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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-23-2010, 02:11 PM
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It is one of the few accessories that I've used the most. I'm not a very good flash photographer, but I'd say that the omnibounce has helped me beyond any other accessory by leaps and bounds. It softens the harsh light perfectly. Now, I was too lazy to make my own, but I've seen some very creative DIY versions, that likely work just as well to soften the light. Whatever you do, soften that harsh flash light and you should see immediate improvement in flash photos.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-23-2010, 11:48 AM
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-16-2010, 09:08 AM
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Same thing here. I work normal business hours so I come into work and leave work in the dark right now. Weekends are the only days to shoot outdoors available light so shooting really takes a back seat during the winter. Add to that the hustle and bustle of the season and the shot counter has really had a break the last month or so.
But I'm stoked about skiing with my camera (opening this weekend), and I'm looking for a carrier that will hold my K-7 and 50-135, maybe that will be my wife's Christmas Present to me.....:D
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-03-2010, 02:57 PM
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I was so afraid of shooting RAW because I'm struggling to learn the "photography" aspect of pictures, that I didn't want to add the layer of computer work to it over and above JPEG file management.
One day I just made the break. After hearing more and more about RAW advantages, and moreso future advantages of what may be possible with RAW that we don't even know about today, I just changed my camera to RAW and shoot that all the time. When I don't have the time or the inclination to spend the effort processing RAW files, I just use my default software conversion to JPEG for e-mail, web-posting, etc. and it minimizes the time. It's essentially the same as letting the camera do the JPEG processing, but I choose which photos to do it to, and let the computer do the heavy lifting.
YMMV
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Forum: Photographic Technique
11-11-2010, 01:11 PM
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Ditto, except it's not 20 years for me yet with Pentax gear. But if I go back to my Dad's gear, we've probably saved enough to buy 40 K-5's instead of spending the $$ on extended warranties. Like my Grandfather used to say - insurance is just a bet that your product is going to fail.
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Forum: Homepage & Official Pentax News
10-26-2010, 08:40 AM
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Only available for residents of the 50 continental US states. Sigh, always a bridesmaid.........:rolleyes:
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Forum: General Talk
10-07-2010, 06:22 AM
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Very interesting debate, and I'm pleasantly surprised to see that everybody's kept the discussion civil.
A few things come to mind from reading all the responses.
Wheatfield - while I can understand your perspective, it is a bit harsh "you should be ashamed of yourselves". Nobody was in the house, and I'd bet my bottom dollar if someone was, those firefighters would have said "to hell with the rules, someone's dying in there". So it was just a matter of property damage. Look at the other perspective - a City pays for all it's fire infrastructure (trucks, equipment, training, volunteers, paid employees, etc.) then someone outside of that city who does not bear any of the financial burden EXPECTS service just because it's the closest fire department. As has been pointed out, this family knew the situation and expressly declined the service, then they EXPECT the service when they need it. It just doesn't make sense to me. If everybody decided to pay ONLY once they had a fire, how could a government maintain a service when they had no idea of whether they could actually afford the costs.
On a more general note - here in Ontario fire service is provided by the City, so my taxes pay for all the equipment, training, etc. If the fire service responds to a motor vehicle collision on the highway, and the person involved is not a resident of the City, they get the service, but then they also get a bill for the actual cost of that specific response (which could be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the nature of the service and equipment that responds). That way, the citizens who pay for that infrastructure don't have to bear the burden of providing services to people who don't pay for it. Seems fair to me. I'll acknowledge that it's different than the above original example in that they actually DO get the service first, then pay later. stevewig suggested this system above, and that's what exists in my City.
Another generalization us Canadians like to make about Americans, is that they will rise up in arms against additional taxation (which we in Canada don't do - we just take it up the butt and move on - why? - I'm not sure). So, try and tell all the rural area people that their taxes will be going up to pay for their proportional share of providing the fire service and see the fight that ensues. In Canada our taxes are death by a thousands cuts, and it's that extra 0.1% + 0.1% + 0.1% etc. that ends up costing us half our yearly income in taxes. Try and do that in the US. BUT - the flip side of not having all those incremental taxes on top of taxes is, that once in a while - your house burns down.
Bottom line is that nobody was hurt, which is the best outcome of a string of dumb decisions by the family.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
10-06-2010, 08:21 AM
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... I'd say YOU have it made, good choice on the wife.
As for the original question, it's a very delicate subject, you have to talk honestly and openly with your wife about it. If there are financial problems in the household maybe her request is a tipping point to start to take responsibility for the finances. I know it's hard to hear, but maybe spending money on camera gear is not a wise decision at this time in your life.
My wife and I don't have separate accounts, it doesn't matter how much either of us makes, it all goes in one account and we each contribute and spend out of that. House and kids come first, then we talk about other expenses. I married her to share my life (which includes my money) not to share parts of my life. What I have is just as much hers as it is mine. We've been together 20 years (married for 12) and have 2 kids, and it feels like we're still dating, it's the best thing in the world to share your life with someone you love - don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Our only rule of thumb, is that purchases over $100 we discuss, but neither of us has ever really said no to the other's spending request (and she has a lot of $99.99 shoes....). As long as the mortgage is getting paid, the heat's on, and there's food in the cupboard, the rest is gravy.
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Forum: General Talk
10-06-2010, 07:46 AM
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The moral of the story: if you want to burn your garbage rather than disposing of it in some other manner, then it might be a good idea to pay the $75 for fire protection. :rolleyes:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
10-05-2010, 01:29 PM
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Luckily I live very close to Pentax Canada and I've walked in on several occasions. I've been very happy with their warranty service and their non-warranty service (my fault for dropping the camera). It was speedy and fixed right.
My only comment would be that their communication leaves something to be desired. E-mail inquiries are either ignored/lost/never responded to..... and telephone inquiries - you better know who you want to speak with or good luck.
Also if you walk in, you have to use the phone to call someone, and if you don't know who, you may have to explain your issue to a few people before the right one comes out front.
A bit cold on the service, but in the end it's the product that matters and I've been happy with that.
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Forum: General Talk
10-05-2010, 12:34 PM
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Forum: General Talk
10-05-2010, 11:17 AM
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What, to charge the grandson who started the fire beside the house?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-05-2010, 10:33 AM
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If you've spent the time and effort (and $$) to purchase a high quality DSLR, then you owe it to yourself to use the equipment to it's potential. That potential can really be realized by shooting RAW. I know you've said you don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time in PP, but you can tweak your default settings in the software and for most images just use the default JPEG conversion on the computer. When you occassionally find an image you'd really like to work on, then take the time with that image. That way you minimize the amount of time you spend in front of a computer, BUT you use your equipment to it's potential and you should see an immediate improvement in your photos.
It's all about learning to use the equipment you have, the K10D is a highly capable camera and you can't fault the equipment if it is not being used to its potential.
Another option is just to tweak the in camera settings to something more pleasing, but that likely means boosting the saturation, contrast, brightness to unnatural levels. Most P & S cameras do this and people like the images, but most people who want more, decide to do their own PP to achieve more natural looking "punch" to their images.
I wouldn't give up on the K10D so fast, it really is a nice camera and it's capabilities are likely greater than those of the user, from what you've posted.
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Forum: General Talk
09-30-2010, 01:44 PM
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Kinda ironic, a thread bitching about bitching.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-30-2010, 10:56 AM
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Doesn't affect IQ so ..... meh!  |
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-30-2010, 10:45 AM
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Kinda cool little commercial. Would like to see it on TV, then I'll start to gain faith in Pentax marketing.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-30-2010, 06:30 AM
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-29-2010, 07:24 AM
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I have one of the third party grips. I got it for $60 from E-Bay and figured vs. the $250+ price of an authentic one I'd give it a try.
For the money, it's fine, but I acknowledge I'm very careful if there's any chance of rain/sand/etc. I won't use it as I don't want to jeapordize my camera just for the sake of having the grip.
That being said, the grip is fine. You can tell it's not high quality in the buttons, and particularly in the power switch, it just feels plastic and cheap. Other than that, it provides all the functions I need and gives the camera the extra size for holding.
Give it a try, and like me, you'll promise yourself that one day you'll get the original weather sealed one, but I probably never will. Can't beat $60 for a battery grip (and IIRC mine came with an extra battery as well).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-29-2010, 07:03 AM
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Wow, thanks for all the detailed information. For a consumer that's research you can't buy...
I'm excited to see the production models getting tested and the AF speed. Although I'm happy with my K-7 for now, I can see wanting the K-5 more and more as they proliferate through the market.
Thanks.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-29-2010, 06:45 AM
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Impressive.
And the photo looks good too...........:cool:
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Forum: General Talk
09-28-2010, 01:36 PM
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I have a pair of OTB Boots, Thor TC
They're awesome, keep you dry and warm (as much as a boot can when you put it in extreme environments). I've even worn them in +40C heat and they felt light and breathable while I was sweating my a$$ off.
Only thing I haven't done with them yet is full submersion in water, but I wouldn't hesitate to head into a stream/creek with them on if I had to.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-28-2010, 07:14 AM
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What's the difference between retail and "pro discount" price?
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Forum: General Talk
09-23-2010, 09:39 AM
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Second story is awesome. Nice people are everywhere and you bumped into them. Thing to keep in mind after a situation like that is to pay it forward.
I try to maintain the belief that inside every human there is a good person, it's VERY difficult at times, but I try and sometimes I'm surprised to be proved right.
Then again - if "being stupid" was a crime, we couldn't build jails fast enough.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-23-2010, 09:32 AM
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Whole issue for me is Henry's pricing (and don't even go near Vistek unless you won the Super 7) which is sky high. I've purchased all my Pentax equipment from the US online and saved loads vs. Henry's. Even taking into account exchange rate, and taxes if they catch it on import.
As for seeing other Pentax shooters, if I EVER see one in S.Ont. it's going to be like seeing a long lost relative. I'd make a point of saying hello. Would other Pentax shooters share that kind of "fringe" bond? Would anybody else say hello to someone just because they're shooting a Pentax??
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-21-2010, 08:52 AM
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Not sure I can directly answer your question, but one distinction he makes is that there is a "technically correct exposure" which can be one of 6 or 7 combinations of aperture and shutter speed (for a given ISO), and then there is a "creatively correct exposure".
I'd say he's usually referring to the latter when he is ready to press the shutter release. It's the exposure he wants and the meter is showing what he wants it to show when he exposes the image.
Just my take....
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