300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

derekkite · 01-04-2018, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Snowstorm here in NJ today. Only 5-6 inches of snow, but very windy, gusts up to 40 mph. The birds were out despite the rough conditions.

My new K-3 II + old friend A 400/5.6. Still learning this combo, and feeling optimistic...

A couple of the Rusty Blackbirds are still hanging around. I guess they like the food I'm putting out.

Oh those are nice!

**luftfluss** · 01-04-2018, 09:45 PM

Originally posted by derekkite

Oh those are nice!

Thank you. How I suffered, standing at that open window while the storm raged...

**rod_grant** · 01-04-2018, 10:18 PM - **1 Like**

luftfluss, I didn't feel a thing!!
Nice shots.

Kombivan · 01-05-2018, 12:19 AM

Resilient little buggers aren't they best bird shots I've seen in a while did well I guess it comes down to location -you can have that.

Its also a very kind act to feed the wild life when the snow is about.

noelpolar · 01-05-2018, 01:42 AM - **17 Likes**

Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw.

Peregrine Falcon

(not pentax gear)

**ivanvernon** · 01-05-2018, 02:22 AM - **2 Likes**

I am taking a little liberty with this thread since this lens is only 200mm instead of 300mm. This kit is the K-3 with the Pentax 67 200mm f 4.0. However, the effective FOV is equivalent to 600mm coming from 6x7 down to K-3 crop sensor, making an excellent backyard birding if you don't mind a little extra weight on the front of your camera!

---------- Post added 01-05-18 at 04:27 AM ----------

Originally posted by luftfluss

Snowstorm here in NJ today. Only 5-6 inches of snow, but very windy, gusts up to 40 mph. The birds were out despite the rough conditions.

My new K-3 II + old friend A 400/5.6. Still learning this combo, and feeling optimistic...

A couple of the Rusty Blackbirds are still hanging around. I guess they like the food I'm putting out.

Nice bird shots. I have been getting something similar, not quite this nice, with a similar kit: K-3 with Pentax-M 400 f 5.6, the earlier version of your A-500. I find this to be a nice focal length on the K-3 and gives me plenty of shots that need no cropping since my feeding station is only about 10 feet from where I am standing in our sunroom.

**WPRESTO** · 01-05-2018, 05:17 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw.Peregrine Falcon

To post what is totally unnecessary to state: that is an absolutely stunning capture. A perfect BIF of a raptor.

**aslyfox** · 01-05-2018, 05:22 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

To post what is totally unnecessary to state: that is an absolutely stunning capture. A perfect BIF of a raptor.

although I wonder how much of that striking image is due to the image captured SOC as opposed to good PP

**WPRESTO** · 01-05-2018, 05:30 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Aslyfox

although I wonder how much of that striking image is due to the image captured SOC as opposed to good PP

What makes the image great is the moment captured, the pose and expression with the bird sharp and perfectly separated from the background. Whatever was done after pressing the shutter release is what any of us who processed Tri-X did or would have done had it been possible back in the 1960's.

**luftfluss** · 01-05-2018, 08:01 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Kombivan

Resilient little buggers aren't they best bird shots I've seen in a while did well I guess it comes down to location -you can have that.

Its also a very kind act to feed the wild life when the snow is about.

The birds and other critters are often better company than humans, so they deserve a meal.

**luftfluss** · 01-05-2018, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw.

Peregrine Falcon

I see what you mean about wishing she shot RAW, but it's a great pose and what you've done with color and contrast look very good to me.

**luftfluss** · 01-05-2018, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by ivanvernon

Nice bird shots. I have been getting something similar, not quite this nice, with a similar kit: K-3 with Pentax-M 400 f 5.6, the earlier version of your A-500. I find this to be a nice focal length on the K-3 and gives me plenty of shots that need no cropping since my feeding station is only about 10 feet from where I am standing in our sunroom.

I have 2 locations from my house where I shoot the birds - I scatter food on the ground for them - and my shots are generally between 15 and 30 feet. My A400/5.6 performs so well on the K-3 II that I'm considering thinning my long tele arsenal a bit.

Kombivan · 01-05-2018, 08:15 AM - **1 Like**

Meet Bigdog, I picked up this lens over christmas for $35.00 its a 100-300mm and It seems a bit sharper than my 28-300mm but the focus could have been off only had one shot so far. uncroped or edited in any way.

**WPRESTO** · 01-05-2018, 08:51 AM - **6 Likes**

I think this is a ruff.

robtcorl · 01-05-2018, 09:05 AM - **5 Likes**

My bird was back this morning, this time the blinds were up. Cropped, shot from about 20' away through double glass.
Still not happy with the results, hope he comes back for more chances to get it right, or at least better.
Also a wren eating a dried mealworm, and a downy woodpecker.

01-05-2018, 01:42 AM - 17 Likes	#27170
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw. Peregrine Falcon (not pentax gear) Last edited by noelpolar; 01-05-2018 at 05:52 PM.

01-05-2018, 08:51 AM - 6 Likes	#27179
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,138	I think this is a ruff. Attached Images

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01-04-2018, 09:26 PM	#27166
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by luftfluss Snowstorm here in NJ today. Only 5-6 inches of snow, but very windy, gusts up to 40 mph. The birds were out despite the rough conditions. My new K-3 II + old friend A 400/5.6. Still learning this combo, and feeling optimistic... A couple of the Rusty Blackbirds are still hanging around. I guess they like the food I'm putting out. Oh those are nice!

01-04-2018, 09:45 PM	#27167
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by derekkite Oh those are nice! Thank you. How I suffered, standing at that open window while the storm raged...

01-04-2018, 10:18 PM - 1 Like	#27168
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	luftfluss, I didn't feel a thing!! Nice shots.

01-05-2018, 12:19 AM	#27169
Kombivan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Photos: Gallery Posts: 576	Resilient little buggers aren't they best bird shots I've seen in a while did well I guess it comes down to location -you can have that. Its also a very kind act to feed the wild life when the snow is about.

01-05-2018, 05:17 AM	#27172
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,138	Originally posted by noelpolar Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw.Peregrine Falcon To post what is totally unnecessary to state: that is an absolutely stunning capture. A perfect BIF of a raptor.

01-05-2018, 05:22 AM	#27173
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,582	Originally posted by WPRESTO To post what is totally unnecessary to state: that is an absolutely stunning capture. A perfect BIF of a raptor. although I wonder how much of that striking image is due to the image captured SOC as opposed to good PP

01-05-2018, 05:30 AM - 4 Likes	#27174
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,138	Originally posted by Aslyfox although I wonder how much of that striking image is due to the image captured SOC as opposed to good PP What makes the image great is the moment captured, the pose and expression with the bird sharp and perfectly separated from the background. Whatever was done after pressing the shutter release is what any of us who processed Tri-X did or would have done had it been possible back in the 1960's.

01-05-2018, 08:01 AM - 2 Likes	#27175
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by Kombivan Resilient little buggers aren't they best bird shots I've seen in a while did well I guess it comes down to location -you can have that. Its also a very kind act to feed the wild life when the snow is about. The birds and other critters are often better company than humans, so they deserve a meal.

01-05-2018, 08:05 AM	#27176
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by noelpolar Doing some work on a few images for a friends daughter..... wish she shot raw. Peregrine Falcon I see what you mean about wishing she shot RAW, but it's a great pose and what you've done with color and contrast look very good to me.

01-05-2018, 08:10 AM	#27177
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,626	Originally posted by ivanvernon Nice bird shots. I have been getting something similar, not quite this nice, with a similar kit: K-3 with Pentax-M 400 f 5.6, the earlier version of your A-500. I find this to be a nice focal length on the K-3 and gives me plenty of shots that need no cropping since my feeding station is only about 10 feet from where I am standing in our sunroom. I have 2 locations from my house where I shoot the birds - I scatter food on the ground for them - and my shots are generally between 15 and 30 feet. My A400/5.6 performs so well on the K-3 II that I'm considering thinning my long tele arsenal a bit.

01-05-2018, 09:05 AM - 5 Likes	#27180
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	My bird was back this morning, this time the blinds were up. Cropped, shot from about 20' away through double glass. Still not happy with the results, hope he comes back for more chances to get it right, or at least better. Also a wren eating a dried mealworm, and a downy woodpecker.