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Comment by Gedski posted on Pentax 70-200 f2.8 ED DC AW D FA* and Pentax 200 DA* f2.8 ED (IF) SDM lense. at 05/08/2016 - 14:10
The eye of the pigeon!
I got out with the K-50 this morning. Took 64 shots, of which eight were half decent. This is the first of them. I do have some BIF shots but I'm still allowed only one per day until I open my wallet, something I'm not known for, and pay for full membership.
I think I've worked out how to get the focus more or less right. On pressing the shutter button halfway down the lens will hunt fully forward and then back again. By keeping the button halfway down, the camera will the go to where you want it to focus, At least I think that's right.
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 05/08/2016 - 13:58
Comment by Gedski posted on Pentax 70-200 f2.8 ED DC AW D FA* and Pentax 200 DA* f2.8 ED (IF) SDM lense. at 04/08/2016 - 16:35
Morning Gedski,
These are much better, particularly the second one, well done
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 04/08/2016 - 09:41
At last I seem to be getting somewhere. I've just taken a dozen shots on the back field. Of those six were rubbish and four were 'iffy'. The two above are the best. I've cropped the first by 86% and the second by 42%, I think. They have both been minimally edited with Elements13. I only do minimal because it suits me and also, I don't really know how to use Elements properly.
Judge away. Chrism8. In the 'custom' menu I found item #21, AF Fine Adjustment', I've put this onto option 2.
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 18:11
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 18:03
Hi Gedski
I wonder if the camera has focused on the glass on these examples as none are really sharp, the second image is better thsn the other two, it's also possible you may have some front or back focussing issues which should be able to be sorted, and worth googling.
Have you tried shooting clear, not through double glazing ?
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 17:01
It seems that two of the shots are not properly in focus but this particular bird seems to have been in a battle at some time. I've seen him quite close up in our garden and it seems like he has cataracts in his eyes. At least that's my excuse.
Also, they were taken through the double glazed window in our living room and I was messing about trying various settings. As always, all your views are appreciated. Please be gentle.
Walt, thanks for taking the time and trouble to re arrange your shots for me. On the way over there now.
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 15:43
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 15:35
Comment by Gedski posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 03/08/2016 - 15:33
I have both and they are as good as it gets but "hunting" is dependent on numerous variables some of which such as:
# contrast of the subject against the background,
# the ability of the user to keep a fast moving bird on point,,
# the changing contrast and brightness of the image generally when panning on a bird,
# the relative size of the subject in the view finder,
# the continuously changing distance between you and the bird; there are so many things going on
TO NAME BUT A FEW
If you are not trying to take photos of fast moving smallish subjects then Pentax lenses are pretty good but if you are a BIF photographer then your skill and preparation is more important
Frankly I do not try to "follow focus" or track a fast flying bird bird in AF mode in the hope that the auto-focus system will keep up - AF is switched off; I ensure I have pre-focussed and switched off anything that is in continual processing mode or can cause the shutter operation to lag as I am following that bird.
For example Exposure is set manually, anti-shake is off, the camera is in totally manual mode and I simply position myself so that I can pick up the blurred image in the viewfinder and as it becomes sharp at the pre-focussed point I release the shutter.
I have had the top end birding kit in both Canon and Nikon too and frankly it is just the same issue more or less .
Camera / Lens combinations will hunt to varying degrees; less of course if you are taking a large subject, moving not to quickly with good contrast.
A heron in ponderous flight can be captured in auto mode on just about any camera/lens set up but a returning Puffin at 10 meters, or a stooping hawk is a different ball game.
Sorry to sound like a "Jobe's comforter" but that is my experience over many years, I have not cracked this issue and I would be genuinely most grateful if some one could educate me on this subject because my keeper rate on fast flying birds is still no better tan 20%.
Hunting is what it is - a lens and camera trying to lock on to a subject (not necessarily a moving subject in some cases) but clearly hunting is far more likely in challenging situations like BIF or a black cat running in a dark environment.