[DrawsACircle]

K-70, DA*300mm, 1/400sec, f4

[dadipentak]

Stormy Sunday at the North Sea

I note the absence of beach umbrellas ;~)

[normhead]

Tamron SP AF 300 ƒ2.8 LD [IF[ with the HD DA 1.4 TC

Crossbills seem to be abundant this year. People are coming to get pictures.









The best shots I saw all day were taken with a Nikon D4 and 600 ƒ4, with 1,4 TC. He got the male and female both in focus in the same image. You can fake a lot of things, but you can't fake Focal length when it comes to long lenses.

The rest of the day, Mr. and Mrs. Grey Jay


Checking me out, he was a cheeky little devil


A Blue Jay shows interest.


One of two Pine Martens


The other one.. this one wouldn't leave the safety of the garbage can.


---------- Post added 01-29-18 at 07:35 PM ----------

Cedar Waxwings are always special in my book and that one is very well done.

Did you ever plant some choke cherries?

[dadipentak]

Did you ever plant some choke cherries?

Actually, yes (although not with them specifically in mind) but they're still infrequent visitors.

[csa]

Norm, that last one of the pine martin is so cute!

[csa]

Afternoon visitors.

[bigted]

Every time I am on the verge of buying a longer lens something crops up and dashes those plans. Once again I am on the edge of buying a digital long lens. Currently I have a K-3 and the HD PENTAX-DA 55-300MM F4-5.8 ED WR and a older film era AF 400mm Sigma that I picked up used for a song a few years ago. It has a tendency to hunt for the focus and isn't very quiet. None of the local Pentax suppliers actually has the lens in stock and for me to get one I need to pay for it before I even get to touch it. There are a lot of lovely shots in this thread and I am wondering if I am going to be happier with the DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) (and eventually the 1.4 TC)?

Although the EXIF doesn't show up on this shot it was taken with the Sigma 400mm f5.6:

[csa]

I can only speak for myself; having just got the Sigma 300 F4 Macro. I'm using it with a Tamron 1.4xTC. The above deer shots were taken with this combination, handheld, with my K3.

I think once you have a 300mm in your hands, you will be very, very happy!

[luftfluss]

Every time I am on the verge of buying a longer lens something crops up and dashes those plans. Once again I am on the edge of buying a digital long lens. Currently I have a K-3 and the HD PENTAX-DA 55-300MM F4-5.8 ED WR and a older film era AF 400mm Sigma that I picked up used for a song a few years ago. It has a tendency to hunt for the focus and isn't very quiet. None of the local Pentax suppliers actually has the lens in stock and for me to get one I need to pay for it before I even get to touch it. There are a lot of lovely shots in this thread and I am wondering if I am going to be happier with the DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) (and eventually the 1.4 TC)?

Although the EXIF doesn't show up on this shot it was taken with the Sigma 400mm f5.6:

Certainly the DA*300/4 + 1.4x TC will be a step up in IQ from the old Sigma 400. Sharper, less CA & PF, more contrast, livelier color, quieter AF, WR. Will you be happier after spending the $1500? Hard to say. $1500 is a lot of money. I have multiple long teles that have a total value of $1500, but the thought of spending that much on one lens + TC makes me wince.

It really stinks not being able to try before you buy. I think most of us are in that boat.

My own, personal solution to the Cost Conundrum was to buy older, quality manual-focus glass. Still not as good optically as modern wonders like the aforementioned DA*300/4 and the DFA 150-450, but good sharpness nevertheless and I enjoy the different flavors of my older lenses.

Anyway, have you considered buying a used DA*300/4? Not only would you save money initially, but if you were to decide that the lens is not for you, you could re-sell it at a minimal loss.

[DrawsACircle]

I note the absence of beach umbrellas ;~)

They are 10 miles inland

[acoufap]

Tamron SP AF 300 ƒ2.8 LD [IF[ with the HD DA 1.4 TC

Crossbills seem to be abundant this year. People are coming to get pictures.









The best shots I saw all day were taken with a Nikon D4 and 600 ƒ4, with 1,4 TC. He got the male and female both in focus in the same image. You can fake a lot of things, but you can't fake Focal length when it comes to long lenses.

The rest of the day, Mr. and Mrs. Grey Jay


Checking me out, he was a cheeky little devil


A Blue Jay shows interest.


One of two Pine Martens


The other one.. this one wouldn't leave the safety of the garbage can.


---------- Post added 01-29-18 at 07:35 PM ----------



Did you ever plant some choke cherries?

very nice pictures - thank you!

[rod_grant]

Crossbills seem to be abundant this year.

Big lenses are abundant too!
Great series Norm.

[Des]

Anyway, have you considered buying a used DA*300/4? Not only would you save money initially, but if you were to decide that the lens is not for you, you could re-sell it at a minimal loss.

Or an F*300mm f4.5 or FA*300mm f4.5? At around $US650-750, they are a great bargain IMO. They work with a range of good third party TCs too (e.g. the Kenko or Tamron with the pz contacts), which are a lot cheaper than the DA 1.4tc (<$200 v about $600). Compared to the DA*300, the F*/FA*300s are one-third stop slower, not WR, and lack QS and quiet AF, but optically they are excellent. Compact and fairly light weight too. Bang for buck, hard to beat.

[normhead]

Norm, that last one of the pine martin is so cute!

I'm sure these two are a couple of siblings, and less than a year old. I've monitored this sight for years and never seen more than one here before.

[robtcorl]

I am wondering if I am going to be happier with the DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) (and eventually the 1.4 TC)?

Of all the lenses I own, or have owned, the DA 300* is my favorite.
I'd like to have the 1.4x TC but can't justify the price since I'm happy, for now, cropping.
The great IQ of the 300* allows for tighter/better crops than my DA 55-300 did, even though I was always pretty happy with that lens.