I took delivery today of my new lens, purchased specifically to try and improve the quality of images from the garden hide at short distances I have to say that so far I am impressed with some of the results. It feels incredibly high quality and the auto focus is so silent and quick. I sat in the hide and managed a few shots and have to say that the end results are really pleasing.
Special optical glass including ED glass elements, aspherical lens elements and outstanding lens coating provide for excellent contrast characteristics, a consistent edge-to-edge sharpness and a particularly clear rendition of fine details.
As well as the outstanding imaging attributes, PENTAX engineers have raised the mechanical characteristics of the lenses to a state-of-the-art level. Built-in ultrasonic motors (Supersonic Motors) in the lenses provide for extremely quiet and fast autofocusing. Both lenses are also weatherproofed and protected from penetrating dust by appropriate seals. The front lens elements of the lenses use the special Pentax SP – "Super Protect" – fluoride coating technology. This nano-technology protects the front lens against dust, finger marks or smearing, making the lenses exceptionally easy to clean. The Pentax "Quick Shift Focus System" allows the photographer to manually alter the focus point at will without having to take the camera out of the autofocus mode.
The new smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens will satisfy the most demanding photographer with its pictorial quality. Due to its fast aperture and outstanding sharpness this lens is ideal as an everyday ‘standard lens’.
Two zoom lenses; the smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II and the smc PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED complete the new PENTAX lens assortment. With their compactness and extended zoom range they are both well suited for all types of general photography. The SP – "Super Protect" – technology and the PENTAX "Quick Shift Focus System" are incorporated in both lenses. ED glass lens elements are used in the optical construction of the smc PENTAX PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 tele-zoom in order to assure the highest image quality possible."
The next image is a House sparrow perched in a Bottle Brush bush at about 15 foot away and then cropped in Photo Shop. I have to say that I like this image as well and it is still quite sharp and quite acceptable.
House Sparrow
This evening was a bit of a disappointment because at around 5.45 it absolutely poured down which is no big deal. But at 6 I met Dr Ian to have a look at the Sand Martin colony. Had the weather been acceptable, that is, no rain or high winds we would have ringed some Sand Martins at the colony on the nearby river Exe. . This has now been delayed until next week. I must say that I am looking forward to this very much. It is going to be good to put rings on "my" Sand Martins and then se what/who returns next year. When you consider the immense distance that they travel on their migration it is amazing that they then return again to the same spot on our River. Next week there will be photographs and a report of the session so don't forget to check back to see.
Wildlife in a Suburban Garden 
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