K3ii for wildlife

Billk · 11-15-2015, 03:18 AM - **1 Like**

I love my K7 and will keep using it but I'm getting some shots with my new K3ii that are all but impossible with the K7. The improved AF, better burst rate and improved high ISO performance all add up to a pretty good wildlife camera in any price bracket.

Here's a Welcome Swallow in flight from this afternoon on my first day trying. I tried dozens of times with the K7 without getting anything this sharp.

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PePe · 11-15-2015, 07:42 AM

Nice shot!
Yes, the K-3 generation is a lot faster than the K-7, in every respect.

bertwert · 11-15-2015, 08:56 AM

Great shot!
What lenses are you using with the K-3ii for wildlife?
A lens upgrade might make wildlife photography easier as well... he he he here comes LBA.

**csa** · 11-15-2015, 09:24 AM

That's a great shot! Those swallows are extremely fast, & change directions on a dime!

**boriscleto** · 11-15-2015, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

Great shot!
What lenses are you using with the K-3ii for wildlife?
A lens upgrade might make wildlife photography easier as well... he he he here comes LBA.

Profile indicates ownership of a DA* 300/4, and the EXIF shows that is the lens used...

I would think the D FA 150-450 is an appropriate upgrade

bertwert · 11-15-2015, 09:30 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Profile indicates ownership of a DA* 300/4, and the EXIF shows that is the lens used...

Isn't much upgrade to that in the current Pentax lineup... maybe the 560

Originally posted by boriscleto

I would think the D FA 150-450 is an appropriate upgrade

I wouldn't say so.

Pros:
Zoom
FF
Longer range

Cons:
Lower apertures
Heavier
Bigger
Zoom

Maybe it would be

**boriscleto** · 11-15-2015, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by bertwert

Isn't much upgrade to that in the current Pentax lineup... maybe the 560

I wouldn't say so.

Pros:
Zoom
FF
Longer range

Cons:
Lower apertures
Heavier
Bigger
Zoom

Maybe it would be

You left out faster focusing and the focus pre-sets.

bertwert · 11-15-2015, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

You left out faster focusing and the focus pre-sets.

Good point.

**luftfluss** · 11-15-2015, 10:27 AM

Well done, BillK! Such pretty birds, and tough to shoot on the move.

Billk · 11-15-2015, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

Great shot!
What lenses are you using with the K-3ii for wildlife?
A lens upgrade might make wildlife photography easier as well... he he he here comes LBA.

Mostly the DA* 300 and sometimes with the 1.4X TC as well.

My DA 200mm is currently broken and will need to go in for a repair. : (

I'm about to go out photographing bees with the Sigma 70mm macro and 1.4XTC. The Sigma and the FA43mm are my go to wide wildlife lenses.

However, last week I had the A35-105 F3.5 on when a Little Penguin popped up in front of me! Not when you really want a vintage lens on! Penguins will usually pose for you, though, when they are drying off.

I am certainly thinking about the DFA 150-450 but probably not until I get the FF camera first.

Maybe only a pipe dream but wouldn't the DA 560 be awesome?

bertwert · 11-15-2015, 05:57 PM

Nice.
I would love a K-3ii with DA* 300 and the HD 1.4x TC. Or even a 560..

But as a fourteen year old kid I can't afford these things

**clackers** · 11-15-2015, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by bertwert

Nice.
I would love a K-3ii with DA* 300 and the HD 1.4x TC. Or even a 560..

But as a fourteen year old kid I can't afford these things

But when you pursue your life of crime and fellow gangstas are laundering in the form of tattoo shops, instead you're going to park your ill-gotten gains in superb Pentax glass. :-)

**tduell** · 11-15-2015, 09:17 PM

Billk,
I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success.
I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW.
Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image?

Cheers,
Terry

**colonel00** · 11-15-2015, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by tduell

Billk,
I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success.
I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW.
Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image?

Cheers,
Terry

If you click the "link" above the photo that says Show Image EXIF, it will show you the details. However, here is what you are probably looking for.

Camera Model PENTAX K-3 II
Date Taken 2015-11-15 03:37 PM
Resolution 1017 x 800 pixels
Focal Length 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm)
Exposure Time 1/2500s (0.0004)
Aperture F/7.1
ISO Equivalent 1000

Billk · 11-15-2015, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by tduell

Billk,
I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success.
I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW.
Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image?

Cheers,
Terry

Hi Terry.

Sure : )

Yesterday I was hand holding but I also shoot a lot on a chunky Manfrotto tripod, with a joystick head, which I reverse mount so I am holding the joystick in my left hand and have the trigger squeezed while panning. That's how I usually get my best BIF shots and I would recommend that for the 150-450. (Haven't had much success with my monopod).

I usually shoot with AF on single point centre focus but did this shot with 9 AF points selected around the centre. I think fewer AF points is better than more.

Camera was in burst mode (recording RAW files, although a lot of birders say to record straight to jpeg).

The settings were ISO 1000, 1/2500s and F7.1 (I used TAV so the camera selected ISO 1000). It was 5pm ish in cloudless sky. I would say that closer to midday might give you another stop.

I try to lock on to the swallows at the edge of the lake as they are coming in but, as you know, they can change direction pretty sharply.

What else? I have my left foot pointed forward towards the target point and right out at 135 degree from that and try to have everything in tight to my torso and most of the panning movement coming from my hips (used to do judo). And I'm happy to have hundreds or thousands of fails to get a success.

Hand held BIF is where the DA 300mm F4 (and Canikon equivalents) really shine. You know you want one! : )

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11-15-2015, 07:42 AM	#2
PePe Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Helsinki, Finland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 597	Nice shot! Yes, the K-3 generation is a lot faster than the K-7, in every respect.

11-15-2015, 08:56 AM	#3
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Great shot! What lenses are you using with the K-3ii for wildlife? A lens upgrade might make wildlife photography easier as well... he he he here comes LBA.

11-15-2015, 09:24 AM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	That's a great shot! Those swallows are extremely fast, & change directions on a dime!

11-15-2015, 09:28 AM	#5
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by bertwert Great shot! What lenses are you using with the K-3ii for wildlife? A lens upgrade might make wildlife photography easier as well... he he he here comes LBA. Profile indicates ownership of a DA* 300/4, and the EXIF shows that is the lens used... I would think the D FA 150-450 is an appropriate upgrade

11-15-2015, 09:30 AM	#6
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by boriscleto Profile indicates ownership of a DA* 300/4, and the EXIF shows that is the lens used... Isn't much upgrade to that in the current Pentax lineup... maybe the 560 Originally posted by boriscleto I would think the D FA 150-450 is an appropriate upgrade I wouldn't say so. Pros: Zoom FF Longer range Cons: Lower apertures Heavier Bigger Zoom Maybe it would be

11-15-2015, 09:41 AM	#7
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by bertwert Isn't much upgrade to that in the current Pentax lineup... maybe the 560 I wouldn't say so. Pros: Zoom FF Longer range Cons: Lower apertures Heavier Bigger Zoom Maybe it would be You left out faster focusing and the focus pre-sets.

11-15-2015, 09:52 AM	#8
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by boriscleto You left out faster focusing and the focus pre-sets. Good point.

11-15-2015, 10:27 AM	#9
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Well done, BillK! Such pretty birds, and tough to shoot on the move.

11-15-2015, 05:57 PM	#11
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Nice. I would love a K-3ii with DA* 300 and the HD 1.4x TC. Or even a 560.. But as a fourteen year old kid I can't afford these things

11-15-2015, 06:16 PM	#12
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by bertwert Nice. I would love a K-3ii with DA* 300 and the HD 1.4x TC. Or even a 560.. But as a fourteen year old kid I can't afford these things But when you pursue your life of crime and fellow gangstas are laundering in the form of tattoo shops, instead you're going to park your ill-gotten gains in superb Pentax glass. :-)

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11-15-2015, 09:17 PM	#13
tduell Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,513	Billk, I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success. I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW. Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image? Cheers, Terry

11-15-2015, 09:27 PM	#14
colonel00 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 483	Originally posted by tduell Billk, I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success. I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW. Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image? Cheers, Terry If you click the "link" above the photo that says Show Image EXIF, it will show you the details. However, here is what you are probably looking for. Camera Model PENTAX K-3 II Date Taken 2015-11-15 03:37 PM Resolution 1017 x 800 pixels Focal Length 300.0mm (35mm equivalent: 450mm) Exposure Time 1/2500s (0.0004) Aperture F/7.1 ISO Equivalent 1000

11-15-2015, 09:47 PM	#15
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349 Original Poster	Originally posted by tduell Billk, I like your image of the Swallow, and have tried a few times to get shots like that without success. I shoot with a K-3 II and a HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW. Could you share your camera settings (exposure and AF) that you used for the Swallow image? Cheers, Terry Hi Terry. Sure : ) Yesterday I was hand holding but I also shoot a lot on a chunky Manfrotto tripod, with a joystick head, which I reverse mount so I am holding the joystick in my left hand and have the trigger squeezed while panning. That's how I usually get my best BIF shots and I would recommend that for the 150-450. (Haven't had much success with my monopod). I usually shoot with AF on single point centre focus but did this shot with 9 AF points selected around the centre. I think fewer AF points is better than more. Camera was in burst mode (recording RAW files, although a lot of birders say to record straight to jpeg). The settings were ISO 1000, 1/2500s and F7.1 (I used TAV so the camera selected ISO 1000). It was 5pm ish in cloudless sky. I would say that closer to midday might give you another stop. I try to lock on to the swallows at the edge of the lake as they are coming in but, as you know, they can change direction pretty sharply. What else? I have my left foot pointed forward towards the target point and right out at 135 degree from that and try to have everything in tight to my torso and most of the panning movement coming from my hips (used to do judo). And I'm happy to have hundreds or thousands of fails to get a success. Hand held BIF is where the DA 300mm F4 (and Canikon equivalents) really shine. You know you want one! : )