[GUB]

Thanks for the advice on astrophotography spots guys! All very helpful. I think I'm gonna try Te Horo this Saturday if the weather's alright (though the 10 day forecast says it might rain... But anything can happen in Wellington!), and then maybe Otaki forks will be my next excursion.
Lake Tekapo is definitely on the list too - I was actually there recently but didn't think to try astrophotography... The K1 has got me all excited about it.

If you have never been into the forks before then do it in the daylight - it is an impressive gravel road.

[Transit]

Gidday Galen
welcome to the massive Kiwi thread

Hello!

I'm new here so I hope I'm posting this in the right place! I'm looking from some advice from seasons Kiwi Pentaxians.

I've just purchased a K1 on trade me, and I'm trying to find stops to practice some astrophotography. Can anyone recommend any good spots where the light pollution isn't too high? I live on the Kapiti Coast in Wellington, so I'm ideally looking for places within a few hours drive of there.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can give.

Cheers,

Galen.

---------- Post added 9th Apr 2018 at 08:36 AM ----------

Next time give us a buzz and I'll open the place up for you !

So I took a drive with the missus up to GUB/Transit territory on Thursday — W(h)anganui. I think I've only been there five times in my life and three of those times I was just passing through and didn't stop.

Apart from wandering aimlessly around the central city finding multiple "parks and gardens" that actually aren't, and public toilets that were closed, we went up to Virginia Lake Park — which is both a lake AND a park! — which was magical. I'd had my full camera kit with me the whole time but just stuck to iPhone shots in the city. At Virginia Lake, I was having a great time capturing the numerous bird species in some gorgeous settings. I highly recommend it with a camera or without. I'll be going back to check out the aviary which we didn't have time for, and for another walk around the lake.

...

[MarkJerling]

If you have never been into the forks before then do it in the daylight - it is an impressive gravel road.

That used to link up with Waiotauru Road, but a massive slip took out the Forks Road - not that far from where the Forks road ends these days.

[microlight]

Beautiful coast, Galen. I wanted to try to take some astro shots recently on Kapiti Island, but the weather didn't allow it. If you get up to the Coromandel, I'd have suggested somewhere along the 309 Road from Whitianga to Coromandel, but that's another fine gravel road that I wouldn't want to drive if it's dark enough to take astro photos! An alternative could be the Stargazers tour, situated north of Whitianga - we didn't go there but it's in a dark sky reserve and was recommended to us.

[Kiwi645hauler]

Sad news for film shooters... Fujifilm's race to distance themselves from their heritage continues with the announcement that they are discontinuing their B+W film offerings....
Fujifilm officially discontinued ACROS film | Photo Rumors

[GUB]

Wellll -- someone had to get it !!!

[MarkJerling]

Nice one mate. Looking forward to seeing photos!

[Class A]

Wellll -- someone had to get it !!!

Wow, nice one!

The DOF on a K-1 must be infinitesimally small.

[GUB]

Wow, nice one!

The DOF on a K-1 must be infinitesimally small.

Yes funny how the calculators give FF .03 vs .02 coc for apsc though. Apsc @ 1 metre @f1.2 is quoted at 10mm (20mm forFF) -- I am thinking no more than 10mm in practice. And yeah i know why they do that for FF (less magnification) . What I do know with f1.4 is that you have to focus halfway between the eye and the tip of the nose to catch a portrait. Hate seeing the tip of the nose blurred. It is going to be fun.

[NZ_Ross]

What I do know with f1.4 is that you have to focus halfway between the eye and the tip of the nose to catch a portrait. Hate seeing the tip of the nose blurred. It is going to be fun.

Well, you are either going to end up with very good skills, or a lot of images you are not happy with.

Congratulations on the purchase

[GUB]

Well, you are either going to end up with very good skills, or a lot of images you are not happy with.

Congratulations on the purchase

Or you are manual focusing

[Transit]

Wellll -- someone had to get it !!!

you old dog !
I just got a pm from a chap who converted one to A lens if you wanna link ...
but no...you crazy purist won't need no stinkin auto
we should have a shootout with my SMC special K

---------- Post added 25th Apr 2018 at 11:31 PM ----------

we have the ANZAC muffins ...


DA21 on the K-01 1/30 4.5 800 crop from jpg faststone

[GUB]

you old dog !
I just got a pm from a chap who converted one to A lens if you wanna link ...
but no...you crazy purist won't need no stinkin auto
we should have a shootout with my SMC special K

---------- Post added 25th Apr 2018 at 11:31 PM ----------

we have the ANZAC muffins ...


DA21 on the K-01 1/30 4.5 800 crop from jpg faststone

I don't believe those A conversions - I haven't studied it that much but I gather the degree of movement of the lever is calibrated in an A series lens whereas a M series is designed to move until it comes up against the on lens aperture ring setting. Just kidding the camera that there is an electrical connection and therefore an A lens is not going to calibrate the M lever.

[Transit]

... Hate seeing the tip of the nose blurred.

train models to align nose and eye plane

---------- Post added 25th Apr 2018 at 11:58 PM ----------

I don't believe those A conversions - I haven't studied it that much but I gather the degree of movement of the lever is calibrated in an A series lens whereas a M series is designed to move until it comes up against the on lens aperture ring setting. Just kidding the camera that there is an electrical connection and therefore an A lens is not going to calibrate the M lever.

what you said

[NZ_Ross]

we have the ANZAC muffins ...

Keep talking guys, I am stuck at the ANZAC muffins