Need to down-size
Posted 04/06/2022 - 19:29 - Helpful Comment
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A gimbal perhaps, i have even seen them mounted to mono pods and held effortlessly by the operator
Posted 04/06/2022 - 19:36 - Helpful Comment
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I successfully use a K1 or a K3iii with a 150 - 450 on a monopod plus a cheapish gimbal, so would highly recommend the combo.
Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Posted 04/06/2022 - 19:42 - Helpful Comment
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The obvious replacement for the lens is the DA*300mm f4 with 1.4 teleconverter. Together, they give 420mm at f5.6, which is very close to the long end of the 150-450mm. Without the teleconverter you have 300mm at f4, which is close to the middle of the 150-450mm. Of course, zoom and the short end are lost but presumably it's the middle to long end you want for wildlife. Optically, the DA*300mm is superb and the 1.4 teleconverter is made for it. I can't make a direct comparison with the 150-450mm because I don't have it.
You'd notice a distinct reduction in weight - together, the lens and teleconverter are about half the weight of the 150-450mm. I went down the 300 + 1.4TC route after hearing a talk from a semi-pro wildlife photographer who said that his ideal wildlife kit was a 300 f4 + TC because he was now at an age when carrying heavier kit around held no attraction. I knew what he meant!
Steve
You'd notice a distinct reduction in weight - together, the lens and teleconverter are about half the weight of the 150-450mm. I went down the 300 + 1.4TC route after hearing a talk from a semi-pro wildlife photographer who said that his ideal wildlife kit was a 300 f4 + TC because he was now at an age when carrying heavier kit around held no attraction. I knew what he meant!
Steve
Posted 04/06/2022 - 19:47 - Helpful Comment
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IMO where Pentax are concerned nothing can touch the 150-450mm but it is a bit on the hefty side especially if walking around with it for a few hours (personally I can't stand monopods/tripods especially when trying to shoot wildlife).
Although no as fast to focus the DA* 300mm f/4 and 1.4x is a pretty close second if you can cope with a fixed focal length, if not then maybe (dare I say it) a change of brand to say Olympus with it's 100-400mm will do what you need at a lower weight.
Edit : Lubbyman was ocviously a faster typer than me when it came to the 300mm and 1.4x suggestion
Although no as fast to focus the DA* 300mm f/4 and 1.4x is a pretty close second if you can cope with a fixed focal length, if not then maybe (dare I say it) a change of brand to say Olympus with it's 100-400mm will do what you need at a lower weight.
Edit : Lubbyman was ocviously a faster typer than me when it came to the 300mm and 1.4x suggestion
Posted 04/06/2022 - 20:32 - Helpful Comment
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When sat in a hide or very still, the mono + gimbal takes the weight of the combo, I have no issues with handholding the 150 - 450 with either a K1 or K3iii over many hours.
Handholding offers advantages such as flexibility in movements which you don't get with a tripod / monopod, but increasing the iso can compenste.
Handholding offers advantages such as flexibility in movements which you don't get with a tripod / monopod, but increasing the iso can compenste.
Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Posted 04/06/2022 - 23:10 - Helpful Comment
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I cannot hand hold the 150-450. It is either on a tripod or monopod.
Peter
My Flickr page
My Flickr page
Posted 05/06/2022 - 06:20
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Lubbyman wrote:
The obvious replacement for the lens is the DA*300mm f4 with 1.4 teleconverter. Together, they give 420mm at f5.6, which is very close to the long end of the 150-450mm. Without the teleconverter you have 300mm at f4, which is close to the middle of the 150-450mm. Of course, zoom and the short end are lost but presumably it's the middle to long end you want for wildlife. Optically, the DA*300mm is superb and the 1.4 teleconverter is made for it. I can't make a direct comparison with the 150-450mm because I don't have it.
You'd notice a distinct reduction in weight - together, the lens and teleconverter are about half the weight of the 150-450mm. I went down the 300 + 1.4TC route after hearing a talk from a semi-pro wildlife photographer who said that his ideal wildlife kit was a 300 f4 + TC because he was now at an age when carrying heavier kit around held no attraction. I knew what he meant!
Steve
The obvious replacement for the lens is the DA*300mm f4 with 1.4 teleconverter. Together, they give 420mm at f5.6, which is very close to the long end of the 150-450mm. Without the teleconverter you have 300mm at f4, which is close to the middle of the 150-450mm. Of course, zoom and the short end are lost but presumably it's the middle to long end you want for wildlife. Optically, the DA*300mm is superb and the 1.4 teleconverter is made for it. I can't make a direct comparison with the 150-450mm because I don't have it.
You'd notice a distinct reduction in weight - together, the lens and teleconverter are about half the weight of the 150-450mm. I went down the 300 + 1.4TC route after hearing a talk from a semi-pro wildlife photographer who said that his ideal wildlife kit was a 300 f4 + TC because he was now at an age when carrying heavier kit around held no attraction. I knew what he meant!
Steve
Posted 05/06/2022 - 06:22
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thanks, this has to be my next consideration, you're right that despite the ability to zoom, the lens is often at max, and I have a monopod but need the flexibility of movement when my subject is moving, it's then I particularly notice the weight.
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16 posts
10 years
Really keen to maintain the same excellent quality that I enjoy while following my passion for Wildlife Photography so would appreciate any advice/recommendations anyone can offer.
Live in Horsham, West Sussex