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Forum: General Photography 03-29-2022, 08:24 AM  
If you lost all your camera gear in a fire ...
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 117
Views: 6,185
I think I would have to go shopping. And seriously evaluate the options. I have been with Pentax for almost 15 years (not long compared to some) but long enough to accumulate a lot of 'stuff' that I like to have around but I likely would not buy again. That 'stuff' is one of the primary reasons I stay with Pentax.

Screw mount lenses, F series lenses, A series lenses, books on Pentax gear. Upon reflection I stay with Pentax because I have a lot of Pentax 'stuff'. If that all went away, why would I stay with Pentax? I still might, but I would definitely have to take a step back and evaluate what I really need in a camera system.

I have a friend who has moved to the Canon R system and is simply blown away with the performance. All new development for Canon and Nikon is in the mirrorless area. Maybe it would be time to take a look at other brands and other systems.

But I really, really hope that fire doesn't happen...................
Forum: General Photography 09-29-2021, 11:03 AM  
What is your reason for prefering the most complete lens - the 50mm prime [?]
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 49
Views: 2,299
Ok, if you want to argue I'll surrender. Whatever you say is correct. I don't want to argue. I just made a comment that I thought was appropriate to the OP. Sorry I bothered to type anything. All I meant was that stating a generality is not always correct. Generally this is a friendly forum with good discussion. Maybe not today so I'll go do something else.
Forum: General Photography 09-29-2021, 09:21 AM  
What is your reason for prefering the most complete lens - the 50mm prime [?]
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 49
Views: 2,299
Hmm. Not sure we disagree on anything here. You like primes and standard lenses. I don't particularly feel the need. Neither of us has the same use case or opinion. And I don't think I said anything about your choice of gear. I certainly did not intend to. The OP's question was why you like the 50mm prime. I answered. So did you.

Perhaps you took exception to my saying that a 50mm prime was not always better than a good, modern zoom, despite that being "common knowledge". That's just my opinion of course. And if you want to compare the DFA 50mm to the DFA 24-70 I'll assume the 50mm will win and not argue. But blindly saying all 50mm primes are better than all zooms, which is often tossed out as fact, is I think not really true. Just my opinion of course.
Forum: General Photography 09-29-2021, 08:57 AM  
What is your reason for prefering the most complete lens - the 50mm prime [?]
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 49
Views: 2,299
It probably doesn't work very well at 50mm either...........

For those that need wide apertures a good fast prime is the solution. I don't use wide apertures for much of anything except some occasional landscape / astro shots. So for me, a fast prime is nothing but a status symbol. I have one, I carry one, and I only pull it out when some Canon shooter is bragging about their 50mm f/1.8, Otherwise my 24-70 f/2.8 works just fine, thank you.
Forum: General Photography 09-29-2021, 07:20 AM  
What is your reason for prefering the most complete lens - the 50mm prime [?]
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 49
Views: 2,299
Not really a 'fact', just common assumption. Often true, but certainly not always.

I have carried a 50mm f/1.4 in my bag for years. Maybe used it once or twice. Good quality, modern zooms are just as good IMHO, and far more versatile. YMMV.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-28-2021, 04:39 PM  
Any new APS-C bodies on the horizon?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 75
Views: 4,518
I think I'll take a somewhat less pessimistic tone. I would think it quite reasonable for a new K-70ish body sometime next year. They went a long time between KP and K-3iii but now they have quite old bodies with quite old tech in the APS-C line, except for the K-3iii. And that camera is too expensive to be the only APS-C body.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-27-2021, 02:28 PM  
K3-III menu on the K1?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 5
Views: 782
Zero.


That would be fun, but honestly I cannot imagine a scenario where Ricoh allows access to the firmware. Just not going to happen. Though I would be pleasantly surprised if it did.
Forum: Photographic Technique 09-27-2021, 02:24 PM  
Landscape Sunsets science and other things
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 10
Views: 1,190
- while apps like TPE and Photopills are not necessary I do find them useful, Photopills in particular can be a real asset and is well worth the price
- show up early, set up early. Look for good foreground interest. It's not just about the sunset
- stay late, sometimes the best shot is the one after you think its all over. Learned that after seeing the best shot 10 minutes after driving away
- look around, sometimes the best "sunset" is behind you
- sadly wildfires do have one plus, they create awesome sunsets
- try to use a slower shutter speed, that allows the constantly changing colors to record a bit better
- bracket, bracket, bracket. You never know which exposure is 'right' and having the brackets means you can blend or HDR in post if you want
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 09-26-2021, 02:37 PM  
Is fine tuning the focus of my lenses necessary?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 56
Views: 3,974
This is the key. If you don't see a problem, most likely there isn't one. And unless done carefully, meticulously, and precisely with everything lined up perfectly during your test, you can easily make the focus worse than it was. Unless you are quite careful and use a good focusing target your margin of error in the testing can be larger than the actual error in focusing.

That said:
- I check all of the lenses I purchase, either new or used.
- I use a careful, tedious method that takes 20 to 30 minutes per lens after setup time, which can take another 10 minutes or so to align the camera to target precisely
- Most of my lenses have needed a small adjustment, one that most likely is not really noticeable in the real world
- For slow lenses such as consumer zooms, the depth of focus is usually large enough to mask any small error
- For very fast lenses such as an f/1.4 50mm, fine tuning is almost certainly needed (or at least should be checked) due to the tiny depth of focus you can achieve at that aperture

So bottom line: If your results are good, you don't likely need to mess with it. And if you do want to check, do so very carefully, keeping in mind that precise testing is needed.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-22-2021, 06:36 AM  
Help: Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 vs. 100mm f/4 Macro Differences?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 8
Views: 1,498
I am not hugely knowledgeable about macro far less extreme macro but I might help fill in this answer. The 100mm f/2.8 has a minimum focus distance of 100cm, and the 100 f/4 (macro) has a minimum focus distance of 45cm. Since you want to use the lens at infinity all the time I am not sure that matters but that is the most obvious difference. The 100 f/2.8 is designed as a regular telephoto lens with relatively short focus throw, the 100mm f/4 macro is designed as a macro lens with a short minimum focus distance and a relatively longer focus throw.
Here are the listings for those two lenses:
SMC Pentax-M 100mm F4 Macro Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database
SMC Pentax-M 100mm F2.8 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I am also puzzled by this, I would have assumed the opposite.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 09-21-2021, 08:21 AM  
F series AF lenses
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 35
Views: 2,937
I have a good assortment of F lenses, some might call it a collection. Some are not used much but I do use on a regular basis (on the K-1) the F 28 f/2.8, F 50 f/1.4, F 135 f/2.8, F 17-28 FE, F 24-50 f/4. I also used the F 35-70 extensively until I bought the DFA 28-105 and the F 70-210 until I bought the DFA 70-210.

The primes are excellent in my opinion, though matched in most cases by the modern DFA zooms like the 24-70. The exception is the F 135 f/2.8 which has no peer in my kit, it is truly amazing. The 17-28 gives rich colors and a unique perspective. The 24-50 is permanently mounted to my full spectrum converted K-01 and works well there.

Bottom line I am a big fan of the F series. The modern lenses are clearly superior in coatings, weather sealing and quiet AF but the character of the images from the F series has a clear and distinct style. The series does have some dogs, but the good lenses in this series continue to have a place in my bag despite a full kit of DFA lenses.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 09-13-2021, 03:33 PM  
New To Full Frame Digital
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 11
Views: 445
Not quite in the 70's club but closer than I like. Enjoy the K-1 even if you are only shooting birds in the backyard. We all waited so long for a FF digital from Pentax that we do deserve it, even if it doesn't get as much use as we might want. I do have suggestion though, something I discovered soon after getting my K-1. The K-1 is heavy, yes, but its really the 24-70 f/2.8 that puts it over the top. Use your older prime lenses with it or return the 24-70 and get a DFA 28-105. The 28-105 is slower but is quite close in quality. I bought the 24-70 first and felt the combination was too heavy for everyday use so got the 28-105 and wow what a difference it made.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-08-2021, 03:50 PM  
Small cut out piece D FA 15-30mm 2.8
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 12
Views: 835
Based on your photo it is not possible to tell if that is a crack, a blemish or a reflection. If it is indeed an actual crack then do not accept the lens unless that was revealed in the sellers listing. You are correct, that would defeat the WR and also be possibly indicative of additional internal damage. But just a mark or "blemish"? Well that would depend on your tolerance for that and the price paid.

Note that there is a small plastic cover or panel in that location that is almost unnoticeable. On my lens it appears to be completely sealed. In fact I never noticed it until this thread.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 09-02-2021, 11:43 AM  
Finally upgrading my K10d...to what?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 60
Views: 4,408
^^^^ This is the key statement. Any of the bodies you mention will be so far advanced from what you have that the difference between them is immaterial. That said, I personally would go with either the K-3 (flash) or the K-3II (GPS and Astrotracer). I feel the difference in price over the K-5 series is worth it at this point. But if budget is the overriding concern then you really cannot go wrong with a K-5ii or K-5iis. I would avoid the K-5, it had some initial teething pains that were corrected in the later models. Nothing major but if you have the choice go with K-5iis.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-01-2021, 08:30 AM  
What's your favorite wide-angle prime lens for a K-1?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 36
Views: 2,870
Those are all issues for me, but there is no real viable alternative. Well, the big and heavy are issues, the cost is what it is. I would be delighted with a smaller f/4 version, I rarely if ever use f/2.8. I know the question is about ultra-wide primes greater than 20mm and IMHO there really isn't much on offer. Certainly nothing that can compete with the DFA 15-30 except in size and weight.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-31-2021, 12:02 PM  
What's your favorite wide-angle prime lens for a K-1?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 36
Views: 2,870
I'll second the DFA 15-30. Not a prime but as good as any of the primes in that range (just my opinion).
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-22-2021, 10:29 PM  
Silky waterfall photos - how to ?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 62
Views: 3,080
As Steve said this is a shutter speed issue. There is no like or not like using filters. You use a ND filter if you need to to get the shutter speed you need to show the effect you want. If its super bright, then you need an ND filter or you cannot get that effect. If its cloudy (the best day to shoot waterfalls IMHO) then maybe you don't need a filter.

Yes, if you read up there are lots of articles saying you need an ND filter to get silky waterfalls. But you really don't, if you pay attention to the environment (shade/sun, cloudy/bright) and shoot when the ambient light allows you to get the effect you want. That said, I always pack my ND filters because they allow a wider range of brightness to be controlled.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-19-2021, 09:57 AM  
Autofocus Kit Lenses of the Late Film Era
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 22
Views: 1,226
The F 35-70 is quite good. So is the F 28-80 f/3.5-4.5. The 28-80 doesn't get reviewed quite as well as the 35-70 but at least my copy has always done well. Certainly not in the DFA 28-105 class, but quite good for the time.

The FA versions of the 'kit' lens went down hill a bit IMHO. But the F versions were still solid, well made lenses.
Forum: Photographic Technique 08-19-2021, 09:51 AM  
Circular polarizer usage
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 21
Views: 1,603
Nope. I once ruined an entire day of shooting inside Crater Lake after hiking down to the water by using a CP on a wide angle lens. Never again. I won't use one on anything shorter than maybe 40mm.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-18-2021, 05:28 AM  
DA 60-250 on K-5lls
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 6
Views: 744
If you have never used the PLM lens the 60-250 will be adequate if you have good skills. But compared to the PLM, you will be sorely disappointed in AF speed. Image quality is excellent and I used the 60-250 for years and loved it. But fast, it is not.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-17-2021, 08:29 AM  
Best Place to Sell Photos Online?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 18
Views: 1,271
I hit the tail end of that. I still have images from 2010, 2011 that still sell well today but new stuff? Forget it, just dumping it in a black hole. The key to stock images is search placement. An image that was in early and has lots of sales (hundreds of sales) will dominate the placement for those keywords. So new stuff, no matter how good is an uphill battle. The time invested in keywording alone is more than will ever be recovered in sales. That said I do still upload to Alamy because I can upload nice work that is not 'stock' and feel like I am a 'real' photographer. :) And to Adobe stock because (at least through last year) they gave you a license to Lightroom if you contributed a certain number of images every year.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-15-2021, 01:19 PM  
From K-S2 to K-3 II or K-1?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 37
Views: 2,237
I'm sure it does but personally I would not be carrying around a 35-50mm lens when there are so many other options. If it is all you have then sure that's great, but I stand by my comment that it doesn't work on FF for my definition of 'work' anyway. :)
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-15-2021, 01:16 PM  
Best Place to Sell Photos Online?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 18
Views: 1,271
I do think that online sales can work, but you need to spend a LOT of time promoting yourself and your website. As you say most people looking online are just browsing. To generate sales you have to get 'buyers' to go to your website. And that takes promotion. Like 50k instagram followers. I do know people who sell well online but they have been promoting themselves online and in social media for years. I hate facebook and social media in general, its just not my thing. So for me local works best. But I have the website so people who see my work locally can go there and shop if they want.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-12-2021, 10:29 AM  
From K-S2 to K-3 II or K-1?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 37
Views: 2,237
All things being equal I would go with the K-1. I have both the K-3II and the K-1II. 90% of my images are with the K-1II. I only use the K-3II when I want something lighter. Not that the K-3II is bad, it is actually a wonderful camera but the K-1II is a step up, has more MP and is FF.

The big considerations for you are going to be the weight difference and your existing lenses. No question the K-1 is heavier. Lenses, I am not sure what you have based on what you posted. 18-50 of course is APS-C and not going to work on the K-1. There is no 55-200 that I'm aware of, maybe the 50-200? If so, that isn't going to be worth it on the K-1 either. The 100-300 could be a number of lenses, most of which would work on the K-1. If that's the case replace your 18-50 (or is it 18-55?) and 50-200 with a DFA 28-105 and keep the 100-300 assuming it is a full frame lens.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-12-2021, 09:38 AM  
Best Place to Sell Photos Online?
Posted By jatrax
Replies: 18
Views: 1,271
Rather than online consider local art galleries, gift shops, coffee shops etc.

I have had cards at Timberline Lodge for several years for example. And I just got a check for two metal prints they sold for me on consignment. :):) My first 'big' sale there. But I got in just before COVID so traffic has been low.

I have cards at a local coffee shop, I have been selling on average 30 cards / month there for over 5 years. Probably totals up to more than all my online sales in that time frame.

I am part of a local cooperative gallery. We have 46 artists currently showing. The gallery charges $60 / month and takes 25% and you have to work 2 shifts a month. Even during COVID I have consistently paid the rent and had some left over.

Not to discourage online sales but comparing my local sales to online sales, local wins hands down. Check my website below, it was expensive and time consuming to set up. Sales there do not match the local sales at the coffee shop alone.
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