Got Squirrel Shots? (In memorial of Rupert)

normhead · 03-29-2019, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by photolady95

Norm, how could you break a lens in half?

I was taking group shot of my Toronto friends up for the fall colours visit. I set the camera and lens on post fo the shot. There was a ring on the backside of the post where you can attach a chain. When I picked the camera up after the shot, the strap caught on the ring and sort of slingshotted the camera and lens into the ground. I think the force breaking the lens saved the K-3, but it snapped the rear assembly, held on by some plastic catches right off the lens. I can stick back together and it looks great. But it doesn't really work, the zoom assembly doesn't work and the cable that relays the electronics is snapped right off.. So that's where my tax return this year went. I was hoping for a 16-85 for Tess, maybe next year.

We both want the 55-300 for our summer canoe trips. I am so tired of carrying the 60-250.

Quote:

Good shots though, I like how you always get the eyes in focus too.

I've never understood all those people who have trouble getting the eye in focus. I use single point AF.s and I focus on the eye. I'm not sure what could be easier.

photolady95 · 03-29-2019, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the explanation. That must have hurt when it happened but at least the camera was okay.

I too use single point AF.s and focus on the eye. I've tried to instill this techique in my daughter and grand kids when they're just learning to use their Pentax's. Always focus on the eyes of animals. So far my daughter gets it.

photolady95 · 03-29-2019, 07:23 PM

Originally posted by reh321

On my K-30, the latch that holds the battery into the compartment broke, but since I'm using AA batteries, I discovered that putting the holder into the compartment, then pushing the holder down into the compartment while carefully closing the door behind it works.

Thanks for that. Yes, it was the battery clip but I was able to save the piece that broke off and have hopes of gluing it back on when I find the right thing to glue it back with. Mine's white not black like yours. But I'll try your trick for now. Right now it's sitting idle and I'd rather it be used than sit in a drawer.

**Geodude** · 03-30-2019, 07:15 AM - **4 Likes**

Leucitic Squirrel

During the 27 years I've lived here, there appears to be a recessive allele circulating amongst the squirrel population, as there is usually at least one and sometimes up to three of these variants running around the place.

I had to take this through a double-paned window at an obtuse angle, thus the lack of sharpness.

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reh321 · 03-30-2019, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by Geodude

Leucitic Squirrel

During the 27 years I've lived here, there appears to be a recessive allele circulating amongst the squirrel population, as there is usually at least one and sometimes up to three of these variants running around the place.

I had to take this through a double-paned window at an obtuse angle, thus the lack of sharpness.

Looks plenty sharp to me - I can see individual hairs in the tail.

normhead · 03-30-2019, 07:26 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

Looks plenty sharp to me - I can see individual hairs in the tail.

small amount of sharpening and a micro-contrast brush (definition) , and he'd look sharp.

normhead · 04-01-2019, 12:14 PM - **6 Likes**

I you sit in the blind near the bird feeders, you see squirrels, that's just the way it is.

photolady95 · 04-01-2019, 08:04 PM - **6 Likes**

Or like me, you stand at the tripod behind the window in your bedroom after or before feeding, and you get squirrels:

Looking for food

After the food has been brought out;

normhead · 04-02-2019, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

Or like me, you stand at the tripod behind the window in your bedroom after or before feeding, and you get squirrels:

Looking for food

After the food has been brought out;

My squirrels have furrier ears than yours......

reh321 · 04-02-2019, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by normhead

My squirrels have furrier ears than yours......

Squirrels in Canada need furry everything - Florida, not so much.

photolady95 · 04-02-2019, 10:27 AM

reh, beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing. LOL

normhead · 04-04-2019, 11:15 AM - **3 Likes**

Because squirrel shooters want to know.... what lens takes the best squirrel shots.

Tamron 300 2.8, by far the sharpest lens I own, but just can't match those Pentax blues.

DA*200 with HD DA 1.4 TC

DA 55-300 @230mm

DA 55-300 PLM at 300mm

White balanced on the same spot, on the white fur around the eye. The DA 55-300 PLM is definitely a little warmer.

**Perfessor5646** · 04-04-2019, 04:54 PM

Came home for lunch. Squirrel in front yard ignored me as I unlocked the front door. K-3II with DA*300 just inside the front door and...

photolady95 · 04-04-2019, 06:57 PM - **2 Likes**

Single in challenge over from last month, these taken with HD 55-300 WR ED none were sharpened in post processing and a lot of them only had a tad of contrast added.

I have a 1.4x TC I could use but in my backyard, I haven't really needed it. But I have noticed the closer the squirrels, the sharper the eyes are.

reh321 · 04-05-2019, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by photolady95

Single in challenge over from last month, these taken with HD 55-300 WR ED none were sharpened in post processing and a lot of them only had a tad of contrast added.

I have a 1.4x TC I could use but in my backyard, I haven't really needed it. But I have noticed the closer the squirrels, the sharper the eyes are.

Yes, squirrel savoring a peanut is always fun to watch.

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03-29-2019, 06:42 PM	#2431
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by photolady95 Norm, how could you break a lens in half? I was taking group shot of my Toronto friends up for the fall colours visit. I set the camera and lens on post fo the shot. There was a ring on the backside of the post where you can attach a chain. When I picked the camera up after the shot, the strap caught on the ring and sort of slingshotted the camera and lens into the ground. I think the force breaking the lens saved the K-3, but it snapped the rear assembly, held on by some plastic catches right off the lens. I can stick back together and it looks great. But it doesn't really work, the zoom assembly doesn't work and the cable that relays the electronics is snapped right off.. So that's where my tax return this year went. I was hoping for a 16-85 for Tess, maybe next year. We both want the 55-300 for our summer canoe trips. I am so tired of carrying the 60-250. Quote: Good shots though, I like how you always get the eyes in focus too. I've never understood all those people who have trouble getting the eye in focus. I use single point AF.s and I focus on the eye. I'm not sure what could be easier.

03-29-2019, 07:14 PM	#2432
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Thanks for the explanation. That must have hurt when it happened but at least the camera was okay. I too use single point AF.s and focus on the eye. I've tried to instill this techique in my daughter and grand kids when they're just learning to use their Pentax's. Always focus on the eyes of animals. So far my daughter gets it.

03-29-2019, 07:23 PM	#2433
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Originally posted by reh321 On my K-30, the latch that holds the battery into the compartment broke, but since I'm using AA batteries, I discovered that putting the holder into the compartment, then pushing the holder down into the compartment while carefully closing the door behind it works. Thanks for that. Yes, it was the battery clip but I was able to save the piece that broke off and have hopes of gluing it back on when I find the right thing to glue it back with. Mine's white not black like yours. But I'll try your trick for now. Right now it's sitting idle and I'd rather it be used than sit in a drawer.

03-30-2019, 07:24 AM	#2435
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by Geodude Leucitic Squirrel During the 27 years I've lived here, there appears to be a recessive allele circulating amongst the squirrel population, as there is usually at least one and sometimes up to three of these variants running around the place. I had to take this through a double-paned window at an obtuse angle, thus the lack of sharpness. Looks plenty sharp to me - I can see individual hairs in the tail.

03-30-2019, 07:26 AM - 1 Like	#2436
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by reh321 Looks plenty sharp to me - I can see individual hairs in the tail. small amount of sharpening and a micro-contrast brush (definition) , and he'd look sharp.

04-01-2019, 12:14 PM - 6 Likes	#2437
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I you sit in the blind near the bird feeders, you see squirrels, that's just the way it is.

04-01-2019, 08:04 PM - 6 Likes	#2438
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Or like me, you stand at the tripod behind the window in your bedroom after or before feeding, and you get squirrels: Looking for food After the food has been brought out;

04-02-2019, 05:54 AM	#2439
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by photolady95 Or like me, you stand at the tripod behind the window in your bedroom after or before feeding, and you get squirrels: Looking for food After the food has been brought out; My squirrels have furrier ears than yours......

04-02-2019, 05:57 AM	#2440
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by normhead My squirrels have furrier ears than yours...... Squirrels in Canada need furry everything - Florida, not so much.

04-02-2019, 10:27 AM	#2441
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	reh, beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing. LOL

04-04-2019, 11:15 AM - 3 Likes	#2442
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Because squirrel shooters want to know.... what lens takes the best squirrel shots. Tamron 300 2.8, by far the sharpest lens I own, but just can't match those Pentax blues. DA*200 with HD DA 1.4 TC DA 55-300 @230mm DA 55-300 PLM at 300mm White balanced on the same spot, on the white fur around the eye. The DA 55-300 PLM is definitely a little warmer.

04-04-2019, 06:57 PM - 2 Likes	#2444
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Single in challenge over from last month, these taken with HD 55-300 WR ED none were sharpened in post processing and a lot of them only had a tad of contrast added. I have a 1.4x TC I could use but in my backyard, I haven't really needed it. But I have noticed the closer the squirrels, the sharper the eyes are.

04-05-2019, 10:47 AM	#2445
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by photolady95 Single in challenge over from last month, these taken with HD 55-300 WR ED none were sharpened in post processing and a lot of them only had a tad of contrast added. I have a 1.4x TC I could use but in my backyard, I haven't really needed it. But I have noticed the closer the squirrels, the sharper the eyes are. Yes, squirrel savoring a peanut is always fun to watch.