|
Forum: Photographic Technique
01-02-2013, 02:04 PM
|
| |
It had/has nothing to do with card formats. Brightroom no longer works with Pentax equipment because the manner in which Pentax metadata is written is not compatible with their sorting software. I am a working brightroom shooter in Fort Worth TX where they are based, and they pay me well. I got on with them two years ago using Pentax equipment (& SD cards), but started getting 3x the amount of work with them as soon as I switched to Nikon, including Tough Mudder events and the NYC Marathon. They were just acquired by EPG/MarathonFoto, however, so I don't know if that "Pentax rule" will change (since I'm now a “Nikonian,” I haven't bothered to find out). I understand your frustration, but disagree with your "FFFUUU brightroom" sentiment. They are completely legitimate and have a high professional standard - as does MarathonFoto - and their reasons for rejecting your application are valid per their equipment requirements and business practices. Good luck to you.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-20-2011, 12:11 PM
|
| |
Bought the Nikon D700. Problem solved.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-21-2011, 03:30 PM
|
| |
Mike - you were right. It happened again when the grip's e-dial was halfway. I tested this several times. That was definitely the problem. That was the easiest fix ever!
Thanks :p
|
|
Forum: Ask B&H Photo!
10-21-2011, 03:22 PM
|
| |
I just watched a PW webinar in which they demo'd highspeed sync (both TTL and manual) using the new Mini TT1 transmitter on camera & Flex TT5 on flash, with Canon & Nikon cameras. What about Pentax? Can I get highspeed sync with my K20D using this PW trigger system? With TTL? Manual only? Both? Neither?
The host stated, "When the TT1 is on the camera, the camera thinks the flash is on the camera, and when the TT5 is on the flash, the flash thinks it's on the camera." So it stands to reason HS in TTL or manual off-camera flash can be achieved with Pentax using this system. Yes?
Thanks for any wisdom.
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
10-04-2011, 02:08 PM
|
| |
Agreed. Lots of distracting over-processing, too. I voted for 14 stand-out images.
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-04-2011, 01:43 PM
|
| |
Bigger flash with ND on lens is one of the work-arounds I mentioned. Users can hack more than 1/250 HS out of Nikons. Won't go into that here.
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
09-27-2011, 07:50 PM
|
| |
Gobo acronym for "go between optics" to prevent light overspill. E.g, any sort of flag, opaque, black, etc. "Cookaloris" (actually "cuculoris"), also referred to as "cookies," placed in front of light source to create patterns on/around subject. E.g., slats to create miniblind shadows. Origins in theatre and early film. All are light modifiers, as are diffusers. Modifiers control light by either adding, subtracting or altering the quality of light.
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
09-27-2011, 05:49 PM
|
| |
I'm with Deiberson, here. I love my K10D and K20D, but the Pentax off-camera flash limitations are a drag, as is the poor Al Servo tracking focus. And noise. Oh, so much noise at 400+ ISO. Luckily, most of the stuff I do these days does not require off-camera flash above 1/180th, but there are those times I have to leave the flash (gasp) on the camera for HS. And I'm not interested in a cheesy 9.5' sync cord. I have a lot of work-arounds, but haven't figured out how to hack 1/180+ wirelessly (if anyone has, please share your wisdom). Now I'm stuck in that 'how much more should I invest in Pentax gear' vs just buy a Nikon system and get on with it.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-18-2011, 01:18 PM
|
| |
I do have a grip. Hmmmmm ... that's very interesting. I'll watch for that next time. Thanks :-)
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-16-2011, 01:01 PM
|
| |
Curious to know how fellow Pentaxians handle focusing on moving objects – specifically, objects/people moving toward you. Continuous/servo AF? Manual focus pre-focused to a zone? “Catch-in” focus?
Tracking horizontally isn’t a problem for me, but admittedly, I’m hit n’ miss with subjects (usually runners and cyclists) moving toward the camera. The work I do in these situations usually requires shallow DOF for subject isolation, so pre-focusing to a zone is tricky, as there’s not much leeway. The ACS on my K20D doesn’t seem to ‘keep up’ with these subjects very well and “catch-in” focus doesn’t work for my purposes. Please share your wisdom.
Also, the one Sigma lens I use with OS, I’ve used both settings #1 and #2 (OS and tracking OS) and notice no difference with forward-moving subjects between the two.
Thanks,
Fuzzy At Times :cool:
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
09-16-2011, 12:48 PM
|
| |
On a recent shoot, I was shooting with my K20D in manual mode when the rear e-dial stopped working. The dial would turn, but had no effect on zooming in on images during playback, and would not change the aperture value in any capture mode (my settings are such that my rear e-dial is always assigned to adjust aperture – in every mode). Needless to say, this was a big pain in the arse, as I could not adequately adjust exposure and/or DOF. I double-checked all the e-dial settings, turned the camera off & on, even removed the batteries to “reset” it, etc. Still no rear e-dial function. I found a work-around to finish that part of the shoot, but it wasn’t pretty. Then a little while later, out of habit (forgetting the e-dial wasn’t working), I zoomed in on an image and alas, the e-dial was working again. I have no idea how it fixed itself. The only thing I can think of was that I changed lenses at some point during the malfunction and thought perhaps that somehow remedied the situation – maybe dislodged some dust in the contacts or something. So ... ‘this ever happen to anyone? Did you figure out how/why it happened?
It seems like no matter how proficient I am with my equipment, how much I know/learn about the craft, how good o’ care I take of my gear ... there’s always that one thing that goes wrong in every shoot. I’m getting pretty good at fixes and work-arounds on the fly, but it’s getting kinda’ old. Sigh. :o
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-03-2011, 06:43 AM
|
| |
Yes - and that's what I'm in the process of changing - by associating each image with it's own pricelist and products. I.e., can offer only 1:1 sizes on 1:1 images and 2:3 sizes on 2:3 images and so on to images in the same gallery.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-02-2011, 11:17 AM
|
| |
Edgar, thank you so much.
The ballerina shot had natural light from a nearby skylight, which is why I chose that particular table. I bounced some flash off a reflector for fill from the front and another flash on the table behind her for separation (both fired remotely in M mode at 1/32 & 1/64 respectively). I must say Cowtown Diner in Fort Worth was very accommodating - the managers were great (great food, too!). Worth noting the chef made that giant burger special for the shoot. Since I don't eat meat, my dogs enjoyed it later :-)
The photo came about because while I was at Cowtown Diner having lunch last winter during a street shoot, I captured an image of the empty table (in the Places gallery on my site) and liked it so much I wanted to take it a step further. The idea of a ballerina in a rustic diner came to mind as good juxtaposing. I made a few calls and we shot it earlier this summer.
On my site, once you select an image to buy, the Best Fit options come up first in the product list and buyers are alerted throughout the checkout process if their selections require their attention to cropping, in which case they may either set the crop or change products to a Best Fit size. However, I am in the process of getting that changed so only Best Fit options come up for each image - because people being people, they are bound to somehow order a cropped image and yes, some would turn out badly.
Thanks again,
Kazey
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-01-2011, 09:20 PM
|
| |
You bet! I went with:
•Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
•Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM
•Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II (or Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG OS HSM)
I love ALL of them for all the right reasons. I do mostly portraiture, street/urban, sports & nature and use all these for all genres. The IQ is amazing. Only complaint; some fringing on the 10-20 wide open on high contrast elements in a scene, but I'm able to mitigate that at capture or mend in post.
The bokeh on the 70-200 is absolutely gorgeous. Very soft & creamy. Stunning.
Crazy fast focus on all. Did have to adjust F/B focus on all - no biggie - but very accurate at F/B adjustment.
Very pleased with these lenses.
Thanks EVERYONE for such awesome, honest and intelligent feedback. I considered everyone's input. I held off buying the prime as suggested. But I'm just not a fan of Tamron or I would've considered them more (I've had a couple Tamron lenses and just hated everything about them - it's a personal thing, I know) so Tams were never in the running.
See some of my images made with these lenses in my gallery at Kazey Bunch- Table For Tutu
- 4th Step
- The Miller Girls
- Child's Eyes
- Funk-tional Infrastructure
- Graffiti Tangle
- And ALL the mountain bike images (checkout the night shots toward the end of the race image files - those are my faves)
Cheers!
|
|
Forum: Winners' Showcase
08-03-2011, 12:58 PM
|
| |
Nice image, Ash. Well done. Very well done.
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
08-03-2011, 12:54 PM
|
| |
No problems here - scrolled through images just fine. But if there's a way to see the entry number on the active image while cycling through images, please advise. Otherwise, kinda' cumbersome to go back and find the respective image numbers for vote-worthy images.
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
05-09-2011, 11:04 AM
|
| |
‘Just wanted to pass on some info regarding insuring your camera equipment. I researched this for a quite a while a contacted a number of insurance companies before I was able to get all the info I needed and find a practical policy. There a few different ways to insure your camera equipment including adding it to your homeowners policy (not advised if you make any money with photography), a full-blown commercial liability policy (covers you from lawsuits and covers damage/lost to your gear) or an inland marine policy, which covers just the damage/loss of your equipment. I personally went with an inland marine policy through Liberty Mutual. I got a $10,000 policy. I pay $10 a month and there’s no deductible. It’s a no brainer. I will move to a commercial liability when/if I add [a] an offsite office [b] a company car [c] hire assistants, etc. For now, I am at risk a bit in the event someone injures themselves on my equipment while on a shoot, for example, but at least my equipment is covered for most damage and loss. Farmers gave me a great quote for a full-blown commercial liability policy, but it’s just not practical right now. I called two different Traveler’s agents in my area – two different times – and neither of them ever got back to me. I contacted every other insurance company you can think of including Geico and they all either gave me misinformation about adding the coverage to my regular homeowners insurance, didn’t know what the &%*$ I was talking about, or wanted to charge me out the $^% on premiums :mad: What should’ve been a simple process became a major headache, so maybe I can spare anyone interested in pursuing a policy some of the same frustration. :cool:
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-20-2011, 01:52 PM
|
| |
I did that. Sigma HSM failure vs. Pentax SDM failure is about 5.5:1 according to Google “hits.” But since it’s probably fair to say that less than 1 in 5.5 shooters use Pentax, the numbers would be in Sigma’s favor.
Not comparing, per se. Just don't like anything about my Tamron 18-250 so it doesn’t instill much confidence in any of their products. Also, the reviews I’ve seen of the fast Tamron glass were not so great. The slow/noisy Tamron AF is a turnoff. Conversely, I like my low-end Pentax lenses okay and hoped to buy their faster DA/DA* offerings. That is, until I researched things further.
I really want to want Pentax or Tamron – it’d save me a lot of cash – but in the end, I want dependability, good reach, really good IQ, fast/quiet AF and confidence in the product. If paying 2 to 3 times more for the Sigma array does that for me, oh well (heavy sigh). I don’t want a “great lens for the money” … I just want great lenses – well ... the best I can afford for now, anyway.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-20-2011, 08:20 AM
|
| |
I've continued researching the SDM issue since my original post and as such, am inclined to avoid SDM altogether until Pentax makes a concerted effort to first admit there is and then solve the problem. Photographically, I can't think of anything more unsettling then shelling out $$ for a lens, and then always wondering if/when it's going to work correctly. No thanks. I need confidence and piece of mind with my equipment. What's more, upon further research, it would seem the majority of users that like and stand by the SDMs, have not had/used the SDM lenses for much more than a year. I'd be curious to check back in with them in say, another year. As far as poor customer service from Pentax … unfortunately – at least in my book - that is a reflection on the entire company's attitude so that doesn't instill much confidence in their engineering either. I am pro Pentax and shoot Pentax exclusively – from my ME Super, to the ZX5Ns to the new flagship DSLRs – always more bang for the buck - but this SDM debacle has me concerned.
Additionally, upon rereading my event contracts, the DA 50-135 does not meet my focal length requirements so that lens is ruled out anyway. Although, even with the SDM issues, the DA 50-135 raves had me goin’ there for a bit.
As for Tamron, I have their “award winning” 18-250 and it’s crap. So disappointed (subject of another post a couple years back). I’ve since learned to get the best performance out of it that I can and it’s still not there for me. That, plus the abundance of poor reviews on the fast Tamron lenses in the focal ranges I want, have turned me off of Tamron completely.
So … in the end, it’s the Sigmas – 10-20mm f/3.5, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. And while I’m at it, I’ll get another 540 flash and some long overdue accessories. And then I'll be stone cold broke 'til I get a lot of gigs.
I appreciate everyone’s feedback. Great crew, here. Cheers.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
04-14-2011, 01:23 PM
|
| |
2, 4'x8' "diffusion panels" for $1 at Dollar Tree. Check the table cloth hooks in the party supplies section for a white, vinyl two-pack :p
It works great with my DIY PVC light tent, which cost another $8 ;)
Now that ya mention it ... I think I got my "beauty dish" for the same price ($1) that same trip. Check the plant pot section at Dollar Tree for a faux terracotta 10" pot (I already had the spray paint in stock).
This is fun :lol: Great thread.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-14-2011, 01:12 PM
|
| |
I'm about to invest in some fast glass and am soliciting feedback. I'm torn between Sigma and Pentax lenses. My Sigma 105 is currently the best glass in my kit and I've read a lot of horror stories on the Pentax SDM focus systems going out repeatedly, turning AF lenses into expensive manuals. In fact, there appears to be a consumer advocacy group petitioning Pentax to fix this problem.
These are the kits I'm considering:
- Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM
- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM
- Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II (or Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG OS HSM)
- Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
Total ~$3,400
- or -
- smc PENTAX DA Star 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM
- smc PENTAX DA Star 50-135mm F2.8 ED (IF) SDM
- smc PENTAX DA 35mm F2.4 AL
Total ~$2,500
Either way, I'll get the Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM as a good wide for my APS-C sensor (K20D bodies)
The Sigma kit really has the range I want (10-200mm), but the price on the Pentax is a clear winner. Although, I suspect the 50mm "limit" with 2 lenses could get cumbersome. Another con against Pentax, although I really dig their older lenses, is the SDM problems.
Any voices of experience wanna' chime in here?
Thanks.
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
04-01-2011, 02:48 PM
|
| |
Ditto. I only voted on 6 for the same reasons, but with additional exclusions for crooked horizons and over-baked processing. There are some obviously nice images here, though. Props to those.
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
03-03-2011, 01:41 PM
|
| |
I appreciate the creative benefits of HDR (and other techniques/FX), but the majority of the HDR images I see just look like sad attempts to fix/hide poor lighting and capture technique. Very few are done tastefully or well. It's one thing to exploit the HDR for an obvious effect, but why it's used in portraiture is beyond me. Why you'd take beautiful skin tones and give them an unnatural zombie-like look ... I don't get it. Landscapes done in HDR look rather like Viewmaster slides to me. Get the lighting right, and you just can't improve on nature. I'll be glad when the fad dies down. It's like the PS lens flare phenom all over again. Yes, annoying. And yes, subjective.
|
