| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-FA* 600mm F4 ED [IF]
This lens was part of my wildest dreams when I was 30y old and had not the budjet to face it. I bought it 2 years ago (I am turning around the 50y corner in a week) and then it remained permanently fixed on my best camera (K10D, K20D and lastly K-7).
I am shooting mostly birds and other animals. Whenever possible, it rests on the window of my car, otherwise on a solid monopod.
Sharpness is good at F4, excellent at F5.6 and on. Bokeh is good enough for me. Build quality is great, the filter tray and the fixed hood could be better designed, tho. Min. focusing distance is the shortest of all 600mm lenses - at 5 meters you can make a full frame pic of a small passerine. Great feature indeed !
With k-7, AF is fast and very accurate - not so with the older bodies.
Portability greatly depends on my physical condition - first days are hard, but progressively I am holding the package with self-confidence.
I am in possession of a 1.4L TC, but I am not really convinced that it adds something to my reach, since I can crop the huge 14.5Mp file.
I own a Sigma 50-500F6.3, a Tamron AF 300F2.8, a Tamron 200-500F5.6 and the old 500F4.5. Needless to say that none of these lenses can afford any comparison with the FA600.
I am waiting a new long lens from Pentax - there are rumors of a DA400F4 - to offer better portability, but in the between, I enjoy every moment with my beloved FA600.
Highly recommended, if you do not need or do not care to walk around with a 9 kg baz... |
