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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
03-02-2014, 01:48 AM
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Hello Folks!
This is addressed to residents of UK/Europe. (Logistics convenience, no other reason.)
I am exploring the possibility of scanning our respective old slide collections a lot cheaper than commerically offered by pro labs in the U.K.
Those interested are requested to contact me please, by PM.
Incase this topic should be published in some other sub section, I request the Administrator to let me know please.
Thank you all!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-17-2013, 02:30 AM
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Canon does make reliable and good stuff. Problem is most of the bodies with fast focus capability have sensors exhibiting terrible low light/high ISO performance. Those bodies with good low light performance have not so fast focussing systems. To get both in a Canon body one must look at the 1Dx - costing more than $6000, I think!
Even so, built in HDR, intervalometer, sweep panorama, twilight mode, anti blur mode, etc (so useful in hand held landscape photography and available in some Pentax/Sony cameras) are not available in most Canon models.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-16-2013, 02:09 AM
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Thank you all, for your timely inputs.... much appreciated!
Imd 91343: Thank you for that graphic description.. ! You could consider adding a sherpa to hump all that load! it lays to rest my fantasies of Canon glass on a K3 body!!
I have been for long considering a shift to Pentax but my investment in Canon glass has me rooted. Not to mention lack of fast focus and effective stabilisation (when compared to Canon's long glass & lens based IS) for flying birds and flitty butterflies.
Guess I will have to wait for Canon to come up with a body that matches the K3 in other aspects/features. Or maybe look at the Sony A7?
The very best to all of you folks! Happy shooting!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-15-2013, 10:14 AM
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Hello folks!
Anyone here used the Canon 300mm/400mm/500mm FD lenses + FD/K mount adapter on a Pentax K5 or K3 body? If yes, may I have your views on the efficacy and picture quality of the combo please? Also::
1. Is adapter with our without optics?
2. Does adapter permit lens to focus at infinity?
3. If not to infinity, upto what approx distance can one achieve sharp focus?
4. Does adapter restrict FD lens to work in wide open only mode? Or can lens be stopped down?
5. Lastly,how does it compare with use of native K mount MF lens? Or the new Pentax 300mm AF lens?
Thanks so much for any inputs!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-28-2013, 02:49 PM
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Hello Rbefly!
What you say may have some truth in it. Equally, look at the facts, objectively. When it comes to:
1. Action photos - Pentax AF speed and accuracy does not match Canon/Nikon.
2. Landscapes - FF bodies of Canon and Nikon offer better image quality overall compared to Pentax’s crop bodies.
3. In camera image stabilisation for tele (where it matters most) is also not as effective as in-lens variant.
4. Add to above, limited lens’ choice compared to Nikon/Canon, not to mention pricing.
So, although Pentax glass is beautiful and the bodies are feature rich, in practical usage the Pentax system falls short in these very important parameters. If Pentax improved on above, a lot of Canon/Nikon guys would bite.
As for the original subject of this thread, DXO findings are not at great variance to those of many other test labs. To that extent their findings are at par.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-28-2013, 01:45 PM
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Thank you all for your comments/inputs.
In response to TIMD: Your question is answered aptly by ALCAZAR (thank you Micha!) so no point repeating it. RONDEC also touches on the main aspect of it:
I’ll explain briefly: I use a 400mm lens on the Canon 5DII for birds & butterflies. Often, cropping is necessary. Suppose I used a Pentax K3 or say a Sony NEX7 (both 24mp) with a Canon adapter (effectively framing 600mm equivalent on a FF Canon), I may not have to crop all that much and overall may end up with a higher resolution and - hopefully - a better quality picture, not so sure of the latter though.
As pointed out by Rondec, buying a Canon 600mm/f4 weighing in at maybe 6kg and using it hand held like I do the 2kg 400mm is a no-no. Even if one can afford the 600 mill, I wonder how many can afford the LBA that goes with it. (Low Back Ache, another ‘affliction’ of many dedicated nature photographers!)
Now to RAWR: DXO does not do the kind of comparisons I am looking for - as far as I can tell. If you disagree, a link to such a test/comparison by DXO is welcome!
NORMHEAD: I agree. My last sentence in my opening post says just that. Like you, I am waiting….! I have asked over at Sony too. The NEX7 and K3 both, use Sony 24mp sensors and so the end result should be comparable (?).
Till then, thanks again and the best to all of you!
PS: Although a long standing Canon guy in 35mm format, there was a time I also used to wield ( yep, I use that word correctly!) a Pentax 67 + 300mm lens hand held at 4000 meters in the high Himalayas. Those images…. ! I never thought I’d think so poorly of Canon glass! (Maybe it was just the film and format that made all the difference? Same as FF and APS-C now-a-days?)
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-22-2013, 03:50 AM
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I use a Canon 5D MkII with tele lenses and keep considering a shift to Pentax for its SR. I have not come across any authortative or other reliable comparison that can nudge me to shift to Pentax.
So, like RDJ92807, I too would be happy to see how Pentax SR on the K3 compares with Canon IS.... but an objective comaprison and review please bysomeone who has actually used or still uses both systems.
Thanks in advance!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-22-2013, 02:53 AM
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Hello folks!
I have a question for those who are not only mathematically inclined but more so understand digital photography, sundry nuances of sensor efficacy etc as it relates to pixels and final picture quality out of a digital camera.
Background to question: Assume:
• You have a Canon 5D Mk II (full frame 21mp) and a Pentax K3 (APS-C 24mp).
• The sensor quality of both cameras is not the same. It remains what it is in real life.
• The 5D sensor size is 24x36 = 864 sq mm and the K3 sensor size is 16x24 = 432 sq mm.
• On both bodies you use a Sigma 50mm lens in respective mounts. The two lenses are electro-optically identical in terms of picture quality.
• No special in-camera processing or correction is applied.
Now, you shoot the a subject with both cameras with identical settings/lighting. What you get is:- Canon – a 50mm perspective photo using 21mp on 864 sq mm surface area = 24,305 pixels per sq mm.
- Pentax
– The 1.5x crop factor gives you a 75mm perspective photo using 24mp on 432 sq mm surface area = 55,555 pixels per sq mm.
Next, you crop the Canon photo to equate the Pentax coverage of 75mm. In doing so, you delete portions of the Canon file from all sides to retain a portion such that the Canon photo matches the Pentax photo in angular coverage.
As I see it, you have now cropped the Canon photo from 864 mm size to 432mm size to achieve Pentax’s 75mm angle.
What you now end up with is effectively a Canon 432 sq mm size file of 10,500 pixels and a Pentax 432mm size file having 55,555 pixels.
You now make prints of both photos enlarging them to size 16x12 inches (400x300mm) using identical inputs for the printer.
The question – Keeping in mind difference in sensor quality of the two cameras in real life – pixel pitch/size favouring Canon and the file size favouring Pentax - - Which file will give a better quality image?
- Is the Canon sensor so good as to make up the difference of 5x additional pixels in the Pentax file?
If anyone here has both cameras and can arrange to do a test and put up results, it would be revelatory!
Thanks in advance to all of you who can offer some informed inputs.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
06-08-2011, 06:19 AM
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Hi folks! A few clarifications please regarding image stabilization from someone who has actually used the eqpt discussed:
Eqpt: Pentax K5 body with Sigma 300mm OS lens.
Qs:
1. Can one use the OS feature of Sigma lenses on Pentax K5 bodies?
2. Can one use both (in camera and in lens) IS modes simultaneously on a K5?
3. If yes, does switching on both enhance stabilization further or reduce it?
4. If only either camera or lens stabilisation can be used, which is more efficient – the ‘in body’ stabilization or the ‘in lens’ stabilisation?
5. Lastly, has anyone here used a K5 with a 300mm (or greater) lens and an equivalent by Canon or Nikon? Which offers a sharper picture in terms of camera shake/stability when hand held? (Put another way, is the Pentax in camera stabilization more efficient or the in lens versions of Canon/Nikon? Reference is to their 2nd generation IS lenses.)
Thanks in advance for any guidance!
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
02-10-2011, 06:36 AM
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Hullo!
Does anyone know of a digital back for a Pentax 67II? If yes, any details about price, plus and minus points, image quality, etc?
Thank you al in advance.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-20-2008, 09:43 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-19-2008, 09:10 PM
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Whilst on 50mm lenses:-
What is the difference (in terms of image quality and focussing speed/acccuracy) between -
[a] F-50mm/1.4 & FA-50mm /f1.4?
[b] F50/2.8 macro & FA50/2.8 macro?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-14-2008, 12:20 AM
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Can someone here offer inputs on the F 50mm f2.8 macro - in comparison to other 50 macros? And, if worth purchasing, what would be a reasonable price to buy it if labelled 'excellent condition'?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-11-2008, 05:25 AM
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Thank you one and all for additional clarifications. I now have understood how the aperture will work in Av/M modes.
Now to look for such lenses as the 135/2.5 and the 200/2.5...!
Any idea how efficient AF will be and also how good the image quality will be if a 200/2.5 is attached to a 1.7x TC for close up photography? Or will a 100 macro + 1.7x TC offer better results?
Bharat
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-07-2008, 10:05 PM
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Dear k100d, Eric and Lowell,
Thank you so much for your inputs; I do appreciate the time you took to write this, Lowell!
So, if you happen to come across a spare 85mm/1.8 (after you have got one for yourelf!), Lowell, do give me a holler! My email is
I generally do not use normal 50mm optics, except occasionally the 50 macro. I am into either very wide (<28mm) or very telephoto (>200mm) landscapes/nature.
I also note that all of you are from Canada. And I am looking for Pentax stuff from Canada to be purchased within the next month. Incase you or any of your friends or retai outlest syou know are disposing accessories that can be used on a K20D let me know. Stuff like angle finder, viewfinder magnifier and yes, a 50mm/2.8 macro.
Before I end may I wish a slight clarification, please:
Lowell, you say that, "K mount lenses - .... in Av mode the lens will remain wide open and shot taken at maximum apature but metered for it."
k100d, you say that, "no, the lens will stop down when the shutter is pressed"
And Eric, says, "Yes, with M and K lenses the camera will automatically stop the lens down when the shutter is pressed."
From above quote of Lowell, I understand that the K lens will work only at full aperture in Av priority mode.
But k1-00d and Eric seem to say that the K lens will be automatically stop down to selected shooting aperture when shutter is actuated.
Maybe I do not understand this properly... but there seems a divergence in views of how the K series lens will work on a K10/20D.
Once again, thanks so much for your insights.
Bharat
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-06-2008, 09:52 PM
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Whilst on the subject of favourite macro lenses:
I am planning to use the 1.7x AF TC with a macro lens to shoot butterflies, etc. Camera K20D (yet to be bought!) Can anyone here who has done this or has a good idea advise me which macro lens would be the best to use with it?
Ther is also mention here of a Sigma 180mm macro in Pentax mount. Is the Sigma 150mm also available in Pentax mount? Any idea where I can get a 180/150 macro used?
Thank you all.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-06-2008, 09:00 PM
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Hullo Folks!
Can someone here in the know please tell me the plus and minus points of using a M and K series lens on a K10D? Specifically:
1. If aperture is set manually, does one end up always shooting in 'stopped down mode'? (Metering and focussing through a darkened viewfinde?)
2. How does image quality compare with A and F series optics?
3. Are there any metering issues?
I am specificlly looking for answers to above Qs with respect to the following M or K series lenses - 85mm/f2, 135mm/2.5, 200mm/f2.5. (Plan to buy and use them on a K20D if feasible/worthwhile.)
Lastly, what is the difference in the image quality of a 200mm/f2.5 and the FA*200mm/f2.8 ED?
Thank you all in advance for your inputs.
khukri.
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Forum: Sold Items
11-04-2007, 11:39 PM
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Hullo Alefone!
Kindly email relevant details including price and defects/problems (if any) with camera, etc to
If things work out shipping will be to a Canada address. (Likely Montreal/Toronto.) Payment via bank transfer or Pay Pal. Or, I just may organise payment locally, ex-Montreal.
Thank you.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-21-2007, 04:49 AM
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Lovely pictures, Phil; thank you for sharing them with us.
By the way, Stewart, can you recommend which is a better software - Noise Ninja or Neat Image? Possibly the +/- points of each as a user? Thanks so much!
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Forum: Sold Items
09-13-2007, 10:18 PM
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Hullo! What is the current price? Kindly email me at Thank you.
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Forum: Sold Items
08-25-2007, 12:51 AM
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Hullo! Mail sent to given address. Thank you.
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Forum: Sold Items
08-22-2007, 11:07 PM
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Thank you for the input, Tstowell; now to wait for the next 40mm at a similar price!!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-22-2007, 10:48 PM
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I own neither, BUT.... since there are no input so far, a suggestion, if I may...
Why not just go to the shop, request to test shoot with both for an hour, shoot identical shots with both under different light condition, close up and infinity, etc. go home, compare the images critically and pick up whichever the next day?
The best in your respective decision making processes, Aerodave and Lapeen.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-22-2007, 10:28 PM
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Hullo John!
That is a very nice picture of the eagle! Happy to know the K10D can be so sensitive! Now all I need to do if figure out whether to buy the K10D now or wait for the new model to come as rumoured by year end!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-22-2007, 10:15 PM
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Thank you for the input, Hopi. How efficient is it on a f4 lens - such as a 200mm/f4? Any tele lenses you could recommend that it performs well with? Thanks again!
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