300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

5shot · 08-16-2019, 04:33 PM - **4 Likes**

I just picked up a Takumar 500mm, f/4.5, M42 screw mount lens. Can't afford a modern version of the lens and have little use for one anyway, but I'm having fun. I have a lot to learn with this lens, but using LV to fine tune the focus is the only way to go. Won't be doing much wildlife, as it would have to sit still far longer than necessary for me to get the shot!

Quick pic of the pooch while trying my hand at getting sharp images. Too bad there was a piece of machinery in the foreground...but it is just practice.

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**aslyfox** · 08-16-2019, 04:40 PM - **11 Likes**

K 3 II + HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW

The KIng

The Queen

The King again

found wandering the Ngorongoro Crater

**luftfluss** · 08-16-2019, 06:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 5shot

I just picked up a Takumar 500mm, f/4.5, M42 screw mount lens. Can't afford a modern version of the lens and have little use for one anyway, but I'm having fun. I have a lot to learn with this lens, but using LV to fine tune the focus is the only way to go. Won't be doing much wildlife, as it would have to sit still far longer than necessary for me to get the shot!

Quick pic of the pooch while trying my hand at getting sharp images. Too bad there was a piece of machinery in the foreground...but it is just practice.

Nice!

I have the K version, and like you said, it's fun. If you are persistent, you will eventually learn to wrangle some wildlife photos out of it

**SteveinSLC** · 08-16-2019, 09:46 PM - **8 Likes**

Sandhill Crane KP and 150-450

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5shot · 08-17-2019, 07:32 PM - **5 Likes**

A young California Quail on lookout in the backyard. Takumar 500mm f/4.5 lens, ISO 200, 1/90 and I believe f11. Used LV to get focused, and luckily the others were feeding below, so he wasn't going anywhere.

**luftfluss** · 08-17-2019, 08:17 PM

Quail! That is so cool. I've never seen one in the flesh.

What kind of tripod/head are you using? I use an old Velbon with a pan/tilt head and I notice blur from camera shake at 1/90s.

**aslyfox** · 08-17-2019, 08:29 PM - **2 Likes**

found in the Selous Game Reserve

Egret

yellow baboons

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5shot · 08-17-2019, 08:37 PM

I am using a Manfrotto that I picked up on eBay on a buy it now with a ambiguous title and description...$60. Wasn't easy to find when I was searching, which was probably why it was still there. I definitely want to upgrade the tripod though...it is a bit shaky if you don't get everything set perfect.

Here in the NE corner of WA we see deer, moose, turkeys, quail and coyotes pretty regularly. The only one that hasn't been right in the yard is the Turkeys, but they are EVERYWHERE.

**luftfluss** · 08-17-2019, 09:06 PM - **20 Likes**

Originally posted by 5shot

I am using a Manfrotto that I picked up on eBay on a buy it now with a ambiguous title and description...$60. Wasn't easy to find when I was searching, which was probably why it was still there. I definitely want to upgrade the tripod though...it is a bit shaky if you don't get everything set perfect.

Here in the NE corner of WA we see deer, moose, turkeys, quail and coyotes pretty regularly. The only one that hasn't been right in the yard is the Turkeys, but they are EVERYWHERE.

Nice variety! I hope the critters will be willing subjects for you.

Here's a few of my local critters shot with the K 500/4.5. The deer and hawk were @ f/5.6, the fox @ f/6.7, the squirrel wide open.

**alfa75ts** · 08-17-2019, 09:15 PM - **17 Likes**

K3, DA*300, ~~Tamron-F 1.4 TC~~:

White-faced Heron:

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It looks better on a big screen.

Sextuplets!

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Spotted Pardalote (F):

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5shot · 08-17-2019, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Nice variety! I hope the critters will be willing subjects for you.

Here's a few of my local critters shot with the K 500/4.5. The deer and hawk were @ f/5.6, the fox @ f/6.7, the squirrel wide open.

Wow! Those are spectacular. I hope I can get some images that sharp with this lens.

**luftfluss** · 08-18-2019, 06:54 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 5shot

Wow! Those are spectacular. I hope I can get some images that sharp with this lens.

With practice I think you will

I shoot a lot of long tele, and my only long tele lenses for the last few years have been old manual focus ones, so I have a lot of time in.

**Canada_Rockies** · 08-18-2019, 07:39 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by luftfluss

With practice I think you will

I shoot a lot of long tele, and my only long tele lenses for the last few years have been old manual focus ones, so I have a lot of time in.

My birding tele is an M 400/5.6, sometimes with the AFA 1.7x on the back (680/9.5). I have my eye out for a 500/4.5 as a future acquisition for the extra light for focusing, particularly with the 1.7x.

Mallard taking off. ISO 400, 1/320, probably f9.5 (wide open) with the M 400 and AFA 1.7X. Manual focus is not much of a problem for me, but I must make sure I set the diopter correctly!

A fuzzy viewfinder makes for a fuzzy photo, I find.
My first Pentax had no aids for anything, 2 shutter dials using the old 1/25, 1/50 sequence High/Low handoff at 1/25. First lens, 55/2.2 preset, Second 135/3.5 preset, both Takumar.

**luftfluss** · 08-18-2019, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

My birding tele is an M 400/5.6, sometimes with the AFA 1.7x on the back (680/9.5). I have my eye out for a 500/4.5 as a future acquisition for the extra light for focusing, particularly with the 1.7x.

Mallard taking off. ISO 400, 1/320, probably f9.5 (wide open) with the M 400 and AFA 1.7X. Manual focus is not much of a problem for me, but I must make sure I set the diopter correctly!

A fuzzy viewfinder makes for a fuzzy photo, I find.
My first Pentax had no aids for anything, 2 shutter dials using the old 1/25, 1/50 sequence High/Low handoff at 1/25. First lens, 55/2.2 preset, Second 135/3.5 preset, both Takumar.

I should try my AFA 1.7x on the 500/4.5. It does not work well on my Tamron 400/4 - it chronically front-focuses. It usually works okay with my Tamron 300/2.8, although with low-contrast it will also front-focus.

I've messed up the diopter on my K-3 II on several occasions; once I screwed up an entire afternoon's shooting because of my carelessness.

**Canada_Rockies** · 08-18-2019, 10:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by luftfluss

I should try my AFA 1.7x on the 500/4.5. It does not work well on my Tamron 400/4 - it chronically front-focuses. It usually works okay with my Tamron 300/2.8, although with low-contrast it will also front-focus.

I've messed up the diopter on my K-3 II on several occasions; once I screwed up an entire afternoon's shooting because of my carelessness.

I don't use the AF module with the AFA 1.7x. I rely on my 58 years of manual focus practice.

08-17-2019, 09:15 PM - 17 Likes	#31540
alfa75ts Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,356	K3, DA*300, ~~Tamron-F 1.4 TC~~: White-faced Heron: It looks better on a big screen. Sextuplets! Spotted Pardalote (F):

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08-16-2019, 06:51 PM - 1 Like	#31533
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by 5shot I just picked up a Takumar 500mm, f/4.5, M42 screw mount lens. Can't afford a modern version of the lens and have little use for one anyway, but I'm having fun. I have a lot to learn with this lens, but using LV to fine tune the focus is the only way to go. Won't be doing much wildlife, as it would have to sit still far longer than necessary for me to get the shot! Quick pic of the pooch while trying my hand at getting sharp images. Too bad there was a piece of machinery in the foreground...but it is just practice. Nice! I have the K version, and like you said, it's fun. If you are persistent, you will eventually learn to wrangle some wildlife photos out of it

08-17-2019, 08:17 PM	#31536
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Quail! That is so cool. I've never seen one in the flesh. What kind of tripod/head are you using? I use an old Velbon with a pan/tilt head and I notice blur from camera shake at 1/90s.

08-17-2019, 08:37 PM	#31538
5shot Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington - the State Posts: 208	I am using a Manfrotto that I picked up on eBay on a buy it now with a ambiguous title and description...$60. Wasn't easy to find when I was searching, which was probably why it was still there. I definitely want to upgrade the tripod though...it is a bit shaky if you don't get everything set perfect. Here in the NE corner of WA we see deer, moose, turkeys, quail and coyotes pretty regularly. The only one that hasn't been right in the yard is the Turkeys, but they are EVERYWHERE.

08-17-2019, 09:06 PM - 20 Likes	#31539
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by 5shot I am using a Manfrotto that I picked up on eBay on a buy it now with a ambiguous title and description...$60. Wasn't easy to find when I was searching, which was probably why it was still there. I definitely want to upgrade the tripod though...it is a bit shaky if you don't get everything set perfect. Here in the NE corner of WA we see deer, moose, turkeys, quail and coyotes pretty regularly. The only one that hasn't been right in the yard is the Turkeys, but they are EVERYWHERE. Nice variety! I hope the critters will be willing subjects for you. Here's a few of my local critters shot with the K 500/4.5. The deer and hawk were @ f/5.6, the fox @ f/6.7, the squirrel wide open.

08-17-2019, 09:28 PM	#31541
5shot Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Washington - the State Posts: 208	Originally posted by luftfluss Nice variety! I hope the critters will be willing subjects for you. Here's a few of my local critters shot with the K 500/4.5. The deer and hawk were @ f/5.6, the fox @ f/6.7, the squirrel wide open. Wow! Those are spectacular. I hope I can get some images that sharp with this lens.

08-18-2019, 06:54 AM - 1 Like	#31542
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by 5shot Wow! Those are spectacular. I hope I can get some images that sharp with this lens. With practice I think you will I shoot a lot of long tele, and my only long tele lenses for the last few years have been old manual focus ones, so I have a lot of time in.

08-18-2019, 10:21 AM	#31544
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies My birding tele is an M 400/5.6, sometimes with the AFA 1.7x on the back (680/9.5). I have my eye out for a 500/4.5 as a future acquisition for the extra light for focusing, particularly with the 1.7x. Mallard taking off. ISO 400, 1/320, probably f9.5 (wide open) with the M 400 and AFA 1.7X. Manual focus is not much of a problem for me, but I must make sure I set the diopter correctly! A fuzzy viewfinder makes for a fuzzy photo, I find. My first Pentax had no aids for anything, 2 shutter dials using the old 1/25, 1/50 sequence High/Low handoff at 1/25. First lens, 55/2.2 preset, Second 135/3.5 preset, both Takumar. I should try my AFA 1.7x on the 500/4.5. It does not work well on my Tamron 400/4 - it chronically front-focuses. It usually works okay with my Tamron 300/2.8, although with low-contrast it will also front-focus. I've messed up the diopter on my K-3 II on several occasions; once I screwed up an entire afternoon's shooting because of my carelessness.

08-18-2019, 10:41 AM - 1 Like	#31545
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by luftfluss I should try my AFA 1.7x on the 500/4.5. It does not work well on my Tamron 400/4 - it chronically front-focuses. It usually works okay with my Tamron 300/2.8, although with low-contrast it will also front-focus. I've messed up the diopter on my K-3 II on several occasions; once I screwed up an entire afternoon's shooting because of my carelessness. I don't use the AF module with the AFA 1.7x. I rely on my 58 years of manual focus practice.

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