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02-25-2014, 05:02 PM   #106
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QuoteOriginally posted by DSims Quote
Oh no, you're shooting RAW too? Events like sports and parades are about the only time I don't shoot RAW. Culling 1000-2000 photos is bad enough. Having to PP them can be even worse. It's too time consuming for what most viewers will appreciate - especially if you're not being paid. And for that one "really great shot" you wanted the RAW for it's surprising how much manipulation you can still do on the JPEG. If the shot's that good in the first place you were probably close enough on the exposure and so-forth to be within the adjustment range you can handle on JPEG.


Something of a happy medium is using the free beta of Perfectly Clear Desktop (Windows-only for now, but I'll use whatever OS gets the job done): Desktop | Perfectly Clear

You can use it on either JPEG or RAW files to quickly get improved results in batches without a huge temptation to tweak them more.

---------- Post added 02-25-14 at 03:17 PM ----------





Alex, perhaps you already realize this, but I just want to point out that there's a significant improvement in screw-drive AF performance over the last few generations of Pentax bodies. I noticed a real improvement going from the K-5 to K-5 IIs. And the K-3 reportedly improves upon that.


So if someone says the Tamron AF is too slow, it's important to note which body they're using (and it was probably a memorable and frustrating experience for them). It may well be fast enough if you're using a K-3. (I've been using only screw-drive primes, so I can't comment directly on the Tamron, but I know I wouldn't try it on anything less than a K-5 II/IIs).
Yeah this I do know after taking some looks at some focus test videos and the major difference between models. As of now I haven't chosen a brand yet until next month after choosing a laptop. I just want to make sure I get the best use out of the K3 since I'm already pleased with it performance. Though New users like myself see the SDM problems and stay away from da* lenses almost all together which leaves me the ones I already mentioned to be mine.

02-25-2014, 05:51 PM   #107
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alex Nostalgix Quote
Though New users like myself see the SDM problems and stay away from da* lenses almost all together which leaves me the ones I already mentioned to be mine.
For action shooting you need to stay away from most DA* lenses simply because of the AF speed. But the DA*300 (and possibly the DA*60-250) rarely have SDM problems and perform well, so they should still be considered.

But the latest version of the Sigma 70-200/2.8 (which means you often have to buy it new) has been the closest thing to a universal choice among Pentax sports photographers lately.


The absolute best value in getting a fast-focusing sports lens in K-mount is the FA135/2.8 (or F version), which I have and which I saw at KEH for a very reasonable price a few days ago.
02-28-2014, 04:29 PM   #108
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I went today to the womenssoccergame between Ajax and FC Twente. They are number 2 and 3 in competition, where Standard de Liège is number one. But since Standard is Belgium the both Dutch clubs Ajax and Twente are competing for the Dutch Womens Champions League ticket for next season.

So I sit there with K-3 and DA*300mm and sometimes that lens is a little long. I think most others don't use a lens that long, with 460mm it is more then most use and then I also sit almost next to the goal at around 9 meters where most others sit on the side at around 25 meters from the goal.

This time I got an alomost catoonlike image. It is the whole image, so no cropping, only did some work on it in lightroom to make it special.

03-01-2014, 09:41 AM   #109
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That photo really captures the intensity of top level football. Great catch! Your comments lead me to believe that you just might be thinking of the DA* 50-135 for your next lens. I can see that as the perfect focal length set. The A 70-210 was my last lens for football (soccer, here) on film when I was stringing for a newspaper, and it was the perfect set of focal lengths. That makes the 50-135 the perfect lens today.

03-01-2014, 05:21 PM   #110
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Here are some recent shots with the DA*50-135. Indoors, pretty dim, through a glass pane. DId some quick PP, but no extensive editing or NR applied

135mm @ ISO3200, F2.8, 1/100s



135mm @ ISO3200, F2.8, 1/100s



58mm @ ISO1250, F2.8, 1/100s



58mm @ ISO1250, F2.8, 1/100s



Overall, the K-3 AF was good and the DA*50-135, not considered a fast focusing lens, did fine. I had the camera set to AF-priority so I didn't get the vaunted 8.3 FPS. And I'm much more confident with the K-3 AF vs. the K-5. Kudos Pentax for the leap forward!
03-02-2014, 04:02 AM   #111
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QuoteOriginally posted by Canada_Rockies Quote
That photo really captures the intensity of top level football. Great catch! Your comments lead me to believe that you just might be thinking of the DA* 50-135 for your next lens. I can see that as the perfect focal length set. The A 70-210 was my last lens for football (soccer, here) on film when I was stringing for a newspaper, and it was the perfect set of focal lengths. That makes the 50-135 the perfect lens today.
Oh no, not at all. I'm not intending to catch the whole stadium in my image. I like to sit close on the subject. For outdoors daytime games I was thinking off paring the DA*300mm with the HD1.4xTC to have close-up images more often.
03-11-2014, 03:16 PM   #112
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QuoteOriginally posted by Canada_Rockies Quote
That photo really captures the intensity of top level football. Great catch! Your comments lead me to believe that you just might be thinking of the DA* 50-135 for your next lens. I can see that as the perfect focal length set. The A 70-210 was my last lens for football (soccer, here) on film when I was stringing for a newspaper, and it was the perfect set of focal lengths. That makes the 50-135 the perfect lens today.
Also, if you're relying on the AF capabilities of the lens, it's a poor choice for most sports. The SDM on it is just too slow - one of the slower Pentax SDM lenses. Likewise, the DA*200 has a slow SDM. OTOH, the DA*300 has a relatively fast SDM.

Otherwise it's an excellent lens, of course.

03-11-2014, 09:12 PM   #113
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QuoteOriginally posted by RonHendriks1966 Quote
I was thinking off paring the DA*300mm with the HD1.4xTC to have close-up images more often.
Indeed. Close up's in sport can be very expressive. Wider gives you the action, but closer gives you the faces and emotions.
03-12-2014, 11:07 AM - 2 Likes   #114
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Some skiing and a little winter cycling from the past few weeks.

K-3 & DA 18-135 (great for very harsh snowy conditions where I wouldn't want to change lenses)




Tamron 28-75/2.8, Sigma 530 Super


SMC DA 15


18-135


DA 40




DA* 60-250 & Metz 48 AF-2


03-12-2014, 11:24 AM   #115
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Great shots Matt. You are using HSS with the flash?
03-12-2014, 12:02 PM   #116
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QuoteOriginally posted by crewl1 Quote
Great shots Matt. You are using HSS with the flash?
Thanks, I did for the bike photos, FP (Focal Plane in Sigma-ese) on those.

For the night shots with the Metz I shot manual at full power (x-sync). That thing cranks out an impressive amount of light!

Last edited by mattb123; 03-12-2014 at 12:09 PM.
03-12-2014, 04:16 PM   #117
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Great shots as usual Mattb
05-01-2014, 03:54 PM   #118
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Queensland Christian Soccer Association season has started. First soccer match with the K-3. I'm getting a better keeper rate than with the K-5.

Pentax DA* 60-250/F4, 250mm FL, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO125. Subject distance: 40m.

I've applied Topaz Labs Detail 3, Overall Enhancement Light I preset.




Dan.

Last edited by dosdan; 05-01-2014 at 04:36 PM.
05-01-2014, 07:41 PM   #119
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It's taken me a while to get comfortable with the K-3 for sports but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.








I still go with the K-5IIs for the NR when there's heavy cloud cover, though (and we've had plenty of that lately.)
05-02-2014, 11:30 AM   #120
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Slow the shutter down. Would be nice to see some blur in some of the pictures!
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