[Kevriano]

I had a look around for an XG1, there is just one for sale on UK eBay, new in box, £250. I am very tempted.

[awscreo]

Not a picture, just curious - is there a vintage 400mm+ lens I can buy on a low budget to shoot the upcoming solar eclipse?) I've browsed ebay, saw few smc takumars 400/500mm, tokina rmc 400mm and a Sigma 400mm, would you say the tak 400 5.6 would give me a sharp enough image for the eclipse? It's the easiest to find on ebay

[Audi 5 cyl]

Not a picture, just curious - is there a vintage 400mm+ lens I can buy on a low budget to shoot the upcoming solar eclipse?) I've browsed ebay, saw few smc takumars 400/500mm, tokina rmc 400mm and a Sigma 400mm, would you say the tak 400 5.6 would give me a sharp enough image for the eclipse? It's the easiest to find on ebay

If you have a sturdy tripod and you're just after the eclipse (not in need of a smooth bokeh for that), why not go with a 3m-5ca. It's a f/8 lens but a sharp one indeed, budget wise at least.

[awscreo]

If you have a sturdy tripod and you're just after the eclipse (not in need of a smooth bokeh for that), why not go with a 3m-5ca. It's a f/8 lens but a sharp one indeed, budget wise at least.

Never heard of it! I'll Google it, thanks!

[marcusBMG]

Not a picture, just curious - is there a vintage 400mm+ lens I can buy on a low budget to shoot the upcoming solar eclipse?) I've browsed ebay, saw few smc takumars 400/500mm, tokina rmc 400mm and a Sigma 400mm, would you say the tak 400 5.6 would give me a sharp enough image for the eclipse? It's the easiest to find on ebay

I've written a lot of the reviews for vintage tp's. Sharpest 400's: tamron 400mm f6.9, tokina made 400mm f6.3's. These slightly slower lenses tend to be sharper than the f5.6's IME. I don't recommend the "wundertute" 500mm f8's, or the generic 400mm f6.3's.

The 3M-5A is also found as a MTO. These USSR origin mirror lenses are known to be good, though perhaps variable in quality; Rubinar is I think the premium nameplate - no reviews of 500mm here, only 300mm and 1000mm, search for eg threads on mflenses. I've been keen to pick one up to check out for some time. One point to check: that the design is one that allows mounting on dslr. These are usually t-mount but with some of them the mount is flush to the rear of the lens and this does not leave enough distance for the lens body to clear the flash housing.
The tamron adaptall 500mm f8's are much easier to find, and I would not expect there to be too much between the tammy's and the soviet lenses. And if you can find the excellent eyepiece adapter, then you have the possibility of a digiscoping eyepiece projection approach with 25x mag. You would just need to figure out a camera mounting method, but the 90° prism facilitates sitting the camera on it (not sure how much vignetting you shall get with full frame, I need to check out how my K5 does on mine).

[awscreo]

Wow, looks pretty nice! There seem to be few versions on ebay, the MTO version seem to be too wide at the mount to fit my k-1, I'm trying to figure out if I can get one before the eclipse. Also, there seem to be different filter size specs on pf and the ebay stores I saw. I'll need to buy the solar filter for the lens, need to make sure what's right

[northcoastgreg]

Eagle photographed with DA* 300 and DA 1.4x converter:

[halfspin]

Papilio polyxenes perched on Lachnanthes caroliniana.

[dadipentak]

I've got to admit I've been a bit lazy this year--content to shoot the 600mm from the porch--but I actually got out a couple of days ago. Actually, it was supposed to be a fishing excursion but the Potomac was too high to wade so, instead, I decided to walk the C&O Canal tow path with the K-3, DA* 300 and the HD1.4x TC.

There are parts of the Canal--especially near DC--which have been restored and maintained but up where I was, it's just a swampy, overgrown ditch.




I'd encountered a Green Heron in this stretch a couple of years ago and, though it seemed silly, I couldn't help hoping for a repeat.

I got lucky It was pretty difficult shooting because of all the growth and snags on the banks of the canal. Given the situation, though, I didn't mind being stealthy and patient and got some decent shots.

[normhead]

Good to see you're not just a shut in anymore.

[dadipentak]

Good to see you're not just a shut in anymore.

[normhead]

K-3 and DA*200 with stacked F 1.7x and DA 1.4 TC
476mm, ƒ6.3
ISO 400, ƒ6.3, AV

There were two juvenile male Rose Breasted Grosbeaks losing their baby colours. Spots and brown plumage is almost gone, the rose breast is filling in.



And some of the regulars....


Grabbing a Nut

[jacamar]

There were two juvenile male Rose Breasted Grosbeaks losing their baby colours. Spots and brown plumage is almost gone, the rose breast is filling in.

So the blackflies are backing off at last?

[DrawsACircle]

Fokker DR1, built and flown by the Swedish pilot Mikael Carlson, from Stauning Airshow 2017 (Denmark)
Pentax K-70, DA55-300 PLM at 300mm f8.0

[aslyfox]

although I have learned that Baron Manfred von Richthofen flew multiple types of planes in W W I, this is the type I always associate with him

here is more info if anyone is interested

Fokker Dr.1 Triplane - The Red Baron's Airplane in WW1