| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2010 Location: Hoevelaken Posts: 1,214
8 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 9, 2015 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | quality, sharpness, IQ | | Cons: | lenscreep | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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Its a heavy lens, so you don't have to go to the gym. Sharpness is better then da*300+tc at the long end. Zoom is a bit stiff but not a problem. AF is like a bullet train compared to you regular intercity. AF buttons work like a charm. Due to its weight there's zoom creep, but with the lock it's not a problem.
On the K3 it didn't need AF tuning and it comes with a very handy carrying bag.
10/5/2015
keeper rate rate is much higher with this lens then with the da*300 (+tc) and it feels like you have a higher buffer/burst rate. High iso looks cleaner as well comparing it with the da*300+tc
5/9/2015
its still my to go lens instead of the *300, but yesterday the lens lock button and the square O-ring dropped off (on the table), QC wasn't that good, it seems there was a lack of glue applied. Luckily its fixable  | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2014 Location: St Petersburg Posts: 402
8 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 20, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $2,400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Balanced, Tight, CA low, AF Tune was +1 | | Cons: | Heavy, Pricey (but worth it), Needed bigger "stealth bag" | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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Ran dozens of pics (zooms, apertures, Bourques, subjects) comparing with (in each range...150mm 250mm 300mm 400mm 450mm (vs 300mm +1.4HDTC)... Wide open, stopped down, tripod, HH (ugh!), Flowers, BIF, screen backed bugs, anything I can throw at it....
As good as a new crisp 60-250 DA* (but in its range). Minimal IQ degrading at Wide open and/ or 450mm. Bits.
Construction quality to die for (working guys/gals), pretty much an Abrams Tank (Big, tough, accurate).
Trying to figure out the barrel focus button "touch"- they have to be pressed in a bit to actuate, ads a bit of slop in my hand holding technique (carbon based processor lag  , lens and camera are fine)...
Well designed AF (short throw in AF, quick touch is good, gear reduction in MF allows precision). The zoom ring seems to "click/lock" at,150mm. Aids with creep. Once you get to 150mm and all the way up... Silky smooth. NOT wobbly, loose, rattling... tight AND smooth...
Far superior to Canon and Nikon same-class lenses. Not even close... Glad I waited. Now we need the rest of the DFA*s... 200f4-Macro, 300f2.8, 400 f4, 600 f4, 250-600 5.6.....
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2008 Location: Ipswich, Queensland, Australia Posts: 589
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 28, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $2,400.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, focus speed, robust | | Cons: | nothing unusual | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3
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Still learning what it can do, but very impressed with the shots I have been getting so far. Both long distance and close ups are very sharp. Long end (450mm) is very sharp. Focus is rapid, precise and quiet. The lens is not, however, cheap - but that's the price of really good glass.
I also own the Sigma 120-400 f4.5-5.6. The Pentax beats the Sigma in almost every way, and particularly by having a much more precise and fast focus.
I bought this lens to fit between a DA*300 (with or without Rear Converter) and a Sigma 500 f4.5 APO DG EX. While some people might say it is heavy at 2kg, it is a lot lighter and more flexible than the 500 f4.5 particularly considering that the 150-450 can be more readily hand-held, so avoiding tripod etc. However, it is much heavier and larger than the 300 f4 with RC. Having a zoom gives a great deal of flexibility in many situations, because you can't always zoom with your feet. With a Rogue Safari Flash Extender, the 1.4x Rear Converter and K3 in the bag, the 150-450 will provide a great long-lens travel solution, although it might be a bit too heavy and bulky for multi-day back country hikes.
I have tried the lens with the Pentax HD 1.4x Rear Converter, and was impressed with the sharpness of the small number of shots that I took in non-ideal conditions. Focus was a little slower, but better than the DA*300.
I need to do some more testing.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 5,327
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.
 | | | | | | | 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.
 | | | | | 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
 | | | | | 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]
 | | | | | 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!!!
:
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2015 Posts: 12,249
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.
| | | | | 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: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,622
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 | | | | | 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
 | | | | | 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%.
| | | | | 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...
 | | | | | 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 !
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