Aerial photography on a budget lens suggestions
The SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm would be my recommendation. See the reviews section of this site.
https://www.pentaxuser.com/review/smc-pentax-da-55-300mm-f-4-5-8-ed-lens-review-...
I agree - you're review and sample shots do make the Pentax-DA 55-300mm appear to be a very good choice.
You say the Pentax 18-250mm is quite a good lens, why have I not found this to be the case? Faulty?
The Pentax 18-55mm I have is an excellent lens, which is why I chose the 18-250mm option when buying the K-7 (I also have the *istDS).
I have very few examples of my results with the 18-250mm lens because I hardly use it, when I do I normally end up just deleting the shots as they're just rubbish.
See also the CA on the 4WD
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/istDS/IMGP1008.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/istDS/IMGP1013.JPG
Bear in mind the lens is mounted to the *istDS body at the moment, the K7 has my best lens on it most of the time (Sigma 30mm f1.4 prime)
Anyway, the main point of my topic is hearing what others use in the 300mm range which is suitable for shooting aircraft (and of course birds I suppose.
Cheers
What's the significance of the green band over the white band on the PENTAX DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 F/4-5.8 ED lenses I see offered at various outlets?
Here's two I just snapped off out the back. One at each end of the range.
See also the CA on the 4WD
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/istDS/IMGP1008.JPG
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/istDS/IMGP1013.JPG
Bear in mind the lens is mounted to the *istDS body at the moment, the K7 has my best lens on it most of the time (Sigma 30mm f1.4 prime)
Anyway, the main point of my topic is hearing what others use in the 300mm range which is suitable for shooting aircraft (and of course birds I suppose.
Cheers
I can see what you mean. Not great is it?
The CA is easily removed in PP, but I'd be disappointed with the IQ of that lens
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Outside of those, you start getting into Sigmas with nice price tags.
Bret
my kit: K3, K5, K-01, DA 18-55, D-FA50 macro, Siggy 30/1.4, 100-300/f4, 70-200/2.8, Samsung 12-24/f4, Tamron 17-50, and lots of other bits.
250mm is quite some telephoto, so needs a tripod, especially with the limited maximum aperture.
Not sure, but I don't think a tripod is going to be viable at an airshow where I'll need to do fast and random panning, so I guess the answer is to stop down a little more as suggested by other John, or throw the cam into sports scene mode and just fire off a few burst shots as I did for this image (it was a sudden and unexpected opportunity outside the house!)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/250070/Photos/istDS/_IGP0948.JPG
Yeh, I'm aware I have dust on the sensor.
I suppose I'm wanting a bit more reach than the 250mm and a better lens to compensate for lack of practice/skill
All the same, I still think this 250mm is not very good, as Smeggy notes too.
Add Comment
To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.
893 posts
18 years
Atherton Tablelands North QLD
The K7 I bought two years ago came with the Pentax-DA 18-250mm ED AL which frankly is cr*p. Slow focussing, soft/blurry around the edges (especially the right side) and unpleasant vignetting at full zoom.
So - I'm looking to get something better if possible without breaking the bank (bear in mind this is a single annual event here).
I was thinking about going to 300mm, but I can't afford to spend heaps.
I've heard the Tamron AF70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD is a nice budget lens, anyone use one of these?
There's no lens hire places here, so that's not an option.
I can only buy and hope it is a good choice.
Suggestions? Experiences? Examples?