Been there, done that.

I started with cheaper 300 zoom lenses, then bought the 55-300, then added a Tamron x1.4 and then a Pentax AFA x1.7 - both excellent TCs - but they don't play nicely with the 55-300.

Your best bet to get to 500+ without that compromise is the older Sigma 170-500 (not super sharp but much better than a cropped 55-300) which is a more affordable price than the 150-500 or 50-500 or maybe the newer Sigma 100-420 is nearly there (there is an older 135-400 that you may be able to pick up cheaply).

The other option is a cheap Tamron BB 500 mirror (considered the best 500 mirror) - goes for around 100GBP - - but this is a fully manual lense and maybe not what you want (and of course the IQ is not up there with the Sigmas or cropping shots from the superb DA*300.

Bottom line is there is no cheap way to get excellent IQ at 500 without having a better quality lense as a starting point.

Whilst the K100D Super is a very decent camera with a lovely sensor an upgrade to a used or new Kx or Kr would open up a whole new world.

1. High ISO, the 3,200 is not only very low on the K100D Super but of course not that useable either. Imagine how 6,400 will help your low light ambient shots. Lenses too slow ? Not any more (not always true but a definite improvement) !

2. 6.1 MP isn't a lot if you want to crop (more than adequate otherwise). More is always better and both the Kx and Kr deliver on that front.

3. In camera features (HDR etc.) - a whole new world of fun !

Now imagine how all the above is going to help ALL your lenses, it'd be like acquiring a new collection ! Go and try them out and see if you like the way they handle.

I have a Seagull that sits splendidly in the cupboard. It's great ... when I use it, however I tend to lose my sense of perspective when using it, except when on a tripod. Definitely an advantage for landscape, macro with a rail etc.

It's my cup of tea. I love HDR.

These are low-key versions but look good to me. In #1 I think you could have used the selective lightening brush to bring out the detail in the castle more.

The clouds in #1 are far more interesting than those rather flat looking clouds in #3 (if you use layers or their equivalent then you could really bring them out) but #3 is the one I like most.

Overall nice low-key job.

This is a lovely set Neil ! The only criticism I'd give is to say they are all too centred. Probably need a bit more room in the direction they are facing, so -off-setting them.

The Long Tailed Tit, as the rarest, is #1 for me.

Oh yes - that last one is superb - you absolutely nailed it ! Which lens did you use ?

LoL @ Stuart - Zorro Mask

Beautiful set Nipper !

I loved all of them, even though focus just missed on the Nuthatch a couple of times.

In the end my favourite is the first, the singing Robin, beautiful composition & sharpness, though rather strange OOF. The Blue Tit was a close 2nd beating out 2 Nuthatch shots because of it's sharpness.

Following on from my comments in the thread on the Raccoon Dogs ( link) I thought I'd post some shots of the scenery encountered whilst walking around this most verdant & almost botanical garden-like Shanghai Zoo. In the right areas of the zoo I've walked for 30 - 60 mins without seeing a single cage.

For me it is not only a great place to go to escape from a city of 23 million people but to find and photograph wild birds (and now mammals ) !

The zoo has undergone a profound change over the last few years, initially in response to visits by Jane Goodall (she of Mountain Gorilla fame) and her encouragement to modernise and improve the atrocious living conditions of the birds & animals and over the last two years preparing the zoo for the influx of visitors brought about by the staging of the 6 month long World Expo (which attracted 73 million visitors).
There is still some way to go - some animals are still kept in cramped, mundane or unsuitable conditions. However the improvements made are massive.

One of the very attractive aspects of walking around the zoo is the placement of benches, gazebos and other places to sit and contemplate or watch wildlife / birds, in sometimes the most unexpected and remote locations - often with not another human being in sight.

I apologise if some people have seen this first shot - the Zoo Plan - before but I think it helps give a sense of perspective. Note all the areas on the map that do not have cages or compounds of exhibits !

I hope you enjoy this walk around the Shanghai Zoo.

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Thanks Stuey.

Thanks Gwyn. I can't wait for the pups either ! Yes I've noted that they are considered a pest in parts of Europe - hopefully the family in your zoo will gain them a few more fans.

Thanks Smeggy ! How much are you willing to pay ? I have three I can get my hands on and maybe more in the near future

Very nice set indeed ! Excellent shots of those JS and especially interesting is the shot of the multi-coloured wasp - I've never seen anything like that before !