Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-19-2009, 03:06 AM
|
|
I'm confused - can I safely mount a Nikon SB-28 or SB-26 on the body of my Pentax IST DL and use it manually and safely?
Some articles I've read claim that some pins need to be isolated, others claim an adapter needs to be used.
I just want to know how I can safely mount these flashes without frying my camera. I'm purely interested in using these flashes in manual mode.
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-07-2009, 07:53 AM
|
|
I'm at another crossroads... Softboxes or shoot-through umbrellas?
Equipment: 2 flashes: SB-28 and SB-26
Type of shoot: fashion/glamour
My main interest is image quality - not set-up or portability.
Softboxes seem to deliver higher quality light, mainly because there is a lot less spillage. Shoot-through umbrellas seem more convenient. What am I missing? I'm thinking that the answer to my question may depend on which type of light is being used and/or the quality or size of the umbrella or softbox. Is there a benefit to using a combination of both? Is it possible to compensate for the light spillage of a shoot-through by using multiple umbrellas?
Thanks
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-02-2009, 02:46 AM
|
|
Thanks, I'll read it and weep!
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-01-2009, 01:53 PM
|
|
I am at a critical junction. Flash bracket vs lighting stands + extra gear.
I want to experiment more with fashion photography (portraiture, etc) and discovered that I need all this other gear.
The light stands, umbrella mounts, umbrellas, and other gear really start to add up.
What's worse, is that I'm really confused about whether to buy this stuff and mount my flashes on them, or to just buy a cheap strobe kit for around 200 usd that includes all of this stuff.
Should I buy the Porsche or just pimp my Jetta?
There's no clear consensus on the usability of a flash bracket. To take it even further, am I better off purchasing a high quality bracket or will a cheap unit work for now?
Should I purchase external gear (stands, umbrellas, and the necessary adapters) on which to mount the flashes; or should I purchase a budget flash bracket, and combine that with 2 low budget strobes?
Should I rent a loft in Manhattan or live with my parents for free?
Is it me, or is this lighting stuff really confusing (for people on a tight budget)?
Just when you think you see a good deal you realize that for a little more money you can get a better value. Is this a y-curve or does this craziness continue steadily?
This issue is so confusing to me I don't even know how to structure this question.
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-01-2009, 01:16 PM
|
|
Thanks, Andreas. You're right. I remember reading that in the instruction manual.
Ok, so about those y-cables for pc connections - what are they called?
I wasn't sure whether splitting the signal was feasible, since I didn't know whether power was being transmitted or what...
What goes through those cables?
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-01-2009, 11:11 AM
|
|
Hi everyone,
I'm slowly getting into lighting and I'm trying to minimize my costs. I have a second flash I just ordered. My IST DL has what appears to be a PC/miniphone connection on it, is there a way I can split that signal into 2 or more connections, as I would an audio cable?
Thanks
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-01-2009, 05:00 PM
|
|
Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated. I'm learning as much as I can about lighting for the moment. Hopefully there's a cheap way to get lighting done!
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-18-2009, 05:26 AM
|
|
Yezzz, that was my thread also. lol.
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-18-2009, 05:02 AM
|
|
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm curious, how can you tell I used the on-camera flash?
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-17-2009, 04:10 PM
|
|
I like the color of the top used in #1 and I like the way the light gradually gets darker in #2. #3 - I really like the honesty of the shot - there's a "finally found love" feel to the picture.
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-17-2009, 04:05 PM
|
|
This is my first attempt at a conceptual shot. Still getting the feel of my camera. Would appreciate any input on technique, concept, composition, etc. |
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 03:47 PM
|
|
Awesome. Thanks. I'm so happy I resolved this while maintaining my dignity. I noticed that thing I referred to as the zoom ring makes minute adjustments when the zoom is pulled out all the way.
I really thought the "try pulling it" thing was a prank. Phew....
Thanks again!
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 03:21 PM
|
|
But okay, why does the zoom ring turn if turning it accomplishes nothing?
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 03:18 PM
|
|
I'll be... It's like the magic bean stalk just grew. Thanks a mill!
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 02:51 PM
|
|
yes, the zoom ring does turn. lol
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 12:03 PM
|
|
hey everyone, thanks for the advice.
I finally got the camera and lens to work by playing around with the settings and disabling one of the features. Phew!
Now my issue is getting the zoom function to work. I can adjust the sharpness of the image, but the 28-80mm lens won't zoom in or out. Hopefully this is another issue that's easily fixed.
I'm loving the feel and weight of the older lenses!
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-17-2009, 11:50 AM
|
|
I just bought a used ist DL with an old 28-80mm lens. The lens doesn't seem to zoom... All I'm able to do with it is adjust the sharpness/softness of the image by turning the ring that's between the aperture ring and the zoom ring.
How can I get this zoom to function?
Thanks!
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-09-2009, 02:21 PM
|
|
Hey!
I just purchased my first DSLR, a Pentax IST DL, -- used -- and am having some serious doubts about this deal.
In short: I get no live feed on the camera's screen, the flash is not popping up, and when I press the button to snap a picture nothing (and I mean absolutely nothing) happens.
The long story:
I purchased the camera with the following lens:
The camera's firmware is updated and able to accommodate SDHC cards.
1. When I turn on the camera, nothing displays on the screen. Shouldn't I be getting a live feed?
2. The flash is not popping up. I continuously pressed the flash button and the flash did not pop up.
3. The small screen displays a flashing "Av - -" a battery indicator, and what I'm guessing to be the number of photos remaining (46 in this case since I configured the camera to shoot in RAW and the present card is 512 mb).
4. The lens seems really old, but the seller assured me it was compatible with the camera. But this wouldn't really explain why the flash is not popping up....
update:
I just tried playing around with the camera without the lens and everything seemed to function: the flash popped up, pictures were snapped, and images were played back.
As you can tell from the picture, the lens looks extremely old, so I'm wondering if there's a fix for this... The lens seems to fit on the camera, and I can make small adjustments with the lens when looking through the viewfinder. It just won't take pictures with the lens on... So frustrating.
update #2:
Problem fixed: I had to disable a setting having to do with the "a" mode on the lens. Rookie mistake...
|