Yet Another Pentax Slam

ajtour · 04-16-2010, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by Daedbird

Good shots, and just goes to show that the photographer and the lens are just as important as the camera body.

I am glad to see that with the 85mm......Oh how I wish Pentax would release a spiritual successor to the A* 85mm 1.4......I would buy, potentially whatever price it may be...

Thank you! Yes, I was able to get some pretty sharp results with the Rokinon 85, but I admit it's like pulling teeth. The margin for error -- even at f/4 or so -- is so, so slim. I wear my "manual focus lens" badge with pride, but I wouldn't have minded a little AF help during a few parts of the concert

.

Here's another for good measure in case anyone is thinking about this body/lens combo:

I blew out the highlights a bit and would've liked to have the Fender in better focus, but I was really happy with the low noise overall and sharpness of his fedora! This was ISO 1600, 1/125 and around f/4 (EXIF isn't captured for aperture with this lens). Shake Reduction was turned off, as I find it's not that helpful with a non-stationery subject. (Learned that from someone here and can't for the life of me remember who it was that suggested turning it off.)

P.S. Just wanted to clarify from above that the person talking up Canon/Nikon and/or "it must be the light" wasn't the house photographer. It was another viewer posting underneath his gallery (and then mine) on a Facebook page. The house shooter was very helpful, willing to share space, etc., so I don't want to inadvertently knock him.

**Rondec** · 04-17-2010, 04:40 AM

I don't think it is a knock on Pentax. There is a general feeling among "average Joes" that the difference in good photographers and bad photographers is the equipment. I can't tell you how many times I have had people look at photos I have taken and say "Wow, you must have a really nice camera." They don't really know the difference between Nikon, Canon or Pentax. They only know they couldn't take photos like that and assume the difference is the camera.

Well, I do have a nice camera, but it isn't the camera and I definitely haven't learned everything yet. Still, when folks make comments like that, I try to take it as a complement, which it is (sort of).

Great photos, by the way. Looks like really tough conditions to shoot in.

stoge · 04-18-2010, 04:27 AM

I get the "You have really good equipment" statement alot from people that aren't into photography. The only real problem that I've had was at a photo club that I recently joined, where there were a couple of "Canikon Know it alls" Yapping their mouths on how their equipment is the Best. And All other brands "Suck". I spoke up an declared that I'll put my Photo's up against theirs Any Day Any Time!! A senior member of the club, who shoots Nikon, put them in their place, refering to the quality and ability of my pics!----I haven't been back!

Tuner571 · 04-18-2010, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by stoge

I get the "You have really good equipment" statement alot from people that aren't into photography. The only real problem that I've had was at a photo club that I recently joined, where there were a couple of "Canikon Know it alls" Yapping their mouths on how their equipment is the Best. And All other brands "Suck". I spoke up an declared that I'll put my Photo's up against theirs Any Day Any Time!! A senior member of the club, who shoots Nikon, put them in their place, refering to the quality and ability of my pics!----I haven't been back!

I get that alot to where I am. I recently went to the camera shop where I was ordering some prints made. While I was waiting I was looking at all the camera in the display case and I noticed that there were no Pentax cameras. As the clerk came over I asked why they did not carry Pentax.

The clerk then lectured me on how Canon and Nikon were the best and that there was nothing else. I tried to show him my K20D in my bag and he was having none of it. He kept interrupting me and finally I just put my camera away because I knew this guy would not listen to anyone but himself. So while he is talking away the other clerk hands him the 8x10 prints I ordered and he literally just stopped talking.

I asked him if he was surprised that the photos that he was holding were taken with a pentax camera. He then just checked me out and that was the end of that story. I just don't understand on how people can be such fanboys of camera equipment. I mean I could really care less what you are shooting with as long as the photos in the end look really nice. I mean I know that canon and nikon are the big boys in the camera industry and yes they do have some very nice cameras, but just because they are the biggest doesn't mean that you have to buy from them.

WalterGA · 04-20-2010, 06:08 AM

I had been unaware of what Pentax's current offerings were, as my first digital slr was a Pentax istDs2, which I purchased several years ago. I had just about made up my mind to go Canon, when I just "happened upon" the K20D. Specs looked really good to me, as did the then-$615 price.

Local newspaper photog uses Canon equipment. My pictures, at the same events that he photographs, are invariably better than his.

I'm really happy with my el-cheapo K20D!

opiedog · 04-20-2010, 02:17 PM

you'll know when folks are knowledgeable or not.
apparently, some folks have one eye on canon and other on nikon. pity

lurchlarson · 04-20-2010, 08:44 PM

There is a family of ours that went out and spent a bunch of money on a 7d thinking it'd get him good photos. I had told him before that if he went with Canon, a Ti would do him just fine but he bought the 7d anyway (he had been aiming for the 5d mk2) now he wants me to come over and teach him how to use the thing. He's never taken his 7d out of auto and had the thing for a few months.

If only Pentax's marketing was that effective...(albeit more honest). *sigh*.

FotoPete · 04-20-2010, 09:25 PM

Great shots, its tough for a pentaxian to get credit these days but hey, we wanna take the pictures, not let the camera have all the fun!

Bramela · 04-20-2010, 09:41 PM

I take it all in my stride now. I have come to expect the Pro Canon/Nikon comments.
And the rather put down remarks on Pentax.
However, I do believe there are those who realise the quality of Pentax but because of their Retail postion or similar, dont openly admit it.

I will speak up for Pentax at any given opportunity.

**rod_grant** · 04-20-2010, 11:38 PM

My high ISO shots are very noisy compared to my son's Canon. But then I am about 7 (?) generations behind the current Pentaxes and he paid perhaps twice as much for his camera. Mostly my DS does what I want amd for the few times I have been in low light situation with no flash allowed and a need to shoot have been very few indeed.
I can understand a bit of pride in photographic ability, but pride in a possession? Give me a break.

**rod_grant** · 04-20-2010, 11:40 PM

PS: My son quite likes my DS, in spite of his more expensive (and more highly sought after) gear.

MrM · 04-21-2010, 12:56 AM

This sounds a lot like my brother. He always annoys me about how my Pentax is not a Canon, or Nikon. Still, at the end of the day, he always loves the pictures that I take.

rodneyr · 04-21-2010, 04:39 AM

I have owned Pentax for as long as I can remember. My father had Pentax as well, I can't believe in this day and age that people still run the company down. The product is good, thepicture quality is good but nobody wants to acknowledge the other brands besides those other two.

Stay proud and prove that Pentax can hold their own.

Rodney

lurchlarson · 04-21-2010, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by rodneyr

I have owned Pentax for as long as I can remember. My father had Pentax as well, I can't believe in this day and age that people still run the company down. The product is good, thepicture quality is good but nobody wants to acknowledge the other brands besides those other two.

Stay proud and prove that Pentax can hold their own.

I think there is a lot of marketing inertia that needs to be overcome. People for a few decades have been thinking about Canikons and traditions tend to perpetuate themselves.

Pentax does make great cameras but they also needs some very famous, visable photographers to endorse their brand. Canikons still have the top end pro cameras that Pentax can't touch right now. Pentax also needs to compete in that market. If they don't they'll always be seen as a second tier camera despite their first rate performance.

unixrevolution · 04-21-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by ajtour

I rather enjoy being on the "thrifty" side of things, getting more value for the dollar from companies who spend less on traditional advertising. Helps me save so that I can visit cool locations around the world and put more money into my airline tickets and train fares!

Saving money always feels good!

Originally posted by ajtour

Cheers, all. Happy shooting . . . whatever brand is emblazoned on your equipment : ).

*Looks at his camera* It says Yashica. Hmm.

04-21-2010, 04:39 AM	#28
rodneyr Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Eltham Nth, Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 36	Stay proud I have owned Pentax for as long as I can remember. My father had Pentax as well, I can't believe in this day and age that people still run the company down. The product is good, thepicture quality is good but nobody wants to acknowledge the other brands besides those other two. Stay proud and prove that Pentax can hold their own. Rodney

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04-16-2010, 11:49 PM	#16
ajtour Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by Daedbird Good shots, and just goes to show that the photographer and the lens are just as important as the camera body. I am glad to see that with the 85mm......Oh how I wish Pentax would release a spiritual successor to the A* 85mm 1.4......I would buy, potentially whatever price it may be... Thank you! Yes, I was able to get some pretty sharp results with the Rokinon 85, but I admit it's like pulling teeth. The margin for error -- even at f/4 or so -- is so, so slim. I wear my "manual focus lens" badge with pride, but I wouldn't have minded a little AF help during a few parts of the concert . Here's another for good measure in case anyone is thinking about this body/lens combo: I blew out the highlights a bit and would've liked to have the Fender in better focus, but I was really happy with the low noise overall and sharpness of his fedora! This was ISO 1600, 1/125 and around f/4 (EXIF isn't captured for aperture with this lens). Shake Reduction was turned off, as I find it's not that helpful with a non-stationery subject. (Learned that from someone here and can't for the life of me remember who it was that suggested turning it off.) P.S. Just wanted to clarify from above that the person talking up Canon/Nikon and/or "it must be the light" wasn't the house photographer. It was another viewer posting underneath his gallery (and then mine) on a Facebook page. The house shooter was very helpful, willing to share space, etc., so I don't want to inadvertently knock him.

04-17-2010, 04:40 AM	#17
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	I don't think it is a knock on Pentax. There is a general feeling among "average Joes" that the difference in good photographers and bad photographers is the equipment. I can't tell you how many times I have had people look at photos I have taken and say "Wow, you must have a really nice camera." They don't really know the difference between Nikon, Canon or Pentax. They only know they couldn't take photos like that and assume the difference is the camera. Well, I do have a nice camera, but it isn't the camera and I definitely haven't learned everything yet. Still, when folks make comments like that, I try to take it as a complement, which it is (sort of). Great photos, by the way. Looks like really tough conditions to shoot in.

04-18-2010, 04:27 AM	#18
stoge Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: front royal,va Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 98	I get the "You have really good equipment" statement alot from people that aren't into photography. The only real problem that I've had was at a photo club that I recently joined, where there were a couple of "Canikon Know it alls" Yapping their mouths on how their equipment is the Best. And All other brands "Suck". I spoke up an declared that I'll put my Photo's up against theirs Any Day Any Time!! A senior member of the club, who shoots Nikon, put them in their place, refering to the quality and ability of my pics!----I haven't been back!

04-18-2010, 05:27 AM	#19
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	Originally posted by stoge I get the "You have really good equipment" statement alot from people that aren't into photography. The only real problem that I've had was at a photo club that I recently joined, where there were a couple of "Canikon Know it alls" Yapping their mouths on how their equipment is the Best. And All other brands "Suck". I spoke up an declared that I'll put my Photo's up against theirs Any Day Any Time!! A senior member of the club, who shoots Nikon, put them in their place, refering to the quality and ability of my pics!----I haven't been back! I get that alot to where I am. I recently went to the camera shop where I was ordering some prints made. While I was waiting I was looking at all the camera in the display case and I noticed that there were no Pentax cameras. As the clerk came over I asked why they did not carry Pentax. The clerk then lectured me on how Canon and Nikon were the best and that there was nothing else. I tried to show him my K20D in my bag and he was having none of it. He kept interrupting me and finally I just put my camera away because I knew this guy would not listen to anyone but himself. So while he is talking away the other clerk hands him the 8x10 prints I ordered and he literally just stopped talking. I asked him if he was surprised that the photos that he was holding were taken with a pentax camera. He then just checked me out and that was the end of that story. I just don't understand on how people can be such fanboys of camera equipment. I mean I could really care less what you are shooting with as long as the photos in the end look really nice. I mean I know that canon and nikon are the big boys in the camera industry and yes they do have some very nice cameras, but just because they are the biggest doesn't mean that you have to buy from them.

04-20-2010, 06:08 AM	#20
WalterGA Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 110	I had been unaware of what Pentax's current offerings were, as my first digital slr was a Pentax istDs2, which I purchased several years ago. I had just about made up my mind to go Canon, when I just "happened upon" the K20D. Specs looked really good to me, as did the then-$615 price. Local newspaper photog uses Canon equipment. My pictures, at the same events that he photographs, are invariably better than his. I'm really happy with my el-cheapo K20D!

04-20-2010, 02:17 PM	#21
opiedog Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NC Posts: 787	you'll know when folks are knowledgeable or not. apparently, some folks have one eye on canon and other on nikon. pity

04-20-2010, 08:44 PM	#22
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	There is a family of ours that went out and spent a bunch of money on a 7d thinking it'd get him good photos. I had told him before that if he went with Canon, a Ti would do him just fine but he bought the 7d anyway (he had been aiming for the 5d mk2) now he wants me to come over and teach him how to use the thing. He's never taken his 7d out of auto and had the thing for a few months. If only Pentax's marketing was that effective...(albeit more honest). sigh.

04-20-2010, 09:25 PM	#23
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Great shots, its tough for a pentaxian to get credit these days but hey, we wanna take the pictures, not let the camera have all the fun!

04-20-2010, 09:41 PM	#24
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	I take it all in my stride now. I have come to expect the Pro Canon/Nikon comments. And the rather put down remarks on Pentax. However, I do believe there are those who realise the quality of Pentax but because of their Retail postion or similar, dont openly admit it. I will speak up for Pentax at any given opportunity.

04-20-2010, 11:38 PM	#25
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	My high ISO shots are very noisy compared to my son's Canon. But then I am about 7 (?) generations behind the current Pentaxes and he paid perhaps twice as much for his camera. Mostly my DS does what I want amd for the few times I have been in low light situation with no flash allowed and a need to shoot have been very few indeed. I can understand a bit of pride in photographic ability, but pride in a possession? Give me a break.

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04-20-2010, 11:40 PM	#26
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	PS: My son quite likes my DS, in spite of his more expensive (and more highly sought after) gear.

04-21-2010, 12:56 AM	#27
MrM New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vista, Ca Posts: 16	This sounds a lot like my brother. He always annoys me about how my Pentax is not a Canon, or Nikon. Still, at the end of the day, he always loves the pictures that I take.

04-21-2010, 08:33 AM	#29
lurchlarson Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 681	Originally posted by rodneyr I have owned Pentax for as long as I can remember. My father had Pentax as well, I can't believe in this day and age that people still run the company down. The product is good, thepicture quality is good but nobody wants to acknowledge the other brands besides those other two. Stay proud and prove that Pentax can hold their own. I think there is a lot of marketing inertia that needs to be overcome. People for a few decades have been thinking about Canikons and traditions tend to perpetuate themselves. Pentax does make great cameras but they also needs some very famous, visable photographers to endorse their brand. Canikons still have the top end pro cameras that Pentax can't touch right now. Pentax also needs to compete in that market. If they don't they'll always be seen as a second tier camera despite their first rate performance.

04-21-2010, 11:16 AM	#30
unixrevolution Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Waldorf, MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,861	Originally posted by ajtour I rather enjoy being on the "thrifty" side of things, getting more value for the dollar from companies who spend less on traditional advertising. Helps me save so that I can visit cool locations around the world and put more money into my airline tickets and train fares! Saving money always feels good! Originally posted by ajtour Cheers, all. Happy shooting . . . whatever brand is emblazoned on your equipment : ). Looks at his camera It says Yashica. Hmm.