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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-25-2011, 12:16 AM
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Forgot to say, each shot was taken by only changing the shutter speed by 1 stop at a time. Camera was on a tripod & 2 sec self timer with mirror lock up function used. Lens was a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 set to around 120mm & grey card filled the entire viewfinder.
Thanks again.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-25-2011, 12:13 AM
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I am currently doing a photography course & I have to make a zone ruler & measure the dynamic range & colour info of each shot. I have done this with the camera setup in the shade of the house in the morning (10am), grey card was on a white poster sized piece of paper & stuck to a very light coloured brick wall. Custom WB was set & aperture was set to f8 & ISO 100. These are the settings we have to use for the test. Also have to do it at ISO 400 & 800 but can reduce the aperture. Anyway, I am getting 9 stops in the range including pure black (RGB 0,0,0) & pure white (RGB 255,255,255) so only really 7 stops with detail. Does this sound about right for my K20D or should it be more. The stop before pure black only has value's of 5,5,5 so not much detail in that one. Images were shot in RAW (dng) & converted to jpeg with ACR & default settings which were very close to a jpeg image I shot (for zone 'V' at correct exposure) just to check the difference.
I have sent the results in for the tutor to check but thought I would ask here to see what other members thought & if anyone else has done this with the K20D.
Thankyou.
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Forum: Photo Critique
07-11-2011, 05:00 AM
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Thanks for your comments, & yeah, I think I do tend to over sharpen some images, bad habit I have & need to stop it. My 70-200 lens tends to back focus a little at apertures larger than about f4 & close distance's but is ok when closed down more so have tried using manual focus instead, just wish cats would sit still longer, lol. Sometimes I have used the high pass filter to try & fix the soft eyes & unsharp mask as well, will try to make sure I fix this in the future, thanks.
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Forum: Photo Critique
07-10-2011, 09:52 AM
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Have been trying to get some pet images & wouldn't mind doing some pet portraits for other people so thought I would post a few to see what other forum members think get some tips, thanks.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-07-2011, 07:36 PM
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Thanks Eddie, had a look & got a few to try out, will see how they go.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
07-07-2011, 10:55 AM
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I will be shooting some images soon of some friends dressed up in the gothic type look, images will be shot at an old run down house, under veranda mostly but some inside as well. Whats the best way to get the images to suit theme of the gothic type look of the people. Is there PS actions & textures I could use to help give the overall gothic look or just use software & experiment. I use CS 5. Will be shooting with K20D, using 2 off camera flashes on stands with umbrellas & with wireless triggers if that helps. Thanks for any help.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-28-2011, 04:56 PM
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I used an A4 peace of paper with the chart on it. The chart has a big half black, half white circle in the centre & measurements down each side, I camera on tripod mounted on a tripod & set to the right angle as well. I use the lens for different things from motorcross to cats. Seems to be more of a problem at wider apertures larger than f4.5 but not as bad from f4.5 & smaller. I have set the chart from just over a meter to a bit over 2 meters, it seems the lens just isn't up to the task of focusing properly at closer distances but at further objects say 5 metre's & more it seems not to bad depending on aperture. Not sure if having it calibrated with the camera will fix it but may have to look into it & find out.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-27-2011, 04:24 PM
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The 70-200 is equal to 105-300. I have the Sigma HSM version & its a pretty good lens, doesn't come off my camera to much. HSM makes a big difference on the K20D body, its way to slow in the AF department without it. Tamron have a 70-200 but I don't think it has a high speed focus motor.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
02-27-2011, 05:31 AM
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I have a Flipside 300 as well, pretty comfy & has a tripod/monopod holder on it to.
There is also a Flipside 400 as well. Mine holds my K20D with grip & with Sigma 7-200 f2.8 attached. Plus has a metz flash & small Sig zoom as well as other stuff inside it.
Its a pretty good pack. I find the tripod/monopod holder good to use for an umbrella if its raining, can put it in & put it up while walking around & not get wet.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
02-27-2011, 05:21 AM
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I have the Manfrotto 679B monopod, good strong unit with no flex & the Manfrotto 498 RC2 ball head. This ball head is great. Has a rotate function so you can set the camera straight and turn it without having to loosen the ball head, good for on a tripod. Has the friction setup on the ball to which is a handy feature to. Mine is the QR model so it also fits the quick Release setup on my 3 way tripod head.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-26-2011, 11:56 PM
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Yeah, I was thinking about just doing it at 100mm f5.6 and seeing how that works. I use all focal lengths on it for motorcross & other general images so thats why I was trying different focal lengths. If I keep the aperture a few stops from wide open it doesn't seem to bad with different focal lengths & depending on how close I am also makes a difference specially wide open.
I might check at 100mm & 200mm f5.6 & just set the adjustment in the middle.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-26-2011, 10:21 PM
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I have a K20D with Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM II & Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 lenses. I have been trying to check the focus using the chart from "Pentax DSLR Blogspot" & am a bit stuck. With the 70-200 @ 200mm f2.8 & 2 metres from the chart it needs -7 on the focus adjustment but @ 100mm it needs around +3. When tested at 200mm f5.6 it needed +2 adjustment.???.
What is the correct settings I should use in regards to focal length, aperture & distance to chart. Have been using around a 45 degree angle. I know the 70-200 isn't that great with close up shots & wide open so should I move the chart back away further or keep using f5.6 or a similar aperture.
Thanks.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-26-2011, 05:35 PM
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I have a K20D & Metz 48 as well but never worried about trying the wireless setup, just went & got some Yongnuo RF-602s & use them. Flash has to be in manual but its easy to use like that anyway. Easiest way to go about it I think.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-24-2010, 08:26 PM
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From what I have read, they are meant to be a good flash, but, the build quality is not great and the menu system is meant to be a bit strange or difficult to use. Probably wouldn't be a problem once you got the hang of it though. I thought about getting a Sigma flash myself but decided to go for the Metz 48 AF-1. That and the 58 have better build quality and I know the 48 is easy to use so the 58 should be to. Just going on what I have read so someone with a Sigma flash may know better.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-27-2010, 07:52 PM
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Might be something wrong there. My Metz 48 give me readings of 25mm when the lens is set to the 17mm focal length and 105mm when my lens is set to the 70mm focal length. It gives the focal length reading as the 35mm (ff) equivalent of the focal length my lens is set to.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
10-26-2010, 05:37 AM
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Some shots look to posed, shots where the subjects look relaxed and natural would look better. They don't have to just sit or stand, they could all jump or a combination of sitting, standing & lying down. I'm just trying to learn about this myself so these are just my thoughts. Try and find somewhere different for the images, something out of the norm.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
10-23-2010, 09:37 PM
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I use the Metz 48 on a K20D and its much better than the built in unit, that thing is hopeless, specially after using a hotshoe mounted flash unit. Using bounce flash is easy and gives better results and softer light. Off camera flash isn't to hard either and can produce even better results. Use a wireless trigger/receiver setup like the cheap Yongnuo RF 602's and your on your way.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-23-2010, 09:28 PM
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I use Lowepro Flipside 300 and my K20D with grip & Sigma 70-200 f2.8 fit nicely. Also fits another lens & flash plus some filters & has a storage compartment in the top for other gear. There is a Flipside 400 thats a bit bigger & would fit a bit more gear in that would probably be better.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-19-2010, 04:40 AM
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Shouldn't be any problems with it as long as the K-x support the lenses with HSM.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
10-17-2010, 07:18 PM
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I was going to post the link to the same site as Tim did, I found it to be very helpful when I got my flash earlier this year.
Bounce the flash of a wall or a ceiling if inside and get a flash diffuser for softer light. You could also get some cheap wireless flash triggers like the Yongnuo RF 602 units and a flash stand and umbrella or 2, this will really help with better lighting and reducing any unwanted shadows.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-16-2010, 01:13 AM
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Just get some wireless triggers instead, like the cheap & easy to use Yongnuo RF 602 triggers & receivers.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-16-2010, 12:26 AM
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I received my RF 602's last Thursday morning, only 1 week to be delivered to a country town in Australia, pretty happy with that.
I got the Canon version trigger and 3 receivers from hkyongnuophotoequipment, they work well up to 1/125 and then the trigger button has to be held in while shooting at 1/160-1/180 to get a shot without the shutter curtain shadow. Thats not a problem though, can just tape it down if I need to. Will also order a YH 560 flash soon but waiting on a light/flash stand & mount & a couple of umbrellas first. Will just use my Metz 48 for now and borrow a Canon 220 ex. The flash voltage has to be under 6 volt I think to use with the RF 602's so no damage is done to them.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-16-2010, 12:09 AM
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You still hold the monopod in the vertical position, its the ball head that you can move the camera around on. Hold your monopod straight up & down and adjust the friction on the B/head to suit and then off you go. Much easier than moving the m/pod all over the place trying to get the camera in the right position.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-13-2010, 11:19 PM
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The 18-50's were a good lens but from what I have read & images I have seen, the 17-50, which is the newest version, is the pick of the bunch. It has improved lens elements and coatings and produces better images.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-01-2010, 07:03 AM
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+1 for the Metz 48. I use mine on a K20D, very easy to use and good power. Tilt & turn head is great and its built pretty well to.
P-TTL is easy to use, so auto is not really needed, actually, in my eyes, P-TTL is virtually like auto anyway, there's not to much you need to do.
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