Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
11-16-2018, 10:56 AM
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It's # 15 for me.
Overall appealing image, excellent composition and very good use of warm versus cool tones.
Very nice. :)
Mike
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-31-2018, 10:13 AM
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Hello again, everyone. I haven't posted in a while.
My favorite film era lens, is my Tak 55mmf2.2.
It's a nice focal length, and at wider apertures, it has such nice bokeh. The colors are slightly different too. Pentax colors.
It's best used on a tripod, so it's not a quick lens to use, but the results are worth it.
I'll have to find an example, and post it.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-07-2018, 01:38 PM
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Twilhelm, and Bruce: thank you for the compliments on my photo. It was very kind of you both. :)
I've been out of the loop for a week or so, and wasn't checking my e-mail.
Bruce, what is that yellow flower with the blue center?
It's very pretty.
Thanks again, guys, and sorry I was so late to reply.
Mike
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-28-2018, 06:52 AM
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I have an old control freak, and it took a while for me to get used to it, I mean about a year until I was getting images I liked.
A few months ago I bought a composer pro II with the sweet 50 optic.
It's much easier to use, but it gives different results from the control freak. I have to really get acquainted with this lens.
Here's probably my best shot taken with the control freak. This was taken in 2015.It's post #3147. Add your best K-01 photos here - Page 210 - PentaxForums.com
I would love to get a velvet 56, but I'm always buying guitars, bicycles and other things that take money away from my photography hobby.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-27-2018, 09:47 AM
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Yes, Bruce, this thread is still active, although sometimes there are no new posts for months.
I should add some new Lensbaby images myself.
I'm looking forward to seeing some of your images with the Velvet 56.
Mike
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
08-16-2018, 10:15 AM
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While all the photos are good, they don't all evoke a feeling of vacation from me.
Number 3 says "Vacation," to me.
Mike :)
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Forum: Pentax K-01
07-31-2018, 09:58 AM
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I use my K-01 mainly for tripod work; still life, photo copying and model shooting when not rushed.
It is a great, reliable camera once you get used to the controls.
I love the 100 point focusing grid.
It's great for portraits if you're not rushed.
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-27-2018, 09:43 AM
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True, buy I try to stay away from this at events, as many people will pose only a few seconds for a shot, and some get annoyed if you don't get a perfect image the first time.
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-26-2018, 10:02 AM
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You are correct, mcgrengi, I am not using the P-TTL mode.
I never got used to it on my old 540 unit, so I experimented with it on Auto, until I could predict the results I would get.
I understand the new 540 unit does not have an Auto mode, so I would have to experiment with it in P-TTL mode, but from the reviews I've read, the flash is worth it.
When I did use my 540 in P-TTL mode, it seemed to usually underexpose the images.
The lenses I use for events are usually my Sigma 17-50mm f.2.8, and my Pentax DA70mm f.2.4
As stated earlier, I've found that unless the ceiling is higher than 12 feet, setting the 540 with a Sto-fen Omnibounce at f8.0 and the lens at f6.3 gives very well exposed, consistent results for a standard group shot.
If you have any advice/tips for using the flash in P-TTL mode, I'd love to hear them.
Mike :)
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-26-2018, 06:48 AM
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WOW!
Thanks for all the replies, everyone!
Carl, I was thinking that too, I will not be doing anything different with the new flash than I was doing with the old one.
I was just thinking of getting a new flash, because my current 540 is about 10 years old, and I read somewhere that someone's old 540 died while on a job, and now I can't get this out of my head.
One of my nieces is getting married in September, and I am the sometimes annoying uncle (there's one in every family :lol:) who is known to be a camera bug, and who both families will rely on for many photos that the hired photographer will miss. So, my flash dying at this wedding is unthinkable, but there's no reason for it to happen.
I actually still love my 540, and can predict how much it will under or overexpose in almost any situation due to ten years of use.
At most events, I use the 540 with a sto-fen Omni bounce, set the flash at f8, and the lens at f6.3, and get near perfect exposures most of the time.
I want to get a second, back up flash and wanted to stay with Pentax, but the Pentax goes for about $499 US dollars, while the Metz goes for about $319. That's a big difference.
I'll do a little more research, and let you all know what I do.
Again, thank you all for your comments.
I really do appreciate them.
And please, keep them coming.
Mike :)
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-25-2018, 10:14 AM
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Hello, all.
I haven't posted in a while, but I have a question about these two flashes.
I usually try to stick with the Pentax brand, but the Metz 52 AF flash seems to have almost the same features and guide number as the Pentax AF540FGZ II, while the Metz is priced almost $200 less.
So, convince me to buy one or the other.
I have a family wedding coming up in a couple of months, and would like to possibly get a new flash by then, with at least a week before the wedding to try it out.
I presently have an old Pentax AF540FGZ, which I love, but it is over ten years old.
Any advice/opinions welcome.
Mike :)
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
09-18-2017, 06:40 AM
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The beauty of the woman in #5 will not allow me to look away.
Wow!
Mike Bokeh
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
09-11-2017, 10:06 AM
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A very nice portrait.Nominated.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
09-11-2017, 10:01 AM
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A very appealing portrait of a very pretty woman. Nominated. Mike Bokeh
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-12-2017, 10:09 AM
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I have the DA 70mm, and love it for its sharpness, and compact size.
I've never used the 77mm, but from some of the examples here, I think I would like it.
Here's one example with the DA 70 with in camera pastel effect.
Mike
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-07-2017, 10:13 AM
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Hello, all.
I bought the Rokinon 14mm earlier this year, and love it. I've read that the Samyang, Rokinon and others are all the same lens.
It compliments my 16-45 and 17-50mm zooms very well.
Very good for interiors and group shots. The very wide field of view and proximity to a group means you can get 20 or more people in the frame in a medium-sized room.
This lens is about as wide as you'd want to go before dealing with extreme distortion.
It's a little hard to focus for me, but I use a focusing hood, and it works great.
I would get the 14mm over the 16mm.
Once you start using it, you'll probably love it.
Mike :)
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Forum: Pentax K-01
04-30-2017, 10:44 AM
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Hello, everyone.
I haven't posted here in a while.
In January, I bought a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 lens.
I still love the image quality of my Pentax 16-45 f4 lens, but I wanted an f2.8 lens to focus better in low-light situations.
Here is a example from a recent model workshop.
Mike :)
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-15-2017, 11:29 PM
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I voted, but I won't say for which one.
Mike
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-15-2016, 10:14 AM
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Hello, all.
Here's a portrait from a recent model workshop.
Da70mm @ f2.8 on the K-50.
I'm beginning to like the pastel effect on portraits.
Mike
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Forum: Pentax K-01
08-17-2016, 09:58 AM
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Hello, all.
A shot from a recent model workshop.
I usually don't like the K-01 pastel effect when used on a portrait, but I think it works well here.
K-01 with DA70mm @ f4.0.
I would love to use my Taks for portraits, but a model workshop is too hectic, and quick-paced.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
06-19-2016, 08:59 AM
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The first shot of the clover is fantastic, Jorgario!
Very 3-d ish.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
05-22-2016, 09:24 AM
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Excellent series, JosQ.
All very appealing images.
I, also have a Tak 105 2.8.
You're inspiring me to take it out more often.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
05-06-2016, 04:37 PM
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The shot of the bird is very nice, Audi 5 cyl; gorgeous bokeh.
Mike :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-24-2016, 09:55 AM
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Excellent shot, rockstar.
Mike :)
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
04-17-2016, 09:44 AM
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I know that almost every month someone says, "All the entries are so good, I don't know which one to vote for."
This is true for this month.
I have never seen a competition in which every photo is this good, and eye-catching.
Which one did I vote for?
Number 9, because I like cats, and pretty women.
Mike :) ---------- Post added 04-17-16 at 11:45 AM ---------- |