300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

bertwert · 04-30-2020, 07:38 PM - **7 Likes**

This deer here decided it had time for a quick portrait session...

**taks** · 04-30-2020, 10:22 PM - **6 Likes**

young bold eagle perched high up. DA300

he wasn't going any where so I added the TC

and cropped

one from the front. sun behind him

**WPRESTO** · 05-01-2020, 04:26 AM - **13 Likes**

Spoonbill, Sigma 50~500mm @ 500mm, cropped. Such a beautiful face!

**ivanvernon** · 05-01-2020, 05:41 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Fox sighting a few nights ago...

Almost as bad as it gets - so dim and cloudy I could barely see to focus, shooting wide open, missing focus, shooting at ISO 3200 and then pushing 2 stops in post

what a mess!

But such a beautiful creature, so I had to

K 500/4.5

Great series of shots!

---------- Post added 05-01-20 at 08:54 AM ----------

Originally posted by luftfluss

Fox sighting a few nights ago...

Almost as bad as it gets - so dim and cloudy I could barely see to focus, shooting wide open, missing focus, shooting at ISO 3200 and then pushing 2 stops in post

what a mess!

But such a beautiful creature, so I had to

K 500/4.5

The Forum reviews do not appear to rate the K500 as extremely sharp, but these photos look more than sharp enough. I am wondering whether you used a tripod, and also whether you recommend this lens at the going prices. I've got the M-400mm f 5.6, and thinking about a little more reach.

**steamloco76** · 05-01-2020, 06:32 AM - **11 Likes**

After two years of near-captures, I finally recorded my love bird Northern Cardinal couple feeding each other. Photobombed by a darned male house finch! April 29, 2020. Pentax KP & 300mm SMC-F Star F/4.5 lens.

**luftfluss** · 05-01-2020, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by steamloco76

After two years of near-captures, I finally recorded my love bird Northern Cardinal couple feeding each other. Photobombed by a darned male house finch! April 29, 2020. Pentax KP & 300mm SMC-F Star F/4.5 lens.

Excellent! I, too, have been trying to capture the "decisive moment" but haven't been able to. Well done!

**SteveinSLC** · 05-01-2020, 07:38 AM

F-35s from Hill AFB in Utah flying by as part of their salute to healthcare workers fighting COVID.
KP and DFA 150-450 at 450.
Quality is not great, but this is roughly 10 miles away through the mid-day heat and haze in the Salt Lake valley. Given that, I can't complain.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**luftfluss** · 05-01-2020, 08:05 AM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by ivanvernon

The Forum reviews do not appear to rate the K500 as extremely sharp, but these photos look more than sharp enough. I am wondering whether you used a tripod, and also whether you recommend this lens at the going prices. I've got the M-400mm f 5.6, and thinking about a little more reach.

Wide open sharpness is middling, IMO, but the fun really starts a half stop down. The lens' biggest bugaboo (besides handling) is chromatic aberration. It's copious at f/4.5 and while it decreases as you stop down it doesn't seem to ever really go away.

The K500 is bulky, heavy, and the focus ring is close to the camera, so IMO a tripod (or at least a monopod) is a must. The focusing action is OK, but not as smooth as other long tele lenses I use, like the A 400/5.6. But the lens is sharp, and mates well with the A 1.4x-L Rear Converter.

I've posted a bunch of samples here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/383864-smc...00-f4-5-a.html

Probably the shot that impressed me the most is this one of three young green herons. They were across the pond, some 70-80 yards away. I cropped this image by 75% and resized for web display:

I was only using a monopod, so had to keep the shutter speed up (1/750). A good performance by the K500, I think.

I think at under $500/shipped, the lens is a good value if you plan on using it with support, and don't mind dealing with the CA, and have a thing for big ol' glass. It certainly delivers in terms of sharpness and the ever-important fun factor.

**luftfluss** · 05-01-2020, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Spoonbill, Sigma 50~500mm @ 500mm, cropped. Such a beautiful face!

Wonderful shot. I love the colors and detail.

**ivanvernon** · 05-01-2020, 09:01 AM

Originally posted by steamloco76

After two years of near-captures, I finally recorded my love bird Northern Cardinal couple feeding each other. Photobombed by a darned male house finch! April 29, 2020. Pentax KP & 300mm SMC-F Star F/4.5 lens.

Marvellous, just wonderful!

**ivanvernon** · 05-01-2020, 09:04 AM - **2 Likes**

Tulips from our garden from 15 feet MFD. These would be sharper if I were not allergic to tripods!

KIT: K-3 with Pentax-D 400mm f 5.6.

zzeitg · 05-01-2020, 09:33 AM - **9 Likes**

DFA 150-450

**WPRESTO** · 05-01-2020, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Wonderful shot. I love the colors and detail.

Thanks for the compliment. Even birds with featherless heads, such as storks and vultures, have their charm.

**skolkmeier** · 05-01-2020, 11:31 AM - **2 Likes**

Old Tom Turkey.

**skolkmeier** · 05-01-2020, 11:33 AM - **2 Likes**

Over 100 pelicans soaring in the distance.

05-01-2020, 08:05 AM - 7 Likes	#33398
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by ivanvernon The Forum reviews do not appear to rate the K500 as extremely sharp, but these photos look more than sharp enough. I am wondering whether you used a tripod, and also whether you recommend this lens at the going prices. I've got the M-400mm f 5.6, and thinking about a little more reach. Wide open sharpness is middling, IMO, but the fun really starts a half stop down. The lens' biggest bugaboo (besides handling) is chromatic aberration. It's copious at f/4.5 and while it decreases as you stop down it doesn't seem to ever really go away. The K500 is bulky, heavy, and the focus ring is close to the camera, so IMO a tripod (or at least a monopod) is a must. The focusing action is OK, but not as smooth as other long tele lenses I use, like the A 400/5.6. But the lens is sharp, and mates well with the A 1.4x-L Rear Converter. I've posted a bunch of samples here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/383864-smc...00-f4-5-a.html Probably the shot that impressed me the most is this one of three young green herons. They were across the pond, some 70-80 yards away. I cropped this image by 75% and resized for web display: I was only using a monopod, so had to keep the shutter speed up (1/750). A good performance by the K500, I think. I think at under $500/shipped, the lens is a good value if you plan on using it with support, and don't mind dealing with the CA, and have a thing for big ol' glass. It certainly delivers in terms of sharpness and the ever-important fun factor. Last edited by luftfluss; 05-01-2020 at 08:17 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The Sigma Lens Club- All lenses	Blue	Lens Clubs	3233	21 Hours Ago 04:03 AM
Soviet lenses club	Voe	Lens Clubs	4208	1 Day Ago 03:41 PM
Wanted - Acquired: Long lens >300mm in K-mount	pop4	Sold Items	1	10-03-2010 03:03 AM
Pentax DA 55-300mm vs Tamron 70-300mm at long end (brickwall)	tcdk	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	17	11-15-2009 12:52 AM

04-30-2020, 07:38 PM - 7 Likes	#33391
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	This deer here decided it had time for a quick portrait session...

04-30-2020, 10:22 PM - 6 Likes	#33392
taks Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,778	young bold eagle perched high up. DA300 he wasn't going any where so I added the TC and cropped one from the front. sun behind him

05-01-2020, 05:41 AM	#33394
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by luftfluss Fox sighting a few nights ago... Almost as bad as it gets - so dim and cloudy I could barely see to focus, shooting wide open, missing focus, shooting at ISO 3200 and then pushing 2 stops in post what a mess! But such a beautiful creature, so I had to K 500/4.5 Great series of shots! ---------- Post added 05-01-20 at 08:54 AM ---------- Originally posted by luftfluss Fox sighting a few nights ago... Almost as bad as it gets - so dim and cloudy I could barely see to focus, shooting wide open, missing focus, shooting at ISO 3200 and then pushing 2 stops in post what a mess! But such a beautiful creature, so I had to K 500/4.5 The Forum reviews do not appear to rate the K500 as extremely sharp, but these photos look more than sharp enough. I am wondering whether you used a tripod, and also whether you recommend this lens at the going prices. I've got the M-400mm f 5.6, and thinking about a little more reach.

05-01-2020, 07:36 AM	#33396
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by steamloco76 After two years of near-captures, I finally recorded my love bird Northern Cardinal couple feeding each other. Photobombed by a darned male house finch! April 29, 2020. Pentax KP & 300mm SMC-F Star F/4.5 lens. Excellent! I, too, have been trying to capture the "decisive moment" but haven't been able to. Well done!

05-01-2020, 08:07 AM	#33399
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by WPRESTO Spoonbill, Sigma 50~500mm @ 500mm, cropped. Such a beautiful face! Wonderful shot. I love the colors and detail.

05-01-2020, 09:01 AM	#33400
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Originally posted by steamloco76 After two years of near-captures, I finally recorded my love bird Northern Cardinal couple feeding each other. Photobombed by a darned male house finch! April 29, 2020. Pentax KP & 300mm SMC-F Star F/4.5 lens. Marvellous, just wonderful!

05-01-2020, 09:33 AM - 9 Likes	#33402
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	DFA 150-450

05-01-2020, 10:33 AM	#33403
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,104	Originally posted by luftfluss Wonderful shot. I love the colors and detail. Thanks for the compliment. Even birds with featherless heads, such as storks and vultures, have their charm.