BIF with the K-30 + DA 55-300

Charlie70 · 01-10-2013, 09:28 AM - **3 Likes**

Just so you know a little about my background, I have previously used a D7000 + 70-300 VR SWM and a Canon 7D + 70-300 IS USM to capture BIF (with varying degrees of success). This is the first time I have tried with Pentax and the first time I have used a screw-drive lens. On the whole, the experience was quite positive although the lens itself was noisy and a little slow to focus (I found it to be especially leisurely re-achieving focus when it missed the intended subject). When it did lock on however, it was surprisingly accurate. I used continuous focus and tried the expanded mode, but disabled it because the focus points seemed to be jumping about randomly (perhaps the slowness of the lens was partially to blame).

Anyway, I thought I'd upload a few of my efforts to show you what this combo is capable of.

Cheers, Charlton.

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Jean Poitiers · 01-10-2013, 09:45 AM

Nice set - TFS - J

**pearsaab** · 01-10-2013, 10:12 AM

charlie it is great to hear that kind of feedback from someone who has used the big 2...it will keep me from straying

curlednoodles · 01-10-2013, 10:35 AM

Wow, theyre some sharp photos. Thanks for posting. Ive been curious of the DA 55-300 so this is useful. Too bad they dont make a WR version.

treebeard · 01-10-2013, 10:42 AM

Nicely done!

JinDesu · 01-10-2013, 10:43 AM

Very nice shots, and great to hear your experience was over-all positive

VisualDarkness · 01-10-2013, 11:42 AM

Impressive, I've tried it quite a few times and always failed.

dubyam · 01-10-2013, 02:10 PM

Great pics...though I notice the gull in the top right corner of the last one actually managed to "photo-bomb" you!

EarlVonTapia · 01-10-2013, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by Charlie70

On the whole, the experience was quite positive although the lens itself was noisy and a little slow to focus (I found it to be especially leisurely re-achieving focus when it missed the intended subject). When it did lock on however, it was surprisingly accurate.

This echoes my experience. The DA 55-300 is such a slowpoke at focusing and refocusing. I have the F 100-300, and that thing focuses WAY faster than the DA 55-300.

Optically though, the 55-300 is king.

Great photos!

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-10-2013, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by Charlie70

Just so you know a little about my background, I have previously used a D7000 + 70-300 VR SWM and a Canon 7D + 70-300 IS USM to capture BIF (with varying degrees of success). This is the first time I have tried with Pentax and the first time I have used a screw-drive lens. On the whole, the experience was quite positive although the lens itself was noisy and a little slow to focus (I found it to be especially leisurely re-achieving focus when it missed the intended subject). When it did lock on however, it was surprisingly accurate. I used continuous focus and tried the expanded mode, but disabled it because the focus points seemed to be jumping about randomly (perhaps the slowness of the lens was partially to blame).

Anyway, I thought I'd upload a few of my efforts to show you what this combo is capable of.

Cheers, Charlton.

You can refocus faster with the quickshift, get it close and then hit the autofocus. Takes a little practice but it's quicker than allowing the lens to hunt, and quieter.

**boriscleto** · 01-10-2013, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

You can refocus faster with the quickshift, get it close and then hit the autofocus. Takes a little practice but it's quicker than allowing the lens to hunt, and quieter.

But not with the DA L...

**ramseybuckeye** · 01-10-2013, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

But not with the DA L...

That is correct, they are different.

Rite · 01-11-2013, 03:52 AM

Nice shots!

The DA 55-300 is quite capable, as is the K-30.

I'm considering letting go my D7000 kit also. I have the Nikon version of the DA55-300k. It is sharper and faster, but not by much. Big price difference though ..

Rite

GlennG · 01-11-2013, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by Charlie70

I thought I'd upload a few of my efforts to show you what this combo is capable of.

Thank you, Charlton. Some very nice photos and good to know that this combo can work in some fast focus situations, as I'm contemplating a K-30 purchase. My 55-300 on a much older 6 MP body takes very nice photos, but it is quite slow in focusing, so moving objects are a challenge. Thanks. Glenn

teylix · 01-11-2013, 02:06 PM

Nice photos! Too bad the 55-300's bokeh isnt buttery smooth.

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01-10-2013, 09:45 AM	#2
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Nice set - TFS - J

01-10-2013, 10:12 AM	#3
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	charlie it is great to hear that kind of feedback from someone who has used the big 2...it will keep me from straying

01-10-2013, 10:35 AM	#4
curlednoodles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Far North Qld, Australia Posts: 184	Wow, theyre some sharp photos. Thanks for posting. Ive been curious of the DA 55-300 so this is useful. Too bad they dont make a WR version.

01-10-2013, 10:42 AM	#5
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Nicely done!

01-10-2013, 10:43 AM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Very nice shots, and great to hear your experience was over-all positive

01-10-2013, 11:42 AM	#7
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Impressive, I've tried it quite a few times and always failed.

01-10-2013, 02:10 PM	#8
dubyam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 221	Great pics...though I notice the gull in the top right corner of the last one actually managed to "photo-bomb" you!

01-10-2013, 02:47 PM	#9
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by Charlie70 On the whole, the experience was quite positive although the lens itself was noisy and a little slow to focus (I found it to be especially leisurely re-achieving focus when it missed the intended subject). When it did lock on however, it was surprisingly accurate. This echoes my experience. The DA 55-300 is such a slowpoke at focusing and refocusing. I have the F 100-300, and that thing focuses WAY faster than the DA 55-300. Optically though, the 55-300 is king. Great photos!

01-10-2013, 03:26 PM	#10
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by Charlie70 Just so you know a little about my background, I have previously used a D7000 + 70-300 VR SWM and a Canon 7D + 70-300 IS USM to capture BIF (with varying degrees of success). This is the first time I have tried with Pentax and the first time I have used a screw-drive lens. On the whole, the experience was quite positive although the lens itself was noisy and a little slow to focus (I found it to be especially leisurely re-achieving focus when it missed the intended subject). When it did lock on however, it was surprisingly accurate. I used continuous focus and tried the expanded mode, but disabled it because the focus points seemed to be jumping about randomly (perhaps the slowness of the lens was partially to blame). Anyway, I thought I'd upload a few of my efforts to show you what this combo is capable of. Cheers, Charlton. You can refocus faster with the quickshift, get it close and then hit the autofocus. Takes a little practice but it's quicker than allowing the lens to hunt, and quieter.

01-10-2013, 03:45 PM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye You can refocus faster with the quickshift, get it close and then hit the autofocus. Takes a little practice but it's quicker than allowing the lens to hunt, and quieter. But not with the DA L...

01-10-2013, 03:56 PM	#12
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by boriscleto But not with the DA L... That is correct, they are different.

01-11-2013, 03:52 AM	#13
Rite Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 337	Nice shots! The DA 55-300 is quite capable, as is the K-30. I'm considering letting go my D7000 kit also. I have the Nikon version of the DA55-300k. It is sharper and faster, but not by much. Big price difference though .. Rite

01-11-2013, 10:30 AM	#14
GlennG Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 824	Originally posted by Charlie70 I thought I'd upload a few of my efforts to show you what this combo is capable of. Thank you, Charlton. Some very nice photos and good to know that this combo can work in some fast focus situations, as I'm contemplating a K-30 purchase. My 55-300 on a much older 6 MP body takes very nice photos, but it is quite slow in focusing, so moving objects are a challenge. Thanks. Glenn

01-11-2013, 02:06 PM	#15
teylix Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: michigan Posts: 25	Nice photos! Too bad the 55-300's bokeh isnt buttery smooth.