Africa with the Pentax 645Z

**Chuckie** · 07-24-2014, 01:46 AM

Thanks so much for sharing your pictures! We went to Chobe two years ago and it was an incredible experience. Your night sky pictures are really special!

MarkJerling · 07-24-2014, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by jonojono

Added 6 more posts. Hope you all appreciate all the photos.

Fantastic photos. Beautiful, great work!

marcusyoung · 07-24-2014, 03:39 AM

Yes, very nicely captured. Would have been better if there is a 500 mm lens for 645Z AF. That would have brought the subject closer.

Thanks for sharing.

marcus

MarkJerling · 07-24-2014, 04:15 AM

Originally posted by marcusyoung

That would have brought the subject closer.

Don't use the method a friend's son used to get better lion photos: He got out of the car at a game park in South Africa (with lots of signs warning people to stay in their cars) got a good photo, went closer... got a really good photo, went closer still.... got a brilliant photo, went closer again.... And they ate him. True story.

jonojono · 07-24-2014, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by Chuckie

Thanks so much for sharing your pictures! We went to Chobe two years ago and it was an incredible experience. Your night sky pictures are really special!

Dear Chuckie, thanks for the complements. Yes, it is a special place indeed.

---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:18 PM ----------

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Fantastic photos. Beautiful, great work!

Thank you Mark. Appreciate the complements.

---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:21 PM ----------

Originally posted by marcusyoung

Yes, very nicely captured. Would have been better if there is a 500 mm lens for 645Z AF. That would have brought the subject closer.

Thanks for sharing.

marcus

The reason why I went against the a 400 or 500 is that optically they are not as sharp wide open. Also if you are stuck with a 400, 500mm. That means I would have lost at least 40-50% of my coverage and composition would have been ruined. I find the 300mm just perfect for such a situation and I think it is the the focal length you should have with safaris to national parks. It's hard to say. Thats wide I prefer 300mm at least you get enough range. However, a 400-600mm would work for up close birds flying or animals at a distance.

---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:23 PM ----------

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Don't use the method a friend's son used to get better lion photos: He got out of the car at a game park in South Africa (with lots of signs warning people to stay in their cars) got a good photo, went closer... got a really good photo, went closer still.... got a brilliant photo, went closer again.... And they ate him. True story.

Yikes. Sorry to hear. But I thought there were strict rules where one can't get out of the drive unless supervised?

MarkJerling · 07-24-2014, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by jonojono

Yikes. Sorry to hear. But I thought there were strict rules where one can't get out of the drive unless supervised?

Rules? It's Africa! Everyone bends or breaks the rules.

It was pretty shocking, the guy's girlfriend saw the whole thing. (So not so funny for her, of course) The rest of us thought "Darwin Awards".

jonojono · 07-24-2014, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Rules? It's Africa! Everyone bends or breaks the rules.

It was pretty shocking, the guy's girlfriend saw the whole thing. (So not so funny for her, of course) The rest of us thought "Darwin Awards".

Haha, well I know now they are really careful. You can't just have a toliet break in the middle of a game park or national park. Some people do act stupidly in self drives. I've heard of the guy peaking out of the window and lions mauling his face.

maxloxton · 07-25-2014, 03:03 PM

Excellent shots JonoJono.

I especially loved your wide angle shots of the desert. Its one of my wish list to visit and hopefully very soon.

Just one question, are you using any polarizer on your 25mm F4? Which one is that.

jonojono · 07-26-2014, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by maxloxton

Excellent shots JonoJono.

I especially loved your wide angle shots of the desert. Its one of my wish list to visit and hopefully very soon.

Just one question, are you using any polarizer on your 25mm F4? Which one is that.

thanks for the kind complements. i use the default polarizer given.

RobertH · 07-29-2014, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by jonojono

Great images, Ive only had mine for a weekend. Surprised at the High ISO's you used in many of the photos, and yet, it seems the Z is so much better at that than my Mark2. Thank you for sharing

jonojono · 07-30-2014, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by RobertH

Great images, Ive only had mine for a weekend. Surprised at the High ISO's you used in many of the photos, and yet, it seems the Z is so much better at that than my Mark2. Thank you for sharing

Hi Robert, thanks for the complements.

Reason I used an ISO for 400 is because often 100-200 would be too slow to catch movement of animals or shake of the transport does affect me holding the telephoto. Given the clean ISO ability of the 645Z, 800 would have very well possible. But I decided 400 was better to prevent over exposure and I could get the high shutter speed I wanted at F8 through to F13 easily (1/250 and above). Given the great DR, highlight control would have been well controlled or easily corrected with LR.

As for 6400, 12800 which I used for the milky way or after sunset I am very impressed. There is good control and sharpness at F4-F8 at low light. I would dare say the Z is better than most camera out there in the latest generation at the moment due to sensor size (which in turn better handles noise). I was surprised at the results versus the new generation of Nikons, etc.

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07-24-2014, 01:46 AM	#16
Chuckie Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Douglas Photos: Albums Posts: 168	Thanks so much for sharing your pictures! We went to Chobe two years ago and it was an incredible experience. Your night sky pictures are really special!

07-24-2014, 02:28 AM	#17
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Originally posted by jonojono Added 6 more posts. Hope you all appreciate all the photos. Fantastic photos. Beautiful, great work!

07-24-2014, 03:39 AM	#18
marcusyoung Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: singapore Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,123	Yes, very nicely captured. Would have been better if there is a 500 mm lens for 645Z AF. That would have brought the subject closer. Thanks for sharing. marcus

07-24-2014, 04:15 AM	#19
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Originally posted by marcusyoung That would have brought the subject closer. Don't use the method a friend's son used to get better lion photos: He got out of the car at a game park in South Africa (with lots of signs warning people to stay in their cars) got a good photo, went closer... got a really good photo, went closer still.... got a brilliant photo, went closer again.... And they ate him. True story.

07-24-2014, 07:18 AM	#20
jonojono Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 81 Original Poster	Originally posted by Chuckie Thanks so much for sharing your pictures! We went to Chobe two years ago and it was an incredible experience. Your night sky pictures are really special! Dear Chuckie, thanks for the complements. Yes, it is a special place indeed. ---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:18 PM ---------- Originally posted by MarkJerling Fantastic photos. Beautiful, great work! Thank you Mark. Appreciate the complements. ---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:21 PM ---------- Originally posted by marcusyoung Yes, very nicely captured. Would have been better if there is a 500 mm lens for 645Z AF. That would have brought the subject closer. Thanks for sharing. marcus The reason why I went against the a 400 or 500 is that optically they are not as sharp wide open. Also if you are stuck with a 400, 500mm. That means I would have lost at least 40-50% of my coverage and composition would have been ruined. I find the 300mm just perfect for such a situation and I think it is the the focal length you should have with safaris to national parks. It's hard to say. Thats wide I prefer 300mm at least you get enough range. However, a 400-600mm would work for up close birds flying or animals at a distance. ---------- Post added 07-24-14 at 10:23 PM ---------- Originally posted by MarkJerling Don't use the method a friend's son used to get better lion photos: He got out of the car at a game park in South Africa (with lots of signs warning people to stay in their cars) got a good photo, went closer... got a really good photo, went closer still.... got a brilliant photo, went closer again.... And they ate him. True story. Yikes. Sorry to hear. But I thought there were strict rules where one can't get out of the drive unless supervised?

07-24-2014, 01:32 PM	#21
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Originally posted by jonojono Yikes. Sorry to hear. But I thought there were strict rules where one can't get out of the drive unless supervised? Rules? It's Africa! Everyone bends or breaks the rules. It was pretty shocking, the guy's girlfriend saw the whole thing. (So not so funny for her, of course) The rest of us thought "Darwin Awards".

07-24-2014, 10:21 PM	#22
jonojono Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 81 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling Rules? It's Africa! Everyone bends or breaks the rules. It was pretty shocking, the guy's girlfriend saw the whole thing. (So not so funny for her, of course) The rest of us thought "Darwin Awards". Haha, well I know now they are really careful. You can't just have a toliet break in the middle of a game park or national park. Some people do act stupidly in self drives. I've heard of the guy peaking out of the window and lions mauling his face.

07-25-2014, 03:03 PM	#23
maxloxton Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 64	Excellent shots JonoJono. I especially loved your wide angle shots of the desert. Its one of my wish list to visit and hopefully very soon. Just one question, are you using any polarizer on your 25mm F4? Which one is that.

07-26-2014, 09:50 PM	#24
jonojono Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 81 Original Poster	Originally posted by maxloxton Excellent shots JonoJono. I especially loved your wide angle shots of the desert. Its one of my wish list to visit and hopefully very soon. Just one question, are you using any polarizer on your 25mm F4? Which one is that. thanks for the kind complements. i use the default polarizer given.

07-29-2014, 03:45 AM	#25
RobertH Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Hawaii Photos: Gallery Posts: 45	Originally posted by jonojono Dear all. As promised. Here are high res photos from the 645Z. All 60% IQ (which is 15-20mb big). I will be rolling updates and sharing more links along the way when internet is better. High Resolution Photos From Day 1 in Africa High Res Photos From Windhoek to Namib Dessert Lodge High Res Photos From Namib Dessert Lodge High Res Photos From Sossusvlei High Res Photos From Solitaire High Res Photos From The Road To Erindi High Res Photos From Erindi In The Day High Resolution Photos From Waterburg High Resolution Photos From Hakusembe High Resolution Photos From The Road To Mahangu High Resolution Photos From Mahangu High Resolution Photos From Mazambala High Resolution Photos From Zovu Elephant Lodge, Chobe - Part 1 High Resolution Photos From Zovu Elephant Lodge, Chobe - Part 2 High Resolution Photos From Zovu Elephant Lodge, Chobe - Part 3 High Resolution Photos From Victoria Falls Great images, Ive only had mine for a weekend. Surprised at the High ISO's you used in many of the photos, and yet, it seems the Z is so much better at that than my Mark2. Thank you for sharing

07-30-2014, 05:46 PM	#26
jonojono Forum Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 81 Original Poster	Originally posted by RobertH Great images, Ive only had mine for a weekend. Surprised at the High ISO's you used in many of the photos, and yet, it seems the Z is so much better at that than my Mark2. Thank you for sharing Hi Robert, thanks for the complements. Reason I used an ISO for 400 is because often 100-200 would be too slow to catch movement of animals or shake of the transport does affect me holding the telephoto. Given the clean ISO ability of the 645Z, 800 would have very well possible. But I decided 400 was better to prevent over exposure and I could get the high shutter speed I wanted at F8 through to F13 easily (1/250 and above). Given the great DR, highlight control would have been well controlled or easily corrected with LR. As for 6400, 12800 which I used for the milky way or after sunset I am very impressed. There is good control and sharpness at F4-F8 at low light. I would dare say the Z is better than most camera out there in the latest generation at the moment due to sensor size (which in turn better handles noise). I was surprised at the results versus the new generation of Nikons, etc.