Nature The Saugus Ma. ospreys with a question.

The Saugus Ma. ospreys with a question. · **3 Likes**

Hi gang. I'm having fun with the Pentax 300mm lens with my K5IIs taking shots of the bird life in my area. I'm having good results when they are around the nest but what can I tweak with the camera/lens setting to get them in focus when they are circling in the sky above without the camera "hunting" for focus.

--charliezap.

**MikeNArk** · 04-11-2022, 12:17 PM

Very nice shots. You will likely need to use single point autofocus. For me, it's still difficult to keep birds in the center for focusing.

**aslyfox** · 04-11-2022, 03:04 PM

I also would use single point and continuous shooting -

Quote:

Continuous Shooting
Hi: 7 fps up to approx. 34 frames (JPG), up to approx. 26 frames (PEF/DNG), Lo: 2 fps until card is full (JPG), up to appox. 40 frames (PEF/DNG)

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-k-5-iis.html#ixzz7QBrcpgN8

in my experience you will miss shots but not all

**angkymac** · 04-11-2022, 06:32 PM

Your question is exactly the same question I have!
I have finally resorted to shutting off the auto-focus and going back to my never-perfected history of manually focusing. At least I don't waste time with the camera zooming back and forth, stop-to-stop.
But you got some very excellent shots of these birds.
Oh, forgot one thing... On a very bright day, I run the ISO up quite a bit, then use an f-stop of 13 -16, and let the shutter run about 300 or above. That helps a little bit.
(Back when I was first starting out, I didn't have an "automatic" aperture--they were just being introduced to the rich guys! That sure made bird shots difficult!)
Keep working on it. You've got some very nice shots.
Angky.

**Sailor** · 04-12-2022, 01:08 PM

Hey, Capn - I have the same issue with my K-3 and my 300. For some reason, it's not an issue with my K-1; in fact, the K-1/DA*300 combo allowed me to get birds in flight in good focus and with reasonable consistency for the first time in my life. My assumption is that the more advanced focusing tech on the K-1 simply works better with any lens, but is most noticeable with my 300. I don't keep up with new camera technology, but I'm betting that the stuff Pentax is building now, is better yet.

Jer

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04-11-2022, 12:17 PM	#2
MikeNArk Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 15,105	Very nice shots. You will likely need to use single point autofocus. For me, it's still difficult to keep birds in the center for focusing.

04-11-2022, 03:04 PM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	I also would use single point and continuous shooting - Quote: Continuous Shooting Hi: 7 fps up to approx. 34 frames (JPG), up to approx. 26 frames (PEF/DNG), Lo: 2 fps until card is full (JPG), up to appox. 40 frames (PEF/DNG) Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-k-5-iis.html#ixzz7QBrcpgN8 in my experience you will miss shots but not all

04-11-2022, 06:32 PM	#4
angkymac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,962	Your question is exactly the same question I have! I have finally resorted to shutting off the auto-focus and going back to my never-perfected history of manually focusing. At least I don't waste time with the camera zooming back and forth, stop-to-stop. But you got some very excellent shots of these birds. Oh, forgot one thing... On a very bright day, I run the ISO up quite a bit, then use an f-stop of 13 -16, and let the shutter run about 300 or above. That helps a little bit. (Back when I was first starting out, I didn't have an "automatic" aperture--they were just being introduced to the rich guys! That sure made bird shots difficult!) Keep working on it. You've got some very nice shots. Angky.

04-12-2022, 01:08 PM	#5
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Hey, Capn - I have the same issue with my K-3 and my 300. For some reason, it's not an issue with my K-1; in fact, the K-1/DA*300 combo allowed me to get birds in flight in good focus and with reasonable consistency for the first time in my life. My assumption is that the more advanced focusing tech on the K-1 simply works better with any lens, but is most noticeable with my 300. I don't keep up with new camera technology, but I'm betting that the stuff Pentax is building now, is better yet. Jer