[WPRESTO]

That bird gets around, even into MessyChewBits

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[riseform]

That bird gets around, even into MessyChewBits

Does it ever! I remember when the football team moved from St Louis and I thought it was ridiculous that they didn't change the name, figuring there were no cardinals in Arizona. Obviously I was wrong.

Here's a desert cardinal (Pyrrhuloxia) with a more restricted geographic range. K1 and DA 560 again

[jacamar]

I think the Cardinals in Arizona look more assertive, with brighter plumage and a bigger crest.

[WPRESTO]

Here's a desert cardinal (Pyrrhuloxia) with a more restricted geographic range. K1 and DA 560 again

Tried to spot one of those a couple times when we've been out in the southwest, but no luck.

This little chipping sparrow is a post-again

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[riseform]

Still playing with the images from Arizona. My apologies if I'm overdoing it, but it was really exciting to photograph something other than the usual Pacific Northwest suspects.
This was the first time I ever braved taking the 560 on a flight.

A three shot cut and paste collage of Lesser Goldfinch, K1 DA560

[Chris Mak]

Thanks Chris, I agree it's a nice pairing. Lucking out with some cooperative birds also helps.

K1 DA 560 Curve-billed thrasher (Arizona again)

Great shot this one too.
I seriously considered getting a K1mkII for the DA560, but ended up trading my Pentax DA560, 1.4TC and K3II in for a Canon 400DOII, 1.4TC and 7DII. I've only had my new kit for a few days, but it would have been an interesting comparison between the DA560 and the Canon 400 f4 with 1.4TC, both being 560mm at f5.6.
It was a tough decision, because the 7DII can not be regarded as anywhere near the IQ level of the K1mkII. So although the 7DII is certainly not the poor IQ body it is sometimes made out to be, getting a 400DOII is aomewhat of a leap of faith regarding Canon's intentions for a successor, which somehow get's me into dejavú

But what made the decision, is that I almost exclusively cycle and hike lately with my birding kit, and the DA560 was getting too heavy and large for me to carry along comfortably. I wanted 30cm off, and 1 kg off (the 400DOII is 23cm and 2,1 kg), so it was down to Nikon's featherweight 500PF or the majestic Canon 400DOII. It was tough passing on a Nikon D500, but I wanted to get as close as possible to the combination of focal range and f-stop as I could of the DA560. 500mm would have soon forced me to put on the 1.4TC all of the time, and would have trapped me at f8. It may not seem much: 60mm, but the base focal length I really want is 600mm, and 560 is a lot closer to that than 500mm. F5.6 still allows you to shoot freely in moderate light, and from using the DA560 with the 1.4TC, I know how dim f8 can become in anything but full daylight.

Seeing your images makes me feel I would have gotten the best out of the DA560 with a K1mkII, they have a quality that images with the K3 somehow just did not have. It also shows how much difference a high quality body makes, just as the 400DOII on the Canon 1DXmkII looks absolutely stunning even with Canon's 2.0TC on.

I got a 600,- bundle discount on the 7DII, so a very modest body purchase, and my intenetion is to upgrade in a year or so to either what will be the best Canon DSLR at that moment (save the 1DXII though!), or get into Canon mirrorless R.

All I can say at this stage, is that auto focus with the Canon combo (including 1.4TC) is literally lightning fast, simply instant, and not a trace of zip-zip-zip that plagued the DA560+K3II combo in anything but high contrast, bright daylight. I missed a lot of fleeting opportunities due to my DA560+K3 combo taking time to wake up, start focussing, decide on what, the zip-zip-zip, and the bird was either long gone, or if the K3 did fire off some shots, they would simply not be pin-sharp, or even poorly focussed. Only good results where when I had spacious time to carefully focus, which is fine for slow moving or static subjects....
It's a treat to have the AF that I wished for as a basis for getting the shot when it matters. I understand that regarding reliability, the K1mkII with the DA560 is a step up, perhaps good enough already?
Anyway, enjoy this fantastic combo, I will mine!

Chris

[zzeitg]

DA560

[riseform]

All I can say at this stage, is that auto focus with the Canon combo (including 1.4TC) is literally lightning fast, simply instant, and not a trace of zip-zip-zip that plagued the DA560+K3II combo in anything but high contrast, bright daylight. I missed a lot of fleeting opportunities due to my DA560+K3 combo taking time to wake up, start focussing, decide on what, the zip-zip-zip, and the bird was either long gone, or if the K3 did fire off some shots, they would simply not be pin-sharp, or even poorly focussed. Only good results where when I had spacious time to carefully focus, which is fine for slow moving or static subjects....
Chris

Honestly, I think that says it all.
The 560 is fantastic for birds on a stick.
When I hike or specifically target BIF, I usually step down to the much faster, more portable and more accurate DFA 150-450. I'm not fond of the TC on either, but perhaps I haven't given it a fair chance.
I've had BIF photos with the 560 (both on a tripod and handheld) that I'm proud of, but I too have missed many potential shots due to the relaxed attitude of the camera/lens combo. This really hit home when I was shooting eagles last year (not a small bird) and couldn't get the K3ii/560 combo to react in time despite having the bird smack in the middle of my viewfinder. I almost convinced myself to purchase the 500 PF when I came home that evening (it was just coming out), but I was able to pull out a few nice shots from the day and remind myself this is just my hobby. I'm still hopeful that a K3(?) successor will show up one day and bring new excitement to the 300 club.
I've followed the threads of folks who have added either Nikon or Canon to their quiver and I haven't seen any look back. I'll look forward to your impressions with more time under your belt using your new combo. Congratulations and please keep us posted.
As for the K1 560 combo for BIF, I have to admit I haven't used it much for that purpose as I usually go with the K3ii for added reach and higher frame rate.

This, of course, gives me the opportunity to post one more AZ photo, this time a northern mockingbird navigating the thorns of a cactus, and finally showing off with a good pose.
Both K1 and DA 560

[Weevil]

Late contribution to the recent Cardinal's buzz

K3 + FA*250-600/f5.6

Cardinal rouge / Northern Cardinal [Cardinalis cardinalis]

[timbo]

Some lovely photos in here. I’m currently waiting for my newly purchased FA*600 f/4 to arrive. So excited! Hope it’s not a dud!

[pentaxfall]

Nikon Z7 & 500mm PF

[kengoh]

Green Tailed Sunbird (male) shot with K3 + Sigma 500 F4.5

[WPRESTO]

Green Tailed Sunbird (male) shot with K3 + Sigma 500 F4.5

Oh my goodness!! How I wish there were birds so colorful in my neighborhood.
This catbird is typical of the species in my yard.

---------- Post added 03-24-19 at 07:27 AM ----------

VAV the discussion above on Pentax AF performance for wildlife. I was photographing birds lured to feeders with a K1 + 150~450mmon an overcast day (=use flash) and time after time either the lens would hunt and the bird was gone, or the combo missed the point of focus. Probably 80% of the clicks were total misses. I switched to a Canon 7D + Tamron 150~600mm and that combo locked on lightning fast virtually every time. MUCH larger % of keepers. I sold the 150~450mm.
More recently I've gone to MFT with a Pana-Leica 100~400mm as the longest tele. It is in the league of the Canon 7D for quick, reliable AF, but half the weight - 3010g for K1 + 150~450mm, 2810g for 7D + 150~600mmn 1472g for GX8 + 100~400mm.
I have been a Pentax user since 1957, but brand loyalty is no substitute for lost images.

[mohb]

Took my DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM for a first outing, getting ready for the cricket season and am impressed with the results , all hand held.

[sutherland]

When I hike or specifically target BIF, I usually step down to the much faster, more portable and more accurate DFA 150-450. I'm not fond of the TC on either, but perhaps I haven't given it a fair chance.
I've had BIF photos with the 560 (both on a tripod and handheld) that I'm proud of, but I too have missed many potential shots due to the relaxed attitude of the camera/lens combo. This really hit home when I was shooting eagles last year (not a small bird) and couldn't get the K3ii/560 combo to react in time despite having the bird smack in the middle of my viewfinder. I almost convinced myself to purchase the 500 PF when I came home that evening (it was just coming out), but I was able to pull out a few nice shots from the day and remind myself this is just my hobby. I'm still hopeful that a K3(?) successor will show up one day and bring new excitement to the 300 club.
I've followed the threads of folks who have added either Nikon or Canon to their quiver and I haven't seen any look back. I'll look forward to your impressions with more time under your belt using your new combo. Congratulations and please keep us posted.

I've tried the 1.4x TC on my 300mm f/4 PF (making it an effective 420mm f/5.6) and older 300mm f/2.8 (420mm f/4) and found that I much preferred the focusing performance of the bare lens over the extended reach when paired with the TC. TC on a base f/5.6 lens can make the combination very situational. There are not enough sunny days in the PNW for me to keep a TC around.

I was excited about the 500mm PF, but the backorder list is long and Nikon (just like with the D850) did not account for demand in their first production release. I eventually cancelled my pre-order and purchased a used 500mm f/4 on a Black Friday sale instead.

After letting go of my Pentax K-3II, I did eventually find my way back with the K-1II. I've contemplated adding either 150-450 (I've used it in the past with my K-3II) or DA 300 to my K-1II. The IQ of the K-1ii is really remarkable. Not a replacement for my D500 in a wildlife role, but definitely a compliment.