Question on how to get photo as sharp as this with Pentax ?

shadowbecomeswhite · 03-20-2010, 07:18 PM

Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek

I don't know what camera he uses - I guess a Canon 5D MkII or so. But his photos have this ultra sharp and *very clean* sort of feel to them - the perfect blend of lighting, color and clarity.

I am at the point where I am starting to wonder if my K10D is not good enough or I need to learn more techniques. In general, I am beginning to question Pentax versus Nikon and Canon. No offense!

Does clarity vary impeccably if I compare 10megapixel cameras from Pentax to 10mgp in Nikon or Canaon? Or special lenses are doing the magic ? I am sure lighting & post processing plays an important role as well; but I wonder if any Pentax user on this forum knows and produces images like the ones above with Pentax gear.

What kind of gear from Pentax for the outdoor portraits will help me get this amount of sharpness ?

thanks in advance,
sbw

LeDave · 03-20-2010, 07:23 PM

The 5D and 1D series from Canon use full frame sensors, it's larger than APS-C sensors that are used in all DSLR's under 2,000 besides the Sony A850. Here's a image showing a APS-C sensor, the one used in Canon 7D & 50D, Nikon D300s & D90, Sony A700 & A500, and Pentax K10D & K-7 - next to a full frame sensor used by cameras such as the Canon 1DS IV, Sony A900, and Nikon D3x

Generally full frames will show much more detail assuming you're using full frame lenses. Photography by Conor Doherty he uses a K10D. You don't need a full frame to take good sharp photos, you just need a combination of good exposure and good lenses. You also might want to check out Benjamin Kanarek Photographer ftvstudio.com featured member who uses a K20D and shoots professionaly in France for fashion magazines such as Vogue.

aleonx3 · 03-20-2010, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by shadowbecomeswhite

Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek

I don't know what camera he uses - I guess a Canon 5D MkII or so. But his photos have this ultra sharp and *very clean* sort of feel to them - the perfect blend of lighting, color and clarity.

I am at the point where I am starting to wonder if my K10D is not good enough or I need to learn more techniques. In general, I am beginning to question Pentax versus Nikon and Canon. No offense!

Does clarity vary impeccably if I compare 10megapixel cameras from Pentax to 10mgp in Nikon or Canaon? Or special lenses are doing the magic ? I am sure lighting & post processing plays an important role as well; but I wonder if any Pentax user on this forum knows and produces images like the ones above with Pentax gear.

What kind of gear from Pentax for the outdoor portraits will help me get this amount of sharpness ?

thanks in advance,
sbw

Think about this: even if you use the best camera - you will never get those pictures - because the most essential part of that stunning photo is the person behind it, the photographer; unless you are skilled enough to become one. This is common mistake people make which is: "If I have a better camera, my photos will be better".

LeDave · 03-20-2010, 07:44 PM

Aleonx3 is right, if you don't know how to expose correctly, your pictures out of a DSLR will look no different than a point and shoot; and speaking of that, someone with a full frame may not shoot better pictures than someone with an APS-C. As to answering your question to which gear will help you shoot the photos you want, you'd need to pick up some books or do some online research on how to operate and understand the basic functions of the DSLR and lenses.

rustynail925 · 03-20-2010, 09:12 PM

Im pretty sure your K10D is capable of getting those results too. It mostly has to do with lighting, Post processing and the photographer..
What exactly dont you like with your pics?
Have you visited the Pentax Photo Gallery? Lots of stunning photos ive seen are on the premier collection IMO even better than what you provided
with the link Portfolio.

rawr · 03-20-2010, 11:29 PM

Originally posted by shadowbecomeswhite

Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek
...

I am less impressed than you. What a boring photographer. His subjects are so banal and cliched. And all his photos are post-processed to the Nth degree, and often horribly so (eg all the fake vignetting). Ewww.

Little to be impressed or inspired about here. Many photos are technically OK but that's all I'd give him credit for.

You could do everything he has done with an Olympus, Nikon, Canon, Sony or Pentax body, full-frame or APS-C. Or with film.

RioRico · 03-21-2010, 12:49 AM

There is also a little-known and little-used photographic tool, a mysterious device called a TRIPOD. Long fallen into neglect, failure to use the TRIPOD is blamed for many of today's photographic failures. Those who keep mystic wisdom alive in dark enclaves whisper that the TRIPOD will magically endow photographs with clarity, sharpness, precision, all the qualities that made Daguerreotypes so special and snapshots so shoddy. You too can make your photographs come alive and satisfy even the most demanding pixel-peepers. Or so it is claimed. Do you dare try?

adwb · 03-21-2010, 02:26 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

There is also a little-known and little-used photographic tool, a mysterious device called a TRIPOD. Long fallen into neglect, failure to use the TRIPOD is blamed for many of today's photographic failures. Those who keep mystic wisdom alive in dark enclaves whisper that the TRIPOD will magically endow photographs with clarity, sharpness, precision, all the qualities that made Daguerreotypes so special and snapshots so shoddy. You too can make your photographs come alive and satisfy even the most demanding pixel-peepers. Or so it is claimed. Do you dare try?

RioRico ,
fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana

**Ash** · 03-21-2010, 02:28 AM

It's all about lighting.
Have a look at the work done by our forum's own maestro devisor and I'm sure you'll be convinced that it's not your camera that is lacking but quality and creativity in the lighting department.

**Rondec** · 03-21-2010, 02:31 AM

There is a mixture of things need to get excellent photographs. Most of it will depend on you -- first of all seeing the image you want to create and then using the skills you have to capture the image. Finally, you need to spend time postprocessing to get the image into its final form.

All of these things take skill. A tripod is not necessarily the only way to get sharp photos, but you do need to have faster shutter speeds if you don't use one.

People want full frame cameras for a number of reasons, but the ability to shoot sharp photographs is not something that separates them from the crop sensor class.

Agnostic · 03-21-2010, 10:50 AM

How to get photo as sharp as this with Pentax ?

Maybe you could try to upgrade the most important part of your camera kit: the photographer. That is the key part of any photographic system but also the hardest to upgrade. (I have heard rumors that Pentax is secretly working on a prototype though...)

Just kidding!

**monochrome** · 03-21-2010, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by adwb

RioRico ,
fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana

And neglect not the humble Remote Control F!

sterretje · 03-21-2010, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by adwb

RioRico ,
fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana

You don't need to switch off SR when you use the 2 sec or 3 sec delay; the camera does that for you.

shadowbecomeswhite · 03-21-2010, 02:38 PM

Thanks everyone! Yes, I have used a tripod with SR off, used remote and shot RAW. Been using it for 2 years.

Yes, I agree that the photographer matters! But over time, one learns new techniques and improves - that's what I am trying to do. However, the gear matters too - otherwise I would not shift from a point-n-shoot to a DSLR. I just haven't played with a multitude of cameras, lenses & softwares to assert what it takes to get to that level. Was hoping someone in here has that much of an extensive experience.

It was heartening to learn that I should try more things than think about switching the camera... I think lighting and post-processing techniques is the answer here.

-sbw
K10D
Sigma 17-70/2.8
Sigma 70-200/2.8
Sigma 105mm/2.8
Pentax 50mm/1.4
Giottos Tripod + Manfrotto Pan Head
K1000 with 28mm lens

Nass · 03-21-2010, 02:58 PM

You're comparing yourself to a guy who a) uses fullframe equipment and studio gear and b) is a fulltime pro who started up his own company 10 years ago and does nothing but professional photography 365/365. He has accrued huge experience (remember for every great shot he's probably tried 50 ways to get it right and rejected 49 because of customer feedback, his own eye etc). You're underestimating his experience as a photographer. See, if he had your equipment, he'd still make incredibly good pictures

.

03-20-2010, 07:18 PM	#1
shadowbecomeswhite Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 13	Question on how to get photo as sharp as this with Pentax ? Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek I don't know what camera he uses - I guess a Canon 5D MkII or so. But his photos have this ultra sharp and very clean sort of feel to them - the perfect blend of lighting, color and clarity. I am at the point where I am starting to wonder if my K10D is not good enough or I need to learn more techniques. In general, I am beginning to question Pentax versus Nikon and Canon. No offense! Does clarity vary impeccably if I compare 10megapixel cameras from Pentax to 10mgp in Nikon or Canaon? Or special lenses are doing the magic ? I am sure lighting & post processing plays an important role as well; but I wonder if any Pentax user on this forum knows and produces images like the ones above with Pentax gear. What kind of gear from Pentax for the outdoor portraits will help me get this amount of sharpness ? thanks in advance, sbw

03-20-2010, 07:23 PM	#2
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	The 5D and 1D series from Canon use full frame sensors, it's larger than APS-C sensors that are used in all DSLR's under 2,000 besides the Sony A850. Here's a image showing a APS-C sensor, the one used in Canon 7D & 50D, Nikon D300s & D90, Sony A700 & A500, and Pentax K10D & K-7 - next to a full frame sensor used by cameras such as the Canon 1DS IV, Sony A900, and Nikon D3x Generally full frames will show much more detail assuming you're using full frame lenses. Photography by Conor Doherty he uses a K10D. You don't need a full frame to take good sharp photos, you just need a combination of good exposure and good lenses. You also might want to check out Benjamin Kanarek Photographer ftvstudio.com featured member who uses a K20D and shoots professionaly in France for fashion magazines such as Vogue. Last edited by LeDave; 03-20-2010 at 07:35 PM.

03-21-2010, 12:49 AM	#7
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	hidden knowledge There is also a little-known and little-used photographic tool, a mysterious device called a TRIPOD. Long fallen into neglect, failure to use the TRIPOD is blamed for many of today's photographic failures. Those who keep mystic wisdom alive in dark enclaves whisper that the TRIPOD will magically endow photographs with clarity, sharpness, precision, all the qualities that made Daguerreotypes so special and snapshots so shoddy. You too can make your photographs come alive and satisfy even the most demanding pixel-peepers. Or so it is claimed. Do you dare try?

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03-20-2010, 07:37 PM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by shadowbecomeswhite Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek I don't know what camera he uses - I guess a Canon 5D MkII or so. But his photos have this ultra sharp and very clean sort of feel to them - the perfect blend of lighting, color and clarity. I am at the point where I am starting to wonder if my K10D is not good enough or I need to learn more techniques. In general, I am beginning to question Pentax versus Nikon and Canon. No offense! Does clarity vary impeccably if I compare 10megapixel cameras from Pentax to 10mgp in Nikon or Canaon? Or special lenses are doing the magic ? I am sure lighting & post processing plays an important role as well; but I wonder if any Pentax user on this forum knows and produces images like the ones above with Pentax gear. What kind of gear from Pentax for the outdoor portraits will help me get this amount of sharpness ? thanks in advance, sbw Think about this: even if you use the best camera - you will never get those pictures - because the most essential part of that stunning photo is the person behind it, the photographer; unless you are skilled enough to become one. This is common mistake people make which is: "If I have a better camera, my photos will be better".

03-20-2010, 07:44 PM	#4
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	Aleonx3 is right, if you don't know how to expose correctly, your pictures out of a DSLR will look no different than a point and shoot; and speaking of that, someone with a full frame may not shoot better pictures than someone with an APS-C. As to answering your question to which gear will help you shoot the photos you want, you'd need to pick up some books or do some online research on how to operate and understand the basic functions of the DSLR and lenses.

03-20-2010, 09:12 PM	#5
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Im pretty sure your K10D is capable of getting those results too. It mostly has to do with lighting, Post processing and the photographer.. What exactly dont you like with your pics? Have you visited the Pentax Photo Gallery? Lots of stunning photos ive seen are on the premier collection IMO even better than what you provided with the link Portfolio.

03-20-2010, 11:29 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by shadowbecomeswhite Ok ... from time to time I look at various people's photos. This guy's portfolio blows me away .... Fullframe v/Atle Goutbeek ... I am less impressed than you. What a boring photographer. His subjects are so banal and cliched. And all his photos are post-processed to the Nth degree, and often horribly so (eg all the fake vignetting). Ewww. Little to be impressed or inspired about here. Many photos are technically OK but that's all I'd give him credit for. You could do everything he has done with an Olympus, Nikon, Canon, Sony or Pentax body, full-frame or APS-C. Or with film.

03-21-2010, 02:26 AM	#8
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	Originally posted by RioRico There is also a little-known and little-used photographic tool, a mysterious device called a TRIPOD. Long fallen into neglect, failure to use the TRIPOD is blamed for many of today's photographic failures. Those who keep mystic wisdom alive in dark enclaves whisper that the TRIPOD will magically endow photographs with clarity, sharpness, precision, all the qualities that made Daguerreotypes so special and snapshots so shoddy. You too can make your photographs come alive and satisfy even the most demanding pixel-peepers. Or so it is claimed. Do you dare try? RioRico , fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana

03-21-2010, 02:28 AM	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	It's all about lighting. Have a look at the work done by our forum's own maestro devisor and I'm sure you'll be convinced that it's not your camera that is lacking but quality and creativity in the lighting department.

03-21-2010, 02:31 AM	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	There is a mixture of things need to get excellent photographs. Most of it will depend on you -- first of all seeing the image you want to create and then using the skills you have to capture the image. Finally, you need to spend time postprocessing to get the image into its final form. All of these things take skill. A tripod is not necessarily the only way to get sharp photos, but you do need to have faster shutter speeds if you don't use one. People want full frame cameras for a number of reasons, but the ability to shoot sharp photographs is not something that separates them from the crop sensor class.

03-21-2010, 10:50 AM	#11
Agnostic Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 414	How to get photo as sharp as this with Pentax ? Maybe you could try to upgrade the most important part of your camera kit: the photographer. That is the key part of any photographic system but also the hardest to upgrade. (I have heard rumors that Pentax is secretly working on a prototype though...) Just kidding!

03-21-2010, 11:13 AM	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by adwb RioRico , fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana And neglect not the humble Remote Control F!

03-21-2010, 12:22 PM	#13
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by adwb RioRico , fail not OH Great One, to mention the switching off of SR when using the mystical tripod and the use of the built in time delay in the K10, then surely the OP will findeth he is on the road to photographic Nirvana You don't need to switch off SR when you use the 2 sec or 3 sec delay; the camera does that for you.

03-21-2010, 02:38 PM	#14
shadowbecomeswhite Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thanks everyone! Yes, I have used a tripod with SR off, used remote and shot RAW. Been using it for 2 years. Yes, I agree that the photographer matters! But over time, one learns new techniques and improves - that's what I am trying to do. However, the gear matters too - otherwise I would not shift from a point-n-shoot to a DSLR. I just haven't played with a multitude of cameras, lenses & softwares to assert what it takes to get to that level. Was hoping someone in here has that much of an extensive experience. It was heartening to learn that I should try more things than think about switching the camera... I think lighting and post-processing techniques is the answer here. -sbw K10D Sigma 17-70/2.8 Sigma 70-200/2.8 Sigma 105mm/2.8 Pentax 50mm/1.4 Giottos Tripod + Manfrotto Pan Head K1000 with 28mm lens

03-21-2010, 02:58 PM	#15
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	You're comparing yourself to a guy who a) uses fullframe equipment and studio gear and b) is a fulltime pro who started up his own company 10 years ago and does nothing but professional photography 365/365. He has accrued huge experience (remember for every great shot he's probably tried 50 ways to get it right and rejected 49 because of customer feedback, his own eye etc). You're underestimating his experience as a photographer. See, if he had your equipment, he'd still make incredibly good pictures .