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Are there any pro wildlife photographers using the Pentax DA★ 300mm? I have spent a week searching for anyone who is using Pentax kit in wildlife photography and who is getting paid for their work.

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Aditya Panda has touched on it (twice), and finds DA★ 300 quite superb but simply too short for wildlife photography. Unfortunately, the small user base means it's hard to design quality supertele lenses with competitive price. Also, judging current lens lineup and omission of full-frame body, Pentax seems to avoid expensive market niches. So, very likely wildlife photography using Pentax gear will remain challenging in near future.

UPDATE: Pentax has announced and presented on Photokina 2012 a 560mm f/5.6 lens. While not from DA★ series, it will have AW weather sealing. There's also a focusing motor built into lens, but currently the specifications don't claim it to be a silent (SDM) one.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Hi Imre, thanks for the info and links. I have understood however that Pentax photographers are having success with a couple of teleconverters and SDM including the Pentax F1.7X and Tamron 1.4X TC. \$\endgroup\$
    – Peter Byrne
    Commented Jan 19, 2012 at 15:20
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Peter you're right; I removed the misleading statement on TC-s. \$\endgroup\$
    – Imre
    Commented Jan 19, 2012 at 15:48
  • \$\begingroup\$ Too short? Isn't it already an effective 450mm? I don't shoot wildlife but that seems pretty long. \$\endgroup\$
    – dpollitt
    Commented Jan 19, 2012 at 16:48
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    \$\begingroup\$ @dpollitt A 450mm equivalent lens might take you to a comfortable viewing distance from a deer or bear. Most of wildlife is much smaller though, and doesn't want you near. \$\endgroup\$
    – Imre
    Commented Jan 19, 2012 at 22:12

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