Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-22-2019, 07:53 AM
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I carry a non-AF 7 element 2x converter just for those moments where I can't get any closer and I know from experience that even at 100% crop the subject is going to be too small in the image. Switch into MF, use a monopod or bed everything down firmly on a bean-bag or whatever's to hand, hat, rolled up jacket or whatever, then concentrate hard on getting the focus spot-on. Focus peaking can help, but only in circumstances when the lighting allows you to see the screen! ---------- Post added 02-22-19 at 08:04 AM ----------
Agreed! ... my experience to a T. - but you forgot one parameter - pixels!
When I changed from my K-5 to my K-70 for "birding" my satisfaction rate increased significantly, simply because I could crop so much harder and still retain a useable image. The 50% increase in pixels means being able to be satisfied with a much smaller proportion of the original image. Also, in my experience, the K-70 has better high-ISO performance (lower noise) than the K-5, so not only can I make do with a tighter crop, but I can do it in poorer light!
YMMV ;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-21-2019, 04:20 PM
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Coincidently with the OP's trip to "the Jersey shore" I live in the "original" Jersey ... 45 square miles of paradise in the English Channel (or so the brochures would have you believe ;)
I'm also an enthusiastic "birder" with a Pentax camera, a K-70, albeit currently fitted with a Sigma 150-500mm which I'm very happy with :)
Total cost of setup, about £900 (UK) with tax, £450 + tax etc for a new body (promotional offer with spare battery and card) and £350 + tax etc. for a s/h lens.
Taken this morning at a range of about 110 yards, ... more or less maximum for a "medium sized" bird, in this case a Sandwich Tern, first as a partial-frame crop resized for posting and secondly as a "pixel-for-pixel" crop.
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