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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-01-2014, 05:10 AM
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Somehow the right side is very blurry and looks worse than the left one. It wasn't so for the previous pics you posted. Did you experience that on all the photos you took at that focal length?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-28-2014, 04:48 AM
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Thanks everyone for your input.
Yamakasi: thanks a lot for the pictures. They do look close but I and my wife tried "blind testing" and the winner in both cases was the photo from FA 31mm. So it makes it even more difficult for me now to make the decision :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-27-2014, 04:49 AM
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Hi guys,
Would you, please, help me to make a buying decision?
I have two FA limiteds 31mm and 77mm and I think they are absolutely fantastic lenses. However, recently I'm getting the feeling that I want a WR zoom lens in wide-angle to normal range. I know that a fixed focal lens is much better in terms of image quality and it encourages you to think more about composition and place. But still I want to reduce the number of lenses I have to pack with me on multi-day outdoor trips. I tried 18-135 but it's not quite up to the DA* or limited lenses so it's a no-go for me. I also had 16-50 and while I really liked it on the longer end, the wide-end was simply terrible.
Does anyone have some experience to use both FA 31 and DA limited zoom at the same time? How would you compare them? Do you feel that at f4-f5.6 the DA lens can compare to FA 31? It actually is rare that I use FA 31mm wide open. The most pictures are in F2.8-5.6 range and I think that DA's 2.8-4 would be good enough for me in this aspect.
The whole thing started when I understood that 60-250 I had was so good that I hardly had the urge to mount 77mm. That's why it's almost decided that I'll sell the 77mm to fund either a K-3 or DA teleconverter. If the same holds true for DA zoom limited then I'll sell both FA limiteds and use the money to fund purchase of K-3 and DA 20-40.
Your thoughts on the topic are welcome.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
05-01-2014, 11:25 PM
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-09-2014, 09:12 AM
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Thanks for the nice feedback :)
Now I'm inspired for posting another one :) , taken seconds apart but different framing with more accent on the sun.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-09-2014, 12:58 AM
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DA* 60-250 The crumbled rocks looks like ruins of an ancient city.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-09-2014, 12:51 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
03-15-2014, 09:12 PM
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I favor my copy of 60-250 even more than FA limiteds. I really like images it produces and reluctantly mount other lenses when something wider is needed. If not its size and weight I would even consider selling FA 77 ltd for I don't really use it after getting the lens. My thoughts after couple months with the lens in possession:
SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
There is one severe drawback, however. Whenever I use it indoors in dimly lit conditions my K-5 often struggles to lock focus. Brighter lenses do lock in the same scene almost instantly. I'm not sure if the lens is to blame. Maybe something is wrong with its SDM mechanism. Outdoors AF works good enough.
So from that perspective I think K-3 or K-5II would do better because of updated AF module.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
11-19-2013, 10:47 PM
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I would suggest Pentax K-5 II(s) instead of K-50. It is a better camera than K-50 considering updated AF module and costs significantly less than K-3.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-10-2013, 12:51 AM
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Looking at the photo from K-3 feature's page
it seems to me that the ring has red tint on it.
While it is most probably just DA* 55, I have some hopes because on the picture the badge and the ring appear to have different colors. All the current DA* lenses have the very same golden ring as badge.
What do you think, may it be a new HD DA* lens :) ?
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-09-2013, 10:10 PM
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If exact pixel count is an indication of anything I bet K-3 sensor is different from D7100 and D5200. K-3's files have 6016x4000 while Nikon's 6000x4000. Those 16 pixels make think we have a new sensor.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
08-26-2013, 12:51 PM
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Tiny red flowers on mountain slope about 2600m above sea level.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
08-19-2013, 12:37 AM
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that's strange. my copy of K-5 can be set at 1/160s
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-15-2013, 09:04 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-12-2013, 01:41 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-11-2013, 08:45 AM
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Hi, just some feedback on what I've chosen.
Four weeks ago I finally decided that versatility provided by zoom lens may suit better my needs and, the final point was the price I was quoted for DA* 200 (which I was leaning to at first) was just $250 less.
Now, after the lens got some use in a week-long mountain trip I feel ready to provide a feedback.
1. Handling
It appeared slightly bigger than I would like but not so heavy as I imagined. It was easily manageable hand-hold, even zoomed at 250mm. All in all, it handles nicely but I have two minor complains.
a) While I found mounting lens hood in normal position an easy process that can be done 'blindly' and quickly I always struggled with reverse mounting it to pack the camera back into the photo bag. Somehow it always tended not to lock in place.
b) I always touched zoom ring while mounting lens on and off the camera: not enough place for my hands to grip it near mount.
2. Build quality.
It is a well-built lens that feels solid and imposes feelings of a thing that could be used daily for many years ahead. No lens creep noticed. Zoom and focusing rings move with adequate amount of resistance. I even prefer manual focusing on that lens to FA 31 which focusing ring feels not enough dumped, though the focusing throw somewhat short to be truly excellent.
The only downside I found is very slight wobbling of inner tube when zoomed at 250mm, though even 16-50 I once had was worse at that, not to mention some superzoom lenses I tried.
3. Image quality
- Absolutely amazing for a zoom lens. Wide open it is extremely sharp at 60mm and very good at 250mm. I didn't hesitate to shoot wide open and stopped down mostly when I needed more DOF or longer exposure. Colors and overlall impression somewhat resembles 16-50 at 50mm (which I really liked) .
My intention for tele lens was to take pictures of distant objects, such as mountains, and the lens hadn't let me down in this respect:
IMGP7526 by disya2, on Flickr
IMGP7361 by disya2, on Flickr
I also found it excellent for close-up photos
IMGP7380 by disya2, on Flickr
Background blur looks like if painted with brushes
IMGP7618 by disya2, on Flickr
and the luminous spots at background become pleasantly-looking circles at f/4
IMGP7629 by disya2, on Flickr
though edges are clearly visible when stopped down
IMGP7516 by disya2, on Flickr
I'm more than satisfied with the lens, though for wildlife (which was also on my check-list) one needs something longer
IMGP7596 by disya2, on Flickr
I'm looking forward to the TC on roadmap. Hope they release it soon. I believe both combined will provide me absolutely everything I need from a tele lens.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
07-20-2013, 10:10 PM
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Forum: Lens Clubs
07-19-2013, 01:06 AM
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I found it surprisingly good for flower shots.
IMGP6351 by disya2, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-04-2013, 08:06 AM
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I would send it back again, it won't last long :( .
Just in case, try to clean contacts on the body and lens (if not yet). Once I had 16-50 showing some weird behavior but after contacts were cleaned it worked flawlessly.
(Sorry to hear your story, I too was just going to buy the lens from BH. Now I'm in doubt.)
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Forum: Photographic Technique
06-25-2013, 11:48 PM
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Based on my experience
Concerning photo gear:
1. Be ready to find sand in most unexpected places, like at the pocket of photo bag which was never opened. :) So double check when you change lenses or attach a filter that the item in hands isn't covered with thick layer of sand.
2. Never change lens when wind is blowing... more over, if you don't have WR lenses, I would do the following:
3. Pack your gear in a photobag and then the bag into some plastic bag, and then into another plastic bag at the very first signs of wind blowing. Carefully clean by shaking all the sand which got somehow into the photo bag after the windy weather is over.
4. If you have WR lenses attach a protective filters and be ready to treat them as disposable items because they will be scratched by sand. When changing filters double or even triple-check that you don't have sand particles between filter and lens.
Concerning yourself:
1. Wear clothes with long sleeves and full-length trouser legs. Leave as little exposed skin as possible. Apply suncream on the exposed places. Always wear something to protect your head from the sun. Always wear sunglasses.
2. Be ready to find numerous amount of different kinds of creeping and flying insects when it gets dark. So if you have a mosquito mesh on your tent always make sure it is tightly closed. Check for insects inside your sleeping bag before you get there. Whenever you left some clothes or boots on the ground for longer periods of time always inspect it and shake before putting on. Scorpions (and other insects) tend to creep under or into folds of fabric to escape the sun heat.
5. Drinking water is essential but try drinking by small sips. Also note that a cup of hot tea (without sugar!) quenches your thirst better than a glass of cold water.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
06-25-2013, 12:18 PM
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Hi,
If I were you, I would wait a few months to see what rumored K-3 (?) would look like and then decide. The prices for K-5II(s) will certainly get lower at that point. I'm holding off my urge for K-5IIs because don't want to feel sorry of not waiting a a couple of months. :)
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
06-20-2013, 11:20 PM
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Thanks for the wonderful post! Reading it was almost like watching an action movie :)
I just wonder, how do you switch lenses and how do you choose them when you don't have enough time (like in case you had)? For example, if I had 50-135 mounted I would hardly switch it to 77 in such event. While I'm not nearly a pro photographer I had a few events where I had to act quicky to take a shot. I was very helpful to have K-7 with 77mm and K-5 with 16-50. Later I sold K-7 and 16-50 but still would want two bodies with, e.g 31mm on one and 77 on another. Or better three bodies, maybe K-01 with 15mm attached :)
What I mean is that I can't see switching lenses in fast changing situations practical. But you had the bottom line where you wrote that K-5 should be packed with four lenses, two of which interlap in focal length and close in quality of pictures produced. Could you describe your experience?
Another question: do you feel that D800 + 80-200 is the same as K-5 + 50-135? I mean, I used to FOV of lenses I have and just 'feel' what FL required for a shot. While 80-200 and 50-135 have the same FOV they should 'feel' the same. Is it true?
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
06-20-2013, 10:10 PM
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Forum: Lens Clubs
06-20-2013, 09:14 AM
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It took me about 8 months to get used to that lens. I was even going to sell it because could not "think" in the focal length.
Now I finnaly have something I think worth sharing :)
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-18-2013, 12:14 AM
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Hi,
I did some research but still some things remain opaque. From K-5 II(s) news-release:
1. new module offers a broad AF working EV range (-3 EV to +18 EV)
- Does the range depend on the brightness of lens used? I mean, having 1.4 or 4.0 lens which one will focus at -3EV? Another question is T-value. If, for example, one is has T/2.9 and another is T/3.2 (both marked as f/2.8) will the first one focus better in dim light?
2. SAFOX X can work with luminous flux based on F2.8 levels in addition to that of F5.6.
- as I understand, new, bigger and brighter lenses are used in new AF module. Is it true? If not what does it mean physically? Why does it mean that only 2.8 and faster lenses will gain some benefit (I read it more than once on the forum)? Wouldn't all lenses gain some benifits because now AF system uses more light (or more sensetive sensors)? Will it increase the range of usable apertures from f/8 to, say f/11? Which AF points got the improvement (center, 5, 11) compared to K-5 AF?
3. including such useful features as a select-area expansion function, which automatically tracks the subject even when it moves away from a pre-assigned select point by assessing distance data collected by neighboring focus sensors
- is that feature for AF-C only? Say, if I use AF-C with automatic AF point selection, why if 'subject moves away form pre-assigned' don't just use another AF point? Am I right in understanding that the feature works only for AF-C plus single AF point mode?
I do believe that the new AF system is better in practice, what I want is understanding of technical details and help in decrypting that quote from news-release.
Thanks in advance.
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