Originally posted by oeriies I did not intend to say that you can't get birds in flight with the k-5 sigma combo. I get them reliably when I'm using good technique and the birds are large and predictable in their movements. This is one I'm happy with. The Osprey came back towards me repeatedly so I had time to track and nail it, even up close. This was with center point focus. I wouldn't have considered using continuous autofocus -- it just doesn't work reliably or predictably for me.
But while it is clearly possible to catch birds in flight with the k-5 sigma combo I can't believe that a camera with 51 autofocus points, some small and cross-hatched, and a sophisticated continuous autofocus system taken from their pro body (the Nikon D7100) isn't going to do a better job than the k-5 with 11 autofocus points. Surely I'm not alone in feeling that Pentax has inferior continuous autofocus and needs to make big improvements in that area.
Cheers,
Russ
I'll second dane.dawg. I was quite impressed with the k5 DA*300 when I was shooting hawks. Most in focus, tracking was just fine. Smaller points would be ok, but my friend who shoots with a nikon D7000, (7100 on order) and a 300 2.8 witha 2x TC had more trouble than I did. I was using af-c. More points being smaller helps at longer distance or picking something out of a busy background.
This lens needs at least the K5II with better low light focus. I regularly run into situations where my DA*300 doesn't focus in low light conditions. Another stop darker would be a killer on the k5.
The limits of my gear are the physical speed of the DA300 in AF response, the low light focus capability of my K5, and how the body bogs down, then gets behind in focus, exposure after 7 or 8 shots continuous.
This lens is not that interesting to me. Too slow, too long. The IQ and focus speed and handling would have to be exceptional to regain my attention.
As for the speed of the review, I doubt anyone could come up with a reasoned opinion of a long lens in less than a couple weeks usage. First impressions are ok, but with a long lens like this first impressions are usually that it isn't very good, and the question is whether it is the lens or technique.