The lens is out and available in the Pentax mount. The only difference between the Pentax model and other mounts is that it doesn't have Sigmas OS (optical stabilisation) as you already have that in the latest Pentax DSLRs. You will need a model of Pentax that uses SDM (e.g. K20D K10D) for auto-focus to work as the lens only uses SDM/HSM and has no AF screw.

There was a recent comparison over at either dpreview.com or pentaxforums.com that compared the old Sigma 50-500mm, 170-500mm and this new 150-500mm. The conclusion seems to be that the 170-500mm is the worst of the bunch and the 50-500mm and 170-500mm are on a par with each other.

The Kenko 1.5 does work with SDM, you need to make sure you get the one with the Pz designation as that model has the powerzoom connections that SDM uses. I have a recent one that works fine with the DA* 300mm.

I've found that with bird photography the main key to getting good shots (like most photography) is light - and lots of it. Especially at this time of the year when the sun is low in the sky, you really must have a clear sunny day.

When taking photo's of birds you need to have a stable camera. Relying on SR is too hit and miss and with a 300mm+ lens you need to have it resting on something if you want to be able to use 100% crops. So, a tripod, a monopod, a tree stump, etc.

Both of these then mean that you can use an f-stop of around f4.5 to f5.6 (I rarely use anything smaller for birds) and as fast a speed as you can get from that. Hiking the ISO will help keep up the speed, but at a serious cost of noise if you want to use 100% crops.

With BIFs, I tend to use the multi-point focus and AF-C.

Sounds obvious, but you really need to get as close as you dare.

Lastly, especially with birds in flight, it takes practice. Following birds and predicting their flight will pay dividends in the end.

A few examples with the DA* 300mm:










I've only got BIFs with the Sigma 500mm:

Just got a new toy - the Panasonic LX3. The rationale was to have a handy camera with good quality that would fit in my jacket pocket when lugging around the K20D with the Sigma 500mm.

I went out this morning and took the following two pictures at around the same time from the same spot (excuse the black borders). Both are full sized images.

First the LX3 at 24mm:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/3120443658/

Then the K20D at 500mm:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chirpy_uk/3120454414/
Just thought it was fun to compare

I would bet that you will be able to turn the feature off if you don't want it.

I use one of these too. Very comfortable and versatile for when you don't need the neck strap.

From the wing venation, I think it's more likely to be an ichneumon wasp (poss. Pimpla hypochondriaca). Completely harmless (to us) and parasitises moth larvae which are around at the moment.

Just noticed that SRS have put the Pentax RF back to January Not happy.

He got his usual beating, the swine

The viewfinder is now clear as a bell (especially since they cleaned everything as well). The only pain (apart from in my wallet) was that all the settings were back to factory-defaults.