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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 08-07-2013, 05:57 AM  
K-5 vs K-30 which is more weather resistant?
Posted By dmort
Replies: 34
Views: 4,139
Well, first make sure you use a fast enough shutter speed. The classic rule is to match your focal length with shutter speed. I try to double it to make sure I don't introduce any camera shake.

Secondly, don't overlook a sturdy bench, wall, rock, etc - all are pretty good tripod substitutes when you are traveling.

Lots of people like gorillapods, I would buy the strongest one, the gorillapod focus. They can come with a ball head, but I think it is a pretty dinky head - I'd get something different or just skip it altogether and angle the legs for composing.

Finally, there are tons of tripod companies, cheap but decent ones too. You can get a Manfrotto, a benro, and induro, and on and on. You should go on the b and h website and scroll around. I have a feisol 3402 that I bought specifically because it packs down under 22" but with the center column extended it goes far above eye height. I tend to not use the center column but I have the option.

Anyways, buy used. you'll save a ton of money. B and H, adorama, KEH, and even amazon all have used inventories. Not to mention our own PF marketplace and of course, ebay.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 08-05-2013, 08:53 PM  
200mm f4 Macro on Ebay
Posted By dmort
Replies: 9
Views: 2,418
Start the clock!
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 08-05-2013, 08:13 PM  
200mm f4 Macro on Ebay
Posted By dmort
Replies: 9
Views: 2,418
I don't think this has been posted yet, but the 200mm f4 macro has popped up on ebay.

3814967 Pentax FA 200mm F4 Ed If Macro Lens Bin | eBay

A quick check on my credit card balance showed me that if I bought this I wouldn't be buying groceries, so I pass. I hope someone else picks it up!!
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 07-27-2013, 08:38 AM  
K30 and Teleconverters
Posted By dmort
Replies: 10
Views: 2,248
I think you are very likely to have a hard time focusing with a TC on the 55-300mm - I've tried it, no dice. Additionally, at the long end + tc, even manually focusing, you are going to have some quality loss. Probably you can get a sharper image if you use a fast shutter at 300mm and then crop it afterwards. or keep your eyes open for a used Sigma APO 400mm lens. The manual focus one shows up on various sales locations online often enough and the autofocus 400mm macro shows up much less frequently.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 07-27-2013, 08:32 AM  
Misc I like retro but the wife wants a change.
Posted By dmort
Replies: 31
Views: 2,240
In camera HDR mode did a good job!
Forum: Sold Items 07-08-2013, 07:52 AM  
For Sale - Sold: A 50mm f/1.2 lens
Posted By dmort
Replies: 3
Views: 1,757
Free bump to another head-fier

Sent using Tapatalk 2
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-01-2013, 04:51 AM  
ND filters
Posted By dmort
Replies: 7
Views: 1,256
ND filters have numbers that correspond to the amount of light that is decreased by the filter - .3 (1 stop) .6 (2 stop) etc...
Forum: Sold Items 06-30-2013, 06:52 PM  
For Sale - Sold: (Free!) Light Craft Workshop Fader ND 67mm Neutral Density Filter
Posted By dmort
Replies: 3
Views: 1,873
PM Sent
Forum: Lens Clubs 06-30-2013, 12:20 PM  
DA* Club
Posted By dmort
Replies: 5,894
Views: 941,943
Sure - as far I as I could tell, the choices were the novoflex base, the acratech, and the various choices from sunway photo. I had read reviews on the acratech, (one in particular from luminous landscapes) and all were positive. After googling a ton, I found the that the diameter of the acratech worked perfectly with my feisol 3402 and my kirk bh3 - not to wide or narrow. Also, since the feisol 3402 is a pretty short tripod I didn't mind a slightly taller leveling base. Some of the other choices are a little lower profile.

I also own a wimberly sidekick, which I sometimes use with my sigma 100-300 f4 + tc. I was using this combo - tripod + head + sidekick + lens in my inlaws backyard and my photos kept coming out off angle, every time I moved the head. Then, duh, I realized that it was because the head wasn't level. I was about to go on a photography workshop in Northern New Hampshire, and I figured now was the time to invest in a product. The acratech was available for amazon prime shipping, so bam! I ordered it and I was really happy with it.

The base has no tensioner. When you loosen the knob, whatever is on top becomes very loose... You can loosen it just a little to have some friction still. This took a little getting used to. It isn't a big deal with the DA* 16-50 or the DA* 50-135, but with a longer and heavier lens, you have to be ready to hold the gear. This took like three times to get used to and now I'm used to it. The bubble level is really big and easy to use.

The head has (I think) about 10 degrees of leveling in it - that's not a ton. I think the novoflex has 15. Anyways, 10 degrees is not enough that you can write off leveling the tripod. I might still need to adjust the legs. But we are talking about a general adjustment, nothing precise. And I didn't find it inconvenient in the field. In fact, the added step of leveling the head was not a problem. I'd extend the legs, make sure all ballhead knobs were tight. Level the head. Then loose ball head knobs to compose. If you didn't have the ball head locked up, you'd be adjusting the base while the head continued to move. It was a lot easier to lock everything about the head up so it would move on top of the base as a single unit.

Basically, this is the type of gear that once added to your support setup you wonder how you lived without it. It made shooting panos a breeze. I did also use a little flash shoe mount level to make sure the head was level. But this wasn't a big deal. I guess I could get some 3/8" thread quick release to use for panos - mounting the camera directly to the leveling base. But I'm happy enough with this stitch that I will try several more panos before considering any changes to the kit.

If I buy another tripod someday, I'll make sure to get a gitzo or feisol (probably feisol) that can accept the manufacturer's built in leveling base. However, for what I have now, this was perfect. No complaints!
Forum: Lens Clubs 06-30-2013, 11:50 AM  
DA* Club
Posted By dmort
Replies: 5,894
Views: 941,943
Thanks - I kept the lens at 50mm. I ran the photos through DxO Optics Pro 8 and then sent them into Microsoft ICE (which did a really nice job).

The full res file is about 27000 pixels by 4500 pixels (or so). I'm going to print it at 8 x 40 and see how I like it. If it turns out well, I'm going to do a 15 x 75" framed print.

I had just bought the acratech leveling base which is really what made this stitch together so well.
Forum: Lens Clubs 06-30-2013, 11:26 AM  
DA* Club
Posted By dmort
Replies: 5,894
Views: 941,943
This is a 17 shot pano using the DA* 50-135mm
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-30-2013, 11:13 AM  
sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF
Posted By dmort
Replies: 141
Views: 33,237
Well here are two shot with the 100-300mm + 1.4 tc. I'm happy enough!
Forum: Sold Items 06-29-2013, 09:52 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Pentax DA 35 mm f2.4 (red)
Posted By dmort
Replies: 12
Views: 4,882
The problem with a red lens is that your wife will certainly notice.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-29-2013, 09:45 AM  
40mm f2.8 limited vs 43mm f1.9 limited
Posted By dmort
Replies: 20
Views: 9,455
You can glean from this thread that although the two lenses are close in focal length, they differ in character. If you can, I'd try them out in a shop, or rent them. Someone pointed out that if you buy a used 43mm, which aren't that hard to find, and you decide you don't like it, you'll be able recoup your investment and spend it on the 40mm pretty easily.

The only other thing worth mentioning is that the 43mm covers a full frame sensor while the 40mm isn't built to do that. Many of us are ready to jump on a full frame pentax camera if it ever comes to fruition. If that happens, prices on FA lenses are probably going to go up, particuarlly in the used area. Some speculate that this full frame is coming later this year, others aren't as sure. No one really knows. So, if you are concerned about the possibility of price increase, I'd go for the 43mm now. It actually might be worth more in 6 months to a year.

Keep in mind the above is pure speculation. Anyways, I would stop worrying about which lens, buy one, and go shoot!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-29-2013, 09:41 AM  
sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF
Posted By dmort
Replies: 141
Views: 33,237
Well, they've got the wrong picture - that's the 300mm f2.8 prime. And I just checked Sigma's site - no pentax compatability as of today... So probably just a dream.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-29-2013, 09:39 AM  
Used tripod legs
Posted By dmort
Replies: 12
Views: 1,647
Both nice solid choices. I'm not one for a joystick head but I know a lot of people like them. Plus, you got a good price - any decent tripod under $200 is a great deal.

KEH has a pretty good return policy, if I recall. You could always set it up indoors and shoot things in your home or aim out the window. If you have stairs you could try setting it up there to simulate a slope. I'll bet you are happy though.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-29-2013, 06:14 AM  
sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF
Posted By dmort
Replies: 141
Views: 33,237
It doesn't. When you put the tc on and the lens is on the A setting and the camera is set to f4, it displays f4 despite the fact that at f4 + tc it is at f5.6

I was really asking if digitalis meant f8 with the converter or f8 without. If he means f8 accommodating for the tc, I'd need to set the camera to f5.6. I guess I just need to do some sharpness tests on my own to figure this out. Probably there is a bit of variation anyways.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-29-2013, 05:04 AM  
Best DSLRs and ILCs for less than $1000
Posted By dmort
Replies: 8
Views: 1,480
Ha!

I already saw that list too - I felt that the k5ii should be there instead of the k5, since you can get it without a lens for under a grand. They included the oly for the same reason... But, frankly, I'm happy that even the k5 made it there.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-29-2013, 04:14 AM  
Used tripod legs
Posted By dmort
Replies: 12
Views: 1,647
Also, having a tripod that goes to eye level is nice since when you are on a slope, it will be closer to your eye. Many people don't like the center post - I don't use mine, I took it out. However, it is nice to have in there if you plan to shoot on a slope.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-29-2013, 04:12 AM  
sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF
Posted By dmort
Replies: 141
Views: 33,237
So, if I set to f8, on the camera while using the tc, I'm really shooting at f11. And if I set to f11, I'm really shooting at f16?
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 06-28-2013, 07:15 PM  
Software for Mac Air?
Posted By dmort
Replies: 11
Views: 1,468
If you disregard editing, you can just use an hdmi cable to send the pictures over to the tv?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-28-2013, 04:05 PM  
Best, inexpensive DA lens choices for K 20D and advice on RAW
Posted By dmort
Replies: 12
Views: 1,406
Forum: Photo Critique 06-28-2013, 04:03 PM  
Misc Pretend Product Shoot
Posted By dmort
Replies: 7
Views: 1,101
I think that if it was a manfrotto bag, the bag would work well on the side. However, since it is a different brand, I think that the tripod is the subject and the bag is just a supporting object. However, for that role, I like the placement of the bag.

I wish I could see the feet of the tripod.

And I want to point out: the really right stuff tripod ad that runs in magazines has some olympus pen digital camera on it and is fairly obviously photoshopped on top of a rock. Nothing against olympus, but how many people lay out the money for a RSS setup who shoot on a tiny oly? So, I think, over all, these pictures of actual products in the field are already better than the magazine ad run by one of the highest end stabilization companies.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 06-28-2013, 03:55 PM  
Used tripod legs
Posted By dmort
Replies: 12
Views: 1,647
You do and you don't. My tripod doesn't get me to eye level. When I'm shooting landscapes - I tend to compose with live view and zoom in on the lcd to manually focus. In that situation, I don't mind.

Shooting anything, however, through the view finder, is a pain if it is more than a few shots. However, my back appreciates the lighter weight.

If you don't have a need for small and light, I'd go to eye level.
Forum: Sold Items 06-28-2013, 03:51 PM  
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 24mm F2.8
Posted By dmort
Replies: 4
Views: 701
damn... second in line.
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