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Comment by Perspicador posted on Pentax K70 at 29/10/2016 - 10:14
Tempted to post again - we are on a roll here!
Comment by Perspicador posted on My fav swan photos taken to date at 09/10/2016 - 20:48
Great theme - and surprisingly difficult to capture a stunning shot. My endeavours do not compare, but I have something to post anyway.
Comment by Perspicador posted on My fav swan photos taken to date at 02/10/2016 - 07:20
With a reluctant return to a Sigma 70-200mm lens ( - the hunting going on with the Pentax lens lost me too many shots - ), I can at least say it does not behave like a yo-yo! This is something worth persevering with, but I needed a rest. So here is my trio of Swans, taken at Attenborough nature reserve.
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 26/09/2016 - 20:33
Gedski wrote:
ISO 1250, 1/200, f11, @300mm.
ISO 1600, 1/1600, f11, @240mm.
I hope that there are two pictures above. I made a separate post because I've already made a mess of the first.
These shots were taken earlier this morning, using the TAV mode. I found it a little easier to manipulate using the K-50. I think that they are, probably, as good as I might ever get with the lens that I have. They will also be the last shots before I go into hospital on Tuesday. I hope to be back to be a nuisance in around a fortnight. In the meantime, my grateful appreciation for all your observations and comments. I wouldn't have got this far without them.
I think these are great, Gedski. When birds circle and pass in a stream, one setting gets you ready for the next passing bird. My hunting problem starts when it is a one-off shot of birds coming towards me or retreating from me at pace so I lose focus, but the shot still takes. There is a Sigma lens I have that is non-zoom so may be better suited to quick focus. I will give this an outing next time out. Best wishes for Tuesday and your recuperation!
ISO 1250, 1/200, f11, @300mm.
ISO 1600, 1/1600, f11, @240mm.
I hope that there are two pictures above. I made a separate post because I've already made a mess of the first.
These shots were taken earlier this morning, using the TAV mode. I found it a little easier to manipulate using the K-50. I think that they are, probably, as good as I might ever get with the lens that I have. They will also be the last shots before I go into hospital on Tuesday. I hope to be back to be a nuisance in around a fortnight. In the meantime, my grateful appreciation for all your observations and comments. I wouldn't have got this far without them.
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 11/09/2016 - 22:16
Many thanks for proffering advice. The subject matter really does give you no time to project the scenario, so I am simply relying on sheer speed of the auto settings before the subject has gone - and I either got a shot or I didn't. Very precarious.
Good luck with the op and procedures. We will all be gunning for you and you will be in the safe hands of highly skilled practitioners. See you soon back on these pages - but more importantly, back out catching those elusive birds!
Perspicador
Good luck with the op and procedures. We will all be gunning for you and you will be in the safe hands of highly skilled practitioners. See you soon back on these pages - but more importantly, back out catching those elusive birds!
Perspicador
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 08/09/2016 - 23:14
Gedski wrote:
Hi perspicador, You seem to be coming along nicely. I find that with magpies the problem is to get the eye in full focus but it can be done. At least you managed to get movement with the helicopters rotor blades, otherwise it would look like it is parked in the sky.
The bee on flower is pretty good as are the flowers. Keep it up.
Thank you. Gedski! Time has elapsed and I managed Mill Lakes today. Flying ducks mostly, and did not engage a burst function, but here are a few efforts...Hi perspicador, You seem to be coming along nicely. I find that with magpies the problem is to get the eye in full focus but it can be done. At least you managed to get movement with the helicopters rotor blades, otherwise it would look like it is parked in the sky.
The bee on flower is pretty good as are the flowers. Keep it up.
I do not think I am getting clarity because there is much haste before they have flown away so quality is very patchy and your analysis would be most welcome
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 08/09/2016 - 16:34
Had a day hunting down possible entries for World Pentax Day - with this lens, literraly! - and the nearest to flying I saw was this Magpie taking up tree-top positions, 
but there was a passing helicopter, but I am really looking forward to getting back to my Mill Lakes routine.
Pentax Day celebrations are not so specific, so these floral shots suffice and a Bumblebee...
but there was a passing helicopter, but I am really looking forward to getting back to my Mill Lakes routine.
Pentax Day celebrations are not so specific, so these floral shots suffice and a Bumblebee...
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 06/09/2016 - 22:38
I have just done a replacement for my Sigma - and have opted for the HD Pentax DA 55 - 300mm F4-5.8 ED WR. With only one outing I cannot say anything definitive but this is on the strength of a discussion elsewhere on here which you might like to consult: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/birds-in-flight-shots-using-k-50-and-tamr...
Good Luck! I am well pleased so far
Good Luck! I am well pleased so far
Comment by Perspicador posted on Pentax SMC P DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 Lens at 05/09/2016 - 21:20
Gedski wrote:
Many thanks, Gedski. If you need a well-earned rest, maybe now's the time to take it. I hope to emulate the thorough standards of deliberation and discussion you have set thus far! It is certainly a nut to crack to be able to make the difficult challenges posed by tackling birds in flight more accessible through 'budget' equipment and that is a frontier I too shall try to break through...Perspicador wrote:
Gedski,can I take this opportunity of wishing you every success and God-speed with your Open heart surgery? Also, I am very indebted to this thread as stated before. Also thanks to Peter for these words of encouragement
The follow-up to this is my first venture out - K-50 plus Pentax 55-300mm - but no BIFs yet - which must include the Butterfly that regaled Gedski's entries!!! The real test will be upon returning to Mill Lakes, but for now, I am contented with my purchase...
Thank you for your comments and kind thoughts Perspicador. I see that you've made a decent start with the 55-300mm lens. I will follow your efforts with much interest.Gedski,can I take this opportunity of wishing you every success and God-speed with your Open heart surgery? Also, I am very indebted to this thread as stated before. Also thanks to Peter for these words of encouragement
PeterKR wrote:
Congratulations, Rodney, and good luck with the 55-300. I too got one on the advice of john Riley - it was the first new lens I got for my K-r in 2011 and I got it especially for bird shots.
As Andrew has said shooting BIF is a very difficult task and you may need to take very many shots to get just one good one. On my day at the Hawk Conservancy (with the K-r and DA55-300 I took over 900 !
One thing I did find that sometimes you may need to set the camera onto the 'Sport/Action' mode to take multiple exposures with fast shutter speeds (hence my 900 shots !)
I also found it easier if the birds were flying TOWARDS me, then you don't need to pan the camera as much. However, you can't trust what wild birds are going to do so you just have to persevere !
I can see that you are doing just that so good luck.
One thing I found with the DA55-300 is that the 'hunting' of focus (for which it is notorious) is worst for long distance shots when the contrast is low. When the birds are nearer and the contrast it better you should find the AF locks on much quicker ?
All the best
Peter
Congratulations, Rodney, and good luck with the 55-300. I too got one on the advice of john Riley - it was the first new lens I got for my K-r in 2011 and I got it especially for bird shots.
As Andrew has said shooting BIF is a very difficult task and you may need to take very many shots to get just one good one. On my day at the Hawk Conservancy (with the K-r and DA55-300 I took over 900 !
One thing I did find that sometimes you may need to set the camera onto the 'Sport/Action' mode to take multiple exposures with fast shutter speeds (hence my 900 shots !)
I also found it easier if the birds were flying TOWARDS me, then you don't need to pan the camera as much. However, you can't trust what wild birds are going to do so you just have to persevere !
I can see that you are doing just that so good luck.
One thing I found with the DA55-300 is that the 'hunting' of focus (for which it is notorious) is worst for long distance shots when the contrast is low. When the birds are nearer and the contrast it better you should find the AF locks on much quicker ?
All the best
Peter
The follow-up to this is my first venture out - K-50 plus Pentax 55-300mm - but no BIFs yet - which must include the Butterfly that regaled Gedski's entries!!! The real test will be upon returning to Mill Lakes, but for now, I am contented with my purchase...
Comment by Perspicador posted on Birds in flight shots using K-50 and Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. at 04/09/2016 - 20:19
There's probably an element of truth in all sides of the AF argument.
I've used a lot of different camera lately and there are some that track flying birds better than Pentax, but equally well some that struggle with subjects that would not have been a problem with Pentax. There is a marque I wouldn't buy because of its focusing performance, for the type of images I shoot. It has plenty of other good qualities for other photographers' needs though, so it's just "swings and roundabouts" in the end.