| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,710
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 29, 2024 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, Bokeh, Color Rendering, Build | | Cons: | Heavy, Barrel Buttons | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3iii, KP, K-70, K-1
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I was fortunate to spot a used copy of the DFA150-450, with a tiny problem, for sale on PF Marketplace for only $1000. The flaw? The tiny plastic seal on the zoom lock had fallen out. Well, I really don't need the zoom lock, so I covered the switch with gaffers tape and have been using the lens well over two years with no issues.
The images produced by this lens can be truly outstanding. Sharp from wide open to 400mm and a half stop down from 400-450. Though at 450mm fine details do start to blend together.The color rendering and contrast in just about any lighting is superb. I shoot this beat handheld most of the time, and with the excellent IS in the KP and K-3iii, I can get tack sharp photos at fairly low shutter speeds. Autofocus is very good, but not quite up to Canon and Sony. I truly despise the focus buttons on the lens barrel! None of the buttons is in the correct position for my fingers. I take many wildlife photos while seated in my SUV, since I have mobility issues. I switched to a metal screw in hood after knocking the clip on original off on the car widow frame numerous times. On a crop sensor body there is no vignetting at 150mm with the barrel diameter metal hood, on the full frame K-1 there is.
When I know my photos will all need to be at 400mm plus, I leave this behemoth at home and choose my DA*300/4 and HD DA 1.4X converter for a 420mm f5.6. Brilliantly sharp and MUCH easier to handle. AF speed is the only downside. Files from my K-3iii and the 300/1.4X are always sharper than those from the 150-450 at 420-450, and are therefore able to be cropped more.
Speaking of the HD DA 1.4X converter, used on the DFA 150-450, my lens shows a pretty significant IQ loss zoomed past 375-400mm unless stopped down to f11 or so. Definitely limits the usefulness and requires a monopod or tripod to really work well.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: August, 2009 Location: Santiago Posts: 220
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 29, 2023 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Image quality in general, fairly good autofocus, | | Cons: | Expensive, a bit heavier than modern competition | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1, K3, K3 mkIII
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I've had this lens for quite long time already, but I had recently opportunity to test it against fixed focal Sigma 500mm lens.
Comparing to Sigma, Pentax is much lighter to carry around, gathers less light, is better balanced, has better tripod collar and lens hood. Pentax has also better autofocus, but I just don't like the buttons on the barrel - I tried different configurations but nothing seems to work for me.
Image quality wise both have strong points and weaknesses. Sigma is just a little bit sharper than Pentax is at 450mm, but it lacks contrast and colors, points where Pentax shines.
With DA1.4 TC sharpness difference is a little bit bigger, but again not that much. Bokeh is better with Sigma if you shoot it wide open, but there's not much difference when closed down to similar apertures.
All in all, I prefer Pentax. Slight loss in sharpness compared to Sigma doesn't bother me that much and weight difference and flexibility when at field are more important for me (and for a longer trekking I prefer DA55-300 PLM over any other tele).
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2010 Location: Venlo Posts: 163
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 30, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,800.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | image quality, color rendering | | Cons: | no internal zoom | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3 Mk. III
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I owe the lens a few months now and am very satisfied. I compare the image quality mainly to my old Sigma APO DG 4/100-300mm, that I like a lot. The main advantage of the Pentax is the extra reach without TC 1.4. The use of the Sigma TC caused a loss of image quality, so I didn't want to keep it on the lens. With the 150-450mm there is no more hassle with mounting a TC.
Autofocus is pretty fast, silent and very consistent. A big difference with the Sigma. There was no need for AF fine-tuning, it was spot on from the beginning. I should remark here, that my K3 Mk. III had been calibrated, because I couldn't adjust a 55-300mm lens. Both camera and 55-300 were calibrated and after that, all my lenses needed little or no AF adjustment.
The 150-450mm should be mounted on a tripod for best results. You can shoot hand held, but not for a long time because of the weight. Additionally, with such a long lens the focus must be set extremely precise, so shifting the lens position a very little bit is sufficient to spoil exact focus. Moreover, I think that AF functions better when the lens is stationary.
Aberrations are very well controlled and what is left is easily corrected (in DxO PL6, in my case).
If there is anything negative to comment, it is the extension while zooming. And the downside of full-time MF focus override: if I use a beanbag, it usually touches the MF ring. This causes continuous minor changes of focus. I use the back button for AF, and in AF-C mode these changes are corrected, but this means continuous focus correction by the lens/camera combination.
The 2 sample images were made at maximum focal length, so 450mm and almost wide open (f/6.3). Both are 100% crops when viewed full-size. The shooting distance was 120-130ft for the lynx, 15-20ft for the nuthatch. The nuthatch was shot hand held, the lynx with lens on tripod.
  | | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2018 Location: Tokyo Posts: 44
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 21, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | A very good lens | | Cons: | Heavy, huge | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1 Mark II
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We acquired this lens when the Ricoh-Pentax Square of Shinjuku closed down and put for sale a good part of the exhibition tools. We got it refurbished and treated as new, but half-priced. I have long been interested in long zoom (I have a few for other cameras), but really have no specific use for it, since I am not bird/animal-watcher. The idea was more that of 'paparazzing' or of excerpting pieces of reality that usually are too far away or that go unnoticed, as I do with others.
The lens is very good, sharp, good color/contrast, and with useful button functions (focus limiter, etc.). It has great definition and a beautiful blur that offers differences according to distance. It is solid, but not really as scratch-resistant as I would expect for a lens of this league; the plastic part, even if good, is pretty much and if you are not careful you can easily leave marks on it, particularly on the hood (thinking of those that go in the wilderness). I am less fond of the autofocus than other reviewers: probably because I come from digital Olympus and Nikon, where it is blazing fast and precise. I find it decent, but nothing impressive and particularly on moving subjects it does not always nail it as you would like (sometimes even on still subjects). It is a satisfaction 'being seen' going around with it. And the images are beautiful
In general, however, after some time I have been using it, I have matured mixed feelings about it. It is huge and heavy. And I mean... HUGE. I travel a lot internationally and the size is unreasonable. Most of the times I would like to bring it with me, sure of having possible uses, but eventually I always leave it at home, together with the 15-30mm f2.8, another absurdly fat lens, being forced to compromise with else. Makers need to keep more present these transportation needs when they design lenses: hand luggage is only 7-8 kg nowadays (when lucky!) and you need computer, storage, plugs, other lenses, batteries, etc. I am sure that in bird/animal watching, where you take your spot and patiently wait, possibly with a tripod, it proves to be indispensable and invaluable. But in my case, the toll I have to pay physically to bring it around to find suitable situations, started to seem disproportionate with the results - which despite very good... are something you can live without, while keeping its value in your wallet. I am indeed inclined to selling it now, not without regret. But, really, when you pack your camera bag, it is a painful hitting-the-wall of reality each time.
https://flic.kr/p/2ntx7ix
https://flic.kr/p/2ntx12E
https://flic.kr/p/2nemBp8
https://flic.kr/p/2oxZNAn
https://flic.kr/p/2nbdBn4
https://flic.kr/p/2nhkpTo
https://flic.kr/p/2nK1ZV9
https://flic.kr/p/2oigUvd | | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Posts: 4,458
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 29, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $1,740.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, quick to focus | | Cons: | A bit on the heavy side | |
I bought this to replace my Sigma 17-500mm. The Sigma was OK but frightfully slow to acheive focus. Once bolted to the K3 II I was blown away by the sharpness and focus speed. It is a bit heavy but I can hand hold it. In fact I have yet to to it on a tripod. I may be mistaken but I have a distinct feeling that at 450mm it has longer reach than the Sigma at 500mm. Something to test out. Without doubt this is a great lens.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 17,887
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 5, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $1,900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, focus accuracy | | Cons: | Handling and balance | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1MKII
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I came to this lens via a rather circuitous route, having had to return my DA560 for full credit because Ricoh could not return it and have it work following repair for more than a few Days. At the third breakdown I called it quits.
Although the lens was always on my purchase horizon as a replacement for my aging Sigma APO 70-200/2.8 EX (non DG version) and 2x TC, it is now , along with the DA 1.4x Rear converter a replacement for the DA560.
Having said that I am impressed. The image quality even with the TC wide open is excellent. My first outing with the lens alone was in the early evening, and I had no issues achieving focus in conditions that had the ISO at 25600 wide open (1/800th hand held)
It performed equally well with the TC on cloudy and rainy conditions the following day. IQ is so good wide open, and focusing accurate enough I rarely shoot stopped down at all.
The only issue is handling, or more accurately carrying. There is no strap attachment on the lens, there should be. It should be like my old tamron 200-500/5.6 with the strap loops on the sides of the tripod foot ring. The same could be said for the DA560. To counter this I have a 100mm Lens plate attached to the foot, the plate I bought has holes at one end that I use to attach optec strap ends, this works well. To counter any concern about broken tripod foot I have the ends of the optec straps for the camera strap looped through the connection to the tripod foot. This way if the foot were ever to break, the lens will be caught by the camera.
I hold the lens with the tripod foot upside down, and my hand between the lens and the foot with my thumb on the other side of the foot to lens post. I did the same with the da 560
I have a photo album with sample shots of the lens plus tc on the K1.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/1116-lowell-goudge/albums/14495-...ear-converter/
One thing to point out, the 1.4x rear converter is NOT full frame. There is some light fall off even at the center line of the frame at 36 mm wide, perhaps 1/4-1/2 a stop. The corners clearly are worse, but actually not much worse than the DA560. When birding, this is not an issue because you crop in on most shots any way
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: July, 2021 Location: Zuiderkempen - Grote Netewoud - Belgium Posts: 1,397
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 7, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness and reach | | Cons: | sizable | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3II
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Long hesitated to upgrade my (red) 55-300 ed wr to a better zoom for wildlife. I wanted to improve reach and low light/focus performance.... price was a question mark, how much do you spend on a hobby? A 70-200/210mm, a 60-250mm or the 150-450mm? improve on aperture or reach, with tele convertor or not?
When a local shop offered a 300 extra reduction on the normal street price for the 150-450mm, I decided to go for this lens yielding 450mm at f5.6.
Performance is excellent, sharp images, good autofocus. At f5.6 450mm, the lens outperforms my f5.8 300mm in focus accuracy and sharpness. Hence not cheap, but good value.
Handling is good , including handheld, but it is a heavy lens, not really a walkaround or long hike lens, more one that you consider in the right circumstances to take with you. So the 55-300 remains when I need a more compact lightweight solution.
Another point , it works well with TC 1,4x on my aps-c camera, no real degradation of image quality (if both were made for each other) and still reliable autofocus (which is amazing, because the aperture is on the limit of acceptable light for focusing in this combination). The TC has also no problem to support the lens on the body (unless below ext. tubes)
The zoom lock is indeed only on 150mm, so for transport and storage. There is no creep of zoom unless you point down or up vertical (which is not so common use).
The focus range limiter proves usefull in challenging focus situations.
I sometimes use tele lenses for macro, the minimum focus distance at 450mm is then important, it yields a decent magnification, but is not the strong point of this lens. Also the use of extension tube or rings is difficult due to the size of lens, most have trouble to support the lens (one could blame the ext tube for not being solid enough, but the extra length and weight of lens play also a role).
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2017 Location: Sale, Cheshire Posts: 247
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 1, 2022 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything | | Cons: | Heavy, but expected for a lens of this build quality | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-3iii
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I deliberated a long time before investing in this lens (at the time owning the K-3). I have an excellent HD DA 55-300mm ED WR lens, which is ideal for carrying around as a convenient long reach companion for my 'everyday' superb HD DA 16-85mm ED DC WR lens.
I was interested in getting longer reach for wildlife, and very fast focussing response for action shots.
After investing in the K-3iii a few months ago, I decided to take the plunge in the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW (at black Friday price), to compliment the greatly enhanced AF, dynamic range and high ISO performance of the K-3iii. I certainly have not been disappointed. The HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is a superb lens. Even with the lens set on the full zoom range setting, focus lock on moving subjects is virtually instantaneous, with no hunting. It tracks flying birds with a very high hit rate and focus locks on oncoming cars at motorway speeds with consummate ease and 100% hit rate (at all aperture settings).
At f 5.6 sharpness at very good. Step down half a stop and sharpness is as good as a very good prime lens, at all focal lengths and corner to corner performance across the frame. Colour rendition and contrast is at the best Pentax standards and CA is virtually zero in high contrast conditions, at all focal lengths.
Some commercial reviews note the focus lock is for the short end only, however so far the zoom adjustment has the right level of resistance to prevent zoom creep.
Switches on the lens allow for automatic and manual focussing combinations. Button switches around the barrel can be configured to operate AF/return to a focus position/cancel AF. As I use camera back button focus and as the lens focussing is very fast, I have not utilised these buttons as yet.
To summarise, an absolutely top notch performer, with superb build quality.
When you consider the performance of this lens, the outstanding build quality, weather resistance and the excellent ergonomics of the lens/camera combination, the lens price compares very favourably with other manufacturers.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2020 Location: shanghai Posts: 9
4 users found this helpful
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Posts: 389
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 8, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp! Built like a tank. | | Cons: | A 30 minute hike with this thing is like a quick stop at the gym. Expensive. | |
This lens is built like a tank but it weighs about as much as one too! VERY sharp, at all focal lengths, although did you expect it wouldn't be at that price?!?! Yes, you can "hand hold" it and get some decent shots. I actually found the extra weight seems to stabilize the "micro" movements that I tend to do with much lighter lenses, hand held. It takes some getting used to; and finding your own technique (REMEMBER! Support the lens+body by the lens, NOT the camera body!!!), but pays off nice dividends once you grow accustomed to it. Eat your spinach... this lens isn't intended for those that don't want to work for their shots.
All of these are hand held.
I shot this sparrow through about 3m of heavy brush on AV mode, AF-C, "spot" focus. I was actually quite pleased at how quickly it found the focus point I wanted and stayed there.
 OKTY2519 by oktyabr, on Flickr
Good enough for macro work, in a pinch?
 OKTY2549 by oktyabr, on Flickr
Bokeh?
 OKTY2486 by oktyabr, on Flickr
 OKTY2464 by oktyabr, on Flickr
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2019 Posts: 11
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 29, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,800.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good for short distance images | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
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  | | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: India Posts: 82 | | Review Date: April 17, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp with Beautiful color | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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This lens needs some getting used to. With proper support - either a bean bag or monopod, it can bring out great stuff.
This 'Grey Headed Fishing Eagle' was shot from a moving boat with a monopod. Nice piece of glass.
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 157
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 30, 2019 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Build quality, image quality | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K200D
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After selling most of my gear to fund other endeavors, I was getting frustrated with all the wildlife picture opportunities in my own backyard. So I got the itch to try a long, modern zoom (rented for a week). But please realize that my primary camera at this point is long in the tooth: the K200D circa 2008.
This lens is quite a handful, but that is to be expected. For me personally, I felt like I could not hold the lens steady via handheld. However, I was able to shoot a passing motor boat at full zoom and read the registration numbers. Not perfect for pixel peepers but legible. I left the Manfrotto mounting plate on the lens to provide a broader surface for support when hand-holding which I think helped.
I did have issues with the zoom shift when trying to take a pic vertically and eventually compressed it to 150mm and used the lock. Unfortunately, I did not get to use it much as I had planned due to work demands so I'll post a few pics for reference.
The gator pic was taken using a tripod, with no corrections made out of the camera (jpeg). The bird pic was also and further taken thru my house window (these critters are skittish so I had to make due).
But for me, I found the closeups to 'pop' better than the distant pics:
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2019 Posts: 6
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 29, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,800.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Itīs gigantic | | Cons: | Itīs gigantic | | New or Used: New
Camera Used: K30
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I own this lens two months now and just want to let you know my first impressions. Maybe later Iīll ad some ratings of the technical details but for now just impressions...
First thought after unpacking it: Wow, what a beast! My tele lens until then has been a 50-200mm kit lens that looked tiny and my K30 seemed flimsy on it (from now on itīs the kamera on the lens, not the lens on the kamera). It took me a while to build up trust to handle such an expensive piece of equipment with the tripod mount (after two months I must say itīs really sturdy nothing in it loosened a bit). I donīt like to treat my gear like raw eggs so the second day out shooting the lens got wet and muddy in hours of rain which I washed away at home. What a pleasure to be able to do that comfortably...
Shooting small birds... well, even with 450mm small birds are still small. One has to still take some extra measures to get close to them, I guess thatīs even true with a 1000mm lens. Another thing especially in this season is light, I often had to extend my usual limit of ISO1600 on my K30 to avoid motion blur. The lens is handheldable, though I somehow have to figure out how to hold it and zoom at the same time. I really like the autofocus system (fast, silent, quick shift) It makes me understand the talk about Pentaxī AF since it shows all the flaws of my kamera (hunting, number of fokus points, keeping track with moving subjects) note: I know the K30 is a fairly old and "cheap" model and talk is Pentax has improved massively since then. Also the thin depth of field wide open shows the flaws of the photographer too.
What I like this lens for:
Different perspectives for landscapes
360mm 1/800s F7.1 ISO125:
450mm 1/640s F5.6 ISO1000:
 opportunities for wildlife
450mm 1/640s F6.3 ISO160
And the the ability to get close to some extraterrestrial objects:
Being a zoom lens helps for locating such objects on the night sky also the long focus throw helps to precisly manually focus on stars (it would be nice to simply focus at infinity and nail it but that didnīt work with any lens I tried so far)
410mm F5.6 50s (limit of K30s Astrotracer at that focal lenght) ISO3200
This lens is fairly heavy and does not guarantee easy wild life success (part of what I bought it for) but I can highly recommend it and it gives me joy everytime I go out with it (though my results so far need a bit more of practise...)
Eibe
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 22, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, excellent autofocus, weatherproof | | Cons: | A bit heavy | |
The focus adjustment is +8 on my copy. It focuses very quickly and accurately, and is a joy on the K1 II.
The minimum focus distance of 2m makes for a reasonable long macro.
The only negatives are it's weight, the lens focus buttons have to be avoided, it is prone to vibration and shutter shock (better on the K1 II). In very low light something faster would be nice.
My Sigma 500 f4.5 sits forlorn in the corner.
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