| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
A lot has been said before which I can fully support: this is a heavy beast, beautifully made with stunning image quality. I used it with 1.4 and 2.0 extenders and at least with the 1.4 extender there is hardly any loss of image quality though the bokeh tends to suffer a bit, the 2.0 is really only for exceptional shots of more or less stationary subjects. Used on a crop camera makes a strong support and good technique even more necessary but you sure get the results. For bird photography there is only the setback of it being manual focus, otherwise it is exactly the kind of reach which makes it possible to take these "impossible" shots.
In good light it works with the 1.7 AF-converter and the colours and sharpness are really great - when you get all stars lined up, as was said before. The image stabilisation in the K5 makes it possible to grab the odd shot from a monopod or even without support, but to get the real sharpness a support is needed. I use a Berlebach mini with the inbuilt head and a Feisol carbon tripod along with a Manfrotto lens cradle and this works out fine. Shooting from a vehicle using a Berlebach window-support worked very well for me on a recent trip to a windswept island - sample photographs can be found in my gallery. (also more shots with this lens - kingfishers and other birds)
Overall I can highly recommend this lens as it gives you top quality at a bargain price if you compare it with similar offers from CaNikon including image stab... |
