[Canada_Rockies]

Thanks guys for the nice comments.


Another shot from K1 + kit lens DAL 55-300 @300mm wide open F5.8

I'm coming to the conclusion that the 55-300 is a bit under-rated. It is not perfect, but when you attain focus and good exposure, the results are really quite good. My project to come soon is to compare static images from the M 400/5.6 and the 300/5.6 at 300, cropping the 300 to 400 field of view. Now that I am using the K-3 that replaced my K10, I am finding that cropped images hold up much better. That might have something to do with 24 Mpx vs 10 Mpx

I do know that the 55-300 is much faster to work with and it has fewer exposure errors using matrix. The focus throw on the M 400 is the worst problem I am finding. It takes a lot of cranking to change focus. I am not having problems attaining good focus with the stock K-3 focus screen, using the O-ME53 magnifier.

Exposure is a matter of green button settings. I am finding that the exposure is rather more consistent shooting at -2 EV and the CA is pretty well under control at f/11. I do have to make sure the meter is set to matrix (which defaults to center weighted). Spot metering is too reliant on where I have the lens aimed and can throw the exposure all over the map. The EV setting is not recorded in the EXIF for Manual Exposure, unfortunately.

[micromacro]

DA*300mm on K-1, crops.

[marquis1955]

A couple of Dove and a young Cardinal, practice practice .....

[luftfluss]

A couple of Dove and a young Cardinal, practice practice .....

The lovely bokeh really enhances these shots. I'd suggest using a higher ISO to obtain a faster shutter speed, as the 1/320s isn't sufficient to freeze the action of the head movement.

[Canada_Rockies]

DA*300mm on K-1, crops.

I think the bird is ready to fly over your head and seagull you! Nice shooting.

[marquis1955]

The lovely bokeh really enhances these shots. I'd suggest using a higher ISO to obtain a faster shutter speed, as the 1/320s isn't sufficient to freeze the action of the head movement.

Thanks for the tip I will definitely increase the ISO..............

[luftfluss]

Thanks for the tip I will definitely increase the ISO..............

Personally, I've found 1/750s to be fairly reliable with freezing head movement... but I'm shooting a K-5 II, so not as many pixels to worry about compared with your K-3. Some small birds - like mourning doves - do seem more prone to sitting perfectly still, allowing you to use a slower shutter.

[luftfluss]

I also came across a Flicker family yesterday.

I agree with the others, that last shot is aces!

DA*300mm on K-1, crops.

The butterfly-in-flight is gorgeous.

[marquis1955]

Personally, I've found 1/750s to be fairly reliable with freezing head movement... but I'm shooting a K-5 II, so not as many pixels to worry about compared with your K-3. Some small birds - like mourning doves - do seem more prone to sitting perfectly still, allowing you to use a slower shutter.

I am used to shooting with my K5IIs and I'm still getting used to the K3 ISO and figuring out the differences there certainly seems to be more noise associated with the added MP's. The K3 seems to have a little bit different exposure using the same ISO as my K5IIs. I am also using DXO and LR6 for PP.

[micromacro]

I think the bird is ready to fly over your head and seagull you! Nice shooting.

Actually he is going to pick up a peanut. I pay my models generously Still practice birds and anything in flight with K-1. Today I tried Tav mode, and got pretty good results. Never liked that mode with K5iis.

---------- Post added 06-13-16 at 02:48 PM ----------

The butterfly-in-flight is gorgeous.

Thank you. I love to shot butterflies in flight, it's a challenge. If I get one razor sharp image out of 20, I'm lucky.

[kengoh]

I'm coming to the conclusion that the 55-300 is a bit under-rated. It is not perfect, but when you attain focus and good exposure, the results are really quite good. My project to come soon is to compare static images from the M 400/5.6 and the 300/5.6 at 300, cropping the 300 to 400 field of view. Now that I am using the K-3 that replaced my K10, I am finding that cropped images hold up much better. That might have something to do with 24 Mpx vs 10 Mpx

I do know that the 55-300 is much faster to work with and it has fewer exposure errors using matrix. The focus throw on the M 400 is the worst problem I am finding. It takes a lot of cranking to change focus. I am not having problems attaining good focus with the stock K-3 focus screen, using the O-ME53 magnifier.

Exposure is a matter of green button settings. I am finding that the exposure is rather more consistent shooting at -2 EV and the CA is pretty well under control at f/11. I do have to make sure the meter is set to matrix (which defaults to center weighted). Spot metering is too reliant on where I have the lens aimed and can throw the exposure all over the map. The EV setting is not recorded in the EXIF for Manual Exposure, unfortunately.

Yes agree, the 55-300 is not a bad lens, under good lighting its quite sharp just that focusing is a little slow.

[lukulele]

"Scooter" our hard working leaf kicking Towhee in a tree, first hummingbird to actually show any interest today, and blackberries ready for some rain. Great crop duster flying today over cabbage, Fraser firs, and corn but unfortunately wrong lens in hand.

[kengoh]

Huh? Still hungry?
K1 + Sigma 500 F4.5, jpeg, iso 4000, no noise removal

[marquis1955]

Huh? Still hungry?
K1 + Sigma 500 F4.5, jpeg, iso 4000, no noise removal

Amazing as always !

[derekkite]

Another Pika.