|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-31-2021, 08:02 AM
|
| |
Great photo! She must have incredible core strength to do that pose. The quality of this image at ISO 6400 adds one more "yes" vote to my purchase of a K-3iii camera body this winter.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-31-2021, 07:52 AM
|
| |
B & W works very well here. There is a dreamy, almost timeless feeling to this photo. Very nice...
|
|
Forum: General Talk
07-31-2021, 07:46 AM
|
| |
I bought this recently from Oneill, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. It appears to be in "as new" condition, and I am sure it will do a great job. I need to get a decent tripod that doesn't weigh a ton before I can really make use of it (the old Velbon aluminum tripod I have is a pain to lug around). Trying to do macro hand held is tough enough with extension tubes; it is pretty much impossible with the bellows... My NEXT acquisition will definitely be a lighter/better tripod.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-31-2021, 07:39 AM
|
| |
I have been having excellent results with this lens. I am really glad I bought it. I will get out and take/post more photos once the smoke in our area clears again (really smokey here in Kelowna from multiple forest fires).
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-31-2021, 07:21 AM
|
| |
That is a great image! The colours really grab your attention. We have similar formations around Drumheller, AB which is where the Royal Tyrell Museum is located... and lots of dinosaur fossils were found.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-30-2021, 03:33 PM
|
| |
This is what the Brooklyn Tower project in Kelowna looked like before the deadly crane collapse. It is an image I won't forget (as are the mental images I have from after the collapse occurred).
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
07-30-2021, 07:01 AM
|
| |
Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to learn about all things Pentax, and there are a lot of friendly members ready to answer all your questions.
The Pentax K1000 is a really good 35mm film camera. It typically was sold with a 50mm f/2 lens, which is an okay lens, but if you really want to wow your friends and your budget allows, consider a future purchase of a Pentax 50mm f/1.7 or Pentax 50mm f/1.8 lens.
Have fun with your "new" camera. I have one of these myself, and might need to dust it off and go film shopping...
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-29-2021, 05:19 PM
|
| |
These are really nice photos. I have never seen an actual banana plant before. Beautiful flowers on it.
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-29-2021, 05:16 PM
|
| |
Welcome to the forum. Lots of smart people here; don't be afraid to ask questions. I got a Soligor 28mm f/2.8 (M42) lens last week, and it is pretty darn good. They made three variants; the one I have uses a 62mm filter size. Odds are you can find one at a great price (I go mine for $10 CAD).
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-22-2021, 08:48 PM
|
| |
I will be taking photographs of some of my found objects starting next week. I have decided to use a 1:1 crop ratio, so the max printable image size will be 8" x 8".
For now, I will stick with my Adobe LR 6 software, as my computer won't run any of the more advanced photo suites that are popular right now. I intend to buy a new Mac mini computer with M1 chip this winter. Once I do that, I should be able to try almost any of the new software suites, provided they are available for the Mac OS.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-22-2021, 04:35 PM
|
| |
I picked it up this morning for $100 CAD. The lens was in really nice shape, although it was covered with a lot of dust. It came with a Haze filter that was damaged, but the front of the lens itself was fine. I just spent 45 minutes cleaning it up, and plan to go out with it in the morning to take a few test photos before things get too hot.
|
|
Forum: General Photography
06-22-2021, 04:17 PM
|
| |
I am the original poster of this thread. I have enjoyed seeing how many people have responded to this thread, and the varied viewpoints that were shared. This has been a very interesting discussion.
Thanks for participating, you gave me a lot to think about.
|
|
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-22-2021, 01:46 PM
|
| |
Welcome to the forum. My journey with Pentax DSLR's started with another low shutter count K-50. It is a great little camera, and I am sure you will enjoy it. Be forewarned about those old MF lenses: one is never enough. I have been fortunate to find good used Pentax-M and Takumar M42 lenses at generally reasonable prices.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-21-2021, 07:12 PM
|
| |
Like the man from the old spaghetti sauce ad said to his son "its in there."
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-20-2021, 09:25 AM
|
| |
Another chance at another great lens. I am enjoying my older MF lenses, but any of these lenses would be a sweet temptation.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-20-2021, 09:23 AM
|
| |
Yeah, you can see the guy in front posing... the other guy is probably thinking: "It's a good thing we got photographed here at the mall, rather than at our secret fishing hole!"
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-20-2021, 09:15 AM
|
| |
Great looking puppy, and great shots with that new 77mm f/1.8 lens. I really like where you took the photos too.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-20-2021, 09:07 AM
|
| |
I appreciate the added feedback!
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-20-2021, 08:33 AM
|
| |
I will move forward with this understanding of filters:
1) Use camera lenses without filters, unless I cannot create a desired effect without them
2) Use a circular polarizer when needed on my DSLR camera body, regardless of what my lens type is (AF/MF)
3) Get an IR filter (I already have a neutral density filter)
4) If I need a new filter, I will buy the best quality version I can afford
5) Have a step down ring or two in my camera bag, so my 52mm filters can work on my 49mm lenses
6) Avoid using ANY filters when shooting under low light conditions, even if the lens is a newer AF type to ensure as much light gets through the lens as possible (and with an AF lens and DSLR camera, doing so will improve AF tracking)
7) Put the multitude of 49mm Haze filters I got when I bought my old lenses away, as my Think Tank Sling-O-Matic 20 camera bag does a great job of protecting them
|
|
Forum: General Photography
06-19-2021, 07:55 PM
|
| |
That was a really nice series of photos. I wish I could have been there...
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-19-2021, 07:46 PM
|
| |
That is what I hoped would be the case. The circular polarizer... is it needed because of the digital sensor, or because of digital specific lenses, or...?
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-19-2021, 07:16 PM
|
| |
My definition of a hybrid camera system is to use a DSLR camera body with old school MF lenses; it might not match other people's definition.
generally know what to use with a DSLR and a digital era lens: circular polarizers, UV Haze filters, etc. My confusion appears when I consider what filter to use on an old MF film era lens attached to my Pentax K-50 camera body.
Do you still need to use a circular polarizer, rather than a regular polarizer? Is it okay to use a modern UV-Haze filter, or should I stick with a skylight 1A, or simple Haze filter?:confused:
I appreciate any insight on these matters...
|
|
Forum: General Photography
06-19-2021, 07:02 PM
|
| |
It is our eyes that betray us as we get older... I wear similar glasses, and agree that while the focus indicator works, it takes time to get it right. Pentax has a magnifying eye piece (I forget the name of it), and I am going to find where to order one. It should give me a bit more eye relief and make it easier to determine the correct focus.
|
|
Forum: General Talk
06-18-2021, 09:39 PM
|
| |
It sometimes pays to look in dusty corners of 2nd hand stores and thrift shops. Today, I bought both of these lenses with original front/back caps AND original cases for $20 Canadian (about $15 USD). Both lenses have M42 mount, and came with 1A filters. Other than being dusty from sitting out in a display case for 6 months, both seem to be in excellent condition.
I am not sure who makes the Seimar lens, but the Soligor version I have was made by Sun optics. It is a heavy lens (300 g), similar in build quality to my Takumar Macro 50mm f/4 lens.
Tomorrow, I will clean these lenses up, and take photos of them. If anyone has information on the Seimar lens (like who manufactured it, how good was it, etc), I would appreciate it. it has a retractable hood, uses a 58mm filter, and has an f/3.5 - f/22 adjustment range.
I suspect the Soligor Wide Auto 28mm f/2.8 lens will be a pretty good one. I bought it, so I could compare it to the SMC Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8 lens my neighbour wants to sell me.
I am in the process of decluttering my apartment, and things are a bit chaotic at the moment. Once things get back to normal, I will ad additional posts about these lenses and my experience with them.
|
|
Forum: General Photography
06-18-2021, 06:49 AM
|
| |
Perhaps..., but you might also say the photographer was lulled into complacency because they were the owner of that bright shiny new object that "does things" other cameras can't... and didn't take the time to figure out how to get the camera to do it.
The best technology is the technology that can be understood by the photographer, so it can be harnessed and directed to make better photographs. Buying the "best" camera body seems rather pointless if you don't also learn how to get the best results FROM it...
Digital camera design has come a long way in the last decade, and could now be described as being a mature technology. The improvements from one generation of camera body to the next are becoming less significant.
If your current camera body has sufficient technology that it allows you to create meaningful photographs with sufficient sharpness, and has good ISO performance, I would say that is good enough. Further advancements in technology will provide only minor benefits.At that point, I would recommend investing in a few in person photography courses taught by professional photographers who has a proven track record of excellence. Doing that would likely make a much more significant improvement at that point in your photography than a new camera body or lens.
AfterPentax Mark II posted: "By emphasizing the camera's technology and "making things easier" people get the idea that a camera with more "behind the scenes technology" makes them a better photographer, because that is often suggested in the brochures, flyers and advertisements. But apart from knowing what an aperture is and what a shutter is and the influence of the ISO-setting it is of course about having an eye for something that strikes you and the capability to put it to film or SD-card."
If you focus too much on technical excellence over creativity, you will never reach your full potential as a photographer. You must be able to express your creativity if you want to create images that leave a lasting impression on those who view them. I would take a technically flawed image that conveys significant meaning over a technically perfect, but bland image every day of the week.
To be truly creative, a photographer must understand how to harness the technology inside their camera/lens package to do new, interesting, and perhaps unexpected things WITH it. If you understand how to use the latest advances in technology to do this, it is all good. Without that understanding, creating images that inspire is a bit like trying to catch lightning in a bottle; you will be counting on the lightning to strike twice in the same place without understanding why it struck at all.
|
