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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2009, 03:41 PM
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Thanks - yeah - I only recently have started applying basic settings from one image to numerous like images. That's a real time saver for sure.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-03-2009, 02:08 PM
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I second this... it's true the time of year and time of day plays a significant role in the natural contrast of things.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 11:51 PM
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I don't know if this is an MC4 and/or still available, but it is $90...
Cole's Cameras - Pentax
(scroll a bit down the page)
**** Update ****
Quick cursory search and I can't find it on their eBay store. =|
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-25-2009, 11:40 PM
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[Re: Blackrapid Straps]
I can't either... I just got mine. Perfect for photowalking. Camera stays put until I reach for it... amazing strap despite the steep price.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 11:34 PM
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Steve - Very similar to adjustments to what I've been making for most photos too - I shouldn't have said I only use that contrast slider... I do use curves as well and notice a better result when I do..
Thanks for the thoughts and detail!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 11:23 PM
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Ahhh... excellent explaination... thank you!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-25-2009, 11:21 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 11:08 PM
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Following are two photos that illustrate a typical before and after editing. I really like seeing stuff like this. If a thread doesn't already exist, we should create one for before and after editing.... it helps to see what's possible and how other photographers think and see when composing their shot. I often hear people say that they know what they want to do with it in post at the moment they are taking the shot.
Before editing - a basic shot (poor exposure):
Attachment 48175
After editing - tons more contrast and some color adjustment:
Attachment 48176 |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 10:58 PM
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This is consistent with what I'm experiencing.. just wanted to verify that I'm not crazy. =)
Also - I shoot RAW always as I love to bump fill light, pull back data in via recovery, etc.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 10:54 PM
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That's nice and contrasty. Thank you for posting.
It might be that I'm not paying enough attention to lighting. Following are two images - untouched - the first is from my 40mm Limited, the second is from my DA* 50-135 - it seems to be lacking in the lows (blacks).
Attachment 48173
Attachment 48174 |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 10:31 PM
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When reviewing lenses for purchase, I look at a lot of photos shot with Pentax gear. And I always wonder, how many contrast and color adjustments were made to the image after it was shot. I feel like my images aren't as contrasty out of the gate and I'm consistently adjusting contrast and bumping up the blacks in many of my shots. I *just* bumped up the in-camera contrast and am going to give that a try. Color rendition, overall is otherwise great.
So my question - what percentage of your photos do you adjust contrast in post - every one you save as a keeper? (Note that - I'm totally cool with the post work. That's not the point of this discussion.)
Maybe you could post a photo or two of an ontouched shot from your Pentax brand camera and lens. Don't post your best shots, just a basic shot that is a good example of the typical result. I'll post some of my own later ... have to get to bed for a first light shoot. =)
I am also shooting with quality gear (not kit lenses, which aren't bad anyway) - 21mm Limited, 40mm Limited, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135 ... so I'm expecting that the problem is either my expectation has been set wrong, or I'm missing something.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 09:44 PM
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Great to hear. Sounds like they come across them semi-frequently.
I haven't used the TC on wider focal lengths and don't know that I would since carrying around mid-size tele prime is just about the same weight as carrying the TC. (FA 35 X 1.4 = 49mm - my DA 40 weighs about 3.2 oz I think and the DA 70 weighs about 4.6 oz.) Were you thinking of a different situation for use of the TC with a wide angle?
It should work well on your DA* 300 - not flawlessly though, as of course you lose the f/stop and the AF is about 2 to 3 times slower than normal (takes a few seconds to zero in).
A note about focusing with the TC ... I disabled the half-press shutter focus feature on my K20D. I've shot this way for quite some time, but it also seems to work well with my new MC4 TC. When using the AF button on the back of the camera to focus, I find that If I press it more than once (with some finessed timing) while it's focusing (lift my finger off, then press again), it seems to lock on to the target a bit quicker than using the default half-press-shutter method.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 09:34 PM
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Hey there Hin Man.... I did email you earlier today to your email address from your website - not a PM here. I agree with your assessment on cost. I'm glad I didn't overpay. AF is working well on the DA*... quality is very good however I see some purple fringing that I don't ever remember seeing on my 50-135 before.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 09:32 PM
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Classic... *usually* this would happen to me. Luck smiled on me for once!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 05:38 PM
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Thanks for not being sour about it. =)
Placed the order on Nov 18 at 9:33 PM MST.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 05:09 PM
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WOW. Yes I did receive it. I'm sorry you missed it. I knew something like that could happen. I just got it this morning. I've been on pins and needles watching it make its way across the US to my office.. I wasn't sure if it was the real deal (MC4) until it came in the door this morning. Psyched to have such a lightweight addition to the bag. I've heard Pentax should be coming out with a TC for their SDMs that will trump this one for sure... hopefully that comes soon.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-25-2009, 03:18 PM
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I've been searching for months for a Tamron F 1.4 Pz-AF MC4 for my DA* 50-135. I guess I've been looking in the wrong places. Believe it or not, B&H Photo had a used version of this TC pop up on in one of my searches. Their price? $32. No kidding. I thought for sure it wasn't true. In the image they posted, I could only read the Tamron F part. The Other Pz.. emblem on the back side wasn't visible in the photo. I didn't waste time calling them to ask if it was an MC4 - I just placed it in my cart and checked out immediately. For $32, I didn't even blink.
The best part about it all - I had dug up another one of these TCs (MC4) in a Canadian Craigslist post just hours before my purchase. I emailed him saying I was ready to buy - despite his $250 price tag. (I really wanted one of these.) He said the TC sold just an hour before I emailed him. His TC sold in just 9 hours after posting. I'm much happier with the $32 price tag. =)
So anyway - thought I'd share this bit of good fortune with my fellow Pentaxians - keep an eye on B&H used inventory. I can't believe I found this TC in one of the seemingly most obvious places possible. More still, I can't believe they listed it for $32.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-24-2009, 10:02 AM
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This is a very timely thread for me. I had to send in my body and two lenses for repair to CRIS. My K20D body was front focusing severly on all lenses and my 16-50 DA* had a nasty clicking sound in the focus ring when moved manually. Another lens (DA 40) was front focusing so much that the in-camera adjustment of -10 wouldn't fix it.
The Pentax support website (and phone support team) says 15-20 days for most fixes. The 40mm was delivered at 30 days. The body is supposed to arrive today (35 days) and the 16-50 is on "parts hold backorder." Both CRIS and Pentax say they can't give me a ball park date at all as to when the part will arrive for this lens. They said it could be another 6 weeks or more, but they have no idea. Meanwhile, I'm without a lens for more than 3 months it looks like. I *just* bought this lens a little more than a month ago. It's been in the shop longer than in my camera bag. I called Pentax this morning to provide feedback and they didn't care at all about my situation. I told them very calmly and nicely that I will be looking at their competitors seriously for their customer service record and will switch brands if I find greener grasses.
Long story short, customer service is as important if not more important than the gear itself. Pentax is looking to hang themselves if this continues.
CRIS in my opinion is very unprofessional and sometimes a bit rude. I expect much more when I'm spending thousands of dollars.
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Forum: Sold Items
11-04-2009, 07:36 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-14-2009, 07:47 AM
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Forum: Sold Items
10-05-2009, 08:59 PM
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PM sent. Just created my Pentax Forums account. It said "pending moderator approval" so hope it's approved and in your inbox quickly. =)
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