Wanted - Up to 500mm AF lens - Happy to buy or part ex

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3,293 posts

8 years
Barrybados

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 21:43

Looking for an optically perfect lens that's autofocus and around the 400 to 500mm focal length.

I'm looking for a lens to shoot airshows.

I have £400 to spend on one but I can also part ex my Pentax 1.4x Rear Converter WR teleconverter (bought new and never used) and/or Pentax FA 35mm f2 with correct bayonet Pentax lens hood.

Thanks.

Gareth
Welsh Photographer

My outfit: K1 gripped - K3ii - two Z-1P - Pentax D FA 24-70mm - Sigma 70-200mm OS HSM - Pentax modified DA* 60-250mm f4 - Irix 15mm Firefly - Pentax FA 35mm - FA 50mm - Sigma EX 20mm - FA 28-70mm f4 - Tamron SP 90mm macro - Pentax AF 540 FGZ II

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duster

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14 years

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 21:58

I have a sigma 50 - 500 if it's any good to you?

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cardiffgareth

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3,293 posts

8 years
Barrybados

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 21:59

duster wrote:
I have a sigma 50 - 500 if it's any good to you?

That'd be perfect! How much did you want for it and do you have any images?

Thanks

Mike-P

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13,602 posts

15 years
Hythe, Hampshire UK

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 22:07

Gareth, there has been a few versions of the 50-500mm, make sure it's the newest with HSM as there is quite a difference in AF speed.

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cardiffgareth

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Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 22:15

Mike-P wrote:
Gareth, there has been a few versions of the 50-500mm, make sure it's the newest with HSM as there is quite a difference in AF speed.

Checked out Duster's profile and saw a non HSM 50-500mm that Ken was selling 3 years ago so could be the same lens?

Going off the previous thread, do all 50-500mm have the limited focus throw?

Non HSM/OS isn't too much of an issue if the light is good and the shutter speed is high?

duster

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55 posts

14 years

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 22:51

I find a slower shutter speed is better to get a wider aperture. Panning with the movement of the aircraft is key. I'm not sure how useful stabilisation is then, but someone is sure to know.

Mike-P

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Hythe, Hampshire UK

Link Posted 04/07/2018 - 22:57

cardiffgareth wrote:

Going off the previous thread, do all 50-500mm have the limited focus throw?

Non HSM/OS isn't too much of an issue if the light is good and the shutter speed is high?

I had the previous version before the HSM OS but I honestly can't remember if it had a limited focus throw. OS isn't a problem as such, it's handy with prop planes to get the slow shutter speed for prop blur (remember it's quite a bit heavier than the 70-200mm) but you have SR anyway. HSM is definitely faster than screw drive but yes it is possible to get decent shots with the older lens.

Previous version on a K-5

de Havilland Sea Vixen by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

Bournemouth Air Festival 2011 by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

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Last Edited by Mike-P on 04/07/2018 - 22:58

Blythman

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Blyth, Northumberland

Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 13:19

Don't know about different versions of the 50-500. But on my 150-500 the OS was better than I had in the Pentax body. There's also an OS setting specifically for panning, which is great for the slower shutter speeds needed for prop blur.

Alan

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cardiffgareth

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Barrybados

Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 13:22

Thanks guys. Ken's 50-500mm was too good a price to turn down so I'm now an non Hsm OS 50-500mm owner

Blythman

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Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 13:23

With you already having the 1.4x then the DA 300 is also an option. It's sharp wide open both with and without the converter.

Alan

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LennyBloke

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15 years
Worcestershire

Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 13:26

Blythman wrote:
With you already having the 1.4x then the DA 300 is also an option. It's sharp wide open both with and without the converter.

Agreed, excellent lens - plus I've seen a couple under £500 (second hand) recently

Edit - although it's not relevant now as Gareth has "done the deal" - enjoy your new toy Gareth

LennyBloke

Last Edited by LennyBloke on 05/07/2018 - 13:27

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Mike-P

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Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 13:54

Look forward to seeing some shots Gareth, maybe I will see you at RIAT next week

The one thing I did like about the 50-500mm was that you could do this with it ... just managed to squeeze it in @ 50mm. If another HSM OS version came up I would be seriously tempted I think.

Bournemouth Air Festival 2011 heart by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

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Last Edited by Mike-P on 05/07/2018 - 13:55

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Blythman

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Blyth, Northumberland

Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 14:03

Maybe a useful tip Gareth. Before I did my first Air show, I trawled through Mike-P's Flickr account and checked his exif for all the shutter speeds I needed for each aircraft type

Alan

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layingback

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Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 14:17

Mike-P wrote:
If another HSM OS version came up I would be seriously tempted I think.

I can vouch for that!

My PENTAX Page

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cardiffgareth

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Link Posted 05/07/2018 - 17:03

Blythman wrote:
Maybe a useful tip Gareth. Before I did my first Air show, I trawled through Mike-P's Flickr account and checked his exif for all the shutter speeds I needed for each aircraft type

Good call

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