300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

normhead · 01-30-2018, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by robtcorl

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 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.

It's probably my favourite of all the lenses I haven't owned.

Well apart from a 600 ƒ4.

---------- Post added 01-30-18 at 09:50 AM ----------

Originally posted by rod_grant

Big lenses are abundant too!
Great series Norm.

Always, in the park. With the Greater Toronto Area just a few hours away, and Algonquin being one of the largest "wilderness like" environments in the world, I see a lot of investment in long glass. I suspect a lot of these folks have more disposable income than they know what to do with. Although these folks in the above image were all predomonantly french speakers. That doesn't mean they aren't from Toronto, it does make it a lot less likely however.

**swip** · 01-30-2018, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

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

Originally posted by robtcorl

Waxwings are one of my favorites too.
Last November a small flock landed in a tree top about 40 yards away.
Shot with my KP and the DA 300* it took some heavy cropping to see them better.

Thank you for the comments.

Waxwings are one of my favorite birds to photograph. They are just so photogenic.
When they are feeding, you can sometime get really close to them and get some excellent shots.

normhead · 01-30-2018, 08:07 AM

I have one good group of waxwing images. You just don't see them every day.

Ducatigaz · 01-30-2018, 10:18 AM - **12 Likes**

3 Nuthatch pics [tricky little devils] taken with my K-3ii/FA*600mmF4ED[IF]/Gitzo 1348

Last edited by Ducatigaz; 02-05-2018 at 02:51 PM.

zzeitg · 01-30-2018, 10:29 AM - **8 Likes**

DA560

**csa** · 01-30-2018, 11:06 AM - **2 Likes**

Another from yesterday. Love the pine needles on his nose; also nice even set of teeth!

**dadipentak** · 01-30-2018, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by swip

Waxwings are one of my favorite birds to photograph. They are just so photogenic.

They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail and sometimes they get in really gooney poses.

robtcorl · 01-30-2018, 01:42 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dadipentak

They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail

Ain't that the truth.
K-5, DA 55-300

**boriscleto** · 01-30-2018, 02:20 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by dadipentak

They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail and sometimes they get in really gooney poses.

Never the less, one of my favorite birds. Sometimes they let you get close...

K-5 & 55-300

K-3 & lil'Bigma

Evening bath in the bog...

F/8 in the evening means ISO3200...

**jacamar** · 01-30-2018, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Although these folks in the above image were all predomonantly french speakers. That doesn't mean they aren't from Toronto, it does make it a lot less likely however.

At Point Pelee (on Lake Erie, a lot further from Quebec than Algonquin) during the spring bird migration, a high proportion of birders and photographers are French speaking. It seems the Quebecois (including some of our colleagues on this Forum) and maybe some other French-speaking Canadians have a real affinity for this. We also meet quite a few Brits so maybe some of the French speakers travel from France as well.

**dadipentak** · 01-30-2018, 03:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jacamar

At Point Pelee (on Lake Erie, a lot further from Quebec than Algonquin) during the spring bird migration, a high proportion of birders and photographers are French speaking. It seems the Quebecois (including some of our colleagues on this Forum) and maybe some other French-speaking Canadians have a real affinity for this. We also meet quite a few Brits so maybe some of the French speakers travel from France as well.

But what language do the birds speak? ;~)

**Canada_Rockies** · 01-30-2018, 04:05 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by dadipentak

But what language do the birds speak? ;~)

Twitter, of course.

Running for cover ...

**dadipentak** · 01-30-2018, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by robtcorl

Of all the lenses I own, or have owned, the DA 300* is my favorite.

Understandable. I've had the pleasure of owning some very good long lenses but the DA*300/4 has always had a solid place in the line-up and, as I age (and continue to abuse my right shoulder) the portability of that lens combined with its optical quality makes it my go to for wandering about in the boonies. It does perform well with good 1.4x TCs (as well as the AF 1.7x in the right conditions.)

---------- Post added 01-30-18 at 06:12 PM ----------

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

Twitter, of course.

Of course!

**jacamar** · 01-30-2018, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

But what language do the birds speak? ;~)

Not sure but I think most of it is things like "my nesting spot is better than his", "get off my territory", "I'm over here" and "incoming hawk!".

Sterby · 01-30-2018, 05:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jacamar

Not sure but I think most of it is things like "my nesting spot is better than his", "get off my territory", "I'm over here" and "incoming hawk!".

You forgot "there's a freshly washed car under this tree" and "new customers at table 4"

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01-30-2018, 07:37 AM	#27436
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by robtcorl 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 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. It's probably my favourite of all the lenses I haven't owned. Well apart from a 600 ƒ4. ---------- Post added 01-30-18 at 09:50 AM ---------- Originally posted by rod_grant Big lenses are abundant too! Great series Norm. Always, in the park. With the Greater Toronto Area just a few hours away, and Algonquin being one of the largest "wilderness like" environments in the world, I see a lot of investment in long glass. I suspect a lot of these folks have more disposable income than they know what to do with. Although these folks in the above image were all predomonantly french speakers. That doesn't mean they aren't from Toronto, it does make it a lot less likely however.

01-30-2018, 07:59 AM	#27437
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,827	Originally posted by dadipentak Cedar Waxwings are always special in my book and that one is very well done. Originally posted by robtcorl Waxwings are one of my favorites too. Last November a small flock landed in a tree top about 40 yards away. Shot with my KP and the DA 300* it took some heavy cropping to see them better. Thank you for the comments. Waxwings are one of my favorite birds to photograph. They are just so photogenic. When they are feeding, you can sometime get really close to them and get some excellent shots.

01-30-2018, 08:07 AM	#27438
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I have one good group of waxwing images. You just don't see them every day.

01-30-2018, 10:18 AM - 12 Likes	#27439
Ducatigaz Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Blunsdon,Wiltshire, UK Posts: 1,504	3 Nuthatch pics [tricky little devils] taken with my K-3ii/FA600mmF4ED[IF]/Gitzo 1348 Last edited by Ducatigaz; 02-05-2018 at 02:51 PM.*

01-30-2018, 10:29 AM - 8 Likes	#27440
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	DA560

01-30-2018, 12:34 PM	#27442
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by swip Waxwings are one of my favorite birds to photograph. They are just so photogenic. They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail and sometimes they get in really gooney poses.

01-30-2018, 01:42 PM - 1 Like	#27443
robtcorl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,606	Originally posted by dadipentak They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail Ain't that the truth. K-5, DA 55-300

01-30-2018, 02:20 PM - 5 Likes	#27444
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,476	Originally posted by dadipentak They're also challenging: hard to get feather detail and sometimes they get in really gooney poses. Never the less, one of my favorite birds. Sometimes they let you get close... K-5 & 55-300 K-3 & lil'Bigma Evening bath in the bog... F/8 in the evening means ISO3200...

01-30-2018, 03:04 PM	#27445
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	Originally posted by normhead Although these folks in the above image were all predomonantly french speakers. That doesn't mean they aren't from Toronto, it does make it a lot less likely however. At Point Pelee (on Lake Erie, a lot further from Quebec than Algonquin) during the spring bird migration, a high proportion of birders and photographers are French speaking. It seems the Quebecois (including some of our colleagues on this Forum) and maybe some other French-speaking Canadians have a real affinity for this. We also meet quite a few Brits so maybe some of the French speakers travel from France as well.

01-30-2018, 03:55 PM - 1 Like	#27446
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by jacamar At Point Pelee (on Lake Erie, a lot further from Quebec than Algonquin) during the spring bird migration, a high proportion of birders and photographers are French speaking. It seems the Quebecois (including some of our colleagues on this Forum) and maybe some other French-speaking Canadians have a real affinity for this. We also meet quite a few Brits so maybe some of the French speakers travel from France as well. But what language do the birds speak? ;~)

01-30-2018, 04:05 PM - 3 Likes	#27447
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by dadipentak But what language do the birds speak? ;~) Twitter, of course. Running for cover ...

01-30-2018, 04:10 PM	#27448
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by robtcorl Of all the lenses I own, or have owned, the DA 300* is my favorite. Understandable. I've had the pleasure of owning some very good long lenses but the DA*300/4 has always had a solid place in the line-up and, as I age (and continue to abuse my right shoulder) the portability of that lens combined with its optical quality makes it my go to for wandering about in the boonies. It does perform well with good 1.4x TCs (as well as the AF 1.7x in the right conditions.) ---------- Post added 01-30-18 at 06:12 PM ---------- Originally posted by Canada_Rockies Twitter, of course. Of course!

01-30-2018, 04:20 PM	#27449
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	Originally posted by dadipentak But what language do the birds speak? ;~) Not sure but I think most of it is things like "my nesting spot is better than his", "get off my territory", "I'm over here" and "incoming hawk!".

01-30-2018, 05:14 PM - 1 Like	#27450
Sterby Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Tarján Photos: Albums Posts: 140	Originally posted by jacamar Not sure but I think most of it is things like "my nesting spot is better than his", "get off my territory", "I'm over here" and "incoming hawk!". You forgot "there's a freshly washed car under this tree" and "new customers at table 4"