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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-13-2007, 11:23 AM
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I used B&H to purchase a Sigma EF-500 Super P-TTL for my istDL2 while on vacation in Arkansas and it arrived in two days! It was just a small order, but I am impressed and will buy from them again!
Cheers
Mr. H
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-31-2006, 01:55 AM
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Happy New Year to all.
I give this forum a big thumbs up!! This is a great place to help and be helped!
Thanks Mo!
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-21-2006, 09:41 PM
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I am looking to purchase a Graphics Tablet to edit photos on the computer. I am not looking to do any art drawings so I believe the smaller ones would do.
From your experience, is a 4x5 too small of a surface to work with? Is a 6x8 better? Is the larger 9x12 too large?
What brand is good? I have only seen two brands and although I have seen and read about them, I am wondering if anyone has tried the UC-LOGIC Superpen or the Wacom Graphire4 or the Intuos3?
Does anyone have a recomendation of one you have used?
Thanks
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-19-2006, 11:28 PM
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Well, Yes and No!
Yes of course if you have older lens.
Yes if you want to own numerous older prime & fast lenses on eBay for a lot, lot less than new lenses.
Yes if you like these gorgeous old lenses and want to use them.
Yes if you want to own some Pentax history.
Yes if you want to keep your skills sharp by shooting manual.
Yes, because the PENTAX adaptors are under $25.
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No if you just want to point and shoot.
No if your spouse wants to use the camera to use at the kids Birthday party at Rotten Ronnies and they don't know how to focus it.
No if you share the camera and leave the screw mount attached. (It will drive them crazy when the lens won't pop off and if they do get it off, there is this silver ring stuck in the camera...now what?)
No if you don't own older lenses and don't want to buy some.
No if you want to help keep the prices for these lenses down on eBay for the rest of us by not buying them!! :)
No if you have no money to spend!
Merry Christmas everyone! :p
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-19-2006, 01:33 AM
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Here is my two cents.
I would purchase other brands if I found something I liked but could not afford in a Pentax DA.
Right now I only own 8 decent Pentax lenses.
2- DA Kits lenses
1- K mount 135mm
4- M42 Super-Takumar lenses...best pictures come from these!
1- M42 SMC Takumar
I love the older lenses a lot. :p
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
12-18-2006, 12:58 AM
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I also bought the Pentax adaptor and it works great!
My related questions are;
1 - Has anyone else found that the M42 lenses won't screw on far enough so that the RED Marker is right on the top? They are just off to the side a bit!
2 - When screwing on my Super - Takumar 28mm f3.5 I hear it scratching on the lower right side of the frame inside and it has left a visible scratch mark. Has anyone else noticed this?
Ed
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-11-2006, 09:42 PM
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I was wondering if anyone knows what the "rules" are in regards to taking photos that will have other people (the general public) in them? I would imagine some people may protest even if it is taken in a public setting. They seem to look at you funny. Can they do anything about it unless you are actually "stalking" them?
I do know that if you enter some photo contests, the person or persons in the photos must give written consent before the photo will be accepted.
Is there a website that covers this topic? Can anyone give me some info on this?
Hmmm...I am thinking that it would be nice to have a real media pass! :p
Thanks
Ed
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
12-11-2006, 12:42 AM
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So, if you've stopped laughing, can you recommend either a print or web resource that clearly explains the basics? Or perhaps post a thread in the tips and techniques section, you do seem to have a way with words. It'd help a lot of confused people!
Julie[/QUOTE]
I agree!! Most of us have questions and could use some help with using our external flashes, so if jfdavis58 or anyone else can pass on some tips or websites that we could go to, that would be appreciated!
Like, how to set the flash or camera when using a M42 lens?
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
12-07-2006, 12:49 AM
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(this is also posted on the thread, "What kind of flash do I need?)
Well, here is what I have learned about my Sigma EF-500 DG Super over the last week. I don't have time to go into detail or attach photos and I also did not do any technical shots. So here we go...
In one word....FANTASTIC!!! Yah you bet! I have tried it under various conditions just shooting around family and where we are staying on vacation and every single time the pictures have turned out so good that I am more than thrilled with the results.
As far as the mention that the flash makes noise when it adjusts the zoom to match the focal length of your lens, it does have a bit of a motorized sound when it adjust itself. It is very short as the flash does adjust very quickly. I did not find this to be bothersome and unless I was actually thinking about it, I did not notice it! This is a minor issue with this flash that should not deter you from purchasing it..
The digital illuminated LCD display is nice and is easy to read, and when illuminated, it is easily read in poor lighting conditions.
I was not expecting it to look this nice mounted on my Pentax istDL2, but let me tell you, the Sigma EF-500 DG Super / istD combination looks and feels real good!!
I also attached a version of "The Better Bounce Card" to it and compared the photos with and without the bounce card. Being such a powerfull flash, it does a great job when ceiling bouncing and also when shooting subjects that are further away.
I used to use rechargable Ni-cads (and still will for every day use), but from a recomendation on DPreview.com I purchased the Energizer e2 Lithium batteries at Sam's Club ($20 for 12) . This improved the camera's performance as you get 1.5 volts rather than the 1.25 with the rechargables.
The Energizer e2 Lithium batteries are much lighter in weight and so when you have 8 between your camera and flash, it helps keep it lighter.
In conclusion, the Sigma EF-500 DG Super is;
- money well spent
- works flawlessly
- highly recomended
- fun and easy to use
Mr. H
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-25-2006, 08:06 AM
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Well, here is what I have learned about my Sigma EF-500 DG Super over the last week. I don't have time to go into detail or attach photos and I also did not do any technical shots. So here we go...
In one word....FANTASTIC!!! Yah you bet! I have tried it under various conditions just shooting around family and where we are staying on vacation and every single time the pictures have turned out so good that I am more than thrilled with the results.
As far as the mention that the flash makes noise when it adjusts the zoom to match the focal length of your lens, it does have a bit of a motorized sound when it adjust itself. It is very short as the flash does adjust very quickly. I did not find this to be bothersome and unless I was actually thinking about it, I did not notice it! This is a minor issue with this flash that should not deter you from purchasing it..
The digital illuminated LCD display is nice and is easy to read, and when illuminated, it is easily read in poor lighting conditions.
I was not expecting it to look this nice mounted on my Pentax istDL2, but let me tell you, the Sigma EF-500 DG Super / istD combination looks and feels real good!!
I also attached a version of "The Better Bounce Card" to it and compared the photos with and without the bounce card. Being such a powerfull flash, it does a great job when ceiling bouncing and also when shooting subjects that are further away.
I used to use rechargable Ni-cads (and still will for every day use), but from a recomendation on DPreview.com I purchased the Energizer e2 Lithium batteries at Sam's Club ($20 for 12) :). This improved the camera's performance as you get 1.5 volts rather than the 1.25 with the rechargables.
The Energizer e2 Lithium batteries are much lighter in weight and so when you have 8 between your camera and flash, it helps keep it lighter.
In conclusion, the Sigma EF-500 DG Super is;
- money well spent
- works flawlessly
- highly recomended
- fun and easy to use
Mr. H
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-16-2006, 01:38 AM
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I like using the old screwmounts, but they do limit the features of your Digital available to you.
Question, after you sell them, will you miss them? If so, keep them! The optics are fantastic never mind fun to use. There is also a big resurgence in collecting the older Pentax lenses!
If purchasing a new lens for the Pentax Digitals, I would pay the extra and get what Pentax or other brands are bringing out in made-for-digital lenses.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
11-16-2006, 01:23 AM
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(I think it does.)<
Using the built in is the least you can do, but will not always give good results. You don't want to be pointing the flash right at the subject, and so without a diffuser you have to ceiling bounce (which you would with a diffuser as well) or something and then you get some darkness around the eyes and strange lighting, etc.
Even a home made flash bounce card like the "A Better Bounce Card" YouTube - How To Make A Better Bounce Card would help somewhat.
This next one looks even better, so check it out as well. SmugMug - MCGRAWPHOTO : Foam Flash Diffuser
I don't own the following product. It costs more money but it seems to be the best one around and it really gets rid of the shadows.
Lightsphere-II CLEAR w/DVD
cheers
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-16-2006, 01:03 AM
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I have some of the following posted on another thread , but I think it could be useful here as well...
Well, after spending hour upon hour reading, I settled on and purchased a Sigma EF-500 DG Super for my Pentax istDL2. From what I have read, it does pretty well what the Pentax 540 does minus a few little features that many professionals and the amateur photographers like myself don't need.
The Sigma EF-500 DG Super has rave reviews on so many forums including the non-Pentax ones that I was strongly swayed in this direction.
There was one fellow wrote in a forum that had a Pentax thread stating that he got the Sigma EF-500 DG ST for his istDL and not the Sigma EF-500 DG SUPER and then gave some reasons why, but that did not convince me at all. It costs about $80USD less, but is lacking quite a few features. Check them both out!
I did not feel that the Pentax 360 met my requirements and the 540 was just too much money! The Promaster looks good until you start to read “what it does not do” and you drop it real quickly. There is another brand called “New Digital Concepts Auto Focus Power Zoom Flash for Pentax Digital & SLR Cameras”, I say forget that …buy the Sigma. I can’t even find reviews about that one.
I bought my Sigma online through B&H Photovideo Digital Cameras, Camcorders, TV's, Home Theater, DVD Players, Apple iPods . Digital Cameras, Camcorders, TV's, Home Theater, DVD Players, Apple iPods
I found their online ordering to be a breeze! The other place to order is through Sigma4less: Digital cameras, canon digital cameras, sigma digital cameras, digital camera accessories, hoya filters
One discussion on a Canon forum really persuaded me this way when I read that many Canon owners chose Sigma over the Canon brand even though the price was the same!! LOL...we would not do that if the prices were the same with Pentax...would we? But for a hundred bucks less I chose Sigma.
I am getting it in a couple days and will try it out over the next weekend and then will try to post here by Wednesday with a detailed write up on it.
Cheers
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-14-2006, 10:04 PM
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I just purchased the Sigma EF500 DG Super as well (should arrive in 2 days :) ), amd going to make a bounce card like the "better bounce card" but different... see it here >>> SmugMug - MCGRAWPHOTO : Foam Flash Diffuser <<< I think this is a step up in looks don't you? You can get these foam sheets at places like "Micheals". The large white sheets are 13 x 14? and cost a dollar and the 81/2 X 11 black ones are self adhesive so they stick to the white sheet, cost a dollar as well. CHEAP!
But remember, these are NOT diffusers! They are flash bounce cards...big diff cause you still get shadows.
Those little hard plastic things that go on the top of your flash are better than nothing but really limit the light going up to the ceiling.
I find that the Lumiquest mini softbox looks sort of...well I'm not sure I would want that look, and it also looks very fragile!?
I don't have one yet, but I plan to get Gary Fong's Lightsphere II P4 in a while and eventually the C4.
>> Lightsphere-II CLEAR w/DVD <<
Note: the P4 and C4 fit the Sigma 500 line.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-14-2006, 09:40 PM
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Hmm, well if you do a search in Google for "Sigma EF-500 DG Super" and "reviews Sigma EF-500 DG Super", you will find reviews and forums for non-Pentax discussions and find that many people use the Sigma in place of the Pentax, Nikon, Canon, etc. flashes. One discusion on a Canon forum really pursuaded me this way when I read that many of them chose Sigma over the Canon even though the price was the same!! LOL...we would not do that if the prices were the same with Pentax...would we? But for a hundred bucks less I chose Sigma.
I am getting it in a couple days and will try it out over the weekend. I will be on vacation :D :D :D but will try to post here by Wednesday AM with a detailed write up on it.
until then,
Mr. H
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-14-2006, 01:20 AM
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Well, after spending hours upon hours reading and reading and...well you know, reading more, I purchased a Sigma EF-500 DG Super for my Pentax istDL2. From what I have read, it does pretty well what the Pentax 540 does minus a few features that most amateur photographers like myself don't need.
The Sigma EF-500 DG Super has rave reivews on so many forums including the non-Pentax ones that I was strongly swayed in this direction.
This one fellow wrote in a forum that he got the Sigma EF-500 DG ST for hsi istDL and not the SUPER and gave some reasons why, but that did not convince me at all. It costs about $80USD less, but is lacking quite a few features. Check them both out!
I did not feel that the Pentax 360 met my requirements and the 540 was just too much money!
I bought in online through B&H Photovideo. Digital Cameras, Camcorders, TV's, Home Theater, DVD Players, Apple iPods
I found their online ordering to be a breeze!
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-09-2006, 01:05 AM
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OK, I have more questions than before. I will list them and if someone could answer them, I am sure a lot of folks besides myself would be greatly helped. I want to purchase a flash in the next two weeks, and am still at a total loss as to which one to buy. I own a istDL2.
Pentax 360
1- is it powerfull enough to shoot a wedding?
2- would it be a mistake to buy the 360 since it does not swivel?
3- then would it be better to buy one of the following?
Promaster
1- hmm...which is the best one? The 5700 DX or the 5750 DX or is the new 7500 DX available for Pentax with the appropriate module?
2- since it does not high speed sync over 1/180, does that create a problem if you are shooting at a public gathering such as a wedding?
3- how about for "flash fill" outside?
4- does Gary Fong's Lightsphere2 fit it? If so, what size?
5- does the 5700 / 5750 mount easily to the hot shoe?
Sigma EF-500 DG Super
1- really, how "noisy" can it be when it adjusts to another focal length? Would others notice it if you shoot at a wedding?
2- I read on another forum that it is difficult to put on and off the hot shoe?
3- does the Gary Fong Lightsphere2 fit it? Agian, if so, which one?
4- if you buy a new one, does it work on the ist Digitals out of the box or does it have to be sent in to Sigma? If so, how long does that take?
Can anyone help?
Thanks
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-07-2006, 01:25 AM
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I was also thinking of getting the Sigma EF-500 DG Super for my istDL and would like to use Gary Fong's Lightsphere2, but I need to know the size of the outside measurement of the flash head [_x_] so I get the right size to fit it. I cannot find that info anywhere. If someone could measure theirs for me, I would appreciate it a lot.
Also, are you satifsfied with the Sigma EF-500 Super rather than the Pentax 360?
Thanks
Ed
p.s. Has anyone used the Lightsphere2? Although I watched the whole “abetterbouncecard” video clip and thought it was great, it seems a lot easier and looks better using the Lightsphere2 than the abetterbouncecard.com
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-19-2006, 01:07 AM
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I have a istDL2 and was looking at the Sigma EF500DG Super online, but I have been hesitant to buy it as I cannot find any articles where someone actually states that it is fully compatible with the Pentax ist Digitals.
Does anyone have a Sigma EF500DG Super, and does it work just like the Pentax AF360 or the AF-500??
Is the Sigma EF500DG Super a P-TTL flash, and is the Sigma EF500DG Super equal to the AF-360 or the AF-500?
Am I to understand that P-TTL flash is better than TTL flash?? I don't know much about the technical side of a flash, but I read that the new K10D will use P-TTL flashes both internal and external.
Any clearification would be appreciated.
Ed
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-21-2006, 07:33 PM
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Well, I cannot sign in at the new Pentaxiun site but I can still on the old one...go figure!! Anyone know why?
Any info would be appreciated.
Ed
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
09-20-2006, 12:28 AM
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"A" sounds like good ...eh?? :)
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-17-2006, 08:53 PM
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This monument stands outside of the public library in Abbotsford, BC Canada.
I took this photo last Friday Sept 15/06
FYI for anyone new to photography or Photoshop, this is what I did to the original to get this final result.
Photo was shot towards the sun, but kept out of the picture.
ISO 200
Exposure 1/20s
F-Stop F13
In Photoshop I first changed the whites, neutrals, and black colors in "Selective Colors". For this photo, "Plastic-wrapping" required contrast on the two figures so that you could properly see the folds on their clothes, and I acheived that by adjusting those three colors.
I then desaturated it, plastic wrapped it, darkened the photo a bit before finally increasing the contrast.
Plastic-wrap can look really phoney, but I think this one turned out OK???
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-17-2006, 07:47 PM
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Did you use a polarizing filter on this pic? Time of day? The light seems nicely diffused!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-17-2006, 07:20 PM
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Hey! I have an idea.
As we all would like more people to benefit from the purchase and use of a Pentax SLR rather than the competitions, why don't we email this video clip to all of our email contacts with a little note endorsing the Pentax SLR line?
The more cash flowing to Pentax, the more and better products they will produce for us.
All you have to do is write a short simple endorsment and paste the link for the clip.
http://www.pentaxslr.com/testdrive?u...ampaign=toyota
You may just help one person make the right choice!! They will thank you!
p.s. Make sure to "blind copy" all recipients. :)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-16-2006, 01:39 AM
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You've got that right RedHawk!!!
I think we should have as many as possible email Pentaxium and suggest that there be a limit on submissions. It should be easy to program the upload page to limit your ID to 3 photos.
If enough people complain, I am sure it would be done.
What was your photo about last time?
I hope a lot of Pentax people participate next week.
Cheers
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