My second attempt, that worked well, with the 55-300 and Tamron 1.4tc. I really want a camera with more "cropping" room. Just don't have the money right now.

[Venom3300]

What camera do you have?

I suspect that you really need a lens with more "cropping room". The 55-300 doesnt withstand 1:1 crops very well, especially with a teleconverter.

What camera do you have?

I suspect that you really need a lens with more "cropping room". The 55-300 doesnt withstand 1:1 crops very well, especially with a teleconverter.

I am really no specialist but I do think that too. I subjectively have the feeling I made sharper shots with 50-135 thrn with that one. Especially on the long end. Even stopped down I rarely have satisfaction. I have never tried with a tripod however. My early birds in flight with the da* cropped are better than those zoomed out with the 55-300.
David

[csa]

Well, that's all I use for wildlife, the Pentax 55-300, plus a Tamron 1.4 TC, handheld. I do use the K3 which gives better cropping abilities, but I sure am happy with the results I get with this combo! You can look thru some of my wildlife photos, and judge for yourself.

[chibae]

I am really no specialist but I do think that too. I subjectively have the feeling I made sharper shots with 50-135 thrn with that one. Especially on the long end. Even stopped down I rarely have satisfaction. I have never tried with a tripod however. My early birds in flight with the da* cropped are better than those zoomed out with the 55-300.
David

I am using a K5. I am just starting down the road of attempting to take bird photos. At the moment I am exploring equipment options but that is for a future purchase. I have no extra funds right now for purchasing gear. So, I am using the gear I have and working with it. When I am out birding I don't carry a tripod, or monopod, unless my spotting scope is on it.

I have started a new thread under pet photos to show what type of photography I normally do.

[csa]

chibae, don't get discouraged! You've just started using this combo; just keep shooting, and you will improve with each shot. This one could use a little PP, such as a little contrast and sharpening; but for just starting out with birds, well done. I use FastStone mainly for PP, and it's free!

Well, that's all I use for wildlife, the Pentax 55-300, plus a Tamron 1.4 TC, handheld. I do use the K3 which gives better cropping abilities, but I sure am happy with the results I get with this combo! You can look thru some of my wildlife photos, and judge for yourself.

You do have beautiful pictures of a quality I can't achieve with that lens. Either I never nail focus or my hand is too unsteady for such a long focal lenght. I should try with a tripod to compare.

I certainly did not meant to discourage you chibae. Sorry if it sounded like that.
David

[chibae]

You do have beautiful pictures of a quality I can't achieve with that lens. Either I never nail focus or my hand is too unsteady for such a long focal lenght. I should try with a tripod to compare.

I certainly did not meant to discourage you chibae. Sorry if it sounded like that.
David

No problem David. I am here to learn and I can take criticism and learn from it no matter what tone it may take. I appreciate your response. Some of my horse portraits are in a different thread. I may put up some cattle and swine shots as well soon.

[Venom3300]

I am using a K5. I am just starting down the road of attempting to take bird photos. At the moment I am exploring equipment options but that is for a future purchase. I have no extra funds right now for purchasing gear. So, I am using the gear I have and working with it. When I am out birding I don't carry a tripod, or monopod, unless my spotting scope is on it.

I have started a new thread under pet photos to show what type of photography I normally do.

My comment wasn't meant to discourage either. It has taken me a long time to be able to invest in a K-3II and DA*300, and even then there are better kits. Before that, like you, I made do with what I had which was an old tokina 400 5.6 AT-X AF, and before that an ancient canon 100-300 5.6L and 50D. There is nothing wrong with sharpening your skills with what you can afford.

The reason for my comment is that from my experience of upgrading my kit over the last few years, it looks like the lens quality is the limiting factor in the shot rather than the camera. I had the K-5 and I know it can produce sharper images even cropped that far.

[FozzFoster]

My second attempt, that worked well, with the 55-300 and Tamron 1.4tc. I really want a camera with more "cropping" room. Just don't have the money right now.

nice capture! good one!

[bertwert]

My second attempt, that worked well, with the 55-300 and Tamron 1.4tc. I really want a camera with more "cropping" room. Just don't have the money right now.

Nice shot, thanks for sharing