300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

halfspin · 01-25-2015, 02:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rkappleby

I was fortunate this morning...

Fortunate, indeed. This is my favorite by a far margin shot of this species!

---------- Post added 01-25-15 at 04:06 PM ----------

Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery.

**rkappleby** · 01-25-2015, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by halfspin

Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery.

I don't even know how to do that

Check out some of Travis' stuff (Dane.Dawg)

r0ckstarr · 01-25-2015, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by rkappleby

I was fortunate this morning...

Great shot!! Looks like the eagle is about the be the fortunate one!

Originally posted by halfspin

Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery.

This ^

**swip** · 01-25-2015, 05:36 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by normhead

A little excitement today....

We saw this guys sitting up in a tree.... while looking out the window, having a cup of tea. As soon as I got the binoculars on it, I realized I'd never seen one before.

It was pretty dark, I just grabbed a couple photos from the porch for ID, it was too dark for anything decent. Anyway, after we got these ID photos we determined he was Northern Shrike , we are in their winter range. In the summer they live further north, up near Moosonee.

He was probably attracted by the birds and vermin around the feeder. After it had become way too dark to take pictures, he swooped down to try and take a shrew that was foraging for seeds under the feeder. A fight ensued, the shrew escaped, the bird may have been bit on the leg. The shrew definitely got munched on a couple times before managing to dive down a burrow. We watched through our binoculars. I hope he comes back tomorrow in better light. I should be able to get some excellent images if he does.

They always show up at the least opportune time don't they? Hope you will get a good shot eventually.

---------- Post added 01-25-15 at 07:53 PM ----------

I have been trying to find this white male snowy for the last month or so. I have seen him around but haven't had good light to get a decent photo.
I finally got lucky today and here he is. It was cold and windy but sunny. He was hiding among some bushes on white snow making him very difficult to make out.

Nearby, a young snowy was perched on a hydro pole. A raven flew by and chased it to the ground.

Last edited by swip; 01-25-2015 at 06:01 PM.

RobG · 01-25-2015, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by rkappleby

I was fortunate this morning...

Fabulous! Looks like a great subject for a painting. You were fortunate indeed to catch that moment!

**Digitalis** · 01-25-2015, 06:11 PM - **6 Likes**

One of those rare instances where I have used the FA*250-600mm f5.6 handheld:

Pentax K5IIs - SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED [IF] @ 370mm f/6.3 ISO640 1/1250th

RobG · 01-25-2015, 06:18 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by marcusBMG

TC's are pernickety! bear in mind that:
- they multiply all the aberrations/weaknesses of the lens
- they multiply all the technical difficulties of getting sharp pics with long focal length lenses: shake, vibration. small depth of field
- the latter being particularly made worse by slow shutter speeds from losing TWO stops worth of light ie your 300mm f4 + tc is 600mm f8
- tc's have a bit of a mix 'n match character its very possible that the pentacon 2x doesn't go too well with the takumar 300mm.it also sounds like thats an old tc, may not have good coatings, may not be very good period!

FWIW I'm really impressed by the combination of the DA*300 and HD DA 1.4 TC.

r0ckstarr · 01-25-2015, 06:33 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by RobG

FWIW I'm really impressed by the combination of the DA*300 and HD DA 1.4 TC.

Same here:

RobG · 01-25-2015, 06:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Same here:

Very nice indeed!

You can even use the combination for astrophotography.

r0ckstarr · 01-25-2015, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by RobG

Very nice indeed!

You can even use the combination for astrophotography.

I'm going to have to try that!

RobG · 01-25-2015, 06:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

I'm going to have to try that!

Just be warned that even on an exposure as short as 10 seconds, the GPS was having trouble tracking at this magnification. That's why I needed to crank the K3 up to 3200 ISO. Stacking several shots at 10s would be better - if I could get the stacking to work...

lukulele · 01-25-2015, 07:15 PM - **3 Likes**

Attempted a few on the usual suspects-A 400/5.6 with Tamron 2x BBAR MC7 for the first time through glass storm door plus one w/o. Practice, practice, practice…………...

normhead · 01-25-2015, 08:15 PM - **2 Likes**

My DA*60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing... so I used my F 70-210.... a little too short to post here. But you can find some images in other threads. But I did shoot a bit with my A-400.

**swip** · 01-25-2015, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by normhead

My DA*60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing... so I used my F 70-210.... a little too short to post here. But you can find some images in other threads. But I did shoot a bit with my A-400.

Sad to hear about your DA*60-250. But you always have good pictures with the A-400.

r0ckstarr · 01-25-2015, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by normhead

My DA*60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing...

Any idea how it happened? Is it DIY repairable?

01-25-2015, 02:11 PM	#15107
rkappleby Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Crowsnest Pass Alberta Posts: 648	Originally posted by halfspin Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery. I don't even know how to do that Check out some of Travis' stuff (Dane.Dawg) Last edited by rkappleby; 01-25-2015 at 02:14 PM. Reason: added info

01-25-2015, 08:51 PM	#15119
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,825	Originally posted by normhead My DA60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing... so I used my F 70-210.... a little too short to post here. But you can find some images in other threads. But I did shoot a bit with my A-400. Sad to hear about your DA60-250. But you always have good pictures with the A-400. Last edited by swip; 01-26-2015 at 07:47 AM.

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01-25-2015, 02:02 PM - 1 Like	#15106
halfspin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 258	Originally posted by rkappleby I was fortunate this morning... Fortunate, indeed. This is my favorite by a far margin shot of this species! ---------- Post added 01-25-15 at 04:06 PM ---------- Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery.

01-25-2015, 05:28 PM	#15108
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by rkappleby I was fortunate this morning... Great shot!! Looks like the eagle is about the be the fortunate one! Originally posted by halfspin Please share it with the entire website by putting it in the exclusive gallery. This ^

01-25-2015, 05:36 PM - 7 Likes	#15109
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,825	Originally posted by normhead A little excitement today.... We saw this guys sitting up in a tree.... while looking out the window, having a cup of tea. As soon as I got the binoculars on it, I realized I'd never seen one before. It was pretty dark, I just grabbed a couple photos from the porch for ID, it was too dark for anything decent. Anyway, after we got these ID photos we determined he was Northern Shrike , we are in their winter range. In the summer they live further north, up near Moosonee. He was probably attracted by the birds and vermin around the feeder. After it had become way too dark to take pictures, he swooped down to try and take a shrew that was foraging for seeds under the feeder. A fight ensued, the shrew escaped, the bird may have been bit on the leg. The shrew definitely got munched on a couple times before managing to dive down a burrow. We watched through our binoculars. I hope he comes back tomorrow in better light. I should be able to get some excellent images if he does. They always show up at the least opportune time don't they? Hope you will get a good shot eventually. ---------- Post added 01-25-15 at 07:53 PM ---------- I have been trying to find this white male snowy for the last month or so. I have seen him around but haven't had good light to get a decent photo. I finally got lucky today and here he is. It was cold and windy but sunny. He was hiding among some bushes on white snow making him very difficult to make out. Nearby, a young snowy was perched on a hydro pole. A raven flew by and chased it to the ground. Last edited by swip; 01-25-2015 at 06:01 PM.

01-25-2015, 06:08 PM	#15110
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,888	Originally posted by rkappleby I was fortunate this morning... Fabulous! Looks like a great subject for a painting. You were fortunate indeed to catch that moment!

01-25-2015, 06:11 PM - 6 Likes	#15111
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	One of those rare instances where I have used the FA250-600mm f5.6 handheld: Pentax K5IIs -* SMC Pentax-FA 250-600mm F5.6 ED* [IF] @ 370mm f/6.3 ISO640 1/1250th

01-25-2015, 06:18 PM - 7 Likes	#15112
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,888	Originally posted by marcusBMG TC's are pernickety! bear in mind that: - they multiply all the aberrations/weaknesses of the lens - they multiply all the technical difficulties of getting sharp pics with long focal length lenses: shake, vibration. small depth of field - the latter being particularly made worse by slow shutter speeds from losing TWO stops worth of light ie your 300mm f4 + tc is 600mm f8 - tc's have a bit of a mix 'n match character its very possible that the pentacon 2x doesn't go too well with the takumar 300mm.it also sounds like thats an old tc, may not have good coatings, may not be very good period! FWIW I'm really impressed by the combination of the DA*300 and HD DA 1.4 TC.

01-25-2015, 06:33 PM - 5 Likes	#15113
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by RobG FWIW *I'm really impressed by the combination of the DA300 and HD DA 1.4 TC**. Same here:

01-25-2015, 06:46 PM - 1 Like	#15114
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,888	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Same here: Very nice indeed! You can even use the combination for astrophotography.

01-25-2015, 06:47 PM	#15115
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by RobG Very nice indeed! You can even use the combination for astrophotography. I'm going to have to try that!

01-25-2015, 06:54 PM - 1 Like	#15116
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,888	Originally posted by r0ckstarr I'm going to have to try that! Just be warned that even on an exposure as short as 10 seconds, the GPS was having trouble tracking at this magnification. That's why I needed to crank the K3 up to 3200 ISO. Stacking several shots at 10s would be better - if I could get the stacking to work...

01-25-2015, 08:15 PM - 2 Likes	#15118
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	My DA*60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing... so I used my F 70-210.... a little too short to post here. But you can find some images in other threads. But I did shoot a bit with my A-400.

01-25-2015, 08:52 PM	#15120
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by normhead My DA*60-250 went down today, one of the contacts is missing... Any idea how it happened? Is it DIY repairable?