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**csa** · 06-08-2016, 05:45 PM

I have this lens on loan from a very gracious member. These photos are handheld with my K3.

Attached Images

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**pepperberry farm** · 06-08-2016, 05:51 PM

I really like mine, but find that a tripod/monopod is a good idea with it....

**csa** · 06-08-2016, 06:16 PM

I know a tripod is a good idea; but for my birding, a tripod is too confining; I can't follow the birds as well as by hand.

**robgski** · 06-08-2016, 06:47 PM

Not bad, great colors! It's tough because the DOF on a 500mm means you usually have to nail the focus, and birds move so quickly.

FWIW, when birding with my Tokina 500mm mirror, I use a tripod to keep the camera stable, while watch the birds for a bit, they usually fly from perch to perch as they approach a feeder fro example. I choose a likely perch, aim, focus, and wait for the birds to land there. Even a monopod or beanbag adds stability while providing a range of motion.
Here are a few examples if you are interested.

bertwert · 06-08-2016, 07:27 PM

Nice shots Carol!
A lot better than I get with my telescope I use (800mm f/8.8)

**csa** · 06-08-2016, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by robgski

Not bad, great colors! It's tough because the DOF on a 500mm means you usually have to nail the focus, and birds move so quickly.

FWIW, when birding with my Tokina 500mm mirror, I use a tripod to keep the camera stable, while watch the birds for a bit, they usually fly from perch to perch as they approach a feeder fro example. I choose a likely perch, aim, focus, and wait for the birds to land there. Even a monopod or beanbag adds stability while providing a range of motion.
Here are a few examples if you are interested.

Nice shots! I agree tripods are best for long lenses; but in my case, I simply prefer not using one. I was pleased how these turned out, as the light was very poor, just minutes before a downpour hit. It's fun to try something like this out!

**csa** · 06-08-2016, 08:12 PM

Bert, thanks!

beachboy2 · 06-08-2016, 08:13 PM

Looking at the exif data, shots taken at 1/125. Really need to be at 1/500 or faster. So you need better light.
Attached photo is 500mm mirror lens, K20D, 1/500, hand held.

bertwert · 06-08-2016, 08:22 PM

Carol, have you tried using a monopod at all?
As now I notice the photos are *slightly* shaky.
Not as cumbersome as a tripod in the bush and is great if your arm are tired.

**csa** · 06-08-2016, 08:30 PM

I had a monopod that I never used, and sold it, Bert. As I mentioned, I'm just playing with the 500. It is just on loan.

**csa** · 06-08-2016, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by beachboy2

Looking at the exif data, shots taken at 1/125. Really need to be at 1/500 or faster. So you need better light.
Attached photo is 500mm mirror lens, K20D, 1/500, hand held.

That was operator error on my part; as I know better.

**robgski** · 06-09-2016, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by csa

I'm just playing with the 500. It is just on loan.

I hope you get some sunny and clear days so you can raise the shutter speed, and some clear nights so you can try a few moon shots.

**csa** · 06-09-2016, 06:31 AM

Thanks, I hope to get some better shots!

**csa** · 06-09-2016, 08:26 AM - **1 Like**

From today, using 800 shutter speed.

**pacerr** · 06-09-2016, 11:27 AM

The second image demonstrates just how critical DOF can be under those circumstances. Assuming a K-5 at 40 ft using that F/8 lens you have only about a six inch window of reasonably sharp 'elbow room'.

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

The SP 55B is a tough lens to quickly and accurately focus and if you pre-focus you must take into account just where a 4-5"+ tail bird will actually perch on the limb. I find it's beneficial to hedge the focus point to favor the foreground a wee bit in most cases - with luck there'll even be something useful to pre-focus on.

Well done for the brief time you've used the 55B.

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06-08-2016, 05:51 PM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781	I really like mine, but find that a tripod/monopod is a good idea with it....

06-08-2016, 06:16 PM	#3
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I know a tripod is a good idea; but for my birding, a tripod is too confining; I can't follow the birds as well as by hand.

06-08-2016, 06:47 PM	#4
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	Not bad, great colors! It's tough because the DOF on a 500mm means you usually have to nail the focus, and birds move so quickly. FWIW, when birding with my Tokina 500mm mirror, I use a tripod to keep the camera stable, while watch the birds for a bit, they usually fly from perch to perch as they approach a feeder fro example. I choose a likely perch, aim, focus, and wait for the birds to land there. Even a monopod or beanbag adds stability while providing a range of motion. Here are a few examples if you are interested.

06-08-2016, 07:27 PM	#5
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Nice shots Carol! A lot better than I get with my telescope I use (800mm f/8.8)

06-08-2016, 08:11 PM	#6
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by robgski Not bad, great colors! It's tough because the DOF on a 500mm means you usually have to nail the focus, and birds move so quickly. FWIW, when birding with my Tokina 500mm mirror, I use a tripod to keep the camera stable, while watch the birds for a bit, they usually fly from perch to perch as they approach a feeder fro example. I choose a likely perch, aim, focus, and wait for the birds to land there. Even a monopod or beanbag adds stability while providing a range of motion. Here are a few examples if you are interested. Nice shots! I agree tripods are best for long lenses; but in my case, I simply prefer not using one. I was pleased how these turned out, as the light was very poor, just minutes before a downpour hit. It's fun to try something like this out!

06-08-2016, 08:12 PM	#7
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Bert, thanks!

06-08-2016, 08:22 PM	#9
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Carol, have you tried using a monopod at all? As now I notice the photos are slightly shaky. Not as cumbersome as a tripod in the bush and is great if your arm are tired.

06-08-2016, 08:30 PM	#10
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I had a monopod that I never used, and sold it, Bert. As I mentioned, I'm just playing with the 500. It is just on loan.

06-08-2016, 08:47 PM	#11
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by beachboy2 Looking at the exif data, shots taken at 1/125. Really need to be at 1/500 or faster. So you need better light. Attached photo is 500mm mirror lens, K20D, 1/500, hand held. That was operator error on my part; as I know better.

06-09-2016, 02:10 AM	#12
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,817	Originally posted by csa I'm just playing with the 500. It is just on loan. I hope you get some sunny and clear days so you can raise the shutter speed, and some clear nights so you can try a few moon shots.

06-09-2016, 06:31 AM	#13
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks, I hope to get some better shots!

06-09-2016, 11:27 AM	#15
pacerr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Paris, TN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,350	The second image demonstrates just how critical DOF can be under those circumstances. Assuming a K-5 at 40 ft using that F/8 lens you have only about a six inch window of reasonably sharp 'elbow room'. http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html The SP 55B is a tough lens to quickly and accurately focus and if you pre-focus you must take into account just where a 4-5"+ tail bird will actually perch on the limb. I find it's beneficial to hedge the focus point to favor the foreground a wee bit in most cases - with luck there'll even be something useful to pre-focus on. Well done for the brief time you've used the 55B.

Tamron Adaptall II 500 F/8 mirror lens

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