Yes I have got a bean bag Dan but to balance the lens + TC + camera, the focussing barrel (it's a one touch zoom design, focus and zoom with one huge ring) will be sitting on the bean bag. I'll give it a go though.

I might even try supporting the front of the lens with a monopod.

And yes, I'm well happy with the TC, it's much better than my old non-SMC Takumar 2x. The AF doesn't work with the 135-600mm zoom though but it does with my SMC-M 400mm 1:5.6

EDIT: This is the beast showing the zoom/focus barrel.

Well I did take some with my SMCP-M 400mm (same as yours without the A setting) but I haven't had a chance to PP them yet.

The pics I took using the 135-600mm are laughable and I won't post them here. My basic problem is my tripod/head combination is not stiff enough. The lens just will not stay still.

If you want the original .DNG's of the above you're welcome to have them to play with.

FWIW: I think your image is sharper than any i've achieved so far. I gotta get my tripod sorted.

New topic here.

As requested by a forum member, these are my best efforts at shooting the moon with the DA* 300mm lens.

Images have been processed in Lightroom 2. Cropped, desaturated, small amounts of exposure, brightness, contrast, clarity, and sharpening adjustments applied.

K10D + DA*300mm lens, ISO400, 1/100sec, f11




K10D + DA*300mm lens + SMCP-F 1.7x AF Teleconverter, ISO400, 1/100sec, f11

: : : Can you explain the need for 3 almost identical posts in the same topic when one is usually enough : : :

What time of day was this taken? If early morning, from it's pose, I'd say the spider is probably taking a drink. Dew will form on its body, then run down to its mouth parts.

This one doesn't seem to have the abdominal markings characteristic of Steatoda grossa. If it is one, stay away from it, they bite.

Well we did our best to bring him up to appreciate the finer things in life . . . I guess we failed in some areas.

You can use your flash/camera combination at up to the maximum shutter speed which I think is 1/4000th/sec. You have to use High Speed Synch mode to achieve it. The manuals will tell you how. Make sure your camera has the latest firmware. To check, turn off the camera, hold the 'Menu' button and turn the camera on. The firmware version will be displayed and should be 1.30

HS Synch was missing from the original firmware I think.

One more time as you've dodged the question twice previously, why are you selling your kit? Are you switching to another brand? If so, which one?

You don't have to answer the question of course, but it would be appreciated if you would at least acknowledge it, just once.

It's a proper silver one, but you've just sold one, why buy another :