Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f4.5-5.6ED DC AW Super-Telephoto Lens for Pentax KAF Cameras

I waited a lifetime for a really killer lens for my Pentax. First with my MX (film camera, quite some time ago) I got the 35-70 f2.8 SMCP, great lens, difficult time to do photography for me. Decades later I retired, got a K-1 (Finally a full frame digital Pentax; YAY!) and then when I fell into some money, I purchased this 150-450, the big one, same cost as the body. Worth every flippin' penny. I've been shooting Hummingbirds at my feeders (No, no, put away the Browning) and just wasn't getting the results I was after. (80-320mm Pentax brand lens) Printed at 13x19, they were good... I guess... Then this thing got delivered. Turn the page! Contrast! Sharpness! Vivid, OMG images! Heavy! (ok, that's not so great... but it's what it takes, I'm ok with it. Camera and lens weigh the same as an M16.)The auto focus is fast and silent, too. It's still hard to get good images of hummingbirds, don't get me wrong; their colors are reflective and totally dependent on perfect lighting and they move like little feathered bullets. With my killer lens I can get a little distance and keep 'em large on the frame, and when I do my job the images are wonderful!It's BIG and HEAVY! Read the specs. Comes with a lens carrying case; never thought I'd use one, but my regular camera case will carry all my kit, or the body and this lens. You will not be inconspicuous when you get this rig out; it's an OMG setup and will turn heads. There are cool and useful settings on the lens, more reading to be done. I'm learning, and it's the first time in decades where I got a lens and had to read the manual to understand how to work it! Excellent options! I'm using a monopod now, another first. After 20 minutes hand-held it becomes difficult to manage otherwise. I am supremely happy with this lens and my K-1.ADDED: The sample images on Amazon do not tell the story. The sharpness, resolution, contrast are all next level pro class. When I print an image on my wide printer at 13x19 inches, the image is breathtaking. I've wondered over the year how the Nat. Geo. guys get those crazy razor-sharp images... now I know. Also, the K1 image stabilization works perfectly with this beast, allowing a photographer to break the rules (shutter speed WAY too low for the focal length/light conditions) and still get images of very good to incredible sharpness.

I got this lens to go with a new K-1 body and it has not disappointed! It is weather sealed and I would highly recommend as a first lens on a full frame camera like the K-1. I've used Pentax manual lenses since the 70's and this lens performs even better than those, at least in terms of color and contrast, something that was expected based on the new coatings developed since the Super-multi-coating SMC days. I loved the SMC coatings and this is even better.In terms of resolution, it is very sharp, and at all focal lengths and matches or exceeds the 36 megapixel sensor on the K-1. Very well built, no wobbles or excessive slack or looseness in the rings etc. Impressive! It is definitely way better quality in every way than plastic kit lenses on competing brands. I would say it is the 99% equivalent of a Canon standard L zoom, but just a little smaller, since it is a variable aperture lens. F3.5 to 5.6 compared to a constant F4, but then it is 10-20% lighter, which has its advantages too.The DC motor is almost silent, much more than similar arrangements in older non ring drive lenses with competitors, and fast and decisive in focus on a K-1. The motor makes much less sound than most lens based image stabilizers, to give you an idea of how quiet.All in all, this lens plus the K-1 is a really sweet deal for the price for what it delivers.

My favourite lens at the moment.Pros: Stunning image quality. 77mm filter thread means moving up from Pentax DA* APS-C glass isn't as painful as it could be Incredibly sharp from wide open. So sharp that I have to lower the clarity in Photoshop/Lightroom for portraits. Sharpest at f5.6, which is great for telephoto landscapes. Focus limiter keeps AF snappy. Minimum focusing distance is 1.2m. DC autofocus is quiet and usually accurate. Abberations are unusually well controlled. Lens corrections are often completely unnecessary on both the wide and long end. Bokeh isn't overly busy, but not particularly special. The construction of the lens is very solid; the tripod foot release is well designed. The case it comes with is better quality than the usual Pentax cases.Cons: I don't see these coming on to the used market very often, so the price is likely to remain high. This can do a number on your shoulder. Fitted on the K-1, this won't fit attached to the camera across the length of my ClikElite Probody Sport + CS Sleeve backpack.The lens leaves me with a dilemma: I want a version of this lens in 24-70, but I'm not sure whether the Tamron designed D FA 24-70 will meet the high expectations this lens has set.

Great IQ,excellent autofocus.Good rendering.My best Pentax lens so far and i have (had) a few other Star lenses and some Limited lenses as well.Very good from 1.4 and getting excellent very quickly (2.8).Very wide range of usefull F-stops.Edges and corners are very good too.Very satisfied with this lens.Size and weight can be a problem if you are used to smallish primes but not a problem for me.Highly recommended.

El producto cumple con lo que se estaba buscando.

El producto cumple con lo que se estaba buscando.

El producto cumple con lo que se estaba buscando.

It went down to $1,900 CAD briefly, so I pulled the trigger. Best lens I've ever had. Love Pentax