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Forum: Lens Clubs
06-06-2012, 12:55 AM
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Geez, I haven't been here for quite some time! Birding is hard work, but just before I let go of my 67 M*400/4 to some lucky bidder, I thought I would haul my lazy arse to the wetlands this morning and see what I can shoot. Not much, all the gates were closed and I stayed on the main roads, but here goes:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-29-2012, 06:16 PM
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Not one to compete with amazing shots above but here's one just recently taken camping with the family.
Great Egret:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-12-2012, 03:54 PM
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The swans taking off at twilight last night at Rickets Point.
With Sigma 300/2.8 EX
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-05-2012, 06:10 AM
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-27-2011, 05:35 PM
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I initially thought it was a young kookaburra (the laughing bird of the kingfisher family). The way it flew was exactly like kookaburra, but I am generally hopeless at identifying birds (learning though), so after looking at some web images, my best guess is butcher bird.
It had just finished feasting on a nice juicy butterfly which I failed to snap because of my Sigma 100-300/4 erratic AF at 300mm... :( I thought it was my technique but I don't have the same problem with the much heavier Sigma 300/2.8 EX.
But when it does get the focus right, the IQ is excellent, I'd say.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-27-2011, 01:37 AM
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Very impressive "macro" shot above!
Here's a butcher bird (?) I snapped this morning with the Sigma 100-300/4 (at 300mm):
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-22-2011, 02:45 AM
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What a capture (sorry about the pun)! Where did you take this picture, if you don't mind me asking?
Never mind - looked up your flickr - Corunna, eh? That put Corunna on the map for me. Thanks for the awesome pics!!!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-21-2011, 03:08 PM
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:lol: She did get very close - I was surprised, a very curious bird she was, not much cropping in that pic. Here she is looking more thoughtful (at the start):
Thanks for the compliment, Tom G!
Edit: Found out the name of the bird - Australian reed warbler. Apparently normally very shy.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-21-2011, 07:11 AM
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A few shots with the Sigma 300/2.8 EX from this morning (the first two are male and female fairy wren, stand by for the third):
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-22-2011, 07:20 PM
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Some great tips above - many thanks!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-21-2011, 05:40 PM
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Mine was the version before the DG, and it cost just under $2000 (my LBA limit) gently used. I like it though because it is much more compact than the A*300/2.8, a fair bit lighter and the AF is pretty good. So while the IQ is very close I think, it is much more useable and I can get shots like the butterfly very easily and these too:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-20-2011, 02:42 PM
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I thought I'd try the Sigma 300/2.8 at some close-ups. It doesn't really excel at infinity (at least as far as my moon shots indicate) but close up it is rather good, i thought.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-06-2011, 10:37 PM
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I thought SR is enabled as default in K-5.
I rev the ISO up if the light is dim. Check if your needs focus adjustment.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-06-2011, 06:20 PM
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Sigma 300/2.8 EX - sunset at the beach (very nice lens - I like it more and more):
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-04-2011, 02:56 AM
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My next few tries with the 67 600/4 (aka the Beast) were shooting the moon. While it is very sharp, the contrast is not on par with the A*300/2.8. Here's the best moon pic I got with the 600/4 followed by the A*300/2.8 with the 1.4x-L teleconverter:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-03-2011, 03:09 AM
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Thanks! It seems to sit pretty well on the 1/4'' bolt but it's been too overcast to take the Beast out. I was hoping for a moon pic tonight but the wind hasnt managed to disperse the cloud cover yet..
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-31-2011, 06:35 PM
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Guys, I have a question for a few experienced hands here.
So the 67 600/4 - I am trying to get passable support for the Beast. I have now a very good Gitzo tripod that can take the weight. On the tripod, there is Manfrotto 141RC head, which feels reasonably tough (will have to see it in action). There is no plate on the head.
My question is whether a standard plate with one screw is enough to support a 6kg (13 pound) lens.
If not what are my options? Do I really have to go with a gimbal head (just can't afford to spend more at the moment).
Thanks for all replies!!!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-27-2011, 04:25 PM
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Well, it seems I have joined the big metal cases club. Not the fanciest but just about the biggest lens that I managed to mount to my K-5 this morning!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the 67 600mm f4 (lens porn for the lovers of them Big Ladies to come later)! Here's a shot of our neighbour's dusty aircon at f8:
100% crop:
It's nice at f8 - CA is low and it's sharp!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-30-2011, 03:49 AM
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There I go again, John! Thanks for the correction - I never knew they were two completely different species!
I just found this page for others similarly confused:
Indentifying Mynas
As for the pics, they are just test pics, nothing special, but the quality of the lens is promising, I must say! Just hope the photographer is going to keep up with it ;)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-30-2011, 02:49 AM
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A quick trip to the lake to try out the newly acquired Sigma 300/2.8 EX. It was overcast and the parrots were not cooperating. So here's a duck, a goose and a myna (real exotic, I know):
First impressions is that it's a bloody good lens, sharp, nice bokeh, pretty good AF, minimum focusing distance IQ is not great, it seems, fairly hard to hold due to the massive size and weight of the front part, but goes with the territory.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-18-2011, 02:01 AM
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Sounds like a reasonable compromise! I wonder though, how do you think the Pentax A*300/2.8 and the Sigma 300/2.8 compare? Which Sigma did you have by the way?
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-03-2011, 12:27 PM
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Some more birds with the A 400/5.6:
(a Great Crested Grebe)
(A Chaffinch)
(and a Dude for whom work never stops)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
07-24-2011, 11:14 PM
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Bad timing with your therapy, John, - I am just talking about buying the Sigma 300/2.8 with Oren!
Yes, beautiful lighting with the heron!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
07-24-2011, 08:41 AM
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Another attempt with the A 400/5.6 - trying to convince myself that I don't need a "better" telephoto.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
07-13-2011, 09:42 PM
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Some more attempts with the A 400/5,6 this time storks in Switzeland!
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