Do you know anyone Pentax user doing BIF?

Hi everyone:

First at all, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm a amateur photographer from Spain. I shoot with Pentax gear, nowadays, a I'm still using .K10D with a DA* 300 mm F4 as my main equipment. I also own a TC Kenko TELE PLUS 1.5X. I'd like to know about people using also Pentax gear, because most of people here are using Canon and Nikon. I'm trying to get decent pictures of Corvus monedula, Falco tinnuculus, Coracias garrulus, etc. all birds of about middle size? Any of you have experience with Pentax? I'll apprecitate some feedback? Thank you.

By,


I'm sorry if my English isn't good enough, please have mercy.

Wish I could help you out Diego, but I don't have any Pentax experience. However, I gotta say - your English is quite good. I'm sure someone here can help you out though.

Hi Diego,
A big warm welcome to the BPN family...Pentax is an excellent camera and their SMC lenses are of the highest quality...what would you like to know, and how may I help you...:):cool:

Bienvenido Diego !!!!

Fully agree with Gus The difference you are going to find with Pentax is total lenses available. The system is not as extensive as the other two. Changing systems is a tough choice to take but is something you might think down the road ... when you need to update camera maybe?

Lets us know what we can do !!! :) Vale !!!

Hi Diego
I also use a Pentax K10D but combined with Tamron 70-300 for BIF and sometimes also Tamron 1.4 Teleconverter.
Using with teleconverter you have to focus early on approaching birds as it does take longer to get locked on.
Any questions just fire away.
Cheers: Ian Mc http://www.pbase.com/ianmc

Thank you very much, for your replies. What I'm wondering is if the AF speed of the K10D is enough to track birds like falcons at the distance necesary to get the frame full with the bird figure. I'm trying to get images but I lose the focus when the birds approach at the right distance. I use central point focusing, AF-C (continous autofocus), speed 1/3200 s, F4 stop, auto iso 100-800, and spot metering with a +1,7 exposure compensation. I shot handheld. The large fill that I have got is about 1/4 of the frame. I really don't know if is that I'm not skill enogh or if it's the camera AF that is too slow. I have no idea how to find out that, unless I try to make the picture with a different camera like 50D or D300, but unfortunately I don't know anyone near me that could help me. Do you have any idea or advice with this regard?
Thanks a lot.

I'm looking forward to hearing you,

On sunny days I prefer 400 ISO.
I agree with centre point focussing and continuous autofocus.
If you have a lake nearby you could practise your panning on more common birds like ducks, geese and coots.
With the lens @ 300 mm I find in most cases that some cropping is required but if image is really sharp it should take a crop OK.
Cheers: Ian Mc

Ian, thanks for your advice. I should practise with birds bigger and with slower flight before try again with falcons.

I have the K10 and K20,and a bunch of lenses.I have the older F-300/4,5 and the new DA300/4.
The AF-speed is enough to take in-flight pictures,but esp. Canon has better predicting AF when the bird is
coming towards you.I use often the selective AF-point with the wheel on the back of the camera.
It's very useful,and it takes some time to master,but it's worth it.
The AF-speed is rather similar on both my 300:s,but the DA has an internal motor which makes it quite.
If you can afford it,I'll recommend the Sigma 500/4,5 which I bought last year.It's not quite in par with
the 300:s in sharpness but almost.And remember,the F,FA and DA300 are as sharp as it gets.

Thanks Thomas for the information. With regard to the Sigma 500/4,5 I can't afford it now, but I plan to buy a 500 or 600 mm lens in the the future and of course I have Sigma in mind. Do you use it to take pictures of BIF?

Sometimes with a monopod,but I prefer the 300 or my old Sigma AF 400/5,6 Apo Macro.
The 300 is faster and with superior image quality.

Hi Thomas:

Thanks for the reply. I'd like to take a look at your pictures if they are avaible, do you have website or had post pictures anywhere appart from BPN?

Cheers,