Reed Warbler

Another with the K3 and 560mm


Reed Warbler by Alan Wennington, on Flickr

Beautifully captured.

Nice one Alan. Do you think the 560 has increased the number of opportunities for "good shots" over your Sigma 150-500?

Less opportunity for "good shots" Barrie because of the lack of flexibility. But more opportunity for "excellent" shots.

For example, at the weekend I shot a Kingfisher with the DA 560. It was a big crop, but even so, the detail in the image was excellent. I was with 2 guys. One with Nikon gear, who was using a 300mm f2.8 and a convertor, and one with a Canon 300mm f4. They both got the same shot, but couldn't get the detail I had.

However, the Kingfisher flew closer. Too close for me to focus on. I would have been able to with the 150-500. Likewise I could with my DA 300, which was on my K-5. Incidentally the other guys were nice about me scaring it off as I tried to change over

I do find the lens quite restricting. I tried it a couple of times on the Barn Owls, where I was shooting in the open, but now use the 300 with the 1.4x due to changing position a lot. Toying with getting a monopod which may change things. Although looking at the price of decent sized carbon ones I'm a bit wary in case I waste my money.

Excellent capture. You could try a small extension tube to get closer. I used to use a 9.5mm Ricoh one (no contacts) with a Pentax-A 300mm.

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Cracking shot Alan

Thanks Stan

Mmmm sounds like a plan. Not in this instance, because I want the AF. Sometimes only lands for seconds, and there's four sticks which is ridiculous.

It could be very useful on the tripod for flutterbys though

You could remove the glass from an old 2x AF TC.

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Good idea Algi

That's a really crisp shot, especially considering it's wide open.

Great detail.

Does the 560mm hunt when focusing as much as the Sigmas Alan?

Thanks Mike.

Its very positive in good light. Got quite a few of these reed warblers out of focus prior to the light improving

A lovely shot with good lighting considering how awkward these can be.
About the extension tube with AF, are you aware that that srb (http://www.srb-photographic.co.uk/pentax-k-auto-extension-tube-5913-p.asp) are now importing a K mount extension tube that is supposed to do AF as well? When I emailed them about stacking the tubes they said they have a 30 day return for refund or exchange policy. I was thinking about trying these although not on such lenses as yours, but have had to put things on hold for now. There could well be af issues though on a f/5.6 lens that you seemed to imply struggled with af in poorer lighting. Just a thought...

From what I have read on the American Pentax forum the AF tube from SRB is basically a piece of badly fitting c**p. The buyer sent it back for a refund.

The problem with using an old 2xTC without glass is that it won't have much impact on the minimum focus on a 560mm lens and a lot of light will be lost. I'm not sure this would be viable, but I have a 2x AF converter Alan that I'd be willing to sell for about £999 if you fancy a go?

Cheers
David

Another very good image Alan. Location?

Best regards