Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
02-11-2013, 04:32 PM
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I used the 5D (aka 5D Classic, 5DC, 5DI, etc.) for a few months and really liked it. I liked it so much that I decided to spend more on FF. Since then I've used a D600 and really like it, too, but I keep thinking about that 5D.
I'm blown away by how much I like the photos from the 5D, especially considering its cost. I bought it for 500 and sold it for 500. The Canon 50/1.4 was 250. Crazy good value.
My point is, if I have a point, is that hardly anybody around here uses the 5D, but it is a true jewel. Its most significant weakness is the lack of Auto-ISO. Another weakness was max ISO 3200, although the camera was perfectly usable at even ISO 3200 and you could push the exposure if necessary.
Other than that I think the 5D is a powerful tool even today. And anybody thinking of going FF should consider testing the waters with a 5D.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
07-31-2012, 10:22 PM
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A storm moved down from the BWCA and Quetico, pretty fast... Some last minute fun before heading indoors.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-26-2012, 04:40 PM
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The DXOMark ranking of the body will also take a hit from any SLT, especially at Sports (High ISO), despite those users ostensibly being the target market for the new camera - hence the improved AF, high FPS etc. But the high-ISO performance of the camera will be compromised by the SLT, hence diminishing the overall appeal of the body as a FF sports shooter.
The position of the SLT A77 in the DXO high ISO scale (at about K-x level) vs the NEX-7 (at about D90 level) using the 24mp APS-C Sony sensor certainly doesn't bode well for the A99, relative to other modern but traditional design FF DSLR's, especially if those traditional FF DSLR's also use the same 24MP FF sensor: |
Forum: Pentax K-01
03-07-2012, 07:54 PM
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-27-2011, 06:35 PM
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Sunflowers in Wisconsin, shot with K20D and Sigma 10-20 |
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
07-11-2011, 12:36 PM
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I believe I can confirm that this is a heat related issue with the K5. On every occasion in which this has happened to my K5 the camera was being used outside and the ambient temperature was above 90 degrees.
It has never happened when the camera was at "room temperature". My guess is that there is either some electrical component or mechanical componenet that has a low tolerence for heat.
I just used my K5 inside where the temperature is about 75 degrees.. then took it outside for about a half hour where the temperature is around 98 degrees (who knows what the temp is inside the heat absorbing black body of the camera) and the camera began to exhibit the mirror flop others have talked about.
Brought it back inside and after a 20 minute cool-down the issue did not occur.
I'm not sure this is something that can be fixed if the reapir facility is just replacing the same parts that are heat sensitive. It would appear that no firmware adjustment could handle such a thing either.
I would assume that Pentax has tested the camera in a variety of temperture extremes but maybe not. At any rate, it appears heat inside the camera body is the culprit. It is the only conclusion I can come to based on how the camera reacts to being used in high temperature environments (Texas in Summer).
I certainly hope Pentax will look into this and offer some solution.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-24-2011, 10:51 PM
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So my friends have been watching my photography skills develop all year and finally decided that they wanted to do a photoshoot. I said sure thing, and went all out for it - all my AF lenses were in the bag, K-5 + battery grip, Metz-48 flash + DIY beauty dish, ready to do all this strobist shizz. My first shot required an ND filter because it was so bright but I only have a 10-stop, so it was down to 1/8 of a second, and the Metz doesn't (or I can't find) the option to let me do manual control during wireless, so....I scrapped it all and did what I could in the harsh afternoon light.
I'm pretty damn happy with my results.
Also, it's interesting to note that these were the last shots I ever took with my D-FA 100mm f2.8 WR (#1 and #8), as it's now been sold off in favour of the FA 77 which I hope to receive sometime next week. It was my first lens after the kit lens I ever bought :o
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Critiques are very welcome here, this is one of my first attempts at portraiture, though it's worth noting this was a just-for-fun shoot between friends. It was serious up until the moment my Metz 48 went straight back into the bag after my first test shot :p
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-01-2011, 07:33 PM
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Some shots of my buddy's motorcycle from today.
More can be found here. |
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-29-2011, 09:25 AM
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Thanks, Quicksand!
But I must say mr. dlacouture, the thickness is important. The optic "way" from the mirror reflexion till the upside matte screen focus surface must be kept to the same value as before changing the screen. This way has 2 components: one in the air (d1) and one in the plastic glass of the screen (d2). Optic way is d1+ n*d2 where n is the optic index of the refractive screen (about 1.5 for perspex). If the new screen has a major thickness than the old one, the new (d1) must be decreased to preserve the sum. That means need for shim of the difference: old (d1)-new(d1). But if the new screen is thinner than the old one, it must be positioned upper (closer to the pentaprism) and if there are no shims to be removed (with the needed correction) is no chance to obtain a good focus. This explain the different results on the forum regarding the change of the focus screen.
For exemple the old screen thickness is 1.3mm and the new one is 1.5mm. The optic difference is (1.5-1.3)*1.5[refractive index]=0.2*1.5=0.3mm. You must compensate adding shim(s) of total thickness of 0.3mm.
The downside surface of the screen is a Fresnel lens (a plane lens) and if the focus length is different changing the screen then is a change in the resulted exposure because more or less light is distributed on the exposure sensor in the front of the pentaprism. The Katzeye screen with optic coating (like the lens coating) is more luminous and the result is an underexposure that must be compensated in camera. But if exist also the effect of different focus of the Fresnel lens the compensation can be in every sense (over or under). This must be tested, I only give you a simple theory implied in this process.
And, to prevent various "observations" here, I must say I'm licensed in physics.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-29-2011, 07:59 AM
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Pics Fr Pentax club Thailand Trip #2:lol:
Test K-5 & Lens Sigma 85/1.4:D
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-22-2011, 01:46 PM
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One more from Myrtle Beach: |
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
03-23-2011, 11:00 AM
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In the menu:
- camera tab, 5th sub tab, third option
- Last line on that screen
- Select what the green button should do
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-04-2011, 11:07 PM
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I took this photo at an anime (Japanese animation) convention a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I forgot to switch my ISO to Auto ISO when I took this photo, so I ended up taking this photo at ISO 1600. D'oh! I'm just glad that the K-x has good high ISO and that there's noise reduction in post. =) (And yeah, I know I missed the focus. Booooo.)
As for the costume, I don't think it's from an animated series; rather, it's from a science fiction inspired style called "steampunk." Do I really care that it's not really related to Japanese animation? No. :p
Oh, and case you wanna see more of my photos from that convention, you can check them out here.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
02-01-2011, 12:46 PM
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ozlizard,
Your query seems like a logical request for user feedback, so let me give you my personal experience with my K5 and Pentax DA lenses. IMHO, the severity and inconvenience of any of the reported problems will depend on how you use the camera.
K5 serial number 392…
I will simply list the various problems I have heard about, and my experience if applicable:
1. Stain - none so far.
2. External flash - do not use. I only shoot daylight or hot lights in the studio.
3. Freeze - do not use the camera for repetitive fast action shots.
4. FF/BF - set in-camera focus adjustment to -10 for all lenses. Excellent results.
5. Tungsten focus - my camera has serious problems with focusing in tungsten light, however the workaround is to use LiveView set for "contrast focus" which works flawlessly in tungsten light.
Regarding the tungsten light issue, the problem I have experienced is not a back-focus or front-focus problem but a complete random missed-focus. The camera will indicate it has achieved focus, but 90% of the time the results will be back, front, or no focus at all.
While I am hoping the tungsten issue is fixed in firmware, using LiveView suitable workaround for me. BUT, if I were an event or indoor low-light photographer, it could be huge problem.
So I don't have any serious issues that prevent me from using the K-5 for my work, and the images are superb. On the other hand, if my camera suffered problems that required a return to Pentax in order to use it as intended, I would not be a happy camper.
That is all I can say, but I do hope that Pentax demonstrates a dedication to resolve all of the issues that various people seem to experience.
BTW, this my first Pentax so I don't much of the history. I have about 40 years experience in photography; the first 20 with Nikon, and past 20 with Canon. I do not regret the move to Pentax.
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Forum: Photo Critique
12-28-2010, 01:07 PM
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One of my Christmas presents this year was the FA 50mm 1.4. It's a lot of fun, but with such a shallow depth of field at wide apertures I'm realizing it's easy to miss getting a good, sharp focus in the right area. Here's an example of where I missed keeping my son's eyes in focus. BTW, he wasn't thrilled I was taking a picture of him wearing his new hat. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to take a slightly out of focus shot like this one and make it look "creative or artistic" for a lack of a better way of putting that. I missed getting another shot since he'd already ripped the hat off and was looking for something else to unwrap.
Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-20-2010, 12:22 PM
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Well here it is folks. This is the point(ISO25600) which I consider a camera to either make it, or break it, in terms of performance.
This is also where my D700 doesn't hold up anymore in terms of IQ(mainly due to shadow detail).
At this stage, I won't bother you with a speech or introduction, as I think the images speak for themselves. UNPROCESSED RAW: ISO25600, 1/200s FULL SIZE: RAW EXTRACTION(JPG) DOWNLOAD...
- PROCESSED RAW: ISO25600, 1/200s - Click(view image) for full size sample Click(view image) for full size sample PROCESSED RAW CROP: ISO25600, 1/200s
As with the previous sample, this was processed with nothing more than a single NR pass and little sharpening. :eek: I also want to thank our good man dgaies for going far out of his way to provide us with these wonderful sample images!
The K-5 is indeed an amazing camera!
/...the end/
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-20-2010, 01:56 PM
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Sure, I can take some more tonight.
In the meantime, John posted this one that I took. It's ISO12800 and 1/80s (closer to what you are asking for).
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