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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-22-2008, 12:07 PM
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WendyB is just another lamer/hack trying to be someone 'it's' not.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
08-05-2008, 07:25 AM
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Thanks a bunch for that. Sold! The hot shoe adapter built in is a winner!
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Forum: General Talk
08-01-2008, 10:44 AM
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Typos and misspellings are two completely different things..
Anyone is capable of a simple typo.. It takes a special someone to misspell words.
(Though if your native language is something other than the one you're conversing in at the moment, you get a free pass on spelling)
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-16-2008, 10:26 AM
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Fun shots - I made mine with the K10D and DA 16-45..
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-10-2008, 08:08 AM
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I completely love my ProMaster 7500 EDF and I'm really surprised to see this thread as I've been wondering what the next step is for my macro work as I have recently defeated my current flash at 3:1 magnification so I now have no choice but to use either more flashes or a ring flash - ring flash, here I come!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-10-2008, 08:04 AM
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Camera Condoms - TM Copyright Thomas Maher Photography 2008 |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-08-2008, 01:40 PM
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He stated that the shutter fires fine when NO lens is attached..
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
07-08-2008, 01:31 PM
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Just use the damn thing, it's only a camera. And it's not like it's worth tens of thousands of dollars, hardly more than $400.. Yes, I do like it very much and I am happy for you but, come on. USE IT!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-08-2008, 09:12 AM
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Hey, I know that earthquake was 448 miles away but did ya feel any rockin?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-08-2008, 07:28 AM
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No problem guys. I figure why should everyone have to go through all the headache I did in trying to figure out how to get good high ISO images.
If anyone likes, they can examine the EXIF data on the two images I linked to to get the exact details of the shot so they could mimic it to see how it works out for them. The two smaller images should have the same EXIF however I resized them in Picasa and lord knows what that program did to the EXIF..
I suspect the reason the multiple-exposure mode knocks so much of the noise out is that all the pixels are in different places for the second shot and when it merges the images it likely only uses 'like color' pixels and simply eliminates the hot red and blue speckled around, that combined with TWO black frame subtractions because there was two exposures seems to do the trick. As far as reducing the saturation goes, well, that's self-explanatory as it also means a less-saturated red and blue noise. And finally, reducing the contrast does exactly that, it lessens the harsh contrast areas that noise likes to hide in..
I wish someone could use these techniques and show us some 1600 or 3200 K20D shots.. I bet they're insanely clean and sharp as even my K10D shots look better than dpreview's CaNikon flagship camera high ISO examples.
This might be a stretch but, I think if someone who's proficient (Not I) with PS and other programs for manipulating images were to 'clean up' those two 1600 shots I posted, you could probably pass them off as ISO 200 to 400 shots.. Maybe even better? I dunno..
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-07-2008, 01:34 PM
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A few things..
First, DA lenses in my experience tend to have a stronger red and blue channel. Meaning, reds and blues really pop with DA lenses. However, this pop is bad when dealing with noise. First rule, don't use a DA lens for high ISO work.
Second, use your sharpest lens possible, preferably a cold lens. Meaning, a lens that tends to produce images a little on the colder side. As in my case I used the Viv S1 105mm.
Third, when dealing with JPG's straight from the camera do the following. Reduce the saturation all the way and reduce the contrast some (you'll see that doing so does not have as much effect on the resulting image as you might think - look at my two up there)..
That's pretty much it. As you can see you can get great images straight from the camera without noise ninja or any other processing. Again, those two images are straight from the camera.
Last trick..
With the K10D or ANY Pentax camera that has a multiple-exposure feature you can use that to further reduce the noise. Obviously this is not an option for all photos but for static scenes it's the best thing going. Remember, shoot in JPG mode, reduce saturation -3, contrast -2 or -3. Also, make sure the color mode is normal, not bright.. Set the camera to multi-exposure mode to take 2 exposures. Take the two shots (steady on a tripod is always best), let the camera merge the two shots and enjoy your nearly noise free ISO 1600 images.. :)
I never did understand all the complaining about the K10D and it's ISO 1600 performance.. lol - I can't imagine what I could get away with if I used a K20D...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-07-2008, 10:40 AM
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love the attitude..
Anyway, that's what was intended..
here's the small images.. you can click on the links in my previous post for the full-size jpgs..
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-07-2008, 10:30 AM
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I took this using the K10D at ISO 1600..
These are JPEG's straight from the camera, NOT converted RAW files. No post-processing, nothing..
I thought I'd post these up for comparison to show how proper exposure can really make the difference when shooting ISO 1600 and up..
First image uses built-in flash, second used no flash.. (BIG FILES)
ISO 1600 K10D w/ FLASH
ISO 1600 K10D |
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-07-2008, 09:56 AM
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I would hope they've fired all of their US sales reps as they have been doing a horrible job.. Do you have any idea of how many shops in the NY/NJ area claim to be authorized Pentax dealers yet don't have a single item in stock? And then proceed to attempt to sell you on Nikon or Canon?? Appalling!
With regards to your rant. Did you try the K20D with SDM lenses? Either way, you claim to have read all about the K20D yet the FPS eluded you?
Good luck with one of the other brands..
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-01-2008, 06:54 AM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-25-2008, 01:32 PM
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Simple: CNET is not proficient in reviewing cameras and I doubt their 'expert' even knows what a 'stop' is.. lol Furthermore, if you do decide to venture to the darkside that is known as Pentax, you'll quickly see how reviewers of Pentax gear will go so far as to not test or simply make up anti-Pentax-crap because of their loyalties to other manufacturers (who line their pockets with cash from ad revenue)... The DPReview review on the K20D seems uncharacteristically unbiased and fair to Pentax this time around. I suggest you read before they amend it or something.. haha
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-25-2008, 01:25 PM
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The Pentax sensor-based system has tested better than the lens-based systems of other manufacturers. I did read someone just make reference to the fact that at 600mm and up lens-based IS is better however, I have not seen nor read of that before. Either way, it is certainly just as good as lens-based IS systems.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-25-2008, 12:52 PM
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Guys - this was a very fair and honest review. I mean, what didn't they say about the camera? It was clear to see they presented the facts accurately and the conclusion is the K20D rocks and gets a Highly Recommended. What's not to be happy with? And, I might add, there was even a little bit of K10D justice in that review when they compared the RAW outputs from the K20D and the K10D - Finally, they said what we K10D users knew all along, it produces outstanding images.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
06-20-2008, 09:51 AM
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I use Aperture.. It handles everything and then some.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-17-2008, 07:29 PM
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The DA 16-45 is prime sharp but it's not on that list.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-16-2008, 09:34 AM
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The argument made within the first few replies are silly at best..
Regarding AF points.. Single point AF is the fastest and most accurate, next fastest and most accurate is 9-11 points and finally, the slowest and least accurate is 40 to 50 points.. So, why do manufacturers tout so many AF points? Marketing gimmicks.. Do they have a use however? Yes. More points allows for better tracking across the FOV. Does better tracking mean better accuracy? No. What do Canon factory Pro-shooters recommend? Disable multiple point AF and stick with single-point or 9-11 point when shooting with Canon's flagship models. Why? They get the best results by doing so.
As far as metering goes.. The Pentax metering on the K10D works flawlessly. Select single point metering and point it at lit light bulb. The shot will be brightest in the center and quickly fade out to black without blowing the highlights. Next, choose center-weighted metering and point it at the same lit light bulb, the shot will not be blown out but will include some more light around the light bulb. Finally, select multi-segmented-metering, point it at the bulb and you'll see the entire scene properly exposed with no blown highlights..
I've tested this time and time again and each time it works perfectly when using a lens that at least has an 'A' setting on the lens. Set your camera to green mode, point at a lit bulb, take a shot for each metering type and see what I mean.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-12-2008, 08:45 AM
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What is the 4.11 update? Never hear of it. I use Aperture with no problems. I will say this however, every once in a while the SD card wipes an image and the preview shows up in Aperture but when you click on it you get the blue screen - I suggest you check the card or reader and attempt to re-upload the images possibly..
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-12-2008, 08:39 AM
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Running Ubuntu here too.. UFRAW and GIMP - That's all you need to open PEF or DNG and edit until the cows come home and export in any number of formats.. Very nice setup.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-10-2008, 01:12 PM
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First and foremost - the current prices they charge for the Pentax flash units is freaking highway robbery! No hot-shoe flash unit is worth that much money, period..
It needs to have bounce, swivel, and be weatherproof. And for crike's sake, eliminate the damn quality problems. You mean to say that Pentax can build a Grand Prix winning camera but can't build a quality flash at a good price? Give me a break!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-10-2008, 11:11 AM
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And if they did, I truly believe they could make a Leica M8 killer..
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