Showing posts with label lens planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lens planning. Show all posts

Pentax 400mm f/5.6 lens choices

2009-03-24 Posted by Hin Man
Though I like my current set up in using a fast 200mm combined with a TC, I am looking for a prime with longer reach as in 400mm f/5.6 so that I can depend less on the use of TC. My current combo is small and lightweight and if offers the best in ease of use and pretty much less than 2 lb and it is very portable and I can grab and shoot quickly.

Soligor 200mm f/2.8 in m42 next to
Vivitar 200mm f/3.5 from Komine in K mount
Both are relatively small & lightweight

And I prefer quicker reaction in Av metering without stop-down and the M42 lens or an 'A' lens will do that. The Av mode, allows me to concentrate on the framing and panning when needed. I hear the plane after the cooper hawk this morning. And I practice on panning distant plane flying. It gives me the instant thrill to follow the plane in action. My 400mm combo usually does poorly for infinity object, perhaps I have good lighting today and that really helps in the shooting as I can stop down to f/8 and still have reasonable shutter for the panning. I used my K mount 200mm f/3.5 on Komine before on similar shooting and after the stop-down, the plane may have already turned to a different direction.

Soligor 200mm f/2.8 m42 +
Kiron 2x doubler
heavily cropped

1/125 sec, f/6.3, 400mm, iso 200, 0 Ev
Click on the image to view it in a larger size

1/125 sec, f/6.3, 400mm, iso 200, 0 Ev
Click on the image to view it in a larger size
heavily cropped
bird is way too far
1/1600 sec, likely f/5.6, 400mm, iso 100, -0.7 Ev
Click on the image to view it in a larger size


I hope I can find a good prime or zoom in 400mm f/5.6 that is both hand-holdable and offer better IQ that I can depend less on the TC.

I plan to get the Pentax DA* 300mm f/4.0. But for now, I am looking for inexpensive manual focus choices. My rough criteria:
  • I prefer lens that is hand-holdable, roughly less than 3 lb
  • less CA in working with tree branches in high contrast
  • good manual focus throw for precision and ease of focusing
  • good IQ when used with Pentax F-1.7x AF TC
  • lens with tripod collar when I need it
  • Ideal focal length is 400mm f/5.6 to work with similar to my 200mm f/2.8 + 2x TC.
  • Or a manual focus 300mm f/4.0 with good IQ.

As of now, I have these choices in manual focus:
  • Sigma or Tokina 400mm f/5.6 in manual focus with 'A' setting -- not sure on weight?
  • SuperTak 300mm f/4.0 in m42 -- about 985g
  • Pentax 300mm f/4.0 in K mount -- about 1020g
  • Pentax M*/A* 300mm f/4.0 in K mount -- lightest about 850g
  • Pentax K 400mm f/5.6 (or the Takumar 400mm f/5.6 equivalent in m42) -- about 1285g in K version
  • Tamron SP 500mm f/8.0 adaptall-2 mirror lens -- not sure it is suited for wildlife photography such as birds



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Hin's Camera Gear

2008-04-10 Posted by Hin Man
Pentax Way
New & Old
Cameras:

AF Lens:

Manual Lens:



Flash:


Accessories:

On Sale

  • Those items marked with (on sale)


Gear Road Map & Planning:

My current planning as of March 2011
  • Get K-5 when price is closer to 1.2K
  • Get a new DA 21mm limited. I have been missing DA 21mm limited. The alternative is to have a manual 20mm lens


Past Gear

This is perhaps the skeleton in my closet of LBA shameful.



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Welcome to Hin's Photo Corner, this is my learning blog on photography, blogging and advertising. And I hope you enjoy your visit. For contact, please comment in blog post or email me directly hintheman at gmail.com.

 

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