smc PENTAX-A 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]

Hi,
Does anyone have experience with this massive beast of a lens? My local camera store does not have one in stock right now, so I am hoping someone on APUG has used one and can tell us about it (being a little sarcastic with the local camera store inventory).

Disclaimer: I know this is a heavy lens and I will need a sturdy tripod and head. I also realize I will have limited hand holding opportunities with this lens.

Thanks for any information you can share.

Yuri

I'm sure it's a fine optic, but the advantages of 645 film format for extreme telephoto work versus 35mm are pretty much non-existent.

That 600mm 645 lens won't be competitive for wildlife with lenses that offer wicked fast autofocus, or in-lens image stabilization. The Pentax 645 bodies all have that big mirror swinging up out of the way which means the shutter lag is too long in duration for sports and racing action work. The lens maximum aperture is slow at f/5.6 and not even the P645D is likely to compensate for that deficiency.

Are you just collecting? If not, what do you intend to use it for, can you articulate what subject matter will be best served by it (I'll concede there may yet be something)?