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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-14-2014, 01:24 PM
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I love the pictures Normhead. I have always favoured the normal range for my photos from years of bicycle touring where I was restricted to weight. Now as a sixty year old with a bad knee, keeping it light makes it more enjoyable for me, and so what I carry has changed. I have always favoured primes and old habits die slowly. Typically I have favoured using my 31 and brought other Limiteds depending on where I was going. The 20-40 is good enough to leave three lenses home if I want to go light (it took a while for the 31 to be left behind) and the 15 and 100 are nice and complement it.
Most of my local hikes do not have high potential for wildlife, but the 60-250 will go if I think I need it. If I was in Algonquin Park, it would be worth the weight. One of these days I may come up to enjoy your camp and I promise to bring the appropriate lens coverage. The knee has to get better.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-14-2014, 09:34 AM
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I had the 18-135 for quite a while and found it to be a decent lens. I found that it was weaker at the long end and I was not happy personally with the results given what I could produce with my primes. As a result when the 20-40 Limited came out last year, I ordered it since I was going on a trip to Mexico. I had also acquired my DA*60-250 and with those 2 lenses (plus DA15) covered my needs.
The 20-40 produces excellent photos in the range I shoot most often. It is weather sealed and so light that I can take the best long telephoto that I own. I sold the 18-135 and have never regretted it. The 20-40 now is my most used lens and even the 31 gets less use.
I guess it comes down to what you like. I personally would rather miss the shot most times than compromise the quality I expect. In reality, that rarely happens since I usually have an idea what I am going to shoot and have the appropriate lens mounted. Frequently out hiking and when weight is a consideration, I have the 20-40 on the camera, and the 15, 70 and DFA 100wr in the bag. Most of the time the 70 does not get used but it is small.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
02-23-2014, 05:36 PM
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As stated earlier, it depends on your needs. I have the K-3 and upgraded from the original K-5. The K-3 to me is worth the extra investment for many reasons but the most important to me are improved AF (big improvement), processing speed, improved AWB and the list goes on. I have a large investment in good glass and the K-3 shines with them. The on demand anti-aliasing filter is another useful feature. If you can afford it, I would go for the best. I would say the same for lenses as well. I have had an FA31 for a year and a half and my only regret was that I waited as long as I did to acquire one.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
12-30-2013, 03:25 PM
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Fantastic post, I personally hate doing weddings for all of the reasons you covered so well. I did a couple for friends during the 70's and found the experience to be more frustrating than satisfying. I love taking photos, but on my own terms. Let people that like doing it, do it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-24-2013, 02:28 PM
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You must not have an FA31 if you are asking that question. Not a chance.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-24-2013, 02:25 PM
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I second the motion Ron. My only regret when I got the FA31 was that I waited as long as I did. It is my finest lens and I have a lot of very good ones.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
12-23-2013, 03:59 PM
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I have had the 20-40 for a few weeks now. It is certainly a very good lens. I also have the Fa31 which is the best lens I have ever owned. If I could only have one it would be the FA31, simply the best. The new Limited zoom is a wonderful walkabout lens and I am glad that I have both. In fact on hikes, the 20-40 is so light, It makes taking the 60-250 a viable option for this almost 60 yr old hiker. Another excellent lens on the K3.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-23-2013, 07:20 AM
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I have an Asus Vivobook which is an 11.6 inch screen, weighs less than 3 pounds, and cost less than $500. It has a 500gb hard drive and runs Photoshop Elements very well. Great for travel and has a touch screen. The dual core processor is more than adequate for the task.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2013, 06:37 AM
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Good advice. The DA Limiteds are very nice IQ, well made and extremely light. They are however like chocolates, it is hard to stop at one.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-19-2013, 06:24 AM
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I would also recommend the 18-135. I purchased one a few years ago for a trip to Maui and it was great for versatility and the WR came in handy in the rainforest. I also had my DA Limiteds with me, but the 18-135 was the walkabout lens.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-13-2013, 08:06 PM
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Regardless of cost, no zoom lens is going to equal quality primes, zooms are a compromise. And in my opinion, the prices of the Limiteds are reasonable. Ask any Canon and Nikon user what they have to pay for highest quality glass.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-13-2013, 10:52 AM
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I agree that you need a focus adjustment. My 20-40 is producing great IQ for a zoom lens and Is a great walkabout. If you are expecting it to be the equal of the FA31 or 43, you are being unrealistic. Great primes will win every time, especially the FA Limiteds. However, the 20-40 is the best zoom in it's range that I have owned and is well balanced and light.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-12-2013, 09:06 AM
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Resistance to LBA is futile, you know you want it.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-12-2013, 06:03 AM
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I totally agree. The 55-300 is a nice lens, but not in the same class as the 60-250. I have the non WR and have had the 60-250 for about a month. The 55-300 will only be used when weight is an issue.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-11-2013, 04:43 PM
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I have had the 20-40 for a week and am very happy with the quality on my K3. I have had the 17-50 Tamron and it is a good lens and is well priced. I might get a Sigma 18-35 for specific uses but it is way too heavy for a walk about all day lens. The 20-40 Limited is more costly than the others but it's build and quality are immediately evident. It weighs under 300g and carries great all day. It complements my primes and will get a lot of usage.
I find many of the debates interesting. Cost and sharpness are two considerations but are not the only considerations for me, ergonomics and balance on a camera are also important. I don't put a lot of stock in photographing brick walls, I prefer to look at my own photos and I can say that the 20-40 is worthy of its label. I have several Limiteds and it is worth my considerable investment. It is very sharp by the way, great colour and it is weather sealed which is a bonus.
Each person makes there own choices based on what they consider important. If you want a quality zoom that covers a very useful range, feels comfortable being carried around your neck all day, is quiet and weather resistant, and looks great to boot, buy one. The weight saved will likely mean that I take the 60-250 on more hikes, a great tandem for IQ. Add the DA 15 and I cover everything I want.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
12-04-2013, 06:20 PM
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I got mine from Burlington Camera today.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-02-2013, 10:26 AM
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No brainer, get the two DA primes, gives you a nice normal(35) and a good 50.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-28-2013, 08:29 AM
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Do it, you will not regret it. You can always eat Kraft Dinner for a couple months if you have to.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
11-17-2013, 07:03 PM
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I have done it both ways. I have a high quality Canon Flatbed scanner. The software allows multiple photos to be scanned and the F.A.R.E. Software is pretty good at fixing imperfections. Even with those capabilities it is a slow process. I have also used my DSLR with a macro lens in a well lit room using an easel. At first I tripod mounted the camera but found hand holding the camera was faster and as long as I was parallel gave great results. I simply cropped the excess (easel) in Photoshop Elements later and can do a lot of pictures quickly once you have the process down pat. I found vivid to be best for colour photos. My suggestion is try your DSLR as you probably don't need to buy anything. See if it meets your needs.
I use my DFA 100 Macro at F4-5.6. The room I use has white fluorescent lighting and It is bright enough. It does a good job and is fast. I use up to ISO 400 on my K5, likely the same with the K3 I just acquired. In my experience most people get frustrated with the slowness of scanning (that includes me) and end up avoiding the task. With a little practice, using the camera is more productive. Given the high pixel count of current cameras, you can crop a lot which means that you are using the sharpest part of the lens. Just use the lens with the least geometric distortion. A decent 50mm lens would also work well.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-12-2013, 03:27 PM
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I have the FA31 and have also used my DA40 and DFA100 since getting the K3. The K3 is more detailed and every other aspect of the camera is improved over the K5 which was a wonderful camera. Even my old Sigma Autofocus 75-200 f3.8 performed well at two basketball games.
In my opinion the K3 is a no brainer for lots of reasons.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-12-2013, 09:45 AM
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To take advantage of the improved IQ, better lenses are required and worth the investment. The improvements in the K3, especially AF and WB, speed of processing need to be factored in to the decision. Eventually, improving your lenses will be a great investment.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-03-2013, 04:10 PM
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I have the FA 31 as my general purpose lens and it is worthy of its reputation. I also have the DA 40 and still use it a lot for its size. If not for the 31, it would still be the number one walkaround lens. I had the 35 Macro and sold it only because I prefer longer Macro lenses.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-30-2013, 04:42 PM
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The best selection of lenses is at the Downtown Toronto Henry's store which is about 90km away. The local Henry's in Cambridge will always bring in most lenses as long as they are stocked, unfortunately the FA31 is a special order.
Normhead, if you want to try my FA31, just invite me up to Algonquin Park sometime if you dare. The FA 31 is worthy of your interest, I was lucky enough to find a used one at the Henry's Digital Imaging show.
For other Ontario people, check out Burlington Camera. They are a great independent store that gives great trades and I just picked up my K3 this afternoon. They regularly get in good lenses. Ask for Joan and she will tell you what they have currently. They have a basic website.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-27-2013, 07:46 PM
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I shoot a lot of sports and never use a filter. A lens hood is always used and I have never had any issues. Personally IQ is my primary consideration and I don't think a filter would prevent damage to a lens when pucks or basketballs are involved.
It depends on your preference, personally I consider a protective filter a waste of money.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-22-2013, 07:17 PM
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