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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-23-2009, 05:03 PM
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Outside. Good sharpness, spot-on white balance, outstanding dynamic range.
Now getting the same level of performance indoors isn't as easy.
I believe my main issue with sharpness is shotting wide open at the extreme zooms outside of the lens' sweet spot.
The focusing issue still remains, though with practice I think I will be able to work around it.
Thank you all for your input and advice.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-23-2009, 01:31 PM
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How do I share a picture with the EXIF intact?
Or another question, is there a quick way to export EXIF data from somewhere?
Will try the newspaper test tonight.
Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 10:16 PM
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To be honest, I'm a little dumb struck by that. How much leeway (in inches) does the camera have when it beeps confirming focus lock? For some reason, I thought I was supposed to be pretty accurate in the digital age and modern tolerances.
Is there any specific technique that would help me get the focus where I want it to be or at least to improve my chances?
I always try to keep the centre spot for focusing and use it as default. With k-x it is especially important since it doesn't tell you which spot it uses to AF.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 08:13 PM
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The results are pretty much the same throughout - soft. And this tint seems to be harder to correct than I initially thought.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 07:46 PM
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I have many examples I can post but all are basically showing the same thing.
I always try to focus on the near eye. The crops are pretty close to the centre.
Another question - if I focus on the near eye but the lens is focusing on something else instead, isn't there something wrong with the lens then?
The EXIF data for the following shot is:
Shutter speed: 1/160sec
Exposure Program: Manual
F-Stop: f/4.5
Aperture Value: f/4.4
ISO speed ratings: 400
Focal Length: 40 mm
The face was smack in the middle of the frame. So I focused on the eyes then pressed the shutter button completely to take the shot without reframing in order to eliminate any user error. Still the same result.
The file was saved as DNG in-camera. Opened in Adobe camera raw with default settings and then saved without modification as jpeg with high quality setting 8.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 06:46 PM
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The flash is a manual flash (I control all the settings manually, the picture is not overexposed according to the histogram), and the subject doesn't seem to be out of focus or else I would see something either in front or immediately behind that WOULD be in focus.
The colour is way off, too. I've tried various combinations but no success yet.
Should try shooting RAW, and see how much difference that makes.
Meanwhile, here's another example. Again, the image (according to the histogram) is slightly underexposed. Yet the contrast is low, the colours are off and the image is soft.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 05:25 PM
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I agree that this lens produces pleasing results. Still the colours have this pinkish purplish bluish (sorry, not good with colours) tint that looks unnatural. Look at the lips on the first pic, and the snow. The colour is way off.
Is there an easy fix for that (a PhotoShop filter or something) that can be applied to make it more natural?
Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 05:00 PM
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I have a VERY restricted budget, I'll leave it at that.
But now that I have looked at the images I took a short while ago and compare them to what I'm seeing coming out of the k-x, it's actually quite disturbing.
Look at these examples taken in the same room in almost identical conditions lit by the same flash. All pictures are direct out-of-camera with no PP applied stopped to between f/7-8.
The first one is from k-x. washed out and unnatural cold colours. Second one from my (now sold) Oly E-510. Both used their kit lenses.
Third and fourth are 100% crops from the originals showing the softness and lack of contrast, again, compareed to Oly E-510. If not for the pathetic high-ISO performance, I would have kept that rig.
Compare.
REALLY disturbing to my eye.
Help?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 01:00 PM
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All valid points, Marc. I actually have a few M42 lenses laying around that I MAY be willing to play with at one point. I just hope I will not have a need to "resort" to the legacy lens to get the picture quality I want.
I'll definitely study the manual before passing any judgements and see if I can fine tune my technique and get the most out of the camera and kit lens.
I'll post the pictures when I get a chance to illustrate the softness of the lens and colour rendition.
It's also very hard to ignore the perceptions, especially given I have no investment in either brand. A lot of people still buy a lot of mercedes'es and bmw's even if only to go shopping once a week. I'm just trying to make it clear to myself that "perceived" value is just that, perceived.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-22-2009, 11:40 AM
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Hi, all.
Having played with the new K-x for a few days now, I still can't get rid of the feeling that maybe I didn't make the right choice?
Having just sold my Olympus gear (E-510 that has poor high ISO performance and small viewfinder), the k-x feels... flimsy and unrefined in comparison. My wife, when she first saw it said "you can't be serious - did you sell the Olympus for this?" (of course all SHE cares is looks).
I know, I know, I didn't buy it for the looks.
I love the dynamic range and the high ISO performance of the k-x. It's something I couldn't get even close with my Olympus. Though I still prefer the Oly colours.
In addition, I see a few threads here that report IQ issues in low ISO (softness and low contrast primarily). Is it a function of the kit lens? I can confirm that my kit 18-55 lens is rather soft at all apertures and somewhat lacking in contrast.
Is it something that can be easily fixed without tapping into the expensive lens category? I am an amateur but still would like to have good (not necessarily pro level) results that I haven't been able to achieve yet.
Seeing that D5000's now going for $545 body only from B&H, this Nikon offering is fighting back.
Does anyone have any experience with BOTH who could comment on the IQ differences between the two especially in low ISO?
It's going to be very tough to make a decision since I don't have much experience with either and my initial choice was based primarily on price. The k-x could be had for ~$460 from Amazon while the D5000 was nearly $200 more. Now the lowest price I can find for the k-x is ~$505 and the Nikon pretty much closed the gap. The k-x comes with the kit lens, yes, but judging by its performance, I would have to replace it anyway, so not a real advantage there.
What really makes the D5000 even more appealing is:
1) I already have an HD camcorder so video performance doesn't influence my camera choice
2) I am not planning to have more than 2 lenses (maybe a decent 3rd prime for portraight) and there are enough decent quality offerings for both cameras (including VR lenses that provide up to 3 stops of stabilization for the Nikon) so the lack of internal focus motor and no in-body stabilization aren't a huge deal for me; I am not planning to use any legacy lenses
I just want to be sure that my concerns can be addressed by tweaking in-camera settging and/or upgrading the lens (within $200 limit) before I fully decide on a system.
This being a Pentax forum, biased opinions are OK.
Thanks
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-20-2009, 08:44 PM
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Thanks, Jason.
Out of several thousand actualtions on the Oly body, the PT-04 failed to fire twice, and in both occasions I accidentally flipped the channel switch so it was 100% my error (using up to 4 receivers at a time). For the price, can't really find any fault with them.
No problem with syncing either. My Oly was set to 1/200 (despite max sync speed being 1/180 it would still fire with no black curtain bars).
Thanks for pitching in, though.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-20-2009, 08:36 PM
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Thank you for your quick response.
I was able to figure it out!
I set the shutter speed at 1/200 and that automatically prevents the flash from firing because it exceeds the maximum flash sync speed of 1/180.
My Olympus E-510 would still fire (which actually saved me one very neat shot) but Pentax has this logic built in, which is perfectly fine by me now that I'm aware of it.
I really AM enjoying the high-ISO performance of this little powerhouse especially after many many hours and thousands of wasted shots with my (now sold) Oly
The Oly has a much nicer feel to it, though. The k-x just ain't pretty, and the plastic looks and feels cheap but as long as I am happy with the results, I really don't care. I didn't enter into this relationship for looks :D
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-20-2009, 07:19 PM
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Hi,
I am new to the Pentax world, and today I bought a k-x.
Coming from Olympus, I have a bunch of strobist equipment I used with my Oly gear. I have a couple of SB-20's and a couple of Sunpaks used in manual mode.
Here's the problem.
In MANUAL mode, I can't get the external flash to fire.
I have the PT-04 chinese wireless trigger (with 4 receivers) that worked very well with my Olympus camera. When installed on the hot shoe of my new k-x, it will fire in all modes EXCEPT MANUAL mode :eek:
I makes no sense to me. Why would it fire in Aperture priority mode and keep the shutter open long after the flash was triggered blurring my image. And, of course, I can't change the shutter speed in A mode. When it fires in the sutter priority mode, I can set it to the max sync speed of 180 (200 actually) but then my aperture setting is screwed up and I get blown images.
Did I miss some setting somewhere? I hope that's it 'cause otherwise it will be a bummer and I will have to return the camera.
I hope someone will enlightned me. Thank you.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-19-2009, 12:56 PM
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Is that offer still available on amazon?
For the life of me, I can't find anything under $549 for a single lens kit.
Anybody can provide a link or something?
Thanks.
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