[Canada_Rockies]

RobG, try to use quick shift focus. When I first started to use my 55-300mm WR I didn't use quick shift focus that much. Later on I appreciated what this feature has to offer.
I start using it almost like a semi-hybrid manual/AF. It made a world of difference. Every time I picked the object to shoot I would manually thru quick shift focus focused on the object and then
let the AF takes over either in AF-S or AF-C...this way the hunting you experiencing will be minimized since you are helping AF to hone on the object. I am not sure if Canon or Nikon lenses even have quick shift focus.
We are blessed that Pentax using this in most new lenses.
Try to use it all the time and it will became natural. Don't give up on that DA *300mm f/4 it is a superb class lens (I wish I have one )

I have the DA 55-300 (previous to WR) and it is a pretty good looking image producer in good light. In addition to quick shift, I use the back AF button with the half press AF turned off. I find that quickly grabbing a contrasty subject, such as a branch or reed, at the same distance using the back AF button and then pointing at the subject works well.

As for MF, I do use the M 400/5.6 quite a bit. The extra reach is terrific. I also use it with the AFA 1.7x with surprisingly decent results. (See the kids in the surf in my gallery and the oyster catchers). They were taken with the K10. With the K-3, I find the extra light on sensor with higher ISO much more useful. The ability to crop down to the equivalent of K10 pixel density is making the AFA 1.7x used much more often.

I don't have a huge budget. Actually, I don't even have a small budget. I have to make do until I can come up with a few extra dollars watching drunks in the local drunk tank.

[lukulele]

Mahogany Rock, MP 235, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC. Blue Ridge Birders Migratory Count 1Oct 2016. K-5, A/400

[swip]

I was walking along a trail by a small lake and something flew up on a low tree branch ahead of me. When I got closer, it turned out to be this Barred Owl.
It stayed put and I managed to get some really close shots. It was overcast, I was in the woods, and the light was fading quickly. So these pictures were all taken at high ISO (2500-4000) and very slow shutter speed (f/100-f/250). Thanks to on camera image stabilization, they turned out not bad.

[kengoh]

Yesterday shot with K1 + Sigma 500 F4.5

Grey Heron in flight


with double stack teleconverters - Pentax 1.4x + Kenko 1.5x = 2.1x, equivalent focal length 1050mm

[cleaverx]

I was walking along a trail by a small lake and something flew up on a low tree branch ahead of me. When I got closer, it turned out to be this Barred Owl.
It stayed put and I managed to get some really close shots. It was overcast, I was in the woods, and the light was fading quickly. So these pictures were all taken at high ISO (2500-4000) and very slow shutter speed (f/100-f/250). Thanks to on camera image stabilization, they turned out not bad.

Nice set. Pics looks awesome. What camera and lens did you used?

---------- Post added 10-01-16 at 07:55 PM ----------

Mahogany Rock, MP 235, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC. Blue Ridge Birders Migratory Count 1Oct 2016. K-5, A/400

Nice Turkey vulture??

[swip]

Nice set. Pics looks awesome. What camera and lens did you used?

---------- Post added 10-01-16 at 07:55 PM ----------

K3 and Sigma 500 f/4.5

[biz-engineer]

A few distant smalls birds with a K1 and DFA150-450 (cropped).

Attached Images

     

[acoufap]

K1 + DA55-300PLM + DA TC1.4x


420mm - ISO 100 - 1/320s - f/11


420mm - ISO 12.800 - 1/125s - f/9.5


420mm - ISO 5.000 - 1/125s - f/9.5

@Tierpark Hellabrunn, Munich

[normhead]

Nice looking images , especially considering a TC was used.

[Nicolas06]

So I started to process and sort my photos from my safari. All taken with 55-300 or 17-70. Here I'll post a few 300mm shots.

First one: the Lion King, Ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania

[cleaverx]

Strange day today at the marshlands. Tons of birds, but they were all way more spooky than usual. Hunting season might have to do something with it.
Normally I can get decent range with K-3 and SMC A 400mm f/5.6, but today only American Robins let me get close .
Since I had my K-1 with M* 300mm f/4 with me I took a shot of Mount Baker in the distance.

K-1 and M* 300mm f/4

[dane.dawg]

Rock Wren..

[Venom3300]

First shots with the D610 + Tamron 150-600. ISO 1200-4000.

[Nicolas06]

When you think about it, Lions are much more active than cats...

55-300, 300mm

[GUB]

NZ Tui
K01 with Tak 300mm cropped a lot.