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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-12-2024, 01:51 AM
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I use the PentaxO-RC1 waterproof IR fob. I have used this for years and has been trouble free - rated for at least 5000 operations.
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Forum: Winners' Showcase
04-08-2024, 12:23 AM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-05-2024, 01:56 AM
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I have my K-3iii for almost 3 years now and I normally either carry the camera in a padded small shoulder bag (to fit the camera with lens fitted), or a larger shoulder bag that can accommodate a couple more lenses. I only remove the camera if I intend to take a shot. On this basis, the camera finish has remained in mint condition.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-01-2024, 10:34 AM
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Many thanks for the clarification
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-01-2024, 09:34 AM
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Can anyone advise the precise function of the 'unset' smart function, shown at the top of the list in section 3, page 106 of the K-3iii manual. Is this meant to be equivalent to the 'green' button?
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Forum: Photographic Technique
03-31-2024, 03:49 AM
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Do you find the bean bag interferes with easy operation of the lens zoom or focus ring (depending which sits on the bag).
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Forum: Winners' Showcase
03-06-2024, 07:23 AM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
03-06-2024, 07:09 AM
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This excellent flower was in a local National Trust gardens. The hoverfly completes the composition.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-02-2024, 02:26 AM
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What camera are you using? The K-3iii has a crop factor selection of 1.3 and 1.7. These maintain full size RAW files, but proportionately reduce JPEG and TIFF processed files. I find the image quality still very good with these crops using the 150-450mm lens.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-01-2024, 05:04 AM
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I also have the D-FA 150-450mm and K-3iii combination, which I often use with a ball head, along with a good value and robust Calumet CK7108 monopod. One technique to make the ball head more stable is to set the ball head to one shoulder (not into the deep grooves) and rotate the monopod as required.
Before investing in a teleconverter, try the 1.3 and 1.7 crop settings on the camera, which give excellent results by retaining the full file size in RAW. The file size is reduced, when processed into JPEG or TIFF. The zoom ring on my lens is fine - let's hope yours frees up with some use. I trust this is helpful.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
02-26-2024, 02:49 AM
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tbelf, out of interest, is the GR111 meant to be splash and dust proof? As the lens is not removeable, then the only course of action I can see is going to a reputable repairer or be content with spot removal with post processing software.
If you live in the UK, a recomended Pentax repairer is John Pye Auctions
39 – 40 Marchington Industrial Estate
Stubby Lane
Uttoxeter
Staffordshire
ST14 8LP
I sent a Pentax 16-85mm lens to them for repair a couple of years ago. They couldn't fix the fault but replaced with a new lens for the price of a repair (about half the price of a new lens).
I hope this is helpful.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
02-25-2024, 02:49 AM
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On the assumption the GR111 lens is removeable to reveal your APSC sensor, I recommend using a UES APSC-30 cleaning swab (bought in a pack) and Viking optical cleaning fluid.
This combination does an excellent job on my K-3iii sensor.
It is essential to have a very good quality cleaning fluid and swabs, or streaks may be left on the sensor.
Follow the cleaning instructions on the swab box.
I hope this is helpful.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-22-2024, 12:58 AM
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Rico,
Likewise on printing - I use the excellent DSCL labs in Manchester, England and they only print from 8-bit sRGB JPEG files. They produce excellent results, which I enter into club and external competitions. Our camera club recently had a presentation by a renowned creative photographer, who again works with 8-bit files. I hope this is useful.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
02-13-2024, 01:45 AM
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The clarity setting is only effective when shooting with JPEG, not with RAW. Section 3.8 in the K-3iii e-book gives a comparison of which functions are available for both RAW and JPEG.
Personally I shoot in DNG RAW and adjust clarity in post processing.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
02-08-2024, 10:13 AM
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Showing the glory of woodland nature
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
02-08-2024, 03:51 AM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
01-19-2024, 07:41 AM
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16bit TIFF files are at least twice the size of 8bit equivalents. Personally, for my best images I save both the original RAW file and a post processed 8bit TIFF file. For my other images, I save the post process version in JPEG only. I find this is fairly economical for data storage.
It may be useful to view the update to my original input to the start of this thread, reagarding 8bit v 16bit processing.
Regards, Robert N
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-15-2024, 10:28 AM
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I have owned the K-3iii for 2.5 years and smile every time I pick the camera up. Ergonomics and build quality are excellent, with superb image quality (I shoot DNG RAW).
Everything is superior to my previous K-3. A full run down of the K-3iii capabilities are shown in the Kobie contribution to this thread. Regarding AF performance for action, I have a very high keeper rate from cars moving at motorway speeds, birds in flight, to athletes (I photograph for my local athletics club). The missed focus shots have been down to my error, not the camera. For action photography I have been using the D FA HD 150-450mm f4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens, HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED WR Lens and DA HD 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Lens, which have all performed very well with the K-3iii. Apart from action photography, this camera is a superb all-round performer, with excellent IBIS and a dynamic range to match the best top-end cameras. Battery life has been very good and I have not experienced overheating. I trust this is useful.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-09-2024, 08:55 AM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-24-2023, 03:55 AM
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I know that from a purist's perspective that is recommended that all post processing should be conducted in 16bit on RAW files, before saving the output in typically TIFF or JPG format.
For years I have been using Photoshop Elements and processing DNG RAW files in 8 bit from my Pentax cameras (currently K-3iii). To compliment this I have been using the Elements Plus plug-in that greatly enhances the Elements capabilities with a host of additional scripts from the full blown Photoshop.
I also occasionally use the Nik suite of software. RAW images can be processed in Photoshop Elements in 16 Bit, but this limits funcionality, disabling the use of layers and 'smart functions'.
I have found this combination very successful and never suffered any significant artifacts (if at all) in my images. I regularly enter images in club competitions and have recently gained the CPAGB accreditation (Credit - Photographic Affiliation Of Great Britain). I am of the opinion I would need to 'process the image to death' with this setup to get noticable artifacts.
Also competitions require submissions in the less onerous sRGB, JPG format.
My summary is that 16bit processing is not essential to obtain good quality images.
It will interesting to hear the views of others on this topic.
Update
Out of interest, I contacted the renowned American photographers and authors Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski, to see what their opinions were on 16bit processing.
Matt was not particularly bothered regarding using 16bit processing or colour space, as long as his workflow produced the result he was after. His main concern was the creative image content to give the result he desired.
Scott mentioned that he occasionally processes in 16bit, but mainly in 8bit.
The landscape photographer and author Robin Whalley appears to be more of a 16bit fan, presumably on the basis of the amount of processing he does in the sky areas.
For my own workflow, I have the option in landscapes of either adjusting selections in 16bit in Photoshop Elements, or using Nik software.
I trust this update is useful.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
12-23-2023, 04:57 AM
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It's a real shame the Image Sync app does not have the functionality to zoom in 100% to aid precise focussing (including astro use). I assume this is limited by the K-3iii operation, when zooming in with LV, fine tuning the focus can only be done manually with the lens, not by tapping the monitor screen. Otherwise, Image Sync is a good app.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
12-22-2023, 02:31 AM
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Kobie,
Many thanks for the Image Sync information.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
12-21-2023, 01:46 PM
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Kindly advise in order to get Image Sync to operate the K-3iii in astrotracer 3 mode, does Image Sync need to be uninstalled from your phone then reinstalled to get the latest app functionality. Also please advise what astro functionality does Image Sync offer regarding astrotracer.
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Forum: Winners' Showcase
12-08-2023, 01:57 AM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
11-26-2023, 05:26 AM
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Loyalt, is it essential that you need a f2.8 lens for sports to provide minimal depth of field for backgound suppression? I photograph for a local athletics club and find the K-3iii and D FA HD 150-450mm f4.5-5.6 ED DC AW Lens combination very competent. As an amateur, I don't need a fast turn round of images, I can spent time in post processing suppressing the background if required.
I shoot RAW and find that the excellent noise attenuation of the K-3iii at higher ISOs, along with noise reduction from ACR, in most cases provides very good image quality. Of course investing in modern noise reduction software reduces image noise even further and retains sharpness. If you want longer reach, the 1.3 and 1.7 crop factors on the camera are available. Modern software can readily compensate for the lack of light gain compared to an expensive f2.8 lens.
I find the 150-450 lens sharp wide open, but stopping down by half a stop really delivers. This camera and lens combination provides almost instantaneous focus lock on and tracks with ease. I use the OVF with back button focus. I hope this is useful. Food for thought.
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