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11-14-2017, 08:24 AM   #46
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QuoteOriginally posted by twilhelm Quote
Might have to talk to you about the 500...
it's an A400/5.6....

11-14-2017, 08:38 AM   #47
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How's the PF on those lenses?

I'm trying to go all primes. Even manual focus is fine with what I shoot. I've tried Catch in focus and found that with my Sigma 400mm M f5.6 lens, I can focus better than using CIF. This lenses isn't real heavy but it is heavy enough I can't shoot handheld. But it comes with a tripod mount so I'm okay with it that way. Most of my primes, the Vivitar 200mm f3.5, the Sigma mentioned above, and the one zoom lens I have, the FA 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 all have the PF problem in high contrast areas (birds against the sky) unless I shoot smaller aperture.,
11-14-2017, 08:53 AM   #48
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
How's the PF on those lenses?

I'm trying to go all primes. Even manual focus is fine with what I shoot. I've tried Catch in focus and found that with my Sigma 400mm M f5.6 lens, I can focus better than using CIF. This lenses isn't real heavy but it is heavy enough I can't shoot handheld. But it comes with a tripod mount so I'm okay with it that way. Most of my primes, the Vivitar 200mm f3.5, the Sigma mentioned above, and the one zoom lens I have, the FA 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 all have the PF problem in high contrast areas (birds against the sky) unless I shoot smaller aperture.,
the K300 is noticeably worse than the A400 as far as aberrations and is also less convenient to use than the A400; I do have a tripod foot for the K300, so that is a non-issue for me...

SMC 300mm f4 | Flickr


the A400 is a sweetheart of a lens to use and if I'm not careful, I'm pretty sure I could talk myself out of sell her:

SMC A 400mm f5.6 | Flickr
11-14-2017, 09:00 AM   #49
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
the K300 is noticeably worse than the A400 as far as aberrations and is also less convenient to use than the A400; I do have a tripod foot for the K300, so that is a non-issue for me...

SMC 300mm f4 | Flickr


the A400 is a sweetheart of a lens to use and if I'm not careful, I'm pretty sure I could talk myself out of sell her:

SMC A 400mm f5.6 | Flickr
I’ll agree using the K300 against a bright sky can be bad, the 55-300 handles that much better but isn’t as sharp or as fast at 300.

And you know you want to get rid of that horrid A400...

11-14-2017, 11:40 AM   #50
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Totally missed getting a shot in yesterday, will try to get one today!
11-15-2017, 03:18 PM - 1 Like   #51
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
How's the PF on those lenses?
I'm trying to go all primes. Even manual focus is fine with what I shoot. I've tried Catch in focus and found that with my Sigma 400mm M f5.6 lens, I can focus better than using CIF. This lenses isn't real heavy but it is heavy enough I can't shoot handheld. But it comes with a tripod mount so I'm okay with it that way. Most of my primes, the Vivitar 200mm f3.5, the Sigma mentioned above, and the one zoom lens I have, the FA 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 all have the PF problem in high contrast areas (birds against the sky) unless I shoot smaller aperture.,
Maybe keep an eye open for a second hand DA55-300 or DA*300? Optically, the DA*300 is magic. If you're focussing manually and using a tripod, the weight of the DA*300 shouldn't be a problem. The DA 55-300 is a much lighter lens, but still gives great results. I recently bought the HD DA 55-300 PLM because of the faster AF. I haven't had too many issues with PF but I also try to avoid circumstances where subjects are backlit. There are taken with the old DA 55-300:


Pacific Black Duck
by RobGeraghty, on Flickr


King Parrot
by RobGeraghty, on Flickr


Uluru and Kestrel
by RobGeraghty, on Flickr
11-15-2017, 03:35 PM   #52
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I had a DA 55-300mm once, it had back focus issues, and I believe it had other problems as well. I returned it. I've seen the WR version in the marketplace lately but I'm not sure I'll buy one again after the first one had problems. My 70-300mm Sigma is f stop at 4-5.6 and the 55-300mm is f stop at 4-5.8.

The main reason I like the manual focus primes is I can attach a TC with one and still be able to focus. With zoom lens, and a TC they tend to hunt too much, even with a 1.4x TC.

11-15-2017, 04:41 PM   #53
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
I had a DA 55-300mm once, it had back focus issues, and I believe it had other problems as well. I returned it. I've seen the WR version in the marketplace lately but I'm not sure I'll buy one again after the first one had problems. My 70-300mm Sigma is f stop at 4-5.6 and the 55-300mm is f stop at 4-5.8.

The main reason I like the manual focus primes is I can attach a TC with one and still be able to focus. With zoom lens, and a TC they tend to hunt too much, even with a 1.4x TC.
I have an original copy of the DA55-300, and my copy is a great lens. That being said, I really enjoy using the K300 f/4. While the colors are more subdued than the 55-300, probably more realistic, it is extremely sharp and renders great images to work with. If I know I’m shooting longer and closer to 300mm is desired, I’ll grab the K before the DA.

I haven’t tried either with my TC, but that may be something I do soon. The majority of my current shooting can be accomplished with the 200 or 300, but I’d like to add a 400 to the mix one day.
11-15-2017, 07:06 PM   #54
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
I had a DA 55-300mm once, it had back focus issues, and I believe it had other problems as well. I returned it. I've seen the WR version in the marketplace lately but I'm not sure I'll buy one again after the first one had problems. My 70-300mm Sigma is f stop at 4-5.6 and the 55-300mm is f stop at 4-5.8.
The main reason I like the manual focus primes is I can attach a TC with one and still be able to focus. With zoom lens, and a TC they tend to hunt too much, even with a 1.4x TC.
OK, my DA 55-300 is fine and no, I wouldn't use it with a TC. I mainly suggested it because it's light and portable and produces images which are sharp and with good colour rendering. I've used the DA*300 with the HD 1.4x TC and it works well.
11-15-2017, 07:43 PM - 3 Likes   #55
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I shot this with a Vivitar M 200mm plus 1.7x TC handheld:

11-15-2017, 09:09 PM   #56
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady95 Quote
I shot this with a Vivitar M 200mm plus 1.7x TC handheld
Very nice!
11-18-2017, 03:36 PM - 1 Like   #57
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11-22-2017, 03:54 AM - 2 Likes   #58
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my shot 'the blue Civic' hit explore yesterday....
11-22-2017, 04:50 AM   #59
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
my shot 'the blue Civic' hit explore yesterday....
Nice, congrats!
11-22-2017, 05:46 AM   #60
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
my shot 'the blue Civic' hit explore yesterday....
That’s great!
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