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Visit Camera Enthusiast!Topaz B&W Effects Review & 30%-Off Coupon
A powerful B&W conversion tool reviewed, and a great deal! · Posted on 04-18-2012 in Reviews
Today we're happy to announce our latest software review- this time, we take an in-depth look at Topaz B&W Effects, a post-processing plugin launched last year that makes it a breeze to optimally convert color photographs to black and white, sepia, and other tones. The plugin works with dozens of applications, including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Apple Aperture.
Sample K-5 photo processed in B&W Effects
In addition, Topaz Labs have reached out to us and created a special resource page just for PentaxForums.com users! Better yet, you can use the following exclusive coupon code in the Topaz Store to save 30% on B&W Effects should you decide that the plugin is right for you:
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For sports photography you would often go for a zoom lens so as to be able to follow the action all over the field from one vantage point. And a fast lens like F2.8 is desirable for two reasons:
- Isolate the subject using the narrow depth of field of F2.8
- F2.8 allows for a faster shutter speed which is important especially when shooting indoors
Last year, we reviewed three 70(80) - 200mm F2.8 lenses with sports photography in mind, one legacy lens (SMC Pentax-FA* 80-200mm F2.8 ED [IF]) and two lenses that are currently in production (Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM and Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro). Today, that review has been re-vamped with formatting an content improvements. This is one of our post popular reviews, and we hope you'll enjoy!
Cameras with a non-interchangeable, fixed focal length lens most often have a 35mm lens (in 24x36mm format terms). One recent example is the Fujifilm X100, and in the film days before super zooms became the norm, point and shoot cameras would typically have a 35mm lens.
The reason of course is that 31mm (eqv.) is a very versatile focal length for travel photos, indoor photos, cityscapes and more - this focal length is by many considered more versatile than the so-called "normal" focal length of 50mm (eqv.), which the FA31mm limited (reviewed earlier) delivers.
The smc Pentax DA 21mm F3.2 Limited lens therefore deserves a closer look as it on the Pentax K-01 or a Pentax DSLR corresponds to approximately a 35mm (eqv.) lens. It might be considered the ideal walk-around compact prime lens. With that in mind we have updated our in-depth review of the DA 21mm Limited lens.
Continue to the DA 21mm in-depth review
You may also want to check out the many user reviews of this lens!
The legendary SMC Pentax-FA 31mm Limited lens is one of Pentax's best- it's among the highest-rated lenses by our users, and has luckily not suffered from the recent Pentax price increases, still retailing for a reasonable $989.
Today, we are happy to re-release our in-depth review of the 31mm, which gives it the highest score of all the Pentax lenses that we have reviewed to date. This review was written for us by a forum member last year, but has just been refreshed with new formatting and other edits. We hope you enjoy it!
We can highly recommend the FA 31mm as a general-purpose lens, and it works particularly well together with the new K-01!
We've just posted an in-depth video review of the new Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS "adventureproof" digital camera from Pentax. Along with the video, we include some additional commentary, sample photos, a sample video clip, the specifications, and more!
Ultra-Wide Zoom Review and Comparison
Pentax 12-24mm, Sigma 12-24mm, and Tamron 10-24mm · Posted on 03-23-2012 in Reviews
We are pleased to release a comprehensive review and comparison of three popular wide-angle zoom lenses in Pentax K-mount: The smc Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL[IF], the Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG, and the Tamron SP AF 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 Di II.
Wide angle zooms are very popular for landscape photography due to the flexibility of being able to change the focal length without swapping lenses.
Of the bunch reviewed here, the Tamron is the widest, starting at 10mm focal length which gives an angle of view of a whopping 108 degrees diagonally, about 9 degrees wider than the two other lenses. The Sigma is the most expensive, which is explained by the Sigma's being a full-frame lens (it covers the 24x36mm format).
You will find the comparative review here, we hope you will find it useful!
Impact Light Stand/Reflector Holder Review
Using the 5-in-1 reflector · Posted on 03-18-2012 in Reviews
We have just posted a review of two handy and affordable lighting products by Impact: the Light Stand/Reflector Holder and the (big) 5-in-1 Reflector. One of our members goes hands-on with these products and shows you how they can be used, what they're good at, and what they're missing.
Pentax K-01 Review Posted
An in-depth look at the K-01 mirrorless camera · Posted on 03-11-2012 in Reviews
We are proud to be among the first to post an in-depth review of the Pentax K-01 mirrorless camera!
When we first released the camera's specifications and provided coverage about it from CP+, several questions were raised about the camera:
- How well does the autofocus perform?
- Are manual controls supported in video mode?
- Is the LCD easy to view in bright light?
- Is the sensor the same as that of the K-5?
We answer these fundamental questions and much more in our review. We hope you enjoy it!
