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Birding lens

stevistds
Posted 28/07/2023 - 16:04 Link
Does anyone have good advice on a suitable lens for birding - I use a K5 but may also use a LX with film occasionally.
Obviously looking at secondhand at the moment and have considered the Sigma but not sure on compatibility if I get around to upgrading to a K3iii in the not to distant future.
It all started with a ME now look at me!
MHOL190246
Posted 28/07/2023 - 17:03 - Helpful Comment Link
I have had some good results with the SMC DA 300mm with the 1.4 teleconverter with my K5. I have also had some reasonable results with the 400-600 reflex zoom. Hope that helps

Michael
Nigelk
Posted 28/07/2023 - 17:12 - Helpful Comment Link
The Sigma 150-500mm would certainly be your cheapest option/ only option to get to 500mm. Lots of people rave about the DA*300mm which they say works well with the 1.4 teleconverter.
I have the Sigma 150-500mm bought new and used on the K-7, K5 and now the KP. I had to send it to Sigma UK and they updated the firmware FOC so the lens would work with the KP, I can't say if it would work with the K3III. Sigma UK were very helpful, I'm sure they would tell of its compatibility.
To be honest I hardly ever use the 150-500mm and probably ought to sell it to someone who would use it. If you decide to go Sima direction I'd happily talk about selling the lens.
Nigel
Edited by Nigelk: 28/07/2023 - 17:14
Daronl
Posted 28/07/2023 - 17:36 - Helpful Comment Link
Stay on Brand -these lenses are stunning on a cropped sensor and the DA * lenses are fantastic even with the Pentax 1.4 teleconverter

1. On a cropped sensor the DA* 200mm effectively becomes a 300mm
• With the TC mounted it becomes a 420mm


2. On a cropped sensor the DA* 300mm effectively becomes a 450mm
• With the TC mounted it becomes a 630mm

• This lens is without equal in it’s price bracket
I have used equivalent Nikon, Canon and Sony on BIF

The Sony is the nearest to the DA* 300mm and the DA* 300 is a very useful close-up lens for insects and other small subjects (good examples in my portfolio)


3. On a cropped sensor the Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm becomes an equivalent of 225mm- 675mm

I don’t find it useful to mount 1.4xTC with the 150-450mm
Daronl
Spad
Posted 28/07/2023 - 18:03 - Helpful Comment Link
Any big Canon L series lenses!!

Sorry.... couldn't stop me idiot gene there!

I have gpt some good images with Sigma 150-500 in my K5ii.

Being honest.... coz the buggers are unpredictable, get the fastest lens you can!
Edited by Spad: 28/07/2023 - 18:04
reso
Posted 28/07/2023 - 20:30 - Helpful Comment Link
i am not a birder but you cant go wrong with a sigma ex dg 100-300 f4 with or with out a pentax 1.4 aw tele
result are superb
k5iis sigma 10-20 hsm tamron 17-50 pentax faj 18-35 pentax da 18-135 tokina 20-35 tokina 28-70 atx pro pentax dfa 100 wr
pentax da*50-135 pentax da 55-300 sigma apo 150-500 hsm os
Pentax af aw 1.4 rear converter and a flash
pentaxian450
Posted 29/07/2023 - 00:27 - Helpful Comment Link
I use the Pentax 150-450 for birds in flight, but, with such a heavy long lens, I also use a monopod. I "suffer" from a condition called "essential tremor" (don't know why it's called "essential"), so I need every liittle thing that'll help stabilize the thing. Shake reduction is'nt worth much on such long focal length
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Lubbyman
Posted 29/07/2023 - 08:53 - Helpful Comment Link
Another vote for the DA*300mm f4 + 1.4 teleconverter (can't comment on the other lenses as I don't have them). The reason I chose this route when wanting a lens for birds was hearing a talk by a semi-pro bird photographer. He had spent years using huge, heavy, long tele f2.8 lenses with film. Having made the change to digital and realising that he wasn't getting any younger, he found that 300mm + a TC gave him all he needed in reach while the high ISO cabability of digital let him get the shutter speeds he needed from an f4 rather than breaking his back with an f2.8. My back has been grateful for his advice! And as Daronl says, it's also very good for butterflies and other little things as you're far enough away not to disturb them.

The DA*300mm can be a bit slow to focus at times but is otherwise very, very good. It also works wth the F 1.7x autofocus adapter which gives gives a bit more reach but AF is then handled by the adapter, which requires different focussing technique.

It's worth noting that neither the DA*300mm nor the DA150-450mm have aperture rings so you wouldn't be able to control the aperture when on the LX.

Steve
davidwozhere
Posted 29/07/2023 - 23:11 Link
The DA*300 is a heavy beast and its focusing speed sucks. Bokeh on surrounding foliage can often be a distracting mess too. Much lighter weight and with a faster response is the PLM 55-300. If your bird isn't going to move then an FA*300 will often beat the DA. I've said before that I might have a duff one but I am not impressed with the DA*.
Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

My page on Photocrowd
Lubbyman
Posted 30/07/2023 - 08:49 - Helpful Comment Link
davidwozhere wrote:
Much lighter weight and with a faster response is the PLM 55-300.

stevistds wrote:
I use a K5

The OP's K5 can't control the aperture of a PLM lens, it will be wide open all the time.

davidwozhere wrote:
The DA*300 is a heavy beast

Yes if you're taking it on a hike, not if you're on a gentle wander round a nature reserve and definitely not if you're spending an hour or so in a hide .

Steve
stevistds
Posted 30/07/2023 - 10:35 Link
Thanks all for the advice and comments, I’ve just got back into birding after a break of more years than I can remember (kinda retired part time so have a bit of time to get out and about).
I started to look at getting a new camera and lens but soon realised that it would cost the price of a small hatchback to get what I wanted.
The alternative, as I already have a large collection of Pentax gear, was to invest in some second hand kit for the moment and look at new equipment later.
From the advice you’ve all given it appears I have a couple of choices but I like the suggestion of the 300mm with a converter, provided it is compatible with the K5.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and advice.
Steve
It all started with a ME now look at me!
Posted 30/07/2023 - 11:53 Link
I am in the same same position. I have a K5ii and use a 50-500 Bigma. I have spent a few years in Spain so the Bigma worked very well, now back in the UK it hunts a lot unless in good light. Its weight is not a problem as I use a wheelchair and either monopod or beanbag. Hoping to get some good shots in foresty type areas in autumn
winter time and I know the Bigma will struggle which is why I am looking at the DA 300. Could somebody tell me if it will work ok with the K5ii ?
Thanks Graham
Posted 30/07/2023 - 14:18 Link
You could always get a SONY RX10 iv bridge camera - it's very capable and has zoom up to 600mm (equiv)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175839407356?hash=item28f0d86cfc:g:zCYAAOSwhH9kxQv9&a...
Grumpy GrandPa, Recently Retired.
Gotta K-3iii now, had a K-S2, K50 and so suffering from a relapse and so buying digital camera kit.
Previous addiction has resulted in using Zeniths, Yashicamat, Chinons, Minoltas, Samsungs, Fujis, Cosina, Kodak, Lumix, Canon, Nikon and Pentax etc etc - have tried most makes in the past 50 years. Love cameras - love taking photos even more
Lubbyman
Posted 30/07/2023 - 15:01 Link
geordiegraham wrote:
I am looking at the DA 300. Could somebody tell me if it will work ok with the K5ii ?

Yes, it will. I bought the lens when I had a K20D, 3 generations before the K5ii. It even works with my *ist film camera - but I don't fancy using film for birds, too many failed shots, too many wasted ££££s!

Steve
Posted 31/07/2023 - 11:39 Link
Thanks for the info,I have thought about a bridge camera but still prefer the DSLR route. Thanks again,
Graham

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