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Forum: Pentax K-r
08-05-2017, 09:01 AM
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Forum: Photographic Technique
05-24-2013, 12:04 PM
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I've shot nature and wildlife for several years. I started out with small critters and bugs, only to learn that some bugs are just as aggressive as certain animals. I've eventually worked up to shooting large game animals but not until I did a lot of reading and getting advice from large game hunters. I've only had one close call with a black bear that resulted in injuries. I've also held to the following rules:
1. Never feed or bait wildlife. They will often associate food with humans. This is not healthy for the animals and they may begin to think humans are food. While they may not eat you this time, the next human wanderer could become the animal's next meal.
2. Never aggravate wildlife. I live in the South East Texas area and we have a growing alligator problem. Its not the gator's fault, we are encroaching in its habitat. Aggravate a gator by simply getting too close and you can easily become a tasty treat.
3. Avoid making mating calls unless you want the excitement of dealing with a frisky moose, elk, or other animals. A frisky goose can be a challenge, another lesson I learned through hands on experience. This rule applies to scent attractants as well. In some areas Black Bears have figured out that the sound from firearm discharge means an easy meal. I've personally had to give up a good deer to feed a bear because they beat me to the carcass.
4. Always be prepared for the worse case. I typically carry bear spray, a large caliber side arm, first aid, and means of communications. When I want to locate unusual or dangerous game I hire a guide who knows the territory. Be prepared to dump your rig to facilitate an escape.
5. Pay attention to the surroundings. Maintain situational awareness in all directions including above and below. Many adventurers have been in serious trouble for simply stepping into a rabbit hole, having something drop down from above, flanked by a predator looking for an easy opportunity.
6. Be ever mindful around animals that are already feeding. Bears can be protective of their favorite fishing hole and some carnivores guard their latest kill. This is also true if you stumble upon a fallen carcass. Some predators will go for carrion rather than expend the energy making a kill. I once saw a photographer get too close to a group of black vultures feed on a fallen carcass. Black Vultures defense mechanism is projectile vomiting. As the fellow photographer discovered, partially digested carrion flung from afar is not fun and difficult to clean from your expensive lens.
7. Stay away from ill, injured, or diseased animals. This also applies to animals in rut. Animals in distress can be very aggressive and unpredictable. A rabid animal will often attack humans. Sometimes the more humane thing for you to do would be to dispatch the injured or diseased animal thus ending its suffering and preventing attacks on other humans. If you dispatch an animal always notify the local wildlife authorities of the location of the injured or diseased animal. The authorities will often want to watch the area for further signs of disease.
8. Always obey the rules, regulations, and laws of the jurisdiction you're in. You don't want to get caught with a firearm with out the appropriate licensure. I usually pick up a hunting license even if I'm not hunting. The small fee for the license beats the cost of a defense attorney to get you off an illegal hunting or unlawful firearm possession charge.
7. Invest in long lenses to maintain your distance. In most cases distance is your friend.
Have fun, enjoy what you see and capture on image, and come home alive and well.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
01-27-2013, 07:37 PM
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I do my best to stay out of the way of the pros for the simple fact that they are trying to earn a living. I will observe, learn, and possibly ask questions once the activites subside. I don't want anyone getting in my way when I'm earning a living.
I quit photographing weddings and sports events due to rude behavior of others. I've found its not worth the aggravation. The biggest problem I've had are the non-pros running around $10K in gear but can't capture a good image. When they look at my work they want to know what I'm using to get good shots. I'm really not that good at this art form as much as I consider my self lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
You may want to ask the event coordinator to issue ID tags officializing your efforts and coordinator asking those without the formal creditials to keep back.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-10-2012, 12:48 PM
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I haven't observed the half black problem unless my eye is mis-aligned with the center line of the eye peice. I don't use kit lenses which might explain why I've not encountered any AF problems.
You're spot on that a split screen is a learn to use technique. I've used one for over 30 years which explains my preference. The particular Katzeye that I installed is a split screen encircled by a mircoprism. I use both to focus.
At a recent air show I found that manual focus was faster than the AF could track.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-10-2012, 09:11 AM
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I'll have to look into renting the lil Bigma before heading out for my next wild life adventure. It will put a bit more distance between the bears and I.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-10-2012, 08:59 AM
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Coming from an old Nikon FA rig I decided to installed a Katzeye split prism on my Kr. I've found that I can focus faster with this screen, which may be due to my past expirience with my Nikon. I have no desire to go back. The split screen works with the AF operation. My question is why the manufactures don't use split sreens as a standard feature.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
11-10-2012, 08:52 AM
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I've been using NiMH batteries in my KR for about 2 years with no problems. What sold me on NiMH battereies is how well they hold up in portable two-way radios. Alkaline batteries are better suited when slower continous current drain is needed. For surge type current demands NiMH seem to hold up better.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-26-2012, 03:03 PM
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Ramseybuckeye, They've had elk now for about ten years. There are two herds one in the southern end of the on US 441, north of Cherokee, NC. The second herd was near the north park HQ. I didn't get to see the north herd.
A good place to shoot is in Cade's Cove early morning and evening hours. The area was rich in whidlife including Bear, Deer, Turkey, and Coyote.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-25-2012, 04:23 PM
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I took my Tamy 70-200 to the Smokey Mountains and got some great shots deer, Ok shots of birds, and few marginal ones of bear. The bear wasn't being cooperative and I wasn't about to ask it to say cheeeeez. For mosre distanct shots of Elk I wish I'd had a longer lens. I've also used by 70-200 for several event type circumstances. In general lens choice should be based upon what type of nature you're trying to capture including lighting conditions (some wild life is nocturnal), distance, how fast the subject moves, and how close you can get.
A word of advice when shooting wildlife. Take the time to learn about the wildlife your shooting and the type you're not. If your shooting water foul in bear country be ready to meet a bear. I'm still recovering from injuries earned from my last conversation with a rather irritated bear that decided I shouldn't be in his forest. I survived, so did the bear, but it took half a can of bear spray for us both to get away.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
08-25-2012, 04:07 PM
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Put the insect in a plastic container with some dry ice. The CO2 will sublimate both cooling and putting the bug to sleep. When the bug quits moving, remove the bug and take your shot. In a few moments the bug will wake up and fly (or move) away. This is an old trick that magicians have used to reanimate a dead insect.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
04-26-2012, 10:04 AM
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I've got the F version and wouldn't give it up. You'll enjoy playing around with this gem of a lens.
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Forum: General Talk
03-16-2012, 02:20 PM
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I remember doing a capstone project when I was in Engineering school. Two words of advice, the more you learn from your mistakes the better an engineer you'll make and second find a good mentor.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-03-2012, 05:34 AM
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Armanius thanks for the link to Gulf Coast Pentxians
Rfortsun we'll have to see about organizing photo expedition amoungst the local pentax shooters.
It's good to see that there's more than a few of us around the Houston area.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
03-01-2012, 11:33 AM
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Have bought both new and used from them. Getting ready to make another purchase in the very near future. Never had a problem with any transaction.
B and H and Adorama are my preferred sources.
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Forum: Sold Items
03-01-2012, 11:13 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
03-01-2012, 11:12 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-r
02-23-2012, 08:16 PM
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I've had mine since June 2011. I've recently begun using a 100mm f2.8 Macro and a Manual SMC 50mm f1.4 lenses. No problems so far.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
02-08-2012, 11:13 AM
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I'm right eye dominate but shoot with my left eye. My left eye contact lens is weaker than my right. Because of this I've found that I can focus better with my left eye than I can with my right.
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Forum: Sold Items
02-07-2012, 06:46 PM
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
02-06-2012, 10:19 AM
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I'm located in farwest Houston. A meet up with you and your husband sounds good. Maybe a trip to shoot the Bluebonnets later this spring that is if they bloom this year.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
02-05-2012, 09:58 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-r
02-05-2012, 09:33 PM
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Some of my first taken with my KR
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
02-05-2012, 07:27 PM
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I finally made the decision revive an old hobby and get on the Pentax wagon. I'm finding there doesn't seem to be many Pentax users in Houston.
Any other Pentaxians in Houston?
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