ordinary birds, extraordinary camera+lens

Of course I'm referring to the K5+DA*300. I find myself shooting at f/4 or f/4.5 almost exclusively now, sometimes because of low light, sometimes not, but always because it does a great job of isolating the subject while maintaining excellent IQ and bokeh. Here are a few examples, all taken late yesterday afternoon.

LPA

Northern Flicker BIF, TAv, AF-C, 1/2000, f/4.5, ISO 250:



Great Blue Heron, TAv, AF-S, 1/640, f/4, ISO 1000:





I went out for this walk to search for owls. It was only a few minutes before astronomical sunset, but the sun was already well below my local horizon and it was very dark among the trees. I went back and took one more pass through the area where they hang out. On my way back, I spotted what looked like a slightly different pattern on a tree limb. Through the viewfinder, I could just barely make out an owl face.

Barred Owl, TAv, AF-S, 1/250, f/4, ISO 2000:



Barred Owl, TAv, AF-S, 1/250, f/4, ISO 3200:



While shooting this one, I heard another owl call nearby and saw it fly into a tree a little further back along the trail. This one was more out in the open.

Barred Owl, TAv, AF-S, 1/250, f/4, ISO 640:



Thanks Pentax for producing such an outstanding camera+lens. Now I have one request for Pentax/Ricoh: give us at least a 400mm f/4 lens that maintains the qualities of the DA*300. You already have the outstanding M*400 f/4 for the 67, so just update the coatings, tweak the materials, and down-size it to a DFA*400 f/4 for the k-mount.

LPA

Well shot - you show the capabilities of the lens, the beauty or the birds and you remind me of the TAv setting. It's been a while since I owned a camera with that setting (coming from k-r and k200d), must remember it's available!

--
Jim in Oregon -- http://granitix.blogspot.com
Alpha A200 -> G1 -> K-5 & F550exr

please tell me why all these photos are extraordinary

--
][.Kerusker
we don't see that we don't see (eye's blind spot)

Great set..Thanx for sharing these.
--

http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/danedawg ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/danedawg/

Awesome shots! Wow...that 2nd heron shot is magnificent!

--
Shoot in RAW because memory is cheap, but memories are priceless.

Mahesh

http://www.StarvingPhotographer.com

Hi LPA:

Great series as usual. Yes the K5/DA 300 is a great combo. Do you use a TC on any of your shots as you seem to be able to get quite close.

Dale
--
http://www.pbase.com/abundant108
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/daledoram

I like the first one and in the fifth shot, I like the way the owl seems to be 'checking you out'.
--
I'm thankful to still be able to...

Hi,
nice captures, i also like the second shot of the GBH a lot, well done!

Yes if Pentax can make a DFA version of the Pentax-67 M*400mm/4 it would be great, i like mine but it's quite heavy for such a focal length and AF would help in certain situations!
--
Leopold
Pentax forever
http://smarcoux.zenfolio.com/
http://www.limagier-photo.com/
http://www.firstlight.com/galleries.php
http://steevemarcoux2.wordpress.com/

Nicely done! Flicker and GBH are my favorites and nothing ordinary about a barred owl.........................Jim

I love your backyard. The DA*300 is yet to let me down (ridiculous cropping potential).
--

Love the Heron LPA
--
Regards Dean - Capturing Creation
N.B. All my Images are Protected by Copyright

LPA

LPA

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LPA

Dale108 said:

Hi LPA:

Great series as usual. Yes the K5/DA 300 is a great combo. Do you use a TC on any of your shots as you seem to be able to get quite close.

Dale

Click to expand...

Dale,

Thanks. None of these were taken with a TC. Although I do have the 1.7AFA, I never use it with the owls at dusk because it is so dark where they are. There was a little light on the second owl, but the first one was in a very dark area, so I definitely needed f/4. These owls have been around here for more than a year, so they seem to tolerate my proximity. But when I see them, I angle my way closer instead of moving directly toward them. Then I just take a few shots and move away because I don't want them to get nervous when I'm around. Nor do I want to get too close because at this time of day, they most likely are in their hunting perches so I don't want them to fly off. This has worked well so far.

LPA

LPA

Leopold,

Thanks. Glad to hear you still like your M*400. I've looked at the one that was on Ebay recently, but didn't pull the trigger. But I'm hoping something longer than the DA*300 becomes available this Spring for a trip I'm planning. Does the weight discourage you from taking it out very often?

LPA

LPA

LPA