300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

**aslyfox** · 03-12-2017, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by jacamar

You'll have to go to the Macro lens club for that.

Or the pollinators in action thread

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/33...rs-action.html

zzeitg · 03-12-2017, 08:36 AM - **7 Likes**

Some DA560 shots from today.

normhead · 03-12-2017, 12:59 PM - **5 Likes**

Was out for a bit checking in with my guys... there are a lot less than there was a few days ago but still more than 100. I saw the male purple finch today, but couldn't get a picture. I was looking ofr the Redpoll as well, but didn't even see him today. When there are twenty birds around, you have a chance.

K-3 and Tamron 300, with 1.4 TC

And their constant companion

**Shedking** · 03-12-2017, 03:34 PM - **1 Like**

My first post to this thread is a cross-post from a lens review....

I've just resurrected a Tokina 400mm AT-X AF from beyond economic repair. I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors.

My first field shots suggest I'm going to have fun with this lens:

**luftfluss** · 03-12-2017, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Shedking

My first post to this thread is a cross-post from a lens review....

I've just resurrected a Tokina 400mm AT-X AF from beyond economic repair. I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors.

My first field shots suggest I'm going to have fun with this lens:

How'd you "resurrect" the Tokina?

For small, fidgety birds who seem like they are perpetually twitching, I shoot in small bursts at 1/750s. Sometimes 1/500s works for me, too. I shoot TAv and set my ISO range to 100-1600 in decent light.

**Shedking** · 03-12-2017, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

How'd you "resurrect" the Tokina?

For small, fidgety birds who seem like they are perpetually twitching, I shoot in small bursts at 1/750s. Sometimes 1/500s works for me, too. I shoot TAv and set my ISO range to 100-1600 in decent light.

Mr Angry with a spanner wrench......The whole story is on the 400 /5.6 AF review page.

**luftfluss** · 03-12-2017, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by Shedking

Mr Angry with a spanner wrench......The whole story is on the 400 /5.6 AF review page.

Just read your review... nice work!

gatorguy · 03-12-2017, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by normhead

K-1 or K-3 and Tamron 300 2.8 AF - F 1.7x AF Adapter
I needed wider for the Pine Marten so I changed bodies instead of lenses.

Tamron? I thought you used the DA*300. When did you pick up the Tammy and how do you like it compared the the Pentax?

EDIT: Oh yeah. Full-frame, duh.

**Scorpio71GR** · 03-12-2017, 06:18 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by Shedking

I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors.th this lens:

I saw your post in the lens review section, great job with the repair. I have this lens in the manual focus and the Autofocus version. It really can be a fun lens to use. However it has it's limitations. Anything below f8 is essentially unusable. I pretty much set it a f11 and leave it there. On my K10D I rarely used it due the limitations of the K10D sensor. I rediscovered it on my K3. I just set my K3 to ISO 100-3200 and let the camera do its thing. You may want to check your camera for front/back focus issues. The lens has a hard stop focus so it can make a pop when it hits the focus limit.

One thing to remember is that it is 400mm prime. The lens is so compact you can forget that. On a APS-C camera you have 600mm field of view of a full frame camera. Hand held shots can be done but you need to be steady. For fast moving birds I try to keep my shutter speed above 1/1000s. This is a lens that needs light to really perform. Cloudy, gloomy, dull grey skies are not this lens friend. As for high ISO I feel a well exposed sharp high ISO shot is better than a blurry clean low ISO shot. Post processing software has come along way and I do not worry about high ISO so much anymore.

**luftfluss** · 03-12-2017, 06:31 PM - **7 Likes**

3 backyard birds from yesterday, different lens this time, though - the Mystery Lens 500...

**swip** · 03-13-2017, 07:10 AM - **6 Likes**

It was very cold and windy on Saturday but this hawk was hunting in the early afternoon sun.

**aslyfox** · 03-13-2017, 07:27 AM

Scorpio71GR

a couple of those photos would look good in the "Wing Span found in nature" thread:

"Wing Span" (found in nature) - PentaxForums.com

# 2 + 3 the Canada Goose and hen Mallard

the one "on the wing" would belong instead to the BIF as the thread seeks photos of "wing spans found in nature" grounded in some fashion, not free flying

[yes, this is a shameless plug for the thread, I know that Scorpio71GR has posted there before --- come on come all]

x posting encouraged

______________________

Olive Baboons, in the Arusha National Park in Tanzania, engaging in building bonds by mutual grooming

K 5 II + Tamron AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 LD Macro 1:2 - Focal Length 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm), Exposure Time 1/320s (0.0031), Aperture F/9.0

ccc_ · 03-13-2017, 08:28 AM - **1 Like**

it was supposed to snow yesterday
none came
just wind, dirt and hundreds of hungry birds
at one point we had at least 100 grackles and twice as many starlings

in three days we went from a lone grackle to an onslaught

here is one waiting his turn

Ducatigaz · 03-13-2017, 10:30 AM - **9 Likes**

A couple of shots from today. K-5/FA*600mm f4 ED [IF]/Eckla window mount.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-13-2017, 10:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ducatigaz

A couple of shots from today. K-5/FA*600mm f4 ED [IF]/Eckla window mount.

I think I need to buy some lottery tickets -- that lens is superb, especially in your hands.

03-12-2017, 06:31 PM - 7 Likes	#24925
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	3 backyard birds from yesterday, different lens this time, though - the Mystery Lens 500... Last edited by luftfluss; 03-12-2017 at 06:53 PM.

03-13-2017, 07:10 AM - 6 Likes	#24926
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,825	Red Tailed Hawk It was very cold and windy on Saturday but this hawk was hunting in the early afternoon sun.

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03-12-2017, 07:38 AM	#24916
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by jacamar You'll have to go to the Macro lens club for that. Or the pollinators in action thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/33...rs-action.html

03-12-2017, 08:36 AM - 7 Likes	#24917
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Some DA560 shots from today.

03-12-2017, 12:59 PM - 5 Likes	#24918
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Was out for a bit checking in with my guys... there are a lot less than there was a few days ago but still more than 100. I saw the male purple finch today, but couldn't get a picture. I was looking ofr the Redpoll as well, but didn't even see him today. When there are twenty birds around, you have a chance. K-3 and Tamron 300, with 1.4 TC And their constant companion

03-12-2017, 03:34 PM - 1 Like	#24919
Shedking Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Silverstone Photos: Gallery Posts: 331	My first post to this thread is a cross-post from a lens review.... I've just resurrected a Tokina 400mm AT-X AF from beyond economic repair. I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors. My first field shots suggest I'm going to have fun with this lens:

03-12-2017, 03:53 PM	#24920
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Shedking My first post to this thread is a cross-post from a lens review.... I've just resurrected a Tokina 400mm AT-X AF from beyond economic repair. I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors. My first field shots suggest I'm going to have fun with this lens: How'd you "resurrect" the Tokina? For small, fidgety birds who seem like they are perpetually twitching, I shoot in small bursts at 1/750s. Sometimes 1/500s works for me, too. I shoot TAv and set my ISO range to 100-1600 in decent light.

03-12-2017, 04:21 PM	#24921
Shedking Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Silverstone Photos: Gallery Posts: 331	Originally posted by luftfluss How'd you "resurrect" the Tokina? For small, fidgety birds who seem like they are perpetually twitching, I shoot in small bursts at 1/750s. Sometimes 1/500s works for me, too. I shoot TAv and set my ISO range to 100-1600 in decent light. Mr Angry with a spanner wrench......The whole story is on the 400 /5.6 AF review page.

03-12-2017, 06:03 PM	#24922
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Shedking Mr Angry with a spanner wrench......The whole story is on the 400 /5.6 AF review page. Just read your review... nice work!

03-12-2017, 06:11 PM	#24923
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by normhead K-1 or K-3 and Tamron 300 2.8 AF - F 1.7x AF Adapter I needed wider for the Pine Marten so I changed bodies instead of lenses. Tamron? I thought you used the DA*300. When did you pick up the Tammy and how do you like it compared the the Pentax? EDIT: Oh yeah. Full-frame, duh.

03-12-2017, 06:18 PM - 5 Likes	#24924
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Originally posted by Shedking I'd like to ask the forum's recommendations on getting the best out of it, especially given the high ISO performance of current sensors.th this lens: I saw your post in the lens review section, great job with the repair. I have this lens in the manual focus and the Autofocus version. It really can be a fun lens to use. However it has it's limitations. Anything below f8 is essentially unusable. I pretty much set it a f11 and leave it there. On my K10D I rarely used it due the limitations of the K10D sensor. I rediscovered it on my K3. I just set my K3 to ISO 100-3200 and let the camera do its thing. You may want to check your camera for front/back focus issues. The lens has a hard stop focus so it can make a pop when it hits the focus limit. One thing to remember is that it is 400mm prime. The lens is so compact you can forget that. On a APS-C camera you have 600mm field of view of a full frame camera. Hand held shots can be done but you need to be steady. For fast moving birds I try to keep my shutter speed above 1/1000s. This is a lens that needs light to really perform. Cloudy, gloomy, dull grey skies are not this lens friend. As for high ISO I feel a well exposed sharp high ISO shot is better than a blurry clean low ISO shot. Post processing software has come along way and I do not worry about high ISO so much anymore.

03-13-2017, 10:30 AM - 9 Likes	#24929
Ducatigaz Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Blunsdon,Wiltshire, UK Posts: 1,503	A couple of shots from today. K-5/FA*600mm f4 ED [IF]/Eckla window mount.

03-13-2017, 10:43 AM - 1 Like	#24930
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Ducatigaz A couple of shots from today. K-5/FA*600mm f4 ED [IF]/Eckla window mount. I think I need to buy some lottery tickets -- that lens is superb, especially in your hands.