[smf]

I know this is inferior to so many excellent images posted in this thread, but I hope you enjoy the action and the two spectators.
It was captured through window glass with a handheld K-S2 and SMC Pentax-F 1:4.5-5.6 100-300mm at 300mm.
Cross-posted from Daily Challenge Jan. 26 thread.

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Last edited by smf; 01-26-2016 at 09:32 AM. Reason: add information

[RockvilleBob]

2 raptors (lifers) to share:

Asian Barred Owlets shot with K3 + Sigma 500 F4.5 + Pentax 1.4x TC
Glad to shoot this owl in broad daylight and in open clean perch.

SO realistic you feel like reaching out and touching

[WPRESTO]

Good to let one or two other posts to intervene rather than follow kengoh directly. His images always make me think: what can't I do that?
And this is a pair of African tawny eagles.

[RockvilleBob]

Good to let one or two other posts to intervene rather than follow kengoh directly. His images always make me think: what can't I do that?
And this is a pair of African tawny eagles.

Very nice - you've had some great outings

[jacamar]

I suppose I was hoping that I would see my first Gyrfalcon ripping out of the sky and taking out some poor ptarmigan in a ball of feathers, but there it was, just sitting by the side of the road. DA 55-300mm at 300mm.

[zzeitg]

DA*300 (@420mm)

[zzeitg]

DA560 (one of my very first shots with this lens)

[Scorpio71GR]

And a very nice one at that. I have a feeling that 560 is way more lens than I would want to try and handle.

[gifthorse]

Red-Tailed hawk



Sigma 150-500 on a Pentax K5ii

[apfhex]

@apfhex, Can you share the technique? I still struggle with DA*300 for moving objects.

I mean, in comparison to the HD 55-300. Maybe it's the extra weight and size changing my hand holding technique, or the giant focus ring being easier to use quick-shift to get the camera to lock on faster and more consistently, maybe the SDM can track focus better? Oh and the f/4 helps with enabling faster shutter speeds of course. I just use AF.C with center focus point plus Expanded Area AF and Continuous Shooting mode. I don't have hands-on experience with any fancier AF systems (like a 7D mk II or what have you) so the DA*300 on my camera is the fanciest setup I know.

[LennyBloke]

Suddenly, I want an A400. How did you get so close?

With a Robin it's actually quite easy....

First thing you do is do a little bit of digging in the area below where you want the shot - that is what arouses the Robins interest in the first place - he'll fly over and as long as he feels safe he'll perch and watch.

Next, when he is pretty close by you simply make a kind of whistling through your teeth noise while you put your spade down and gradually raise your pre-focused camera/lens - they often listen intently to the noise (you can see them turning their heads from side to side as you do it) and will sit around for a few minutes allowing you time to snap a few shots.

[r0ckstarr]

DA560 (one of my very first shots with this lens)

Care to share your first impressions with the lens, and how you like it so far?

[WPRESTO]

Willet.

[zzeitg]

And a very nice one at that. I have a feeling that 560 is way more lens than I would want to try and handle.

Well, it's long but with just a little more than 3 kg it's "only" half of the weight of FA*600 or FA*250-600. To my own surprise it's even possible to shoot handheld (at least for a minute or so).

Care to share your first impressions with the lens, and how you like it so far?

I'd rather postpone this for little later, because at the moment there's no time to test the lens thoroughly. But my very first impression is that I'll surely need more time to learn how to use this lens. So far the amount of keepers is... negligible.
My feeling is that with DA560 @ f5.6 you somehow need more light than with DA*300&1.4TC (although it may sound odd because f5.6 should be f5.6). Most of my shots look blurry and miss the detail resolution. I blame it on my tripod, which is not robust enough, so I decided to order a new one (should arrive within 2 weeks). I also have to test if results would be better with Shake reduction OFF.

Few more shots which I consider as acceptable (after all) below.

[Canada_Rockies]

And a very nice one at that. I have a feeling that 560 is way more lens than I would want to try and handle.

It is a lot of lens, but I think I would rather that than my 680mm rig: M 400/5.6 + AFA 1.7x. That means focusing at (1.7*5.6)=f/9.5 with a rig that even on my Manfrotto 055 and 0168 ball head shakes violently any time someone sneezes - anywhere on the same beach! Imagine the pixie dust this shot would have had with the 560 and a slight crop. This is full frame on a K10D, by the way.