Christmas and once again thanks for your help Post some more shots when you have time! Enjoy.

12-19-2018, 02:14 PM	#22
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Originally posted by maj Thanks but bigger lens are just a bit too heavy for me You could try a 500mm or 600mm f/8 manual focus mirror lens. Plenty of those in the used market. Cheap, small and light (about the same weight as your superzoom) but image quality is not great: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/vivitar-500mm-f8-mirror-lens.html More expensive, double the weight but IQ is said to be better: https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/sigma-600mm-f8-mirror.html Last edited by Wasp; 12-19-2018 at 02:24 PM.

12-20-2018, 02:51 PM	#23
chd Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 54	One minor correction, though probably won't change anything... Originally posted by Des The gold star solution is a DFA 150-450 - a very fine lens but as heavy as a Bigma and it costs in the region of $A3000, even when on sale. This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly. -C

12-20-2018, 03:37 PM	#24
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by chd This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly. Not in Australia, unfortunately. Pentax Au has it listed for $A3299 (Ricoh Imaging \| Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED Lens) and DCXpert (an outlet of C R Kennedy, the official distributor, which is usually the cheapest supplier) has it now for $A3447.55 (PENTAX HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 DC AW ZOOM LENS - FULL FRAME \| eBay) with a 5% ebay discount. (These prices include GST.) During the November sales, the price dropped to a bit below $A3000. I see that B&H have it for $US1600. Add $US44 shipping and $US170 in taxes (incl 10% GST) brings it to $US1814. That's about $A2600 once you allow for international transfer fees. Still about $A400 cheaper than the recent sale price in Australia certainly. But there's no manufacturer's warranty. If there's a problem it would need to be shipped back to the US, at the purchaser's expense (probably the return shipping as well). Bit of a gamble I think.

12-20-2018, 03:48 PM - 1 Like	#25
chd Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 54	Originally posted by Des Not in Australia, unfortunately. Pentax Au has it listed for $A3299 (Ricoh Imaging \| Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED Lens) and DCXpert (an outlet of C R Kennedy, the official distributor, which is usually the cheapest supplier) has it now for $A3447.55 (PENTAX HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 DC AW ZOOM LENS - FULL FRAME \| eBay) with a 5% ebay discount. (These prices include GST.) During the November sales, the price dropped to a bit below $A3000. I see that B&H have it for $US1600. Add $US44 shipping and $US170 in taxes (incl 10% GST) brings it to $US1814. That's about $A2600 once you allow for international transfer fees. Still about $A400 cheaper than the recent sale price in Australia certainly. But there's no manufacturer's warranty. If there's a problem it would need to be shipped back to the US, at the purchaser's expense (probably the return shipping as well). Bit of a gamble I think. I stand corrected... bummer.

12-20-2018, 04:25 PM	#26
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,424	Originally posted by chd I stand corrected... bummer. You can't always pick it. I got my KP in the sales for about $A850 - that is just over $US600. That's as good a price as I've seen anywhere. I've also picked up a number of lenses at prices equivalent to those in the US (even with GST payable). It seems to be with low-volume products like the 150-450 where there's a marked price differential. The retailers can have stock like that on the shelf for some time, and I guess that feeds into the price. The falling $A in the last few years makes it more difficult too.

12-20-2018, 09:42 PM	#27
maj New Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: New South Wales Posts: 29 Original Poster	Originally posted by chd One minor correction, though probably won't change anything... This lens is currently going for around $1700 US, or A$2400 -- though that's still pricey, certainly. -C Thanks but more than I want to pay for a lens

12-21-2018, 08:45 AM	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by maj Thanks but more than I want to pay for a lens And you have already said based on the choices available you'll stick to what you have. Makes sense. Not to continue fanning the flames of buying fever... did anyone suggest a smaller sensor camera? You can get bridge cameras or even the Q series with smaller densely packed sensors and use smaller telephoto lenses for wildlife with good results. I personally think your shots are great as is. And while you might be able to get more reach with a bridge camera I'm not sure you want a dedicated camera just for this use.