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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-13-2010, 08:54 PM
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haha, I don't know if I'll be able to post many 'nice shots' :o (ie. masterpieces like many of you creative photographers can create), since I'm more into technical imaging, but I'll certainly post some of my better shots on any projects that might have some more interesting subject matter...
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-12-2010, 01:20 AM
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I'll be using it in harsh landscape, industrial & aerial photography... Pentax have noted that the 645D has been built for rugged use (using 70 Dustproof & weather-resistant seals). But it's image quality & compactness would also make it great for wedding photography, fine arts & fashion shoots to mention a few...
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-11-2010, 12:02 AM
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LOL! Yea I suppose it is a big claim! (considering I've always been a loyal Canon user too...)
The price point is what sets it apart, bringing medium-format into the realm of the mass consumer market. Think about what these will be going for used in 3 years time, US$4,900? :eek:
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-09-2010, 01:07 AM
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No probs... I think this camera will be a bigger hit than Canons' 5D, go Pentax!
Now we all just have to find some extra dough to pay for it...:ugh:
It only looks bulky & heavy; but you can actually shoot one handed if you needed to (try doing this with a Hassey H3D-39...!) They've hit the nail on the head with this weather-sealed 'compact' medium-format digital :D
Although you can actually get one already from Japan, the benefit of waiting to buy from an Australian distributor is the possibility that they might be offering upgrade options on inevitable future releases (like Hasselblad do with their systems).
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-08-2010, 11:08 PM
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Some unfortunate news for anyone wishing to see the 645D in Brisbane this week, it only made a short visit... although I was lucky enough to do a hands-on test this morning (and it was magic!) but I couldn't keep any images from this Australian prototype model.
I fitted my 645 FA 35mm lens & compared it with my 5D mkII with Zuiko 21mm lens (the FOV in each shot was roughly similar) & yes; after seemingly infinitely zooming in on the images, the 645D is a winner! :D
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-08-2010, 12:54 AM
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LOL! If you have access to funds while the 645D is in your hands; it's probably a 100% chance of purchase... I'm going to leave my whole wallet at home :lol:
BTW, I think the demo is done by CR Kennedy's (ie. Pentax Australia), so booking a time with PhotoContinental is required (ask for Greg or Jason).
Cheers
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
08-04-2010, 06:24 PM
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It looks like it's arrived one month early... they've invited me to test it next week!
If anyone else in SE Qld is interested to try out the 645D just contact PhotoContinental in Brisbane to organise a demo (I think only between 9th-13th August 2010), they said it's ok to attach your own lenses & save shots to memory card...:D
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-22-2010, 01:25 AM
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LOL! I'd have to agree, though maybe some more refined tests might show some differences like wide-open at f/3.5 or extreme edge sharpness/aberrations (which I can't test since it's being majorly cropped on the Canon 5D). So in other words this comparison only compares the central region of the lenses.
If anyone wants to inspect the RAW's or full size jpg's, here are the links:
RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
These jpg's were converted in ACR6.0 via Photoshop CS5, then 'Smart Sharpened' using the 'Remove Lens Blur' option at 90% & 0.8 pixel radius (amazing results):
RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting - Easy Filehosting
NOTES: - These files can only be downloaded by the first 10 people since I haven't registered with Rapidshare, if you can't download them & really want to; let me know & I'll see if I can re-upload them. The EXIF data may be incorrect (since the Canon can't read the lens info). I've used a Fotodiox 645-EOS adapter.
Maybe someone else can confirm my findings or offer any other comments, perhaps with another A vs FA comparison if necessary.
Cheers.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-21-2010, 09:46 PM
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Hi, I've done some RAW comparisons now & they tell a different story! (There's not much difference...?)
These were shot properly (same aperture of f/8, 1/250th sec, ISO100) unlike my previous jpg's which were all over the place (different apertures etc.).
I probably wont go to the trouble of shooting resolution charts but these two shots show that they really are both great lenses! (the 1st pic is the A, then FA).
Cheers.
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-20-2010, 10:30 PM
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Hi all,
I'm excited to be able to give a quick (preliminary) test of the 35mm-A vs FA... :)
Note that this is a quick comparison only, I only just received the 35mm-A & a 645-to-EOS adapter a few hours ago; so had to rush home to grab my Canon & 35mm-FA! (I wont have the 645D for another few months, but this Canon test should do).
I only shot these in jpg, so once I do a final test in RAW & do proper post-processing then the test will be more valid (both lenses will show their resolving power much better in RAW). However I did apply deconvolution (Optipix Refocus) to both images to achieve a sharp result (by the way, I found out that Photoshop CS5's 'smart sharpen' with lens blur achieves just as good a result as Optipix for deblurring the sensor Color Filter Array image softness...) The attached images show a small 100% crop in the order A/FA/A/FA.
Preliminary findings:
1. The FA is *subtly* sharper, and quite extraordinary (but even so, the A is still sharper than my Zuiko 21mm!)
2. The lens coatings on the FA give superb color rendition (I had to apply curves editing to the 35mm-A image so it's color & tonal depth was comparable to the as-shot 35mm-FA image...!)
Sorry about the lack of inspirational shots; but I'll do another proper test within the next week, comparing the RAW's. But all in all, they're both great lenses (these jpg's look like my Zuiko RAW's!). With a bit more post-processing; the 35mm-A can get quite close, but the FA appears to in fact be superior & rightly claiming it's place at the top...
Cheers, Marko
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-17-2010, 10:31 PM
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I contacted one of the Pentax dealers (Photo Continental, in Brisbane) & they replied:
"Once the camera arrives in the country we will be
sourcing a demonstration model. ETA from CR Kennedy
is mid September for arrival in country.
Saw camera at the PMA Melbourne and looked pretty good.
Prices should be competitive with world market."
I also spoke to Vanbar Imaging & they said they're already taking orders and it would only take a few days to get it shipped, they've got it on special for AU$10,890 ex. GST!!
I'm tempted, but I really want to test it first - and analyze the raw files etc...
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-14-2010, 09:07 PM
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Great! I'm hoping to get one as soon as I get my next major photo project to help pay for it... If anyone knows where one can be tested out in SE Queensland I'd love to try before I buy :) My FA 645 35mm lens is anxiously waiting to mount the 645D! :D
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Forum: Pentax Medium Format
07-05-2010, 08:23 PM
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Hi, I've purchased an FA 35 f/3.5 in readiness for the new 645D which I'll be getting in the near future (pending funding :o). I noticed the comments about the lens performance in the corners, and that sharpness is only achieved past f/8... I should be able to comment further on this once I've done some tests with the digital sensor, but since there will be some crop factor on the 645D then hopefully this characteristic will be minimized somewhat.
I'll be using the setup mainly for aerial photos, so they'll need to be tack-sharp - but from what I've read, this lens is the distagon of medium-format. I'm also getting a converter to use this lens on a 5D MkII, which will have an even greater crop factor & will be using just the sweet spot of the lens... But according to the 16-9.net review, this lens in the corner at f/11 almost equals the Hasselblad 40mm in the center!
I look forward to posting any results within the next couple of months, but it would be interesting to see the difference between FA & A versions.
Cheers.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-29-2010, 10:36 PM
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Thanks!
I'll certainly consider that option of ordering from Japan, normally I'd jump straight onto Ebay, but for this camera I think it would be worth buying locally & have it fully supported/serviced etc.
I think there will be many more people like myself joining the Pentaxians of the world once this camera (& future releases, lenses etc.) flood the market...
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-29-2010, 08:24 PM
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Hi all,
Just joined this forum since I'm soon to purchase a 645D (once they're released here in Australia...) with hopefully a compatible 645 format 28mm or 35mm wide lens.
I look forward to getting involved in the forum once I get equipped with Pentax!
Cheers,
Marko
PS. My current equip is Canon 5D & 5D MkII & manual Olympus Zuiko lenses, I'm purely a technical photographer (industrial, scientific & photogrammetric imaging) - thus my need for a lot of megapixels :D
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