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Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW KAF3 Mount Review

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW

Main Features

  • 150-450mm Focal Range
  • F4.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Weather-sealed
  • Filter Thread: 86mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Pentax KAF3 Mount
  • Weight: 2,000g / 4.40 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 95mm x 242mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 2m
  • Max Magnification: 0.22x
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Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Overview


Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Super Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with KAF3 Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeVery Good
SportsVery Good
PortraitFair
TravelPoor
StreetPoor
WeddingFair
Walk AroundFair
VloggingPoor
LandscapeFair
MacroFair

Reasons to Buy Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Weather-sealed
Autofocus
Distance Scale
Hood supplied
Tripod Collar
Full-time Manual Focusing
Focus Distance Limiter
Zoom Lock
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh
450mm reach great for Wildlife Photography
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Buy Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Wide end
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture
Heavy
Pricey


Lens Mount

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is compatible with cameras that have a Pentax KAF3 lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF3 lenses are Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, Pentax KF and Pentax K-3 III.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW has a maximum diameter of 95mm and total length of 242mm when not extended. It weighs 2000g / 70.5 oz.

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW has a filter thread of 86mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW:

  • 86mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 86mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 86mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW has a focal range of 150-450mm and 3.0X zoom ratio. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 225 - 675mm.



Weather Sealings

The Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is a weather-sealed lens, which provides extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have effective protection, you have to pair the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW with a weather-sealed camera body such as the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, Pentax KF and Pentax K-3 III.

Tripod Collar

With a total length of 242mm and a weight of 2000g, the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.

Optical Image Stabilization

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM in Pentax KAF3 mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW With Optical Image Stabilization
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1780gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Zoom Method

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Zoom Lock

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW has a Zoom lock feature which eliminates Zoom creep where focal length of the lens changes with gravity when it's held downwards or upwards.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.22x and has a minimum focusing distance of 2m.

Below are the 3 Super Telephoto Zoom type Pentax KAF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sigma 18-300 F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM: 0.33x - (Compare)
  • Pentax FA 70-210mm F4 ED SDM WR: 0.32x - (Compare)
  • Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM: 0.32x - (Compare)

Aperture

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f4.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 150mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f27 at 450mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
150mm F4.5 F22
450mm F5.6 F27

Optical Formula

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW's optical formula consists of 18 elements in 14 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • HD
  • Super protect coatings
  • ED elements

Lens Hood

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos. The model number of the hood is PH-RBA86.

Body Colour

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,780 g / 3.92 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM Lens Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,640 g / 3.61 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 300mm F4.0 ED IF SDM Lens Pentax smc DA 300mm F4.0 ED IF SDM
Compare
APS-C / DX 1,070 g / 2.35 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm F5.6E ED VR
Compare
35mm FF 2,300 g / 5.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens Sony FE 200-600 F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Compare
35mm FF 2,115 g / 4.65 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1,970 g / 4.33 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax D FA 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW Lens Pentax D FA 70-200mm F2.8ED DC AW
Compare
35mm FF 1,755 g / 3.86 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE Lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
Compare
APS-C / DX 471 g / 1.04 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Alternatives in Pentax KAF3 Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM Lens Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1640 g / 3.61 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Compare
35mm FF 1780 g / 3.92 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Pentax
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Telephoto Zoom
Lens Mount Pentax KAF3
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 150-450mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No
Zoom Lock Yes
Zoom Ratio 3.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F4.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F27.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 18
Optical Groups 14
Special Elements HD, Super protect coatings, ED elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 2m
Max Magnification 0.22X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter Yes
Distance Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 2000g
Diameter 95mm
Length 242mm
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 86mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Hood Code PH-RBA86
Tripod Collar Yes
Optional Accessories Tripod mount: O-TM80 Lens case: HS120-270
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
is the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
is the Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
Does Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW have Image Stabilization?
Does Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW


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