Nature 300mm Bokeh

300mm Bokeh · 06:21 AM

While the “Duchess” (SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0) was still "mounted" so to speak, from the non existent Dolphin excursion.

Thought I'd try something different with her, as she doesn't get out much and I came up with this.

Had to tripod, remote fire, 3 sec delay, wait for the wind to drop momentarily and the sun to pop out from behind a cloud to get this. Trust me, it took a while to get all these to happen together, even for just 1/320th.

CreationBear · 06-30-2015, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by First Poster

While the “Duchess” (SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0) was still mounted so to speak,

I had really hoped this was the beginning of a Prince William joke...

At any rate, nice work: I'm curious about your overall impressions of the lens, though. Probably an unfair comparison to make with your other A*'s, but I gather it's more a workhorse, "git 'er done," lens and not filled with pixie dust (TM)?

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by CreationBear

At any rate, nice work

Thanks.

Originally posted by CreationBear

I'm curious about your overall impressions of the lens

It's fair to say that in my photography, I'm lucky enough not to need to use such focal lengths, only on rare occasions and that's normally due to "screw ups". At F4.0 she is also the slowest of my "Ladies" and I do take badly to a darker viewfinder, so I have to be a little more gentle when using her to make sure I get it right.

There is a very different discipline that you have to adopt when using them (slower too) i.e. tripod/monopod, mirror up, remote shutter release etc etc, so you're right in what you say it's a "git 'er done" kinda lens.

That having been said she can produce the results every time when asked. As for "pixie dust"... well it's still there but it's resting and needs to be woken for when required.

**luftfluss** · 06-30-2015, 07:17 AM

Sounds like your weather conditions were similar to what I experienced when photographing the daylily I posted.

Its a lovely shot - the perspective, the color, bokeh are really to my taste.

plantej · 06-30-2015, 07:37 AM

Like the interesting textures you get. Bokeh looks great.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Its a lovely shot - the perspective, the color, bokeh are really to my taste

Thanks for your kind words.

I never think of using the “Duchess” (SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0) for this sort of thing.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by plantej

Like the interesting textures you get

I only photograph what's there.

However... I will admit that it wasn't until I got “Femme Fatale” (SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro), that I started to notice such things as textures on petals and now I look for it all the time.

Originally posted by plantej

Bokeh looks great

Thanks.

CreationBear · 06-30-2015, 08:07 AM

Thanks for elaborating--of course, I'm thinking that this 'un will complete your ensemble, especially with FF on the horizon.

https://www.keh.com/242024/pentax-400mm-f-2-8-smc-a-ed-if-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-drop-in-49

plantej · 06-30-2015, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I only photograph what's there.

However... I will admit that it wasn't until I got “Femme Fatale” (SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro), that I started to notice such things as textures on petals and now I look for it all the time.

Thanks.

Yes, good use of light. I too have the 50 mac but have a ways to go to get that potential.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by CreationBear

I'm thinking that this 'un will complete your ensemble

Believe me I've often thought about it, two reasons hold me back, first I've no use for such a beast, I don't use Duchess that often and the weight of the damn thing... it weighs 6 Kgs (13.228 lbs), can you imagine lugging that about with you.

CreationBear · 06-30-2015, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

two reasons hold me back

Ha, definitely on the edge of being man-portable, no doubt, but I bet you'd be the first on your street to own one...

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by CreationBear

I bet you'd be the first on your street to own one...

I can confirm that... as no one else is daft enough to wield such a beast.

ChristianRock · 06-30-2015, 12:10 PM

Just get the A*400 and call her Big Momma

Lovely flower picture by the way. This is why I love long lenses...

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Just get the A*400 and call her Big Momma

Nah she not for me, the "Duchess" is always getting on at me for not getting out enough as it is.

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Lovely flower picture by the way

Thanks.

**Kerrowdown** · 06-30-2015, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by plantej

Yes, good use of light

Thanks

Originally posted by plantej

I too have the 50 mac but have a ways to go to get that potential

Just get out there using it, it will surprise just how fast it all becomes good.

Kerrowdown
	View full profile
	Contact via private message
	Find other posts by Kerrowdown
	Find threads started by Kerrowdown
	Find threads in which Kerrowdown has posted

06-30-2015, 06:47 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by CreationBear At any rate, nice work Thanks. Originally posted by CreationBear I'm curious about your overall impressions of the lens It's fair to say that in my photography, I'm lucky enough not to need to use such focal lengths, only on rare occasions and that's normally due to "screw ups". At F4.0 she is also the slowest of my "Ladies" and I do take badly to a darker viewfinder, so I have to be a little more gentle when using her to make sure I get it right. There is a very different discipline that you have to adopt when using them (slower too) i.e. tripod/monopod, mirror up, remote shutter release etc etc, so you're right in what you say it's a "git 'er done" kinda lens. That having been said she can produce the results every time when asked. As for "pixie dust"... well it's still there but it's resting and needs to be woken for when required. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 06-30-2015 at 06:53 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA* 300mm 4.5 VS A* 645 300mm f4	Halco	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	12	02-22-2015 05:55 PM
Abstract Flower boken à la "Projector" lens	Jean Poitiers	Post Your Photos!	6	11-20-2014 09:12 AM
Nature Boken Special	sqjaw	Photo Critique	2	11-03-2012 02:28 PM
300mm manual focus?? DA 55-300mm or SMC Pentax 1:4 300mm type	Mike C	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	26	03-19-2012 01:39 AM
HELP> May have boken it before i got to use it!	Rorys	Pentax Medium Format	6	07-12-2010 07:10 PM

06-30-2015, 06:30 AM	#2
CreationBear Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,415	Originally posted by First Poster While the “Duchess” (SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0) was still mounted so to speak, I had really hoped this was the beginning of a Prince William joke... At any rate, nice work: I'm curious about your overall impressions of the lens, though. Probably an unfair comparison to make with your other A*'s, but I gather it's more a workhorse, "git 'er done," lens and not filled with pixie dust (TM)?

06-30-2015, 07:17 AM	#4
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	Sounds like your weather conditions were similar to what I experienced when photographing the daylily I posted. Its a lovely shot - the perspective, the color, bokeh are really to my taste.

06-30-2015, 07:37 AM	#5
plantej Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Photos: Albums Posts: 583	Like the interesting textures you get. Bokeh looks great.

06-30-2015, 07:37 AM	#6
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss Its a lovely shot - the perspective, the color, bokeh are really to my taste Thanks for your kind words. I never think of using the “Duchess” (SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F4.0) for this sort of thing.

06-30-2015, 07:50 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by plantej Like the interesting textures you get I only photograph what's there. However... I will admit that it wasn't until I got “Femme Fatale” (SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro), that I started to notice such things as textures on petals and now I look for it all the time. Originally posted by plantej Bokeh looks great Thanks.

06-30-2015, 08:07 AM	#8
CreationBear Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,415	Thanks for elaborating--of course, I'm thinking that this 'un will complete your ensemble, especially with FF on the horizon. https://www.keh.com/242024/pentax-400mm-f-2-8-smc-a-ed-if-k-mount-manual-focus-lens-drop-in-49

06-30-2015, 08:18 AM	#9
plantej Veteran Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Photos: Albums Posts: 583	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I only photograph what's there. However... I will admit that it wasn't until I got “Femme Fatale” (SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro), that I started to notice such things as textures on petals and now I look for it all the time. Thanks. Yes, good use of light. I too have the 50 mac but have a ways to go to get that potential.

06-30-2015, 09:09 AM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by CreationBear I'm thinking that this 'un will complete your ensemble Believe me I've often thought about it, two reasons hold me back, first I've no use for such a beast, I don't use Duchess that often and the weight of the damn thing... it weighs 6 Kgs (13.228 lbs), can you imagine lugging that about with you.

06-30-2015, 09:38 AM	#11
CreationBear Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,415	Originally posted by Kerrowdown two reasons hold me back Ha, definitely on the edge of being man-portable, no doubt, but I bet you'd be the first on your street to own one...

06-30-2015, 11:36 AM	#12
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by CreationBear I bet you'd be the first on your street to own one... I can confirm that... as no one else is daft enough to wield such a beast.

06-30-2015, 12:10 PM	#13
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,911	Just get the A*400 and call her Big Momma Lovely flower picture by the way. This is why I love long lenses...

06-30-2015, 12:18 PM	#14
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChristianRock Just get the A*400 and call her Big Momma Nah she not for me, the "Duchess" is always getting on at me for not getting out enough as it is. Originally posted by ChristianRock Lovely flower picture by the way Thanks.

06-30-2015, 01:32 PM	#15
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860 Original Poster	Originally posted by plantej Yes, good use of light Thanks Originally posted by plantej I too have the 50 mac but have a ways to go to get that potential Just get out there using it, it will surprise just how fast it all becomes good.