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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
07-23-2009, 08:00 AM
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classic photographer's selfportrait :o
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-08-2023, 12:59 AM
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Hi everybody,
it's been a very long time since I have posted here. But I have decided to ask you all for help deciding my next step.
Ages ago I used to shoot Pentax and I have very fond memories of the brand. I used it from about 2006 until 2012. Went through K100D, K10D, K-x and K-7. I had owned all three FA Ltds, DA40, DA*55, FA135, FA100, FA*24, FA*300, DA*50-135, K55/1.8, K50/1.2, M85/2 and so on. I used to be a sucker for narrow DOF (I'd say I still am). At some point I decided to jump to the dark side. I rolled with Canon for a while until about 2019 when I jumped to Nikon. Current set up: D3, Df, 16/2.8 Fisheye, 20/2.8, 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 58/1.4, 105/2. So yeah, I still like lenses that can produce narrow DOF, and I like lenses that have nice pop to them (such as is the AF-S 24/1.4G) but, I am not getting any younger and frankly got bored of travelling with back pack full of camera stuff, and here my memories led me to the times when I used go with K10D even with grip, FA43 attached and and FA31 with FA77 in a small pouch. And it got me thinking. I don't want to sell the whole Nikon stuff, Df is a keeper if for anything but the looks and high ISO performance. D3 can go if somebody will be willing to buy it. With lenses it will be tough choice, but I think 35 and either 16 or 20 will be for sale.
So why am I here? Well, I am really considering the return to Pentax but not sure which way to go. From one side the K-1 is really tempting, together with the FA ltd trio. I used to have D800 body so I kind of know what to expect from that sensor and I know the lenses well. But then there is the APS-C route which offers even more portability. I mean Kp with DA21, DA70 and most probably FA43 in the middle would just be sweet.
Worst thing is I have been scouring flickr for some inspirational images and frankly, was left really uninspired by what pictures I have found from any of the combinations. I mean I am no pro, I don't make money by photography but I have my standards, and I know what I like.
So I am here and asking you for help and looking for an inspiration.
PS: the K-3III monochrome definitely caught my attention, just not sure whether to go for it or wait until they will release K-1 monochrome
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-09-2023, 10:11 AM
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hmmm, I was looking at the 645D/Z bodies even with the kit lens only. Just wasn't sure about it. Knowing myself (strong LBA manifests itself now and then ) I would end up at least one wide-ish and medium telephoto lenses. And then 645 + 3 lenses will be same or heavier/bigger then Df + 4-5 lenses (which will be all f1.4 or f2) so it wouldn't be downsizing.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-11-2009, 03:51 PM
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jsut a couple of quick questions.
a) putting 645 format lens on APS-C DSLR how would the FOV compare?
say 200mm FF lens on APS-C generates 300mm FOV
200mm 645 lens mounted on DSLR would generate FOV equal to ....?
b) are there good "A" adapters from 645 to K?
TIA
Peter
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-11-2009, 11:59 PM
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ok get it...
sorry for silly question. It was too late in the night when I was writing it...
So 200mm 645 lens on APS-C will give me roughly 300mm equivalent on FF, right?
BR
Peter
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-31-2010, 01:26 AM
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Well, I have 50/1.2 and used to have F50/1.7, A50/1.7 and K55/1.8 (which is based on the same optical formula as 50/1.7s). I have also been trying DA*55 and FA50/1.4. Out of these six lenses I would pick in this order: K50/1.2, DA*, F50/1.7, K55/1.8, FA50/1.4 and A50/1.7.
Why?:
The 50/1.2 is the best optically if you ask me. Sharp (enough for me) wide open. Sharper then 1.4 at the same aperture, and as sharp as 1.7s at f2 (K50 can't do f1.7 or 1.8 so I could only check at f2). It's OOF rendering is the best out of the bunch. DA* is tack sharp, quiet, and from f 1.7/1.8 it has good OOF. Wide open the OOF is too nervous for me. WR is nice to have too if you are out there... F50 is terrific lens, one of those I regret selling. Wide open sharpness is great, OOF is typical for this optical formula (nowhere near as smooth as 1.2 or 1.4 but really nice) and I liked it, and it has really nice cool tones. K55, as for F50 but with warmer tones and extra 5mm. Downside of these two (and any 50/1.7 or 50/2) is that they only have 6 blades so when stopped down they create hexagons on OOF and I find that annoying. FA50, it's nice lens but didn't find anything about it to make me want it really. A50, as F50 but MF.
Ideal solution is to have 2 50s. The superfast and the slower, i.e. 50/1.2 and 50/1.7 (or 55/1.8) then you are getting best of both worlds in terms of optics.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-26-2011, 10:38 AM
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I wouldn't get any of them but that might be just me. I just think for APSC format that's tad long (I know, I know...120/135 is the longer end of the traditional film portrait range...). I prefer shorter lenses for that purpose, 43-50-55-58 and that would be my recommendation...
Anyway, it depends what is important for you. They are both really sharp, thay have both very good OOF (especially 1/2-1 stop down), Sigma seems to controll CAs better, Sigma is cheaper, Sigma is 2/3 of stop faster. Also, Sigma is 2-3x the size and definitely heavier, Sigma will not resell for as much as FA77 (just in case you realize you made mistake ;) ), 77 has SMC (some say Sigma's new coatings are just as good but I have some doubts), 77 definitely has a lot of character in the way it renders, 77 isn't very fast to AF (I'd guess Sigma's HSM is faster), and 77 has inadequate hood to it's FOV on APSC.
In short:
It's either sharp, fast, large and heavy with fast AF
Or sharp, quite fast, small and lighter with slower AF
Luckilly choice is yours, I made mine ;) (had and sold 77...)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-31-2010, 12:54 PM
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This must have been discussed bazzillion times but as owner of both I'm glad to chime in.
Generally TOUGFC said it all.
Couple of things from my experiences:
DA40 focuses faster (almost much faster)
DA40 has very typical DA rendering, warm but neutral, great contrast, kind of brutally honest
DA40 shows less CAs in contrasty situations (visibly so in certain specific conditions)
DA40 is smaller/lighter (almost half the size)
DA40 is sharp edge to edge
I've never seen jagged circular OOF from DA40 my FA43 does do it sometimes
DA40 is generally not as picky with background for delivering smooth OOF
FA43 has much warmer (yellowish) cast (I call it glow and so far I found out it's typical for all FA line lenses I've owned - *24, 31, 43, 77, 100/2.8 Macro, 135)
FA43 is visibly sharper in the center of the frame
FA43 for some reason gives more 3D look (or more pop to images as some say)
FA43 has weaker corners but by f4 it's as sharp in the corners as DA40 IMHO
FA43 is relatively slow to focus but has much better MF feel
I much prefer cap of FA43
FA43 has bigger resale value (especially if it's MIJ copy)
FA43 (at least my copy) seems to be less prone to PF (this varies wildly across the copies as I've seen images with quite some PF but even the worst cases were at least comparable with DA40)
FA43 feels bit better build (somehow) than DA40 (my copy of DA developed slight barrel wobble after 6 months or so...)
FA43 can have better OOF but user needs to keep an eye on the background otherwise the OOF can look quite nervous....
----
Bottom line, they are both great lenses. I used to love DA40 but the f2.8 was bit slow for my liking, 43 is pretty much all I called for but doesn't get used too much since I got K50/1.2....
good luck choosing ;)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-02-2010, 02:55 AM
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This one was from my first ever outing with this lens:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-30-2009, 04:48 PM
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few more: ;) this time from indoors:
Natural History Museum
The British Museum
2x
and I agree, this thread is becoming really, really good!
Keep them coming guys!
BR
Peter
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-29-2009, 05:05 PM
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onee more shot:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-26-2009, 02:51 AM
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Now this club can be interesting. Many people say 10-20 is soft and blah, blah, blah...
I love mine, one of my favorite lenses, and it's my 3rd most used lens overall (after DA40 & FA31), and no, it's NOT SOFT.
Anyway, here is a few shots (probably more will come later as I have a lot).
OK, so these are just from Egypt holiday, shots from London and other trips will come later.
BR
Peter
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
07-30-2013, 01:34 PM
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I have practically forgotten about this one so let's try to sing again..
Long and winding road (Lennon/McCartney):
The long and winding road that leads to your door,
Will never disappear,
I've seen that road before It always leads me here,
leads me to your door.
20130619-PK132536-Edit by axl_kollar, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-24-2012, 03:44 AM
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and one contribution from me (although with glass from the "dark" side)
EF50/1.4 @ f1.6
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
09-06-2011, 02:38 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-15-2013, 02:56 PM
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I'd pretty much agree with this.
I used to own both DA*55 and K55/1.8 at the same time as FA43ltd and K50/1.2.
Out of these 4 the DA* had the most neutral rendering. Honest and sometimes brutal. It was very sharp at any f stop and the best IQ was around f2. The out of focus rendering wide open was often too distractive for me but the lens did give me some very memorable shots.
FA43ltd, was the best do it all lens. Touch warmer than DA* and very specific rendering especially between f2.8 and f4. 1 out of 5 copies of that lens I owned was displaying ninja stars when stopped down to f2.8 and smaller. I preferred the subject isolation from DA*55 but I always preferred the rendering of FA43ltd.
K55/1.8, very warm colours. Really nice rendering wide open but stopped down the hexagons became annoying too quickly. Resolution legged behind DA* and FA ltd but wide open this lens was great for people shots
K50/1.2 was the best of the bunch. Probably the best Pentax lens I owned. On K10D it was magnificent but on K-7 I didn't like it too much. I believe on K-5IIs it would shine. It's sharp enough wide open and stopped down to to f1.8 and beyond it's magnificent without being too sharp. On APSC it's excellent people/portrait lens and wide open the rendering is unmatched by any of the above.
few samples:
DA*55
wide open
f2
FA43ltd
f2.8
wide open
K55/1.8
wide open
K50/1.2
wide open
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-26-2013, 06:02 AM
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and here are 2 from the dark side (50/1.2L on 1D3 wide open):
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-24-2013, 08:51 AM
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Good luck.
I always get amused by folks who say you won't gaing anything by switching...I've been there and I've done it. I had K-7 and nice selection of lenses (FA*24, FA*28-70, DA*55, FA31ltd and FA100/2.8 at the time of switch) and the choce was K-5 or other brand. Would have gone Nikon but I've never been fond of their ergonomics (although the D3 I tried last week was rather nice) so I settled for 7D. Loved all but the sensor so I got 1D3 when I got the chance. Never regreted it. Built, controls, ergonomics and handling are great. AF and metering is beter than anything I've tried with Pentax (yes I did actually try K-5 and K-5II). The sensor delivers all I need from it. You surely know the reasons behind you wanting to switch. Don't let the naysayers put you off for whatever reason
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-12-2013, 04:23 PM
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first results from DXO film pack. Indoors it's bit difficult to get the colours right but I have to say the Agfa APX25 preset is gorgeous...
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Forum: Lens Clubs
12-27-2009, 03:26 AM
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Thanks Jewelltrial.
Here is few more, this time from London:
btw, I have the first (4-5.6 non HSM) version. I have no need for the HSM but f3.5 @ 20mm would be nice
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
11-10-2012, 01:05 AM
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If you want the 5D to replace your Pentax stuff then no, if you want it to supplement it then big yes.
Technically speaking, K-5 is superior camera in just about every respect. It has SR in body, body is WR, it has better buid, it records video, it has better sensor (smaller, with bigger density of sensels, more resolution, better DR, comparable noise) and it's smaller and lighter. On the other side, the 5D is one of those things that many here would describe as "sprinkled by pixie dust". It has a lot weaker AA filter and displays fantastic detail on pixel level, despite it's age the sensor still compares well and many describe it's outbut at any ISO as one of the nicest in EOS land (something like K10D in Pentax IMO). Also, despite having only one cross AF sensor, when using that one and USM lens I'd bet the AF speed would trump K-5. So, if you want the advantages of FF sensor and you want to run it alongside your K mount system, 5D is a good choice. If, however, you'd want to replace your K mount system for FF, there are better, although more expensive) choices out there.
My 2p
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