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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
11-26-2016, 04:05 PM
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I bagged one of the 55-300 PLMs for £250 off Amazon. The order was fulfilled by Amazon with no problems whatsoever. A bit of a bargain, I reckon.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
11-09-2016, 02:13 PM
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As a K70 user I reckon it's a fair review. Yes, there is an element of 'parts bin' design but when you're pulling features from the K1 and K3-II and packaging them at a lower-mid price point that's not a problem, IMO. I will totally agree that hardcore video enthusiasts should be looking elswhere. I'm surprised that it is so much heavier than the competition - it doesn' feel it to me. Maybe a fairer comparison would be the full-up weight of a weatherproof body and lens(es) from CaNikon.
Future suggestion for Ricoh - using the accelerometer feedback to stabilise the LiveView in still mode. One step closer to the stabilised lens only cheaper, lighter and retaining the ovewhelming adavantages of IBIS.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-08-2016, 02:22 PM
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I use an Optech sling with a Sigma 150-500. I have fitted two snap connectors (one each male and female) to the lens for extra security. I have also had a local seamstress make a custom webbing strap to replace the (too short) original. The L shaped lens foot now falls to hand when walking. As you mentioned, reducing the swinging and bumping is a key comfort factor on long walks.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-04-2016, 01:44 PM
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I'm consistently getting much sharper pictures with my K70 than I did with my K30 (which was no slouch). Until DXo publish the results of the their tests there is no hard evidence for the OCD brigade but K30 to K70 is worth the investment for me. I don't think I would upgrade from KS2 in such a short period of time unless the new camera offered something I really needed/wanted
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-31-2016, 03:03 PM
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I'd second this. After extensive testing with my K30 I decided there wasn't much to choose between the In-body or In-lens stabilisation. On my K70 the In-body wins hands down and it's going to be the same for other newer bodies. I'd also recommend hi-speed shooting as any stabilisation system seems to be a bit 'statistical' - the micro-movements in the IBIS system are inconsistent and pictures taken a fractions of a second apart vary widely in sharpness.
I probably will upgrade to the 150-450 as the IQ is definetly there as well as the weatherproofing. Every time I reach for the credit card though I see reports of unreliability and cumbersome handling............. just can't get past that at the moment.
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Forum: General Photography
10-29-2016, 12:40 PM
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I'd also vote for K70 plus 55-300. The extra resolution and lack of AA filter gives more 'cropability' than the earlier bodies and your friend will appreciate the low weight and weatherproofing. Try to borrow a compact or (I can barely bring myself to say it...) phone for landscapes.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
10-27-2016, 08:03 AM
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I've just tried a dozen pics on my desk with similar settings. Can't recreate your problem.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
10-17-2016, 01:17 PM
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Using DXO labs OpticsPro software with it's Prime DeNoising made a huge difference in mitigating high ISO graininess with my old K30. I would recommend downloading the 30 day evaluation to see if it helps. Much cheaper than a new camera or lens.
My K-70 handles high ISO noise better than the k30 but it's not miraculous. In particular, the graininess is there but the colours remain true. However, the lack of AA filter and increased resolution mean it's much more 'cropable' if you are looking for web images or small prints. If so, you could get away with a shorter, faster prime such as a 70/2.4 or 100/2.8.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
10-10-2016, 12:12 PM
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Fellow K-70 toting hiker here. I've got two batteries but have not yet had to swap during a one day outing. To be honest, I do more walking than photography and pictures are usually taken outdoors in good light so my shooting style is fairly easy on the camera.
Last night I took a cloudlapse sequence of 1500 frames with the charge indicator showing about 2/3rds at the start. I didn't think it would finish before the battery expired but it did. On that basis, I would say that the 410 estimate is very conservative for an outdoor, daytime shooter.
My lightweight walking setup is the K-70 with 55-300 lens for wildlife plus a compact camera (Canon G7X) for landscapes and closeups.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
10-08-2016, 09:16 AM
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I've been missing the DXO software since I changed to K70 - it really extended the capabilities of my old K30. The combination of the K70's high ISO performance and Prime noise reduction could be very good indeed.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-27-2016, 01:39 PM
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My lightweight walking choice is a compact camera (Canon G7X for me) on a belt strap plus a Pentax DSLR with 55-300 on a sling. It really depends how you are traveling - if driving then I'd take them all and pick one or two for each day trip.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-15-2016, 08:19 AM
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K-70 SR is definitely an improvement over my K-30. Hard to say how much but I now get better results using SR with a Sigma150-500 than the lens OS. With the K-30 I couldn't really tell any difference.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-15-2016, 08:13 AM
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It's worth noting that software diffraction mitigation is built into the K-70 and available as a firmware upgrade to the K3. I tend to leave it on so can't comment on its effectiveness.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-13-2016, 07:27 AM
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Yep. I use two 1Tb drives mirrored using Windows 'Storage Space'. It has already saved my photo and music collections from one disc failure. It's probably the most effective way of protecting your data.
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Forum: General Photography
09-06-2016, 11:57 AM
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This.
Market segmentation is blurred these days. 'Consumer' camera means nothing - photographers don't consume, they produce. Maybe smartphone camera apps could arguably be described as consumers of cloud services but even that's a bit of a stretch.
At the other end, 'Pro' photographers will jump through any hoops because they are getting paid to do so. They would welcome any shortcuts that would make them more productive but don't have the luxury of waiting for the next big thing, If they aren't taking great pictures they aren't getting paid.
Somewhere in the middle is the 'enthusiast', such as myself. I love SLR's simply because they are the cameras I grew up with. The OVF is a joy to me compared to any touch screen or EVF. But seriously, one button transfer to PC and simplified charging would be fantastic - probably more weatherproof too!
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Forum: General Photography
09-06-2016, 02:17 AM
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A low cost approach would be to open up the Wifi API's for existing cameras to app developers. I have Pentax, Canon and Panasonic apps on my phone and all three suck. The video is correct - camera manufacturers haven't got a clue about modern usability best practice.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-04-2016, 01:59 PM
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24Mp with no AA filter is absolutely fine! However, that's the sensor spec of the (potentially) outgoing K3-II and the entry-level K-70. A new flagship APS-C would have to improve on that to command any price differential. The next logical step is, what, 30-32 Mp? I really can't see anything coming in the next 3 weeks that blows the K3-II or K-70 away. I would like to be proved wrong!
Alternatively, Ricoh could give us a K3-III with the same sensor but articulated screen and other minor (but very useful) upgrades.
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Forum: General Photography
09-04-2016, 06:23 AM
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Zenit-E bought with paper round money. Upgraded to Pentax MV in the 80's and never looked back!
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Forum: General Photography
09-03-2016, 10:33 AM
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IMHO it is hugely useful for macro and astro due to the awkward positions and critical focusing. Focus peaking on an articulated screen is so much easier than OVF.
Otherwise I generally use the optical viewfinder. I simply prefer it.
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Forum: General Photography
09-03-2016, 06:44 AM
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I have cracked a filter after dropping a lens in the past - not sure what would have happened if it hadn't been there, though.
My biggest worry is getting sea spray on the surface of my lenses. It's difficult to remove and fairly corrosive so I have fitted Marumi super protect filters to all lenses that will take them. If I'm concerned about flare I can remove them in seconds but most of the time I don't bother. I've not experienced any problem cleaning them.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
09-02-2016, 12:40 AM
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The composite modes on the K-70 are great. To a large degree they can replace both intervalometrs and extreme ND filters.
I do hope someone publishes a pinout for the remote soon though as I miss messing about with DIY triggers
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-01-2016, 11:47 PM
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I must confess, I hadn't seen the Ricoh advertising promoting the Pentax range for outdoor use. Small, light lenses and cameras suit me perfectly - long may Pentax continue this aproach. I'l leave the quest for perfection to those with deeper pockets and stronger backs!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-31-2016, 02:11 PM
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I'm pretty sure that if Pentax added OS to their lenses people would complaain about paying twice for the same function. What might make sense is adding an accelerometer to the longer lenses that overrides the one in the body. The larger displacements experienced at the front of the lens might result in more accurate IS for a minimal cost.
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Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
08-31-2016, 09:41 AM
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Good idea saving the working settings as U3!
I find the auto focus via wifi extremely useful as it effectively gives touch screen focus selection. Really handy for wildllife traps. I can see myself using wifi much more than I thought I would.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-30-2016, 01:52 PM
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It's a small moth (20mm or so). Side on it looked like a piece of bare branch. Up close it's as hairy as hell!
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