|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-17-2019, 01:00 PM
|
| |
The 67 lenses are so numerous (in medium format terms, anyway!) and long-lived that it would be a mistake to generalise. Some of them wouldn't do justice to a modern, high-resolution camera like the 645D/Z. Others are worthy partners. Although I have some of the newer digital lenses, I still use some of the 67 glass. The 6x7 75mm f2.8AL is superb. The 6x7 200mm f4 (final version) isn't stellar but, in my view, better than the 645 equivalent. The 6x7 300mm f4 EDIF and 400mm f4 EDIF lenses are first rate and preferable in results to their 645 counterparts. Good results can be expected from the 6x7 55mm f4 (final version). And you get distinctive character from the 6x7 105mm f2.4 lens (not world class resolution, but a feel that you won't get with another lens). You can also use the 6x7 55-100 lens with confidence. So there are some good options. But the rest I am happy to let go, in preference to the 645 alternatives.
Hope this helps!
Ed
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-16-2019, 08:32 PM
|
| |
Well, one can use 6x7 lenses on a 645d or z of course. I have, as I have both 6x7 and 645n systems, and this year upgraded to a 645z. Honestly, as I already had a collection of A and FA 645 lenses, much prefer those than the 6x7 lenses. Is it worth it get the 645z? Yep, sure is IMHO. But I'd really try to have a few lenses made for the 645 mount.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-16-2019, 10:17 PM
|
| |
"I guess what I'm wondering is if the 67 lenses would be good enough"...
What!?
Let's start you on the bottom rung. There are a number of excellent performers in the big (and sometimes bulky/heavy) 67 lens neighbourhood, and a couple of stellar apo ones that will set you back a fair amount. You must be aware of the various designations of the Pentax 67 lenses that point directly to the era in which they came out, the earliest being the Takumars, which are not always good value or for that matter, nor are they the best optical performers; some are, but a lot more are not a patch on later iterations. Then came the Pentax 6x7 and finally, the SMC Pentax 67-designated lenses from 1989-1990 onward, with optical updates (although they are still old Biogon and Distagon optical designs), and cosmetic tweaks that bring a more modern and easy-handling feel. You will need an adaptor to use any lens on the 645Z, and there will be no electronic communication from the camera to the lens and vice versa. It's a rather clunky set up and from the feedback I have received from colleagues, not one that is going to please everybody making an investment in a digital body but using analogue lenses, particularly older types.
I have a few theories as to why your Pentax 67 stopped working, from the limited amount of information provided, and this sort of thing is very common with people who are not fully up to speed on the idiosyncracies of these cameras. They don't just stop working without a reason — something has to be done for that to happen! They do have their tricks and traps, but nothing the cluey and careful cannot overcome with confidence. I hope you have it reset or, at worst, repaired and bring it back into active service.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-17-2019, 01:36 AM
|
| |
I bought a 645D and for a while only used 6x7 lenses with the Pentax adapter. When shooting this combination you get focus confirmation and Manual & Av exposure modes with open aperture metering (if the camera is set to another mode it simply drops seemlessly into the above). Once the lens is attached, apart from perhaps being bulky, operation is straight forward.
The 6x7 lenses are good enough for the D, some of the later 67 types are very good (45, 55/4, 55-100, 200/4). The biggest problem is a wide angle (with the crop factor), the A/FA 35mm is supposed to be very good, I went for the FA33-55 zoom which gets variable reviews but is good enough if you're careful.
Edit: The FA 645 lenses are more convenient, the FA45-85 is a very good 35-70 equivalent.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-17-2019, 08:02 AM
|
| |
Just an aside to this conversation -- if you think you will be interested in IR work the limited tests I've done with 67 100mm macro and the 67 120mm soft show the lenses to have virtually no hotspots on an IR converted sony a7rii -- in fact these two lenses performed better than anything else I've tested so far. I did not have the chance to test any of the other 67 lenses and I just picked up the late version of the 67 55mm on ebay and I'm really hoping this performs as well as the other two lenses.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-17-2019, 06:03 AM
|
| |
The latest 6X7 lenses perform wonderfully on my 645Z. I have a 75 mm f/2.8 AL, a 100 mm f/4 Macro, a recently acquired 55-100 mm f/4.5 Zoom and an M* 300 mm f/4 Telephoto and, altough they are heavy and manual-focus only, give excellent results with the original Pentax adapter. On A-mode, they provide automatic exposure with the 645Z. I mainly use 645 FA Zooms (45-85 mm f/4.5, 80-160 mm f/4.5 and 150-300 mm f/5.6) when I am in a hurry as they are Autofocus and lighter overall though. I'm a landscape photographer, I use a heavy tripod most of the time and my secret is "ALWAYS USE f/11" with 645 and 6X7 lenses.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-17-2019, 04:57 AM
|
| |
I've never had a 67 body but I do have (and use) seven 67 lenses on my 645Z.....manual focus aside, they're pretty seamless in operation.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
11-16-2019, 10:26 PM
|
| |
I understood what you were considering doing. Long ago, when I didn't know a lot, I thought that getting used 645 lenses for my APS-c camera would give me better pictures because the lenses were so much bigger or better. I've since learned that isn't the case for a lot of reasons, some of which has been written about on this site somewhere. I believe that things like older 6x7 lenses with out modern coatings, on a 645z would be about the same experience was you've seen on your Sony - the results would be ok, just nothing to get excited about. If I recall correctly, my experience with my 6x7 lenses on my z were just that, ok but not really good. I recall some issues in metering with 6x7 lenses, some overexposure I believe. I really can't be more specific that that. I will say that my 6x7 300mm lens and 135mm macro lenses worked fairly well on the z.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Medium Format
01-09-2018, 10:12 AM
|
| |
67 and 6x7 are two different generations of the camera. The difference is cosmetic when it comes to the folding hood. And for lenses, a few did get new optical formulas but most only had cosmetic housing changes.
 Pentax 67 and 6x7 Generations by tuco, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
12-28-2017, 08:18 PM
|
| |
Up to 100mm is fairly easy with some practice. Do a precise calibration to improve tracking. Sample below. 60 seconds and I probably could have gone longer.
Going beyond 100mm, as much as 300mm, can work. It gets more finicky. Composition becomes more of a challenge if you don't know exactly where to aim.
 Lagoon Nebula and Neighbors by John Speroni, on Flickr
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
12-03-2017, 04:20 PM
|
| |
The creative control is entirely up to you, Reivax. You can use one flash as I did below to get an even exposure from top to bottom the way you do in fashion photography. It's more distant and positioned lower than simply pointed at the forehead as some of your examples might be, and the harder shadows make for an editorial, contrasty look as you might find on a magazine cover.
This may not suit you.
You'd otherwise fill the torso and legs separately with say a lowered umbrella, maybe a stop down from the face, for which you might use a gridded softbox or even a beauty dish. You'd be achieving a softer look.
Part of the reason those other photographers have tolerated underexposed legs is that another light can influence the background illumination, too, whereas a single light up high pointing down 45 degrees is hitting the floor. But hey, we're photographers, we're big boys, we know we have to get both the background and subject lit the way we like, that's the art of the setup. :)
 |
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
05-23-2017, 10:31 AM
|
| |
I am really an amateur at retouching! Never been patient enough to go through any course on the subject in length. I would like to know what can be done really with one of my photos! This will let me know if it's really worth going through a course myself sometimes. I am sharing this photo in DNG. Anyone here can retouch it as they wish AS LONG AS THEY SHARE THE RESULT BACK IN TIFF format. If you are generous enough to explain the procedure of how you came to such a result, it will be even most welcomed. Thanks a lot in advance:
Dropbox - Rouma in Pamplemousses-4948.dng |
|
Forum: General Photography
05-19-2017, 05:55 AM
|
| |
My 2c worth.... in Pentax land, unless your life revolves around shooting little skitish birds on sticks.... the K-1 every day. You Sigma will give better IQ with the K-1 over a K3..... and you'll love it.
This image is a 1/3 crop of a K-1 image (12mp)..... I printed it 24" square on canvas at 150dpi and sold three copies recently at a show here ($285 each.... print cost $45) and got $1,000 prize money for second place.... iso 2,000 as well.
I have a K3 and K-1.... and after just shooting everything for something to do (retired)..... I'd now take the K-1 and just get closer to get THE shot.... not just lot's off shots....
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-12-2017, 02:34 AM
|
| |
+1 for Vuescan (professional edition). Supports a lot of different scanners and is available for evaluation
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-11-2017, 10:34 PM
|
| |
Vuescan has many controls and I recommend it highly.
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-11-2017, 09:42 PM
|
| |
I recently got a Canon 9000F Mk2 scanner and have been scanning family slides. I have been using the software that came with the scanner. If I just need to scan a single photo, I have used the acquire feature in both Paint.net and PSE 9 (Adobe calls it something else in PSE, I just don't remember what it is called.)
PSE and so I guess PS also have a selection for separating photos after being scanned but I have never tried it yet.
|
|
Forum: General Photography
01-17-2017, 11:58 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: General Photography
01-18-2017, 07:46 AM
|
| |
Not to be difficult but those links show $60 and up devices. I got one years ago and it was cheap but these days it doesn't seem economical. Plus adding the adapter adds weight. It may be better to sell the existing head and buy the new one.
---------- Post added 01-18-17 at 09:51 AM ----------
I did find on eBay some reasonably priced options:
Look at this on eBay
Hiro DACH-01 50mm Clamp QR 3/8" w 1/4" Adapter Arca Compatible NEW
Brad Shea
|
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
12-21-2016, 08:43 PM
|
| |
The other reason I was eyeing the lensbaby was because of the aperture stop down thingies that I could use in my auto 110 lenses. But honestly, for the price of those plus shipping to Australia, it's just not worth it. I am a little shocked at how expensive it all is.
I've seen lots of tilt shift adapter thingies where you can mount helios lenses. It is tempting. But I think I'll just stick to my other little projects for now. So many things to explore. So little time!!!
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-02-2016, 03:47 PM
|
| |
Meh.
I look through the viewfinder and memorize what I see.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-17-2016, 08:36 PM
|
| |
Well, here's LeRolls' wonderful effort in the Soviet Lenses Club.
The Helios/Jupiters do smooth bokeh as well with backgrounds lacking highlights.
 |
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-17-2016, 01:57 AM
|
| |
For Lightroom 5 and later, this is no longer the case - rather transcribing the information, here's the link to what I've just used to install the profiles -
Lightroom 5 Default Locations
..... (edit) except that the DCAMPROF profiles are not being picked up by Lightroom (all of the Huelight ones and my own Colorchecker ones are there to be used).
So I don't know what's happened.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2016, 01:15 PM
|
| |
vintage lenses can have an advantage in manual focusing because no compromises have been made to accommodate af. the various optical shortcomings of older tech can also add a lot of character to images.
 |
