300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

Ian Stuart Forsyth · 03-21-2015, 02:27 PM

This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind.
K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2

Stavri · 03-21-2015, 04:22 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth

This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind.
K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2

another one from the Sigma 300mm and K3

r0ckstarr · 03-21-2015, 04:34 PM - **3 Likes**

normhead · 03-21-2015, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth

This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind.
K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2

I hate it when they do that.

lukulele · 03-21-2015, 05:51 PM - **2 Likes**

A few from this week…..A/400

noelpolar · 03-21-2015, 06:49 PM - **2 Likes**

F*300

Out on a branch.jpg by Noelpolar, on Flickr

Cold Iron · 03-21-2015, 06:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by normhead

I'm sure I could run this wolf off that carcass, they are pretty timid. I was thinking more, it's good to have a long lens because i really don't want a good close up look at that carcass, it looks nasty.

Aye, when it comes to humans they are. I have a picture of a deer kill when a lone wolf took it down right at dark. I went back at 0200 and the pack was there and they circled me, but wouldn't come out of the trees. That was 13 months ago a few weeks after I purchased my K-3 and I couldn't get the flash to go off LOL. Have since figured that a tactical flash light helps a lot at night and focusing, and to get the flash to fire.

Saw my first robin this morning, official sign of Spring. Also means the Eagles should be moving North up the Mississippi River they are the first to migrate. Waterfowl will soon follow, they don't waste time going North. Going South they move at a more leisure pace and eat more.

There were at least a hundred Baldies on ~20 mile stretch of the River today.

These guys were fighting over a small fish

Most of the birds were well out in the River along open stretches with ice near. But well out there, too far for decent shots. So I went downstream to where I knew the local residents fish. Bumped this one trying to get too close.

So went further down River to another local Baldie favorite fishing spot and he let me get a lot closer. I don't believe he wanted to give up his meal.

RobG · 03-21-2015, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by daytona9

#3 - The same kite chasing off a Wedge-tailed Eagle. (Heavily cropped)

Are you sure it's not an immature Sea Eagle?

daytona9 · 03-21-2015, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by RobG

Are you sure it's not an immature Sea Eagle?

Hey Rob, that's a possibility - size and colouring are similar. It was so far away, details were hard to make out. The photo was taken near Richmond, NSW, on the outskirts of Sydney, at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The Nepean River runs through this area, so with the mountains and the river, I suppose it covers the habitat of both species, but maybe the imm. Sea Eagle is more likely.

Pentaxians · 03-21-2015, 09:35 PM

Just a common Kingfisher. K-S1 with DAL 55-300mm

Ian Stuart Forsyth · 03-21-2015, 10:21 PM - **6 Likes**

A cold day with a grouse taken with the K20d and sigma 300 F/2.8 @F/4

Reptilezz · 03-22-2015, 12:57 AM - **4 Likes**

Just a quick question for the 500 f4.5 and 560 f5.6 shooters, do you ever find that the minimum focus distance is limiting? The sigma 500 f4.5 is 4 metres and the 560mm is 5.6 metres, I mean I get annoyed with my 150-500 focusing at 2.2m. Do you use extension tubes when up close? Also what is the IQ like with the Pentax 1.4 TC and does it let you focus closer? Im getting a job soon so I may be able to treat myself to more extravagant gear if I get good hours

Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python.

RobG · 03-22-2015, 04:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Reptilezz

Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python.

They're both fabulous pictures, Brodie!

---------- Post added 22-03-15 at 10:16 PM ----------

One of the local Chough family stayed still long enough for me to get a close-up with the DA*300 and HD DA 1.4TC.

White Winged Chough by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

normhead · 03-22-2015, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth

A cold day with a grouse taken with the K20d and sigma 300 F/2.8 @F/4

You must live someplace like where I live... this guy in one of those ornamental Japanese fire bushes in the back garden, so intent on eating berries, I was able to get quite close. K-x and DA*60-250

derekkite · 03-22-2015, 06:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Reptilezz

Just a quick question for the 500 f4.5 and 560 f5.6 shooters, do you ever find that the minimum focus distance is limiting? The sigma 500 f4.5 is 4 metres and the 560mm is 5.6 metres, I mean I get annoyed with my 150-500 focusing at 2.2m. Do you use extension tubes when up close? Also what is the IQ like with the Pentax 1.4 TC and does it let you focus closer? Im getting a job soon so I may be able to treat myself to more extravagant gear if I get good hours

Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python.

Yes. I've got the 500 4.5. Seldom for birds and larger wildlife, but for other things yes. One gets spoiled with the DA*300 f4 using it for shooting reptiles or insects. I will commonly see an interesting plant, some insects or similar and have to back a long ways away to get it in focus with the 500mm. I tried an extension tube but it gets unwieldy.

The only solution that I've found is to hand the 300 or a 100 on a strap and carry it around as well.

03-21-2015, 09:35 PM	#16075
Pentaxians Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 733	Just a common Kingfisher. K-S1 with DAL 55-300mm Last edited by Pentaxians; 03-22-2015 at 02:34 AM.

03-22-2015, 12:57 AM - 4 Likes	#16077
Reptilezz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 206	Just a quick question for the 500 f4.5 and 560 f5.6 shooters, do you ever find that the minimum focus distance is limiting? The sigma 500 f4.5 is 4 metres and the 560mm is 5.6 metres, I mean I get annoyed with my 150-500 focusing at 2.2m. Do you use extension tubes when up close? Also what is the IQ like with the Pentax 1.4 TC and does it let you focus closer? Im getting a job soon so I may be able to treat myself to more extravagant gear if I get good hours Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python. Attached Images Last edited by Reptilezz; 03-22-2015 at 01:16 AM.

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03-21-2015, 02:27 PM	#16066
Ian Stuart Forsyth Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,531	This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind. K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2

03-21-2015, 04:22 PM - 2 Likes	#16067
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind. K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2 another one from the Sigma 300mm and K3

03-21-2015, 04:34 PM - 3 Likes	#16068
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507

03-21-2015, 04:50 PM	#16069
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth This guy snuck up on me from behind, I was ready to photograph any critters out in a meadow and this deer came at me from behind. K20d sigma 300 @ F/3.2 I hate it when they do that.

03-21-2015, 06:49 PM - 2 Likes	#16071
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	F*300 Out on a branch.jpg by Noelpolar, on Flickr

03-21-2015, 06:50 PM - 2 Likes	#16072
Cold Iron Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Mn. Posts: 111	Originally posted by normhead I'm sure I could run this wolf off that carcass, they are pretty timid. I was thinking more, it's good to have a long lens because i really don't want a good close up look at that carcass, it looks nasty. Aye, when it comes to humans they are. I have a picture of a deer kill when a lone wolf took it down right at dark. I went back at 0200 and the pack was there and they circled me, but wouldn't come out of the trees. That was 13 months ago a few weeks after I purchased my K-3 and I couldn't get the flash to go off LOL. Have since figured that a tactical flash light helps a lot at night and focusing, and to get the flash to fire. Saw my first robin this morning, official sign of Spring. Also means the Eagles should be moving North up the Mississippi River they are the first to migrate. Waterfowl will soon follow, they don't waste time going North. Going South they move at a more leisure pace and eat more. There were at least a hundred Baldies on ~20 mile stretch of the River today. These guys were fighting over a small fish Most of the birds were well out in the River along open stretches with ice near. But well out there, too far for decent shots. So I went downstream to where I knew the local residents fish. Bumped this one trying to get too close. So went further down River to another local Baldie favorite fishing spot and he let me get a lot closer. I don't believe he wanted to give up his meal.

03-21-2015, 07:15 PM	#16073
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905	Originally posted by daytona9 #3 - The same kite chasing off a Wedge-tailed Eagle. (Heavily cropped) Are you sure it's not an immature Sea Eagle?

03-21-2015, 07:59 PM	#16074
daytona9 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 259	Originally posted by RobG Are you sure it's not an immature Sea Eagle? Hey Rob, that's a possibility - size and colouring are similar. It was so far away, details were hard to make out. The photo was taken near Richmond, NSW, on the outskirts of Sydney, at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The Nepean River runs through this area, so with the mountains and the river, I suppose it covers the habitat of both species, but maybe the imm. Sea Eagle is more likely.

03-21-2015, 10:21 PM - 6 Likes	#16076
Ian Stuart Forsyth Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,531	A cold day with a grouse taken with the K20d and sigma 300 F/2.8 @F/4

03-22-2015, 04:15 AM - 1 Like	#16078
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905	Originally posted by Reptilezz Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python. They're both fabulous pictures, Brodie! ---------- Post added 22-03-15 at 10:16 PM ---------- One of the local Chough family stayed still long enough for me to get a close-up with the DA*300 and HD DA 1.4TC. White Winged Chough by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

03-22-2015, 05:11 AM	#16079
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Ian Stuart Forsyth A cold day with a grouse taken with the K20d and sigma 300 F/2.8 @F/4 You must live someplace like where I live... this guy in one of those ornamental Japanese fire bushes in the back garden, so intent on eating berries, I was able to get quite close. K-x and DA*60-250

03-22-2015, 06:58 AM - 1 Like	#16080
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by Reptilezz Just a quick question for the 500 f4.5 and 560 f5.6 shooters, do you ever find that the minimum focus distance is limiting? The sigma 500 f4.5 is 4 metres and the 560mm is 5.6 metres, I mean I get annoyed with my 150-500 focusing at 2.2m. Do you use extension tubes when up close? Also what is the IQ like with the Pentax 1.4 TC and does it let you focus closer? Im getting a job soon so I may be able to treat myself to more extravagant gear if I get good hours Also here is a chestnut breasted manikin from today and my green tree Python. Yes. I've got the 500 4.5. Seldom for birds and larger wildlife, but for other things yes. One gets spoiled with the DA*300 f4 using it for shooting reptiles or insects. I will commonly see an interesting plant, some insects or similar and have to back a long ways away to get it in focus with the 500mm. I tried an extension tube but it gets unwieldy. The only solution that I've found is to hand the 300 or a 100 on a strap and carry it around as well.