john_smyte Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I've been trying to find a telephoto or zoom that's at least 500+mm for a PentaxK-mount. It'll be used on a manual film camera. The best if seen is a Sigma thatmaxes out at 500mm+ for autofocus and I'm not clear if it's for digital only -meaning, I'm not sure if it's for a small sensor camera.<p/>I want to photographbirds. I tried it with a 200mm anda 2x converter but aside the fact that the 400mm was a bit lacking, the imagequality wasn't that good. I'm planning on 16x20 inch enlargements using Kodak UC400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_smyte Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 I should add that I've seen the "ProOptic" and the "Phoenix" brand lenses, but I'm not so sure they're worth it - even as cheap as they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a few images Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 FA* 600mm f4 ED (IF) - 'nuff said.. Well, read Bill O'Neill's reply in this photo.net thread.. http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000Snv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_smyte Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Tom;<p/>Great! Now, where I can I get one?<p/><a href=http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-SMCP-FA-600mm-Lens-Trunk/dp/B00005ABCH>Amazon</a> doesn't have it or at least none of the folks who sell through them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_smyte Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Forget what I said. I found one in Japan. $9,000.00 being sold on a very large online auction site.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2imaging Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 If it helps, I've used one of the cheap 500's with a 2x TC with surprisingly good results. Wide open (f/8) it can be pretty soft but stopped down to f/16 it's not bad (not great, but not bad).<p> <img src="http://71.158.200.250/miscimages/moon003.jpg"><p> Have you made many enlargements from UC400? I've made 16x20's from Portra 160 (pre-NC/VC days) that were acceptable, but never from 400...<p> That image loads pretty slow, guess I should go restart the server! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2imaging Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I also saw a BUSTED (like missing glass busted) 600 f/4 go for over $300 on eBay recently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgredline Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I just bought the Sigma 500 F/4.5 a few weeks back and it will work on a film camera....I love the lens and use it for birding... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_smyte Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Matthew;<p/>I've made some enlargements with UC 400, although, not as big as I stated. I may switch to the Portra if the UC doesn't come out well. Kodak revamped the Portra 400 a few months ago along with the TMAX 400. So far, I have been really impressed by the TMAX 400 - 2TMY. I would assume the color films would be just as good. I hope!<p/>BTW, nice Moon shot!<p/><p/>Thanks to the rest of you guys for your tips and ideas. And to anyone else that posts later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stemked Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Personally I use an old manual focus 500mm f4.5 Takumar + K to screw adaptor + Pentax 1.4X-L. The TC was actually more expensive than the lens! There is also the K mount versions of this lens, one of them has SMC coatings. Its a great lens, not overly heavy for the size. Alternatively the old Sigma 500mm f7.2 is still out there used. slow, but not a bad optic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monochromekx Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Try researching the Vivitar catadioptric (Solid Cat) mirror lenses (400mm, 600mm, 800mm) if you don't mind donut bokeh.<p><A HREF="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/solid_cat.shtml"> Luminous Landscape on Solid Cat </A><p> <A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivitar-600-8-Solid-Catadioptric-VMC-MINT_W0QQitemZ280202590818QQihZ018QQcategoryZ707QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247"> Kevin's Cameras Solid Cat </A> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garry_young1 Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Yeah. I second Paul. In fact, with careful composition, the donut bokeh is also not an issue. <P> <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7187066-md.jpg"> <P> Very boring shot in many ways, but notice the lack of donut bokeh. This is shot with a Tamron 500 SP f8 mirror lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2imaging Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I LIKE donut bokeh. I don't have a mirror lens, but I've thought about getting one so I can have donut bokeh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_rush Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 John, have you seen this offered on eBay?<p> <url>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130230849248</url> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_smyte Posted June 17, 2008 Author Share Posted June 17, 2008 <i>"John, have you seen this offered on eBay? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130230849248" </i><p/><p/>Now I have. It's a "Zenko (??) f/8.3 @ 420mm ﾖ f/16 @ 800mm". f/8/3?!?! I appreciate the tip, but it'll be a bit too slow for animals. Birds are extremely skittish. And even when they're relaxed, they move fast and "jerky". <p/>Nature photography - equipment matters! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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