Behind the Scenes: Ultra-Wide Review Cover Photo
A behind the scenes look at this complex image
By Heie in Articles and Tips on Jun 7, 2017
Many of you may remember the below cover image from the 4-Lens Ultra Wide Angle Showdown between the Pentax DA 10-17, Sigma 8-16, Rokinon 8mm FE, and Rokinon 10mm, our most comprehensive lens comparison review to date:
Click on the image above, and all the following images, to view an enlargement.
Ever wonder how it was made? Well wonder no more, as this post goes into a detailed reflection on all the pieces to this puzzle!
First, I wanted to apologize for the delay - the review was published in June of 2016 but this article didn't get the same front page attention until June 2017. For those unaware, I'm active duty in the U.S. Army and quickly deployed after the review was published and never had an opportunity to write this article until my January 2017 return from the Middle East.
Sigma 8-16mm vs Rokinon 10mm, Pentax 10-17mm, Rokinon 8mm
In-depth lens comparison between four ultra wide lenses
By Heie in Review Announcements on Jun 23, 2016
Today we are proud to announce our latest in-depth review! Not just one or two lenses (or three), but a veritable four-way battle between the widest lenses you can buy for the Pentax K-mount.These are the Pentax 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fisheye, the Rokinon 8mm F3.5 Fisheye, the Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6, and the Rokinon 10mm F2.8.
A longstanding argument we felt the need to finally put to rest, we wanted to see which ultra wide was truly the best option available. With both fisheye and rectilinear lenses, every angle was considered.
But not sure what the difference is between the two types? Don't worry, because this tome of comparisons is also packed with plenty of explanations and sample photos to explain what those differences are and, most importantly, what they mean to you so you can narrow in on which truly is the best lens to enhance your kit.
At 21 pages, over 11 Gigabytes of RAW files to download and process to your heart's content, and forty carefully selected images from Pentax Forums' very own members, we can't be more excited to share with you one of our most comprehensive reviews to date!
Sigma USB Dock Tutorial and Review
A quick tutorial of Sigma's USB Dock and our review of it
By Heie in Review Announcements on Mar 19, 2015
One of the most exciting recent lens accessories we can think of has been Sigma's USB Dock. It's a simple, albeit revolutionary step to offering unprecedented levels of customization, fine-tuning, and control over the lenses owned by the average photographer (i.e. someone without a testing bench or who worked for the camera company that had access to their equipment). As you can imagine, we couldn't wait to try it out and bring you and in-depth review along with a tutorial on how to use it!
Tested in conjunction with our recently published Sigma 18-35 F1.8 DC HSM "Art" in-depth review, we were pretty amazed at just how "down the rabbit hole" Sigma lets you go with tailoring their Global Vision lenses to your tastes and needs.
But did Sigma get it perfectly right with this one-of-a-kind accessory? Read on to find out:
DA 35mm F2.4 "Plastic Fantastic" Review Posted
An in-depth review of Pentax's budget 35mm prime lens.
By Heie in Review Announcements on Mar 4, 2015
Today we are proud to announce our latest in-depth review: Pentax's smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL prime lens!
As has become standard in our lens reviews as of late, this review doesn't just focus on the optic in question but rather compares it in a head-to-head shootout. During this review you will see sample images not only from Pentax's 35mm Plastic Fantastic, but against its premium all-metal big brother of the same focal length. That's right - the HD DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro!
Will Pentax's premium DA Limited macro lens have its bokeh bested? What about its sharpness? Now that your interest has been piqued, the answers lie within our 13 pages of analysis!
And just as a reminder, we don't expect you to just take our word for it. In addition to over one hundred sample and comparison photos for you to peruse through, there is a section of 18 images with their RAW files waiting for you to download and play with to your heart's content.
Last and certainly not least (in fact this is our very favorite part of the entire review!) you'll find on the same page as the RAW files a gallery collected from our very own Pentax Forums' photographers, showcasing what they have created utilizing this humble lens.
So what are you waiting for? Head on over to the review now!
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 "Art" Review Posted
In-depth review and comparison vs HD 20-40, FA 31, & DA* 16-50
By Heie in Review Announcements on Nov 3, 2014
Today we are proud to present our latest in-depth review: Sigma's 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM "Art" lens!
Because of the premium nature of this lens, we didn't just assess it on its own merits and call it a day. We recognize that you are likely to be considering this lens against several highly regarded lenses, and so we made it our mission to make this the Aspirin to that headache. For the Bokeh and Sharpness pages of this review you'll see direct comparisons throughout the shared focal length ranges between Sigma's zoom and Pentax's premium standard zooms - the DA* 16-50mm F2.8 and the HD 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited. We also made sure not to leave out Pentax's legendary prime, the FA 31mm F1.8 Limited.
Which lens do you think will come out on top?
Additionally, we don't expect you to just take our word for it. As such, among the several hundred sample photos for you to peruse through, there is a section of 32 images with their RAW files waiting for you to download and play with to your heart's content.
Don't just skip right to the conclusion (that's right - we're onto you...) - 14 pages of detailed analysis await!
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Alex Jansen is a "trial-and-many-errors" -taught photographer who uses photography to decompress after a long day (or deployment) in the U.S. Army. Currently stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, he has learned that no matter the paycheck source or his location, he is a serial adventurer by make.
He started pursuing photography in 2010 when he purchased his first DSLR. After much deliberation in search of a camera that would keep up with his lifestyle, it was the K-7 that bested the competition. He's been a loyal Pentaxian ever since, made infamous by that video where he drenched his cameras in sand and water in Afghanistan. In a more professional sense, he is honored to have become a writer and gear reviewer for Pentax Forums.
Photographically, he struggles to restrict himself to a certain niche, however he has a particular affinity for portraiture, landscapes, and photojournalism both as a traveler and soldier. His imagery and compilation of photo essays can be viewed at his website, www.alexjansenphotography.com 
