| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: June, 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 784
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | build quality, quick focus, image quality | | Cons: | weight(but what do you expect for this size of a lens) plastic hood | | New or Used: New
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Folks, this is my initial review since I just got it and only took it out this weekend and used it as a walk around shooter.
First off I got a killer deal on it, it is in brand new pristine condition. found it at a pawn shop, and with a lot of patience I managed to wait for six months for the price to come down from $1800 to the $1000 offer I made on it last week. I am still pinching myself over this unbelievable deal.
I immediately headed to my deck and took this shot of the moon and with a little PP in LR here is my result, I just love the detail of the moon in this shot(which is handheld FYI)-
 _K3J0910.jpg by MacawDude 007, on Flickr
Then the night before I headed to Zion National Park, I made a DIY attachment for the foot of the lens so that I could carry it with the camera attached, I made it out of a stainless steel eyebolt and it actually is very secure.
here are a few pics from Zions Nat. Park-
 _K3J1055.jpg by MacawDude 007, on Flickr
 _K3J1140.jpg by MacawDude 007, on Flickr
Excuse the Cell phone shot that my wife took of me and my Daughter- but in this pic you can see I have my K5\DA*16-50 on my belt and my K3/DFA 150-450 in hand.-
 IMG_20180902_120156 by MacawDude 007, on Flickr
After a while of owning this lens I will update this review, but as for now I am very happy with it. the most concerning issue to me was when I first got it, it sure seemed very heavy, I weighed it with the camera and grip attacked and it topped out at 8.25 pounds, and I thought Dang! Im gonna have a heck of a time lugging this beast around. However, after a day at Zion I was very relieved to know that it did not affect me in anyway, especially with the way I had the strap on it.
It is a very responsive lens that I could just have at the ready with little fuss whatsoever, the focus didnt really do much hunting, especially with the focus limiter switch set to infinity.
I am still getting used to the focus buttons on the lens because this is the first lens I ever had that has them, but once I learned to use them, it makes life a whole lot easier.
I got a whole mess of keepers with this lens compared to my other zooms. but honestly I used my DA* 50-135, and 16-50 lenses in conjunction with this lens, they actually compliment each other, and the Image quality is comparable to the DA* lenses.
All in all this lens is worth every penny no matter what price you pay for it, dont let the weight scare you from purchasing this lens, because once you get this lens, you will be amazed.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,843
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 30, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $2,031.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fabulous IQ, hand-holdable (just), bokeh, AW | | Cons: | No Pentax FF TC, big and heavy, expensive | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 5
Value: 6
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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What an amazing lens! I have been really impressed in particular with sharpness across the frame and bokeh. It is better than I expected, and rivals the DFA* 70-200, which is high praise. Of course it isn't as fast, but that's to be expected for a 150-450.
I compare this lens with my son's 50-500 Bigma. That is a fine lens, but the Pentax clearly beats it in edge resolution (on FF) and AF speed. The 50mm deficit at the long end is the only feature I miss from the Bigma.
That leads me to my prime gripe with this lens. Well, it's not really a criticism of the lens per se. On a FF camera 450mm is really not that long for wildlife work. Ricoh really needed to have a FF TC ready to go when the K1 was released. A FF 1.4x TC would add great value to this lens.
Other issues: It is heavy and tricky to hand-hold at the long end; It is expensive (in comparison to Sigma or Tamron lenses we can't mount anyway, so Ricoh don't care).
A final QC issue. I received this lens brand new in original packing direct from the Australian importer. It clearly hadn't been opened since leaving the factory. I put it straight on my K1 and tried it out, only to find tens of dust spots suddenly on my sensor. They we not there immediately before. The rear end of the lens was clearly VERY dusty. I got the sensor cleaned, and aggressively cleaned the lens with a vacuum cleaner, brush, blower, etc, and it's been fine since. However, this should not have happened. BEWARE! Clean the rear end before mounting on your camera.
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,385
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 16, 2017 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Only long FF zoom for Pentax | | Cons: | no alternatives | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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Updated review
In the meantime I bought my own copy and use it along with K3iii. The lens performs well on APSC, image quality is fine. Wide open it is not spectacular. AF fine tuning requires quite different values for shortest and longest focal length. Stopping down also changes the fine tuning value, but less significantly.
On APSC the reach is great, but the viewfinder image is pretty bumpy handheld. In lens stabilization would help here. AF speed is fine.
I would really like to see a high spec long range lens from Pentax in this class. Zoom or fixed focal length. With in lens stabilization. On K1 maximum performance is reached @ f/8 to f/11. On APSC f/5.6 is a little soft. @450 you should stop down to f/6.7 or f/8 otherwise it is too soft. Diffraction becomes noticeable beyond f/8. In my opinion K3iii pixel pitch demands for open aperture of f/4.5 or better. One stop leverage to stop down or to add a 1.4x TC that performs decent if needed.
All that said… 450mm, f/6.7, K3iii, monopod and you have a great combo knowing that extra quality, extra reach, more light, less weight would put you in a totally different class of lenses.
Former review part ——————————-
I used this lens extensively during a loan period - try before you buy.
Size and weight feel similar to the D-FA 2.8/70-200. While the 150-450 is longer and heavier, it feels more balanced in size and weight. That said, the lens is still a big zoom. Performance is quite OK, handholding is OK and performance handheld is similar to DA*300 - with the DA*300 being much smaller and easier to handle and offering f/4.
For my work 450mm is too short on K1 and I find myself using the long end most of the time. For a 5.6/450mm the whole setup is too large. As a walk around lens, it also feels too large for me. On APS-C the lens will probably see more zooming between 300-450mm. ON FF this lens cannot fill the gap in Pentax tele land. I would rather prefer a 4xx mm prime to add to my A*600 prime. Performance is fine handheld, but not spectacular.
Almost 5 years later: DA150-450 is really the only new option in tele land. Maybe I should get one with K3iii
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2015 Location: Stockholm Posts: 15
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 25, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $3,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, contrast, reach | | Cons: | A little heavy | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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Pricey lens but once you stopped sobbing over the hole it made in your wallet and start using it, you will quickly forget that. Very very good IQ on all focal lengths straight from wide open. Closing down 2-3 steps makes it a little better but mosty just expands the DOF.
It's big and a bit heavy but very usable handheld in daylight. About 80% of the pictures I've taken so far are handheld and it rarely misses. The weight actually helps to make it stable. It comes with a 10cm long lens hood but I've found it works well even without it without loss of contrast. Have not noticed any hunting but I don't use it much in low light.
The extra features on the lens are very useful and it focuses very fast, even when focus range is set to full. Detailed manual focusing is great due to quite long throw
I do have the FA* 200 2.8 but this one beats it easily in all aspects except portabillity.
The only negative: It is not a discrete lens. No matter where you are, pulling this one out of you backpack, people will notice it ! 
 | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: June, 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire (UK) / Morbihan (FR) Posts: 470
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 15, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,488.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, optical quality | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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Got a great bargain from SRS in the Black Friday deal - GBP1200 (including tax!) Been lusting after this lens since I first saw it in Feb 2015. Only just had the chance to put it through a quick try since getting it, but so far very impressed with it.
Focus seems spot-on straight out of the box, though to be fair I think I have THE calibrated K1, as none of my lens have needed adjustment yet. The focus limiter is a definite need; the full focus throw takes some time from end to end. Pre-focussing in the right ballpark certainly helps with quick moving targets. Usable handheld, but helps to have something to rest on.
Tripod foot makes a good carry handle, plus it removes easily. Long hood is similar to DA* 200 etc, and does a good job of keeping the rain off the front element.
Photos from today in very dark conditions - woodland and thick overcast: all ISO 3200...
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2016 Posts: 155
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 29, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,750.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp also wide open, fast autofocus, very good construction | | Cons: | The plastic hood is too light and looks frail | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1, K3
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This lens is simply excellent in terms of sharpness, contrast, and overall rendition. Comparing it with other two tele-lenses which I own, it is slightly better, at 300mm, of the FA* star 300mm f4.5, and at 450mm it delivers more details than the K 500mm f4.5. I find amazing the sharpness wide open: I do not see significant differences between f5.6 and f.8, at least in the center. 
Autofocus is very precise and fast, at least with single AF (continuous AF is a little bit slower with current Pentax cameras, but with this lens I find continuous AF to be adequate for action wildlife shots). AF buttons on the lens are useful, and the construction is very solid. The weight of the lens is quite high, but this appears to be normal for a lens of this kind and quality. The only (minor) negative feature of this lens, in my opinion, is the plastic hood: plastic, very light, it seems to be frail, not on par with this lens.
I add an example shot taken at 450mm, wide open (f5.6), and two little crops of the same image with details at 100%.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Posts: 806
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 29, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,996.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, AF speed, no CA, build, ergonomics | | Cons: | Weight, size, pricey | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3 and K-1
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I purchased this lens as a replacement for my F-300mm because I was looking for more reach, faster AF and WR. The image quality is very good, especially for a zoom. Not quite on par with the F-300mm but very close. And definitely sharper and faster than the Sigma 150-500 I'd been borrowing.
I have been using this lens mostly hand held, and it is a beast at 4 lbs. compare to the extremely compact F-300. So that's taken some adjustment to shooting style to get used too. The AF is quick, especially compared to the F-300mm's old screw drive. The removable tripod foot is a great feature that helps a lot with hand holding. Also the four focus buttons on the lens are a huge bonus, as is the zoom lock.
Overall the design, build quality and ergonomics of this lens are excellent. I'm looking forward to many years of using this lens, especially when I upgrade to the FF line of camera bodies. I can definitely recommend this lens.
UPDATE April 2018 - I've upgraded to the K-1 and primarily been using this lens on my K-1 for the last year. This lens was amazing on the K-3, it's even more amazing on the K-1. The more I use this lens, the more I love this lens. With the K-1, I've modified my shooting style with this lens from primarily hand held to now mostly using a tripod with a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal head adapter for most of my outdoor work. For birds in flight, the camera comes off the gimbal head adapter (and I revert back to my old ways). And for landscape work, the gimbal head adapter comes off my ball head for added stability. I can still recommend this lens.
  Green Heron
 Snowy Egret
 Snowy Egret
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,620
18 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 15, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $2,450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | good IQ at long end. Long focus throw for manual focusing | | Cons: | expensive, heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3II
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I first rented the lens for a specific photo assignment where my F* 300 was not long enough. Later, I bought it. This is an initial review and subject to be amended as I have more time with it.
At 300mm, the F*300 is sharper and demonstrates more contrast, but I did not expect the DFA 150-450 to beat it. That said, above 300, this lens seems to improve slightly and I feel it is optimized at the long end (which is the primary reason you would use the lens). I really like the removable foot for handholding, the lock switch, the little flanged gap that won't pinch your fingers when the lens extension is retracted, and the 4 extra AF buttons on the barrel. Those were a brilliant idea for back button focusers! Most of all, I appreciate the long focus throw of this lens, because telephoto focusing in limited depth of field really requires precision, and a standard short throw AF-style ring would just not cut it.
At the long end, AF via viewfinder or by live view is hit or miss, likely due to the loss of light. If it starts to hunt, the quick shift is there for a fast manual adjustment, so no biggie. My biggest challenge now will be to optimize my tripod to provide a stable enough system to handle sub 1/500th shutter speeds because even a heavy duty tripod is subject to torsional motion when only one mounting point is used. I am looking into adding a yoke or second tripod/mono leg, etc...we'll see.
I will be taking this lens to the air show next month for Blue Angels shooting and will have some more data on handheld daylight performance. So far, I like it and recommend it!
 Green Bean Casserole: The Early Years
 Walking The Dog
 Moon Over The Delta
 Blue Angels (Explore #86)
My entire album of photos from this lens is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/sets/72157670878371305 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 156
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 13, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,995.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, reach, resolution, build, WR | | Cons: | weight, stiff zoom ring, price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3ii
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I was very hesitant to drop the serious coin for this lens, fearing that it might not be visibly better than my 60-250mm, and that it might prove to be too difficult to hand hold. Having taken the plunge I am glad that I did. While heavy, it is still quite usable handheld, autofocus is fast and accurate on K-3ii (hope for it to be even better on K-1). As much as I love my 60-250mm, the image quality and sharpness of the 150-450 is noticeably better. As others have noted, in some circumstances bokeh can look nervous, but overall this is absolutely a pro quality lens with fantastic build and superb reach. I would love to see Pentax make it a bit more affordable compared to CaNikon, but can't fault the quality, it is as good as any lens out there.
Edit 120628: After using for another month I have updated my numbers slightly. Sharpness at 150-350 range is fantastic. Drops off a little at long end. Still better at 450 than my 60-250 is at 250. Now using on K-1 and that combo is scary good. AF is excellent and very fast in good light, can hunt for a couple of seconds in low light. As others have noted zoom ring is too stiff, very hard to turn one-handed.
sample (on K-3ii 150mm ISO800 f5.6 1/1000 handheld):
 Lava Creatures: The Forge [explored] by Sky Matthews, on Flickr
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 12,231
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 27, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,700.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Autofocus and zoom range | | Cons: | Large but expected for a FF zoom, a bit expensive for optical quality | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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Features: more options than any other Pentax lens and competitor equivalent lenses, 3 x AF limiter settings (2m to 6m, 6m to infinity, or 2m to infinity), AF preset, 2 additional modes for manual focus, zoom lock
Image quality:
- color rendering: slightly blueish color cast typical of HD coating (not like DA* lenses that tend to give a warmer look), that can be adjusted +1 point in the white balance tunning or post processing
- contast: good and as good or better than DA300+TC
- sharpness: usable wide open up to 300mm, between 300 and 450mm require stop down a bit f6.7 or f7.1. Not as sharp as DA*300 when the DA*300 is in perfect focus. DFA150450 is not really a lens for cropping with APSC sensor (k3)
- aberrations: a tiny bit more than DA300, but much less than DA560
- bokeh: a bit harsher than bigma if the background is close to subject, otherwise the different is very small/nonexistent
Autofocus:
- behavior: with robust behavior, no hunting, nails focus every time, even with HD teleconverter
- speed:
-> faster than SDM
-> faster than Tamron 150-600 and Sigma 150-600 C
-> equivalent to Sigma 150-600 sport
-> slightly slower than the Nikon 200-500
-> but not as fast as Canon 100-400 USM II, but the Canon 100-400II has 1 focus limit zone while the DFA150400 allow 3 options, and if you know in advance the focus range and use the preset function, the DFA may focus as fast as the Canon.
Use with teleconverters:
- AF works well with 1.4x TC, AFC tracking with outter points and TC is less precise, be carreful here.
- AF cease to function with 2 TC stacked (=900mm when fully extended), manual focusing comfortable thanks to decoupled manual AF ring. Sharpness suffers, but still good for making HD videos at 900mm (=1350mm equ. on a K3)
Weight and size:
- big and heavy, but not much more than any lens of the same category
- it is heavy, the still hand holdable
- in my opinion, the longest lens still usable without heavy tripod or other support
Overall impression:
- AF and AF features are great
- image shaprness and weitght: it deliver good images when used as a zoom (not the best for cropping apsc images), best suited for use on FF
- in comparison to Canon 100-400 USM II, the DFA150-450 is $200 too expensive, I'd price it the same as Nikon 200-500.
Conclusion: although my DA*300 is a bit sharper, the DFA150-450 AF creates the "Wow effect". I haven't used the DA300 again since I have the DFA150-450. If you have AF issues with your current lens, get the DFA150-450.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: June, 2014 Posts: 62
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 22, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,760.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Extreme range,Sharp images, High IQ etc,etc,etc | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3 K3
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I have been a Pentax enthusiast since purchasing an old SF1 kit in the 80's. Recently I had a bad experience with a bad DA 300mm lens. I had some reservations when I purchased this lens. Now I am elated with its performance.
I’ve had the lens since February and have been pleased on every shooting session.
My physical location permits extra long range shooting. I can shoot the Caballo Mountains, NM, from my front porch. I have been able to get some extremely sharp images of the towers on the top ridge at a distance of at least 2,000 meters. Using map recon techniques it shows the 2,000 meters above.
I have also been able to get some great shots of grazing animals at various distances.
This lens is one of the best photo purchases I have ever made.
Would I recommend this lens? HELL YES!!!
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| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: September, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 26, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,649.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast autofocus, excellent image quality, nice controls | | Cons: | Heavy! | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
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The lens is as good as the reviews say it is. The size takes some getting used to but I have had it along on several half day hikes and it has been just fine. I would not want to take it backpacking because the size and weight would become a burden even carrying it in the backpack. But for day hikes where the reach is needed it is excellent. The zoom range is more useful than I had expected. It allows good coverage of close ups as you can see in the enclosed tiny flower photo. I cannot wait to try it on the K-1 which should improve the balance as well as AF speed. The flower photo is sooc jpg. The roadrunner is direct LR export to jpg. No editing.
[IMG] K32A5138-1 by sulmichael, on Flickr[/IMG]
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2009 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 179
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 24, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,724.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Focus speed & accuracy, sharpness, color rendition, build quality | | Cons: | Weight, no strap lugs | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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I was pretty happy with my Sigma 120-400 as a good value (bought used) overall, but wondered if I could get better focus accuracy and richer color with the Pentax. Typically, the Sigma's color rendition was on the cool side, and it only focused passably in terms of speed and accuracy (~50% hit rate, -4 adjustment). I also wanted a longer reach, so I considered the Bigma and the Sigma 150-500. But I decided to bite the bullet and bought not only the D-FA 150-450 but also the DA 1.4x TC. I'm happy I did. The lens required no focus adjustment, with or without the TC, and focused quickly enough to deliver sharpness handheld, albeit with stationary objects. I would give it a 9.5 if I could (nothing's perfect) but I'll go with 10.
First decent opportunity to shoot birds with the combo at full reach (630mm) was yesterday. Both lightly cropped, f8 1/800, K3 on monopod.
Northern Shoveler
Black Skimmers & Forster's Terns
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 4,317
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 23, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $2,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great optics at a reasonable price. Well built. | | Cons: | Big, bulky and long. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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This thing is a beast, especially when extended, but that's to be expected for a lens of this focal length. In fairness, I've only had it for a short time, but I will say that my 300mm lens probably won't see much use. Besides goofing around in the back yard, my first time out was to the North Carolina 2015 National Drag Racing event. As with any lens of this size, a stable mounting is a must. I did get by using a monopod, but were I to go again, I'd probably go with a tripod and swivel mount. While expensive at the current price of $1980, it's really a bargain compared to the 'other guys' lenses. Plus when you consider it does great work over wide range of focal lengths, thus replacing several other lenses, it's really not a bad price. I know it can be a lot more palatable to some, especially when a spouse is involved, to buy a 200mm here and a 300mm there, if you can chin the up front cost, you'll save money and space in the long run. I listed the case as a down side only because it doesn't offer a readily attachment system to hook up to other bags. It's not a bad case, in fact it's very nice, but some added Velcro or buckles would have been nice. And now for some pics. No post processing was used and camera was in Green mode.
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 5,325
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 3, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $2,247.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great FL range, 2 meter close focus, solid construction. | | Cons: | None yet | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3, K5-IIs
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I am very impressed with this lens. It is heavy but that was expected. I do not consider the weight a negative. It is to be expected in a lens like this. Like all long lenses there is a bit of a learning curve but with a little patience it produces excellent results. Grab shot with lenses like this are not the norm. Autofocus is fast and I like that the manual focus is "slow" which allows excellent results.
Aberrations are well controlled with my K3 but will need some testing once the full frame comes out. Hence the 9 there.
This lens is a winner and I think that it will develop the same great reputation among Pentax users as the DA* 60-250 and DA* 300 lenses. A shot from walking around the back yard earlier this week. The lens was racked out to 450mm.
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