HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - Show us what it can do, what it CAN'T!

**ehrwien** · 06-07-2022, 11:07 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CraigR

My only wish is that the yard bird population around here in Berlin looked like yours - it's all sparrows and crows where I live!

If it's anything in/around Berlin as here in the Ruhrgebiet, you could be a little too quick with that judgment! When I started to go out and really keep an eye out for birds, I found many more species than I had ever thought were around here.

**CBM** · 06-07-2022, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by Des

Some more yard birds with the KP + 55-300 PLM. All processed with DxO PhotoLab 5 and Nik Color Efex Pro.

Crimson Rosella.
Little Wattlebirds
Superb Fairy-wren

Love your examples, not to mention the preceding tutorial - the Fairy-wren is truly superb. Guide books should be so well illustrated!

**Des** · 06-07-2022, 05:32 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by CraigR

Wow Des, thank you so much for taking the time to write the above - it really helps me.As I wrote previously I have never used a lens like this before but your beautiful images just inspired me to want to have a go (even when I had the Canon 90D and the majority of what I used to see on their FB page was birds, I never felt it was something I was interested in).My only wish is that the yard bird population around here in Berlin looked like yours - it's all sparrows and crows where I live!And thanks for the encouragement regarding my photo of the ducks - I took two photos but honestly had no idea what I was doing apart from trying to make sure they (or bits of them) could actually be seen and get that eye in focus.I almost managed it

Very happy to help Craig. Wildlife photography can be challenging but very rewarding. Have a look at the 300mm+ thread and see what the masters there do.

Originally posted by ehrwien

If it's anything in/around Berlin as here in the Ruhrgebiet, you could be a little too quick with that judgment! When I started to go out and really keep an eye out for birds, I found many more species than I had ever thought were around here.

With great photographic success too, I would add.

That's true in a lot of places. When I lived in Melbourne I didn't realise how many species there were. My eyes were opened when I moved to the country. Of course there are far more species here, but the difference was in how much attention I paid to them. I found it helpful to try to identify every new sound or sight (a good guide book/app helps - try the Merlin app) and make notes - the world around opens up to you when you start recognising birds by their song or their flight or their habits. When you know a species well, you can recognise it by what birders call the "jizz" - a general impression of size and shape. Getting to know your birds adds to the fun of trying to photograph them.

Originally posted by CBM

Love your examples, not to mention the preceding tutorial - the Fairy-wren is truly superb. Guide books should be so well illustrated!

Many thanks Chris. Fairy-wrens are very small but they can get quite bold and come fairly close. The hardest part is that they move so quickly. This little guy (the blue breeding plumage is the clue) had been attacking his reflection in a window. He gave me an photo op when he took a breather in preparation for another assault!

Originally posted by csa

Early morning over the lake. 55-300 PLM @55mm

You're making a good start with this lens Carol. With the landscape at 55mm, you could probably safely slow the shutter and narrow the aperture by a stop or so.

**aslyfox** · 06-08-2022, 11:44 PM - **1 Like**

Bald Eagle out on the end

Bainbridge Island WA

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

Unregistered User · 06-09-2022, 07:53 AM

The Crow.

**aslyfox** · 06-09-2022, 01:59 PM - **2 Likes**

the view of the Seattle Space Needle as seen from the last seat on the left of the landing float plane returning from Friday Harbor San Juan Island WA to Seattle

it was Kenmore Air's Wild Orca seaplane, a 1954 de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Turbo Otter that's been dressed up in the familiar markings of Orcinus Orca.

https://www.airlinereporter.com/2015/05/kenmore-air-makes-a-splash-with-the-wild-orca-seaplane/

**ehrwien** · 06-10-2022, 03:07 PM - **7 Likes**

On K-3 III

Canadian Goose and Gosling

massive crop

Treecreepers

**csa** · 06-11-2022, 01:27 AM

Des, a very silly question, but what is KP/DxO PL5 ?

**ehrwien** · 06-11-2022, 02:13 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by csa

Des, a very silly question, but what is KP/DxO PL5 ?

KP as in the camera, and DxO PL5 is PhotoLab 5, a RAW converter like Lightroom, with some great noise reduction capabilities.

Evening Glow

Must have been all kinds of aberrations at work here, but I liked the result out of camera so much and couldn't achieve what I liked in the picture because converting destroyed the colour and the glow.

**csa** · 06-11-2022, 07:25 AM

Thank you; since I don't shoot in Raw, I wasn't familiar with it.

**aslyfox** · 06-11-2022, 05:33 PM - **8 Likes**

found in a picnic ground of the Mount Rainer National Park a Stellar's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri

You can tell it is of the Pacific variety because of the blue streaks

Photos and Videos for Steller's Jay, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

jgnfld · 06-12-2022, 03:56 PM - **4 Likes**

The PLM can take relative closeups at 55mm, f4.5, 1/100s, iso400 (KP) pretty good, i think...

(xposted to Cats and KP pic groups)

**aslyfox** · 06-12-2022, 11:30 PM - **1 Like**

bald eagle on island in Salish Sea

Unregistered User · 06-13-2022, 05:44 AM

Greedy...

by C R Leigh on Flickr

skierd · 06-16-2022, 06:37 PM - **4 Likes**

Charlie celebrating her first goal of the season

Shot with my KP using in camera processing for the jpg.

06-07-2022, 05:32 PM - 2 Likes	#1218
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,421	Originally posted by CraigR Wow Des, thank you so much for taking the time to write the above - it really helps me.As I wrote previously I have never used a lens like this before but your beautiful images just inspired me to want to have a go (even when I had the Canon 90D and the majority of what I used to see on their FB page was birds, I never felt it was something I was interested in).My only wish is that the yard bird population around here in Berlin looked like yours - it's all sparrows and crows where I live!And thanks for the encouragement regarding my photo of the ducks - I took two photos but honestly had no idea what I was doing apart from trying to make sure they (or bits of them) could actually be seen and get that eye in focus.I almost managed it Very happy to help Craig. Wildlife photography can be challenging but very rewarding. Have a look at the 300mm+ thread and see what the masters there do. Originally posted by ehrwien If it's anything in/around Berlin as here in the Ruhrgebiet, you could be a little too quick with that judgment! When I started to go out and really keep an eye out for birds, I found many more species than I had ever thought were around here. With great photographic success too, I would add. That's true in a lot of places. When I lived in Melbourne I didn't realise how many species there were. My eyes were opened when I moved to the country. Of course there are far more species here, but the difference was in how much attention I paid to them. I found it helpful to try to identify every new sound or sight (a good guide book/app helps - try the Merlin app) and make notes - the world around opens up to you when you start recognising birds by their song or their flight or their habits. When you know a species well, you can recognise it by what birders call the "jizz" - a general impression of size and shape. Getting to know your birds adds to the fun of trying to photograph them. Originally posted by CBM Love your examples, not to mention the preceding tutorial - the Fairy-wren is truly superb. Guide books should be so well illustrated! Many thanks Chris. Fairy-wrens are very small but they can get quite bold and come fairly close. The hardest part is that they move so quickly. This little guy (the blue breeding plumage is the clue) had been attacking his reflection in a window. He gave me an photo op when he took a breather in preparation for another assault! Originally posted by csa Early morning over the lake. 55-300 PLM @55mm You're making a good start with this lens Carol. With the landscape at 55mm, you could probably safely slow the shutter and narrow the aperture by a stop or so. Last edited by Des; 06-07-2022 at 05:38 PM.

06-13-2022, 05:44 AM	#1229
Unregistered User Guest	Greedy... by C R Leigh on Flickr Last edited by Unregistered User; 06-13-2022 at 02:04 PM.

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06-07-2022, 11:07 AM - 1 Like	#1216
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,780	Originally posted by CraigR My only wish is that the yard bird population around here in Berlin looked like yours - it's all sparrows and crows where I live! If it's anything in/around Berlin as here in the Ruhrgebiet, you could be a little too quick with that judgment! When I started to go out and really keep an eye out for birds, I found many more species than I had ever thought were around here.

06-07-2022, 01:24 PM	#1217
CBM Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2021 Location: Delray Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	Originally posted by Des Some more yard birds with the KP + 55-300 PLM. All processed with DxO PhotoLab 5 and Nik Color Efex Pro. Crimson Rosella. Little Wattlebirds Superb Fairy-wren Love your examples, not to mention the preceding tutorial - the Fairy-wren is truly superb. Guide books should be so well illustrated!

06-09-2022, 07:53 AM	#1220
Unregistered User Guest	The Crow.

06-10-2022, 03:07 PM - 7 Likes	#1222
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,780	On K-3 III Canadian Goose and Gosling massive crop Treecreepers

06-11-2022, 01:27 AM	#1223
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Des, a very silly question, but what is KP/DxO PL5 ?

06-11-2022, 02:13 AM - 5 Likes	#1224
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,780	Originally posted by csa Des, a very silly question, but what is KP/DxO PL5 ? KP as in the camera, and DxO PL5 is PhotoLab 5, a RAW converter like Lightroom, with some great noise reduction capabilities. Evening Glow Must have been all kinds of aberrations at work here, but I liked the result out of camera so much and couldn't achieve what I liked in the picture because converting destroyed the colour and the glow.

06-11-2022, 07:25 AM	#1225
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Thank you; since I don't shoot in Raw, I wasn't familiar with it.

06-12-2022, 03:56 PM - 4 Likes	#1227
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,787	The PLM can take relative closeups at 55mm, f4.5, 1/100s, iso400 (KP) pretty good, i think... (xposted to Cats and KP pic groups)

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