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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-24-2022, 02:52 PM  
Used DA* 300mm f4: Faulty (?) or needs more cleaning
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 12
Views: 802
Have the same problem on my DA* 16-50 if I don't use it for a while. Had my DA* 300 in cold storage for a year and after that the AF was lazy, one time it didn't move just whined. After moving the manual focus over a few times to clear up the helicals and gearing and a bit of persuasion from the AF it started working again.
It is more serious on the DA* 16-50, I have to work it quite a while both focusing ring and the AF to start working again, but after that it works well.
I assume it is either hardening of some lubricants or thin oxide in the SDM motor that is causing this, cycling the AF a few times once in a while prevents the SDM woes.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-02-2022, 01:55 PM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
Bigma goes up to 600mm, how is 450mm double than 600mm?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-01-2022, 02:32 PM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
It only means anything if the AF of the body is fast enough but Lukas has a K-70, not a go-to sports camera. That AF on the K-3III or even on the K-1 would mean something but then you would rather put a nice lens on that body.
I do BIF on a DA* 300 and the SDM is not the fastest, in fact the screwdrive AF on the Tamron 70-200 is faster. Not a problem if you choose your place and don't shoot subjects speeding straight towards you, that angle doesn't even make for good photography anyway.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-01-2022, 12:42 PM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
For comparison I'll post some of my low effort wildlife shots with my Tammy 70-200







Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-01-2022, 09:19 AM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
Just a quick experience talk.
I've done wildlife with the 70-200 for some time and the difference between 200mm and 300mm is much smaller than you might think, especially comparing an essentially pro/enthusiast lens with a hobby/whatever lens, more so on 24MP where you have ample amount of cropping options.
As nice as the 55-300 is, the examples you see here are downsized aggressively for viewing on HD or smaller screens. You don't see the aberrations, and these aberrations decrease your cropping power or negating entirely because you will need to downsize to get rid of them. Even a little bit of aberrations will need at least 2x or 3x downsizing.
The 70-210 is mostly free of aberrations, have a nice contrasty image and has a nice washout for bokeh, no hardlining or doubling in the background, it is just much nicer.

Getting the nicer lens is the cheaper option in the long run as well because you will eventually buy one and have the 55-300 gathering dust. It will play well on the next body and on FF if you go that way. Also consider buying used and maybe buying the (old) Tamron 70-200/2.8, same weight, wider aperture, screwdrive AF works snappy and fast.
Lastly, on this trip you will not do any hard wildlife, mostly landscape with wildlife in it. You don't need to go supertele with teleconverters and such, 200mm will be more than enough. (You have to consider the longer the lens the more the air shimmer affects the image, the closer the subject the better)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-31-2022, 11:42 AM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
Good idea, but why not get a 645z as well, I heard it is best for landscape photography, so this way he can do his everyday snaps on his K-70, do wildlife and nature on his K-1 MkII while waiting for the light to hit that tree just the right way on his 645z
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-31-2022, 06:39 AM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
Looks like I missed out on this little gem. In short, no. Let me explain, you see it is a stupid question so you should not worry about it.
The 70-200 is the kind of lens everyone should have in their lineup, it is an excellent lens and the most versatile. You can use it as a portrait lens, a landscape lens, you can do some wildlife, it is perfect for events, and for nature shots it is second to none.
You might be wondering putting a "pro" lens on your entry body is weird, but actually it is the most recommended way of building up one's set. The body is only there to provide the sensor (or film) otherwise it is a replaceable throwaway thing. The most important thing by far is the lens in front.

Get the good lens, replace body for better later, it is the cheaper part anyway.
In the sense of the 70-200, the f/4 variants have much less difference on crop bodies and FF. The f/2.8 is somewhat different. Both provide excellent image on crop and you will be blown away every time, but once you try it on a FF sensor it will be a whole different world, much more so with the f/2.8. Can't really describe it here, but the 70-200/2.8 gives a kind of etherial, characteristic image on FF that is hard to achieve on crop. That is to say on crop it will still provide breathtaking images. Assuming your subject, composition and background is chosen right, of course.

So, again, in short: don't worry about it.

Also linking a video about this subject from an englishman in Hong Kong:














You Tube



Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-31-2022, 04:52 AM  
Zoom lens for Pentax K-70
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 44
Views: 2,454
Greetings Lukas from the neighborhood. Your "kit" lens is a superb choice for starting out, it is one of the sharpest zoom lens, it will be great for landscapes and allaround snapping. Don't worry if your shots turn out less than expected, just shoot some more and try to find interesting stuff to show off at home. Do not be afraid to go full tourist while being a tourist.
For wildlife those two lenses (55-300 and 70-210) are somewhat usable, the 55-300 PLM is a bit darker than the earlier versions, plus I don't trust collapsible designs. The 70-210 is optically superb but f/4 and weighs the same as the Tamron 70-200/2.8 IF Macro. I would also consider the DA* 60-250/4, superb optics, more focal length and can play well with the DA 1.4x TC. I'm not going to recommend the 150-450 because no matter how nice it is it costs way too much for something that is essentially a Bigma.


For comparison, my route for wildlife was starting with a disappointing DA 50-200, then getting the Tamron 70-200/2.8 and DA TC, then getting a Sigma 50-500 "Bigma" (big mistake, baaaad bokeh, very heavy, dark) and quickly replacing it with a DA* 300/4.

The 300/4 and the 1.4x TC was my main wildlife setup on the K-3 and now on the K-1.
What you want is good optics with bokeh rendition that doesn't make you puke and light enough to be able to carry it around all day.

Also by visiting national parks, be aware there will be rules for photographers, some parks don't allow tripods or long lenses (or groups over a certain number), also they might prohibit photography at certain locations, lookout points.
Make sure you carry enough water, a compass and map, and make sure your phone is charged to be able to call emergency or check GPS on map. And please don't litter.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 07-30-2022, 11:28 AM  
Pentax O-GPS2
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 37
Views: 6,239
You should be using Lithium AAA batteries like on the first O-GPS since the alkaline and NiMh batteries will affect the compass a lot. Using Astrotracer to westward was impossible with alkalines, it was a great blind spot fir the compass.
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-22-2022, 09:42 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
I would rather look at noise and grain than at the denoise smearing
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 03-06-2022, 10:47 AM  
K-3 Tethering with a cable.
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 27
Views: 21,804
It was "updated to be compatible with K-3" last year, the year before that and years before that. It never worked. K-3 compatibility is to simply put, a blatant lie.
The only tethering option the K-3 has is the Pentax O-FC1 Flucard with wifi, but is not the easiest to use and you can't integrate it into software.
Forum: Lens Clubs 09-25-2020, 06:18 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Pentax K-1 with DA* 300/4 + HD DA 1.4X TC in APS-C mode













Forum: Lens Clubs 09-07-2020, 01:51 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Eurasian Nuthatch, after calibrating the lens on the K-1.
Lens is DA* 300/4 + HD DA 1.4X TC in APS-C mode

I can tell, after this shooting birds got a lot less frustrating.

Forum: Lens Clubs 07-12-2018, 12:52 PM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
About one HD 1.4x TC? Just guessing here :)
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-23-2018, 11:42 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
I can't believe I missed this one so here I go.
I bet he was just insecure that his wife was so interested in your BIG LONG lens
You should feel proud :D

These kind of people are a constant source of laughs and entertainment.
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-21-2018, 04:32 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
I would say otherwise, nicely caught light, especially with the warbler
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-17-2018, 02:23 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Thank you! I know of the Stargazers Lounge but I don't have enough time to get deeper into astrophotography, not with doing University as well. Right now a 6 weeks of exams period is coming up, starting next week with Astronomy and Planetology, having a bit of fun before the hardcore exams :)
When I have more time (and maybe better equipment) I'll be around more frequently, including the astrophotography club
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-16-2018, 06:44 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
And now for something completely different!

K-3, DA* 300 and O-GPS1 Astrotracer


M45 Pleiades s
by Tamás Sterbinszky, on Flickr



Orion's belt
by Tamás Sterbinszky, on Flickr
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-06-2018, 04:11 PM  
DA* Club
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 5,898
Views: 942,672
K-3, DA* 16-50, forgetting the ISO at 1600


Sunset
by Tamás Sterbinszky, on Flickr
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-06-2018, 06:08 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Some random findings in the backyard. K-3, DA* 300

Greenfinch, with HD TC, well cropped in




Common lizard chilling on the wall, without TC, pseudo macro

Forum: Lens Clubs 04-01-2018, 04:23 PM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Thank you! I heard about Topaz but never tried their software. I mostly use Lightroom and Photoshop with NIK but I never found a good sharpening method that didn't bring out the noise as well.
Forum: Lens Clubs 04-01-2018, 05:10 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Zzeitg, what is your processing method, more precisely your sharpening method?
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 03-26-2018, 08:45 AM  
k-1 follow subject with sensor movements in video mode... What?
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 26
Views: 2,240
Freaky
But let's just call it a feature instead a bug :)
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-12-2018, 03:13 PM  
DA* Club
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 5,898
Views: 942,672
What is the problem? If it is SDM failure, you can get it converted to screwdrive.
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-10-2018, 11:20 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Sterby
Replies: 40,824
Views: 4,315,478
Ah, the new logo for Fro Knows Photo .com?
Birds can have some crazy hairdo
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