[marcusBMG]

Some recent pics (KS2):





Mixed parentage duck.








Nesting nuthatches. Tripod, high ISO, big crop.

[K2 to K50]

Some recent pics (KS2):

Wow, some of those close-ups are exceptional, especially the European Goldfinch.

[mattt]

The kiss - Cropped from K-1....

[tmlawes]

A tree swallow

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[mikeSF]

brilliant set!

Some recent pics (KS2):





Mixed parentage duck.








Nesting nuthatches. Tripod, high ISO, big crop.

[steamloco76]

Mourning Dove couple

[wtlwdwgn]

On the K-3.

[rgknief60]

I got mine "pre-owned" and took my chances at the better price, figuring I could afford an eventual repair if something happens, and that is my gamble.

Not a gamble for me. Warning: Rant enclosed. Perhaps you may want to scroll down to the picture!


I tried to purchase new. The 150-450 manual says that the lens should be well cushioned, even if driving in the car. I tried to buy new from B&H. They boxed a lens and shipped, no padding. Both the outer and the lens' boxes were damaged. I asked for a replacement, knowing how it had been thrown around in shipping. The second one was packed in a smaller box, a bit of packaging, and arrived with both boxes crushed. I tried once more. This time someone sent me a lens in a box that was damaged from the inside out by the lens, ovbivously damaged prior to shipping. Of course, I returned it. I used to buy B&H because they packed everything well compared to Adorama. I returned a 15-30mm to B&H previously where the lens box was dented and damaged prior to shipping, as the shipping box had no corresponding damage, and there was nothing else in the shipping box to damage it.

Previous to that, in 2016, I purchased a DA 300 from B&H new that was rattling around a big cardboard box without padding. I kept it because there were no obvious problems. A year later, just out of warranty, the SDM stopped working after less that a dozen outings. I had to convert it to screw drive. I've always had in the back of my mind that perhaps it failed because of shipping damage due to poor packaging. Of course Pentax will not cover internal damage from shipping under warranty. Several folks who baby their lenses claim that Pentax says the lens is OOW due to impact damage. If most were shipped like mine, perhaps shipping issues are at the root of the SDM problelms with that lens. Food for thought?

So I waited until a forum member had a 150-450 with a proven track record. It arrived well packaged, in almost new condition. It is a great lens. I am confident that what he sold me will last longer than any of the poorly packaged lenses I received from and returned to B&H.


I will now work with a sales rep on the phone if I order a lens. I will ask for a well packaged lens, offer to pay extra for that, and ask the rep to attach a note with my order that the lens will be returned if received without enough padding/protection around it.

More than enough rant.


Now for a picture!

One day in July, 2019, I heard two loud explosions close together. Both the transformer in front of our house, and the one a block down blew, leaving us without power for several hours. The is the lineman replacing the transformer. I sent him a copy. His wife printed a copy as there were no pictures of him at work for his kids to see. I was happy to have power restored, he was happy with the picture! The lens served me well that day.



Lineman Replacing Transformer

[DirkWitten]

K-1 II @ 160mm ƒ/4.5

[rgknief60]

K-1 II @ 160mm ƒ/4.5

I like how you captured the helicopter: Nice sharp body, while preserving a bit of motion blur on the rotors.

I prefer my bird images with the wing's motion stopped, except for some hummingbird images. Conversly, I find that most helicopter images with the blade motion frozen make me uneasy.

[K2 to K50]

A tree swallow

Very nice - in so many shots of this bird, the eye seems to get lost in the dark face, but your shot here has captured the eye very clearly.

---------- Post added 05-07-21 at 07:32 PM ----------

K-1 II @ 160mm ƒ/4.5

Wow - that is one sharp, detailed pic!

[mattt]

Now for a picture!

One day in July, 2019, I heard two loud explosions close together. Both the transformer in front of our house, and the one a block down blew, leaving us without power for several hours. The is the lineman replacing the transformer. I sent him a copy. His wife printed a copy as there were no pictures of him at work for his kids to see. I was happy to have power restored, he was happy with the picture! The lens served me well that day.



Lineman Replacing Transformer

Terrific photo - no wonder she printed.

[K2 to K50]

More osprey with the K-3.

Wow - beautiful photography work there - sharp detailed action shots. The eyes are really sharp in these shots.

[RobG]

Suspension by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

[wtlwdwgn]

Wow - beautiful photography work there - sharp detailed action shots. The eyes are really sharp in these shots.

Thank you!