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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
05-27-2012, 04:34 PM
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Thanks for the response Adam. I do hope that is the case!
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
05-27-2012, 07:16 AM
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I recently sold a number of items, and attempted to leave feedback for all the buyers. However, in my account, it lists some of the feedbacks as "not delivered". Was there an option I missed while leaving the feedback? Is there an option to now deliver the feedback? Thank you for all the help!
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Forum: Sold Items
05-21-2012, 08:05 AM
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Dropped prices on the only two remaining items! K-5 and the 540-FGZ flash are both in great shape.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
05-15-2012, 09:39 PM
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I'll post as only one person who is selling their K-5 in the market place.
The last wedding I did was extremely frustrating for me. My main problems were with the speed of autofocus. I had the 540FGZ set up to help with AF, and most times it did help. However, when the bridal party and later the bride and groom were introduced, they all came dancing into the reception and right onto the dance floor. It was dimly lit, and they were moving quick from the door to the dance floor. I got a few shots here and there with my K-5 / 50-135, but the AF hunt in low light with moving subjects was too much for me to overcome. I missed more than I got. Given enough time, I was able to lock focus. The problem arose when I wasn't given enough time. I was lucky that I shoot with a partner (Canon), and he got the shots that I missed!
These were brutal conditions. The lighting seemed dimmer than ANY other event I'd ever done and the couple was dark skinned. It made for a disastrous situation with my AF. I even went so far as asking the lighting guys to turn up their lights a little during the reception so I wouldn't be so in the weeds for the whole night. I also turned off autofocus, stopped down to 5.6 or higher and manual focused most of the rest of the evening. I was able to manual focus in harsh conditions, and even if I was off slightly, I was compensated by a wide DOF.
In the end, the conditions were just right for me to have a miserable time shooting the wedding. However, that is no excuse to a bride and groom who have paid money for a professional to come take pictures.
In the months between then (February) and now, I tested Canon and Nikon fairly extensively, and narrowed in on what was critical to me..... AF. In the end, Canon (5D2) produced some great colors right out of the camera, but was a little harder to lock focus in dim conditions compared to Nikon (D700). I figured I can fix colors in post, but not focus. I'm now building up my Nikon kit, and renting some glass along the way to see what suits my needs best.
All in all, I was extremely pleased with the look of the pictures that came out of my K-5 (and K20D for that matter), but that only mattered when I got the shots. I couldn't risk going to another event and potentially miss shots because my equipment didn't perform the way I needed it to.
I do hope to come back to Pentax some day, when and if they make bodies that can perform at the level I just described. I think they need to make some cameras that can really take advantage and unleash all the FA* glass that's out in people's hands. I have faith that Pentax can do this, but I just couldn't wait around for this to happen.
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Forum: Sold Items
05-15-2012, 05:47 PM
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Forum: Sold Items
05-15-2012, 05:34 PM
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All PMs replied, and status of items up to date as of 5/15. Thanks for looking!
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Forum: Sold Items
05-13-2012, 11:41 AM
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I was thrilled with the images I was getting.... when I was getting them. My problem eventually turned to AF speed, which turned out to be too slow in low light for me. As long as I was moving, there was no question that I was going to upgrade to FF. I do hope Pentax comes back better and stronger under Ricoh leadership, and gives digital shooters the ability to fully unleash some of that FA* glass.
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Forum: Sold Items
05-12-2012, 12:38 PM
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All PMs replied. All items marked accordingly.
Thank you for your interest!
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Forum: Sold Items
05-12-2012, 07:59 AM
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My dear Pentaxians,
The sad day has come that I can no longer shoot with Pentax. Their cameras are wonderful products, but they just don't fit my needs any longer. I'm moving over to Nikon. Yes, feel free to boo and hiss, but I couldn't wait for a FF much longer and I needed an AF system that was reliable in low light. I am selling all my Pentax gear, which has been handled with care, and has given me so much pleasure. If anyone is so bold, $2800 takes the lot. If you want to separate the pieces, prices are listed below with some discounts for groups of products there as well.
If you'd like additional images of any item, please feel free to ask.
If there are items that you would like but think my prices are unfair, please make me a reasonable offer.
All prices include shipping in the continental US. If you'd like to ship elsewhere, I'll consider it, but can't guarantee that I'll do it. I accept paypal, and I will leave the fees to your discretion. I will gladly take a gift payment if you see fit.
Thank you for looking!
K-5 with grip and 18-55WR Kit $1000 if bought together
SOLD K-5: $900 $750
Bought new from Adorama in December 2010
11,184 actuations as of 5/12/12 checked by PhotoME
No stains on the sensor
LCD and top window are clean, no scratches
Comes with Box, Charger, Strap, Body Cap, One Pentax Battery, One Third Party Battery, Transfer cables, User Manual
Disclosures:
Dust on the focusing screen, does not show up in images at all
SOLD D-BG4: $100
Bought used on PF
Comes with one Third Party Battery
Comes with AA and Pentax battery trays
SOLD 18-55WR: $50
Hardly used
Glass is clean
Comes with Tiffen UV filter attached. Bought as kit with K-5. No box if bought separately.
SOLD K-20D with grip $350 if bought together
K-20D: $325
Bought used on PF
2,564 actuations as of 5/12/12 checked by PhotoME
LCD and top window are clean, no scratches
Comes with transfer cables
Disclosures:
I can not seem to find the charger. I will do my best to find it before the sale. Strap was not included when I bought the body.
D-BG2 Grip: $65
Bought with K-20D
Does not come with AA battery Tray
SOLD 50-135 f/2.8 $750
Purchased new from Adorama in December 2010
Lens is in great condition, glass is clean
No SDM issues
Small scuff on the hood, will send additional pictures if requested
Comes with Front and Rear caps, Box and Pouch
Disclosures: one side of the front cap is broken. The cap is still usable. Please see picture below.
SOLD 16-50 f/2.8 $700
Purchased new from B&H in March 2011
Lens is in great condition, glass is clean
No major scuffs or marks on the lens
Comes with Front and Rear caps, Box and Pouch
Disclosures: SDM failed 1.5 months after purchase. Lens was sent to Pentax for a replacement motor. I will inlclude C.R.I.S receipt with lens
SOLD M 50 f/1.7 $25
Purchased used from PF
Lens is in great condition, smooth aperture and focus rings. Glass is clean.
Comes with Front and Rear caps
SOLD Auto Vivitar 28 f/2.5 $10
Screw Mount lens
Glass is clean, focus and aperture are smooth.
Comes with Rear cap
You're basically paying for shipping
SOLD AF-540 FGZ $300 $250
Purchased used from B&H in January 2011
Comes with Pouch and diffuser
SOLD Vivitar Series 1 Flash $70
Purchased new from B&H in April 2011
full-TTL
Guide Number of 148'/45 m at 85mm
Tilt and Rotating flash head
Comes with Pouch
for more, click here
SOLD Pentax Power Pack TRIII $85
Purchased new from Adorama in April 2011
Comes with strap and flash cable
Miscellaneous
SOLD $20 - 2x Sandisk Extreme (class 10) 8GB SD card and 1 Sandisk (class 6) 8GB SD card
SOLD $40 - Eye-Fi Pro-X2 8GB SD card
$10 - 52mm Hoya UV filter
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
02-16-2012, 10:45 PM
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I really liked the way the sky looked in the image. Tried to make that the focal point, I think the leading lines of the railing really help draw the attention to the sky.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
02-15-2012, 02:02 PM
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Great shot! Going there in march, looking forward to some great pics.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-08-2012, 02:42 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-02-2012, 03:25 PM
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Ha, a 225mm f/1.0 would be amazing, but I'm really hoping for something in the 200-300mm zoom range that's faster than f/4. I'm not sure that a 150-300 f/2.8 would be impossible
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-02-2012, 03:15 PM
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While I appreciate the lens roadmap that Pentax released today, it doesn't really address my needs. I like their chart with all their lenses, they make it look like they've really got a whole lot covered! In reality, I think their lens lineup should be depicted more like this. I don't have a graphics degree, and this was made in Excel, so pardon the poor appearance, but I think it gets the message across. What I have shaded in red is what I, and I believe a lot of other Pentaxians are hoping for. What Ricoh/Pentax released today seems to cover more of the area that I've shaded in yellow. Although, I do agree that their tele-prime in the 400-500mm range has the potential to be great. I really hope I'm wrong with my assesment, c'mon Pentax.... prove me wrong!
clearly, I had a little too much time on my hands at work today!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-29-2011, 06:09 PM
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I love the DR on the K-5 for weddings. It makes it almost impossible to be off on exposure. My K20D is a little less forgiving, but, still a joy to use when on.
However, I'm growing increasingly frustrated with slow AF. Every reception, there are times where I'll try to get shots of people on a dance floor who pose for a "quick" pic, which ends up taking 3-5 seconds to focus! This is with the K-5, not just K20D. It is absolutely frustrating when it happens, not to mention embarrassing. When people are dancing (and have had a few drinks) it's incredibly hard to wait so long to get focus locked on.
Needless to say, I'm considering a switch to Canon or Nikon. I'm waiting for the next generation of bodies, because I don't see the point in switching systems at the end of a current generation.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-28-2011, 01:26 PM
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I like it! Just put my gear up, and if nothing else, it's a public record of what I own! God forbid my gear get's stolen...... I shudder at the thought.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-22-2011, 11:58 AM
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Quite normal when glossy prints touch glass. I'd try printing in matte, or framing in a way in which the print and glass don't touch.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-22-2011, 11:34 AM
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I have also found that the K-5 has relatively little head room. I'd much rather underexpose a bright shot, and bring it up in post. Wedding dresses in bright sun are tough in general, and the K-5 does not help. A tuxedo in the shadows, that's more bread and butter K-5.
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Forum: Pentax K-r
09-21-2011, 03:32 PM
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what are you trying to do with the flash?
I think most (including me) will tell you AF-540 FGZ if you have the funds. Bounce, Swivel, P-TTL, manual power, manual zoom, AF assist, master, slave, powerful
The AF-360 does not have a swivel head, but does offer bounce. Slightly less powerful than 540, but filled with the other goodies.
Metz makes some pentax compatible flashes, but I haven't used any, so I'll reserve comment.
Vivitar also makes a pentax compatible flash with their 1-series 383. CHEAP!! ($125, new) I use this mainly on manual mode, on a radio trigger, so I can't attest to it's full compatibility. Zoom and power can be adjusted manually, which I like. Power output is only slightly less than the 540 (G/N 148' @85M vs G/N 148' @50M). Works great as a second flash for me.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-21-2011, 07:26 AM
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I've always thought of cookies as part of the larger gobo family.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-21-2011, 07:15 AM
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A Gobo... err.. GoBo, as adr1an correctly points out, blocks light. It stands for Go Between, literally coming between your light source and subject. It can create interesting shadow patterns and provide texture otherwise absent in your photograph. I'd put it in a separate category from flags and snoots however, as their main purpose is to block the direction of light, while a Gobo is meant to provide texture (IMHO). There are also instances in which a Gobo is used like a stencil, allowing specific patterns or shapes of light (letters, logos).
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-07-2011, 03:38 PM
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I usually go between M and Av the most. The reason I like M, is because if I'm in a constant lighting situation, I can basically set the parameters in M, and know they won't change. If in any of the auto modes, there is a chance that the shutter speed, aperture or ISO change, even if the lighting conditions don't (if the camera meters on a light instead of a wall). I also tend to use the flash when I'm inside, and generally find that I like my metering better than the camera's. If I find myself moving between varying lighting conditions (outdoors - shady to sunny to shady), I'll move over to Av, and hope the camera's metering can handle the situations. I have been burned once or twice with the camera dragging the shutter to get to the right exposure. Now I make sure to underexpose in Av mode just to make sure my shutter speeds stay reasonable. I haven't played too much with TAv, simply because I like keeping my ISO range fairly narrow. Is there a way I can tell the camera to max out at an ISO of 800 in TAv mode?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-01-2011, 07:10 PM
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Unlikely, but can any of these support HSS? I feel like I've read here on PF (can't find where) that Pentax disables HSS if the flash isn't directly mounted to the body. Any way I can get around that with the triggers you guys use?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-01-2011, 12:51 PM
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I know this is a tried and true topic, but I figured I'd bring it up once more! Thank you in advance for your advice, and for bearing with me.
I'm looking at either
Cactus V5, Cowboystudio NPT-04, or Yongnuo RF-603.
I'm hoping some people have used any of these and can offer feedback with regard to PENTAX gear. I shoot with a K-5 and AF-540, so feedback from anyone who has this gear would be amazing.
Specifically, I'm wondering about range, reliability, battery life, and burst firing. I know the last point is a little more dependent on the flash as well, so it'd be great to know what your flash settings were to get good burst rates (I'm guess somewhere below the 1/4 - 1/8 power range). My primary uses are for portraiture and wedding photography.
Any other advice is always welcome!
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-01-2011, 09:48 AM
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Any word on how this will work with Amazon?
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