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

Gedski
Posted 28/07/2016 - 18:01 Link
McGregNi, I've just tried what you said but I don't see the 'insert image' option. My pic has gone to the main gallery. Sorry.
McGregNi
Posted 28/07/2016 - 18:08 Link
I don't think thats possible if you followed those steps exactly ... try it again step by step. Did you start off with the' Image' button below the 'Add a Comment' box right here on this thread ?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
davidstorm
Posted 28/07/2016 - 18:23 Link
I've done a screenshot, please see below for where to click when uploading images to a Forum thread:

Comment Image


Regards
David
Flickr

Nicola's Apartments, Kassiopi, Corfu

Some cameras, some lenses, some bits 'n' bobs
Gedski
Posted 29/07/2016 - 10:41 Link
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What a 'Rodney'! I was trying to do what you said but on the gallery upload a photo screen. No wonder I couldn't see the 'insert image' option. Muchly thankings

Now, hopefully, there should be a shot of a gull in flight. This is one of the six I took on Saturday last. As I recall the afternoon was rather gloomy but I now know that my settings could have been better. At least it shows that BIF can be successfully attained using a Pentax K-50 with only a consumer type lens.
Edited by Gedski: 29/07/2016 - 10:43
McGregNi
Posted 29/07/2016 - 16:14 Link
Glad to see the shot finally appear! I agree that the 'consumer level' equipment can deliver the goods, although only generally when conditions are good and things are not conspiring against you. I do feel that the Tamron 70-300mm will continue to be a challenging lens for you for this type of photography, and if you have the funds I'd seriously look for good advice for alternatives. There are some very good bird / aircraft / action photographers around here who will know what to look for.

There's two parts to the equation with good IQ for this type of shot ..... there's the autofocus performance, as you've been concerned with here. However fast moving objects will also need a good high shutter speed to be captured sharp, and with your lens you will need to keep a close eye on this, and be ready to increase the ISO to obtain the needed speeds, especially if you're shooting around f8 for example. Certainly this will be a consideration in the dimmer conditions as you've been shooting in.

Do you know what the aperture, ISO and shutter speeds were used for these latest shots?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 29/07/2016 - 16:16
Chrism8
Posted 29/07/2016 - 16:25 Link
Pentax camera's can deliver good results, many members on here get some spectacular results

This was shot a couple of years ago, on a K5iis with a Sigma 70 - 200 @ 180mm 1/6400 sec F2.8 ISO 200 with spot metering and Continuous AF

Comment Image
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
McGregNi
Posted 29/07/2016 - 17:31 Link
Thats a significantly more expensive kit than what Gedski is using .... the real question is, do we need this extra investment in the gear to get the results, or can it come down to user improvement / practise / experience to be able to match the results from the more expensive kit.... ?
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Gedski
Posted 29/07/2016 - 17:37 Link
McGregNi wrote:
Glad to see the shot finally appear! I agree that the 'consumer level' equipment can deliver the goods, although only generally when conditions are good and things are not conspiring against you. I do feel that the Tamron 70-300mm will continue to be a challenging lens for you for this type of photography, and if you have the funds I'd seriously look for good advice for alternatives. There are some very good bird / aircraft / action photographers around here who will know what to look for.

There's two parts to the equation with good IQ for this type of shot ..... there's the autofocus performance, as you've been concerned with here. However fast moving objects will also need a good high shutter speed to be captured sharp, and with your lens you will need to keep a close eye on this, and be ready to increase the ISO to obtain the needed speeds, especially if you're shooting around f8 for example. Certainly this will be a consideration in the dimmer conditions as you've been shooting in.

Do you know what the aperture, ISO and shutter speeds were used for these latest shots?

My portfolio top line reading from left to right details are thus;

1. f11 ISO 100 1/800th 300mm.

2. f11 ISO 100 1/500th 300mm.

3. f11 ISO 100 781/50000,( that can't be right) 300mm.

4. f6.3 ISO 100 1/1250 300mm and finally,

5. f5.6 ISO 400 1/1250 300mm. I think they are all correct.

Since these were taken I think that I've learned a little about the ISO and shutter settings to adopt. Unfortunately my camera was being naughty and showing me memory card error and F-- on the rear screen.

It has all gone back to the retailer at their suggestion, so I'll have to make do with my Canon 760D for now. As soon as I get either a replacement or a repair, I'll get going again. I also think the problem may be something that I've done or not done but It is going to be sorted out.

PS BIF with the 760D is a lot easier.
Gedski
Posted 29/07/2016 - 17:44 Link
Chrism8 wrote:
Pentax camera's can deliver good results, many members on here get some spectacular results

This was shot a couple of years ago, on a K5iis with a Sigma 70 - 200 @ 180mm 1/6400 sec F2.8 ISO 200 with spot metering and Continuous AF

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Chrism8 I can't get near the type of lens you are using for my K-50. I blew it all on a Canon f4 70 - 200mm 'L' lens plus a 1.4 mark III converter for my 760D but I'm happy if I can get some half decent BIF with the K-50 and the Tamron 70-300mm Pentax fit lens.
RobL
Posted 29/07/2016 - 17:47 Link
I have got good sharp results with the K50/Pentax 55-300 combination but not admittedly in flight shots. I do find that back button focusing helps with wildlife if focus on the shutter button is deactivated; this ensures that the lens doesn't latch onto something else at the last moment. And maybe if your eyes are good enough try manual adjustment as well.
McGregNi
Posted 29/07/2016 - 17:54 Link
Its hard to see from any of this that your Pentax or Tamron lens have any faults ..... you're comparing the results with far more expensive Canon gear also. I'd certainly expect an F4 L series zoom to perform better than the £100 Tamron!

With the settings, I don't think you should be shooting any of these shots at less than ISO 800 .... you're not giving the camera / lens any chance at ISO 100. F11 is making things hard as well I fear ....
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Chrism8
Posted 29/07/2016 - 18:16 Link
Hi Gedski,

I appreciate your comment, the Canon lens you mention is £200 cheaper than the sigma lens I used in the shot at new prices, the reason I uploaded it was to show potentially what's achieveable at reasonable investment.

Plus also to demonstrate settings wise, what was used, you could increase the iso to 200 or 400 or even 800, well within your cameras capabilities to use a similar shutter speed and work at f4 or f5.6 with a lesser lens, given the same conditions. As previously mentioned, back button focusing is a technique worth considering.

Hth
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Edited by Chrism8: 29/07/2016 - 18:37
McGregNi
Posted 29/07/2016 - 18:23 Link
Here's one of mine with the Tamron AF70-300mm ..... just to show that the lens is very capable for static shots and that AF locks on very well.

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.... I think you have to click on the icon there.

I'm not a birder, but when I have messed around practising some BIF, it is clear that the lens needs a good solid object not moving too fast to really nail it. I am limited with the K7 to the ISOs I can extend to, but I feel that on a more capable camera ISO-wise I would improve my hit-rate of sharp images ..... I can shoot at ISO 800 and its OK .... but if I could have gone for 1600 or 3200 I'd have been better equipped, especially since I tend to use f6.7 on the Tamron.

Ultimately it probably comes down to practice and experience, learning to make your specific gear work hardest for you. I do fear though that for your intended type of photos your lens will make the job so much harder.
My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver
Edited by McGregNi: 29/07/2016 - 18:26
Gedski
Posted 29/07/2016 - 18:42 Link
McGregNi and chrism8, I've inwardly digested your views about the camera settings and already have made notes of probably better options than I chose.

My 760D BIF are very good but so they should be. I'm also looking forward to trying the new settings out with the K-50 and I'm pretty confident, that in prevailing conditions, I shall get some half decent BIF shots. I must thank you all for the time and patience you've given to me.
Mike-P
Posted 29/07/2016 - 18:44 Link
If you can't get a sharp shot of a seagull (possibly the easiest BIF shot you are ever likely to shoot) with the Pentax gear you already have then personally I would stick with your Canon.

The 760D and 70-200mm L f4 are streets ahead of any Pentax camera/lens combo AF wise (especially tracking)

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