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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-05-2010, 09:17 AM
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After reading so much negative criticism of Pentax Photo Laboratory in multiple forums I never bothered to even try it after purchasing my K10D about a year and a half years ago. I use Elements 6 so simply depended on it's Raw converter which is reasonably good but was never 100% happy with my results. A few months ago I decided to give PPL a try and was blown away at the difference in the quality in the results! The conversions have a sharpness and glow that as much as I tweaked the Adobe converter, could never match.
The PPL raw converter is deceptively simple: Curves and a few options to control contrast, hue etc. Never having used curves before I was a bit hesitant but with practice and combined with the other tools I found I was able to have very precise control over the initial conversion. The key here is INITIAL CONVERSION - I'm not looking for a finished product (that comes through the fine detail processing in Elements) but as a working tool that converts my initial RAW "negative" into a working image it has proven to be invaluable.
Of course I have no doubt that I could dish out several hundred $$$ for a more "professional" software but in this day and age throwing money after something when what I already have gives me great results, why bother?
Bottom line is for all the people out there that are just starting out in RAW, give the Pentax software a chance, take the time to learn curves - like everything in life and photography practice (a lot of it) makes perfect!
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-03-2010, 03:12 PM
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You're always going to have a blown highlight problem when you shoot in very bright sunlight so best to shoot in more neutral light conditions. Also, learn to shoot for highlights and then bring up the shadows in post processing. You would be surprised how much detail can be brought out in dark shadow but once a highlight is blown it cannot be recovered.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-03-2010, 03:07 PM
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I've had that problem as well - Photomatix is a challenging software to learn - it takes a lot of practice and trial by error to get an image right. It appears that sometimes it can't deal with tricky shadow areas so that's why you get that grainy effect. What I sometimes do to correct that is process an image as I like it, then process it again but this time bringing the settings way down so that the tricky shadow areas look right and then simply blend the corrected shadow into my first image using a mask in photoshop.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-02-2010, 05:04 PM
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The problem with digital photography is that it captures detail too well. Every hair, pimple and vein in a face stands out like a sore thumb. The challenge then is to reduce the detail so that it still looks like the person but impossible to tell that its been processed.
There are many, many techniques out there for facial softening and I have slowly and painstakingly developed my own and still constantly refining it. Here is an example:
Picasa Web Albums - peter - 2010-04-02 |
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-24-2009, 02:55 PM
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Rob, finally recieved the flash cord for the 285hv and it works perfectly - here's a photo (hope it shows up) so another solution!
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-03-2009, 06:01 AM
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Thanks Peacekeeper - this is actually the second unit I try as I thought the first was defective - your bracket suggestion worked but still not tripping via the camera shutter, oh well...
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-02-2009, 07:13 AM
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Hi from Peter in Costa Rica! I have a Vivitar 285hv which works without a problem on my K10d. I recently bought a flash bracket and promaster off-camera TTL cord for Pentax but the 285 does not work when I attach it to the cord. Also, if I mount the cord on the bracket the flash triggers constantly every time it powers up! I am a flash novice so would appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-30-2009, 10:25 AM
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Thanks, I thought that's what it was but wanted a second opinion before swabing!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-30-2009, 09:59 AM
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I have read every post on sensor dust but am baffled by this: What appears to be a dust spot on the sensor only shows up with one of my two lenses. When I use the other lens it disappears. Here are the specs:
K10d, sensor only cleaned with Rocket blower.
Lens#1: Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (new, super clean)
Lens#2: Tamron 28-105 f4 (used, but clean)
The spot only shows up on the 17-50. See sample shots taken with both of clear sky at f22.
If the spot showed up with every lens it would clearly be sensor related, but strange that it doesn't show up with the other lens as well. Problem is I live in Costa Rica so don't have access to photo venues where I can test other lenses.
If its clearly a sensor problem and the rocket blower isn't taking care of it I'm willing to take it to the next level but would like your thoughts first - has anyone had the same experience? Thanks to all!
Note: I am a new member, inserted photos but they don't seem to appear in the thread. Here is the url: http://picasaweb.google.com/mikenkiki/PentaxForum#5297129987401998482 |
