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Showing results 1 to 10 of 10 Search: Liked Posts
Forum: Do-It-Yourself 05-26-2015, 08:44 PM  
Flash door DIY repair (AF-540FGZ) using Legos
Posted By mikeSF
Replies: 22
Views: 10,087
I have owned 3 of these v.1 AF-540FGZ flashes and figured eventually the flimsy battery door was bound to break. The design includes three tiny plastic nubs molded onto the flash housing side, that eventually wear down or snap off. One of my nubs has worn off, causing the door not to stay closed and i have been using rubber wirst bands, tape, even a bulky C-clamp to keep the door closed, but finally found a working solution that does not block the viewing screen nor any of the buttons.

I used 2-part epoxy to affix three lego pieces strategically on the door and surrounding the door. then simply close the door and lock a single large lego piece or individual crossbar pieces to lock it shut. It is working just fine now and i can even attach little Lego men if i want for some whimsy.

Check it out and good luck if you are having trouble getting replacement parts:

Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-16-2016, 09:58 AM  
New Huelight profiles for K-1 released
Posted By Na Horuk
Replies: 11
Views: 1,990
Yeah, the Adobe profile, at least for the Pentax cameras I tried, is just okay. Not really great. Embedded is slightly better. RawStudio and Huelight are better, especially with red and blue colours. But it does depend on what your subject is. Most important is to set up the profile before you start any other PP. First colour profile, then WB, NR, contrasts, finally saturation, vibrance. If you have a fully developed photo and switch colour profile, it will look odd at best.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 05-09-2016, 12:16 AM  
nUFRaw
Posted By accio
Replies: 6
Views: 2,293
Thank you for the answers.
Yes I'd like to support the K1, that's why I need help from forum users.
I'm working on a windows version and will be available soon.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-11-2016, 03:32 AM  
K-1 SR vs. Sigma OS
Posted By reeftool
Replies: 10
Views: 1,518
How effective the Pentax SR or Sigma's OS is going to be is going to vary with each user. On my 150-500/K5 combo, I generally use the camera SR up to 300mm and the lens OS for anything longer. I'm a bit shaky in the hands as I've aged and I rarely ever use my big zoom without at least a monopod. That's a great result with the cat at 1/15! I probably wouldn't attempt it on my K5. One thing to always keep in mind is that the photographers technique is most important in getting clean shots with a long lens.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-08-2016, 05:07 PM  
K-1 SR vs. Sigma OS
Posted By SBeck
Replies: 10
Views: 1,518
I bought the camera specifically because my hands are super shaky... so I needed both the heft of the larger body plus the IBIS. So far I'm thrilled, I couldn't get the results I've gotten so far with my Nikon...
I don't have anything longer than 200mm to try right now... hope someone can give you a good answer to your question.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 11-26-2014, 12:47 PM  
Too good to be true? Opinions and users of the Nest NT-6294C tripod?
Posted By panoguy
Replies: 28
Views: 10,889
Hey there, I have a Nest NT6294C, and have been using it as my "hiking and travel tripod" for about 4 months now. My other tripods are a Gitzo GT3541 (bigger, heavier, solid-er-er), a Berlebach Report 2032 (or is it 3022?) which is ash-wood, 6lbs(!), and kinda short (looks great, though), and I recently sold on my Feisol 3401, which did 10 years of great service with almost identical specs to the Nest. In fact, my Feisol cost $250 when new, with center column (costs a bit more these days).

I've also tested a few tripods (yes, that's me!), so I've not just handled, but abused MeFoto, Gitzo, 3 Legged Thing, Sirui, Manfrotto, Benro, Dolica, etc.

Here's the deal with the Nest tripods: they are made by Ningbo Weifeng, one of the biggest Chinese makers of "slap your brand name here" tripods (sold as Dolica, Horusbennu, Redged, and many others) as well as their own Weifeng (lowest end), Fancier (mid-tier), and the recently added Nest (supposed to be highest-end).

Nest tripods are, I've been told by the distributor, built on a different assembly line and designed by a different team than the other Weifeng (and other brand) products. Although, I understand Dolica USA was set to distribute Nest (as Dolica Nest), but then Weifeng wanted a higher-end cachet and changed distribution models. Anyhow, the point is that the Nest brand is new, but not unknown, and the price is low because Weifeng can afford slim margins on one brand.

Next, I've compared this Nest directly to a Dolica "Ultra Premium" and the difference is stark. They have the same MSRP, but the Dolica has rough edges, a kind of wobbly build, and not-so-durable looking parts. The Nest, however, is quite solidly built, no wiggles or wobbles, and really well thought-out engineering and finish. The leg locks, for example, only turn so far in either direction; so unlocking is a quick twist, and re-locking is the same short throw (while most others are quick to unlock, but can turn and turn depending on how far you "unlocked" them).

I posted this photo to another thread about the Acratech GP, so here is the Nest under a very nice head:



To answer a couple of questions:

1) The top platform is small because the legs fold up around it, but the column is rather long and the leg locks hit the platform, and everything is otherwise kinda thick. If it had a larger platform (suitable for a bigger head) then the folded package wouldn't be as compact, and it already is kinda bulky when folded up. Of course, if your head is wide, you're stuck there anyhow. Personally, I'd like to see the column about 2 inches shorter to avoid this packing problem (and perhaps have a larger platform), but then I frequently take it off completely anyhow.

2) Can it hold up 20kg? Yes, but I wouldn't do it all the time. There is no standard for maximum loads, but tripods tend to be less overstated than ball heads (mainly because a simple, metal ball head can hold up more than gigantic tripods anyhow, so how will you "test it?"). Look at the leg diameters for a hint as to how much they can hold up, with the Nest having 29mm top leg tubes, and only 4 sections. Still rather thick! The Nest feels more solid than the 3 Legged Thing I tested, as well as the Feisol 3441 (latest version), and the smaller Sirui. For the price, it is probably the only carbon-fiber tripod built like this, so otherwise go for an aluminum Manfrotto (190XPro) or aluminum Benro, which are heavier (and the aluminum Benros can ring like a bell with vibrations if you aren't careful).

3) Is it too good to be true? Almost. It's a great mid-sized travel style tripod, for an amazing price in the USA. Apparently Nest-Style UK charges $600+ for the same tripod, with a crappy ball head (Nest ball heads suck, sorry to say, but they are being redesigned... stick with Sirui for that). However, the tripod itself has only two leg angles, and doesn't fold into the most compact bundle, and there is no option for leg spikes or shoes, and although the warranty is 3 years, you'd be sending it back to China (or Texas, perhaps... I don't really know since I'm in Canada, so China for me!).

Bottom line: it is a very nice tripod from a company that otherwise makes fairly mediocre tripods for everyone else (I personally wouldn't buy a Fancier, Horusbennu, Dolica, or a few other rebrands). Yes, there's a risk that it will fall apart in a few years, but I had a Manfrotto do that while my Feisol (which some decry as "crap") never did anything but loose its feet a few times! So far, it has been very good for me, and I use it all the time and am not delicate with it. I really appreciate the no-column option and the monopod leg, along with the stability at a low traveling weight (if not size).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-08-2013, 12:10 AM  
Help me choose: A summary of my research for a tele lens ... all Sigma.
Posted By photoracer
Replies: 226
Views: 26,062
In my personal opinion from using telephotos for close to 40 years, that while I own and use 300/2.8s even now I prefer the versatility of the old Sigma 100-300/4 best many times. At 300mm the IQ is almost indetectable from that of the some of my Canon mount 300/2.8s and definitely on a par with the Canon EF 300/4 USM L. I would match it against a DA* 300/4 anytime and would doubt anyone could tell the difference. One advantage that I don't have with my Pentax system is the better TCs available for Canon lenses in my other system. Even the Pentax AFA 1.7X is no match in IQ for the Canon EF 1.4x II or III or the Kenko Pro 300 1.4x. I know I just sold my 1.7x here over the weekend after owning it for close to 2 decades. I used it mainly to AF my Tamron 300/2.8 and other AD-2 lenses including my last 360B model I also sold this weekend. However my Sigma 100-300/4 in Canon mount was owned by a nature photographer and I saw much of his work before he sold it to me so I knew I was getting a good one. Also sold my Sigma 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8 this weekend as I am trimming my Pentax system down to a max of 3 lenses plus my Vivitar S1 105-2.5 Macro. All F4 lenses as I'm getting too old to use F2.8 all the time. 12-24, 17-70, and 60-250 but right now I have the Sigma 24-60/2.8 EX DG slotted in the middle while I locate the ones I want. I have very good FA 28-70/4 and 24-90/3.5-4.5 Pentax lenses also. Generally zoom lenses with ranges over 3x are not particularly good at the long end. Too many compromises must be done, but making them slower (50-500) can help some however they still get weaker the higher you go. If I needed 500mm for Pentax I would spring for the Sigma 500/4.5 EX DG APO. That lens is way better than any of the zooms, but it costs accordingly. As an aside the optics in the current 500/4.5 EX DG are the same as the much older 500/4.5 APO and EX APO, they just don't have the DG coatings and can't be firmware upgraded by Sigma any longer like the DG version can.
Forum: Pentax Lens Articles 04-19-2016, 08:01 AM  
Sticky: DA lenses on Full Frame: Test Shots thread
Posted By falconeye
Replies: 523
Views: 445,813
I created this thread 8 years ago to provide a concise resource to look up facts about how lenses perform on full frame. The thread title says "Test Shots thread" for a reason. Discussion is unsolicited in this thread.

Please be so kind and do not ruin what proved to become a viable resource for many of us.

Thanks again for your understanding.
Forum: Pentax Lens Articles 07-07-2008, 02:50 PM  
Sticky: DA lenses on Full Frame: Test Shots thread
Posted By falconeye
Replies: 523
Views: 445,813
Hi everybody,

I would like to open up a thread dedicated to one topic:

DA lens on Full Frame: a sticky test shots thread.

This thread shall be dedicated to test shots of a DA lens mounted to a full frame body (e.g., a film camera body). By test shot, I mean shots dedicated to evaluate the performance. Shots of ordinary subjects aren't suitable to this task, normally, and should not be posted. So, these are the rules:
  • K mount lens dedicated to the APS-C form factor is used.

  • Image is taken full frame 36mm x 24mm.

  • Lens hood was removed.

  • And ideally, no filter is mounted.

  • The aperture used is specified (note that film cameras don't record EXIF...).

  • Sample image shows the entire field of view.

  • Sample image(s) show(s) corner, border and center performance at 10MP-100% (multiple crops, or single not-resized image).

  • The subject is such that resolution and vignetting at the borders can be compared to the center.

The idea behind this thread is obvious: To compile enough data to assess the spectrum of available lenses for a forthcoming full frame DSLR in K mount.

#################################################

Table of results as obtained in this thread (updated regularly):
SMC Pentax-DA primes...
SMC Pentax-DA zooms...
Sigma K mount DC...
  • Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC: -

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC: - (below 14mm, Gooshin)

  • ...

Tamron K mount Di-II...
  • ...

Overall rating scale:
+++: no significant difference between APS-C and FF corners
++: difference but usable at full aperture with a small loss in corner IQ only
+: usable staring at f/4~f/5.6, with no or a small loss in corner IQ only
o: usable at f/11 or with big loss in corner IQ only
-: not usable
Forum: Post Your Photos! 04-12-2016, 07:20 PM  
Nature The Ospreys have returned.
Posted By JimS_256
Replies: 7
Views: 977
Just a few shots from yesterday. Ospreys are back and are building nests.











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