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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
04-04-2015, 10:17 AM
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Here's a vid of the folks having their hair dried in
You Tube
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src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XieH48Gr5Zc?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
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Forum: Pentax Q
01-18-2015, 11:59 AM
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Freezing rain here today. Tough day to be a bird
House Finch, female by john m flores, on Flickr
This fella is satisfied with his Rembrandt lighting though
House Finch, Male by john m flores, on Flickr
I took these with the DA*50-135 via the genuine Pentax K-Q adapter. As expected, IQ is stellar and it's good to see that the Q7 is more than a match for good glass.
I've also got a Yongnuo 560 III strobe remote mounted and controlled with the 560-TX hot shoe mounted controller. I'm shooting through a storm window but I've mounted the flash off-axis to prevent reflections.
---------- Post added 01-18-15 at 02:21 PM ----------
And here's the Q7 with the DA* 50-135 F2.8 compared to the K-5 with HD DA 55-300 WR. Both 100% crops. Mighty close
 Pentax K-5 with HD 55-300 WR vs. Q7 with DA*50-135 F2.8 by john m flores, on Flickr
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-17-2014, 07:18 PM
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Judging by the likes and comments I'm getting on Facebook, this picture I took this past weekend was a good one. I thought I'd share it here to show the magical power force of fisheyes!
Single shot. DA 10-17 @ 10mm, F3.5, 20 seconds, ISO 3200.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
11-14-2014, 09:33 AM
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keeping an old thread alive, here is one from a former resort hotel, later turned prisoner interrogation camp during WWII:
 Basement Window |
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
11-09-2014, 12:14 PM
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Not sure why this thread has died a natural death-there is so much urban decay around-so, giving it a bump.
---------- Post added 11-09-14 at 12:19 PM ----------
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Forum: Lens Clubs
06-12-2014, 04:37 PM
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I took my 10-17 FE camping this weekend. I think this is the best picture from the trip.
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Forum: Pentax Q
04-16-2014, 03:39 PM
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The built-in intervalometer and small size make it great for this stuff. I mostly use the fisheye for the kind of shots that I take. Here's some from my latest RoadRUNNER story (Ontario, Canada):
Q gets the coveted lede photo! Spread out over two pages! The camera is mounted to a monopod that is clamped onto a hardshell backpack:
 Ontario_RoadRUNNER_Jun14.pdf by john m flores, on Flickr
Bottom two shots taken with the Q. Top two shots with the K-5:
 Ontario_RoadRUNNER_Jun14.pdf 2 by john m flores, on Flickr
One more Q shot in the lower left:
 Ontario_RoadRUNNER_Jun14.pdf 3 by john m flores, on Flickr
Overall, I'm really happy with the creative opportunities that the Q offers. I've mounted it in all manner of places, just like a Go-Pro, but with the benefit of a rear screen to compose. Little things like the ability to change batteries and memory cards without unmounting also make a big difference.
Looking forward to seeing the system evolve-improved IQ, better low light, etc...
For a preview of the story, click here: Ontario, Canada: O Canada? Fugghedaboutit! | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine
Or just go to your local Barnes & Noble.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-01-2013, 11:39 AM
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I just came back from the Quebec city Photo Expo. It's a nice show with most of the serious brands. Sony had an immense kiosk, Canon and Nikon pretty big ones, Pentax smaller but quite nice.
I had a chance to talk with the guys there, when they learned I was an optical designer they were all quite eager to discuss and show me stuff.
I'll have images comparing the size of the AF-540 flashes (old and new), The new one is impressively smaller, the zoom head is more silent, and everything seems to operate faster.
I had a lot of time to test the K-3. I love it, a serious improvement over my K20D. It's heavier than I would have thought, but smaller. My Nikon friend was amazed that it could be so small. Live view AF is a breeze, never seen anything like it. Regular AF is lightning fast, about twice as fast as my K20D in those conditions. The menus are super intuitive, the numerous new AF modes are great. In particular, you can select a 3x3 grid of AF points and move it around. All the buttons are super intuitive and functional, the top LCD has a HUGE amount of info on it, it's all good.
I was able to test the HD 21mm and compare it with my SMC, I'll upload pictures later. Hard to tell from my camera's screen. The rep said the coatings were "40% better at letting light through". Apart from that they were the same. I don't really like the new lettering, seems cheaper, but that's just me.
Here's where it gets interesting. I asked a few questions. Here's the verbatim as I remember it.
-I saw on a forum this morning a leak about a new 20-40 limited zoom. Can you comment on this?
-I don't know, sorry, where did you see this?
-Pentaxforums. There's such a lens on your roadmap.
-The client roadmap is not the same as our internal roadmap. I'll look it up.
-What's on your internal roadmap then?
-Much more WR lenses in the coming year, updates to several current lenses (way to go!). Some new lenses models. Also definitely a full frame for 2014.
-REALLY? That's pretty huge news. People will go wild if that ahppens.
-It happens in 2014 except if they change what they tell us.
(Later) -How do you feel about the Ricoh takeover?
-It's a blessing. Hoya was like crossing a desert. Now there's momentum, the sales forces are growing, it's pretty exciting. We see good things ahead.
SOOOO... there you go. The guy knew his stuff, the competition, the products. Lotsa fun.
There were other kiosks of course, I did a short tour of them all. People whining at Pentax's lack of response to SDM issue should look at the Nikon D600 uproar. People get oil on their sensors, Nikon won't acknowledge the problem, the reps said it didn't exist, that there was no such thing, and lied outright about the repair procedure for an eventual defect. My friend was there to contradict him firsthand. So everything isn't green on the other side of the fence.
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Forum: General Talk
07-05-2013, 08:27 AM
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There has been some very active interest in my military career here since I started my year long Deployment to Afghanistan photo series (which is currently being reviewed!) and my announcement that I am no longer going to have the same position (Afghan Army Liaison and Embedded Training Team Leader) upon my return from Afghanistan. I had been in a limbo status for the past several months because of no vacancies available and just working on random projects for different offices to help lighten the load, but that had come to an end. I just wanted to share that because of my photography, which has gotten around to my superiors in my unit, I am now officially the 54th Engineer Battalion Public Affairs Officer (PAO)! This post contains hidden content
Aside from the obvious (taking pictures and writing PR articles on behalf of the unit, etc), another duty of mine, because we are a unit stationed in Germany, is the Partnership Officer-in-Charge (OIC). What that means is that I coordinate and facillitate any and all partnerships with host nation (Germany) and other European military units. Prior to my taking the position, my unit just returned from Poland for an exchange with their engineers. Out-of-the-blue-plug: if you or someone you know is part of the European military, please contact me and I would love to see if we can work out some sort of partnership event :D
It's a fantastic opportunity for me (both personally and professionally), and I've found that my documentary work in Afghanistan has prepared me for an incredibly seamless transition into this position.
For those that are curious as to how this affects my photography: when I am not on duty and photographing for work, I am a private, non-governmental entity, as are my photographs. When I am photographing in a capacity that is on behalf of the Army, the photographs are still mine and I own the copyrights to them, however once they become published, either on the Battalion Facebook Page, press releases, etc, those photographs become public domain (Credit: Photo by U.S. Army). If I take a gallery-esque shot that I want to display, I am still able to put them on my personal photography website (Alex Jansen Photography, see the signature), even with my watermark, however I would only do so to comply with my website format (watermark on each image), but there will be no watermarks on images for the unit facebook page, press releases, etc as those are not private publications. If later on, I desire to sell images, I was told that this would not affect that, however I am not sure about that and would right now err on the side of "no." I will have to inquire about that more in-depth. Honestly to avoid all legal issues I probably will just not sell those specific "double-dipped" images.
Should you be interested, here is the 54th's Facebook Page, of which I am the webmaster as of Wednesday 3 July with the following post: "The 54th Engineer Battalion has a new Public Affairs Officer (S-5)! If you need anything with regard to the content on this page, please do not hesitate to contact 1LT Alexander Jansen by email at alexander.h.jansen.mil@mail.mil or DSN 314-469-7619 (0951-300-7619 from a commercial phone)." I have been a bit busy the last few days (as you can see from the volume of posts since 3 July). I know some of you have expressed an interest as to a more intimate view of military life/affairs, so "liking" following that page may be of interest to you, especially since it's my mission to express and convince to all the families of the soldiers within the unit what great things they are doing ;)
Thanks again for all the support. I'm absolutely enthralled about this opportunity.
-Heie
Edit to Add: I forgot to add this in the initial post, but I've already noticed a benefit of the position - access. I've had to do a few official shoots, but with my rank (First Lieutenant) combined with "I'm the Public Affairs Officer," I have been having far less issues pointing my cameras at what I want ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
06-28-2013, 11:34 AM
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Went for a lunchtime walk yesterday, warm and humid, ideal weather for the Butterflies and Dragonflies to start appearing. Lots of Speckled Woods appearing in the woodland around the reservoir and my first Four Spotted Chaser of the year, a first at this location too.
The grasses in the meadow are almost chest height and I must have spent about 20 minutes stalking the Dragonfly through the jungle, never taking my eyes off it as it flitted about so I didn't lose it in the long grass. Really a hayfever sufferers worst nightmare as I was covered in seeds and pollen when I stepped out onto the path again!
All taken with the K5IIs + DA*300mm and 36mm Extension tube, manual focused.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
07-01-2013, 04:01 PM
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4 Drops on a DVD
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Forum: Pentax Q
05-29-2013, 11:23 PM
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Up front warning. Never look at or even get close to the 03 fisheye and 06 telezoom lenses! At that point you will realize it is possible to carry a complete two camera system in a very small purse. Very dangerous for your other cameras.
Welcome to the Q forum. Life will never be the same.
thanks
barondla
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-29-2013, 04:07 AM
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A pair of Galahs that visited my back yard late on Sunday afternoon.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-28-2013, 01:18 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-27-2013, 11:43 PM
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Forum: Pentax Q
03-30-2013, 03:52 PM
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Prime Lens, 30 second expsoure
Note: Tripods are so fun to use in the sand.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
01-18-2013, 08:34 PM
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Great shots everyone.
This is a picture of some interesting interactive public art in Montreal at the Place de Spectacles. As you walk under the metal arches, lights that change colour and sounds that gradually increase in tempo come on. Was in a rush so these are really just snap shots, with exposure brightened in post:
IMGP4183 by NickLOdeon, on Flickr
IMGP4184 by NickLOdeon, on Flickr
This last photo is a building right next to the arches showing the various jazz greats who've played at the Montreal Jazz Festival over the decades:
IMGP4180 by NickLOdeon, on Flickr
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
06-25-2012, 09:34 PM
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Bumper to Bumper
At Dinner
Catch of the day
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Forum: General Talk
04-08-2012, 09:18 AM
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While I do get quite excited when I buy a new lens, this time it's just a little bit sweeter than usual.
I'd been saving and dreaming for a year for the DA* 60-250 - saving a little, selling some stuff - even went out to my shop last month to find some specialty tools that I don't use anymore to sell toward this lens. I finally pulled the trigger last week - the big 3 vendors had been at $1249 forever, but last Tuesday (March 27th) while doing my rounds, Amazon showed it at $1219 - I pulled the trigger.
Then....on Friday (March 30th) I read about the upcoming Unilateral Pricing Policy - didn't think much of it then but made me feel good about buying. Then....on Monday (April 2nd) I saw the prices - $1999 from all 3 vendors. I was just about jumping up and down with joy.
Finally had a chance to open the box this morning - ohh how sweet it is! It sure makes me appreciate a lens like this when I've been working toward it for so long - plus now add the fact of the huge price increase 6 days after I bought it - can you tell I am happy?
I just took a couple test shots with it this morning - from what I can tell this lens lives up to every good review and image I've seen with it.
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Forum: Pentax Q
04-05-2012, 09:01 AM
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Hi everybody,
My precious was delivered just 10 minutes ago. GREAT GOOGLYMOOGLY!!! what a complete wonder of technique in such a beautiful body (yes I am talking about a camera). Can't wait to start shooting but have to be patient in staring at the green dot of the battery charger. The manual speaks about 115 minutes charge time max... That's around the Magic Hour light outside. And I do see some sky clearings. As you might have already discovered...I am slightly EXCITED :eek:
Anyone tips for presets for my first shots. Using the prime 01....
Hear from you guys,
HAPPY!!
(photo made with Hipstamatic, Hornbrecker lens, Kodat grizzled roll)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
02-01-2012, 05:08 PM
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This thread needs a bump...
So on a recent trip to San Diego I found a use for my Samyang 8mm FE
FE+HDR = Distorted Reality
This is the San Diego City and County Administration Building
Aboard the U.S.S. Midway
Flight Briefing Room Aboard the U.S.S. Midway
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Forum: Lens Clubs
01-17-2012, 01:06 AM
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Single exposure:
One light painted exposure blended with startrails:
Both with K5, DA10-17.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
02-19-2012, 10:55 AM
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DA 10-17 / K10D
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