I was sooo embarrassed... I swung the lens around and all I had was an empty branch...

Thank you David!

Thanks Algi and my pleasure to share - this one cracks me up a lot. I suspect it was akin to a once-in-a-lifetime kind of shot. Perhaps the model will oblige with better surroundings!

Cheers,
Marc

WHAT ARE YOU DOING MARC????? HE'S OVER TO YOUR RIGHT!!!!

I heard her mutter "Pea brain... WTH???" (accompanied by a digusted snort)




(Click on image above to load the larger one in a new tab/window)

EXIF:
Date Modified 2011-05-28 22:59:51
Date Taken 2011-05-28 17:03:13
Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time 0.002s (1/500)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 640
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2949 x 1968

Note to self - pay attention. Just some fun for everyone...

Regards,
Marc

Hi Dave,

For anything but birds and smaller animals, 300mm is fine. At the risk of a digression, I'll post some images and I'll include a shot with a 500mm lens - perhaps having the FL and the distances for reference will help. No cropping unless specified.

Here are a couple of shots with the FA* 300/2.8. The forum software resizes the images and makes them a tad soft. Please click on the image to load the correct size in a new tab/window.

First off, a Blue Wildebeest, aka Blue Gnu...



EXIF
(I think I used a CPL on that shot to reduce blowout on the back, which may explain the warmer tones. This image is cropped.)

African Eland at 15-20 metres, taken after sunset. This is the largest/heaviest antelope on the planet:


EXIF

African Plains Zebra - perhaps 20-30 meters away. I was surprised at how muscular they are - explains a bit as to why they are a favorite of lions:


EXIF

Now with a Canon camera and the Sigma 500/4.5, taken at 80-100 meters away:


EXIF

I also have a good friend who has been to Africa multiple times and I can try digging up his website address - also a Pentax shooter. Perhaps this helps a bit in the longer lens decision making process?

Regards,
Marc

Thank you SmutjeUK! Best to you for the holidays!

Cheers,
Marc

Peter, that trunk looks awfully familiar...

Hi George,

The unfortunate fact is that this lens is no longer in production. FWIW and IMHO, I believe the best Pentax big glass matched anything by Canon or Nikon in terms of image quality. However, few were willing to pay it's MSRP price tag of ~$7600 USD when it was made.

I intentionally chose this lens over the FA* 600/4 for several reasons:

1) MFD (min. focusing distance) at 600mm is a mere 11.5 feet/3.5m. Nothing else comes even close. Even the uber-expensive Nikkor 600/4 is MFD of 15 feet (as is the FA* 600/4). The older models are approx. 18 feet for the MFD. Having the closer MFD can be a huge deal when working in a hide/blind - less missed shots because the subject came too close.

2) FL range is very useful since you can quickly zoom in with the PZ (power zoom) function. It's less than a second from 250mm to 600mm. It's a lot easier to acquire the target at 250mm then zoom in. The main risk is losing the shot I guess, but the FOV is so narrow at 600mm on the APS-C sensor, having that FL flexibility is a big deal. Even more so with those tiny hummingbirds when you're only 12-15 feet away!

3) Weight is 12.75lbs/5.8kg with tripod collar. The heavier FA* 600/4 weighs in at 15.85lbs/7.2kg. That's an advantage of approx. 3lbs/1.5kg which is a big deal for travel.

The only downside is that the FA* 250-600/5.6 is 1 stop slower. However, with the K-5 and it's excellent high ISO capabilities, it should be a more level playing field. Traditionally just the Pentax DSLR bodies are what lagged behind in terms of performance. I'm going to buy a K-5 in the next 4-6 months, so I can finally/hopefully put the bugbear of lacking in AF and high ISO performance to rest. Time will tell!

Best for the holidays to both of you!

Regards,
Marc

I am behaving... it's your LBA that is not.

Don't succumb Algi! It's a slippery slope.

Cheers,
Marc

Agli, Gareth, Womble and Puma: many thanks and I'll try to put up some other images when time permits! Thank you.

Andrew and Stuey: agreed in that the male Northern Cardinal really stands out with it's brilliant red plumage. It's the female that is subtle and beautiful all in one package. Sounds familiar somehow...

Oggy: thank you very much and you are correct - I use the Adobe RGB color space on my camera.

Everyone, best for the holidays and safe travels!

Cheers,
Marc

As Algi stated!

I have what I call the "2nd Edition::



Size reference - left to right is the DA 50-200, FA* 80-200/2.8, FA* 200/4 Macro, FA* 300/2.8, then the FA* 250-600/5.6:



Setup:




Cheers,
Marc

@John: Don't feel too bad about availability, since this is a good example: unless you call around and stumble across it, the new Nikkor 600/4 is extremely hard to find. That's putting aside the $11,000 USD price tag. Even those in the NPS (Nikon Professional Services) gripe about the availability of longer glass and they have priority.

FWIW, I believe the Pentax big glass production ran in the low teens to mid-20's for the FA* 600/4, etc. The market for super telephoto primes is small and more than a few lens manufacturers will assemble a pre-order list before building them. It's too costly to keep them in inventory or on the shelves. I am not sure on the margins though. I was considering a Sigma 500/4.5 in Pentax mount for a wildlife photo competition - this was the information given to me by the Sigma rep through the store manager, whom I know and trust.

Lucky for me I had a personal sponsorship opportunity with the local camera store. I was given the loan of a Canon 40D + battery grip, Sigma 500/4.5 in Canon mount, plus a Pentax K20D + battery grip to use with the Pentax lenses.



@Don: SR on longer telephotos does work - razor sharp at 600mm, 1/125 sec. Obviously solid technique, support system and subject movement are huge factors in a "keeper" at lower shutter speeds.

Sorry for the rambling and digression. Back to the OT!

Cheers,
Marc