Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
04-05-2019, 03:52 PM - 1 Like   #30901
Pentaxian




Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Seattle
Posts: 2,775
QuoteOriginally posted by stihlmania Quote
Thanks Taks, I am just now recharging the Quantum Battery 2 that I use with the flash, about 200 plus shots with no waiting for the flash to recharge. I like your Eagles, I wish I did not have to drive 400 miles to see Eagles........Ha!
Thank you. I want to set up a bird feeder so I can shoot from my house, but I rather not climb 35 feet up the fir tree in front of the widow to fill the feeder each time. My house is on the third floor

04-05-2019, 08:00 PM - 1 Like   #30902
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Spring Branch, Tx
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 705
A word about using legacy equipment, the AF400T I was using for the hummingbird test photos just bit the dust. After I re-installed the charged up Quantum Battery 2 to the flash, I took about 20 photos and then bang, like a firecracker just went off. I looked over the camera and flash and the Quantum battery and no smoke or any sign of a problem. Since I am a viewfinder type of guy I assumed the flash or battery was the issue here as the sound was not out of the camera. I replaced the battery in the Quantum pack a year ago and it has worked faithfully all this time. So I just continued to shoot. About 20 more shots and again a bang. The hummingbird was ok with this but I was not!. Off came my original AF400T that I purchased new in 1990. While I was attempting to remove the sync cord from the flash [if you have ever owned one of these you know what I mean} I had the flash in my lap and boom!, again a pop as the flash capacitor discharged [510 volts]. Off to the used Pentax stuff that needs repair pile....... Just so happens I have 2 extra AF400T's so on goes the next one.....the images are the hummingbird when this happened, he could care less as I just filled the feeder with fresh sugar water......also I have a pedestal for the feeder now, I will change it tomorrow to get the chains out of the way of the images.....
Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3 II  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3 II  Photo 

Last edited by stihlmania; 04-05-2019 at 08:40 PM.
04-05-2019, 09:02 PM   #30903
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
luftfluss's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NJ
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,595
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Mak Quote
Recently, I decided to switch systems. I had the DA560mm, DA1.4TC and the K3 for almost five years. I had become so much accustomed to that set-up, focal length and brightness wise, that I wanted to duplicate it in a more portable: smaller and lighter package, and with more consistent auto focus. Reason for this, is that I hike and cycle a lot, and like to carry my equipment and like to capture sudden, unexpected moments.
IQ wise, al I wanted was equal to the wonderful DA560 sharpness. I knew the clarity would be hard to equal (the DA560 having so few glass elemets), but the CA at f5.6 I would happily part with. That CA was very noticeable as green and magenta coloring in the OOF areas. Also, in strong lighting, purple fringing could be abundant. But in all honesty, real world shooting was more than satisfying with the DA560.

So here's a few early samples from my "DA 560-replica in a small package": the Canon 400mmDOII + 1.4TC + 2.0TC. I got a Canon 7DII in the Canon lens promotion bundle, but these are with the 400DOII + 1.4TC on my Sony A7rII by means of the the sigma mc-11 mount adapter. IQ is on another level from the 7DII, so in Canon land, I more or less face the same "ordeal" as I faced in Pentax land: the 7DII is an outdated crop camera, a nice fast camera with pro's and cons, like the Pentax K3 (well, leave out "fast" there...), but with a sensor in more need of a serious update than the K3's, although this is mostly iso 100-400. Iso 500-1600, it is equal to the K3, but base iso is poor if you have high contrast or backlit scenes, as there is very little raw processing latitude. With the Sony A7rII, there is abundant raw processing latitude, and high iso is just great, I always have all noise reduction at "0" until above iso 1600-iso 2000.
The last two images are an example of the cropping power of the Sony A7rII + Canon combo. For now, it is mostly practicing and getting acquainted with both the full Canon combo, and especially the Sony/Canon combo. Regarding portability: the IS in the Canon 400DOII is just staggeringly good, handholding the lens at 560mm is just a piece of cake after handholding the DA560 for five years.

But it feels nice to have my favorite combinations of focal lengths and apertures again! It is all about the moments you capture in nature though, I have captured many favorite images with the DA560.

Chris
I hope you get a chance to post some pics with the 400 DO II + 2x TC.
04-06-2019, 02:18 AM   #30904
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jan 2013
Photos: Albums
Posts: 639
QuoteOriginally posted by luftfluss Quote
I hope you get a chance to post some pics with the 400 DO II + 2x TC.
I will. I still have it on order at the moment, but it should be here soon. As AF will be crucial at 800mm f8, I am hoping it will perform as good as the 1.4TC on the Sony A7rII, which can really nail focus dead on with its on-sensor phase detection system. I did not expect much, it was more for fun, but it exceeded my expectations greatly. So much so, that I am now using the 400DOII more on the Sony body than on the Canon body. Not at all meaning to fuel a mirrorless discussion here, but the accuracy and 99% consistency of the sensor phase af is a bit of a revelation for me. It is not native though, so not sure if it will work with the 2.0TC. If not, I will be visiting my camera store after the summer to try out the EOS-R. It was a bit of a personal wish these past years to have pinpoint accurate and consistent AF and now it seems that mirrorless does indeed provide that.

Chris


Last edited by Chris Mak; 04-06-2019 at 02:23 AM.
04-06-2019, 05:14 AM - 1 Like   #30905
Pentaxian




Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Western Australia
Photos: Albums
Posts: 351
QuoteOriginally posted by Ducatigaz Quote
A few shots from my K-3ii/FA*600mm F4 ED [IF]/Eckla window mount.









On a tripod











Love number 8, the snake peeping out!
04-06-2019, 09:02 AM - 1 Like   #30906
Pentaxian




Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Windhoek, Namibia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 987
QuoteOriginally posted by Ducatigaz Quote
Please don't put pictures of big lenses on here I've spent enough already
Couldn't agree more. I have the 1.4AW TC on my DA*300 F4 and it gives me 420 mm. Does anybody knows how it compares with the long end of the 150-450? I always want longer reach, but found that during the hot part of the days atmospherics play havoc with the image quality. Will post some later, but is not always hot and that 560 sounds very temptimg
04-06-2019, 10:13 AM - 8 Likes   #30907
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
jacamar's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Toronto
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,431
On the Toronto Islands the other day: dozens of American Robins



and one early Hermit Thrush that wouldn't let me get as close (significant crop)



K-3, DA*300mm, DA 1.4x TC

04-06-2019, 10:21 AM - 19 Likes   #30908
Pentaxian
zzeitg's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Bohemia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 4,014
DFA 150-450













04-06-2019, 10:36 AM - 3 Likes   #30909
Pentaxian
zzeitg's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Bohemia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 4,014
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Mak Quote
Recently, I decided to switch systems. I had the DA560mm, DA1.4TC and the K3 for almost five years.
....
I have captured many favorite images with the DA560.

Chris

Sad to see another Pentax wildlife photographer jumping ship. But in a certain way I can understand it. Pentax should communicate to us the further strategy concerning new APS-C camera and long lenses in much more open way.


Anyway... good luck and keep posting your shots
04-06-2019, 06:17 PM - 7 Likes   #30910
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Spring Branch, Tx
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 705
There was a slight rain delay today with my hummingbird "stop the wings with my flash" quest. Only took a few shots, don't want to stress them when their soaked....
Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3 II  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3 II  Photo 
04-07-2019, 01:52 AM   #30911
Forum Member




Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 95
QuoteOriginally posted by zzeitg Quote
DFA 150-450












That last shot of the European Goldfinch is a wall hanger, nice!
04-07-2019, 06:19 AM - 6 Likes   #30912
Pentaxian
normhead's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Near Algonquin Park
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 40,442
A few from yesterday, out walking around with the K-3 and DA 55-300 PLM.











04-07-2019, 06:36 AM - 2 Likes   #30913
Veteran Member




Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Bangalore, India
Posts: 581
In this video bird stands almost still for few seconds, then sinks down almost perpendicularly and then flies away. I was not ready for this. By chance I had attached 500mm PF lens. Pointed the camera at it and recorded it.

04-07-2019, 09:27 AM - 9 Likes   #30914
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chennai, India
Photos: Albums
Posts: 534
For those who are contemplating a 560, go get it. Even if doesn't capture BIF, it sure will give the owner satisfaction to out gun puny 150-500/500 or 200-500
Got a new K70 and I feel the IQ and performance better than K-5iis

Here are some from my weekend outing.

Common swamphen


Grey-headed swamphen (cropped to show off the sharpness)


Greater painted snipe (male - yes one of the few species where the female is more colourful)

Female


Citrine wagtail
04-07-2019, 12:58 PM - 1 Like   #30915
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
onlineflyer's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NW Ohio
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,081
Two from yesterday, shot with an A* 300/4 on a K-5iis. The bird was a good distance, so these are heavily cropped. I believe it is a Cooper's hawk.
Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5 II s  Photo 
Reply
« *Macro* lens club | - »

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
300mm, 300mm plus lens, 560mm, beach, birds, canada, chickadee, club, coast, couple, dogs, feb, flickr, friend, gulf, half, lens club, lenses, love, moon, pentax lens, pm, post, scene, sea, series, shore, shot, sigma, sunset, wife
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The Sigma Lens Club- All lenses Blue Lens Clubs 3224 10 Hours Ago 07:24 AM
Soviet lenses club Voe Lens Clubs 4207 02-11-2024 03:07 PM
Wanted - Acquired: Long lens >300mm in K-mount pop4 Sold Items 1 10-03-2010 03:03 AM
Pentax DA 55-300mm vs Tamron 70-300mm at long end (brickwall) tcdk Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 17 11-15-2009 12:52 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:54 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top