Borrowing a Pentax 150-450mm
Hi all,
I am getting borrowed tomorrow a Pentax 150-450mm lens from the Pentax/Sigma dealer in Spain.
This will be the second time they borrow me this lens, previous one was in 2019 prior to my Formula 1 trip to Italy for the Italian Grand Prix hold in Monza.
Prior to that I was able to test it briefly in Spain in a racetrack due to finding another pentaxian with a copy of this lens.
I know it's a very capable lens and heavy.
This time I would neither have time to understand the lens and it's functions as I will pick it and straight forward drive to Valencia (a journey around 4hs time from Barcelona going my pace, stopping and so on) to be used in the Formula E Test Days,
But this time I have the Pentax DA TC 1.4X WR with me and I think those two make a happy couple.
Cameras in use will be my K3-II and K3 Silver.
I will provide Pentax Spain with some images from this event in exchange and also will happily share my pics and experiences over here.
I was more looking to test the 15-30mm lens, but I guess they have a very limited selection of items available to test out. Anyways I am always very happy when I can borrow some lens or camera.
I'm interested to hear your thoughts and see the pictures from this second time you're using it! It's a lens that is definitely on my radar as I look to get back into wildlife photography again. I haven't done a lot in the last few months, but depending how the next few months go I may be doing even more 🙂 Hopefully 🙂
I'm curious how it focuses on those older bodies and how it handles after a day of using it. It looks quite large and heavy. And then obviously it needs to perform well at the long end to be worth it.
Quote from James Warner on December 13, 2022, 2:22 amI'm interested to hear your thoughts and see the pictures from this second time you're using it! It's a lens that is definitely on my radar as I look to get back into wildlife photography again. I haven't done a lot in the last few months, but depending how the next few months go I may be doing even more
Hopefully
I'm curious how it focuses on those older bodies and how it handles after a day of using it. It looks quite large and heavy. And then obviously it needs to perform well at the long end to be worth it.
Yes, it's heavy around 2kgs.
I will bring a monopod with myself, otherwise i won't be able to use it for a long period.
I remember that it was quite a good lens in AF terms and overall, but you are a little bit like an elephant walking with it all over the place xD
Will happily write once back about my experience with it, I am sure it will perform very well. Specially as we are expecting some rain this would be a great environment where to test it out.
Sneak peak:
This lens is a beast. And pairs very well with the 1.4x TC.
Give me some time/day as I have just arrived from Valencia and tomorrow we have another event at the local racetrack but once you understand that the lens has focus limiters and when to use them, it's just great.
Where do I start?
Okay, first of all I will say I used the lens with my Pentax K3 Silver mostly. And also paired with the Pentax HD DA 1.4x TC.
I would also say that when I learnt how to use the focus limiter the lens reached a quite fast speed while focusing. It's not that is un-usable when using the whole reach, but it definitelly helps if you use the focus limiter as the lens has to work with less amount of distance, and that helps her a lot. No matter if using or not the 1.4x TC. I haven't noticed much diference while using it or not in terms of AutoFocus.
Maybe you can notice a diference when using the whole reach of the lens, not using the focus limiter, but when using the focus limiter the lens reacts as fast with the TC as if when it's not on the lens.
We haven't had really bad days in Valencia, it's true that the only day when we had sunset and sunrise was on the last day (Friday) but otherwise it has not rained on us. It rained heavily the first day but I was on my journey there so I just skipped it.
I must also add that I was pairing the lens with my monopod. It's a cheap supermarket 20€ monopod. You can definitelly feel the monopod suffering when supporting the 2kgs of the lens + the weight of the camera + battery grip and sometimes the TC. But this is not a problem about the lens, but my monopod choice. A stronger one will work better, even thought mine worked fine.
IF I'd like to do some hiking with this lens on my backpack I'd say this might be a problem for me due to it's weight. In Valencia's racetrack you walk the track, no vehicles are allowed and I must say that using a monopod to carry arround the lens helped me a lot ! And also for shooting. Shooting handheld is possible, I did it for small amounts of time but you need to be trained or in shape (which I am not, really xD).
When it darkens the maximum apperture of the lens is a bit too slow (f4.5) and so the camera needs to raise it's ISO, same happens in a cloudy day using the lens and the Tele Converter. It's not such a big deal, but just to keep this in mind.
A part from that, the images that it captures and produces are simply spectacular (please excuse the dirt on my camera's sensor)
_IMG0214 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG9322 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG9503 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG1444 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG0918 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
Paired with the TC reaching what should be 630mm
_IMG4516 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
Here at 504mm
_IMG4937 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
At 462mm
_IMG5144 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
At 532mm (and I was chatting with my colleague so the picture is not perfect)
_IMG5456 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
It can even take close-ups,
_IMG6371 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
Against strong sun light
_IMG6206 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG2353 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
_IMG2250 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
Might it be that at it's end (450mm) when it's an f5.6 lens against strong light it can suffer some chromatic aberration. Check the helmet I think there is some purple in the visor
_IMG3088 by Daniel Gonzalez Aguilera, en Flickr
But a part from that, I don't see any downsides of this lens a part of it's weight and the fact that the zoom expands.
What I love from my Sigma 100-300mm f4 is:
- It's constant apperture
- It's weight
- It's constant size, it doesn't change
Now, would I buy this lens? YES but I don't have 2.000€ for a lens.
Would I love them to do the same lens with a PLM motor? YEEEEEEEEEEES !!!
Would I love them to do it with not weather resistance to make it lighter and cheaper? YEEEEES!
- What I think would be a perfect step would be: Creating a Version II with AW and Without it (for me weight is very important and saving 500grs would be perfect) with the PLM engine. I think THIS would be a KILLER Telephoto zoom.
Anyways I'm on my head thinking about if I should buy one of those if they ever come half price, being honest with you.
Thanks for writing up all those details and sharing the pictures. The results look excellent, which of course I attribute mainly to you and your experience, but it does look like the lens maintained resolution even at those longer focal ranges.
I'm actually impressed by the lack of CA with and without the TC. That's one of the main factors I look for in a super zoom, as many struggle with it. Doesn't look like it here. Really looks like a top performer! If I end up pursuing wildlife more after my move (I'm moving) I will really consider picking this one up. It is very pricey, but I think a fair price for the package. Just need to find one used for a discount.
Quote from James Warner on December 19, 2022, 3:03 pmThanks for writing up all those details and sharing the pictures. The results look excellent, which of course I attribute mainly to you and your experience, but it does look like the lens maintained resolution even at those longer focal ranges.
I'm actually impressed by the lack of CA with and without the TC. That's one of the main factors I look for in a super zoom, as many struggle with it. Doesn't look like it here. Really looks like a top performer! If I end up pursuing wildlife more after my move (I'm moving) I will really consider picking this one up. It is very pricey, but I think a fair price for the package. Just need to find one used for a discount.
Your welcome James, my pleasure.
So you are moving? :-O
YES! Exactly, there is tiny bits of CA but otherwise it doesn't seem that pictures have been taken with this long telephoto and a teleconverter.
I'd say it's a great investment and I will probably also look for one. The big downside for me is the weight. Specially when flying around, as cabin backpacks have to follow certain measurements. Yet I think it fits, but the overweight might be an issue.
A part from that it's all positives.
And thank you, I tried my best also 🙂 Lots of walking were involved in creating those images.
Quote from red5isalive on December 19, 2022, 7:24 pmQuote from James Warner on December 19, 2022, 3:03 pmThanks for writing up all those details and sharing the pictures. The results look excellent, which of course I attribute mainly to you and your experience, but it does look like the lens maintained resolution even at those longer focal ranges.
I'm actually impressed by the lack of CA with and without the TC. That's one of the main factors I look for in a super zoom, as many struggle with it. Doesn't look like it here. Really looks like a top performer! If I end up pursuing wildlife more after my move (I'm moving) I will really consider picking this one up. It is very pricey, but I think a fair price for the package. Just need to find one used for a discount.
Your welcome James, my pleasure.
So you are moving? :-O
YES! Exactly, there is tiny bits of CA but otherwise it doesn't seem that pictures have been taken with this long telephoto and a teleconverter.
I'd say it's a great investment and I will probably also look for one. The big downside for me is the weight. Specially when flying around, as cabin backpacks have to follow certain measurements. Yet I think it fits, but the overweight might be an issue.
A part from that it's all positives.
And thank you, I tried my best also
The weight is something I worry about, but I wouldn't take it on walks with the kids. I'll use a cheaper zoom for those casual outings. This would be my dedicated out in the woods by myself lens. Plus, I can count it as my work out for the day😄
BRAVO! SERIOUSLY DUDE, ok I'll tone it down. These are amazing, I love the red Porsche helmet photo! Have you ever published a photobook? These are amazing.
Quote from SpruceBruce on December 20, 2022, 4:49 amBRAVO! SERIOUSLY DUDE, ok I'll tone it down. These are amazing, I love the red Porsche helmet photo! Have you ever published a photobook? These are amazing.
😀 Thanks Bruce ! Glad you like them. YES the light was so so so so nice.
I did created one this year, it doesn't look as I wanted.
I plan on creating one this next 2023 about 2022. Most likely a 10 units thing as it's expensive xDD
