[normhead]

K-1 and DA 55-300 PLM

One of the images


the bunch


Just saying.

[FozzFoster]

impressively clean for ISO 1600 too
great dynamic range too (perfect subject!)
nice shots

[Larrymc]

Yeah, buts it not a Hummingbird at 500 meters! Nice series!!

[normhead]

I would argue that in this case it is not the AF that is tracking that fast but the DOF that gets it in focus. Also the fact that the image is cropped to 8 MP says to me that it is quite far away which also gives alot of DOF. But fun when all images are in focus...

The dog is 10 feet from me in the last frame. So you'd be wrong, and I wouldn't shoot a dog at ƒ4 in any case, unless it was a low light situation. The minimum I'd be shooting would be ƒ5.6 on APS_c and ƒ8 on FF. (ƒ8 and be there) For this one I used the same set up I use for BiFs on the USR dial. IN the last frame the OF is so narrow, only the tip of her nose is in really sharp focus, and the blurred background confirms the narrow DOF. How accurate were you hoping for?

The last frame is an uncropped 36MP and in crisp focus.

It's hot day, and she was moving pretty slow, in my mind that was the biggest contributing factor, well moving slow for a border collie. Your small kid can't run that fast.

But it is funny, I knew someone would claim that. It's a given.

No matter what you do, everyone has a criticism.

---------- Post added 07-31-20 at 05:19 PM ----------

impressively clean for ISO 1600 too
great dynamic range too (perfect subject!)
nice shots

I find 1600 ISO gives me pretty clean images in bright sun. Not so good in low light. Reciprocity and all that.

---

Last edited by normhead; 07-31-2020 at 05:56 PM.

[jatrax]

Well done Norm. How much of the success do you think is due to the PLM lens? I mean would it be possible to duplicate the results with a slower / older lens? Just wondering how much all of the "Pentax is slow" complaints are due to the camera AF versus the lenses themself. Personally I've never had a problem getting in focus shots, even with our Australian Shepherd. Who admittedly is slowing down somewhat as she ages.

[normhead]

Well done Norm. How much of the success do you think is due to the PLM lens? I mean would it be possible to duplicate the results with a slower / older lens? Just wondering how much all of the "Pentax is slow" complaints are due to the camera AF versus the lenses themself. Personally I've never had a problem getting in focus shots, even with our Australian Shepherd. Who admittedly is slowing down somewhat as she ages.

If I get a chance I'll try tomorrow with the DA 18-135 and DA* 60-250. But the DA 55-30 could be a factor, and with the DA 55-300 PLM of course full sun was big factor as well. I'm packing for a canoe trip tomorrow and won't be back for a week, so It may be a while before I actually get to this.

I hate to try and anticipate things like this before I actually try it. I honestly have no clue.

[Joetitch]

Sorry Norm but this result is not valid as you used the equipment as designed
But seriously, knowing how to use it correctly is the challenge for those who are either too busy to learn or too lazy to work it out. Tracking is a whole different skill set to point and shoot. Great example of "we can do it too"

[3by2]

Any chance you can teach him to ride a bike in an irregular pattern towards you?

[normhead]

Sorry Norm but this result is not valid as you used the equipment as designed
But seriously, knowing how to use it correctly is the challenge for those who are either too busy to learn or too lazy to work it out. Tracking is a whole different skill set to point and shoot. Great example of "we can do it too"

Thanks for commenting.

Any chance you can teach him to ride a bike in an irregular pattern towards you?

Border collies are smart, this one is really smart. But to date, she hasn't tried to ride a bike.

[ben-pentax]

Border collies are smart, this one is really smart. But to date, she hasn't tried to ride a bike.

She's really really smart !

[normhead]

Well done Norm. How much of the success do you think is due to the PLM lens?

A lot, I wouldn't' even try this with a 60-250, actually, I did a few day ago, in very similar circumstance. The 60-250 never locked focus.

[derekkite]

How do you find that lens at shorter focal lengths? I've been carrying around my 150-450 in a pack, but I'd like something on a clip that is versatile and light. Things show up and I want a quick shot, or something short and closer in like a flower or butterfly.

[normhead]

How do you find that lens at shorter focal lengths? I've been carrying around my 150-450 in a pack, but I'd like something on a clip that is versatile and light. Things show up and I want a quick shot, or something short and closer in like a flower or butterfly.

On a K-1 you really have only 55-80mm, and then maybe 210-300, with a little vignetting at 300


On a K-3 it's a nice sharp lens through it's whole range, and very quick to focus.

On this image, it was on my K-3 as I was strolling on a leisurely walk to the store. I was lucky to get this image. Rise and fire. I never got a second chance. Without the DA 55-300 PLM I wouldn't have a catbird image.

[beachgardener]

fantastic test, thank for your work, always love your forest images

[mbukal]

literally only one triggered on K1(I think — I mostly use a focal point and a single shot///I really don’t trust Pentax’s AFC and I don't want to look for the best photo with multiple shots) with FA 80-320 / 4.5-5.6, the point of focus goes towards the lens:





p.s.
uh, even if I knew take photos of where my end would be