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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest 05-26-2014, 08:13 PM  
People Submission Post!
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 1
Views: 734
The hardest and best photo I've had the opportunity to take.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 11-01-2013, 04:38 AM  
The DA limited is 20-40? and WR?!
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 1,331
Views: 194,907
If the IQ holds up, then the 20-40 sounds like an ideal street/travel lens.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-16-2013, 06:40 AM  
Need advice : Rebuilding lens lineup
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 8
Views: 1,596
Since you already have an M9, you might prefer your DSLR setup to have maximum differentiation from your rangefinder setup. As you already know, the advantages of the M9 is in its access to Leica glass, its small size, its quiet shutter, its full frame sensor, and in the silky smooth workflow. The disadvantages of the M9 are in its lack of autofocus, plus its general inability to use zooms, macros, or long telephotos.

(The K-5iis also has a technically superior sensor, with emphasis on the word "technically". I don't like pixel peeping or placing too much stock in DxOMark, especially when we're comparing apples to oranges, but the K-5iis does have better high ISO performance, especially when it comes to dynamic range.)

Looking at it that way, let's think about what lenses would best take advantage of the Pentax K-5iis, especially as compared with the M9.

The 21mm is great if you'd like your K-5iis to have a quasi-rangefinder feel. It's a tiny, sharp lens with excellent, trademark Pentax colors. It's a slow-ish lens, but it's sharp wide open, and you can use the Pentax at higher ISOs than you can your M9.

As for your walkaround zoom: if you don't need weather sealing, then I would strongly urge you to consider the Sigma 17-50. The IQ truly is top notch - tack sharp in the center wide open, prime sharp when stopped down. Smooth bokeh and gentle Sigma colors. I have found the AF to be quiet and reliable. You may have to spend a few minutes doing AF fine tuning to get the lens just right, but once it's done, it's done. The build quality on the Sigma is more than good enough for real world use.

I've heard too many mixed reports about the Pentax 16-50 to spend any time or money on one. I've tested a few out, but the AF always felt poky. What's more, nobody seems to think that the Pentax 16-50 is nearly as sharp wide open as its competitors from Tamron and Sigma. The Pentax costs much more than the Sigma and the Tamron, so if you don't need that weather sealing, then you're really only paying for the name.

It's sort of funny, to think that you could wind up with Leica lenses for your M9 and Sigma lenses for your Pentax, but hey, whatever works.

FWIW, for my WR lenses, I use a Pentax 18-135 WR (and a Pentax 100 Macro WR). The 18-135 is slower than the 16-50, of course, but it's reliable, it's durable, it has a wider range, it will never have SDM failure, and what's more, the image quality is actually quite good for its price and capabilities. There's no point in quibbling over corner sharpness if using the 18-135 means that I actually get the shot, as opposed to missing out because I was using something "nicer", but less flexible, especially if the 16-50 is going to be scarcely any better at f4 or f5.6. I can carry one in my backpack and not worry if it gets wet or banged around.

As for other lenses to get, it might seem a bit obvious, but people love the Limiteds. They're all good. Find a focal length you like and just get one. The 31mm is a logical choice for a fast, premium normal lens. The 35mm Macro is a weird idea, but there's a lot to be said for weird ideas, especially since you can't do macro on a rangefinder. People have fun with the 15mm, especially since it's so tiny, but it might be weird to have both the 8-16 and a 15mm prime.

I used to have the 70mm, and while on the one hand it had some of the best IQ that I've ever seen in a lens, I also didn't take nearly enough portraits for it to be worth my while. The lack of close focussing didn't help, either. That said, the idea of a high-quality pancake telephoto is actually pretty cool - it'd be great for event photography.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-16-2013, 05:34 AM  
D FA Macro 100 / Tamron 90 Macro: Good for events?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 22
Views: 3,046
I've used both lenses for this kind of purpose. They're both excellent.

In particular, when Occupy Wall Street was at Zuccotti Park, I frequently used the Tamron 90mm to get portraits in the crowd. Even in the dim, shady, crowded world of OWS, I found the Tamron to be an extremely reliable performer.

I have since swapped out the Tamron for the Pentax, but for now the Pentax is mostly used just for true macro work.

Each lens has its ups and downs. Your preference will come down to your own workflow.

The Tamron has a focus limiter, which is important when you're using it in a non-macro context. With the limiter on and when using AF, the Tamron does not hunt for focus, even in low light. The Pentax, however, sometimes hunts in low light in some situations, especially if there are many different things happening on various planes of focus. The Pentax still has good AF - I've only seen it flip out a few times.

However, the Tamron also has a funky clutch-shift focus switch, which many people dislike. It only takes two seconds to switch from AF to MF, but a lot can happen in a second. (To be honest, the process reminds me of clearing the slide on a gun.) This process is doubly weird on a Pentax, because you wind up having to flip both the Tamron's switch and the switch on the camera itself. You get used to it, though.

The Pentax, on the other hand, not only switches to MF in a normal fashion, but it even lets you use Quick Shift. Speaking just for myself, I don't use Quick Shift all that often on any lens, but that's just my own style and lack of practice.

Personally, I think the Tamron has a slight edge as an event lens, simply because of the focus limiter, but it's a very close race. The AF on the Pentax really is fine most of the time.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-16-2013, 05:11 AM  
DA 35mm f2.4 AL vs M 50mm f1.7
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 23
Views: 11,825
Get the 35 2.4! Everyone should have this lens. The IQ is excellent and the price is right. Shooting will be so much easier when you have a true "normal" for the APS-C sensor.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-16-2013, 05:05 AM  
1.08x-1.58x Magnifying Magnifier Eyepiece
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 17
Views: 4,852
If you wear glasses, take note: the Pentax magnifying eyepiece is hard to use when wearing glasses. This might be the "straw that breaks the camel's back" for me to finally get contacts or Lasik...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-10-2013, 05:48 AM  
What's up with the DA21?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 23
Views: 3,074
Interesting observation! I don't think there's any conscious plan behind it, though.

The 21mm Limited is a very, very good lens. It's small and has excellent IQ. It's sharp across the frame and has great colors.

My theory: the lens is a victim of its own success. The 21mm focal length makes it very appealing for a first Limited purchase, as it's a classic "street wide" on APS-C. However, some of those same people may find that they don't use it as often as they had anticipated. People certainly buy the lens. Speaking for myself, I sadly report that it sits in my camera drawer more than it should. I love it and I use it, but relative to its own qualities, some of my cheaper lenses can be more appealing at various times.

The thing is, if I want a sharp, fast prime for indoor use, I'll probably use my DAL 35 2.4 instead. The extra 2/3 stop of light really does come in handy, plus the "normal" focal length is a good compromise between wide and long. The IQ is also relatively equal between them, as the 35 2.4 is famously excellent.

I also have the DA 18-135 WR, and while of course the 21mm prime is much better optically, the 18-135 is more than "good enough" at 21mm, and it's barely any slower. If I had any of the 2.8 walkaround zooms, it would be even harder to justify the 21mm for indoor use - all those lenses are a touch faster, and as far as IQ goes, the gulf is not so vast among them.

Of course the 21mm is technically better. Of course primes have their own qualities as primes: limiting yourself to one focal length will very often make you a better photographer. Sometimes, zoom lenses can actually slow you down. But, sometimes you really do need that zoom to grab that one shot in a dim room of your cousin falling into a punch bowl, just as you might also not want to deal with your relatives asking you, "how do I zoom this".

I also wonder if some people are disappointed that the wide focal length of 21mm, plus its relative slowness, means that they won't typically get a whole lot of bokeh, unless they're very close to their subject. Many people, especially newbies, are very excited by the idea that a fast prime will give them that bokehlicious "real camera" look. They might not realize at the time of purchase that the 21mm isn't the best tool for that kind of look. They might also not realize at the time of purchase that not every image needs to be shot at 1.8, with only noses in focus. :)

My point is, the 21mm may have an active life on the used market *because* it's so appealing. It's only later that people realize that it's been sitting in their camera bag for a while, and it's worth a few hundred bucks, and they'd rather use those few hundred bucks on something else.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-03-2013, 07:26 AM  
Which lenses for packing light in Europe with toddler?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 33
Views: 3,859
Photozone was even more critical of the Limited's background blur, but you've been satisfied with that one! Either way, Photozone sometimes has credibility issues, but that's a topic for another day (and another sub-board)... :)

The bokeh of the 35 2.4 is more than fine. It doesn't have the creaminess of a Zeiss, or the distinctive character of macro bokeh, but it's perfectly fine. What the lens really has is excellent sharpness and high-quality, Pentaxian color rendition.

As for what to do with your 35 Limited in the event that you purchase a 35 2.4, you could always keep the 35 2.4, for whenever you need both a large aperture and quick AF. The two lenses have two different purposes, even though they share the same focal length. I mean, I do assume that you will hanging out indoors with your family again at some point in the future? ;) So, in that respect, it will continue to be useful for you.

If you ever get tired of it, you could always have the option of selling the 35 2.4, thereby treating it as a long-term cheap rental. It might feel weird psychologically, like you're wasting money, but think about it this way: would you rather spend lots and lots of money by buying the 31mm Limited at its highest price point, or would you rather spend a relatively tiny amount of money getting great photos? As it stands, the 35 2.8 Macro might have strange AF behavior, especially indoors. There's no point in having a fancier lens if you keep missing shots, or if you have to manual focus.

So, yeah, 35 2.4, I stand by that recommendation.

I'm sure the 31mm is excellent, too.

As for serious compacts, if you already have an S95, but you're not satisfied with it, then I'm not sure how much of an IQ difference you'll see in any of the other serious compacts. The Sony RX100 would be a significant step up, but the lens slows down quickly as you zoom out. The background blur difference will be minor, except at the widest focal length and aperture. Check out the FOV equivalency chart on DPReview's review of the Pentax MX-1. The differences are certainly there, but they're not earth shattering. Of current choices, I'd rather have an MX-1, where you have a flippy screen and a lens that is fast all through the focal range.

As for NEX lenses, the Sigma 30mm and 19mm are getting outstanding reviews. Sigma's lenses have become scarily good over the past ten years or so.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-29-2013, 05:40 AM  
Which lenses for packing light in Europe with toddler?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 33
Views: 3,859
You say that you're apprehensively willing to consider the 31mm Limited. So, let's be conservative and say that your budget is about $700 max.

(I don't know where you're from, but I'll be computing prices as if you're from the US - my apologies if that's unhelpful. :) )

If I could only bring one camera, it would be a "serious compact". The best camera is the one you have with you, and so on. The Ricoh GR sounds really terrific, but there are many great options already out there. I have an Olympus XZ-1, which is an "old-timer" relatively speaking, and it's a great camera. The lens is fast and razor sharp. You don't get the shallow DOF of an APS-C sensor unless you're close to your subject. On the other hand, you can shoot at f1.8 without turning everything into Bokehpalooza. Later versions of this camera have improved greatly on the already-excellent design, especially with regard to high ISO performance: I wouldn't go above ISO 800. That said, for outside shots, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between those taken with the XZ-1 and those taken with my K-5. It really is that good.

The best part: I got it used from Adorama for $250, including the 2-year warranty. CHEAP.

Other great used beasties exist. A used Canon S90 will serve you more than well, for example, and it'd be even cheaper than the XZ-1.

You could also look at brand new options, such as the Sony RX100, the Pentax MX-1, etc.

For your DSLR's lens, I think you should consider the Pentax 35mm 2.4, or you should consider the Pentax 18-135 or the Tamron/Sigma 17-50.

The Pentax 35mm 2.4 is small, dirt cheap, it has faster AF than the 35mm Macro, and it has absolutely excellent optics. 2.4 isn't that much slower than 1.8, either, especially if you have a K-5 or later, where you can crank up the ISO. I hear that the 31mm Limited is very nice, but if you're on the fence about it as far as cost is concerned, then you should probably wait. :)

As for the zooms, I know you don't like how bulky they are, but IMHO, there isn't much difference between a DSLR with a prime and a DSLR with a zoom, even when the prime is a pancake. It's going in a bag either way.

The Pentax 18-135 has very good optics, considering what it does. I used to be a fast prime snob, but this lens cured me. Maybe I just have an unusually good copy, but mine has never let me down. The zoom range offers great flexibility. This more than outweighs the minor shortcomings that I see when pixel-peeping. The only disadvantage is that it's slow. It's not a good indoor lens, to be sure, although since it's 3.5 at 18mm, it's barely slower than the 21mm 3.2 in that respect.

As for the Tamron/Sigma zooms, they both have excellent reputations. As long as you know that your copy works before you leave for your trip, there's no reason to worry. I've never had a problem with third-party lenses, but I have had a problem with, say, a bad copy of the Pentax 16-45.

All told, I would consider a used Olympus XZ-1 for $250 and a used Pentax 35mm 2.4 for $200, or I would consider one of the zooms I've already mentioned.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 01-05-2013, 08:47 AM  
Jacob Riis Park
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 0
Views: 531
Jacob Riis Park in NYC.
Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive 12-22-2012, 06:54 AM  
Pentax DA 35mm f/2.4 AL samples
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 103
Views: 53,698
I don't use this lens often enough.
Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive 12-22-2012, 06:47 AM  
Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED samples
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 155
Views: 58,785
This lens is absolutely outstanding for the money. To be fair, I have the DA-L version, but it has the same optical formula.
Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive 12-22-2012, 06:41 AM  
Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 99
Views: 28,646
Just picked up this lens recently. It's been perfect for this wet, warm NYC winter.

The handling, colors, and bokeh are all outstanding. The sharpness seems a bit confusing - sometimes it seems to be as good as my 16-45 or 55-300, but at other times, the borders seem wonky even at f8. I just need to shoot more with it!
Forum: General Talk 11-23-2012, 09:33 AM  
Update Number *Fifteen* from my Afghan Deployment
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 28
Views: 10,035
Fantastic work as always. I can't help but notice that, as good as you were when you started, you are still always improving even beyond that. You should consider assembling these into a well-printed book, when you finally return for good!

Thank you for your service. Be safe and be well.
Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras 08-04-2012, 07:48 AM  
Target to carry WG-1
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 5
Views: 1,464
I needed a durable P&S, so I picked up a (non-GPS) WG-1 at Target for $160. I'm sure the WG-2 is technically an improvement, but I don't much care about the upgrade treadmill. I'm sure that the WG-1 will do everything that I need a P&S to do, and I look forward to putting it through the wringer.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 07-10-2012, 05:30 AM  
MetaFilter features Alex Jansen's (Heie) PF Afghanistan posts!!
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 8
Views: 2,430
The influence of 1999 on web design. :)

If it makes you feel any better, you can turn on the "professional white background" in the preferences if you're a member.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 07-10-2012, 05:18 AM  
MetaFilter features Alex Jansen's (Heie) PF Afghanistan posts!!
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 8
Views: 2,430
MetaFilter is a "best of the web" community blog with high standards, a tight-knit user base, and moderators who are paid, full-time employees. It's cute. Some minor celebrities post there from time to time - Adam Savage from MythBusters, Steve Wozniak, and the guy who heads up In Focus at The Atlantic.
Forum: General Talk 06-24-2012, 06:17 PM  
James Bond Girl Photographed with Pentax
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 7
Views: 1,592
Lucky guy! Please keep us posted.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-15-2012, 05:37 AM  
Which AF mode do you use the most?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 13
Views: 2,716
My understanding is that this you're basically correct. The AF system weighs various factors in order to determine what to focus on. However, when it's too confusing to come up with a clear "winner," the camera will spaz out until the situation becomes more clear. This can be an issue when, say, you're a photojournalist shooting a busy event, where you may know that you want to focus on someone in the back, but the camera can't make heads or tails of which moving blob should be the focus of the scene.

Cambridge Color has a neat article on AF here.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-15-2012, 04:23 AM  
Which AF mode do you use the most?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 13
Views: 2,716
The 5D and the 5D2 both have notoriously terrible autofocus. To be fair to Canon, the 7D AF is quite excellent, although I haven't handled a 7D for long enough to get a firsthand impression.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-15-2012, 02:33 AM  
Which AF mode do you use the most?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 13
Views: 2,716
I've only just recently upgraded from the K10D, and before that I mostly shot with a Canon 5D Classic, so it's interesting seeing how different the AF implementations are.

I use the K-5 with AF-S + Select Point + Shutter Release Priority.

AF-S only because I don't trust AF-C. AF-C was borderline useless on my K10D. I've tried out AF-C on the K-5 for literally just a few seconds, and it seems to be quite a bit better, but I couldn't say for sure until I go birding with it. That said, until then, AF-C isn't really something I touch. AF-C on the K10D always managed to get every single thing except what I wanted in focus. It was like the scene in Through the Looking Glass where Alice was in the shop, and no matter where she looked, the shop's shelves appeared to be empty in her line of sight, but full in the periphery of her vision. Or something like that. To be fair, however, the 5D's equivalent to AF-C never really worked, either. The 5D's AF was about as good as the K10D's.

Select Point AF for obvious reasons. Of course I know what I'd like to shoot better than the camera would! One of the few things I miss from the K10D, however, was the fact that I could select the AF point without having to first hit the center "OK" button. A very minor point, however. (I also preferred the K10D's focus switch - the K-5's focus switch is fine, but it seems needlessly tough to turn. Maybe I just have to get used to it.)

Shutter Release Priority is a new thing I've been doing. I'd rather catch the right moment than wait for the camera to figure out what's in focus. "Sharpness is a bourgeoisie concept", as the old saying goes - or maybe I just say that to justify the 18-55 WR. ;)
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-15-2012, 02:14 AM  
No more tests! just pictures
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 8,069
Views: 1,468,949
There's some great stuff in this picture thread!

Beautiful Seattle pics, DJSponge. Lovely colors.

I'm also digging the Scotland pictures, 99tollap. The highlands look a bit crisper and less foggy than I'd been led to believe! :)

K-5 + 35 2.4





Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 11-02-2011, 08:41 AM  
Pentax AF bodies with pentaprism finders?
Posted By Leopardwizard
Replies: 6
Views: 3,159
I'm a newbie to the world of Pentax, having recently converted from Canon. Needless to say, I've been enjoying it so far!

I already have a Pentax DSLR which I enjoy very much, but I'm looking for a Pentax film SLR which will be equivalent to or better than my Canon Rebel 2000 film SLR. In particular, I'm looking for an autofocus film SLR with a bright (or bright-ish) viewfinder, preferably a pentaprism finder.

I found a Pentax MZ-1 at a thrift shop, but the viewfinder is noticeably dimmer than that of the Rebel.

What are some other options with brighter viewfinders, preferably at $150 or cheaper?
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