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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-25-2016, 09:35 AM
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Anytime you switch from a zoom to a prime you run the risk of missing images. Sometimes I sit out int he blind with the 60-250 and 1.4 with the 200 and 1.7 on the little table in front of me. Especially with bigger birds, in my case jays , Grackles grosbeaks etc. the zoom will allow more framing options etc. For small birds where cropping is expected anyway, the fixed FL with maximum performance is the way to go. Once you're going to crop at least 30% of your image, and you can't frame with the zoom anymore, the zoom loses a lot of attractiveness. That turns the 60-250 into a fixed FL 250mm lens (350 is the 1.4) that is a lot heavier than it needs to be. But I miss good long shots because I have the zoom on, and I miss shots where the birds have come in really close to me, that I would have a much better image if I'd had the zoom on and could crank it back. SO what are you going to do? There's no set up where you get the best image every time.
What I do is go out, decide in advance, what I am shooting for that day, and set up appropriately. I'm going out knowing that there will be certain images I won't be set up for, but I will focus on getting the image that the lens/tc combo on the camera can handle. If I'm set up for a small bird at 20 feet and I get a big bird at 8 feet, I've missed out. But in my experience, it's better to go out with a purpose and stick to it, than it is to be messing around changing focal lengths. TC or zooms, it doesn't matter.
Example, I set up for a bird in a certain area, a bird comes closer. I think it will. I really want to get that image. I take off the TC or crank the zoom ring. The close bird hear's the noise or sees the motion and leaves before I get an image. A bird comes to the area I was set up for. Before I can get the zoom cranked back out or put the TC back on that bird leaves. I then lose the shot I spent a half hour setting up. If this happens to you enough times you start to realize, you need to shoot what you're set up for. That's where you time commitment is. If you really think you need to jump around bring a second body for the second lens. But understand in wildlife there are many situations where the only way your going to get the image is if you are perfectly still. Cranking a zoom or changing a TC is going to spook your target. So limiting yourself to what you are set up for is critical with wildlife present.
There is nothing that is going to help you with these kinds of things but you but getting out and shooting. I can tell you about what i do, but in the end, you aren't me, and you have to find out what works for you.
Here's an example.. I notice that this one bird keeps returning to this one branch right in front of me. I want the longest reach with the best AF, because I won't have time to focus the 1.7 with the bird so close, not to mention that this close 6 feet way" the noise of the 1.7 AF scares the birds. So I select the 60-250 with the 1.4 TC. That gives me 350mm with very good AF. I set up with the camera pointed to the spot and my face already in close proximity to the viewfinder. I hope the bird will land. When the bird arrives, all I have to do is press the shutter release. I'm lucky, the bird arrives lands in the same place he did a few minutes ago, I fire off a burst, mabey 6 frames before he takes off. Two of the images are good. I get exactly the image I hoped for. Not because I was busy trying to adjust to what was there, but because I anticipated what was going to happen, and set up for the shot I wanted before it happened. I'm just afraid discussing the relative merits of trying to capture shots on the fly might take away from the discussion of the importance of preparation.
I don't have any images like this taken "on the fly." meaning changing my TC or cranking a zoom. The best images require you to be ready and waiting IMHO. And I probably missed a couple other decent images while waiting for this image to happen. But, I wanted this image, so I don't care. A lot of the time your real choice is "do I want a chance at a great photo, or am I going to settle for an average type photo. After you've taken enough average type photos, the thought of another one really doesn't do much for you.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-20-2016, 05:04 AM
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I ended up buying the DA* 55mm today. On the first look the sharpness is amazing if in focus and without motion blur.
Lack of corner sharpness is there, but really only the extremes.
Almost non vignetting, I think even the original hood can be used. It gave me only very mild vignetting wide open (not 100% sure if this was even by use of the hood).
Will soonish post some samples too.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-10-2016, 03:07 PM
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That's impressive.
If I had tried that with a 200 at 1/15th I'd have to label it "Abstract" and tell what it was a picture of. :o
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-28-2016, 09:18 AM
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Please, everyone who's telegraphing their intentions:
What DID you do, not what WILL you do? |
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-03-2016, 03:36 PM
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I actually believe the MC function was enabled for that one. If my jet-lagged memory serves, there were two options in the menu for the pixel shift resolution function - one with an "MC" that is brighter, and one with an "MC" that is dimmer. I used the brighter one, so I *think* it was on.
---------- Post added 03-03-16 at 04:42 PM ----------
And to everyone else - thank you much for the warm welcome! I'll try to keep checking back to see if you guys have any other questions, and as we do more testing in the future when we get a final K-1.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-14-2016, 03:52 PM
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Taken this morning a few minutes after sunrise. For the first 15 min I was there the fog was too thick to see the skyline. Poor K-30 (and me) got covered in frost.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
02-13-2016, 05:08 AM
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K-3 + DA 18-135 ... this morning's outing with the photo club. Blustery weather, thus we went for some cover ...
 "Sortie" - Exit by Jean Poitiers, on Flickr
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
01-14-2016, 08:56 AM
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Another forum that I used to frequent (not a photography site) had a Karma Forum. The idea was that everyone has small, relatively inexpensive items they don't need or want and giving them away would bring the giver good karma.
You start a thread in the Karma Forum saying what you were giving away. Members would then make a post saying they wanted it.
The person giving the item away was free to use whatever criteria he or she chose to decide whom to give it to.
The only real restrictions was that the giver could ask for nothing in return. It had to be completely free. No strings attached, no shipping charge, no trades, etc.
I'd like to see something like that here. I've got loads of stuff I don't, and never will use.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
06-26-2015, 10:42 AM
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Amazon is offering up to $319 for the K-500 on trade in. I sent my K500 body in last week, it was in excellent condition but missing some accessories and the box was for a kit with the 18-55 lens. They gave me $265 which was fine with me since that's what I paid for it last year. I added another $25 and bought the K-50 for $289. The strange thing is they are offering up to $319 for the K500 and only $168 for the K50. I don't get that logic but ok. So if you have a clean K500 and miss not having the focus points this might be a good deal for you. It was for me.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-06-2015, 03:15 PM
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here is a ~$25 minolta celtic 200mm lens... celtic was their entry-level product line.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/brq1sjhle4xdi2b/DSC01976.JPG?dl=0
click on the three dots in the right-hand corner, "show original", blow it up to 100%, see the numbers on the tach.
you can do a lot with a $25 piece of legacy glass.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-02-2014, 04:13 PM
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This question comes up periodically and the answer usually involves one or more of the following tidbits:- In order to show the projected image, the focusing screen requires a matte/textured surface to scatter the light. All reflex viewfinders (the "R" in SLR) as well as focus system for view cameras share this requirement. This textured surface can be as simple as ground glass or as complex as a microscopic array of tiny prisms.
- Your focus screen includes a Fresnel lens as part of its construction. It is there to make the screen brighter and to provide magnification. The Fresnel lens is made of a series of concentric ridged arcs. To see the pattern set your aperture at about f/8, point the camera at the sky and use the DOF preview.
- The textured pattern was/is not visible on probably because the viewfinder on that camera has lower magnification.
Does this help? BTW, you are really going to like your K-50. It is a fine tool and a pleasure to use.
Steve
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-26-2014, 08:33 AM
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I'm Ghia and here is my kx’s story. I got my kx as my first DSLR camera from my grandmother when I was 23 in 2010; my Mom is a big fan of it. She has been using only for all her life and recommended it to me. I have been using it and I really like it. But then everything changed, in March this year I went to the Gold Coast with my friends and we were taking photo on the beach with tripod; suddenly, a big wave came and knocked the tripod and my kx down to the seawater. At that moment my friend was taking me a picture; so he unintentionally let go off the tripod to protect himself from the wave and it then killed my loved kx. I didn’t blame him because it was an accident and I know him; he is one of my best friends. He offered me money but I couldn’t take it. I sent my kx to the Pentax and they said that it will cost $1000 to fix it which is not worth it. My grandmother paid around 900 for it. I decided not fix it at this time because there are many better new models but I still want to get it fixed and make it become alive again because it was the last gift from my grandmother before she passed away last year.
I'm doing a part-time job at the moment to buy a new k3 and also looking for a new portrait lens since my old Pentax SMC 55mm F1.8 broke too.
It will be wonderful for me If I can get this 50mm I can save money to buy something else like a grip or other lens.
Thank you
Rest in Peace my 55mm f1.8
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-16-2012, 10:32 AM
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No, they are reliable, but there are limits and you must work with them. The sensor must be well oriented to detect the source light, but at the same time they are sensitive so they could not be used, for instance, when two photographers work side by side. I've never had timing issues with mine.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-02-2011, 03:21 PM
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Thanks for coming back kp0c, and yes I'm afraid nobody uses Fujica-X cameras nowadays. Your 2x teleconverter looks like a 4-lens design, which is not really worth much (or anything :-).
It all adds up to the morbid charm of a doomed camera system from the 80s and there are a lot more of these around. In retrosepect you gotta cheer Pentax for getting it right the first time with the K-mount-system.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-26-2010, 05:19 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-18-2010, 09:27 AM
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DAL 35/2.4 - A Plastic Wonder!
I got the new DA35/2.4 lens along with my new K5 camera a few days ago. It is a beautiful looking lens, kinda like a smaller sized FA77. But when held in hand, it feels really light. It's probably the lightest non-pancake lens I've every had. Yeah, it's plastic lens with a plastic mount like all the DAL lenses, and it doesn't come with quickshift feature. Why Pentax called this one as a DA instead of a DAL is beyond me, but I'd call it as DAL35 in this short review simply because it has a plastic mount, it doesn't have quickshift feature, and it's easier to differentiate from the DA35 macro lens.
I got it purely because of its price and curiosity, not because I need another 35mm lens (I already have the FA31 and FA43 Ltd lenses, two of my favorite lenses). Well, after two days play, I really like this little lens, and think its light weight is a selling point instead of a drawback. It is so light and compact, I don't feel much extra weight at all when mounted on the K5 camera. Believe it or not, this has been the only AF lens that I've ever used to actually take photos ever since I got the new K5 camera. Normally I'd try all my lenses on a new camera just to make sure the camera and all my lenses are matching well. But this time I decided to give this lens a really good run.
30mm to 50mm happens to be my favorite focal length on cropped dSLR cameras, and I've had pretty much all Pentax 35mm lenses except that mystery SMC M 35/1.4 which never came to production stage. The results from the K5 and DA35/2.4 have been very satisfactory so far, and I do think I've got some keepers.
Pentax has made quite a few 35mm lenses, other than this new DAL35, there is a DA35 macro which is still under production, and the highly rated FA35/2 might still be in production too. I guess sometimes we are spoiled by so many options offered by Pentax, just don't know which one to buy or keep. A few friends asked me to do a thorough comparison between a few Pentax 35mm lenses, two of them even offered their DA35 macro, FA35/2 and a rare A35/2 to me for the comparison review. To be honest, I'm not really good at reviewing lenses, normally when I got a new lens, I'd just bring it out for a spin instead of shooting some charts at home. But since this is probably the only prime lens under $250usd currently offered by Pentax, I'd like to see how it stands against the other few 35mm lenses too.
Enough said, let's get to the points. Obviously Pentax designed this lens based on the FA35/2. Both lenses have the same 6 elements in 5 group optical design, both feature the AL element to minimize aberrations, and both can focus as close as 30cm. The new DAL35 is much lighter at 124g vs 195g for the FA35 (and 215g for the DA35 macro). To save the cost, this new DAL35 lens doesn't come with bayonet fitting for a matching lens hood, only a 49mm screw on lens hood can be used. But this lens has Pentax Super Protect coating on the first lens element to help minimize dust & water to stay on the lens. AF is very fast, even faster than the FA35/2 which is considered as one of the fasted AF lenses by Pentax. During the test against the other 3 35mm lenses, I felt that DAL35 is actually slightly faster than F2.4. Photos taken at the same settings (iso/aperture/shutter speed) appear to be brighter than those from the other 35mm lenses. It is more or less an F2.2 lens I think.
Anyway, after a couple of days play and some tests, here are my over impressions about this lens:
1. Looks beautiful, compact and light weight
2. Makes sharp photos even at wide open aperture
3. Produces very pleasing bokeh and colors
4. Hard to see any CA in the actual photos
5. SP coating for easy cleaning
6. Can focus down to 30cm for some nice closeups
7. Plastic mount might feel cheap, but it's not the first ever
8. Widest aperture is actually faster than F2.4, It's more like a F2.1 to F2.2 lens
Overall I'd say this is a plastic wonder.
In the following I'd show some testing results between these four lenses: DAL35, FA35, DA35macro and A35/2, with some sample photos taken by the DAL35 and a K5 camera. All chart testing photos were taken indoor under somehow controlled lighting condition with the camera mounted on sturdy tripod, 2 second mirror up was used for all testing photos (but not for the sample photos). Pictures speak for themselves.
Here is the lineup:
The FA35 has slightly bigger rear element:
Shooting the chart
The camera was set to manual white balance and manual exposure, same iso/aperture/shutter speed were set for all lenses in the same set photos. As I said above, from the chart testing results you can see that the results from DAL35 appear to be slightly brighter than the other lenses. But I kept all settings the same anyway.
Here is the chart:
Here I'll only show the 100% crops of the centers and corners.
F2
FA35 center:
A35 center:
FA35 corner:
A35 corner:
F2.4 (F2.5 for FA35 and A35)
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
A35 corner:
F2.8
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
F4
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
F5.6
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
F8
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
F11
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
F16
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 corner:
FA35 corner:
DA35macro corner:
A35 corner:
CA (or whatever it's called) in high contrast area
Wide open aperture (F2 to A and FA35, F2.4 for DAL35, F2.8 for DA35 macro)
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 edge:
FA35 edge:
DA35macro edge:
A35 edge:
F4
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 edge:
FA35 edge:
DA35macro edge:
A35 edge:
F8
DA35 center:
FA35 center:
DA35macro center:
A35 center:
DA35 edge:
FA35 edge:
DA35macro edge:
A35 edge:
Bokeh
Wide open aperture (F2 to A and FA35, F2.4 for DAL35, F2.8 for DA35 macro)
DA35:
FA35:
DA35macro:
A35:
F4
DA35:
FA35:
DA35macro:
A35:
F8
DA35:
FA35:
DA35macro:
A35:
Here are some sample photos I took w/ K5 and DAL35/2.4. All photos taken in RAW (PEF), then converted by Pentax Photo Utility v4.3.
For more samples, please take a look at here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/118504-k-5-da-35mm...ny-photos.html
100% crops of a few photos (all taken w/ DAL35 at wide open aperture)
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-17-2010, 01:25 PM
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I just did a quick n' dirty comparison.
With the camera in manual at ISO 100, 5 sec., f8 with all camera settings absolutely identical the k-7 image was noticeably darker, as already observed with most of the shots in this thread. The histograms back up what we're observing. I adjusted the k-7 ISO up 1/3 stop at a time until they appeared to match, and at ISO 160 the histograms are nearly identical.
I'm afraid I've run out of time to do any further testing right now.
Hopefully one of the other K-5 owners here can help answer this.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-14-2010, 02:22 PM
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Perhaps try the reset to factory defaults?
I just checked on my K-m, to reset to factory defaults:
Menu> Third menu (with spanner, tool icon) > menu 2 > at the bottom of the list 'Reset'. This will put the camera back to the factory settings. Apart from that I would re-install firmware.
Good luck
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-16-2010, 02:35 AM
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This is about the Nikon/Canon/Pentax jumping ship at the sight of a body people.
Dear fellow Pentaxians.
I am a working professional photographer that lives in a country called Bulgaria. I have my own strobe studio that I use for portraiture, I shoot weddings, parties and other events. I am waiting for my big break into serious work (yes I do not consider weddings to be what I want to be doing). Above all these things I became a professional photographer because I really love doing it for myself.
I have a self taught background and really loved processing my own B&W work. It was a real pleasure!!!!!
Now I earn the equivalent of $250 dollars per wedding......and I am expensive here!!!!
Despite all the limitations of my equipment, I am able to pull of good results... better than those with full frame Nikons and Canons around me. They pride themselves on equipment and often sneer at mine.
I am under no illusion that If I were to use a more professional tool than my K20D and K10D combo I would get better results! But I can not afford two systems. You see, I am besotted with the Joy of photography. I love to take pictures!!!! Not so much process them. I know I get that from my Pentax K20D.
Its really sad that a lot of people are so struck by the specs and price of the D7000. The K-7 is described by all of its owners with words more akin to a friend than a tool.
I recently saw the DPREVIEW description of the K-7 against the D7000.
"The Pentax K7, which has slipped into the D7000's class by virtue of its current asking price, combines handling qualities of both the D7000 and the two Canons, and is arguably one of the most pleasant DSLRs of its type to hold and use."
The key word is also the last one. "USE"
I read a couple of comment that Nikon has won this round, or has beaten Pentax.
Nonsense. If you think that then you are really need to look again.
Technically they are like twins.
I see nothing to sway anyone one way or the other....
"but what about AF" I hear some scream.
You mean the dumbed down D300 array with 9 cross points, all of which smaller and clustered towards the middle. I think many need to check what the comments were when Nikon abandoned its very similar to Pentax array in the D2x.
AF was near identical with a better performance in some situations for the new D300 and some for the D2x.
http://www.luminescentphoto.com/articles/CAM2000/CAM2000-Sensor-Placement.gif
We have a rather untested Safox IX+ that people are already dismissing. Its already second gen after the 645D and is said to be much faster by the few sources we have...... So lets wait and see.
Forgive me for straying but I thought I would answer that question before it was asked.
Now, the Joy of shooting. As I said before , I cling to my Pentax equipment because it gives me joy, I have shot a few other cameras that simply did not feel so right in the hand, and certainly did not give me pleasure (including a Nikon D700 and D80, Canon rebels and 40D). I have also used Pentax cameras that do the same..... the PZ-1p being a performance revaluation when I got it back in the day, but it did not feel great to use.
What strikes me is that I am willing to wait for something that I know I will like to use, and a big bunch of you are just ready to jump.
Go ahead, you are clearly just tech junkies, and for something that is likley to be a very marginal difference and a few more dollars at launch.
Go ahead and buy the Nikon primes you want. The 35mm 1.4 is nice. So is the 24 1.4 and 85 1.4.
I sit hear dreaming that I got the FA Limiteds trio before the price hike, but they are still cheaper than the Nikons.
What I am saying is that a lot of you clearly do not value the actual use of your equipment. You are very willing to give up on something that very few companies actually offer, and thats user satisfaction. I know the K-7 was not up to scratch at High ISO, and the focus was still slow at low light, I also know that the flash system needs development, as do some the lenses. Now that the camera aspect seems to have been addressed, what?.... the feeling of the way Pentax do things is gone? The K-7 which was designed like a glove is comparable to the D90 with a few more buttons? Save some money, buy your high performance Nikon and good riddance to you (although technically I think Pentax is actually a step above in some aspects)
I value the joy of photographing something. You value what???? IQ, speed, accuracy, focus point, VR, branding. If you find the D7000 gives you joy, go.....run....... thats good. If you value the Pentax way of taking pictures, really, is a few dollars at launch so much.. Take this into account..... the D90 launched at a street price of 999 US, its now 899, two years later.
The K-7 is now at a lower starting price than the D90, and it came out at 1150 just around a year ago.
By the time you go to upgrade, I think the K-5 will be at the same price as the Nikon.
So, take your pick.
Superior user experience or....... technically about the same but slightly cheaper at launch.
Oh and the K-r might be right up your ally anyway if you want something less for less.
In essence I am saying that you should not put so much worth in specs alone. The camera you use does not make you a better photographer, but it can be the difference between you being a happy/satisfied one to one that is not. I know you are not all professional photographers, and would advise you to follow your feeling and not so much spec sheets and prices. You do not need incrementally better performance, you need happiness and satisfaction.
As I said before, if you find that with the Nikon, GO!!!, but its much more likely you will actually prefer the K-5 if the reason you came to Pentax has not changed in the past few months.
Edit: Clarification. The title, My way or the Highway.... I am not saying you do things My way, more so looking from your personal perspective, or from the perspective of Pentax and how they intertwine. Each person has his own way, path. Each company tries to cater for that. Canon and Nikon cater for a larger performance market which Pentax has never really been part of the top tier.....excluding MF. Even with the LX, you can see trademark things like compactness and durability. I bought my PZ-1p on specs alone and regret not going for the MZ-S. Which is a very refined and crafted camera, in the vein of the K-7.
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