[tduell]

Male Superb Fairy-wren, just outside the minimum focus distance!
K-3 II, DFA 150-450 handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry

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[MossyRocks]

That is an absolutely great image and a perfect example of what astrotracer can do in the hands of a skilled photographer.

For the exposure time and location that image is probably towards the upper end of what was doable but I hardly think I am all that skilled. Over in the astro group there are plenty that can better edit than I can. I attribute a lot of the quality to the lens as the SMC A* 400/2.8 is an outstanding lens that sucks in the light.

[jacamar]

Nice catches jacamar.

Thanks Marcus - that's becoming a favourite spot.

[Ducatigaz]

Kingfisher on a rusty perch taken with my K-5/Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX/ Gitzo 5532LS. ISO1000 1/125

[Des]

I would appreciate comments on the number/percent of keepers those of you shooting with the DFA 150-450 on a KP achieve on average.

A bump for your question, which seems to have slipped by unnoticed (in a flurry of awesome images). I assume that you are asking about moving subjects (e.g. birds in flight) rather than stationary ones.

I don't have the 150-450, but I'd be happy with 20% keepers for BIF with the FA*300 f4.5, Sigma 400mm f5.6 or even the DA 55-300 PLM (very fast AF), whether mounted on the K-3 or KP. Of course it depends on the subject - a slow-moving pelican is one thing, but a swift is something else.

[WPRESTO]

A bump for your question, which seems to have slipped by unnoticed (in a flurry of awesome images). I assume that you are asking about moving subjects (e.g. birds in flight) rather than stationary ones.

I don't have the 150-450, but I'd be happy with 20% keepers for BIF with the FA*300 f4.5, Sigma 400mm f5.6 or even the DA 55-300 PLM (very fast AF), whether mounted on the K-3 or KP. Of course it depends on the subject - a slow-moving pelican is one thing, but a swift is something else.

I've mentioned this before, but a little blasphemy is always welcome. I was switching between a K1 + 150~450mm and a Canon 7D + Tamron 150~600mm (second version) photographic birds coming to a feeder. The Canon AF was MUCH faster, possibly three to four times as many keepers. Time after time the K1 + 150~450mm failed to lock focus before the bird left. That almost never happened with the Canon rig. I still have the K1, Canon 7D and Tamron, but I sold the 150~450mm. BTW. When the latter did AF in time, the IQ of the image was excellent.

[Buckeyemikie]

A bump for your question, which seems to have slipped by unnoticed (in a flurry of awesome images). I assume that you are asking about moving subjects (e.g. birds in flight) rather than stationary ones.

I don't have the 150-450, but I'd be happy with 20% keepers for BIF with the FA*300 f4.5, Sigma 400mm f5.6 or even the DA 55-300 PLM (very fast AF), whether mounted on the K-3 or KP. Of course it depends on the subject - a slow-moving pelican is one thing, but a swift is something else.

Thanks for your comments, Des & WPRESTO. I’m going to go to the lake where the gulls hang out next stretch of sunny weather to see if I can do better with my FA* 400. I think catching sharp images of birds leaving a feeder is even harder than following birds in flight!

[Arjay Bee]

K3 & DA55-300 with some cropping cross posted in BIF thread

[alfa75ts]

Braeside, Striated Pardalotes, K3 DA*300 Tamron-F 1.4 TC:

[RedRuff]

Well the deer were within kinda-portrait range today. I'm still blown away by the Gitzo tripod - it's stable enough that I can actually look through the viewfinder and aim/shoot instead of having to use live view and a remote to avoid vibrations.

Pentax K1, Nikon 500mm F/4 P, TC301 teleconverter. I think these were all at F/16

[cprobertson1]

My birds are of the metal variety

Managed to get the Antanov-225 taking off from Prestwick, immediately followed by a 747-4f cargo plane













--EDIT--
Sorry for the underexposure, I'll fix it later tonight hopefully!

[alfa75ts]

From my back door this morning, two juvenile Lorikeets enjoying the sunshine and a Little Corella likewise.

[northcoastgreg]

Black-crowned Night Heron, shot with the DA* 300 + DA 1.4x:

[alfa75ts]

Hmm, I think I'll stay away from Raptors for a while. Too much competition.

I know I said that, but .... More shots from my back door this afternoon:

[tduell]

New Holland Honeyeaters.
K-3 II, DA* 300 handheld. See exif for shot details.

Cheers,
Terry