Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-01-2019, 06:11 AM
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I'd say option 1, or possibly 2, but I don't have any personal experience with the 60-250. That was in plans to purchase before life got in the way.
55-300 is great for what it is, but you will absolutely notice a difference in IQ. I used to take my 55-300 PLM to the zoo until I got the 50-135. Even with the significant loss in reach, that became my new zoo lens, among other things like shooting concerts and a couple weddings, that the PLM simply wouldn't have done well, if at all.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-24-2017, 08:24 AM
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Shielding. Yes, I suppose that's what I'm seeing. However, it's not merely lighting. It actually is crumpled a bit with possibly some of it torn off, however it's hard for me to get a good pic with my phone camera. It seems to function fine, but it does seem odd to me in a brand new camera. Obviously, I'm probably a bit paranoid and probably expect too much but that's why I've asked. Thanks for all of the comments.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-17-2017, 06:20 PM
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I've checked my memory cards. They were both brand new going and and still look brand new. No damage. It simply looks like tool marks inside the housing on what looks to be foil that is bent in places. The camera has like 400 clicks on it so it's just odd to me. I've put memory cards in and out of it exactly once. I just use a USB to transfer pictures to computer. In any case, thanks for the responses. I'm not particularly picky, but loose metal in the memory card compartment is slightly concerning.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-16-2017, 12:54 PM
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It's hard to see in the pic, but the foil looking stuff has a sort of bent edge behind the metal frame.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-16-2017, 08:23 AM
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I recently got a new K-3ii and noticed what I can describe as foil type material in the memory card holder compartment behind the first memory card slot. There appears to be some bent or jagged metal behind the little metal cage that surrounds the memory card. I know I took the first photos on this camera and have not done anything that might have caused it. It does not seem to affect anything but it kind of seems very unpolished for a brand new camera. Does anyone know what it is? Is it normal? Should I be concerned? The only thing that I thought is that maybe there is a possibility of this seemingly excess metal shorting something out. I only looked in there to see what might be causing the doors to be somewhat stiff to shut, but I'm assuming that's just because it's brand new. Any insight would be appreciated.
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Forum: Sold Items
09-24-2017, 08:48 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-13-2011, 04:48 PM
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Some of my favorites. |
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-24-2010, 06:08 AM
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There's no telling. I am far from being a pro with the camera and post processing (Gimp). I may have played around with the levels too much or something. It could have been that it it was shot through some glass. I'm still learning and trying to find out what I like and what I don't like. I'm sure others could have come up with better results, but I suppose I'll get there eventually. I know I DON'T like the blurred leaf in the foreground...very distracting to me. However, this was in a crowded, small Herpetarium and I didn't have much time to compose without really slowing down the traffic flow.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-24-2010, 05:33 AM
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Pentax K-x, 300 mm, ISO 4000, 1/100 sec, f5.8, --0.3 EV. I shot this hand held through some glass at the zoo. Loving the low light ability of the K-x. |
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-26-2010, 08:42 PM
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;)
I think most of the time, there is a sweet spot. I think, generally, that as long as you aren't wide open with a lens, it will be sharper. Of course, if you get too high of an aperture, then diffraction will cause a loss of sharpness. I'm sure experts in here will clarify this more, but this is what I understand to be accurate.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-26-2010, 07:42 PM
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Well, I'm just tried to reproduce the error with cutting and pasting the images from my card reader on my pc to a file on the pc but it didn't work this time. However, I do know that in my case it was directly related to this as it was only a few specific images that I remember cutting and pasting. Then, when I was reviewing images on my camera, I kept getting that error message. I realized it was exactly those images I had cut and pasted. Perhaps it was from removing the memory card from the reader without "safely removing hardware".
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-26-2010, 07:07 PM
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I've received this error when I deleted specific images from the card via the computer and then reinserted the card into the camera. No big deal. I just delete the error images through the camera.
Edit: Actually, I think it happened when I cut and pasted certain images from the card to another file on my computer. Maybe the "Cut" leaves a residual file or something like that.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-25-2010, 08:02 PM
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Good points. However, I did slightly underexpose the photos purposely so I'm not sure that would be it.
Also, I never had a noticeable problem with my Panny FZ-7 (or other cameras) with that shutter speed either, especially at wide angle. Realistically, you don't have to be very steady to get a good 1/100 wide angle shot without any stabilization.
I will definitely try another lens when I they come in (just ordered them) so I'll just go from there. Currently, I only have the kit lens and, admittedly, I don't see the problem at 35mm at all. It could very well just be poorer IQ because the lens is at it's limit when the problem seems the most noticeable.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-25-2010, 07:12 PM
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The problem resurfaced today in bright light outdoors. But, it only seems to be occasional and I have to zoom in to 14X or 16x to see it on my playback screen. I saw it in some electrical wires against a blue sky.
I figure I can live with it though. If it's something I have to really pixel peep to see (aside from general softness it may cause an image) and only happens 10-20% of the time in the "problem zone," I can live with it because of the great pictures this camera puts out in low light and some of the other things it does really well.
Also, I can't totally rule out user error despite my attempt at controlled tests. The fact that none of my shots taken from a stable surface with SR off showed this must mean it is something I'm doing that affects this particular camera in a specific way. I can take hand held shots with other cameras (like a D90 I tried at Best Buy yesterday) at 1/100 with good results. Maybe it's the small size of this camera or something. In any case, it is capable of taking perfectly good shots when my hands are taken out of the equation.
Now, I'm off to buy the 55-300mm and the FA 50, unless there are other suggestions for around the same prices. From what I gather, these two lenses are good value and pretty good lenses.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-24-2010, 10:26 PM
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Just an update, and a rather pleasant one that has made me a happy man.
After reading around some more, I found a suggestion to reset the settings to factory defaults. This seems to have completely eliminated my problem. I haven't done real extensive testing, but now, in about 30-40 shots in the "problem zone", I have yet to see a single instance of double image. Even general blur has been reduced. Even if it isn't completely eliminated, it is good enough for me.
Also, through testing (after some advice from a poster here), I've verified that the lens definitely isn't as sharp at 18mm as, say 35. I think that was part of my issue as well. Thanks to all who helped and participated. Looking forward to becoming a full-fledged Pentaxian. :)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-24-2010, 02:57 PM
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Yeah, that's kind of what I was trying to say. I know the camera didn't focus on something different as I focused on the paper and did not move the camera. Sorry if I wasn't clear and thanks for the helpful advice.
Agreed. As I read, this is what I'm finding out. So, in this instance, user error accounts for the blur. Again, thanks for the insight.
I will try the test with more optimal settings. I was just trying to do a worst case scenario and, from what I gather, the issues with the double imaging are more prevalent in the wide angle settings.
On a side note, I did some less formal testing in my room by the light of an incandecent bulb (much worse conditions than the previous test). My results were nearly flawless in about 20 pictures of some text from across the room with various settings in the "trouble range." I just don't get it. All I could see was some slight blur that looked more like your standard motion blur rather than the double imaging. Quite peculiar.
On another side note, I will be trying my uncle's D90 this week just to see what kind of results I get from it. This would be the only other camera I'd consider over the K-x, but if my results are significantly better, I may end up going that route. I'd hate to spend twice as much for a camera, but it's the only other camera I'd consider that's remotely in my price range.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 08:00 PM
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I've been using the center focus for a few days now, including with these shots. I also make it a point to wait for the SR icon in the viewfinder and did so with every one of these shots in which I had SR activated. As far as AF, it is set on AF-A, but I did not hear it trying to refocus and there was nothing moving in pictures. I've done a great deal of searching, reading, ad heeding advice posted on these forums. Despite my best efforts, I'm thinking my camera may be affected by the double image issue, even though it doesn't appear to be severe. Funny as it may sound, I'd feel better if I knew it to just be a design fault instead of a defect, but apparently others don't have this problem.
Before starting the test today, I tried to remember when I updated the firmware and hoped that all the pics I had problems with before were with the old firmware. I just hoped that I'd perform the test today and everything would be good. I want to love this camera, but this is making me second guess it.
I'll try some different tests tomorrow and hope to be able to write this off as user error. I just don't want to get stuck with a problem camera after the return period has expired.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 07:27 PM
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Well, I guess I was more concerned with the center paper as that was what I was focusing on. I agree that that the rest may be out of focus because of the larger aperture, but my main concern is the double lines on the paper. There is faint double line on the vertical lines in the third picture and faint double lines on the horizontal ones on the first two pictures. I focused directly on the paper with spot focus.
Being that I performed this in shutter priority, it auto set the aperture for me. I guess I need to stop it down a bit for the overall picture just to eliminate that aspect.
Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 04:12 PM
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This first one was shot hand held with SR on, illustrating the horizontal line blur. (1/100, F4, ISO 400, 18mm)
This one was shot hand held with SR off. More horizontal blur.
(1/100, F4, ISO 400, 18mm)
Flat surface, SR on. Vertical lines blurred.
(1/100, F3.5, ISO 400, 18mm)
This was taken from flat surface, SR off. None of the 10 of these blurred. Is this representative of the images should look like at these settings?
(1/100, F4, ISO 400, 18mm)
Any input is welcome and appreciated. Maybe I'm doing something terribly wrong. |
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 03:22 PM
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Thanks for the reply. I do recognize that this forum is very friendly and it doesn't go unnoticed by lurkers (previously, anyways) like myself. I've had an account at a certain other popular set of forums and find that, on the average, it seems to be a little more hostile.
In any case, I did upload some pics to an album, so I hope that you can click through to see them. I'm still trying to learn the ropes here so I will look into making it easier for you guys to comment and critique on my current and future pics.
:)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 02:39 PM
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I just took a series of 40 pictures, which I believed to be in decent conditions.
I took 10 each of hand held with SR ON, hand held with SR OFF, flat surface with SR ON and flat surface with SR OFF, all with shutter priority at 1/100.
1/10 images had horizontal blur HH, SR ON.
3/10 horizontal blur HH, SR OFF
Then, I noticed something I had not noticed before. I started getting a ghost image on vertical lines on a stable surface with SR ON.
4/10 images taken from stable surface with SR ON had vertical double image.
0/10 with SR OFF from stable surface.
I guess I'm not quite sure how to post pictures from my album on here, but if you can look, I've uploaded an example of each of the test runs, including the best image I could find. No PP except for resizing and embedding a 100% crop. Please comment or tell me what I may be doing wrong. Does this look like an example of a defective camera? I tend to think that the fact that no images were significantly blurred from stable surface with SR OFF indicates that it may be user error or in fact the SR mechanism.
Am I expecting too much for a $500 camera? Is the best image I posted the detail I should expect at that aperture, ISO, etc.?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 01:19 PM
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I will post some images soon, but I did quite a bit of testing in the 1/100 range with SR on and off, both handheld and on a flat surface. Occasionally, I'd get the horizontal line double image by a few pixels both hand held and on the 2 second timer, but it doesn't happen consistently so it's a bit puzzling. The only consistent thing is the shutter speed at which I've seen it (1/100).
I know it's difficult to assess without pictures, but it's very similar to the example in the link I posted.
I've also updated to the latest firmware, which says 1.01.00.10 in the EXIF data, I believe.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-23-2010, 01:05 PM
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I am the proud owner of a new Pentax K-x and have a few random questions and comments.
First of all, I finally decided to make the jump to a dslr after 4-5 years of p&s cameras. I've tried hard to learn the basics and felt like I was at a point where my equipment was starting to hold me back some, despite how fine of a camera my little Panasonic FZ-7 is. (I didn't truly recognize how impressive the lens was until I started pricing dslr lenses with equivalent specs...though I know it's an easier feat with a smaller sensor.)
I have to say that I'm underwhelmed, but I readily admit that it is almost certainly user error and unfamiliarity with my new camera. I seem to get some good pics, but quite a few soft pics as well. I've searched and searched and have tried a few things like increasing the sharpening in-camera, experimenting to find the sharpest aperture, setting spot focus, etc. I have made an improvement after realizing that I needed to wait for the SR icon to pop up.
My main concern is that I can occasionally get the ghosting with horizontal lines that is mentioned here, Pentax K-x Digital Camera - Full Review - The Imaging Resource! (a few pixels of horizontal ghosting in specific situations.) It doesn't seem to be a huge issue and doesn't appear all the time, but is it something I should be concerned with? I've read all the reports of the blur and such, but I guess I should just be wondering if this is something I should just live with because it is common or should I take my camera back citing this as a defect. I realize it could be from user error, also. I feel that if my camera is suffering from the issue, it doesn't seem to be severe. I know I had to live with an inconsistent image stabilization system with the FZ-7 as well. OIS 1 and 2 worked differently in different situations.
Lastly, I guess I just expected sharper results at 100% but I may have been expecting too much, especially with the slightly above average kit lens.
Sorry for the wall of text for my first post and thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.
-Steve
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