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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 11-10-2019, 05:46 PM  
AF-540-FGZ Trigger delay when used as a slave flash
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 1
Views: 898
This is the second time that you've powered up your oscilloscope at my request. I really appreciate that you've taken the time to dive into some tech stuff I've been curious about. This helps inform syncing methods as the need for speed rises:).

Thanks so much!:)



The only answer is -we're screwed up! Metric is taught in schools, but imperial is deeply ingrained for so many measurements that I doubt it will vanish from common use in my lifetime.
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 11-08-2019, 05:33 PM  
Looking for some help setting up a Cactus laser trigger setup
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 19
Views: 1,645
What would this do that the built in Multi-Flash mode can't? For example, my sb-80dx claims at 1/16 power that it's good for 8 flashes at 100hz, at 1/32 power it's 16 flashes, and so on. I don't have an oscilloscope to test though. Do you have a flash with this capability to test? I don't see it in the manual for the AF540*, but the new version does (according to the manual it has a setting up to 200hz).

*Does the original AF540 really not have a multi-flash mode? It feels like I should be mistaken, but I don't have one to check.

A followup since you own an oscilloscope - have you ever tested the response time of the 'dumb' slave mode? It looks like SL2 mode on your flash (page 52 of the manual) is a dumb slave that responds to other flashes. If you have a second flash you could check the delay. This is somewhat on topic here, I've slaved flashes this way off a main flash in Multi-Flash mode before and it's worked for slower moving stuff. I'm wondering if the delays are typically low enough to sync for higher speed things like bobbotron is doing.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 11-08-2019, 10:28 AM  
Nature Should I or Shouldn't I?
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 30
Views: 1,217
I'm sure bees are delicious and totally worth the risk:D.
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 11-08-2019, 07:59 AM  
Looking for some help setting up a Cactus laser trigger setup
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 19
Views: 1,645
There's a channel selector on the LV5 laser sensor, make sure it matches the channel on your V6's that are in Rx mode. I think that's all you have to do (but I don't have cactus wireless receivers).

"Slave" on your flash might be the lower tech optical triggering method - the flash has a light sensor that triggers when another flash has gone off. This can be useful when ganging up multiple flashes. Some of the Cactus flashes also have built in wireless receivers that should let the LV5 trigger them directly without your V6 receiver, I'm not sure which models though. @ClassA is the Cactus guru around here, and can probably advise.



I can't resist discount stuff - I have one of the older model miops triggers from a clearance sale:D. It can be triggered a few ways, laser, sound, lightning...I've used it with some success on dropping things in water or exploding water balloons.

I mostly practice photography on my own, but I've had some great times with friends photographing water splashing all over the place. Have fun!
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 11-08-2019, 07:14 AM  
Looking for some help setting up a Cactus laser trigger setup
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 19
Views: 1,645
I shouldn't admit it, but I have a set of these laser triggers that I've yet to use (someone was selling a brand new set dirt cheap and who can resist bargain priced lasers?).

Doesn't the V5 laser sensor have a built in wireless transmitter that can wirelessly sync up with v5 or v6 series receivers? In other words, can't you ditch the transmitter you have the v5 laser sensor sitting on? Less things in the triggering chain means faster response.

At least with other wireless systems, having the same "fire" signal sent to a flash and a camera shutter can lead to flash&camera sync problems. If the camera and flash are tripped at the same time the flash is sometimes done before the shutter is even open. Is this not a problem? How long is your flash set to multistrobe for? When I've done remote camera & flash setups with other wireless systems I've used:

1) Tx set to channel 1 that starts the event.
2) Rx set to channel 1 that trips the camera shutter.
3) Second Tx in the cameras hot shoe set to channel 2.
3) More Rx's set to channel 2 to trigger the flashes.

I do agree with the previous advice though, my attempts at high speed flash involved a sound or laser trigger (yes I already owned a different trigger before buying the V5 set:confused:...but more lasers is never wrong:D) that was connected directly to a flash via a wire. The room was dark and the cameras shutter was open before things started. This minimizes lag and makes syncing your flash with your event simpler.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 11-07-2019, 11:21 AM  
Misc Happy Birthday, Godzilla!
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 14
Views: 717
That glow stick is perfect, really fits the special effects of the best godzilla movies:).
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-07-2019, 06:27 AM  
Looking for purchase advice on some "more experienced" cameras.
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 50
Views: 3,236
That's a question best left to the Q experts:p. You should check out the Q subforum, here's a thread to get you started if you haven't seen it already - Considering Used Q--which one? - PentaxForums.com. I only specifically mentioned the Q10 as you'd found one in your budget:). We've been spoiled with digital cameras for some time so photographers sometimes gripe about minor differences. So even if the Q10 was objectively the 'worst of the bunch', it might still be more than enough camera for your use. I'd consult people with first hand experience, and also check out as many sample images as you can to decide if it's capable of what you need.

I would be more confident in saying any of the 16mp dslr's have more image quality packed in them than most people will ever need. That's not to say that the older cameras won't be awesome, but the 16mp generation gets a ton of love (I've been enjoying my k5iis for 6 years and no plans to replace it), and if you go the dslr route it might be worth penny pinching for.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 11-07-2019, 05:47 AM  
Pixel level quality on my K-5
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 25
Views: 3,188
I agree some examples of your photos would be great.



You popped out the parts to make a 32" lightpanel? There are a few tutorials online, but another wouldn't go amiss:). I've collected a few defunct laptop & tablets for the same use. Maybe this winter I'll get to it:).
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-06-2019, 06:34 PM  
Looking for purchase advice on some "more experienced" cameras.
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 50
Views: 3,236
I'd go for the Q10+lens and get a mini tripod to go with. For getting into (or back into) the convenience of having something so light and easy to carry is hard to overestimate. Continue saving pennies and in another year or two if you're still interested in photography and want a larger dslr, get a used k5 or later 'advanced' model. You can sell the Q for more funds, convert it to IR/UV, or continue to use it as is, so it won't be money wasted imo.

Disclaimer - I don't own a Q, but I do have a small & pocketable nikon j1 (bought used long after it was discontinued:D), and it's nice to have a small option with good image quality as an alternate to a larger dslr system.
Forum: General Photography 11-06-2019, 02:20 PM  
How bad is this [some other forum misunderstandings]
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 19
Views: 1,758
On the topic of culling- it might help to look at your collection from the eyes of someone who isn't a fan of racing. You might have a great panning photo of a car driving around a bend. And another similar photo of a different car driving around a bend. A racing enthusiast might know who the drivers are and think these photos are both great and take some time to examine each. From my perspective, all cars are pretty much the same and all the drivers are people I don't know or have any attachment to. Once I've admired the general aesthetics of one of the images, I won't take time on something that I consider similar.

I say this as someone with hundreds upon hundreds of photos of moths. A moth enthusiast might want to see a hundred, as they may value not just the image but the content. A nature enthusiast might want to see a dozen of the most distinct ones. I might be able to sling a dozen together that are interesting from a general photographers perspective. An average person might get bored after 2 or 3. So I cull according to audience to try to avoid boring or overwhelming anyone.

Culling is hard.
Forum: General Photography 11-06-2019, 01:29 PM  
How bad is this [some other forum misunderstandings]
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 19
Views: 1,758
You could make a flickr album of those 79 images. Post a dozen photos individually (or whatever the forum convention is) and a link to your album for anyone who wants more.
Forum: Site Suggestions and Help 11-04-2019, 06:35 AM  
Question Blocked from one ISP?
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 2
Views: 728
Ahh, thanks for asking Bruce and thanks for the answer Adam! Same happened to me a few days ago. Now I know not to stubbornly keep hitting 'submit' if it happens again, but check for offending characters or html code.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-02-2019, 08:11 AM  
pentax 50-135 vs sigma 18-35 .
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 55
Views: 3,306
Looks right now. The size difference on your screen as first served up by flickr might not be much different (depends on your monitor), but as you've pointed out flickr lets you enlarge the 200mm one significantly more. Either way, you should be able to see far more detail in the 200mm one.

I still suggest a print test:). Cropping is a compromise in quality. The surest way to find out how much of a compromise you're willing to make is with tests of your own.
Forum: Photographic Technique 11-02-2019, 06:53 AM  
Positive effects of increasing ISO?
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 23
Views: 1,881
The two comparison photos are lacking in details - what were the shutter speeds and f-stop? Did the lighting change? White balance? It would take magical voodoo to go from an overexposed sky to a blue sky by doubling the iso and changing nothing else (likewise for the colour on the lemur & trees).
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-02-2019, 06:27 AM  
pentax 50-135 vs sigma 18-35 .
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 55
Views: 3,306
What were your export settings out of Lightroom?

Both your flickr examples are 4200x2813 so it looks like you upscaled the cropped image - this involves the computer making intelligent guesses on what the missing pixels should be. If you flip back and forth between them, the image that was cropped has way less detail. Upscaling algorithms are pretty good but they can't create detail that was never there. You don't have to look very close to see the difference in an extreme case like this.

It might be worth sending your two files off to be printed at 4x6" and also at 8x12" and doing a side-by-side comparison.
Forum: Photographic Technique 11-01-2019, 06:30 AM  
will a lens hood really decrease value of lights?
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 17
Views: 1,911
It is possible to make a bit of a trade off and accept some subtle vignetting at the extreme ends for more flare protection, but there's no reason this needs to be the case. I'll also add that if a hood causes a hard mechanical vignette, it sucks (or is misaligned or designed for another lens/camera).

This website is no longer live, but there's a nice bit on lens hood design stored in the internet archive: Lens hoods
Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways 10-30-2019, 05:49 PM  
PentaxForums 100 Year Giveaway - October - Grand Prize Raffle Entry Thread
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 177
Views: 10,398
I'm in. Thanks for the chance at loot!
Forum: Post Your Photos! 10-30-2019, 05:49 PM  
Abstract Frozen Soap
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 21
Views: 1,468
Thanks Rob:). Some freezing ice stuff works best at -15C or below. It helps me look forward to and fully embrace the deep freeze days:D!
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 10-30-2019, 04:36 PM  
Online album
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 9
Views: 802
I'll third Flickr. I'm still happy with the free version.
Forum: General Talk 10-30-2019, 04:32 PM  
videogames
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 11
Views: 706
Haven't had time for many video games in the past 10 years or so. When I do, I'm still working my way through the Art of War games which I've played since the beginning. I still remember finding Shogun for $5 in a bargain bin at the Radio Shack almost 20 years ago, it was an exciting day:).



We had a Gemini, an Atari 2600 compatible. Graphics peaked with the game "Adventure", those dragons were the definitive realization of ancients beasts on your basement TV:).
Forum: Post Your Photos! 10-30-2019, 04:24 PM  
Abstract Frozen Soap
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 21
Views: 1,468
Thank you! I have plenty of time during our freezing Ontario winters to contemplate photography;)
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 10-30-2019, 09:42 AM  
Apple Iphone 11 vs Canon 1DXII
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 12
Views: 3,497
Looks better than previous versions, but it's still capable of mangling the edges when it tries to simulate shallow DoF. Some of the computational stuff remains gimmicky until it's more reliable.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 10-30-2019, 06:02 AM  
Landscape Drag Race At The Playa
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 18
Views: 938
This needs live streaming to the internet, 'contemplative action sports' will be a new thing.

Nice find:).
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 10-29-2019, 06:21 PM  
New Tamron plastic fantastic primes
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 54
Views: 5,450
Agreed! That's a bit of awesomesauce, especially for the 20/24mm models.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 10-29-2019, 05:32 PM  
Abstract Frozen Soap
Posted By BrianR
Replies: 21
Views: 1,468
Thank you!
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