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Forum: Pentax Q
07-13-2011, 02:37 PM
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Oh and no offence caused. :) Love how friendly the forums are here.
I guess perhaps the only good thing about this is people are talking about Pentax again. And at least the name is not z51263456 or something stupid (I hate excessively numbered names!)
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Forum: Pentax Q
07-13-2011, 02:28 PM
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Yeah, I agree about the price point-I guess it would have been OK a few years ago when there were some high end compacts and there were no micro-four thirds.
Maybe it'll make a profit in asia and some of the features will trickle down to their not very inspiring compacts...
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Forum: Pentax Q
07-13-2011, 11:58 AM
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I've not posted on here for ages-work kind of invaded my life and cameras took a back seat.
However, I heard about the new Q and it lead me here again.
I personally think this camera will bomb. Not because its a bad camera, but because it is a mad commercial move at the moment. Its not the sensor that worries me or stops me buying it, its the insane price.
However, I do think the camera is exciting. I also wish people wouldn't deride it using gender/youth stereotypes. Its precisely because Pentax does these crazy things I've always liked them.
Reasons I like the camera:-
-it has proper dials and proper photographic features. I have a fuji camera that has a much raved about small sensor. Its not the sensor that bugs me. Its the lack of raw and the millions of menus and stupid buttons to get to simple things like exposure compensation. Plus I am not a fan of compact camera zooms.
-it has some very fun lenses. Yes toy lenses might seem like a joke, but I quite like the idea of a cheap fish-eye you can just throw in your bag and it will weigh nothing. Fish-eye lenses are too novelty to spend much on.
-it seems to be about having fun while travelling. I can see this being a lovely travel set-up if the user has plenty of control-no back ache and less attention grabbing.
-I can stick it on my brilliant minox tripod.
In short it looks like great fun. I love my DS but I've gotten lazy. I caved and got the fuji so I carried around a camera more. It has driven me mad and reminded me why I like cameras with lenses and dials.
But the price. Man the price. They need to seriously hack that price down and offer some attractive bundles. I could almost buy a K5 body for that price which looks like a classic in the digital era, whereas the Q may well depreciate like a sinking rock (some early micro-four thirds bodies are already very cheap on the used market).
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-24-2009, 04:29 PM
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Is the SEF36PZF samsung flash the same as the pentax fgz360?
Will it work with a Pentax DSLR and does it have a high speed sync mode?
They are on sale for £79 new-which compared with the £180 new of the Pentax, seems like a bargain...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-22-2009, 03:18 PM
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...but I love it!
Pros:-
small-until recently (OK I admit I'd kill to own an Olympus EP-1 as well-that has to be the coolest looking "serious hobby" camera since, well, since the pentax M series!). Most friends thought it was a compact.
great viewfinder-not that much worse than my old Super A
I think its got pretty good low light performance-6mp is enough for me most of the time anyway.
Pretty well designed ergonomically-I like the on-off switch and thumbwheel in particular. I don't like the look of what they have done on the KM (but then I've not used it...)
I use rechargeable CV3s which last ages, but like the fact I can stick AAs in it in an emergency (good for travel-everywhere in the world sells AAs).
It is going to be a cult "vintage" digital SLR. Trust me. There will come a time.
Cons:-
hate the grip. You are either a grip lover or hater and I'm a hater. The new Olympus SLRs which have pretty much ditched the grip have me wishing I could stick a limited lens on something like that. But then I've always adored the 70s M and K series (and OM).
loud shutter noise-reminds me of Canon AE-1 program (although that was a lot worse-like a cat being shot at). I enjoy shutter noise but not when it sounds like my DS.
some of the buttons and menus aren't very well thought through-a big dial for picture modes sucks-why not put ISO or white balance or something vaguely useful on there?
ISO and white balance are a bit buried in the menus, but its like second nature now.
obviously technology has moved on a bit-most notably I'd like my DS to have SR (= K100) and decent live view. Now I love the penta-prism but live view with a tilting viewfinder would be great for crowds, macros and tripod use (like a waist level finder!). Although I might be stupid and snap it off. The DS like my Super A get knocked a bit. I start off precious then I go on hikes and balance it on rocks with my new limited lens...
Until now I have felt no urge whatsoever to upgrade my DS. However, now there are two cameras that finally excite me in 2009 (Olympus EP-1 for travel and Pentax K7 for when weight is less of an issue-finally a super specced camera that isn't the size of a huge tank). I can't afford either so I'm sticking with the DS for now. Its still so much fun to carry round and use!
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-23-2008, 08:00 AM
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don't worry, changing lenses with film cameras is easier than with digital cameras; no need to worry about sensor cleaning or anything!
film loading can be the trickiest, although I've always found Pentax cameras (well the SLRs anyway) easy to load.
Have fun. I miss the sound of my super A shutter (my DS is soooo loud) and cranking the rewind lever!
I'm after an LX, I need a bit of old technology that bad!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-23-2008, 04:34 PM
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On the camera front
-relieved they are not stupid enough to go full frame when they have no lenses; there are three companies to choose from if you want full frame anyway!
-KM is sensible move but a little dull (kind of like upgraded DL). Still, nothing wrong with a good solid budget slr.
-people complain they didn't show a FF mock up, yet complain when they kept doing that for the 645D. Pentax can't win. I'm still in the 645D camp but wouldn't afford or buy either. I think the Leica news gives Pentax a chance to watch how they do. 645D may yet be resurrected.
On the lens front
-pleased with 15mm
-60-250mm still not on shelves yet
-teleconverter looks interesting but wish they'd get a move on
-50mm-nice but a budget fast 50 wouldn't go amiss either (guess ebay is for that)
-excited to see super telephoto on lens map but will never be able to afford it, if it ever comes to market. I hope its a 400mm f/4 or 300mm f/2.8.
flash
-ring flash was good move
in general
-some good pentax announcements. Only really overshadowed because I think the Panasonic G1 and micro 4/3rds was really not what I was expecting and the talk of the show. It might bomb, but I like that some companies are at least taking risks and doing something different. And I thought 4/3rds was a waste of time!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-23-2008, 04:23 PM
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I hate screw on hoods, apart from short ones like the DA21. What is the point in a pancake lens if
a) There is a big lens hood on it, so its no longer pancake
b) you have to faff with screwing on a lens hood.
Doesn't fit with the small, light little package philosophy of limiteds for me. I like the retrostyle lens hoods that pentax puts on them. Modern lens hoods really annoy me (well OK my tokina 300mm f2.8 needs a big screw on lens hood, but thats a bit different).
I do see the square filter thing. However, surely they assume landscape photographers will go for the 14mm?
Also, I can't be bothered with square filter holders. I just hold my (admittedly cheap Cokin) ND grad in front of the lens. I've seen some people say they stick it on with blue tac.
Lenses are always about compromise. I personally am drooling at this lens.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-23-2008, 03:58 PM
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OMG I thought you had photoshopped it but you are right its on DPreview!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hate to say it, but its the kind of crazy thing I might quite like (bit bling though I like the slightly hippyish pattern). I don't think it would wear very well though :-)
By Pentax standards though I still think its tame compared with the gold and snake LX (think a picture of it is on the K mount site). That must be the most bling camera ever made.
And yes, it is definately still prettier than a Sony. I don't get how sony, with all its other slick products, produces SLRs that look like they came straight out of the late 80s. I understand the appeal of Canon and Nikon but Sony DSLRs make me want to fall asleep. They took a great old camera brand and destroyed all of its remaining appeal. That said, sure if I used one for a day it wouldn't be that different...
FWIW I actually quite like the Panasonic G1s. Man, if you could stick Pentax limiteds on it, my DS would be for sale! The flip out screen, the sexy red. My kind of camera. If I had the money I'd get one anyway. And I thought 4/3rds was a dead concept.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-19-2008, 08:50 AM
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shame about the pentamirror.
I'm interested to see the new panasonic micro 4/3ds viewfinder. Its meant to be almost full coverage and quite bright, but its electronic so I don't know how that would work with manual focus. Plus I love my pentax lenses.
Personally, I don't care for full frame. If I wanted full frame I'd go with Canon, Nikon or Sony. I like the crop factor.
I thought 4/3rds was dead and had lost innovation, but these new announcements are quite exciting. It would be boring if every camera was full frame, 8 frames per second with the same "perfect" sensor.
Panasonic has even dared to make its new SLR in different colours. Shock horror. Again, I see this as a good sign. SLRs have kind of looked like similar black boxes for quite a while now. Time for some crazy experimentation like in the 70s.
Pentax needs to decide which direction it wants to go in. Personally I think they are better trying to compete with 4/3rds.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-19-2008, 07:48 AM
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K-m is fantastic news! Personally I think better news than some flagship model. Finally a DS successor. I hope it has a decent (penta-prism please! viewfinder though!) Pentax makes a great travel kit.
The 15mm limited looks stunning. Hope it isn't too expensive; I thought the 35mm was good value.
I think "smallest DSLR with SR" is pushing it a bit with the new micro 4/3rds annoucements. OK the panasonic one has lens IS, but it is one tiny camera and olympus will probably follow suit with a micro 4/3rds camera with body IS. I think eventually Pentax is going to have to do a K mount version of these kind of beasts, but it will be a while as they haven't really mastered live view yet.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-22-2008, 07:25 PM
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aperture does not have any correction for PF or CA
Neither have distortion correction either but there are plenty of third party programs that do that (lensfix and lenstweaker spring to mind).
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-22-2008, 07:23 PM
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I have a macbook and originally bought Lightroom as Aperture 1.5 was meant to be really really slow on a macbook. However, I've been using the trial of Aperture 2 and am very impressed and tempted to switch.
Reasons I prefer Aperture;
-integrates much better with the rest of OSX. If I'm doing a presentation I can access my aperture library without opening aperture and take raws from the library and they will be automatically created into JPEGs with default settings when I drag them into my presenation. This is meant to be a leopard feature but it seems to work in tiger as well (at least within mac programs like keynote, vectordesigner, iphoto etc.) As an academic who hates faff this is invaluable. I hate the export thing in Lightroom. It does my head in for some reason.
-organises photos better; smart folders rule!
-dodge and burn plug-in; I don't have photoshop so the ability to do adjustments on parts of photos is what I want. Its very easy and intuitive.
-sharpening is better than lightroom (not hard)
-default settings with *istDS RAW->JPEG settings quite good.
-lighttable and quick preview are fantastic
Things I prefer about lightroom
-when actually editing images lightroom is much quicker and more stable. Aperture is still a tad overspecced for my little macbook. Macbook pro has a much better graphics card so either should work.
-loads of very cool presets; you can instantly click on different styles to quickly edit your photo. Initially I thought this was a gimmick but its actually great fun and provides you with a good starting point. In aperture you have to create your own library of these by saving different edited photos and using lift and stamp. Faff.
-same as on a PC so more tutorials online available and can learn off other people more easily
-cheaper with education discount
-I really like the slideshow feature; I've not played around with aperture one yet, but the lightroom one was a joy to use; rate your photos, two clicks later you are showing your colleagues you best photos fullscreen from a trip (no more boring people to death with rubbish photos).
Anyone know if its possible to sell adobe software (legally) and transfer the license if I do switch? I don't want to pirate it, but I don't want to use both lightroom and aperture (too complicated), so if I switch I'd like to give it to a friend, but they need to register it on installation and I don't want them or me to get into trouble???
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Forum: Photographic Technique
07-12-2008, 11:25 PM
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I'm very excited to have a job in Nigeria for 6 months. I'll be at a field station so obviously there will be some wildlife photo possibilites.
I've looked into travel insurance for medical coverage (obviously very important as the health care there is not particularly good) but it doesn't provide enough coverage for my macbook and camera stuff.
Is there any specialist insurance I could get? I'll be moving back to the UK (am currently in Canada) just before then, so would probably have to purchase from a UK company.
I kind of suspect companies might be quite reluctant to insure expensive stuff in such a country and it might be kind of redudant anyway if getting a police report is nigh on impossible (not sure I'd want to deal with police there as I believe politically there is a lot of corruption, so I generally want to steer clear of official type people and keep my head down if I can help it).
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-10-2008, 11:53 AM
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also the auto 110 doesn't have exposure compensation, has auto program exposure only and you can only set film speed to 80 or 400. If you wanted 80 speed you'd probably have to tape a little switch thing in the back.
Some of the mobile phone cameras now have flashes and better lenses (sure carl zeiss have been doing some). I don't normally spend much on a phone but if you got a decent camera and it had an mp3 player as well I can start to see the point as I don't have digital compact or ipod anyway and to buy all three could be expensive.
I still think the 110 would be a fun camera project for those who like to develop their own film.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-09-2008, 07:34 PM
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It is interesting to see from the shots posted that they look a lot more contrasty (although with PP its always hard to judge) and sharper than my 100-300mm F (not hard, its a pretty cheap soft lens).
However, the bokeh on my F seems much nicer (less harsh more creamy, not that I'm a particular bokeh expert or anything). In fact, the bokeh on my 100-300mm F is almost as nice as my M* (but obviously in a completely different league of sharpness). For certain shots, in good light, it really can produce some nice results.
Maybe I got a good copy of what is normally regarded as a dog lens.
Whats the size of the 55-300mm like?
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-09-2008, 07:18 PM
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Phone up KEH for a quote on how much they would take it off your hands for (then add a mark-up for "market value"). Consider how much profit you would make and whether you could buy an older LX and new lens with the profit.
If profit is not much I would do the following.
1) Keep the camera
2) Drool over its beauty for a day. Read the instruction manuals and generally lust over its "newness" (I've only ever bought 1 camera item new; the 35mm macro, and I did just this).
3) Take it out and take lots of photos. Use it and abuse it. Do not treat it like a precious, the LX was made to be abused. It has seals and is built like a tank. My Super A got wet, scratched and I loved every minute of it; each trip it got new damage (I dropped it, used the wrong strap on it so scarred it horribly, you name it really; hiking, cameras and the student lifestyle were not kind to it) and that gave it character.
4) Document its progress from "shiny new" to "much loved".
5) Don't be so hard on it you break it completely though; parts are getting rare!
6) Treat it to some nice old lenses.
God I want an LX so bad and I can't even develop film easily at the moment and even sold my precious super A (I pretty much live out of 2 suitcases so keep having to sell less used stuff). I miss it so much; my DS just can't develop the same kind of crazy brass scratches (I have had the DS roll across some rocks with the 21mm limited though; a mere tiny scratch in the lens hood is the only damage).
I keep thinking about an LX and long night exposures and that amazing camera meter that DSLRs just can't match. With some lovely provia film. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-09-2008, 03:39 PM
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NB I think 35mm film will be available for quite a few years to come but become a specialist thing produced by a few specialist manufacturers for "retro hobbyists". It will be correspondingly more expensive with less choice. I think the days of mass market film are rapidly dying though.
110 film will undoubtedly die. Just as some strange medium formats did (and some people get round this by cutting 120 film to the correct size and spooling it themselves).
Websites like flickr do show there is a crowd of people who like to be different and use old technology for the fun of it.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-09-2008, 03:31 PM
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One of the coolest looking cameras ever!
I think if you want high quality pics this is not the camera to get. Having said that, given the ridiculous price some plastic lens "toy" cameras are being sold for these days, and the fact the 110 makes a cute collectors album I think the prices are very cheap.
To actually get photos from it for a decent number of years to come though you need to think outside the box a bit (you can tell I've really ummed and ahhhed about bothering with one). I think the only way it will be viable is to buy a fair number of casettes. Open them and reload them (google shows a few sites which explain this). Get a knackered old 35mm camera to DIY make a "film" splitter to cut normal film down to a 16mm strip. Then load in old casette (with window back taped over). All this would need to be done in a changing bag; difficult but I reckon doable with practice; just get some digustingly cheap rubbish film to practice on in daylight first.
Then you have to untape the casette (in changing bag) and somehow find a 110 reel to load it in, then probably develop yourself (even for colour I reckon this is going to be cheaper than the few specialist places that will eventually develop it, plus you keep the casettes). Again a bit of a faff.
Then you need to scan it. Best results would probably be with dedicated 35mm film holder, perhaps glueing the film strips to some acetate or something to fit them into the holder. Finally you could make some prints.
Not for the faint hearted but for a bit of a hobby project could be good fun. I reckon you'd turn heads using the thing; be great fun for parties etc.
As I am currently so nomadic I can't aquire developing chemicals or tanks, I can't really give it a try.
On the subject of small good quality cameras, my biggest regret was selling my espio mini (35mm). The photos I got from it were as good, if not better than my Contax TVS (although admittedly the contax has more features) at a tenth of the price and way more pocketable. The contax is just not small enough for a carry everywhere camera so I'm going to get rid of it. I really want to get another one (or two) espio minis but they are quite hard to find (and the build quality is pants).
I'm also considering a mobile phone camera as they are getting better and at least you always have it with you.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-18-2008, 12:51 PM
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I have the opposite problem; I like the felt lined lens cap but I went and left it in the middle of a rainforest doing fieldwork...doh!
I'm currently using a 49mm cheap jessops clip on cap. It works but is a little bit awkward. It actually stays on better than with my 50mm where it had the tendancy to pop off. I don't use filters on either of these lenses.
I've got to get round to getting one of the old asahi metal push on caps which are apparantly good.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-18-2008, 10:20 AM
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Hands down the best photos I've ever taken when travelling were when I went hiking to Norway for a month. I was wild camping and did not want much weight so I took only my old Super A and a 28mm lens. I think having the one lens forced me to be more creative and not to bother with photos that would not work well with the focal length. I enjoyed not feeling like I had to photograph "everything".
I'd either go for a superzoom or be more focused in what sort of photos you want to take. Look at what focal lengths you used the most on your trip from the EXIF data.
I don't really own any zooms but have to admit I'm tempted by the 18-250mm. I think maybe it could be a good learning tool.
For a lot of travel I think the 12-24mm and DA 70mm would probably be a nice combo but I can't afford either right now!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-15-2008, 08:42 AM
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wow, I wish Canada or the UK had pentax lens rental places; it'd be great for trying out a lens before buying or for special trips.
The obvious lens would be the 12-24mm (you probably want a zoom as it doesn't look like there is too much space to move around in for composition).
Maybe the fish-eye zoom would be good to lead to some slightly different shots?
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-13-2008, 12:24 PM
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why buy a new camera? Get a used DS. Unless you need more resolution or want to do action its a great little camera.
No SR, but then the olympus doesn't have that either.
Pentaprism viewfinder almost as good as the old Super A/ME supers. Great for manual focusing. Small, compact, takes AA batteries.
Perfect travel camera. A lot of friends don't even realise its and SLR until I start changing lenses!
I laugh at all the poor reviews when it came out now. Its a cult classic IMO.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-13-2008, 08:27 AM
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Saved me going mad and spraying the thing with WD40. Think it needs a combo of cleaning and regreasing to be perfect.
Still, I had it out yesterday in the local park and it did its job nicely.
I think something manfrotto modo like would be more useful for travel though...
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-13-2008, 12:05 AM
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shame gitzo don't do a cheaper aluminium version.
I have a big gitzo I got very cheap as "ugly" grade from KEH. It is quite literally solid as a rock (but certainly not backpackable!).
Incidentally, my tripod is a bit stiff and seems like it needs some oiling. What do people use as lubricant-I was thinking about using WD40; is this a bad idea?
Sorry I can't help on the backpackable tripod answer though; I'd be interested to see what your solution is, although I think even a small tripod would be too much for me to take hiking; sometimes the SLR is even too much!
I managed to break the head on a slik though...
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