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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-05-2016, 11:07 PM
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I really believe this "dud" or "flawed copy" business is totally exagerrated and grossly blown out of proportion. It is the direct result of extreme over-analysis and pixel-peeping on an anal-retentive scale measurable to the nth degree. Some people could buy 6 or 7 coffee cups from Walmart and return them after identifying a de-centered handle, a flawed enamel coating or small speck of nothing lodged in the upper-right corner. This is utter nonsense unless there is indeed a major engineering or assembly failure on a unit, which is not as common as the scaremongers want you to believe.
This can and does happen of course but by NO MEANS when you buy a lens or a camera (including Pentax) do you have to worry and wonder about how many returns you'll make, how do you handle the reverse logistics or how much frustration and testing/analysis capacity do you have. This is pure over-analysis with a negative expected outcome mentality.
It represents, to my mind, a loss of the initial purpose of camera equipment which, for some of us, still means capturing moments in time with proper technique and storytelling ability. How many millenials are returning their smartphones because the camera has an infinitesimal and virtually undetectable anamoly affecting 0.005% of its ability to capture an image? Ahhh...very few I'd venture to affirm. How many of these people are making beautiful photography with their smartphone cameras? Legions and legions.
Statistically speaking, if I were to believe the "failure terrorists" on some forums, a large portion of the equipment I currently own must certainly be faulty, misaligned, de-centered, wobbly, ugly or otherwise worthy of a series of returns to the vendor. However, I DON'T SEE THAT notably because I'M NOT LOOKING for that nor do I secretly HOPE TO FIND that in my equipment. Furthermore, the images produced by my Pentax equipment are largely sufficient and satisfying not only for my self but for others as well including one (and only one) recurring professional customer.
Either I'm one lucky SOB or I do not let the self-fulfulling prophecy and expectation mentality of purchasing necessarily faulty equipment ruin my photographic pleasure.
Last observation, when, while looking at your pictures, did anyone remark "dude, you've got a major de-centering problem in your lens" ?
Happy shooting to all.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-14-2018, 04:10 AM
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I can guarantee :
1. You'll never need all of those lenses
2. You'll wonder why you brought what you finally bring
3. You'll wish you brought a zoom and a prime only
4. Whatever you end up with, you'll get tired of carrying it around.
Take as little as possible and enjoy your trip.
Just got back from 15 days in Japan with only K-5II and 16-85. Was already overkill and entirely sufficient.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
09-14-2017, 11:41 PM
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Long-time faithful Pentax user, these days I'm so fed up with their AF that I'm seriously considering jumping ship to Nikon. Not happy to admit that, but I need precise AF in extreme situations. Pentax AF requires an enormous amount of effort and concentration to compensate for its mediocrity. Will wait for the ever-elusive K-3 succesor or a new FF if demonstrably better AF is available...
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-30-2017, 06:52 AM
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Especially, especially, especially the AF performance!
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
04-08-2017, 11:31 PM
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That is the best answer ever!
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
03-26-2017, 10:31 PM
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Serious shooting = RAW only.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-07-2017, 11:38 AM
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My 2 cents : I currently have the K-5IIs and frankly, the camera is better than excellent. It may not have the latest this and that, but it focuses quickly, feels great in hand, goes down to 80 ISO, the battery lasts forever and the pictures are as sharp as you's ever want. It may not be a K-3, K-70 or a KP, but if you can find a low shutter-count deal the camera would be an excellent entry into the Pentax APS-C line. The extra cash saved might allow better glass for you. When I shoot with practically any lens I own the results (the keepers I mean...) are extremely nice (I only shoot RAW and ALL my images are PP'd in LR systematically). Several of my K-5IIs pics have been published in a French sport magazine and I generally do Blurb photobooks from vacations (in 2016 it was India and Peru). The K-5IIs is a dependable workhorse that inspires confidence and with good glass, you just can't go wrong. My opinion is only worth 2 cents!
Enjoy your adventure.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-26-2017, 12:11 AM
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I'd still prefer a barbed-wire enema than make-do with that as a K-3II successor...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-03-2016, 12:53 AM
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I did that trip a few years back, along with other parks in Utah. The 55-300 would be just be extra weight IMHO. I got along perfectly with a 12-24 and an 18-135 and did not want for more at any time. Didn't have the 16-85 at that time, but now I think it could reasonably replace the 18-135. Anyway, you need WA to capture what you'll be seeing and there is some walking to do...
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
11-29-2016, 09:05 AM
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Nah, just pure LR for me. Otherwise, I feel like I'm running a counterfeit operation.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-14-2016, 11:21 PM
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That's very good advice. Add some PP experience/tech skills and you're there.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-09-2016, 08:13 AM
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Did you happen to note the licence plate of that garbage truck?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-13-2016, 11:21 PM
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You may find that the DA14 is not nearly as highly regarded as the DA15. I have the DA12-24 and would not recommened it to my worst enemy (if I had an enemy...).
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2016, 02:14 AM
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Hi there,
Welcome to PF as I see this is your first post. The K200d was indeed a fine performer in its time, which has now come and gone. I still have mine although I no longer really use it. If you want to really insist on continuing to use it, 2 lenses that would make a nice match are the DA16-85 and the DA18-135, the latter being perhaps more of an all-purpose lens that gives excellent results. You may find that the AF speed of the K200d will limit/frustrate you with these new lenses. The DA50 1,8 is a excellent value and would be great fun on that camera.
However, if it were me, I would retire the K200d and move up to another body with a deal including a better kit lens. The K-30, K-50 and K-S2, with the right bundle, would be a very nice upgrade to your K200d. Just my 2 cents. Enjoy your project.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-29-2016, 06:49 AM
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My humble viewpoint. Yes, Pentax owners/shooters are indeed quite rare in my personal observation and experience. I have seen less than 10 here in France, I'd speculate, in the last 25 years. I always enjoy being the only one using Pentax.
Last "spotting" occured a few days ago while in Arequipa, Peru. As I was visiting the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas a female tourist walked passed me with a DSLR slung over her shoulder. I habitually had a quick glance to see what she was carrying and it was a K-5IIs...I had to sit down on a bench for a minute to process what I had just seen. I felt like I came face to face with Sasquatch.
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Forum: Pentax Q
07-01-2016, 10:34 PM
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It would appear that you purchased bubble wrap and are unhappy with the condition of said bubble wrap. If the adaptor is clean and performs as expected....then congratulations on your new acquisition. You did not indicate that despite obvious disappointment with packing and various cosmetic concerns, the adaptor functions correctly or not. If it does, I'd personally stop there since you're covered by the purchase of a "new" item. If not then you have an issue with the vendor which could easily be resolved. Anyway, good luck on identifying the adequate solution.
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Forum: General Photography
05-30-2016, 10:50 AM
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I found the seller and sent him a friendly note because I just couldn't resist the golden opportunity.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
04-28-2016, 11:13 AM
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Haven't seen, heard or read anything on a new APS-C. Reasonable to assume that the K-1 is priority and mobilizing the company's grey matter for the moment. However, I'd like to see some trickle-down tech in a new APS-C to replace/update the K-3 series. In that case, I'd probably go for that instead of the K-1. If not, I may wait a year or so before studying the pure absurdity of acquiring a K-1 and giving my wife a justifiable reason to get seriously upset.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-28-2016, 11:07 AM
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Well, it looks like you have an excellent reason to call in sick tomorrow...Have fun with that new toy.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-25-2016, 08:40 AM
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Jeepers, folks. I don't get this extreme pixel-peeping thing. I am excessively demanding of my photos but that entails exposure, composition and subject to convey a message, share a moment or tell a story. I equally prefer when the image is sharp. Given the number of Pentax lenses that I own, including the excellent DA16-85, I must certainly have somewhere an imperfect copy. However, the overall results, including resolution and sharpness, are more than satisfactory and that's fine for me. I have never even done this exercise of surgically over-analyzing the slightest quadrant in search of a defect. If it's not grossly defective, then perhaps it's good enough. Even I, as an amateur photog, when looking at other people's work I never think about searching for some technical glitch in their equipment. I'd just relax on this subject and get back to shooting joyfully. Otherwise, it's just too much damn stress for so little. Just my humble 2 cents, no offense intended of course!
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Forum: General Photography
03-13-2016, 02:21 AM
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Folks, we were all "beginners-with-questions" at some point. I welcome the new members and their questions about Pentax cameras.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
03-29-2016, 11:58 PM
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Hello,
I don't use the plug-ins with LR anymore as I'm perfectly content with LR6 and what it can do. However, as I recall, you can access the Nik modules by launching LR, selecting your photo to work with and then on LR menu, you select Photo>Edit In> and then you will see a list of the Nik modules to use for further modification. Finally, after editing with NIK, you'd save your work and your edited photo will be sent back into the LR Develop module. Perhaps, give that a try?
Brgds.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-13-2016, 09:57 AM
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Definitely just a speck of dust or other impurity on the sensor. Mirror up and clean it yourself with wet-clean swabs available at cameras stores, eBay, Amazon, etc. Works like a charm for me everytime. Shooting in Africa, you need to master this quickly. Alternatively, PP in LR / PS will make that disappear in 2 seconds like magic.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-10-2016, 12:45 PM
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I'm finding that explaining the difference between FF and APS-C to the Minister of Finances (wifey) and the resulting obvious obligation to own a K-1...appears to be less than convincing. The Minister of Finances is erroneously contending that there are more important things on which to spend our meager pentance.
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