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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-08-2016, 04:49 AM
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I find that in the 300+ range, the most important factors revolve around usability in the field. Anything longer and physically larger than my DA300* +1.4x starts to need a tripod, rather than a monopod. If it is too far north of 500, then a gimbal mount. There is a world of difference in a hike up a mountain wearing an Uncle Milty vest and a monopod slung over your shoulder and schlepping a pack with a tripod with a gimbal. Unless I have found a good stationary hiding place, that major hardware will give me issues even after I get there.
A tack sharp prime like the DA*300 on a monopod along on a K3 24mp /no AA filter turns the DA* into a 300-800mm digital zoom with converter and/or cropping, maybe longer, since 100% crops are often gorgeous for web use. For me, this rig has opened up quality bird and wildlife photography like no other long prime, zoom or mirror lens I tried.
Cedar waxwing, below is an extreme crop with downres, but stands up pretty well.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-07-2016, 08:05 PM
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Black Crowned Night Heron (juvenile plumage)
K3 with DA*300+1.4x DA converter.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-05-2016, 07:52 PM
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Speaking of the Pentax A400, A Canada goose, in NM.
Camera was FF Sony A7R
---------- Post added 04-05-16 at 09:07 PM ----------
Back to my workhorse (DA*300+1.4x on K3) for a shot of choir practice at the owl nest a couple of days ago.
[IMG] Sel_009K3II8574_PN by Gene Vance, on Flickr[/IMG]
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-03-2016, 08:00 PM
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It is a good deal for the money, and it works well with the A1.4L rear converter (the one with the snoot). However, unless I am in a situation where I need the FF coverage or can use the A400 with the rear converter and a tripod, day in and day out, my most frequent way to get north or 400mm is the DA*300 with the DA HD 1.4x rear converter. I find the quality loss is hardly noticeable, and the speed is the same as the A400, but with AF. The DA*300 with or without the 1.4x but with a monopod is a formidable and portable birding rig.
100% crops such as the one below (without converter) come out so well, that this combo can function the way people use one of those 50x+ superzoom cameras as well as rendering highest quality full resolution photos.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-30-2016, 03:15 PM
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Speaking of which, here is a recent shot of sandhill cranes in ABQ with that lens, albeit mounted on a FF Sony A7R. If you look at the eye of the crane in the foreground up close in Flickr, you can see what tack-sharp images this lens can create. It stands up well to 36mp here, and I will look forward to mounting in on a K1.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-30-2016, 02:52 PM
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After looking at my lens, it appears the ring that must be tightened is the one you correctly removed in the video. There is nothing wrong with that ring on your lens.
I'm sorry, but I don't see an easy fix. Perhaps someone who is a camera repair person can comment.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-30-2016, 01:27 PM
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I own that lens. If I recall, there is a ring that must be tightened or the mount slips. When I get home I will look at mine and see if I can recreate what is happening.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-30-2016, 01:08 PM
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Yep. Drop me a note, and we'll go birding.
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