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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-18-2011, 06:10 AM
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Thanks for the praise. What I like about astrophotography with film is the short times. I often only take a 10 to 15 minute shot. While DSLR or CCD imaging takes hours and hours then even more hours of computer processing. Just is not worth my time right now.
William
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
05-17-2011, 01:15 PM
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Here's a few shots of what I generally use film for still. I have experimented some with DSLR and CCD cameras but get better images with film.
There not perfect but the only one's I got on the web just now. The last one is with the Kodak B&W film that processes in color machines. They are all about 10-15 minute shots of the Orion nebula and Horse Head-Flame nebula. Shot with an Atlas mount using 120mm F/5 refractor with a ST80 as a guider. Or the ST80 and a 60mm as guider. Camera was a Superprogram using Fuji color or Kodak B&W film.
William
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-19-2010, 12:57 PM
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Some of us still use Pentax film cameras (like me) but refuse for one reason or another (like me) to buy any Pentax DSLR. Till now at least for me the DFS was a killer. I will always have a Pentax film camera for astrophotography. My next DSLR will be a T2i not KR/K5.
William
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-12-2010, 01:07 PM
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I did not see DFS on your poll.
While I have four Pentax film cameras I will not buy a Pentax DSLR that forces the DFS. It's a killer for me. I recently picked up a Canon 10d to test and will most likely be in the market for a new DSLR in the spring. Pentax has till then to fix the DFS issue for me.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-09-2010, 12:36 PM
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To be precise it's not a sensor operation. It's the removal of the infrared cut off filter just in front of the sensor that makes it work. The sensors already are sensitive for IR but the filter prevents IR wavelength getting to it.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-09-2010, 08:28 AM
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They don't have sections for any particular camera, just film, digital or CCD.
Pentax users do show up.
Check my post titled "New Pics" # 3730774
I took those pictures with a Pentax Super Program using Fuji film.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-09-2010, 06:21 AM
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Does anyone know if it forces DFS after 30 seconds. That's a killer for me.
William
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-14-2010, 09:19 AM
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If the K-7 had live preview and NR disable I would be tempted. Not a bad price.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-12-2010, 06:45 AM
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Thanks. The film was Fujicolor 400. The telescope is an Orion short tube 120mm x 600 mm refractor. I hope to do more as we get clear Moonless skies.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-12-2010, 06:43 AM
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My biggest question is: Some of the stars look like proper pin-pricks, while others look like spheres of light surrounded by a halo. What causes this? Is this because they're over exposed (blown out)?
This is generally caused by an affect called coma. It is often present in short focal length telescopes and camera lenses. Some manufacturers make coma correctors while others offer real expensive lenses that correct it internally.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-11-2010, 07:49 PM
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-07-2010, 01:11 PM
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Here's a few shots, not your normal photo shots by any means. The Atlas mount needed a little more alignment so I got some field rotation around the sides. I also got some halo's on brighter stars since I did not use my VR filter. All in all not bad for film pictures. These are .jpg's from the film CD with no processing.
M42 at 10 minutes. A ST-120 f/5 telescope at prime focus.:cool:
At 15 minutes.
At 20 minutes.
HorseHead and Flame Nebula at 10 minutes.
M44 at 10 minutes.
This is the first time I got shots of the HorseHead nebula. Not a bad start.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-13-2010, 02:29 PM
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Sorry about that. I either date stamp all my flower pictures or include date in the naming of the files. I do this for an number of reasons. Checking health from year to year, checking numbers and types of flowers and so on. Did not think about it being distracting to others. I'll remember that when I post my tulips.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-12-2010, 02:35 PM
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Here's a few shots from yesterday. Camera is point and shoot so I can't adjust too much. Just showing off spring color.
The last one picked up an early visitor. Not expected to see flies this early.
William
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
03-11-2010, 01:05 PM
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We invite you to join us at the 2010 meeting of the North Central Region of the Astronomical League (NCRAL). NCRAL 2010 will be held on April 16-17, 2010 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.
The 2010 event will be hosted by the Twin City Amateur Astronomers, who will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of their club.
The theme of the meeting is Generations: Past, Present and Future of the Telescope
We will discuss the beginnings of modern astronomy to Galileo, his life and instruments and his tragic end. We will follow through the Evolution of Modern Astronomy discussing the people and their scientific instruments that have expanded our understanding of the universe. We will try to give you a peek at the Future of Modern Astronomy discussing the current and planned developments astronomy.
The unique resources offered by our location offers a surprising variety of activities. Our local Challenger Center has generously offered to run missions for our meeting that will challenge and enlighten you to the complexities of space exploration.
Join us as we celebrate, in the "other Twin Cities," the 50th anniversary of our amateur astronomy club, the Twin City Amateur Astronomers.
Join us as we present an event to celebrate who we are, to share our love of astronomy and its related sciences, to spend some time reflecting on where we are, how we got here and the meaning we can give to all the wonderous things we are learning about the universe around us.
Join us to celbrate NCRAL 2010. We invite you to join us at the 2010 meeting of the North Central Region of the Astronomical League (NCRAL). NCRAL 2010 will be held on April 16-17, 2010 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.
The Speakers
Dr. Carl J. Wenning, Illinois State University
The Origin of Modern Astronomy: Galileo
Michael Bakich, Senior Editor, Astronomy Magazine
Amateur Astronomy Then and Now, 1960-2010
Dr. Dan Holland, Illinois State University
Non-optical Space Telescopes
Jimmy Simek
The Webb Space Telescope
Dr. Daniel Miller, TCAA
The Itty Bitty Radio Telescope
Bobby Arn, TCAA
Astronomical Imaging with a Digital SLR Camera
John Werner, TCAA
So, you really want to build an observatory?
Keynote Speaker TBD
But stay tuned for big annoucements.
Join us to celbrate NCRAL 2010. NCRAL 2010
You can register on line at NCRAL 2010 Registration Page
Vendors are welcome.
While not entirely photo related we will have at least one talk about astrophotography as well as contests.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-10-2010, 12:06 PM
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I have read the reviews. Like I said the current Pentax DSLR's are not good enough in MY opinion for the price they go for, for me at least. The point of the thread was about Pentax doing better. Better quality, quality control and more options in their cameras is what they need to do in my opinion. For now neither the KX or K7 is good enough in quality and features for me.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-10-2010, 11:54 AM
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Here's a few shots of the first spring color. :D Finally. They were taken with a digital camcorder so I did not have much adjustment on shutter and focus. It was zoomed in a little so they are a little noisy.
Just for your enjoyment, not so much critique. I will try and get some better one's with my film cameras.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-10-2010, 09:25 AM
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Quality and Quality control is the biggest "it" issue. Just look at the threads about problems relating to the KX and K7. Not only on this forum but others. A lot of people have a lot of problems with these two cameras. Too many to ignore. More so than current Canon DSLR's in the same price/features bracket.
Just check all the threads pertaining to problems with the K7, in my opinion there are way too many problems to justify a purchase over 1200.00 for me that's all. Not too mention the two features I need. The DFS and computer control. Does it have live preview or video mode, I forgot? That is also some features I need. A number here like and love the K7 but I am not one of them.
I am not a total Pentax basher. I have two Super Programs I use all the time. I love them. I also have two very old Praktica's. I would like to purchase a new Pentax DSLR but won't with the two selections right now. They have to get their quality control in hand and offer better features.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-09-2010, 01:05 PM
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For me you have to have the ability of turning off the DFS and be able to take pictures through your computer. Both for astronomy.
I am seriously considering a Canon T2i just for this and dumping all my current Pentax stuff. Pentax just does not have it anymore. Another thing to think about is product quality. You hear of people praising the K7 and KX but I also see a lot, and I mean a lot, of bad problems with both of them. Not just one type of problems but numerous types. This is why I have stayed away from both.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-09-2010, 12:58 PM
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I took this shot with my digital point and shoot and did not have much adjustment on exposure and focus especially on a "soft" day. The flowers are now just starting to come up :D so it won't be long before I can get some new photo's. I have any where from 3500 to 5500 tulips :cool: blooming a year depending on a few factors. I have at least 20 to 30 variations I have created in 30 years or so.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-27-2010, 10:20 PM
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I am getting really tired of the snow, cold, grey, clouds, no color :(. So I started looking at last years flowers. Here's a shot that's not perfect but it shows one of my hybrid Tulips. I have been breeding them for at least 30 years.:cool: Just thought I would show some color for those of us that have not seen much in the last four month's.
William
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-24-2010, 08:43 AM
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Nice shots. It's very, very cold and snowing just now. Wish I was in a warmer area like that with nice looking females around.
William
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-18-2010, 08:25 AM
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Worth it? Depends.
I have a 500mm f/8 lens. The depth of field on focus is real tight. That is your focus area is very small with foreground and background objects out of focus with very little in focus. It is also very dark and can not be used very well in low light or night time without longer exposures. They are usually lighter in weight than an equiviliant 500mm lens on the positive side.
In saying all that, I have used it for wildlife shots to some success.
Mine is also a T-Mount so I can use it on any camera.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-17-2010, 09:02 AM
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Yep, one of the primary reasons for me not to buy a Kx or K7 right now. Starting to look at Canon instead, just a matter of time before I switch. Unless Pentax comes up with a fix or a new camera that does not do it by later summer.
William
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-16-2010, 10:08 AM
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BINGO, give that man a cigar.
William
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