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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-18-2018, 12:49 PM
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Thanks for the feedback, especially from an X user.
I知 coming from a K7 and a handful of legacy glass, so I僧 looking at investing in new lenses and a body either way. I知 just wondering whether I壇 be better off switching systems to give me more capability in the future.
What do you use for your audio? I知 thinking about a lav mic, maybe a shotgun and a preamp or an audio recorder to start, although it would probably be easier to record straight into the camera.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-18-2018, 12:07 PM
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Thanks everyone. Budget would probably be about $1,500-2,000 to start, but that includes some audio recording equipment so ideally less than that for the initial camera gear.
For my work videos, good 1080p with the ability to mic into the camera would be ideal. For the travel and family videos 4K would be nice to do stabilization in post and crop without losing much quality.
I was looking at the G85 too. The video quality and features especially on the Panasonic bodies are great, but I知 a little hesitant to switch to m43 as a lot of my stills work is available light, shallow DOF or wide-angle.
The XT2 looks really nice for stills, and the video looks good too, but the recording limit without the grip is a bummer.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
01-17-2018, 09:38 PM
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Hi all, I知 coming back into photography after a few years off. I致e been invested in the Pentax system for the last 15 years ago, but as I got my start when I was younger and poorer, my gear collection is relatively small.
I知 looking to add more video to my portfolio, a combination of travel work (when I知 on vacation), family videos, and short 5-10 min tutorials for a class I teach. It sounds like Pentax is basically a dead end for video production, and I壇 like to have one system for both photo and video if possible.
I知 curious if folks have any recommendations for a system that will probably be about 60% stills and 40% video?
Fuji X looks appealing for photo, but with some handicaps for video and a significant price hike vs Pentax.
M43 looks to have the best video options but with some limitations for stills and for wide shots.
Sony seems to be in the middle.
Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-28-2015, 10:42 AM
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Thanks for all the responses. I guess the DFA short zoom will (probably?) be a version of the Tamron 15-30?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-26-2015, 08:15 PM
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Have been looking recently at getting something wider than my Tamron 17-50 for landscapes and travel photography. The DA 12-24 is on my short list of lenses but it's been around for awhile. I've read various rumors (stretching back a couple years) of it being either updated or possibly superseded by a yet unannounced DA 12-28. Does anyone have any new info on whether either of these might be happening within the first half of 2016?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
04-11-2015, 11:54 AM
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I have the hitech grads and have been happy with them. I read that the cokins can have a color cast (but have not used them myself) and the Lee filters were too expensive for how often I would use them. I think the hitechs are a good compromise between quality and price. I use them with the cokin filter holder though.
Also, if you stack the hitechs or run very long exposures they do have a magenta cast, though not as bad as what I have read about the cokins.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
02-22-2015, 12:34 PM
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On my Tamron 17-50 I can stick my finger inside the hood and rotate the CP easily while looking through the viewfinder. If I couldn't do that I would probably take the hood off, set the CP angle, then put the good back on.
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Forum: Video Recording and Processing
01-26-2015, 11:24 AM
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Sort of along the lines of the original poster, anybody shoot video with another body but use pentax lenses via adapter? I've been playing with video more the last year or so, but have been sorely disappointed with the output from my K7. (Which is not surprising considering how old it is)
I have been looking at updating the body, but have not been particularly impressed with the K3 from a video perspective. I have thought about picking up an m43 body but most of what I do is wide to normal, and available light at fast apertures. Which doesn't seem to be a strength of m43 despite the video quality, especially using APS-C or FF lenses via adapters.
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Forum: Video Recording and Processing
08-22-2014, 07:20 PM
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Finally got around to collecting a bunch of assorted K7 clips shot over two trips to Hawaii and compiling them into a video. Shot with my Tamron 17-50, edited with Sony Vegas.
Couple of thoughts:
- Big change in workflow and time compared to stills! Lot more time investment than with photography.
- Grading is not as easy in Vegas as the equivalent is in Lightroom.
- I was suprised at how low resolution 720p was when I first looked at it.
- Not a lot of room to process before the video quality started to suffer - I've learned my lesson and started to shoot with everything (color, contrast) set way down.
- The in-body image stabilization is pretty good but not amazing. Certainly not compared to video from stabilizer rigs. Software IS works better than I thought it would, but there is a big price in image quality.
Anyways, let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-24-2012, 10:58 PM
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Is it the lens or the body? I have a fair number of soft images from shooting with shutter speeds between 1/100 and 1/180, due to the shutter shake on my K7. Also remember the SR should be turned off on the tripod.
My 17-50 returns pretty acceptable results, I shoot it from f2.8 to 5.6, rarely to f8 or f11. I use MF almost exclusively. It's at its best from around 20mm to 50mm, but 17mm is quite usable most of the time. I rarely have issues with sharpness at f2.8 myself.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-23-2012, 01:34 PM
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I have the Tenba Messenger Insert (literally that is the name), fits in my Timbuk2 small messenger tightly but it fits. Works pretty well. Large enough to hold a dSLR and a handful of lenses, or a dslr and a lens and a flash, or a dslr and a lens and a P&S, etc. Even holds a dSLR and a TLR. There is enough space between the insert and the bag to hold an iPad or a book, but overall not enough room to carry the insert and use the bag to carry enough other stuff for traveling, so I ended up buying a bigger photo backpack to carry my gear when traveling.
Tenba - Messenger: Removable Photo Insert
Available from B&H, amazon, probably several of the major online camera stores.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-07-2012, 04:04 PM
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I'm looking to get a hiking/travel tripod, and have been strongly considering the Benro travel angel series. I really like the size and weight of the 0691, but has anyone tried one of these out on the road? I've read some comments online about the ballhead being a little weak. My heaviest combo right now will be a K7 + A70-210/4 + flash, which probably works out to about 2.5 kg or 5-6 pounds.
Anyone got a travel angel? Is the 1691 a better buy for the higher capacity despite the weight/size increase?
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
05-24-2012, 02:05 PM
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Yes, the Cokin P holder rotates (I have one). I don't use the Cokin filters but I have read they do have a magenta cast to them. I use the Hitect GNDs - in my experience there isn't a cast with normal shutter speeds, although once I stacked a 4 stop ND and a GND and did get a color cast - probably about a 1-2 second exposure.
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Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom
05-09-2012, 08:25 AM
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I wouldn't judge the quality of 35mm film based on small prints from a mini lab - there is an incredible amount of variation in the printing process in terms of sharpness, color balance and contrast. I would either have them printed at a pro lab or scan them (and even then scanning color neg can be frustrating trying to get the exposure and color balance right). As above, film has grain and, especially with older or consumer emulsions, lots of it. People get upset about noise in ISO 1600 dslr pictures, when we used to see that level of grain all the time in ISO 400 35mm film.
If you want less grain you should shoot pro emulsions - I personally like the new portra 400. Fuji's 400h is also good but has less dynamic range (or so I've read), and reala is a great slower speed film. I don't see anything wrong with the sharpness of the pictures you've posted, but if you really want sharper than digital you should consider shooting medium format. Although many other people disagree, in my limited experience my dslr is noticeably sharper than my (admittedly consumer) 35mm system.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-08-2012, 09:04 PM
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I've had one for about three or four years now and I'm pretty happy with it. It's basically my go-to all purpose lens. Good range of useful focal lengths, constant fast aperture, sharp and decent rendering. The colors and the bokeh aren't as good as my primes but it is a whole heck of a lot more convenient than swapping out three different lenses on the go. Build quality is pretty good for me, better than the 18-55 it replaced although not as good as the older A lenses I own.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-01-2012, 12:37 PM
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I'm not sure if they are the best but I've used them almost exclusively for probably 50 some odd pictures of all sizes over the last 10 years. They offer a great selection of papers and sizes at decent prices. They ship in rugged packaging.
For any online printer i would run some small proof prints to check color and contrast / brightness before spending a lot on an enlargement. Mix has the option of letting them color correct and auto-levels, or you can do it yourself and they will print the straight file.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
04-01-2012, 09:17 AM
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Print 8x12 into a 12x16 frame with a 2" mat. I've done this tons of times. Or a 12x16 into a 16x20 or 18x24 frame. It does require that you get a mat though.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-01-2012, 09:40 PM
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Also had this problem with both my DS and my K7. The K7 was fixed under warranty and has been going strong since then. Never got the DS fixed, it still has problems, despite lots and lots of contact cleaner.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
02-06-2012, 07:13 PM
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Multicoated UV filter + lens hood, I say.
The filter is easy to clean, and I do get a fair amount of gunk on my filters over the years. The lens hood cuts glare and improves contrast by keeping stray light off the filter and front elements. It also keeps objects away from the front of the lens.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-29-2012, 10:44 PM
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Over zealous glass cleaning can also be harmful, if you end up introducing scratches or marks.
I put multicoated uv filters on the front of my commonly used lenses, every few months I will take them off and wash them with soap and water, then let them air dry. I leave the rear elements alone, unless I get a finger print on them. (A little bit of dust on the elements isn't going to affect picture quality.) Aside from that, and trying not to drop anything, I don't do much else in the way of lens care. I try to keep them reasonably dry when it's raining out.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-29-2012, 07:32 PM
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I have a K7, it's a great camera. Compact for an APS-C dslr, lightweight, good viewfinder, great ergonomics, durable construction, quiet shutter, built in image stabilization.
Cons?
- Not as good at high-ISO as the latest generation of sensors, but still pretty decent at ISO 800 and slower.
- Some people have issues with the shutter blur issue around speeds of 1/80-1/125, I think I have noticed some of this on mine.
- Video control options are poor compared to most other brands.
- Pentax has some issues with QC on the e-dials on their SLRs. Both my DS and my K7 had malfunctioning e-dials. The K7 was still in warrantee so I got it repaired and it's working fine but my DS never got fixed. Something to consider if you're buying used, it would probably be a couple hundred to fix if you had to pay out of pocket.
Otherwise, I'm quite happy with mine, have used it in wet conditions a couple of times, and have no thoughts of replacing it anytime soon.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-29-2012, 07:22 PM
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If I was taking pictures for a living I would agree with you, but when I'm traveling for pleasure being neurotic about my gear just gets in the way of having a good time. (I don't travel just to take pictures.) I think it's reasonable to back up the photos to a laptop or online service, but once you do that there isn't much point in carrying multiple cards with you - the flash card is just temporary storage until you can get the photos to a more secure location. At that point, having more cards means more things to lose, more changing cards in the middle of the street, more opportunities for dust to get in the camera, etc.
If you don't back up the photos, I suppose carrying 4 cards around is marginally better than one, but again if you want to cover your bases you should just back up all the photos nightly. If you don't, then you're still out all the photos on whatever card you lost.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-29-2012, 12:03 PM
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I'll add my 2 cents:
For travel, lighter is better, especially if you are going to spend any amount of time on foot. I would take just one body and one (max two) lenses unless you have a particular photography project in mind. Consider a small point and shoot as an extra camera when you want to be inconspicuous or don't want to pull out the slr.
Lens wise, I've built up a travel kit around one body, a Tamron 17-50, and various filters for the Tamron. From your collection, I'd bring the 18-55 and the 50mm, although I would consider buying a 16-45 for the wider FOV and constant f4 and leaving the 18-55 at home. I've not found too much use for longer tele focal lengths in my travels, but that's me.
I personally prefer traveling with one large memory card and not ever changing it out. I have a 16gb card that I've yet to fill on several travels with a K7, shooting both raw and video, and I doubt that you would ever fill it shooting jpg, even after a month on the road. I think more cards just increases the chances you will lose one, and having to juggle several flash cards is just one more thing to get in the way of taking pictures.
I would be careful leaving a lot of expensive gear in the hotel room - maybe after they've cleaned it and leave the "do not disturb" sign out. Stash it in your luggage or in a drawer. I've never had anything stolen from my room, but I always have the possibility in the back of my mind.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
01-27-2012, 07:22 PM
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If you get back a day early, Marin north of San Francisco is a lovely place to spend a day. There's Sausalito, angel island, point Reyes and other places worth exploring that could easily take up a day or more.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-22-2012, 01:36 PM
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I have the Tamron, which is a better lens in most respects, and it's survived several outings in rain or equivalent conditions. The main thing is to have a towel or rag handy to wipe the lens barrel down occasionally.
If you didn't want to spend the money on the Tamron, I would consider a used 16-45 instead of the 18-55.
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