Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens.

Earlier this AM I took ninety eight shots of BIF in the field at the rear of my home. Of the ninety eight, eight / eleven were worth taking a closer look at. Of these, I've kept six to post in the gallery, under 'nature/wildlife' section. All of the shots will be posted as taken with no Elements editing at all.

I have posted the first one into the gallery for everyone to pass judgement on. I'm only allowed one shot per day until I decide to join the paid ranks. Personally, for the equipment that I've got, I don't think that it is too shabby, considering it is my first 'go' with the equipment. The main problem seems to be the constant hunting of the lens. My way of dealing with it was to allow the lens to hunt forwards, back and then forwards again. It then seems to settle down to allow me to take my shots.

I'm wondering how much of an improvement the Pentax 55-300mm or the 70-300mm, I'm not sure there is a 70-300mm Pentax lens, will be. Has anyone any views on the two, please?

Please take a shufti at the photograph, I do appreciate all views and inwardly digest same. I'm making a concerted effort to shew that decent BIF shots can be taken, by a novice and with just the K-50 and basic zoom lens, in spite of the hunting problem. Muchly thankings.

I think you'll find the 55-300 will hunt just as much, if not more. The 55-300 is capable of excellent shots but the constant hunting is very frustrating sometimes

Thanks for your response michaelblue. I've tried getting comparative reviews of both the Pentax 55-300mm and the Tamron 70-300mm lenses but they are not very informative about the hunting with moving subjects. I went for the Tamron because of the price, £105 and the better zoom parameters. Still, onwards and upwards.

I don't know about the Tamron but I used to have a Sigma 70-300mm and the Pentax knocks spots of the Sigma for image quality.
I've recently aquired a Sigma 150-500mm but still use the Pentax if I don't need the extra reach.

I must admit that I am thinking that the Pentax 55-300mm would be superior to the Tamron 70-300mm lens, if only because it is Pentax made. I intend to find out more in the few days.

One thing to note though........the Pentax DA 55-300mm is pretty noisy focussing

There is also a new 55-300mm on the way, the HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE, which will have much quieter focusing.

Thanks John, I think my photography allowance might now be overdrawn.

I'm slowly beginning to get the hang of BIF with my K-50. I've uploaded another in the wildlife category. This time I've used very minimal Elements 13 to, hopefully, improve the shot. As always all views appreciated.

Is the DA*300mm (perhaps 2nd hand) out of the question? Its the best BIF lens Ive used on Pentax including the Sigma 150-500mm and Pentax 150-450mm

Hello NeilP, I'm afraid that it is at the minute. However, Ill see how I get on with the Tamron 70-300mm and go from there.

My best,
Jan.

Having owned both the Tamron 70-300 and the Pentax DA55-300 I would say that the Pentax offers a definite improvement in image quality, although it can hunt as much as the Tamron and is equally noisy. The price differential has also reduced with the Pentax available on here for prices around £125 now. I paid over £200 for my used copy, but even then loved it!

I do more aviation photography than birds, but have been very pleased with the results that the Pentax is capable of. There's a thread here with some images.

The Tamron is a great starter telephoto lens with a useful macro function, but if you can stretch a bit further financially I'd say go for the Pentax. I sold my Tamron on eBay recently so there is a demand which would offset the 'upgrade' cost.

The 55-300 is a great lens, but unfortunately it is totally unsuitable for birds in flight. Of all my AF lenses, this one hunts more than any of them. I would agree with NeilP that the DA*300 is the best for this type of work, but appreciate this is out of the price range.

Regards
David

I am similarly a great fan of my Tamron 70-300, and it can produce impressive results including at 300mm / f5.6 ... the purple fringing is a known issue around contrasty edges, but with PP where needed its never been a concern to me ...

However, like the report on the Pentax 55-300 from David, I could hardly recommend the Tamron 70-300 for birding either. I'm no 'birder', but its not an elegent solution for this type of action work. Its perfectly good in static situations, but its an unwieldy tool in dynamic conditions, with a rather difficult zoom action and long focus throw that works the screw-drive rather hard. AF can be expected to be fairly hit and miss with this Tamron lens when aiming into the sky and trying to lock on moving objects.

Its certainly a lens that would take a lot of effort to get consistent good results, even more so in less bright conditions. The subject against sky aspect of birding will tend to emphasise the PF in many scenarios as well I fear. Full marks to the OP here if he is able to get good results, but I think the the lens will add to the effort needed.

Also Gedski, I recommend that if you want an appraisal of your shots so far, then post them right here into this thread. This will help people to discuss them without having to flick back and forth to a gallery page.

MMcGregNI. I would like to post my pics here but I've not found a way to do it. Could you possibly give 'very easy' to follow instructions, please?

Just below the 'Add a Comment' box where we type our words, there is a grey bar with some options .... 'B i U Quote Link Image Smilies' ....

Click on 'Image', and a white box will appear with a 'browse' button. Use this to locate your photo on your computer through the Windows Explorer dialogue that opens. Once your photo is selected then click 'Open' .... this takes you back to the white box, then click 'Insert Image' The photo will appear where your curser is in the comment box.