Good shots Danny!

I spent a quiet hour last night deleting loads!! I did put some on Flickr, but deleted all bar the perched owl, as I wasn't too happy with the processing - another try this evening!

Because of the light it was a real balancing act between sharpest aperture for the lens, speed to catch the bird and ISO to avoid too much noise! I used a slower shutter speed this time, but still ended up with ISO 6400 on ocassion! (and I discovered at one point I'd still got SR on with the tripod). I don't think, from a sharpness point of view they're quite up to my last visit. It will be interesting to compare the results from your moster lens and my sigma 120-400.

It would be nice to get a bit closer, as you said and I'll take a look at the local OS map to see if that's do-able! It would be nice to have some sun too!!!

Martyn

As I'm almost on the point of going for a DA*300 I wonder if anyone knows of a source of the only TC that appears to work well with the lens - apart from the ones on e-bay that seem to cost the best part of the price of a lens!

Only thing you need to consider is the 'macro' close focusing function. I have used the Tamron for lots of butterfly and flower shots and really pleased with the results.

I don't if the Pentax has a similar close focusing ability.

The first camera I played with that was more than P&S was a Halina in the '60's which got me used to the idea of speed and aperture - although nearly everything ended up as 1/50 f11 !

I then progressed to a Praktica (still have it!) with zoom and finally ended up (as a gift) with a Canon EOS and lenses. I used that for many years (and I have to say my photography didn't really improve much in all that time!)

My first digital was the Panasonic FZ30 (still have it - and sometimes think there's a lot going for 'bridge' cameras) which I love(d) and, for the first time, found my photography gradually improving!

I came to Pentax because I wanted a digital SLR and, although tempted by Canon, chose the K10D, partly because of reviews and partly because of it's construction and sealing for outdoor use. I loved it, as I do the K5 because of the handling and construction quality.

However, if I'd known at the time that, although Pentax built the camera with outdoor use in mind they don't seem to think much about the long lens needs of the nature photographer, I might well have thought again.

I'm just hoping that Pentax read these forums and do something about it!!

Where are Pentax?? I just had a look at the exhibitors list on the website and pentax appear to be absent?

I was putting off buying a new lens until then as I got such a good deal on the K5 last year!

It's not as expensive as an OCA Degree, which I considered but discounted because of cost.

As others have often said on here, prospective clients will be more interested in seeing examples of what you do than how many letters you've got after your name so a good portfolio is the most important thing, in my opinion.

The main benefit of doing a course is that it gives you a goal to aim at and more direction and purpose when it comes to deciding what to photograph and, on that basis, working towards to RPS awards is probably the cheapest option - it gives additional purpose to your photography without soaking up a lot of money that could go on lenses ! I'm starting to think about doing it for the new year.

Joining a camera club, if you can, also sets you targets and you meet like-minded people, from whom you always learn new things.

Martyn
(FCCA CTA CertEd....... but still a rubbish photographer!!!!)

The two times I've been there were from 1-4pm and they were hunting pretty much the whole time then. I don't know about the mornings but apparently they need a lot of voles per day, so they may be at it almost non-stop. And when they do stop they're often perched on a nice post! (as you can see on the flickr page - your 600mm would have made a lovely job of that shot!).

Yes, you were very close!! It took me a couple of drive-bys to find it !

That 260-600 you have is some lens! It's about time Pentax did something about the long end (at an affordable price!).

Very nice website and pics btw.

I have Mondays off as well due to working long hours later in the week - it's nice to have to chance to go about when it's a bit quieter! - so a Monday would be good. I don't know how long the owls will be there for - I believe they do migrate sometimes, but they've been there quite a while now and there's quite a few of them! Forecast for this Monday is dull and overcast again but I can pm you to sort something out.

ps... High Wycombe is my home town - ages since I've been there tho'!

For once I was lucky - I actually found the location AND the owls. I was a bit unsure at first as I drove about 2mls down a single track road - and there were no other cars there! The owls were tho'! But sadly the light wasn't good. There were blue skies the next day, so I took another look (as did a large no. of 'twitchers'!) but it had sadly clouded over again by the time I got there....So I still want to make another visit when there's better light and the 120-400 can do a better job (unless I've changed to the 300mm by then!) so we can maybe have a Pentax 'meet'.

I'm generally happy with the 120-400 but started looking elsewhere because I wanted a bit more reach - but I've been so taken by the sharpness of the 300mm that I've been rather side-tracked!

That's just what I was wanting to hear from someone Neil!

I've got the 120-400 at the moment but am very impressed with the DA*300 and I think - as was pointed out to me - that quite often a cropped image from the DA*300 will be much better than one from the 120-400mm at 400 !

Think my mind is just about made up... I think the sigma 300mm 2.8 might be a bit better, but appears to be a heavy beast and an older-non HSM version.