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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-07-2007, 09:22 AM
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You know that is the same problem I have with my K100D and 50-200 Pentax kit lens (came as camera and two af lenses). When shooting birds I get acceptable results if they are within 20 or 30 feet of the 50-200 lens. Camera often does set the correct focus point. But when the subject is far away, the whole frame goes to "instamatic" quality. I have labored to try and work around it, manual focusing is not really possible for most of the action shots. I think mine is either over focusing, as I have seen in some bridge cameras, or just not very good at the 200mm focal length.
I posted a query and one person did say he had the exact same problem. All but that one person seemed to think it was me and not the camera/lens, I disagree as I have used other similar cameras which dramatically better results (Canon DSLR and Sony bridge cameras). I must say that one person was downright rude and missed the point of my question entirely, but that is what forums are like. Guess I expected too much.
Am selling that lens and possibly body with 18-55 kit lens. I have gotten some really nice shots from the K100D using the 18-55 lens, but again usually when the subject is not distant. I just don't think the K100D has enough growth room for me. I bought an entery level SLR and should have foregone the telephoto zoom and gotten a better camera and basic lens. I don't think digital photography is like film photography where you could buy a entry level body and still get good results given a decent lens. Live and learn. In that regard, Pentax's comparison of the K100D to the famous K1000 doesn't hold water.
BTW, my Panasonic Lumix 6 mp compact camera isn't that much worse in picture quality from the K100D for scenic shots. But it has no manual controls and awful white balance. Still, will keep it for a travel camera and consider a Nikon or Canon DSLR. Would stay with Pentax, but second time around will choose one that I have hands on experience with. Sister has the Rebel XTI and it works great. Nikon D40X is interesting, but don't know anyone who has one.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 05:08 PM
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Thanks for the reply.
This was just one example. I used iso 800 in an attempt to isolate wether the problem was the lens focusing, my movement, or some other camera problem. I was trying to eleminate any handheld jitter effects. But the results are the same no matter what ISO or automation I select. I think you have a good suggestion about zooming back a bit. I did not purchase this lens for taking bird pictures, simply got inot it for my sis and the focal length is really too short for that. Possibly I should try a 300 mm lens and see what kind of results I get.
None the less, I do feel that the results from this lens at infinity are kinda crummy, at least at the 200mm focal length.
I think that holding the camera still is something I do well. Using a monopod might work, but even when setting my camera on the old Ford PU the results are very similar.
Anyway, I do appreciate all the help. I was approaching this issue from the angle of what might be wrong with my lens/camera. I have taken pictures with my sis's Canon XTI and 70 300 zoom Canon is zoom lens under similar conditions and they seem very much sharper. But that is comparing a $1800 camera to a $650 camera.
It is a case of the bumbling leading the blind. She has retired and started a hobby of bird photography. I have been a rank amateur for too many years and am trying to help out. Together we have improved our pictures, was just wondering why my Pentax is sooooo far behind her Canon in image sharpness. She uses Photoshop and usually just accepts the default automatic enhancement, I use a iMac (no laughs please) and use SilkyPix and iPhoto.
None the less, we are accomplishing the job of cataloging the birds in the area, even recorded a few surprises! Photograph is fun, even for rank amateurs.
ALL KINDLY CONSIDER MY QUESTION CLOSED...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 09:48 AM
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Thanks,
Will that lens autofocus...that seems important for motion photography.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 09:47 AM
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Do not understand pixel-popping or badly warped sense of reality...I wasn't high or drunk when I took those shots...hung over maybee...but not drunk!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 09:44 AM
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It is hard to use a tripod on flying birds...but I understand your suggestion. I still expect better results.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-06-2007, 08:37 AM
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re: WMBP's suggestions for stabilizing the shot.
My sister is a novice to photography and takes mostly pictures of birds. I spent some time with her showing how to "Pan" the camera with a moving object (bird) to achieve the sharpest results. Mind you she has a much better camera than mine (canon rebel xti and pricey IS zoom) but panning still makes a difference. It is a natural technique for someone who has shot skeet or trap, but foreign to most others. I also taught her how to use her camera cary strap to add some tension to her arm when shooting, that has the effect of stabilizing the image a bit also.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-06-2007, 08:21 AM
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Try using the aperture priority mode and selecting the widest aperture available, ie f3.5 or 5.6 depending on focal length.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 07:32 AM
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Uploaded two pictures to the User Picture Forum, Nature category. The Magpie looks pretty good and is at medium distance to lens (20-30 feet). The second shot is more than a hundred and fifty feet away and shows how pictures focused near infinity lose clarity and detail. There is no part of that image that looks in focus and detailed, have many like it
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-06-2007, 06:57 AM
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I hope mine works out that well...am going to the Sacramento service center Friday with my whole setup.
Best of Luck
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 06:54 AM
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Am stopping down to f8 f11 and can not afford the suggested lens...unless you are willing to take low monthly payments :-)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 06:53 AM
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Have pretty much tried that. The weird thing is that it does OK when the subject is to near infinity...say 20 or 30 feet away, or closer.
Ed
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-06-2007, 06:51 AM
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I am new to this forum...if I upload a jpeg will it contain all the data?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-05-2007, 10:47 AM
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I am currently having a problem with the 50-200 lens from Pentax on a K100D. I did clean the electrical contacts and think it is doing much better. Have you tried this?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-05-2007, 10:27 AM
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Purchased a K100D and 18-55 plus 50-200 mm Pentax lenses (kit). At first the pics looked good when using the 18-55. When trying to use the 50-200 Pentax lens I started noticing that images were focused but lacked any real detail. To be more specific. I can take a picture from the 18-55 and zoom in and actually see incredible image detail, well for 6 mp anyway. With the 50-200 the image detail goes all to heck. It is not so bad with close ups, but is bad when taking a picture of something far away (camera seems to be setting the focus properly). It just lacks resolution and detail. Am presuming it is the lens, but guess it could be something in the body.
Have tried manual and auto focus and results seem the same. Should I just take it to a service center, and what would I tell them?
Ed
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