[sjwaldron]

I'd suggest the DA* 300mm f4 and teleconverter for situations you want more range. You should check out the marketplace right now *hint hint* I've used the combo a lot with success at airshows and the occasional outing to photograph birds. Using a TC like the Kenko 1.5x Pz-AF is challenging at such focal lengths, but with some practice it produces nice results.

[Eric Seavey]

Nice Shots!

[mickey]

I can't contribute to this discussion, but just wanted to thank aAriban for posting those photos. Great stuff.

[Skog]

Either da*300 or eat cardboard for a month or two and get the sigma 500 f4,5. Quality costs!. I use the da*300 and crop it. For smaller prints (A4 and smaller) and web I can crop the k-5 + da*300 images as much as I like really. I tried with teleconverter (1,7 afa) but I don't like the drop in light and quality, horrible bokeh etc. Or you can start to save up now, and maybe get the new pentax 500 f5,6 that's supposedly being released this year. I believe it will have to be cheaper then the sigma 500 to compete, so It might be worth to wait.

[ElJamoquio]

Either da*300 or eat cardboard for a month or two and get the sigma 500 f4,5. Quality costs!. I use the da*300 and crop it. For smaller prints (A4 and smaller) and web I can crop the k-5 + da*300 images as much as I like really. I tried with teleconverter (1,7 afa) but I don't like the drop in light and quality, horrible bokeh etc. Or you can start to save up now, and maybe get the new pentax 500 f5,6 that's supposedly being released this year. I believe it will have to be cheaper then the sigma 500 to compete, so It might be worth to wait.

It will need to be MUCH cheaper than the 500 to compete. The front element will be 10% smaller which may not sound like much, but the curve of price/front element is very non-linear.

[coreyhkh]

Buy the Pentax 300 F4 you wont regret it even if you end up getting a larger lens down the road you will always be able to find a use for the 300. Big lens are great but you dont have the flexibility like with a smaller lens.

K5 with P300F4

[hoanpham]

Tamron 300 2.8 Adaptall 2 are mentioned.

M*300/4 or A*300/4 are awesome.

Other lenses with good prices can be:
Tamron 500/8 mirror
Tokina 400/5.6 SD
Nikkor 400/5.6 ED-IF ais, reversible replaced mount,

They are all MF lenses.

[civilian]

Frankly, a 50mm should do you fine since you say birds are flocking and you dont want to spend too much.

Nice Pics, Arijit....where are these pics taken?

[ariban]

I can't contribute to this discussion, but just wanted to thank aAriban for posting those photos. Great stuff.

Thanks Mickey. I am honoured, coming from you.

Arijit

[ariban]

Nice Pics, Arijit....where are these pics taken?

Thanks. The Brown Headed Gull was with the Kx and a Fa 50mm 1.7 taken from a passenger motorlaunch while crossing the Muriganga River on way to Gangasagar Island.

the Others were in/ near Kolkata.

Arijit

[Lowell Goudge]

i am switching back & forth between my three shooting options at present, specifically the following:

an SMC (K) 300/4 with SMC-F 1.7x AF converter




A sigma APO 70-200/2.8 EX (non DG non macro ) with sigma APO 2x EX DG teleconverter

Note that while both the chick and the adult were physically on this tree, in their exact places this shot is a cheat. I cut the chick out of one photo and placed it in the hole on this photo because the two birds just would not cooperate.
and a tamron 200-500/5.6


These have all been posted in the user photo gallery under nature, and also in the 300mm+ lens club threadwhich should be checked out as well for ideas, the sigma combination is likely the most reliable in terms of success.

[joe.penn]

Here is a couple shot with the DA*300 and K5: (x-posted)





The price is back down to $1,199 @ B&H - that's a steal for this lens.