[Gregor]

First, I'd like to say I have the K1 and love it. Gonna keep it and use it hopefully for a very long time. But I've been thinking about wildlife and I've seen some recommendations for a relatively inexpensive lighter handheld combo. The Canon D7 plus their 400 5.6. I know it would be pretty bad in low light with old ISO technology and no image stabilization. But it would potentially be a nice option used for around $1000. Talk me down. What are some comperable Pentax options?

[bdery]

How much does the 150-450mm sell for, used? That would be the obvious choice.

Otherwise, without knowing the reputation of the 400mm, you have a few options : get a used Sigma 400mm F5.6 for less than 200$ (probably not as good optically, but pretty decent), get a F* or FA* 300mm F4.5 and either crop or use a TC, get a FA* 400mm (more expensive but it's a star lens), get a third-party 300mm and TC, get a DA* 300mm and crop or use a TC. There are probably other possible solutions. Comparison will depend on the actual IQ of that Canon, plus your will to support two systems, lose SR, WR, etc.

[BWG]

First, I'd like to say I have the K1 and love it. Gonna keep it and use it hopefully for a very long time. But I've been thinking about wildlife and I've seen some recommendations for a relatively inexpensive lighter handheld combo. The Canon D7 plus their 400 5.6. I know it would be pretty bad in low light with old ISO technology and no image stabilization. But it would potentially be a nice option used for around $1000. Talk me down. What are some comperable Pentax options?

High ISO capabilities isn’t just used for low light. Higher ISOs is very handy when shooting wildlife because shutter speed is so important. Try shooting a bird in flight or even a twitchy squirrel at f/8 without pumping up your ISO. Your shutter speed will be so low everything will be blurry.

[biz-engineer]

What are some comperable Pentax options?

The closest option when already having a Pentax K1 is to use the K1 in crop mode with a DA300+TC or a DFA150-450. It is not the best performance option, but it offers a lot of versatility.

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Last edited by biz-engineer; 12-08-2017 at 11:31 AM.

[zzeitg]

But I've been thinking about wildlife and I've seen some recommendations for a relatively inexpensive lighter handheld combo.

If you're seriously thinking about wildlife photography, you have to accept that it won't be cheap.
However, I'd second that DA300 & 1.4x TC idea above. Small in size, still lightweight and affordable.

[jatrax]

Canon 7D is APS-C right? So the closest I can think of would be the Pentax k-3II + 300mm f/4 + HD 1.4x TC That gets you 420mm @ f/5.6, 24mp, much newer sensor, better ISO performance, IBIS and arguably a better AF system than the 2009 Canon.

Not sure what that package would cost but I am sure it would be more than $1,000 though.

If you already have the K-1 then use it in crop mode with the 300mm and TC. Only 15mp+/- but that still compares favorably with the 18mp Canon. And you have the K-1 AF and ISO ability.

Pentax does not currently have a 400mm lens but the 300mm + TC is a very good substitute.

[yucatanPentax]

Since you already have the K-1, what about trying the Pentax SMC 500mm f4.5? They sell for $600 or so on (that auction website). And if you don't like it, just sell it again for about the same price.

Pentax SMC 500mm f/4.5 Lens on The Bay... - PentaxForums.com

Or you could try the SMC 400mm for a couple hundred less if you can find a nice copy. SMC Pentax 400mm F5.6 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
There's also an M 400mm 5.6 and an A 400mm 5.6.

Honestly, though, the DA* 300mm with 1.4x Pentax HD TC gives you AF with little degradation and would be just what you are asking about. I use a 1.4 with my older F* 300mm and think it does very well.

Just buy glass for Pentax instead of changing/adding systems?

Edit - here's a great photo taken with DA* 300mm + 1.4x HD TC. I think you'll like it. And there's a link to his other images taken with the same combination.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/357265-pen...ml#post4151959

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Last edited by yucatanPentax; 12-08-2017 at 12:02 PM.

[6BQ5]

A used D-FA 150-450mm probably wont be cheap, even in used but good condition - if you can find one. I bought a new one and used it for my kids sporting events and I've used it to photograph an airshow this year. The pricey lens is worth every penny and every ounce of heft. Focusing speed is good for these kinds of events. Image quality is excellent. Set it to f/8 in daylight and shutter speed at ~1/2000th using TAv on your K-1. You won't be disappointed in the setup.

Adding a new camera system + lens sounds like fun but be aware of what it takes to maintain and use two mounting systems. You will need to learn the camera, its capabilities and limitations, and learn how to process the images too. The Canon will produce images with its own seasoned colors, contrast, saturation, noise, etc. There is more than just dollars behind the decision.

If you're already thinking of a second system then have you checked out what you can in the u4/3 ecosystem? Many users have successfully created wonderful wildlife images. Camera bodies and lenses are smaller and lighter. The lenses are also very sharp. Maybe a used u4/3 setup could work for you too? Noise levels are a little higher due to the smaller sensor but that may not matter much if you shoot in daylight anyways.

[UncleVanya]

How much does the 150-450mm sell for, used? That would be the obvious choice.

Otherwise, without knowing the reputation of the 400mm, you have a few options : get a used Sigma 400mm F5.6 for less than 200$ (probably not as good optically, but pretty decent), get a F* or FA* 300mm F4.5 and either crop or use a TC, get a FA* 400mm (more expensive but it's a star lens), get a third-party 300mm and TC, get a DA* 300mm and crop or use a TC. There are probably other possible solutions. Comparison will depend on the actual IQ of that Canon, plus your will to support two systems, lose SR, WR, etc.

There are multiple Sigma 400mm lenses at f5.6. The cheap one is very prone to CA and purple fringing. I have owned one. It was small and light and focused quick but ultimately a 300 cropped is a better lens choice than that version.

[Gregor]

Canon 7D is APS-C right? So the closest I can think of would be the Pentax k-3II + 300mm f/4 + HD 1.4x TC That gets you 420mm @ f/5.6, 24mp, much newer sensor, better ISO performance, IBIS and arguably a better AF system than the 2009 Canon.

Not sure what that package would cost but I am sure it would be more than $1,000 though.

If you already have the K-1 then use it in crop mode with the 300mm and TC. Only 15mp+/- but that still compares favorably with the 18mp Canon. And you have the K-1 AF and ISO ability.

Pentax does not currently have a 400mm lens but the 300mm + TC is a very good substitute.

Yeah, the K3 or k3ii +da300 + the 1.4 is the combo I'm also considering. Does anyone know how the old canon would fair next to the only kind of old K3 as far as continuous AF? Comparable?

[surfar]

A used BIGMA is what i use for long shots,F6.3 at the long end...can be had for good prices(mine was US350ish) if you wait or shop around.
No weathersealing compared to the 150-450,but i carry a HD 55-300 and use it in crop mode if need be.

[ronniemac]

'But I've been thinking about wildlife and I've seen some recommendations for a relatively inexpensive lighter handheld combo'.

If long range nature is your thing and you want to travel light, Pentax K-70 + Pentax DA* 300 / F4 + Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter - this based on my experience with that combo and K-1, K-3ii, and D FA 150-450.

The K-70 has a better sensor than the K-3ii, greater pixel density than the K-1 so is better for long range shooting. The DA* 300 with DA1.4x will give you greater reach than the 400 5.6 and can also be used as a straight 300 F4.

The setup I suggest is relative light 688g+1070g+126g = 1884g whereas the K-1+150-450 weighs in at 1010g+2000g = 3010g (NB factoring in lens equivalence they effectively have the same reach).

Of course, all these Pentax options give you WR, and perhaps most importantly, if you stick with Pentax the new kit will be fully interchangeable with your existing K-1, the 300 being a FF lens.

Between us, I think we should have talked you down, but of course this is a Pentax forum.

I personally stick with the one brand for simplicity's sake.

[UncleVanya]

Tokina AT-X AF 400mm f/5.6 $300-$400 used with great image quality, close focusing, very sharp even wide open, and very light plus very usable on your existing K1.

The Tokina is a good lens. I agree.

If you're seriously thinking about wildlife photography, you have to accept that it won't be cheap.
However, I'd second that DA300 & 1.4x TC idea above. Small in size, still lightweight and affordable.

Always an option to consider. Roughly 420mm and f/5.6 and still weather sealed and autofocus. The FA* and F* 300mm lenses also work well with this combo but lose weather sealing.

If you already have the K-1 then use it in crop mode with the 300mm and TC. Only 15mp+/- but that still compares favorably with the 18mp Canon. And you have the K-1 AF and ISO ability.

Good points.

Since you already have the K-1, what about trying the Pentax SMC 500mm f4.5? They sell for $600 or so on (that auction website). And if you don't like it, just sell it again for about the same price.

I disagree with this suggestion. I owned the m42 version of the lens (with a permanently attached m42 adapter. This and the SMC are the same lens. It was lovely to look at and more manuverable than I would have expected but soft. There was no sugar coating it - that lens is not up to modern standards. I could get acceptable moon shots but the FA* 300 plus 1.7x F converter or 1.4x HD DA converter cropped provided better pictures by far.

In normal use I'd say the DA 55-300 cropped is equal or better.

Some other options to consider - get an F 1.7x AF converter and use it on a DA*, FA*, F* 300 - this yields an f/6.8 - f/7.7 (depending on the starting lens) 510mm combo that has essentially a focus limiter type AF. Other options use an older 300mm f2.8 with this converter for an f/5 510mm semi-autofocus lens. The F converter is very good but perhaps not as good as the HD DA overall. You can even experiment with a nicer 200mm using this converter stacked with the HD DA as long as you start with a lens at least f/2.8 (200 f2.8, 300 /f4, 340 f/4.8, 476 f/6.7) the stacked TC's seem to work well for some users on the forums.

[hcc]

The OP was after a small (and light) wildlife kit. As an user who carries his gear in bushwalking, I fully understand the point.
IMHO the AF Pentax equivalent would be K-70 + DA55-300mm or K-70 + FA*300mm f4.5. Both are small and relatively light, the DA55-300 being more flexible, and the FA*300mm better IQ.
A different approach would be to consider MF lenses and there have been some discussion above.
My 5 cents...

[UncleVanya]

The OP was after a small (and light) wildlife kit. As an user who carries his gear in bushwalking, I fully understand the point.
IMHO the AF Pentax equivalent would be K-70 + DA55-300mm or K-70 + FA*300mm f4.5. Both are small and relatively light, the DA55-300 being more flexible, and the FA*300mm better IQ.
A different approach would be to consider MF lenses and there have been some discussion above.
My 5 cents...

DA* 200 plus both TC's is very small and light also. Just a thought... plus whatever body you want.