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Showing results 1 to 25 of 198 Search: Liked Posts
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 11-07-2023, 01:29 PM  
Photoshop and lightroom beginners course suggestion?
Posted By david94903
Replies: 9
Views: 646
Yep, this site is excellent. A lot of free tutorials including a Photoshop for Beginners: Complete Tutorial course, all free.

Photoshop for Beginners: Complete Course - YouTube
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-11-2023, 01:04 PM  
Beginner Photographer with a PENTAX K-1
Posted By david94903
Replies: 27
Views: 1,722
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your K-1 and excellent selection of lenses. I own the same set of lenses and find my most used lens is the D-FA100mm macro. But that is my personal preference based on how I like to shoot. Explore and play with all the lenses. They all are excellent. And the K-1 is a fantastic camera.


And you are in the right place for information, as you have experienced already. This is a fantastic community.


As a "beginning photographer" as you refer to yourself, having great gear is awesome (and you have great gear), your pictures will only be as good as your understanding of how to take the pictures that you want to take. So understanding the basics of photography is really the place you will want to focus your attention. That understanding will give you the foundation to grow and develop as a photographer.

I found when I was relearning photography, after a multi decade absence, Brian Peterson's book Understanding Exposure book was a huge help to me. I highly recommend it to any beginning photographer. It breaks down and simplifies the basic foundations of photography (it'll help get you out of AUTO mode quickly, and really make you appreciate the M setting (and other settings) on your dial). And once you understand and are comfortable with the basics, the sky is the limit for where you go as a photographer. It is a never ending learning process, which is one of the best aspects of photography.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 08-09-2023, 12:56 PM  
Revisiting Old Images To Re-Process
Posted By david94903
Replies: 15
Views: 887
You betcha. Though not all that often. My post processing skills and workflow today are quite different and developed from years ago. Plus the software has improved too. And my vision as a photographer has evolved over time too. I tend to check my expectations at the door before reprocessing an older previously processed RAW file, as I am not trying to recreate what I previously had done but am more interested as to where my continuously evolving workflow will lead me.

It's a good self learning experience. And it will always be a good self learning experience as ones photographic vision and processing workflow/skills evolve. Think about how many time Ansel Adams processed Moonrise over Hernandez to achieve his vision. His earlier prints are radically different from his later prints.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 08-03-2023, 12:46 PM  
Peak Design Slide - trust issues
Posted By david94903
Replies: 36
Views: 2,285
Yes, you should be worried. I have had the PD anchor links fail. PD has redesigned the anchor links and recommends frequent inspection and replacement if they show any wear. I do like, and use the PD strap but I have added tethers as a safety net for if/when the PD anchors fail.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 08-06-2023, 11:52 PM  
Peak Design Slide - trust issues
Posted By david94903
Replies: 36
Views: 2,285
I'm using an earlier (2017) version of the Blackrapid Smartphone Safety Tether.


amazon.com: BlackRapid WandeR Bundle (Patented) - Smartphone Safety Tether Tab System : Electronics?tag=pentaxforums-20&
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 08-06-2023, 07:07 PM  
Peak Design Slide - trust issues
Posted By david94903
Replies: 36
Views: 2,285
Yes, they are. Those were about a month old when they failed. Since then PD has "redesigned" the anchors a couple of times. I watch them like a hawk "just in case." There are no perfect systems, anything can fail. People love the Black Rapid system but I have seen them fail (not with my equipment) too.


The key is to be aware of the weak link and keep an eye on it. In spite my my experience with PD, I still think they have one of the best systems out there, so I am still using it. But I have added tethers just in case.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 05-01-2023, 12:37 PM  
Windows
Posted By david94903
Replies: 12
Views: 70
Portumna Workhouse, Ireland.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 04-19-2023, 12:52 PM  
Need New Windows Desktop Computer for Editing Images
Posted By david94903
Replies: 39
Views: 1,948
Computer Solutions in Wisconsin is my go to computer vendor. They have stock boxes but will modify to suite. My have purchased four desktop systems from them since 2012, all were customized for photography. I can't recommend them highly enough.


Custom Built Computers - Video Editing & Gaming - CPU Solutions
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 03-01-2023, 01:58 PM  
Mt. Shasta
Posted By david94903
Replies: 19
Views: 163
Mt. Shasta
Forum: Post Your Photos! 12-05-2022, 12:55 AM  
Landscape Contest Mount Shasta
Posted By david94903
Replies: 5
Views: 280
My submission for Contest 1
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 10-18-2018, 08:56 PM  
Focus for birds
Posted By david94903
Replies: 35
Views: 5,506
I've been experimenting with birds and birds in flight for awhile, both with my K-3 and K-1. It's definitely a practice makes perfect process. For birds not in flight, I will sometimes use a tripod with a gimbal attachment. For the most part for birding (hand held or tripod mounted), I use TAV with minimum shutter speed from 1/750 to 1/1000, and higher if light allows; aperture is set to the lens's sweet spot (F8 for my D-FA 150-450, or F13 when I use my F-300), and I let the ISO ride (the dynamic range on the K-1 is significantly better than the K-3, so I don't get a lot of noise if the light isn't great). I use center weighted average metering, AFC with Auto- 9 focus points, and continuous shooting high drive mode in 4 to 5 image bursts (the K-3 has a better frame rate than the K-1, so I can use a longer burst if needed). I also shut off every in camera adjustment and shoot in raw only in order to keep the AF fast. Lastly I use back button focus.


There's a great article that for shooting sports that translates very well to shooting wildlife.

Guide to Camera and Autofocus Settings for Shooting Sports - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

Attached image was shot handheld at 1/3200, F8, ISO 800, focal length 450mm.

---------- Post added 10-18-18 at 09:29 PM ----------



One other thought. Besides for the camera settings, depth of field is one other thing you need to think about. The longer the lens, the shorter the available depth of field. Add a teleconverter and the available depth of field gets reduced. For example, a 300mm lens on a K-3 at F16 and 10 feet from your subject will give you a depth of field of approximately 2-3/8" but add a 1.4x teleconverter and that DOF at F16 becomes 1-1/2". Go to F8, that DOF gets even more reduced. So it becomes trickier to get any or all of the bird in sharp focus.


When I first started chasing birds, I didn't really understand the relationship of lens length, distance to subject and how much DOF was or wasn't available. Often I'd get a soft bird and a really sharp branch because I was often pre focusing on a branch an not on the bird. Fortunately someone on the Forums explained this issue to me and I used the PhotoPills DOF calculator (they list Pentax bodies under camera types) to help me understand the relationship of all the factors. It was a bit of an eye opening lesson. It really helped me dial in my camera settings for my lens length and what my limitations where going to be.


One other interesting item of note - a full frame sensor will have a greater DOF than a crop sensor. In the above example, trading out the K-3 for the K-1 (and everything else being equal) the DOF increases from 2-3/8" to 3-1/2", and with the 1.4x TC the 1-1/2" increases to just over 2-3/8".
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 04-02-2022, 07:26 AM  
Monitor Calibration, settings query.
Posted By david94903
Replies: 4
Views: 850
Check out Art Suwansang's videos on the BenQ monitor calibration. If his videos don't have an answer you're looking for, you can contact him directly. He gave a talk a our photo club last year on calibrating the BenQ SW2700 monitors, and others too.


ArtIsRight - YouTube

















You Tube



















You Tube



Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 12-31-2019, 07:42 PM  
Thematic Still Life, Staged, and contrived shots
Posted By david94903
Replies: 94
Views: 6,788
One from a while back.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 09-11-2021, 08:51 AM  
Question for people to who use both classic lenses *and* more modern AF lenses
Posted By david94903
Replies: 31
Views: 2,736
I don't believe so. At least that's been my experience. This is a very subjective subject. That said, I have a number of new D-FA lenses, all are excellent on the K-1, love them all, especially the 100mm WR macro. But I also have a number of older Pentax lenses that I use, M series, A series, FA series (the K-1 loves the Limited's, especially the 77mm), along with non Pentax glass (Nikon AI 135mm that has been Leitex'd to a K-mount, amazing lens from the early 70's renders wonderfully on the K-1), and a Bronica 105mm medium format lens adapted to K-mount. They each have their own character, and my experience is the K-1 really allows each lenses character to shine.

Personally I don't think you will be disappointed with the K-1 no matter which lenses you decide to use.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-14-2021, 07:57 AM  
Telephoto adapter plate
Posted By david94903
Replies: 15
Views: 942
I use a Wimberley P20 Quick Release Plate with my 150-450. I found that many of the off brand plates had minimal engagement with my the clamp on my ball head.
Forum: General Photography 04-18-2021, 01:53 PM  
A very specific bag requirement.
Posted By david94903
Replies: 38
Views: 1,985
The Pro is slightly taller and slightly deeper on the interior. I find with my full frame kit, the extra interior room a good thing.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-18-2021, 02:10 PM  
Looking for the ultimate Prime...
Posted By david94903
Replies: 45
Views: 2,754
I concur. This is an excellent travel combo. After many years of "learning" what is best to bring, this is my basic kit, combined with my K-1. Also, works well with my K-3 but if I was traveling with my K-3, I'd bring my DA15 too. Especially for interiors. Don't forget your tripod too :)
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 06-08-2019, 02:29 PM  
Nikon recommendation: sell! sell! sell!
Posted By david94903
Replies: 173
Views: 15,274
I work in government, and we still use the microfiche reader for older records (pre 2006 is considered "older" in my work world). We often have "younger" folks come in looking for information, and it's a hoot watching the expressions on their faces when they're directed to the microfiche reader, LOL!!! Most think its an antique computer, and almost all ask how they login to the device. And it's an even bigger shock once they're shown how to use the thing :lol::lol::lol: Almost makes it worth going to work in the morning :lol:
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 01-03-2021, 10:13 PM  
Shell in Surf
Posted By david94903
Replies: 15
Views: 469
Close up capture of a shell caught in the surf.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 01-03-2021, 04:45 PM  
TriLens: does anybody use it?
Posted By david94903
Replies: 33
Views: 4,101
If only I could add a fourth lens... LOL!!!
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 12-19-2020, 04:21 PM  
Thinking of new camera, help me choose....
Posted By david94903
Replies: 40
Views: 2,904
I moved from the K20d to the K5 to the K3 to the K-1. Truthfully, as great as the K3 is, I could have stayed with my K5 and been perfectly happy. The K5 series had sole. The K3 is a technically excellent body but to me was lacking in the sole category. That upgrade didn't feel significant for my shooting style, I was always a little disappointed on my return on investment. That being said, I've clicked a bijillion shutter actuations on my K3 and it still good as new. And the results are great.


However, the jump the the K3 to the K-1 was earth earth shattering (okay, that's probably a little over the top but...). The K-1 felt like my upgrade to the K5, but a bit more on steroids. The K-1 is amazing. The K-1 has that Pentax sole. It changed a lot about the way I shot, all for the better. The dynamic range difference alone is worth the price of admission. And it challenged me to be better. For me the return on investment value was there and immediate. Yes, I had to upgrade my kit to have more full frame lenses over time, and I had to leave behind a few old DA favorites, but I got to also dust off a few of my old M, F and FA lenses that really shine on the K-1. At the end of the day, upgrading to the K-1 was well worth it for me.


Ask yourself what it is you need, or want. Make a list. Does your current kit satisfy those needs and wants? If so, I'd stay with what you have. But if your current kit doesn't, I suggest looking to the K-1 if you are truly looking for more and not just more of what you have already.
Forum: Ricoh GR 12-10-2020, 09:20 PM  
a flash for the GRIII
Posted By david94903
Replies: 7
Views: 4,578
The LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20II is great. Can use on camera and off camera. The flash head charges via USB, the flash uses regular AA batteries or can be charged via USB if rechargeable batteries are used.


LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20II (Black) 634158732287 B&H Photo Video
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-07-2020, 06:07 PM  
Precision Camera Aperture Block Failure Repair
Posted By david94903
Replies: 15
Views: 2,065
Before sending to Precision, I'd recommend calling Phototronic first and talking to Mike about your aperture block issue and see if he works on that model. I'm not going to tell you how much he charges, not my place, but let me just say his repair cost was reasonable enough that I decided it was worth the money to repair my eight year old K-30. With my experience of what Precision charges for an item out of warranty, I wouldn't even consider the repair the item. I'll leave it at that.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-04-2020, 06:59 PM  
Precision repair for my DFA 150-450
Posted By david94903
Replies: 37
Views: 2,904
I called him after you'd recommended him. Thank you for that. He was quite familiar with the issue needless to say, and was very confident he could repair it. The aperture block subject just came up in random conversation, so that was a big bonus to learn about.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-04-2020, 06:52 PM  
Precision repair for my DFA 150-450
Posted By david94903
Replies: 37
Views: 2,904
Mike at Phototronic has my D-FA 150-450 right now. Mine did the separation thing.

Mike also has a repair solution for the dreaded aperture block issue for the K-30 (and possibly other models) for a very reasonable cost. So I sent him my wife's K-30 to be repaired too. If you're interested in knowing how Mike fixes the aperture block issue (and it's not replacing the solenoid), give him a call. As his website says, he does like to talk cameras.
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