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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11-19-2023, 04:26 PM  
645D PEF files and Capture One
Posted By DSims
Replies: 8
Views: 477
Have you contacted Capture One about this? Perhaps they will work with you to create a camera profile for the 645D. Essentially you’re a victim of owning a legacy camera that’s effectively tethered to their legacy policy of not supporting “competing” medium format cameras. A couple of years ago they finally added support for the 645Z, but the 645D is still conspicuously absent from their support list.



Capture One has historically had excellent camera profiles. This was the main reason I chose them over competing software, way back in version 3. In my experience having camera profile support is the differentiating factor between a satisfying or frustrating experience using their software.

While in theory this can be worked around, I think in practice there’s something powerful about being able to get good quality (and probably substantially similar) results out of any camera they’ve created a profile for.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-16-2023, 09:16 PM  
100-150ish Prime options
Posted By DSims
Replies: 25
Views: 910
I have the A100/2.8, and it makes beautiful images.

However, it sounds like the F or FA135/2.8 would be more beneficial for you, with their longer focal length. As long as some Purple Fringing near wide-open doesn't bother you much (I'm OK with it), it's a great choice. My FA135 fits right in with my F* and FA* primes, except it has a slower aperture. Wonderfully small size and weight, fast-focusing, and internal focus so when you point it at someone they don't perceive you as "zooming in" on them.

I think it will be an excellent complement to your FA77, which I used to own. I use my FA135 on the K-5 IIs, and I expect you'll get good results on the K1 (with essentially the same-size pixels).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-31-2023, 01:15 PM  
FA 200 or DA 200?
Posted By DSims
Replies: 29
Views: 1,268
This reminds me - I think the DA*200 I tried was slower focusing than most lenses. This is bad if you shoot action, yet a 200mm lens would often be used for this -> poor design IMO. On the newer bodies a few screw drive lenses outperform many SDM lenses in focusing speed (e.g. the FA135/2.8). I believe what happens is the new body upgrades the motor for an older lens, whereas an SDM lens is stuck with its built-in motor. So it’s possible the FA*200 would be better than the DA*200 in this regard. I also prefer the FA*200’s color rendering in the photos I’ve seen.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-30-2023, 11:47 PM  
The Forgotten Lens? HD PENTAX-FA 50mm f/1.4
Posted By DSims
Replies: 40
Views: 2,028
It’s true that the 50mm macros have similarly high IQ, but I’d put them out of my mind. I sold my excellent F50/2.8 when I decided the D FA 100 WR was the only macro I needed, so I focused on faster 50’s instead.

Interestingly, I noticed DPR went from the D FA 50/2.8 macro to the DA*55/1.4 in their newer APS-C test charts. The results are very good.



In this statement I was referring to the FA43/1.9 being better than all the true 50mm AF lenses that existed pre-D FA* 50/1.4 (excluding macros), although I would also say it’s better than all the Pentax MF 50’s (except maybe the f/1.2’s).

I know some people are fond of the DA20-40 Ltd, but after examining many images taken with it I decided not to get one. I don’t think I ever saw even one image from it that truly “wowed” me. Furthermore, variable aperture just seems wrong in a 2x zoom Ltd lens. I’d be more likely to get another FA20-35/4 than it (but I’m happy with FA20, FA*24 and FA28 instead).

To me it would be better to get an HD FA43/1.9 (or even the pretty good HD FA35/2 - I had two copies of the old non-HD one) plus a quality lens near 20mm (FA20/2.8, D FA21/2.4, or FA*24/2) than the DA20-40/2.8-4.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-30-2023, 10:31 PM  
FA 200 or DA 200?
Posted By DSims
Replies: 29
Views: 1,268
Unfortunately the FA/DA* 200 was never as good optically as the F/FA/DA* 300. I had a DA* 200 for a few weeks before returning or reselling it.

I have 2 copies of the F*300/4.5 as well as the FA135/2.8. So I guess you know which lenses I like. The F/FA135 is so small and light - with internal focusing - that no one ever looks twice at you when you point it at them. They have no idea how long it is. Also, I think it’s the fastest-focusing screw drive lens I’ve ever used.

One warning with the F*300/4.5 is that it may be almost impossible to get it repaired if necessary (no spare parts available), but I like the images from it slightly better than the FA*, which I slightly prefer over the DA*. Nevertheless IIRC the DA*300 is from the rather reliable grouping of SDM lenses (unlike e.g. the original DA*16-50/2.8), and I don’t remember it being much bigger than my F* when I tried one in the store - but that wasn’t a key criteria for me.

Nevertheless the FA*200 isn’t bad, and at that price might still be a worthy companion to your quality 21 and 50. I mostly shoot 24* 85* and 300*, so a similar wide spread to what you’re considering.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-30-2023, 03:07 AM  
The Forgotten Lens? HD PENTAX-FA 50mm f/1.4
Posted By DSims
Replies: 40
Views: 2,028
Despite my earlier search for the ultimate 50, I no longer own any primes near 50mm. Like me, I believe many photographers have chased this focal length, only to realize later we don’t actually care to use it that much.


I’m still using APS-C, and my favorite lenses are the FA*24/2, FA*85/1.4, and F*300/4.5. These lenses can be found for fairly reasonable prices these days and I recommend them. I find that fast, high quality primes - even with vastly different focal lengths - are more useful than zooms that “cover” a whole range.


I liked the DA15/4 but sold it when my DA10-17 fisheye effectively replaced it, being almost rectilinear at 17mm. However the DA* 11-18/2.8 still looks like the WA lens I always wanted, so I may eventually get one. I believe this * zoom has higher IQ than the 15mm Ltd prime.

Other possibilities include the D FA 21//2.4 Ltd (preferable to the DA21/3.2) or the FA20/2.8 (which I own). I also like my FA28/2.8 AL and believe the AL makes it better than the F, but the FA’s reputation is hampered because of a higher-than-average number of bad copies out there.



Even though the FA*24/2 theoretically has (slightly) lesser-IQ compared to some of its * brethren, it’s significantly better than both the FA20 and FA28. I believe its excellent light-gathering capability and high IQ at only F2.2 makes it more powerful than any other WA I’ve used. I’m glad I didn’t let its slight imperfections deter me from acquiring one.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-30-2023, 12:50 AM  
The Forgotten Lens? HD PENTAX-FA 50mm f/1.4
Posted By DSims
Replies: 40
Views: 2,028
Craig,

I’ve been away from the Forums for about a decade I but started visiting the site again this month because of a specific project I’m working on. I still have most of my great Pentax gear.

For Image Quality, I believe the best Pentax 50mm lenses are the D FA* 50/1.4, DA* 55/1.4, and the HD FA43/1.9 (probably in that order, depending on your use case). In addition, the MF A50/1.2 and K50/1.2 give unique and beautiful rendering that’s worthy of consideration.

Years ago I enjoyed doing a thorough comparison of the AF 50’s, noting the minor differences. Like many others I came to the odd conclusion that while the F50/1.4 beat the FA50/1.4, the FA50/1.7 was superior to the F50/1.7. But soon after I finished I realized (through further research) that the FA43/1.9 was significantly better than all of them, so I sold the whole lot and got it.


The D FA* 50 is technically the best, while still giving pretty images. But the lighter DA* 55 gives beautiful images I often prefer. Nevertheless, the FA43 is the smallest, and according to the In-Depth Reviews here it also *appears* to perform better than the other two at smaller apertures (e.g. F16 for landscapes), with the new HD coating improving it even further. For this reason I’m considering picking up a new HD FA43, even though I sold all my original FA Ltds years ago.


But the D FA* 85/1.4 is probably the best lens Pentax makes - in fact, it’s clearly one of best lenses *anyone* has ever made! If your goal is to optimize you K-3 III’s performance, I’d look at that lens first.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 04-12-2019, 06:38 PM  
Longer Telephoto Lens for the K-1
Posted By DSims
Replies: 61
Views: 7,811
When I was putting my lens kit together, I realized the F/FA/DA * 300 is the optimal telephoto in terms of cost, size, weight, aperture, hand hold-ability, and image quality.

The D FA 150-450 wasn’t available at that time, but honestly the DA 560 is the only longer telephoto I occasionally think I might want someday - not the 150-450.


The F * 300/4.5 is the lens I “must have” with me most of the time. I slightly prefer the images from it over the DA *, although I think the DA *300 may be more practical because of the slightly faster f/4 aperture, the weather sealing, the (I believe) better suitably for TC use, and the ability to buy it new for $850 right now,

Why not either rent it (or both it and the 150-450) or buy the DA * 300 and return it if it doesn’t suit you? Then you’ll be able to decide which is better for you.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-10-2019, 03:22 PM  
Feedback on Lenses to Purchase for a Trip in December 2019
Posted By DSims
Replies: 31
Views: 2,426
That sounds like a good plan. The most important factor is that you like the images from a lens you choose, such as as the DA12-24.

Those lenses will get you familiar with the focal lengths. You will be able to concentrate on that and composition.


Eventually you’ll look at subject isolation (Depth of Field) too. That was my idea behind suggesting the D FA 100/2.8 WR Macro. There are many other lenses (some more expensive, some much less expensive) of f/2.8 or faster at similar focal lengths that will achieve the same purpose. Examples include the (manual focus) M or A 100/2.8 (non-Macro), the F or FA 135/2.8, FA and earlier 100/2.8 macros, the FA 77/1.8, and the DA 70/2.4.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 04-10-2019, 02:14 PM  
In my mail box this morning from DCW
Posted By DSims
Replies: 30
Views: 3,385
This is an interesting perspective I didn’t expect, and I’ll continue to think about it more.

But I do believe that even within our personal collections, the explosion in the number of digital images (whether from a higher quality camera or not) lowers our perceived value of them. Think about how we consider historical family photos one of the first possessions we’d save in the event of a fire. The number of good family photographs from the film era are relatively few, while there’s a proliferation of quality personal digital photos.

This makes it harder for us to justify the additional time and cost of better photographic gear - because we’ll get “good enough” images from our cell phones anyway. Obviously Forum members think otherwise, but our ranks are slowly shrinking.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 04-08-2019, 06:47 PM  
In my mail box this morning from DCW
Posted By DSims
Replies: 30
Views: 3,385
I think you are closest to the causal issue here. The perceived (and actual) value of photographic images is the root problem. This was caused primarily by the explosion of online images, fueled both by the popularity of social media/online galleries (e.g. Instagram) and the ease of acquiring/posting images (e.g. via smart phones).

The resulting heavy over saturation of images has lowered their value, which in turn has lowered the expectations for professional quality. People believe anybody can produce good images while investing almost no time or money. Only special events such as weddings are seen as important enough to justify the (erroneously perceived) “slight” improvement a photographer can bring.


So the saturation of images has led to people’s belief that they’ve already seen everything there is to be seen; therefore neither photographers nor viewers can drive as many camera sales anymore.
Forum: Pentax K-r 04-08-2019, 06:10 PM  
I just bought a 2nd hand K-R
Posted By DSims
Replies: 7
Views: 2,878
I had the nice K-x as my first great high-ISO camera, but when I later got one for my daughter I opted for the similar K-r since (as I recall) only the K-r has an AF point indicator in the viewfinder (and BTW I seldom use center-point AF).

So yes, it makes sense.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-08-2019, 06:02 PM  
Landscape lens for Glacier National Park
Posted By DSims
Replies: 20
Views: 2,656
Like you, I still have the K-5 IIs as my main body too.



I agree. Go all the way to the F/FA/DA * 300 if you can afford the expense and size (it can still be hand-held); otherwise the PLM is good.

As for wide angle, you have good options already - especially the DA21. I wouldn’t be surprised if you used the DA21 the most. Nevertheless, I had the excellent DA15 and eventually consolidated by keeping only the DA10-17 FishEye, which is much like the 15mm at the 17mm end (where the FE distortion is minimized). Obviously it goes really wide when desired, and it renders colors similarly nicely as the DA15.


Keep in mind that - even at 10mm - as long as you’re willing to “break the rules” of traditional composition and place the horizon in the middle of the frame (which you may or may not crop later) you can get rather normal looking landscape shots, because the horizon will be straight while rocks and other objects in e.g. the foreground won’t look wrong because in nature they normally have odd shapes anyway.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 04-08-2019, 05:33 PM  
Late to the Party - Pentax 645D for portraits ?
Posted By DSims
Replies: 16
Views: 4,840
First, if you’re tethering, make sure there’s a tethering solution that works for you with this camera.

Secondly, make sure your Post Processing solution is to your liking. In particular, Capture One won’t support Pentax MF cameras - whether tethered or not - because Phase One views them as competition to their own (somewhat superior but more expensive) MF camera systems. Most other PP software will probably be fine. This is unfortunate :(, since IMO Capture One is the best.


As you know, like most Digital MF sensors it's cropped compared to film. But once you’ve verified the necessary infrastructure (as above) is in place you should probably find a good lens or two and try it!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-08-2019, 05:05 PM  
Feedback on Lenses to Purchase for a Trip in December 2019
Posted By DSims
Replies: 31
Views: 2,426
At the risk of sounding as corny as the first line of a product manual, Congratulations on your purchase of the Pentax KP kit! Amongst many quality cameras on the market, you couldn’t have done better. The KP is an ideal platform, and you’ve bought into a community at Pentax Forums that’s anxious to help.


I’m glad to hear your trip is in December - this gives you time to prepare.


First and foremost, I suggest taking one or two photography classes in landscape or general photography. If you can, take them in person, such as at a local camera shop. Ignore the fact that everyone else uses a different brand - Pentax forces you to focus on the fundamentals, which is to your benefit.

The two topics you want to concentrate on the most - even if you have to study by yourself - are “The Golden Spiral” (Composition) and Depth of Field. Continue to think about them, even after you already know them.



Next is what you asked about - one or two lenses to buy or rent. As you know you’ll need to get hands-on with them to understand what you’re capable of.


My essential kit is the FA*24/2, the FA*85/1.4, and the F*300/4.5. Why do I mention this? These are three vastly different lenses/focal lengths, but their fast apertures give me so much flexibility that I usually don’t need the focal lengths in between. Experience with any one of them (or a similar lens) will change how you look at photography, and equip you for specific types of shots.

The other two lenses I can’t avoid needing sometimes are a macro (the D FA 100/2.8 WR Macro) and a wider angle (the DA 10-17 Fisheye), so I carry them too.


Let me attempt to summarize at the end of this exceedingly long post:

After studying Composition and DOF, immediately get your hands on a couple of lenses. If you can afford it, I’d suggest the D FA 100/2.8 WR Macro plus either the FA*24/2 or DA21/3.2
(each of these lenses has also been recommended by somebody else in this thread). While I think you may gain even more (learning and capability-wise) from the FA*24’s faster f/2 aperture, the DA21 (even the HD version) is an excellent value that’s hard to pass up, whether new or used.

While these overlap focal lengths you already have, they provide at least three advantages you can’t duplicate with your zoom:

1) Their faster apertures provide advantages you have to use to appreciate
2) They create higher quality images without requiring much stopping down
3) They force you to concentrate on a specific focal length, which is important right now
4) The Macro is so good it can double as your affordable medium-long Portrait (~70-100mm) lens

Your DA18-135 is a nice lens, but these will help you expand your photography.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-07-2019, 08:36 PM  
HD Pentax-FA 35mm f/2 on K1-II
Posted By DSims
Replies: 41
Views: 8,373
My experience with the original FA35/2 is similar to yours, amstel78. I had 2 (actually I think 3) copies of this lens. My first one was a new Samsung version; then I tried one or two used Pentax FA35/2 copies, hoping to get a different result.

I kept trying, but I decided the lens wasn't for me. Simply put, the image quality suffered noticeably at apertures wider than f/2.5. Softness was part of it; the other was probably the "glow" that you describe (I don't have a better description either). But the image degradation (perhaps a lack of contrast?) at f/2.2 was obvious and consistent on all my copies. It's clearly in the design of the lens - and I didn't like it.



While you may be "spoiled" by the D FA * 50/1.4, I don't think it's tainting your view. Your observations still appear accurate and valid.

Of course it still produces nice images, and this includes yours. In fact I rather like the DA35/2.4 variant, but it's easy to like a lens that performs so well wide-open while being so affordable. It produces bokeh circles with high IQ. But I understand it's not good for FF.


So you can use this somewhat overpriced (IMO) (HD)"FA35/2.5," or wrestle with the amazing but hard to tame FA31/1.8 that's fantastic wide open and can't seem to produce harsh backgrounds no matter what you do. But it also was difficult for me to get many interesting images out of it - at least on APS-C (I never tried it on FF).
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 04-07-2019, 06:40 PM  
Cheap kit to get started with Macro photography
Posted By DSims
Replies: 37
Views: 2,770
The already mentioned D FA 100 WR Macro is an absolutely fantastic lens - a standout, despite being in the one category (macro) where almost all lenses produce nice quality images. It's worth considering.


IMO it's one of the best macro lenses you can get from any brand on any body. But why? Aside from the quality construction and feel:

- Picks up fantastic colors that look better than real life, but not so much that they look artificial (like stripes on hard candy do - some cameras/lenses go too far)
- Rounded aperture blades produce nice backgrounds and bokeh
- Sharp, high quality images at both macro distances and infinity

I can't think of any category in which it doesn't rate at least a 9 out of 10 -> the perfect all-around macro lens.


It should be a great addition if you like your FA77 - but don't think it overlaps, because while they both produce beautiful images, the D FA 100 WR macro could be sharper than you want sometimes. At the same time, the FA77 can often focus faster, because it has a normal focusing range.


In the meantime, since there are so many high-quality used macro lenses on the market, you could try almost any brand or model. I like the F/FA 50 or 100 f/2.8 models, and the (Cosina made) FA 100 3.5 macro (or its even cheaper versions under other brands - mine happens to be Vivitar).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-07-2019, 06:02 PM  
Three Amigos: Completing the Collection in Black or Silver?
Posted By DSims
Replies: 21
Views: 2,043
The silver MIJ, early S/N FA43 I had (in fact I sold it to monochrome) always looked like it was the native color of the metal to me (even though that's probably an illusion), so the finish is durable and nice. My other two FA Ltds were black, which was fine, but I have to say the silver was the most eye-catching and it always gave me this feeling of "the real deal" whenever I looked at it on the camera. It made me feel good even before I looked through the lens - as if I had a rare German classic on my camera.


It sounds like it still looks great according to monochrome, so I wouldn't hesitate in getting silver if it suits your taste.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-28-2018, 07:03 PM  
DA*11-18/2.8 delay to 2019
Posted By DSims
Replies: 227
Views: 21,098
Their scheme is to get us to buy both, even if we weren't planning to. So we get the 50 now since we can't get the 11-18, and then we have plenty of time to prepare to lay out another big chunk of change next year for the 11-18!
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-28-2018, 06:52 PM  
RICOH ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF HD PENTAX-D FA★50mm F1.4 SDM AW STAR-SERIES LENS
Posted By DSims
Replies: 1,144
Views: 107,016
Oh, no, it looks pretty good!

$1200, and I didn't even want a 50 ...
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 06-28-2018, 06:18 PM  
DA*11-18/2.8 delay to 2019
Posted By DSims
Replies: 227
Views: 21,098
Oh, no. This is bigger news than the D FA * 50/1.4 release next month.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-27-2018, 11:12 PM  
Help with lens selection
Posted By DSims
Replies: 23
Views: 1,507
I may be the wrong one to ask, because Purple Fringing doesn’t bother me much. But you can fix it easily in Post Processing.

You might prefer a used FA*85/1.4 (which I have, as does Adam in his profile picture) or the ~85mm that is on the future roadmap. There are third-party options as well.

Personally, I think the D FA 150-450 might be the most interesting next lens for you, since it’s a well executed modern design (which seems to be your preference). In fact I t and the D FA 28-105 you have are the only two of the newer releases which really interest me, although I still favor “artistic” lenses like the FA*85 even more.
Forum: General Photography 06-27-2018, 10:26 PM  
The crap you find on Craigslist
Posted By DSims
Replies: 27
Views: 2,177
Oh no, minty is really bad - Mint anything always turns out to be in much worse condition than something “Like New” (which is often accurate) - don’t ask me why it’s this way. But if they can’t even commit to “Mint,” well ...

Coin collectors know Mint is better than Uncirculated, but for some reason Mint in any other product means “noticeably used.” It would be better if they just said “lot’s of potential!”
Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways 06-27-2018, 08:06 PM  
What is your Prediction??
Posted By DSims
Replies: 390
Views: 12,627
All I ever saw was 40,000 for the K-1 and 60,000 for the K-1 I.

---------- Post added 06-27-18 at 08:07 PM ----------

OK, since you’re so optimistic I’ll pick 40,265.
Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways 06-27-2018, 04:13 PM  
What is your Prediction??
Posted By DSims
Replies: 390
Views: 12,627
Adam, since June is shorter than July or August I think 30/31, or 38,710 posts should qualify.

I predict 38,712.
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