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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 06-22-2017, 10:11 AM  
African Safari -- Lens report
Posted By BDRanch
Replies: 6
Views: 2,367
Just returned from two weeks on safari in (near) Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Leading up to the trip, I spent a couple months surfing the net for advice on lenses to take.

In the end, here's what I decided to take: Two identical K-3 bodies (already had them) and two 18-135 lenses. When you've got one, you've got none. Also took a brand new 60-250 -- and a monopod.

Prior to the trip, I discovered and learned to use; 1. Back button focus (spot), and 2. Tav setting allowing me to always manually control shutter speed and aperture. Don't think I'll ever go back. (This was on my 60-250 equipped camera) My daughter used the other body with an 18-135 lens on 'Green' mode. She's not into cameras and just wanted a point and shoot capability.

Results certainly met and exceeded my expectations. Over 6000 photos between the two of us. Very few were duds.

Highlights:
1. Daytime photos are outstanding - well focused and super crisp. I tried to keep shutter speeds in the 1000 to 2000 range to minimize shake and subject movement. Tried to keep aperture in mid-range and ISO less than 1000. It worked !!

2. Very good low level light (after sunset) capability for shooting animals. Shutter speeds down to 100 - 400 range. Got some outstanding shots. Other friends on the trip had smaller-sensor equipped cameras and struggled with low light shots.

3. My zoom range was more than adequate - especially on the 60-250 since the photos were so sharp, I could crop heavily and still have a great image. Friends had some big-zoom Point and Shoot cameras (one had a 40x), but, as you would expect, shake was an issue at higher zooms. Monopod was very helpful to me and fairly easy to use from inside the safari vehicle. The lens mount ring/foot on the 60-250 made using the monopod even easier.

4. The 18-135 was very useful - especially when we were close to animals. There were many times we were less than 100 feet away.

Returning home was challenging since we flew out of Qatar to the states. Latest US security rules require all large electrical equipment has to be in checked bags on flights originating from designated middle eastern countries. . Fortunately, everything made it back to the states successfully.

Hope this info is helpful to future first-time safari travelers.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-04-2016, 04:37 PM  
SAFARI in Tanzania - K3 and DA55-300 - report.
Posted By BDRanch
Replies: 44
Views: 4,733
Great report. My family and I will be in South Africa next June with two Safari camp events in private game reserves, each three days long. I have spent dozens of hours net-surfing to get the exact info provided in this string. I need a long lens for my two K-3s that we're taking. Trying to decide between purchasing a 55-300 and/or 60-250. We will have two 18-135s for close up and landscapes.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-27-2016, 09:16 AM  
K1 Mode Dial Failure
Posted By BDRanch
Replies: 262
Views: 49,172
Sent my drop-damaged K-3 and 18-135 lens to Precision in July. Received the repaired camera back in 2 weeks, the lens in 4 weeks. Repairs look good so far.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-26-2016, 11:35 AM  
Petition - Please allow KAF4 firmware for the K3, K5 series, and K50
Posted By BDRanch
Replies: 227
Views: 27,593
Add me to the petition. Do I get to vote twice because I have two K-3 cameras? I need a 55-300 lens and would really like to get the new PLM version.
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