Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 
Log in or register to remove ads.

Showing results 1 to 25 of 74 Search:
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-10-2016, 06:54 AM  
Dark Red Rose by K1
Posted By walro
Replies: 40
Views: 5,439
I have noticed that the K-1 does a beautiful job with reds. The colors are so rich and don't have that tendency to blow out! I am anxious to see how it handles yellows, as that is another color I feel dslr's struggle with at times.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-09-2016, 03:39 AM  
Battery grip: yay or nay?
Posted By walro
Replies: 106
Views: 18,798
With large lenses, they balance out the camera and make it more comfortable to hold for me. Also, I have everything I need in the grip for a day of shooting. Two batteries and the extra memory card. I prefer not to take all my pictures on one memory card for safety reasons with weddings. However, I do not want to be running back to my bag to get memory cards in a pinch. With my current cameras, I can have three memory cards in my camera and that's all I need for the day. Need to get some bigger memory cards for the K-1 though, especially if I want to write to two cards at once.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-08-2016, 08:44 PM  
pentax k1 with shoe mount pttl flash, shutter lag?
Posted By walro
Replies: 10
Views: 2,461
I replied to this in another thread, but there is no shutter lag with the Pentax 540. Works beautifully.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-08-2016, 08:14 PM  
K1 Wedding Photography Impressions
Posted By walro
Replies: 21
Views: 11,195
Pictures as promised. If anyone could explained to me why my shadow areas darken when I export to jpeg, I would appreciate. They look fine in lightroom.

These are all k-1 with 24-70 unless stated otherwise.

The happy couple. K-1


This was my worst processional picture. I had literally gotten into place, whipped around, saw the bride's mom, and had one second.


Jumping action of the groomsmen with bride, impressively sharp at 100%.


Walking from the side. Usually straight on is easier for me than this type of shot, but they are razor sharp at 100%.


I haven't had a chance to sort through all these pics so I think some eyes might be shut, but this is bridal party at 24mm.


Love the narrow depth of field with full frame. I believe this is at 70mm f 3.5.


Just to show the kind of conditions with the backlighting. This picture they were almost on top of me. I have to take pictures from the back of the church, so I don't have a whole aisle in which to get these shots. :) Obviously, focused on her.


Recessional


Detail shot shooting from above. These were on top of a barrel.


Amish grandmother, 3200 ISO, with the 200mm


Cute little girl, also 3200 ISO, also the 200mm


The 24-70 is great on the K-3 as well:


Another detail shot I was able to get using live view:


And, lastly, I stepped out the church door for a second during the ceremony to this, taken with the k-3 and the 200mm. I didn't even notice the juxtaposition with the power lines till afterward.


---------- Post added 05-08-2016 at 11:22 PM ----------



Regarding the flash, I've been trying out the Pentax 540 on the K-1 in TTL just here in the house, and it is beautiful. I think I will never put the flash on the K-3 again! Actually, I think I have to have a second K-1. Time to start charging more. :lol:

---------- Post added 05-08-2016 at 11:30 PM ----------



Ricoh Pentax will be very happy we are having this problem. :lol: I ended up using the K-3 with the tele during the ceremony when I felt like I needed the extra reach from crop sensor, and then using it on the K-1 during reception.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-08-2016, 02:08 PM  
K1 Wedding Photography Impressions
Posted By walro
Replies: 21
Views: 11,195
Without actually counting and looking at each image at 100% crop, I would put the number of pin sharp recessional/processional photos at 90-95%. There were maybe about 4-5 images that looked soft to me out of roughly 50 images. I had no super blurry photos, and was really surprised by how well it did when the subject was close to me. Normally, I would say about one fourth to half of those images are soft depending on the lighting situation. This is using a.f.c. The a.f.c. on k-1 Is so good that even when I forgot to switch to a.f.s for still shots, I couldn't tell later I had forgotten. I often use the center point for action, not always.

I did not use flash on the K1 at this wedding. It was an early afternoon wedding, and I didn't feel like I had time to try it with a flash enough the night beforehand. Definitely something I wanted to try out in the next couple of weeks. I was grateful for the high ISO, as I shoot Mennonite weddings where they often have Amish parents or grandparents that the couple wants surreptitious pictures of. I call the 200 my Amish grandparent lens because I am able to take pictures across the room when they don't realize it. I never use flash for ceremonies, and for the reception, I used flash on the k3 with a wide angle and used the k-1 with the 200 and higher ISOs. The shutter lag on the k3 is very frustrating to me as well!

I typically shoot in AV mode and use exposure comp. to get to the exposure I want. When shooting the same situation side by side, I noticed I had to apply more exposure comp. to the k-3 than the k-1 in tricky metering situations. This is when using matrix metering in both cameras.

---------- Post added 05-08-2016 at 05:10 PM ----------



It's been a long time since I uploaded pictures to this forum. I need to figure out how to do it again. :)
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-07-2016, 09:25 PM  
K1 Wedding Photography Impressions
Posted By walro
Replies: 21
Views: 11,195
I mainly used the DFA 24-70 and the DA* 200. Both are lenses I liked ok on the K3 and K5s, but I like them both better on full frame. Someone posted pictures with the 200 that had vignetting, but I had no problems with it, with and without the hood.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-07-2016, 07:05 PM  
K1 Wedding Photography Impressions
Posted By walro
Replies: 21
Views: 11,195
Don't know how many folks on here shoot weddings, but I gave my K-1 a workout the day after it arrived and wanted to give my first impressions. I was going to have it for my second camera because I was nervous about using an unfamiliar camera for such critical pictures as a wedding. Just looking at the pictures on the back of the screen, the K-1 was outperforming my K-3 so much that I ended up using the K-1 for all important shots.

My first impression when looking through images is, "Where are the out of focus shots?" Seriously, even when the af doesn't seem that much faster in certain situations, it is so accurate that I am completely blown away.

Obviously, the high ISO is amazing, I probably don't even need to comment about that.

The tilting screen was my biggest surprise of the day. I have never used live view before. Today, I went crazy with it for detail shots that I would have formerly had to get on chairs to get. I think I'll have to start trying it with people. Focus is great in live view.

It's intuitive. Coming from a K-3, I didn't have to read a manual to figure out how to do everything I needed to. Some things that bothered me initially I am really starting to like, such as the different spot for the playback button. The focus select being a black square took some getting used to. If I am pointing the camera at dark objects I can't always see where my focus point is until it lights up. I like the square the rest of the time, though, and the camera knew where the focus point was even if I didn't.

I had done another wedding in the same church less than a year ago. I just really hope the brides don't compare wedding pictures, because the ones from today are that much better! In particular, the earlier time the walking in pictures were soft because I had a strong backlight from a door and the camera struggled. The backlit shots today were amazing and the camera didn't hesitate a bit.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-06-2016, 08:09 PM  
Can anyone with a K-1 give me a review of the AF?
Posted By walro
Replies: 71
Views: 19,857
My take on the af speed after several hours with the camera. In certain situations it is not that much faster, but others it beats all other Pentax cameras I've ever used. In particular, using a.f.c, I was able to get almost all shots of children swinging and going down slides in focus. Whereas before I would be happy to get one or two in focus out of a series of 5 or 6.

I shot a lot with the 200 without the hood, and had no vignetting whatsoever. I haven't tried it with the hood. That lens is a dream on the K1.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-06-2016, 02:01 PM  
Pentax K-1 Delivery Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 147
Views: 16,738
We need a good waiting for my K-1 meme. The UPS man usually comes early afternoon, except during Christmas season. Is Mother's Day holding him up, all the road construction around here, or did he have a terrible accident? The good part is that my house is clean, the laundry is done, the lenses all got a good cleaning, and a lot of baking/cooking got done. Have to do something with all that nervous energy. I'm finished with all my work--he can come now!
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 05-06-2016, 01:55 PM  
Non-Warranty Service with Precision Camera: Trustworthy?
Posted By walro
Replies: 9
Views: 1,468
I am so unimpressed with Precision for both warranty and non warranty repair that I threatened to switch to Nikon. You don't even want to get me started! I had to send a lens back that they repaired (it wouldn't focus at infinity, which was not the original problem), and I have a flash that isn't working and I think it's the one that I sent in for repair but I need to check the numbers. They charged me for warranty work because they didn't understand the Pentax warranty. Oh, and they wouldn't even send me a shipping label to send back the lens they didn't repair properly until I called Pentax and complained about it. They do eventually correct their issues, but just don't expect any quick fixes. If something works or doesn't cost a whole lot more than their repair rest image, I don't get things fixed.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-04-2016, 07:37 PM  
K-1 USA Shipping Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 626
Views: 67,578
My order date was April 21st. I already jumped ship from B&H to Amazon when I thought the release date was over the Passover. Thankfully, Amazon came through, since I didn't feel like switching my order again.

A need or a want? For some weddings, it is pretty close to being a need. The wedding Saturday is not a candlelit, dark church wedding, so it's not a need. Better high ISO is the most important thing for me. All the rest is bonus. I've been getting by, but there are situations where I would end up with less grain/sharper pictures. Now I need to get busy and get everything done ahead of time so I can send Friday breaking it in!

---------- Post added 05-04-2016 at 10:40 PM ----------



It depends how similar it is to the previous cameras. I always wear two cameras on Rapid Straps with different lenses the day of, so I can easily switch back to the familiar if I have to.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-04-2016, 07:19 PM  
K-1 USA Shipping Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 626
Views: 67,578
Amazon has not shipped my camera. I am beginning to wonder if the customer service reps are somehow able to change the status of an order just to try to make people happy. I e-mailed them today and told them if it ships tomorrow I need to change my order to expedited shipping so I get it Friday. They e-mailed me back assuring me I would have it Friday. But I'm starting to have my doubts.

And I am actually someone who makes money with the camera. Although I'm fairly part time, I have been doing an average of one wedding per month so far this year. For me, this is a need, not a want. :) Although, I have been shooting weddings with other cameras and making do, and I am sure I can do Saturday's wedding without it. But I really, really want it!

---------- Post added 05-04-2016 at 10:24 PM ----------

Spoke too quickly. I just got a tracking number and my K1 is on its way set to arrive Friday!!!! Never hurts to bug customer service. :)
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-04-2016, 06:26 AM  
K-1 USA Shipping Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 626
Views: 67,578
Amazon is showing my camera arriving Friday, but my credit card has not yet been charged and it has not been shipped yet. It says it is in process and will be shipped today.. My order date was 4/21. I had called Amazon last evening, and they said they had no idea when they would get it in. My order was from Amazon, not another seller.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 05-04-2016, 02:24 AM  
K-1 USA Shipping Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 626
Views: 67,578
Ordered from Amazon on April 21. Last night I called them and asked when they thought they would have them and they said they didn't know. Late last night, I got an e-mail saying it should be arriving Friday, they are preparing to ship today.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 04-29-2016, 09:16 AM  
K-1 USA Shipping Date
Posted By walro
Replies: 626
Views: 67,578
Umm, I got an e-mail from Ricoh this morning saying they have something for everyone and suggesting that a pro photographer mom deserves an upgrade to a full frame K1. My guess is that they sent out the ad, realized their error, and sent out a revised ad to others. But this should mean that folks in the U.S. will be able to get one in time for Mother's Day?

I had pre-ordered a long time ago at B&H, then switched my order to Amazon the middle of April because of the Passover and Amazon was offering a really great warranty that includes accidentally spills. I have been worrying that I did the wrong thing and that there will not be enough cameras in the first shipment for all the pre-orders. But if they want people to order and get it in time for Mothers' Day, then they must have plenty. I hope!

I have a wedding next Saturday, and I really, really want this camera in time!
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-21-2012, 04:38 AM  
Pentax Wedding Photography?
Posted By walro
Replies: 44
Views: 9,310
Steezylistic, I would probably say the k30 over the k-7, since good high ISO is so important in wedding photography.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-19-2012, 12:08 PM  
Pentax Wedding Photography?
Posted By walro
Replies: 44
Views: 9,310
You need to have either two cameras or else a backup shooter. Even if it's a close friend or family, even if you're doing it for free. Weddings are not repeatable, they are one of the most important events of a person's life, and stuff can happen to memory cards or cameras. Your photography skills are far more important than the camera, but you do need to either have fast lenses (f 2.8, at the least) or a good flash that you know how to use and can use. Some churches do not allow flash, but even if they do, the only part I have ever used flash for would be the processional and recessional. To me, flashes popping really distracts from the ceremony (unless you're outdoors). I usually use fast primes without flash (f 1.4 or 1.8) for processional/recessional as I like to keep the focus on the bride coming down the aisle and not on the photographer. Of course, if the lights are off in the church, then I would have to resort to flash for any action. I would not recommend doing weddings until you have a thorough knowledge of your camera and portrait photography practice. I have to say that the K-5 performs at least as well as the entry and mid level Canons and Nikons, which is what almost all the wedding photographers who live in my rural area have. If you put it up against a full frame camera, you might see a difference. But if you don't have the big bucks to spend on full frame, you will get a lot more for your money with a k-5.

In order to be able to keep up with all the action in a wedding, you need to do a lot of practicing with focusing technique. If you have pets or kids, you can get some good wedding practice right at home. Learn to choose your focus point (because the camera will sometimes choose the wrong one), learn how to use AF continuous and the AF button on the back of your camera (one of the tricks we've learned to getting good action shots).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-19-2012, 04:34 AM  
Could the 77 ltd. be any more perfect?
Posted By walro
Replies: 29
Views: 2,720
Yes, weather-sealing would definitely be a plus! For me, the AF on this lens on my K-5 is zippy, but I think AF is over-rated. Isn't the AF in all digital cameras way better than it used to be? Don't get me wrong, I think if I were a sports shooter, I would probably be a Nikon person. But my husband and I have managed to get great action shots, once we learned the right techniques! :)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-18-2012, 11:33 AM  
Could the 77 ltd. be any more perfect?
Posted By walro
Replies: 29
Views: 2,720
Wide open, the 77 limited amazes me. The colors are rich and so vibrant that there have been times that I've almost had to slide the saturation down in Lightroom. Just a few examples from a recent senior shoot:

Wide open at 1.8


The colors of this lens are so vibrant straight out of the camera.


This may sound like a shameless commercial for the 77, but this lens has completely revolutionized my shooting.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-11-2011, 05:26 AM  
Suggestions for a Fast Wide Prime
Posted By walro
Replies: 30
Views: 7,332
So I was looking through the photos from my last wedding. The 16-50 is indispensable. I used it primarily for groups indoors with lights, dress shots, and the ceremony. But all my photos from the 55 had a special look to them that none of the zooms had. Maybe I should get busy and edit some photos so I can post some examples. I got a lot of head and shoulders, 3/4 length shots, and even some full length shots, but I was working in some fairly tight conditions (one room schoolhouse, porches, etc.) where I think a 30 would've yielded what I'm after.

Yes, I think I'm coveting the full frame look, but I'm only on my sixth wedding and don't have that kind of dough to drop. The last wedding I was shooting in the rain and the bride's aunt (a Canon photographer who came along for fun) had to tuck her camera under her shirt while I kept shooting away. I'm a pretty loyal Pentaxian, but I do find wedding photographers like Katelyn James and Jasmine Star (full frame users who use fast primes) very inspiring. So I think I'm trying to get as close to that look as I can without owning a 5d mk ii. :)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-10-2011, 07:42 PM  
Suggestions for a Fast Wide Prime
Posted By walro
Replies: 30
Views: 7,332
I really don't care about corner sharpness since I like my backgrounds rendered out of focus anyway, what I'm more interested in is what would have the fastest autofocus. I looked at the Sigma 28 1.8, but was concerned about the af speed with it being a macro. But then, I've used the Pentax 100mm macro as a reception candid lens and didn't find the autofocus speed to be a big problem, so maybe that's not an issue.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-10-2011, 07:04 PM  
Suggestions for a Fast Wide Prime
Posted By walro
Replies: 30
Views: 7,332
I've recently fallen in love with fast primes, and am looking to add a wider prime to my lineup. At this point, I'm mostly shooting weddings, although we use lenses a lot for personal things too. I love the results from the DA*55 and DA 70 for the portrait part of the wedding, but I'm realizing I need to be getting more shots that are canvas material, take in a large part of the background. The 16-50 just isn't cutting it for me in terms of that 3d look I'm after.

Basically, I'm looking for something less than 35mm that is less than f2. The 31 limited is out of my price range at the moment, so something other than that. Something that has relatively fast autofocus, as most weddings I do I'm not allowed to use flash during the ceremony and my f2.8 zooms aren't quite as fast as I'd like for processional and recessional photos. I do carry two cameras on me all the time, so I typically will have a prime on one and zoom on the other during the ceremony and reception.

I'm leaning toward the Sigma 30 1.4. Any other suggestions? I'm wanting a lens that will cover wide shots of the bride and groom, the bridal party, and low-light ceremony. What would you choose?
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-15-2010, 05:35 PM  
Some speculation on the Pro Model (K-5) Specs
Posted By walro
Replies: 195
Views: 44,663
No drugs here, but I can read and I know what sells. The key to selling is to differentiate yourself from the competition -- pretty tough to do with just still photography on your SLR at this point. So many awesome SLRs out there, somehow you have to have a better package and this where video comes in.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-15-2010, 04:36 PM  
Some speculation on the Pro Model (K-5) Specs
Posted By walro
Replies: 195
Views: 44,663
The issue with the kx sensor IMHO is that it does not have the video specs that are necessary for a top end camera. I like the K7 sensor at the iso that I shoot at, but it certainly could be a lot better at high iso. On the other hand, Pentax needs to put in a sensor capable of doing full HD video. This is the big thing that I see Pentax adding.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 06-09-2010, 03:36 AM  
Faster AF-speed!?
Posted By walro
Replies: 4
Views: 2,062
I wouldn't think it would change at all. The camera is still only using one battery at a time -- not like there is any extra current flowing that would make a difference.
Search took 0.01 seconds | Showing results 1 to 25 of 74

 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:37 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top