Forum: Lens Clubs
07-05-2012, 11:45 AM
|
|
I don't have any flare spots when I use my SP 200-500 f/5.6. I also don't use a filter on the front. Lens hood is used pretty much all the time because the front element is so large.
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-30-2011, 10:30 AM
|
|
Aleonx3 is right, Germar. There are plenty of situations where I don't need the reach but the speed. Granted, that isn't as much of an issue with the addition of the K-5; however, there are occasions (e.g., portrait work and covering smaller venues) where the 50-135 simply is more convenient to use.
HTH
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-29-2011, 11:41 AM
|
|
It's almost two months since you posted. Did you decide? I have the 16-50, 50-135 and the 60-250, and I cannot imagine taking the 50-135 out of the mix.
|
Forum: General Talk
01-03-2011, 08:02 PM
|
|
If only I had a quarter for every time I've heard comments along those lines in the past 5 years... LOL
|
Forum: General Talk
01-03-2011, 05:53 PM
|
|
Sorry your trust was abused, but I'm sure it was a lesson well-learned. Sharing your experience here will help warn the less savvy.
Depending on your jurisdiction and your card issuer, the window to file a dispute is 60 days and it typically must be written.
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-03-2011, 05:04 PM
|
|
There should be warning to don the bib before opening this thread. :D
Thanks so much for sharing these so that we could live vicariously.
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-03-2011, 10:03 AM
|
|
Have never shot with a Kx, however, all Pentax bodies in default configuration tend to expose by 1/3-stop. It's by design to preserve detail in highlights.
The difference seen between your Kx and your friend's K200D can be attributed to differences in their sensors (design and age). Also, had your friend followed the common practice of applying a +.03 EV compensation? Some folks set it and leave it, forgetting allow for it when they are comparing apples to oranges.
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
01-02-2011, 10:05 PM
|
|
While I was waiting to 'invest' in my first AF-540, I purchased one of the Digital Concepts for Pentax. It was model 952AF/PEN which tilts/swivels, offers a pull-out wide-angle diffuser and catchlight cards and offers less power than the AF-540. I paid $110 for mine 2 years ago. Since then, I've seen it priced as low as $80.
It seems to perform well via PTTL, however, I tend to prefer to rely on external meter and manual control.
Here's a thread from 2008 that mentions it. MattDM gathered information on a bunch of flashes. You may find that useful, too.
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-24-2010, 06:10 PM
|
|
I second the Corel Graphics Suite recommendation. I have used Draw and its companions since version 2. It's great to be able to upgrade the entire suite for less than it costs to upgrade Photoshop alone. Heck, you can purchase the full suite--not an upgrade for approximately 1/3 less than the cost of the full version of Photoshop.
Also, versions X4 and X5 of the suite have a built-in RAW converter. I prefer LR for conversion of RAW files but it's nice to know that I wouldn't need to shell out additional funds if I were looking for an all 'round graphics solution.
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-29-2010, 04:11 PM
|
|
I understand. I, too, am a privacy nut and a control freak. You also have the option to ensure that your images aren't searched, tagged or crawled. Mine aren't. You can upload video clips there, too.
Good luck on the hunt and let us know if you find a satisfactory solution. Cheers!
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-29-2010, 05:48 AM
|
|
I don't use Paint Shop but I do know that Corel has implemented software to protect their software. If your PC is locked down regarding "behind the scenes" activity, this could be the cause of your problem.
Research PsiService_2.exe--it's used by DxO's software, too.
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-29-2010, 05:42 AM
|
|
Mike, I don't know of any server application, however, I do like Smugmug. No need for your relatives to sign up to view. No advertisement surrounding your images and NO SPAM. LOL You can create private, unpublished galleries that can be password protected individually or you can create a family password that allows the grandparents and select others to view everything you upload of the little angel(s).
Also, there's none of that "your images belong to us {insert name of service} because you've uploaded to our servers" nonsense.
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-29-2010, 03:28 AM
|
|
Using gas driving to a place where you pay to have your documents/images printed is cheaper than buying ink and printing @ home? Who knew?!
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-29-2010, 03:00 AM
|
|
Another option is to consider an online retailer that offers the systems you want/need at prices that make more sense for the consumer. Lots of folks choose Dell because of their convenient payment plans. Consumers pay for the convenience by overpaying for the system and an extended warranty or repair components.
My favorite place to buy systems and parts if I'm upgrading or repairing one: Tiger Direct (not affiliated--just a happy customer for 20+ years). When buying a system, I don't go for the well-known name brands (also available there); my interest is in performance so I opt for the best specs that closely matches my dream configuration and the actual budget.
The dream configuration is usually the one that has the latest and greatest CPU, motherboard with a screaming FSB, a full-load of the fastest RAM, high-performance graphics card (w/lots of dedicated RAM) and as much storage as I can cram into the case. And don't forget a chassis designed for lots of air flow and ease of installation, a heavy duty power supply, and fans a-plenty to keep things cool to extend the life of your system. To build that kind of system, ordering parts within a short time-frame, usually ends up in the neighborhood approaching $3K USD.
For between $900 - $1,500, I have purchased systems with nearly top of the line specs from that source.
|
Forum: Photographic Technique
08-26-2010, 10:27 PM
|
|
My eyes aren't what they once were, either. Try shooting with the trifocals with insufficient correction for extremely close work. My former eye doctor, in his infinite wisdom, decided that I should purchase a second pair of glasses for extremely close vision. The fact that many of his patients allowed his in-house optician to fill the prescriptions he wrote may have been a factor. He guessed wrong. :p
Cannot wait for the new glasses with this year's correct prescription.
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-13-2010, 12:42 AM
|
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-17-2010, 11:03 AM
|
|
Have you enabled use of manual lenses via the menu?
What aperture (f-stop) are you using when you get the results? (If it's a manual lens, you must choose your f-stop via the ring on the lens.)
Can you share an image to show us what is happening? It helps us to help you pin down any possible issues.
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-15-2010, 07:24 PM
|
|
LOL! There's nothing wrong with a book that gives you a basic understanding. It's a starting point and a decent reference for someone who has no prior training/experience/knowledge.
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-09-2010, 05:51 AM
|
|
Pentaxie, I definitely would agree that distance from NYC is a problem for you. I encourage Kerrick to visit your part of the world after his visit to the central portion of the United States. :D
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-08-2010, 05:14 PM
|
|
Would love to attend such an event. Unfortunately, distance is an issue. Please consider something similar at a location closer to the Mississippi River.
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-25-2010, 01:44 PM
|
|
I would update to version 1.03 (latest). It should help improve the SR performance and clean up *some* of the noise for images taken with the 2-second self-timer.
You won't need to install version 1.01 (there wasn't a 1.02) because the latest update always includes the changes implemented in previous firmware versions.
HTH
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-10-2010, 09:10 PM
|
|
What do you know? The *istDS twins, K10D and K20D work as well today as they have always. The discontinued manual lenses do a fantastic job, too. :ugh: :D
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-08-2010, 10:04 PM
|
|
Let's just say that I left the 2nd tier behind a long time ago...and there's at least $6K in that wish list at B&H.
*hangs head*
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-07-2010, 08:31 PM
|
|
Formatting of any kind simply removes the index file that contains pointers to the beginner (header) of data files. There are utilities readily available to consumers that will recover files from cards that have undergone Canon's low-level format. You may have to spend a bit of $$ but it's possible.
I use a disk wiping utility (writes zeros to each data location) to avoid having information getting into the wrong hands from old media.
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-07-2010, 08:02 PM
|
|
Since we wish to be pedantic... ;)
Adobe usually offers a break when you purchase Photoshop CS and Lightroom as a bundle.
As of this writing, the released versions are: PSCS4 and LR 2.6.
:D
|