300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

**Mikesul** · 07-03-2018, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

GBH a bit fluffed up. I think it had been preening and was sort of shaking out the processed feathers.

Gorgeous eye and feathers on this one.

pete-tarmigan · 07-03-2018, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar

Ok. After much deliberation got myself a 560. The winter season is long over so had to be satisfied with the residents.
Still haven't got the hang of shots. I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall.
With K-5iis

Bracing the lens on the car window or tripod with the SR (Shake Reduction) turned on may cause the camera to move the sensor, because the camera is expecting camera movement unless you have turned off the SR. Try turning the SR off when the lens is braced. For this reason Shake Reduction is automatically switched off when the the self-timer or remote control is used to release the shutter. You can manually over-ride this if you prefer.

littledrawe · 07-03-2018, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

And with a Pentax!

WAIT, I didn't know we weren't supposed to use our Pentaxs for BIFs?! How come I wasn't told?

**Mikesul** · 07-03-2018, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by littledrawe

WAIT, I didn't know we weren't supposed to use our Pentaxs for BIFs?! How come I wasn't told?

Its a little known (around here) secret.

littledrawe · 07-03-2018, 11:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar

Still haven't got the hang of shots. I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall.

There are a lot of ways to support the lens and reduce/eliminate the shake. Some of the strategies from rifle shooting crossover. Take a breath, exhale halfway, pause, shoot. Proper bracing of your arm on your body and your feet position need to be considered. I shot an A*600 on a $40 Bogen Bomber set of legs and $100 knockoff gimbal from ebay (thanks China!) with excellent results. So it does not need to cost an arm and a leg to get properly supported. I just saw an amazing set of old aluminum manfrotto legs for $50 in an old "antique mall" near me. I wanted to rescue them so they could be returned to their former glory but I already have 2 sets myself so a third would be nonsense. You can also put the camera on rapid fire, assume the first shot is going to be the shaky one and the second or third should be more stable.

**WPRESTO** · 07-03-2018, 01:00 PM - **2 Likes**

Grackle, almost looks as though he's ill, but he was spitting out a call to attract a lady and intimidate other males close enough to hear.

**marcusBMG** · 07-03-2018, 02:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar

I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall.

I swear by a bean bag (I make mine for ~nowt) - allows the lens to point to the subject without being tilted on edge and wobbling. I'll tend to have a hand on top top pressing down into the bean bag, or I'll use a remote shutter release. Never leave home without both.

Also don't underestimate the desireability of fast shutter speeds. At 560mm on apsc (1.5x crop factor, but also factor in later cropping of the image as well) I suggest figure on 1/1000sec minimum if not on a bean bag or tripod etc. Experience continues to reinforce for me that between possible graininess from high asa vs shake, its better to err on high asa graininess.

Last edited by marcusBMG; 07-05-2018 at 03:21 PM.

**stihlmania** · 07-03-2018, 03:50 PM - **8 Likes**

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

Bracing the lens on the car window or tripod with the SR (Shake Reduction) turned on may cause the camera to move the sensor, because the camera is expecting camera movement unless you have turned off the SR. Try turning the SR off when the lens is braced. For this reason Shake Reduction is automatically switched off when the the self-timer or remote control is used to release the shutter. You can manually over-ride this if you prefer.

I shoot with shake reduction on almost 95 % of the time, with shake reduction on with remote shutter release or the with the inferred remote. I have tested SR for over 8 months with my K-3 II, mostly with my A ☆ 400 [with or without the 1.4 and 1.7 adaptors] on a tripod or a monopod, and I see no reason for someone not to test what works out best for them rather than follow the factory advice on SR usage. Yes, try with shake reduction off and see if that helps. I get sharp shots either way, but more with SR on. Live view does help show what camera and tripod shake you have [full magnification is what I check with] and then you can try to come up with ways to reduce the shake. The attached photo - SMC A ☆ 400 F2.8 ED[IF] with Pentax F 1.7 AF adaptor, SR on.

pjsaure · 07-03-2018, 04:43 PM

I have found the same thing too. But my tripod is insufficient for a long lens, so it is not still at all. Very prone to vibrations, so SR helps a little.

I guess unless you have a very stiff tripod with good dampening characteristics, you're better off with SR on.

**WPRESTO** · 07-03-2018, 05:32 PM - **3 Likes**

Avocet and friend, way out there. This image required substantial cropping.

**Bhuey55** · 07-03-2018, 08:09 PM - **8 Likes**

Mt St Helens, Washington
K5ii DA*300

dbs · 07-04-2018, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by Bhuey55

Mt St Helens, Washington
K5ii DA*300

Hi Bhuey
Is the animal a prarie dog ?
Nice series

Dave

Arjay Bee · 07-04-2018, 04:19 AM - **6 Likes**

Travelling in NZ at the moment. Using K3 and DA 55-300 HD at the long end on birds a bit:

New Zealand Dotterel on the littoral on a Northern beach:

A species of seagull:

And another species:

Oyster Catcher

Sacred Kingfisher

As to a review of the lens - I like it.

**swip** · 07-04-2018, 07:10 AM

Originally posted by stihlmania

I shoot with shake reduction on almost 95 % of the time, with shake reduction on with remote shutter release or the with the inferred remote. I have tested SR for over 8 months with my K-3 II, mostly with my A ☆ 400 [with or without the 1.4 and 1.7 adaptors] on a tripod or a monopod, and I see no reason for someone not to test what works out best for them rather than follow the factory advice on SR usage. Yes, try with shake reduction off and see if that helps. I get sharp shots either way, but more with SR on. Live view does help show what camera and tripod shake you have [full magnification is what I check with] and then you can try to come up with ways to reduce the shake. The attached photo - SMC A ☆ 400 F2.8 ED[IF] with Pentax F 1.7 AF adaptor, SR on.

Lovely demo on IQ with a great lens combo.

pete-tarmigan · 07-04-2018, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by dbs

Hi Bhuey
Is the animal a prarie dog ?
Nice series

Dave

It's a golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus [Spermophilus] lateralis). It is identified by the black and white lines on its flanks and its white eye-ring. It lives in forest and the edge of alpine meadows.

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07-03-2018, 08:42 AM	#28906
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by WPRESTO GBH a bit fluffed up. I think it had been preening and was sort of shaking out the processed feathers. Gorgeous eye and feathers on this one.

07-03-2018, 08:45 AM	#28907
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar Ok. After much deliberation got myself a 560. The winter season is long over so had to be satisfied with the residents. Still haven't got the hang of shots. I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall. With K-5iis Bracing the lens on the car window or tripod with the SR (Shake Reduction) turned on may cause the camera to move the sensor, because the camera is expecting camera movement unless you have turned off the SR. Try turning the SR off when the lens is braced. For this reason Shake Reduction is automatically switched off when the the self-timer or remote control is used to release the shutter. You can manually over-ride this if you prefer.

07-03-2018, 11:05 AM	#28908
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Originally posted by Mikesul And with a Pentax! WAIT, I didn't know we weren't supposed to use our Pentaxs for BIFs?! How come I wasn't told?

07-03-2018, 11:08 AM	#28909
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by littledrawe WAIT, I didn't know we weren't supposed to use our Pentaxs for BIFs?! How come I wasn't told? Its a little known (around here) secret.

07-03-2018, 11:19 AM - 1 Like	#28910
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar Still haven't got the hang of shots. I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall. There are a lot of ways to support the lens and reduce/eliminate the shake. Some of the strategies from rifle shooting crossover. Take a breath, exhale halfway, pause, shoot. Proper bracing of your arm on your body and your feet position need to be considered. I shot an A*600 on a $40 Bogen Bomber set of legs and $100 knockoff gimbal from ebay (thanks China!) with excellent results. So it does not need to cost an arm and a leg to get properly supported. I just saw an amazing set of old aluminum manfrotto legs for $50 in an old "antique mall" near me. I wanted to rescue them so they could be returned to their former glory but I already have 2 sets myself so a third would be nonsense. You can also put the camera on rapid fire, assume the first shot is going to be the shaky one and the second or third should be more stable.

07-03-2018, 02:57 PM - 2 Likes	#28912
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,870	Originally posted by siva.ss.kumar I see shake even though I placed the lens on car window or on a lake wall. I swear by a bean bag (I make mine for ~nowt) - allows the lens to point to the subject without being tilted on edge and wobbling. I'll tend to have a hand on top top pressing down into the bean bag, or I'll use a remote shutter release. Never leave home without both. Also don't underestimate the desireability of fast shutter speeds. At 560mm on apsc (1.5x crop factor, but also factor in later cropping of the image as well) I suggest figure on 1/1000sec minimum if not on a bean bag or tripod etc. Experience continues to reinforce for me that between possible graininess from high asa vs shake, its better to err on high asa graininess. Last edited by marcusBMG; 07-05-2018 at 03:21 PM.

07-03-2018, 04:43 PM	#28914
pjsaure Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Toulouse Posts: 82	I have found the same thing too. But my tripod is insufficient for a long lens, so it is not still at all. Very prone to vibrations, so SR helps a little. I guess unless you have a very stiff tripod with good dampening characteristics, you're better off with SR on.

07-04-2018, 01:50 AM	#28917
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,565	Originally posted by Bhuey55 Mt St Helens, Washington K5ii DA*300 Hi Bhuey Is the animal a prarie dog ? Nice series Dave

07-04-2018, 04:19 AM - 6 Likes	#28918
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	Travelling in NZ at the moment. Using K3 and DA 55-300 HD at the long end on birds a bit: New Zealand Dotterel on the littoral on a Northern beach: A species of seagull: And another species: Oyster Catcher Sacred Kingfisher As to a review of the lens - I like it.

07-04-2018, 07:10 AM	#28919
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,827	Originally posted by stihlmania I shoot with shake reduction on almost 95 % of the time, with shake reduction on with remote shutter release or the with the inferred remote. I have tested SR for over 8 months with my K-3 II, mostly with my A ☆ 400 [with or without the 1.4 and 1.7 adaptors] on a tripod or a monopod, and I see no reason for someone not to test what works out best for them rather than follow the factory advice on SR usage. Yes, try with shake reduction off and see if that helps. I get sharp shots either way, but more with SR on. Live view does help show what camera and tripod shake you have [full magnification is what I check with] and then you can try to come up with ways to reduce the shake. The attached photo - SMC A ☆ 400 F2.8 ED[IF] with Pentax F 1.7 AF adaptor, SR on. Lovely demo on IQ with a great lens combo.

07-04-2018, 07:17 AM	#28920
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by dbs Hi Bhuey Is the animal a prarie dog ? Nice series Dave It's a golden-mantled ground squirrel (Callospermophilus [Spermophilus] lateralis). It is identified by the black and white lines on its flanks and its white eye-ring. It lives in forest and the edge of alpine meadows.