300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

gary1952 · 02-11-2011, 11:13 PM

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If i just bought that lens and had no decent weather. I would be doing a dance every night to the sun god... LOL

I know how you feel. Hope you get some good shooting weather.

Nomad · 02-12-2011, 03:23 PM

I know how you feel about the weather!! I just got my Bigma and haven't had much good weather at all up here in Maine.

Here is one of her wide open though....I am not too unhappy with this handheld, wide open, and 1/180th!!

SteveM · 02-12-2011, 08:35 PM

OK...who just picked up the 67 800mm on ebay for 3K? It was tempting but couldn't justify it. While not the longest, I think it might have been the largest white beauty Pentax ever made.

BillM · 02-12-2011, 10:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by smc

largest white beauty Pentax ever made.

Smc, you and I probably enjoy our corn on the cob "type writer style",not these
things,"USB style" with them. End first,bottoms up! whole cob at once.
not sure if even that white pentax beast would be safe.

Had to 'get em' on some 100 ektar before they leave,thru "SMC A"400/5.6, ZX-L
.

Attached Images

traderdrew · 02-13-2011, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by gary1952

These two shots were both at 700mm wide open, 500 + 1.4 t.c. F6.3 ISO 3200 I denoised the background only. The birds are not denoised.

Gary, I forgot to mention the iso 3200 on flickr. It is impressive and I see how you got it done. For those who don't know, I use the latest version of Topaz Denoise thanks to recommendations from this site. It lets you recover some feather details with higher iso settings. As a rule of thumb with the shutter setting on my camera, I don't like to go over iso 400 with my K-7 or iso 800 with my K-5 unless I am using lower shutter speeds or in brighter light. I always reduce the iso first if I have a choice over shutter speed and aperture settings.

I can't denoise the background only though. What software lets you do that?

kacansas03 · 02-13-2011, 02:14 PM

Well I have envied many of you who have great support systems for your 400, 500, 600 mm or longer lenses. About a month ago I managed to pick up a New gimbal type off Ebay for much less than equipping most of the others. The Texas builder of these offers the buyer longer QR plates plus equipment to enable panoramic shots along with several other included accessories that you have to spend more to get even if you buy the Manfrotto which till now has been a least expensive but strong option. I also found a surplus, well Goodwill, camera body support arm. It is an older Magic arm but was still new and does an excellent job of eliminating the bothersome vibration down the length of the long lens tube. I hope that the photo I am going to try to attach comes through with enough detail. Now I just have to wait about a month for the glaciers to recede so that I might see some of the winged creatures to snap some shots of just like you guys. It will be a first for this big lens which has seen little use. Next I need to get one of the AquaTech soft lens hoods. I will find a photo of the arm attached to the body and post that too.
Alan W.

gary1952 · 02-14-2011, 07:41 AM

Hey Dale, just getting back on here. If you want to denoise the background only. I use Photoshop Elements 8.
Also it does not strip the EXIF file. I personally like to see the files on photos i really like.

Just me.
If you have any questions PM me and i will talk you thru it. Or whatever..

Last edited by gary1952; 02-14-2011 at 07:54 AM.

gary1952 · 02-14-2011, 07:49 AM

Hey, kacansas03
I am heading back to Tx. in a few months. That mount looks like somethink i would like to try with one of my lenses.
Can you pm me on the company and cost.
that looks like a gun site on the lens. My gosh that is huge.......

Thanks, Gary

kacansas03 · 02-14-2011, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by gary1952

Hey, kacansas03
I am heading back to Tx. in a few months. That mount looks like somethink i would like to try with one of my lenses.
Can you pm me on the company and cost.
that looks like a gun site on the lens. My gosh that is huge.......

Thanks, Gary

His last name is Roche and I think he is somewhere around Houston but I will have to find the address again and I can PM it to you. Oh yeah I can't post the actual price on here but I will PM it to you. the math is less than 2 tenths of 1K. He is selling to his area photo club members and on Ebay. Here is a current auction:
Tripod Head-Telephoto/Sports Gimbal Desig w/QR Plates - eBay (item 260729368185 end time Feb-28-11 07:15:33 PST)

I find that it supports the lens very well and it is easy to balance. I had to add a camera body support arm to stabilize the 32" long tube and I am having a difficult time getting a clear shot of a bunch of metal struts. The camera wants to focus on something else in frame. I am still learning about my new K-x but I will get it done soon.
Alan W.

gary1952 · 02-14-2011, 05:03 PM

hey thank man.... Appreciate it.

kacansas03 · 02-14-2011, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by gary1952

hey thank man.... Appreciate it.

You are very welcome. I am always willing to help a someone save money if what I have found will work for that person. Please be sure to check your PM's for all the details about this new builder of custom gear for camera/lens support.
Alan W.

planedriver · 02-16-2011, 04:24 AM - **1 Like**

Recently bought a non APO Sigma 400 f5.6 Af on the internet..my opinion on this lens is exactly the same what this review says:

Sigma 400mm f5.6 AF Tele (Non APO) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database

K-5 iso2500 f10 1/2000:

K-5 iso1600 f10 1/2000:

K-5 iso1600 f10 1/1600:

K-5 iso1600 f8 1/2500

Andras

CarbonR · 02-16-2011, 02:03 PM

Ultra Achromatic Takumar 300/5.6, Pentax's most advanced lens in 1973 : two fluorite elements, full chromatic correction from 320nm to 850nm !

f/5.6 handheld on 5d, with the front element cracked :
#1

#2

kacansas03 · 02-17-2011, 03:23 PM - **1 Like**

Not quite the full moon yet but I decided last night that if I was going to take a shot with the new support and stabilization system for my longest lens the 800 mm f8 seen in the indoor shot below I had better get it outside. The temp was dropping though 40 degrees and the forecast was for fog. But the moon looked bright and clear to the eye. I images show that the fog was already in the atmosphere. I also forgot to switch to the K-x but it was plenty bright for the K100D.

This was shot with the 800 at f11, 1/320, ISO 200 in JPEG:

traderdrew · 02-17-2011, 07:57 PM

I'm showing the wildlife photographers on flickr that the K-5 is for real.

K-5 w/ Sigma 500mm F/4.5 prime lens:

All sizes | Great Blue Heron | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

All sizes | Black-Crowned Night-Heron | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

All sizes | Mottled Duck | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The last one is a butterfly and I cropped the photo. Actually all of these photos were cropped. The blue dots on the hindwings look slightly blurry. This I believe is due to the resolution of the K-5 and not the lens. I think sharpness can be improved by going over 20 megapixels although I am happy with 16.3 megapixels.

All sizes | Spicebush Swallowtail | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

02-13-2011, 06:38 AM	#1490
traderdrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 639	Originally posted by gary1952 These two shots were both at 700mm wide open, 500 + 1.4 t.c. F6.3 ISO 3200 I denoised the background only. The birds are not denoised. Gary, I forgot to mention the iso 3200 on flickr. It is impressive and I see how you got it done. For those who don't know, I use the latest version of Topaz Denoise thanks to recommendations from this site. It lets you recover some feather details with higher iso settings. As a rule of thumb with the shutter setting on my camera, I don't like to go over iso 400 with my K-7 or iso 800 with my K-5 unless I am using lower shutter speeds or in brighter light. I always reduce the iso first if I have a choice over shutter speed and aperture settings. I can't denoise the background only though. What software lets you do that? Last edited by traderdrew; 02-13-2011 at 06:44 AM.

02-13-2011, 02:14 PM	#1491
kacansas03 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 650	At last, good support for 800mm Well I have envied many of you who have great support systems for your 400, 500, 600 mm or longer lenses. About a month ago I managed to pick up a New gimbal type off Ebay for much less than equipping most of the others. The Texas builder of these offers the buyer longer QR plates plus equipment to enable panoramic shots along with several other included accessories that you have to spend more to get even if you buy the Manfrotto which till now has been a least expensive but strong option. I also found a surplus, well Goodwill, camera body support arm. It is an older Magic arm but was still new and does an excellent job of eliminating the bothersome vibration down the length of the long lens tube. I hope that the photo I am going to try to attach comes through with enough detail. Now I just have to wait about a month for the glaciers to recede so that I might see some of the winged creatures to snap some shots of just like you guys. It will be a first for this big lens which has seen little use. Next I need to get one of the AquaTech soft lens hoods. I will find a photo of the arm attached to the body and post that too. Alan W. Attached Images Last edited by kacansas03; 02-13-2011 at 05:09 PM. Reason: Additions

02-16-2011, 04:24 AM - 1 Like	#1497
planedriver Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Velence, Hungary Posts: 664	Recently bought a non APO Sigma 400 f5.6 Af on the internet..my opinion on this lens is exactly the same what this review says: Sigma 400mm f5.6 AF Tele (Non APO) Lens Reviews - Pentax Third-Party Lens Review Database K-5 iso2500 f10 1/2000: K-5 iso1600 f10 1/2000: K-5 iso1600 f10 1/1600: K-5 iso1600 f8 1/2500 Andras Last edited by planedriver; 02-16-2011 at 07:11 AM.

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02-11-2011, 11:13 PM	#1486
gary1952 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: thailand Posts: 45	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. If i just bought that lens and had no decent weather. I would be doing a dance every night to the sun god... LOL I know how you feel. Hope you get some good shooting weather.

02-12-2011, 03:23 PM	#1487
Nomad Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 408	I know how you feel about the weather!! I just got my Bigma and haven't had much good weather at all up here in Maine. Here is one of her wide open though....I am not too unhappy with this handheld, wide open, and 1/180th!!

02-12-2011, 08:35 PM	#1488
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	OK...who just picked up the 67 800mm on ebay for 3K? It was tempting but couldn't justify it. While not the longest, I think it might have been the largest white beauty Pentax ever made.

02-12-2011, 10:22 PM - 1 Like	#1489
BillM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ferguson, Mo. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,348	Originally posted by smc largest white beauty Pentax ever made. Smc, you and I probably enjoy our corn on the cob "type writer style",not these things,"USB style" with them. End first,bottoms up! whole cob at once. not sure if even that white pentax beast would be safe. Had to 'get em' on some 100 ektar before they leave,thru "SMC A"400/5.6, ZX-L . Attached Images

02-14-2011, 07:41 AM	#1492
gary1952 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: thailand Posts: 45	Hey Dale, just getting back on here. If you want to denoise the background only. I use Photoshop Elements 8. Also it does not strip the EXIF file. I personally like to see the files on photos i really like. Just me. If you have any questions PM me and i will talk you thru it. Or whatever.. Last edited by gary1952; 02-14-2011 at 07:54 AM.

02-14-2011, 07:49 AM	#1493
gary1952 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: thailand Posts: 45	Hey, kacansas03 I am heading back to Tx. in a few months. That mount looks like somethink i would like to try with one of my lenses. Can you pm me on the company and cost. that looks like a gun site on the lens. My gosh that is huge....... Thanks, Gary

02-14-2011, 12:53 PM	#1494
kacansas03 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 650	Originally posted by gary1952 Hey, kacansas03 I am heading back to Tx. in a few months. That mount looks like somethink i would like to try with one of my lenses. Can you pm me on the company and cost. that looks like a gun site on the lens. My gosh that is huge....... Thanks, Gary His last name is Roche and I think he is somewhere around Houston but I will have to find the address again and I can PM it to you. Oh yeah I can't post the actual price on here but I will PM it to you. the math is less than 2 tenths of 1K. He is selling to his area photo club members and on Ebay. Here is a current auction: Tripod Head-Telephoto/Sports Gimbal Desig w/QR Plates - eBay (item 260729368185 end time Feb-28-11 07:15:33 PST) I find that it supports the lens very well and it is easy to balance. I had to add a camera body support arm to stabilize the 32" long tube and I am having a difficult time getting a clear shot of a bunch of metal struts. The camera wants to focus on something else in frame. I am still learning about my new K-x but I will get it done soon. Alan W.

02-14-2011, 05:03 PM	#1495
gary1952 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: thailand Posts: 45	hey thank man.... Appreciate it.

02-14-2011, 05:16 PM	#1496
kacansas03 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 650	Originally posted by gary1952 hey thank man.... Appreciate it. You are very welcome. I am always willing to help a someone save money if what I have found will work for that person. Please be sure to check your PM's for all the details about this new builder of custom gear for camera/lens support. Alan W.

02-16-2011, 02:03 PM	#1498
CarbonR Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France Posts: 363	Ultra Achromatic Takumar 300/5.6, Pentax's most advanced lens in 1973 : two fluorite elements, full chromatic correction from 320nm to 850nm ! f/5.6 handheld on 5d, with the front element cracked : #1 #2

02-17-2011, 07:57 PM	#1500
traderdrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 639	I'm showing the wildlife photographers on flickr that the K-5 is for real. K-5 w/ Sigma 500mm F/4.5 prime lens: All sizes \| Great Blue Heron \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! All sizes \| Black-Crowned Night-Heron \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! All sizes \| Mottled Duck \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! The last one is a butterfly and I cropped the photo. Actually all of these photos were cropped. The blue dots on the hindwings look slightly blurry. This I believe is due to the resolution of the K-5 and not the lens. I think sharpness can be improved by going over 20 megapixels although I am happy with 16.3 megapixels. All sizes \| Spicebush Swallowtail \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!