300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses

**steamloco76** · 06-28-2020, 04:23 AM - **13 Likes**

Less than a hour after finallyreceiving the used DA* 300/4 I purchased nearly a month ago I captured a gray catbird and a molting white breasted nuthatch. Deep shade required ISO 2000 from my KP and f/5 from the DA*300/4.

Attached Images

Ducatigaz · 06-28-2020, 04:26 AM - **15 Likes**

More juvenile Kestrels. This is a different nest with 4 juveniles in it and they look like they will fledge soon. Taken at distance with my K-5/Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount.

**steamloco76** · 06-29-2020, 05:40 AM - **8 Likes**

DA*300 wide open @ f/4 on my KP

**Weevil** · 06-29-2020, 01:19 PM - **13 Likes**

Black bird with back-side lighting, taken with a new acquisition (i.e. SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF], the little sister of my FA* 250-600) with K-1.
Taken handheld wide open (at ƒ/5.6) , pushing the limits of that lens...

FA* are known for some CA, but easily controlled in PP (I used the "Auto Defringe" feature to get rid of purple fringing)

So far I am really pleased with that 400mm... very small, light and pretty long reach, and the colors coming out of that jewel are just "Wow!".

It is my new favorite lens! (and a nice complement to the other beast, when I cannot carry it)

Carouge à épaulettes / Red-winged Blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus]

(Edit: Added a 2nd photo of the same subject)

Carouge à épaulettes / Red-winged Blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus]

Last edited by Weevil; 06-29-2020 at 09:07 PM.

**RedRuff** · 06-29-2020, 04:05 PM - **2 Likes**

Just for grins I thought I'd try my Nikon lens with a Nikon camera (my workhorse D300)

Also is this a Cormorant on the right? I snapped a photo of these but only identified the heron at the time. I went back with a tripod and the K1+2xTC but the raft had floated out of shot

**Weevil** · 06-29-2020, 04:35 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by RedRuff

....Also is this a Cormorant on the right?

yes it is!

Nice pics for a Nikon (

just kidding)

**Weevil** · 06-29-2020, 10:01 PM - **4 Likes**

Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal
2020.06.01
Parc Régional de Beauharnois-Salaberry, Québec, CANADA

Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF]
1/1000s, Wide-open @ ƒ/5.6 , ISO 800 (handheld)

Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal | Parc Régional de Beauharn? | Flickr

Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal

**Weevil** · 06-30-2020, 09:35 AM - **6 Likes**

Another test shot from the FA*400mm

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27]

Photo de la lune prise à main levée en prenant une petite bière sur le patio :-)
------
Moon photo taken handheld while enjoying a beer on the deck :-)

Heavy 1:3 Crop

Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF]

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] | 2020.05.27 Photo de la lun? | Flickr

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27]

Jome · 06-30-2020, 10:01 AM - **1 Like**

Summit of Photography...
K-3 + DA*300

Jome · 06-30-2020, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Weevil

Another test shot from the FA*400mm

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27]

Photo de la lune prise à main levée en prenant une petite bière sur le patio :-)
------
Moon photo taken handheld while enjoying a beer on the deck :-)

Heavy 1:3 Crop

Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF]

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] | 2020.05.27 Photo de la lun? | Flickr

La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27]

Are You trying to tell that the FA* 400 is a beer can?????

**riseform** · 06-30-2020, 12:18 PM - **21 Likes**

Cassin's finch
K3ii and DA 560

zzeitg · 06-30-2020, 01:32 PM - **13 Likes**

Originally posted by Weevil

Nice details on that 150-450!

Thanks, Weevil!

DFA 150-450

**Weevil** · 06-30-2020, 02:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jome

Are You trying to tell that the FA* 400 is a beer can?????

Well, that would be a King Can!

**swip** · 06-30-2020, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Weevil

Black bird with back-side lighting, taken with a new acquisition (i.e. SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF], the little sister of my FA* 250-600) with K-1.
Taken handheld wide open (at ƒ/5.6) , pushing the limits of that lens...

How do you like the performance of this lens when the birds are further away?
I found the copy I have does not produce very sharp images when the subject is not close.

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-30-2020, 04:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by swip

How do you like the performance of this lens when the birds are further away?
I found the copy I have does not produce very sharp images when the subject is not close.

Gabriola Island Seagull with M400
6016x4000
1x1

06-30-2020, 10:01 AM - 1 Like	#33834
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784	Summit of Photography... K-3 + DA300 Last edited by Jome; 08-30-2020 at 08:46 AM.*

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06-28-2020, 04:23 AM - 13 Likes	#33826
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710	Less than a hour after finallyreceiving the used DA* 300/4 I purchased nearly a month ago I captured a gray catbird and a molting white breasted nuthatch. Deep shade required ISO 2000 from my KP and f/5 from the DA*300/4. Attached Images

06-28-2020, 04:26 AM - 15 Likes	#33827
Ducatigaz Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Blunsdon,Wiltshire, UK Posts: 1,505	More juvenile Kestrels. This is a different nest with 4 juveniles in it and they look like they will fledge soon. Taken at distance with my K-5/Sigma 800mm F5.6 APO EX/RRS BH-55/Kirk window mount.

06-29-2020, 01:19 PM - 13 Likes	#33829
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446	Black bird with back-side lighting, taken with a new acquisition (i.e. SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF], the little sister of my FA* 250-600) with K-1. Taken handheld wide open (at ƒ/5.6) , pushing the limits of that lens... FA* are known for some CA, but easily controlled in PP (I used the "Auto Defringe" feature to get rid of purple fringing) So far I am really pleased with that 400mm... very small, light and pretty long reach, and the colors coming out of that jewel are just "Wow!". It is my new favorite lens! (and a nice complement to the other beast, when I cannot carry it) Carouge à épaulettes / Red-winged Blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus] (Edit: Added a 2nd photo of the same subject) Carouge à épaulettes / Red-winged Blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus] Last edited by Weevil; 06-29-2020 at 09:07 PM.

06-29-2020, 04:05 PM - 2 Likes	#33830
RedRuff Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Midlands, UK Posts: 145	Just for grins I thought I'd try my Nikon lens with a Nikon camera (my workhorse D300) Also is this a Cormorant on the right? I snapped a photo of these but only identified the heron at the time. I went back with a tripod and the K1+2xTC but the raft had floated out of shot

06-29-2020, 04:35 PM - 2 Likes	#33831
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446	Originally posted by RedRuff ....Also is this a Cormorant on the right? yes it is! Nice pics for a Nikon ( just kidding)

06-29-2020, 10:01 PM - 4 Likes	#33832
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446	Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal 2020.06.01 Parc Régional de Beauharnois-Salaberry, Québec, CANADA Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF] 1/1000s, Wide-open @ ƒ/5.6 , ISO 800 (handheld) Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal \| Parc Régional de Beauharn? \| Flickr Le Petit Canal / The Small Canal

06-30-2020, 09:35 AM - 6 Likes	#33833
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446	Another test shot from the FA400mm La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] Photo de la lune prise à main levée en prenant une petite bière sur le patio :-) ------ Moon photo taken handheld while enjoying a beer on the deck :-) Heavy 1:3 Crop Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA 400mm F5.6 ED [IF] La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] \| 2020.05.27 Photo de la lun? \| Flickr La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27]

06-30-2020, 10:03 AM	#33835
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784	Originally posted by Weevil Another test shot from the FA400mm La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] Photo de la lune prise à main levée en prenant une petite bière sur le patio :-) ------ Moon photo taken handheld while enjoying a beer on the deck :-) Heavy 1:3 Crop Pentax K-1 + SMC Pentax-FA 400mm F5.6 ED [IF] La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] \| 2020.05.27 Photo de la lun? \| Flickr La Lune / The Moon [2020.05.27] Are You trying to tell that the FA* 400 is a beer can?????

06-30-2020, 12:18 PM - 21 Likes	#33836
riseform Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: WA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 473	Cassin's finch K3ii and DA 560

06-30-2020, 01:32 PM - 13 Likes	#33837
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by Weevil Nice details on that 150-450! Thanks, Weevil! DFA 150-450

06-30-2020, 02:43 PM - 1 Like	#33838
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,446	Originally posted by Jome Are You trying to tell that the FA* 400 is a beer can????? Well, that would be a King Can!

06-30-2020, 03:09 PM	#33839
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,827	Originally posted by Weevil Black bird with back-side lighting, taken with a new acquisition (i.e. SMC Pentax-FA* 400mm F5.6 ED [IF], the little sister of my FA* 250-600) with K-1. Taken handheld wide open (at ƒ/5.6) , pushing the limits of that lens... How do you like the performance of this lens when the birds are further away? I found the copy I have does not produce very sharp images when the subject is not close.