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Forum: Contest Voting
04-02-2024, 03:17 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Contest Voting
04-02-2024, 03:15 PM
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I would like to nominate this photo
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-26-2024, 05:20 PM
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Welcome to Pentax Forums. Glad to have you aboard.
My first camera body was a K20D as well. I purchased it because it could use the same lenses as my Pentax film camera. It was less expensive than buying and developing film for the trip I took.
I got a lot of fun and enjoyment from it. I'm sure you will do the same.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-24-2024, 04:50 PM
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Here is the combo when used on a K-1, handheld. The first image shows vinetting, which will not be be visible on a crop sensor.
The second image is a actual pixel crop. One might expect a bit more detail using a crop sensor with higher pixel density.
I'm a bit shaky, so the stability of a tripod or monopod would yield even more detail.
Vignette
DA* 300, 1.4x, K-1 actual pixel crop |
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
03-19-2024, 05:51 PM
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Possibly. I have extracted the individual files of a Pixel Shift DNG using DC RAW PS64. For free, it is worth a try.
There is some more information at this Forum Thread.
Note that there is a green tint to the images that may or may not be adjustable using a program switch. I understand one can shoot a color calibated target to make a profile and adust for that.
Hope this helps!
Roger
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-13-2024, 07:10 PM
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There are diffraction calculators that tell you when diffraction begins for a given sensor, and give you a starting point. If memory serves, diffraction begins for my K-1 at about f5.6.
That said, the optical formula of a lens may not be the sharpest at f5.6, and I might see better performance for example, at f8, even though diffraction has begun. Practically speaking, while I may see the difference between f5.6 and f8 in regards to the depth of field, I don't know that I can see the difference in diffraction. Most of the time there is no need to worry about the absolute sharpness for a given lens/sensor combination unless you are dealing with high magnification focus stacking.
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Forum: Contest Voting
03-13-2024, 06:50 PM
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"Standing Tall" is a 21 image stack.
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Forum: Visitors' Center
03-12-2024, 08:49 AM
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The software sometimes comes up in the marketplace used. You can also post in the wanted section of the marketplace.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
03-04-2024, 09:30 PM
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First Flower Image(s) of 2024. 85 image stack in B&W to emphasize texture. Crop.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
03-03-2024, 04:48 PM
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First flower image of 2024. This bloom was not open this morning, almost there now. Eighty-five image stack, Laowa 100mm macro & K - 1.
Amaryllis Detail |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-19-2024, 06:48 PM
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Nice images.
I used the K20D and the 300mm A* for quite some time. I still own, but rarely use them. I also used teleconverters with them, mostly with a tripod. The 300mm A*, while not super expensive, was not a bargain lens when I got mine used. It was the best I could afford at the time.
I think that you do amazingly well with the combination. I'm not sure that I could handhold and do as well as you. I start to have issues with noise at ISO 800 as well.
The good news is that noise reduction software is much better than it used to be. Raw Therapee does a good job. It has a learning curve. Forum member The Squirrel Mafia has a Raw Therapee Thread with links to download the latest version--and it is free! I have not tried it with the K20D, but the program may allow you to boost the ISO a bit. As noted above, if you shoot raw, you are able to recover more detail and keep a bit more dynamic range. You do need to process the raw image to get the benefits. Raw Therapee is a good raw processor. Hopefully you also received the CD for the K20D which has the Pentax utility for raw processing as well. PM me if you did not.
One issue I have with the 300mm A* is its long minimum focus distance. A few years back I actually had to back up to get a hummingbird in focus, and ended up with a very tiny image in the center of my frame. To counter this issue I use an extension tube to shorten the MFD. The drawback is, of course, less light, but you do shorten the focus distance and increase magnification. As with a teleconverter, increasing the shutter speed helps.
As noted above, the ultimate solution for your problem is a body with better noise performance. Check out the reviews for the bodies mentioned, look at some of the others, and watch the marketplace. Once you've managed to save up a bit, you wil find a nice body you can afford.
If you have any other questions about the K20D, I'll try and rack my brain to answer, or take it out of storage and play with it again! :) More likely, someone else will chime in with an answer quickly before me.
EDIT: one last thing. My copy of the 300mm A* has never produced images as sharp as the DA* 300mm F4. I have resolved a lighthouse's fresnel lens with a 2x teleconverter well enough to see the steps on the lens at a half mile away. Your mileage may vary.
Roger
Five image panoramic taken with the K20D 300mm A*, Pentax K helicoid extension tube, and tripod. We were not allowed to go off trail. This subject was OOF without the extension tube. Actual image 8300 pixels wide.
Panoramic at the Ridges |
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Forum: General Photography
01-11-2024, 09:11 PM
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For an account not searchable...or so I thought, I was pretty surprised. I mainly use Flickr for posting here on the Forum.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-28-2023, 08:46 AM
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I liked the textures so I did a Pixel Shift Focus Stack using macro rail. Second image is actual pixel crop at 1024x1024. Xpost.
I did not know it until reviewing some of the images, but this log was crawling with activity, even in the cold weather. With the exception of a tiny fly, the exposure was too long and/or the subjects too tiny to resolve as more than tiny spots. My guess is spring tails.
Orange Fungii
Orange Fungus - actual pixel at 1024x |
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-28-2023, 08:35 AM
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Pixel Shift Focus Stack using macro rail. Did not expect to find anything with color except leaves on the trip to Door County, so was surprised with this find. K - 1 & FA* 200mm F4 @ f16. Exposure time was .3 sec when I started, and 1.3 sec at end of stack, so a bit over 5 seconds for entire pixel shift files at the end. There are a few screen door artifacts from light change during the five second exposures that don't show here, but I can clean up if I want to go bigger. Second image is actual pixel crop at 1024x1024. Xpost.
Sometimes it is hard to know what step size to use "in the wild." I tend to miss areas in focus, so I try to overlap a bit. I took another stack using just the focus ring using Liveview, and the result was fine at about 10 images, vs the 90 I did with the macro rail. So I spent about 10-15 minutes longer on the subject than was necessary!
I did not know it until reviewing some of the images, but this log was crawling with activity, even in the cool weather. With the exception of a tiny fly, the exposure was too long and/or the subjects too tiny to resolve as more than tiny spots. My guess is spring tails.
Orange Fungii
Orange Fungus - actual pixels at 1024x |
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
10-25-2023, 07:00 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
10-24-2023, 09:11 AM
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Pixel Shift Focus Stack using macro rail. Did not expect to find anything with color except leaves on the trip to Door County, so was surprised with this find. K - 1 & FA* 200mm F4 @ f16. Exposure time was .3 sec when I started, and 1.3 sec at end of stack, so a bit over 5 seconds for entire pixel shift files at the end. There are a few screen door artifacts from light change during the five second exposures that don't show here, but I can clean up if I want to go bigger. Second image is actual pixel crop at 1024x1024.
Orange Fungii
Orange Fungus - actual pixels at 1024x |
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-24-2023, 07:33 AM
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Surprised to see these out and about. This individual was safely ensconced in the seedpuff, but came out to look around when we held the stem still for taking pictures. All images are somewhat soft as the wind never died down. First image is a two image stack. My sister either held the stem still, or held the diffuser. Definitely a two person shot. Xpost.
Ladybug's Home
Ladybug |
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-24-2023, 07:30 AM
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Surprised to see these out and about. This individual was safely ensconced in the seedpuff, but came out to look around when we held the stem still for taking pictures. All images were somewhat soft as the wind never died down. First image is a two image stack.
Ladybug's Home
Ladybug |
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-20-2023, 09:34 PM
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-16-2023, 06:54 AM
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Thanks. I suspected it before my last eye appointment, as the lights had bigger halos around them.
Appreciate the help. The trees are just starting to change and the colors seem muted to me. That is normal some years, especially years during which we experience drought. Is it real, or is it cataracts? :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-14-2023, 10:48 AM
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From this summer's trip to Door County, WI. K-1 handheld six image stack cropped to 11.6MP. Handheld stacks at 200mm are always a bit dicey for me, this turned out better than most.
I just found out that I possess "baby" cataracts. Practically speaking, as they progress to the point where they need to be removed, my vision, especially the color end of things will change. The amount of change varies from person to person.
I tend to add a contrast and saturation in my images while trying to keep from going too far. If it appears that some of my images are way over processed, could you kindly let me know? I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks! :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-11-2023, 04:28 PM
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This is the only listing I found when I searched for the lens after @JPT made us aware it is available. At that time two were available. Now there is one. Might have been a test to see how quickly they would sell in K-mount.
Thanks for the images. What is the subjct that you shared?
Glad to hear it is a sharp lens. Is the link above where you got yours? How do you like the working distance? Please write a review for the Lens Review section, and share some images in the Macro Thread. Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-09-2023, 12:08 PM
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For some reason trilobite optics come to mind. Need to go back and research that again.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-29-2023, 11:22 PM
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Thanks for the info on cross polarized lighting with flash. I was unaware of it, and will look into using the technique. Sort of went down a rabbit hole reading about it.
Thanks for the stacks. Good job.
Again, nice stacks. I only have version 1.x of Affinity, and its stacking, while okay, was not quite ready for prime time. It looks like version 2.0 is an improvement.
Like the colors, and the depth of field! You must have been a ways back.
These bring back favorite childhood memories of times when they used to almost cover the sidewalks and roads. I don't recall the last time I saw one, must be a couple years, at least.
That's one fine rose.
Don't get to see much of the K10D and its fine colors. Shows once again that you don't have to have high megapixel counts for fine images. Thanks for posting.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
09-26-2023, 03:40 PM
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Welcome from Illinois, Marek! I look forward to your images, especially with the M42 lenses.
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