Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
02-23-2024, 01:20 AM
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Most of the Godox have rear curtain sync flash, but they might call it second curtain. The TTL 350 does have it. I have the V860III which also has it.
It should work fine off-camera. I don't have any experience with the Sigma.
Note that the flash won't show the rear curtain icon off camera because it doesn't know what mode the transmitter is in, so you'll only see the icon on the transmitter.
Another option is a flash extension cord, then it is the same as on-camera.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-17-2024, 01:58 AM
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The $400 monitor may have come calibrated too, and be out of calibration after a couple years. The same may happen to the $650 monitor.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-05-2024, 05:51 PM
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I also have the 24 inch Asus Pro Art and I love it!
I have a second monitor that is a regular computer monitor (also ASUS) and the difference in the colors is obvious.
There are probably better ones for much higher prices, but this one is perfect for me.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-05-2024, 03:57 PM
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I use the D-FA 100 which I'm really happy with.
The most important thing in my macro setup is the flash. I'm using a Godox V860, but other flashes work fine too. The important thing is having a frame setup to offset the flash. I use a cheap flash extension cord and then a microphone mounting bar as a camera mount, with 2 handles added on the bottom. The camera is slightly offset in this arrangement, with the flash next to it. Then I use a standard diffuser. The problem with ring flashes, and also the popular hood diffusers, is that they add a weird shaped reflection to the insect eyes. You can see what diffuser or ring was used by looking at the picture! It doesn't look natural. With a traditional diffuser the reflection looks more natural. But to get that pointed at the subject, you have to either have to have it completely off-camera, which is a hassle to move around, or have a frame mount. And I've never seen a good frame mount for pentax. Most of the ones that would work are intended for video and are too big. But there are lots of parts available to build your own. (I also use gaffer tape under the bar so the camera doesn't move around because the grip pads on the bars usually don't grip well enough.
That brings me to the problem with the Laowa and also most converter setups and older lenses; manual aperture ring. The flash lets you shoot with 9 or higher aperture, allowing better depth of field. With a lens that supports electronic aperture I can see everything clearly through the viewfinder, but with the exact same settings on an aperture ring lens it would be completely dark in the viewfinder. Even in full sunlight there isn't really enough light for macro unless you're using a focus rail, and for live subjects that isn't practical.
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Forum: General Photography
12-05-2021, 05:05 PM
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I am not impressed with taking pictures of dead bugs, any more than I'd be impressed by well-posed pictures of dead humans.
The dismissive nastiness in this thread towards heartfelt and reasonable concerns people have really reminds me why I don't usually stick with online communities very long.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-05-2021, 04:42 PM
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One potato two potato three potato lens.
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Forum: General Photography
12-05-2021, 04:31 PM
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When I started doing macro I used a kit lens with a cheap ($25) Opteka 10x diopter, and it worked great for anything that I could get close enough to. For coins or stamps that would probably work really well.
For insects it is pretty limiting, of course, so I got the 100mm Macro which made a world of difference.
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Forum: General Photography
12-05-2021, 01:45 PM
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I put up with a giant piece of dust on my sensor for a couple months, avoiding narrow aperture, because I thought it was in my new lens! Ruined a few otherwise-wonderful shots.
Then I realized it was on the sensor, and blew it off with an air bulb in a few seconds.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-05-2021, 01:07 PM
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Thanks, great points! The firmware is the latest.
I'm using my old lenses, and in fact I had just changed lenses, so that might be it! I'll clean the contacts. ---------- Post added 12-05-21 at 02:09 PM ---------- Thanks everybody, I feel better knowing that a few crashes are normal. I'm not really used to electronics crashing, but I'm also a linux user with a dumb TV and almost no apps on my phone, etc.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-05-2021, 01:00 PM
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Last night I stayed up late shopping on ebay and ended up buying 3 manual focus lenses. They were cheap, but I might still be a fool whose money was easily parted. But at least in small increments.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-05-2021, 12:38 AM
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It depends if it will be a field trip or in a classroom.
When I was a kid I practiced endlessly on flocks of mallards and geese in the park, where they weren't shy. It's a great way to practice composition and learn a little about backgrounds. And animals are fun.
If it is in a classroom, portraits of stuffed animals could be a great exercise. There might be a local second-hand store that would donate some! They often get more than they can sell and throw a lot away.
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Forum: General Talk
12-05-2021, 12:27 AM
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"This video is not available."
I'm listening to Up & Down by EXID You Tube |
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hfXZ6ydgZyo?controls=1" allowfullscreen> |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-05-2021, 12:19 AM
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It is new-new, via amazon, and the battery was fully charged.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-04-2021, 11:13 PM
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Statistically, this is unlikely to be the winning ticket.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-04-2021, 11:12 PM
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I've only had the k-70 for a week, but so far in low light the k-70 blows the k-s2 away.
The k-s2 is noisy in low light.
In good light they're a lot closer.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2021, 11:05 PM
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I'll show it to my wife. If she asks how much it costs, I'll know not to buy it. If she likes it, she'll laugh and ask if I ordered it yet.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-04-2021, 10:49 PM
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Last week I got a new K-70 to replace my KS-2 that has a bad LCD. I got years of use from the KS-2 and was very happy with it.
Today shortly after I started shooting, the camera went completely dark, while still in the "on" position. I turned it off and back on, but it didn't come back on. I removed and replaced the battery, and it came back on. I continued and shot 450 frames with no more problems.
Is that a normal thing to happen? It never happened with my KS-2. And should I worry? Should I return it?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2021, 08:59 PM
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It took a lot of willpower not to order one of those cups.
If it hadn't been for the necessary decision of Nican or Caniam, I wouldn't have made it past.
Time will tell if I make it through the weekend.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2021, 08:52 PM
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I love the idea of a CNC laser cutter. But removing material might not work out.
So perhaps measure the thickness of the metal, and get some equal thickness titanium shim stock from McMaster, and cut it out of that!
Using a modern CAD program you don't even have to learn calculus, you can just have the software calculate the area.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2021, 08:23 PM
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I think it is a mistake to take literally the measurement of the loss of light in units of f-stop.
It's just a convenient shorthand. The aperture hasn't changed. Just like a filter might be measured the same way for the loss of light, but it doesn't change your f-stop unless you're in Tv mode. In Av mode it changes your shutter speed...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-04-2021, 08:14 PM
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That's a great point! I see more Bufflehead ducks than I do canikonsofu.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-03-2021, 12:03 PM
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I mostly do insect macros with a 100mm prime, and so depth of focus vs sharpness is the most difficult thing.
I end up shooting handheld in TaV almost all the time, and I rarely leave f-6.3 because that is a the smallest DOF I can tolerate. If I switch to shooting a bird or something then I might change the aperture, but usually not.
I was surprised when I learned many cameras don't have TaV!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-01-2021, 10:05 PM
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I haven't taken a wide angle shot in years. Win! Win! Win!
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-01-2021, 10:04 PM
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I just bought the TYCKA Rangers 56” Compact Travel Tripod on Amazon for $73. It fits into a laptop backpack that should be carry-on size, and it extends quite tall. One of the legs detaches as a monopod. The center column can also be inverted for low shots. I haven't used it for long, but it seems quite sturdy. The quick-release plate is probably compatible.
But it is only a little over 3' with the center column down. They call it 56" but it seems a lot taller than that.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-01-2021, 09:46 PM
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Singing the Handwashing Song (Scathophagidae dung fly)
KS-2 with D FA Macro 1:2.8 100
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