Pentax 150-450mm

I've done a blog over on EPZ now that I have actually managed to get out and shoot a few images.

In summary, it's a great lens, sharp, heavy, and the bokeh is sublime.

I've no doubt practice with it and better light will give better images yet, but so far it's very pleasing.

Here's the link: http://www.ephotozine.com/user/johnriley1uk-22471/blog/first-look-at-the-hd-pent...

Did you manage to test the AF speed with the 1.4X John ?

I had a quick look at your shots there John, and I can only agree on the Bokeh in particular .... silky smooth, it doesn't look like that lens has any aperture blades at all! I can see that it will help a lot with all kind of subjects, as the background is rendered in such a pleasing neutral manner so as not to distract at all.

Sorry no, it was a poor day really. I will try locally tomorrow and make a point of doing this and get back to you.

I agree that bokeh is smooth! Looks a very nice lens!

Subjectively, it didn't seem to make a lot of difference, so I ran a test using an online stopwatch. Obviously it depends on how far the lens has to focus as to how long it will take, but with identical parameters we can establish the difference between speed with and without the converter.

Each shot was started at an aim point on the display, after which the lens was defocused the same amount every time ready for the next aim point. The aim point is irrelevant, but it was 5 second intervals. The delay was observed by seeing what the display on the shots taken was. This includes any operator variation, but that too will even out after a lot of shots.

Without the converter, the delay between the shutter release being pressed, the lens focusing and the shot being taken varied from 0.2s to 0.4s and averaged out at 0.3s

With the converter, the delay varied between 0.2s and 0.4s and averaged out at 0.3s

In summary, the converter made no difference whatsoever, Hope that helps, I'll post more into on the lens as I use it more.

Thanks John, very helpful.

John, if you have the DA*300 how do you feel the focus speed and lock on compare with that, with and without the converter in each case?
Dave

Unfortunately Dave I don't have the 300mm, otherwise I'd be happy to try it out.

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That's a shame. I think the majority of birding and wildlife Pentax users will look at this and ask themselves two questions. Compared to the DA*300+ 1.4x TC how fast does it focus at 420mm and how does the image quality compare.
Dave

I agree, I have the 300 star F4 and converter for my K3 and struggle to see what the bulk and price of the new lens delivers to us now. Presumably its all about the 35mm size sensor body coming in the autumn when it will show off the larger sensor advantage.

For me, what it delivers is the versatility of the zoom. Not everything is at the longest end of the zoom.

There are now 3 reviews on the "other" site and they are amazing. Two 9's and a 10 and faster focusing than the DA* 300 and sharper with the TC (allegedly of course"
Found this odd though:-
"...keeper rate rate is much higher with this lens then with the da*300 (+tc) and it feels like you have a higher buffer/burst rate. High iso looks cleaner as well comparing it with the da*300+tc"
Why? Surely these are camera/sensor issues not lenses?
Dave

I wonder if i was to get this lens would i need my da*300, i read the quality of the zoom is so good that it matches the prime?