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Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED : Specifications and Opinions

Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED

The Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED is a supertele lens for APS-C, manufactured from 2012 to 2020 (discontinued). The focus is done by In-camera AF motor, it does not have image stabilization.

20 users have given it an average vote of 9.0 out of 10.

MOUNT

This lens is available with the following mounts:

Pentax: this lens is compatible with reflex APS-C Pentax.

Specifications
Focal lenght	560 mm
Angle of view	2.9° (equivalent to a 840mm in Fullframe 24x36mm format)
Format	APS-C
Max. aperture	f/5.6
Aperture blades	7
Lenses/Groups	6 elements in 5 groups
Min. focus distance	5.60 meters
Reproduction ratio	0.05x
Features
Stabilization	No
Focus	In-camera AF motor
Internal Focus	Yes
Built and notes
Tripod ring	Yes
Extenders	Yes
Filters	40 mm
Lens hood	Yes, supplied
Weather sealing	Yes
Weight	3040 g
Dimensions	130 x 522 mm
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Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Stefano Banda

sent on July 17, 2023

Pros: Remarkable sharpness, tropicalized, robust construction, functional carrying bag

Cons: Obviously the weight and even more the size, autofocus not very fast, bracket for the tripod a bit short, very (too) flashy

Opinion: It went out of production in 2020 so I never thought I'd find a used one, especially in like-new condition, so I consider myself very, very lucky. That said, you can't review it like any Pentax lens, given its out-of-the-ordinary features. I'll start with the obvious; It's heavy and bulky. With the K3-III you get to 4 kg and a little more with the K1, so the swing is definitely challenging. Mind you, for the lens that it is (almost a 600 mm, let's not forget) it is not a boulder, but if not unthinkable it is at least complicated to use it handheld for more than five minutes in a row unless you are Schwarzenegger in the Commando version, but even so there is no stabilized sensor that holds and it is almost mandatory to set very fast shutter speeds, Let's say from 1/2000 upwards, otherwise photos with a high risk of blur, also because, in addition to the weight, you have to deal with the dimensions really out of scale, especially with the lens hood (built-in) in the working position. Its most natural use is the "static" one, such as in a shed or on the side of the track of a racetrack, for example, therefore with a tripod or monopod. In this regard, I noticed that the relative bracket, although very sturdy, is a bit short and the camera-lens assembly is not always well balanced despite the fact that there are three threaded holes along the entire bracket. On the other hand, nothing to say about the optical qualities. Sharpness and microcontrast are also very good at full aperture and it improves further, albeit slightly, at f/8. Aberrations are very well contained and, if present, are limited to the most extreme contrasts and in any case can be easily eliminated. A truly remarkable achievement for such a lens, and in full respect of Pentax tradition. The autofocus is not bad and is more than sufficient in most cases, the limiter then helps to speed up the whole thing a bit, but it is clear that the latest Pentax products such as the 70-200 or the 150-450, being more recent projects of at least ten years, are something else. The performance remains very good even in combination with the Pentax 1.4x teleconverter, it loses something in sharpness but the autofocus remains precise as long as you scrupulously do the in-camera calibration with the multiplier engaged, moreover the handheld panning is even more difficult. Finally, I would like to highlight its white color, which is the only one available. While it helps keep temperatures down under the sun, it also makes it all too flashy. If you do photo hunting in a stakeout, it is better to cover it with "camouflage" neoprene, you will undoubtedly be more discreet and less conspicuous, avoiding alarming the animals. Among the flaws I clearly did not put the price because pretending that such a lens is also cheap is unrealistic. But if you love this kind of photography, you can find a used one in good condition and you have some money (even more than "some", alas...) don't miss it.

Lucaben

sent on August 03, 2013

Pros: Sharpness: it has no rivals. Weight, very light to be almost a 600mm (840mm on the DX). If you want, it can be used freehand.

Cons: Price, AF not quite up to par, but more than enough thanks to the limiters. Unbalanced handle with the machine body mounted, in fact you need a 120 mm plate to be able to balance it correctly on the tilting heads.

Opinion: Attention, the AF engine is integrated into the lens as opposed to what is written in the description above. I use both Nikon and Pentax and I can say that Pentax, as color yield and optical quality is on par or adirituttra higher in some cases. Too bad for the AF who have not yet reached Nikon's levels despite there have been improvements, besides the AF is not ultrasonic and therefore it is audible, but nevertheless I would not call it noisy at all. Of course, the pairing k5IIs -DA560 is the ultimate in sharpness, especially for the fuss of detail like the undersigned. I could compare it with the nikon 300 f2.8 VRII and the result is AMAZING if we neglect the AF. In any case, the DA560 is an optics to be used mainly from the stake for which the Af is more than sufficient. In short, this is an optics that also needs a bit of handle.... you have to know it and get used to managing situations accordingly. I would say that I am more than satisfied, at least as far as the optical resolution that is really unique, so much so that it allows you to crop without losing the detail, which dispenses it from using the multipliers that I generally prefer to avoid. As for the size, it is actually a bit bulky due to the reduced optical group, but moreover it is a 600mm, and a 600mm f4 is no less bulky than the DA560 which also weighs two kg less. The yield at TA is great, but like all optics, in my opinion it makes the maximum if held at about f/8, (if only for the obvious results obtained by a greater PDC etc). I want to add a note about chromatic abberrations, as there is always the fussy shift that must find the flaws even when there are no for those who know what reason. Anyway... I have seen abberrations in certain rare cases where the light was excessive and where whites bordered the burn, but beware, I speak of reading abberrations in light conditions not exactly ideal for any optics. Abberities easily eliminated in post production, problem that does not arise if you have a good "MANIC" and you know take the necessary tricks in progress. This optics has really given me a lot of satisfaction in terms of sharpness and colors being myself, as I said, a fussy detail. Let us remember that pentax has chosen to reduce the optical group to the advantage of the sharpness that I find unparalleled. I posted some photos cropped 100% just to understand us. In the photos I posted I deleted the abberrations only on one , where the top of the perch was burned by white and had formed that classic purple profile that I eliminated in PP. I remind you that the abberrations are present in all optics, who more, who less. A few years ago, on the forum of the pentaxians, I pointed out that an APO telescope, mounted in direct focus on a reflex, was able to give sharper photos than any telobitle for obvious reasons !!! But as usual, the skier on duty had discredited what I had written. Look at the case Pentax made the DA560 based on an optical diagram of a telescope! In essence it is nothing more than a telescope with the addition of an optical group for internal focus!

Photos taken with Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED

The acrobat of the woods

by Lucaben
76 comments, 14049 views [editors pick]

The exchange

by Lucaben
74 comments, 8814 views

Barn

by Lucaben
40 comments, 6035 views

Buzzard with prey

by Lucaben
43 comments, 8109 views

Purple Heron (Juv)

by Lucaben
34 comments, 5618 views

Owl

by Lucaben
45 comments, 6442 views

Wonderful Wildlife

by Lucaben
42 comments, 6785 views

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.... The fly

by Lucaben
9 comments, 3276 views

Goldfinch

by Lucaben
45 comments, 6300 views

Mom & son

by Lucaben
14 comments, 3128 views

Stonechat

by Lucaben
32 comments, 3409 views

Red-footed Falcon

by Lucaben
31 comments, 3209 views

Martino

by Lucaben
27 comments, 5200 views

Whinchat

by Lucaben
36 comments, 3508 views

Jay marine

by Lucaben
24 comments, 3969 views

Buzzard

by Lucaben
31 comments, 3751 views

On the fly

by Lucaben
20 comments, 2927 views

Linnet angry

by Lucaben
22 comments, 3430 views

Close up

by Lucaben
4 comments, 3592 views

Goldfinch

by Boyo
20 comments, 2025 views

Young Dipper

by Lucaben
16 comments, 2576 views

Kingfisher

by Lucaben
17 comments, 3522 views

Dipper

by Lucaben
28 comments, 2883 views

Portrait of a Fox

by Lucaben
5 comments, 2447 views

Fox portrait

by Boyo
7 comments, 1719 views

Common Sandpiper

by Lucaben
32 comments, 3435 views

Portrait

by Lucaben
15 comments, 2854 views

Bath time

by Lucaben
16 comments, 3377 views

Dipper

by Lucaben
19 comments, 2379 views

Goldfinch

by Lucaben
17 comments, 1838 views

Stonechat

by Uomo
18 comments, 1690 views

HI RES 4.2 MP

Owl

by Lucaben
16 comments, 2096 views

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Whinchat

by Lucaben
17 comments, 2283 views

Buzzard

by Lucaben
20 comments, 2299 views

Squacco

by Lucaben
22 comments, 2486 views

Wood Warbler

by Lucaben
24 comments, 2810 views

Wood Warbler

by Lucaben
17 comments, 1238 views

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Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Pentax » Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED

Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED : Specifications and Opinions

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Reviews

What do you think about this lens?

Photos taken with Pentax DA 560mm f/5.6 ED