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Forum: Pentax K-01
04-16-2013, 12:10 AM
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Do you really feel like the 40mm can cover the F 50/1.7's duties? I've been thinking of selling my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 because I missed my F 50.
I thought I should post an update here since the K-01 came today.
I love taking photos with this thing. I love focus peaking. And I love the 40mm XS. I've only taken a few test shots around the apartment, and sure they're not worthy of being put in an art gallery by any means, but they were easy and perhaps most importantly of all, fun, to take with this camera. MF is a breeze even with the short throw of lenses designed for AF!
There is another race this weekend, I will be testing out the K-01 there, and if it's manageable I'll be selling the K-7 very shortly. Overall, I'm a happy camper. :)
Shot with the Tamron 28-75 and Focus Peaking. The rest are the DA 40 XS, but also using MF and Focus Peaking
ISO 1600 looks like ISO 200 on the K-7 :lol:
What a goof.
Awwww.
ISO 3200 isn't a wall of rainbow pixels anymore?
The lens is crisper than my scanner, even wide open. It does have seem to have some yellow CA, though.
Yummy. My dinner. When I got home from work at midnight..
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Forum: Pentax K-01
04-10-2013, 02:09 PM
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Thanks for the replies so far!
My concerns regarding actions sports were more that it would be awkward and difficult to hold the camera out away from my face with a longer lens on it than the slower AF, though I do currently rely on AF. It's good to hear that the lack of an OVF doesn't seem to be a concern even for someone used to shooting film, though. That's definitely promising.
As much of a great idea that sounds like, :lol: due to budget I won't be using the DSLR funds for new lenses, so it will pretty much be a 28/2.8, 50/1.7, 90/2.8, and 200/4 manual primes, and a Tamron 28-75/2.8 (unless I sell this, too) and cheap Quantaray 70-300 for AF zooms. I'm sure I would love the 70 ltd, but it's definitely not in the cards for me for the time being :)
Thanks for sharing your experiences - a lot of good insight here. It's sounding like the K-01 will be a pretty good match for me, I'm getting excited :D
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Forum: Pentax K-01
04-10-2013, 12:14 AM
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Haven't had the time to be active here in quite a while, but I'm still shooting as often as I can with my K-7. With the deal that was posted today I finally caved and ordered a K-01, and I'm wondering if any of you found yourselves selling off your DSLR body once getting the K-01?
I really love the ergo's of the K-7, and because of that wanted to pick up a K-5 when I had the chance to upgrade, but I don't see the K-5 dropping to $250 anytime soon :lol: so the same IQ in a bit different package was too much to pass up. Anyway, I'm a grad student, so the budget is tight, so I'm hoping that after using the K-01 for a bit, I'll find that the K-01 isn't handicapped much if at all by the lack of a viewfinder, and that I'll be able to sell off the K-7 while it's still worth something now, and then get a K-5 or K-30 or whatever else is out there when I graduate and get my finances in order.
That being said, I'm just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience, or really disagrees that I'd be able to do that :lol:
I am really looking forward to focus peaking, since my #1 most-used lens is a Pentax-M 50/1.7, but I'm a bit worried that my photographing automotive events will suffer without having a viewfinder, for shots like these (taken this past weekend):
It's not something I do too often, since I'm usually driving in the events if I'm not too busy to go, but it is something I enjoy. So, secondary question: anyone have experience taking action/sports photos with the K-01?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-03-2012, 06:17 PM
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I'm in!
Haven't bought any new lenses since then, and actually sold all of the Pentax branded AF lenses I owned because I more or less lost faith in Pentax. The wide range of affordable lenses is one of the biggest things that drew me to Pentax to begin with.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-09-2012, 10:00 PM
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Why would you do this, knowing that it reduces their life, when there are solutions and tools specific for cleaning lenses/filters?
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-09-2012, 01:30 PM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-09-2012, 12:55 PM
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I used to put one on every lens I owned. Because I put them on all of my lenses, I bought the cheapest ones I could get. I got a new lens that I didn't have the right size filter for yet, and took some pictures without one, and then ordered one for peace of mind, and took some pictures after, and did notice a little difference. Nothing crazy, just enough that I noticed. I have since stopped using them for most purposes - all of the lenses I use now have pretty sturdy hoods, that should protect in case of fall, and if I am shooting somewhere dusty or dirty, I do always carry a filter to use in those cases. I would rather have very slightly degraded image quality than to have to buy a new lens :)
My understanding was a UV filter helped prevent UV radiation/light/whatever from getting to film and altering colors/exposure/or something else, because film was sensitive to UV. From what I've read, digital sensors aren't (as) sensitive to UV, so they're not so necessary anymore. I certainly understand wanting to protect investments though :)
Just my $.02 based on my experience/research. I'm sure many others will have more informed opinions than mine, and will chime in soon.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-09-2012, 12:00 PM
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This thread just became awesome. :lol:
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
05-08-2012, 01:08 PM
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I have no burning desire to own a FF DSLR in the near future. My APS-C cameras serve my needs just fine.
That being said, making a statement like this is IMO ignorant,
Thin DOF is an incredibly useful artistic tool, and just because you choose not to use it for what you shoot, or appreciate it does not mean that it is irrelevant. Having the ability to use a DOF thinner than APS-C can give does not mean you have to use it, it's just another tool that someone else may find useful.. Sure, not every time they take a picture, but it's certainly not 'silly and irrelevant'. I would also like to see the data that your '99.99%' statistic came from.
Nobody?.... What are these?
66_366 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Untitled | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
(not my images)
Again, just because you don't, doesn't meant that no one else does.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
05-07-2012, 01:34 PM
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Click the Windows Icon in the bottom left, then right click 'Computer' (halfway down right column) and click Properties. There will be a section on that page that says: "System Type: 64-bit Operating System" or 32.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
05-07-2012, 01:22 PM
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Is your version of Windows 32 bit or 64 bit? If you installed 64 bit and it works, chances are you made the right choice. 32 bit will work on either one, but 64 should only work on 64-bit Windows, and should be a bit faster.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-02-2012, 11:55 AM
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That's what I'm realizing.. and it sounds like mine is somewhere in the middle, so that it's neither objective nor useful :lol:
Exam in 30 minutes, I will read the rest more closely and respond afterwards.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-01-2012, 11:29 PM
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I will definitely have to look into that, I wasn't aware they did that, and it might explain some differences between what I see in Lightroom while I'm editing, and the final jpg I get at the end.. I actually just set both cameras to that setting - Every photo I take goes through Lightroom (and Topaz if needed), so it doesn't make sense to do it in camera I guess.
I know they're not focused identically, sorry. You can still get a general idea looking at the OOF background I think..
I don't get your last sentence, though. If that were true then K-7 would outperform K-x in low light/high ISO, and it doesn't? Are you just saying that a noisy picture is better than a misfocused/poorly exposed/blurred picture?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-01-2012, 08:41 PM
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^That one. And I did. Also the Quantaray 70-210 manual focus f/something or another.
Other than that, I am having a real hard time selling lenses, despite having DA 40 Ltd, FA 43 Ltd and F 50/1.7.. That 40-50mm range is pretty crowded in my camera bag :lol:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-01-2012, 08:36 PM
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I almost always use spot metering and I've never heard of the zone system? :(
I haven't had the DA 15 for too long, but I haven't found exposure comp necessary on K-7 or K-x, for more than 1/3 eV, scene dependent.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-01-2012, 03:41 PM
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Looking at charts and numbers is one thing; actually taking pictures yourself and comparing them is another. I wasn't planning this as an end-all K-7 vs K-x thread and didn't even do this with the intent of posting it online, I had been reading complaints and debates that came up recently the day before, and did a quick test to relax after a final exam because it was too dark to shoot a real subject and my mind was too dead to start studying for my next exam. This was for personal use that I just thought I would post here for reference..
Hi audiobomber. They were converted in LR3, without touching any of the settings. The NR in the cameras was set at 'Medium' on both, since that is how I've been shooting with them. 1 stop seems to be pretty accurate, but I am no expert :) I do agree with the last statement though; I've just gotten used to shooting with the K-x over the past 9 months, where I didn't really have to think about ISO until getting really up there.
True. The ironic thing is, I've had +2/3 eV dialed on the K-7 for the past 2 weeks of shooting.. but reset it to do this test so that everything would be 'zeroed out'.. :confused:
I wasn't planning on this being posted on the internet when I did it, I was just curious and passing time. Maybe after exams end I'll repeat it with everyone's advice taken into account and a subject easier to focus more consistently on (and a tripod.. I don't have steady hands so getting remotely usable ISO100-200 shots in that light was a bear). If I repeated it, I would also use the same shutter speeds on both.
As far as in-camera noise reduction, I had it set to medium on both, starting at ISO800. I had assumed (probably incorrectly) that they would be the same, since the bodies came out close to the same time, and I have been using them both on those settings since getting them. I didn't want to do anything at all in post-processing because IMO that's no longer comparing cameras. Finding the 'best' in-camera setting is a good idea though, and probably something I should have done anyway. I'll keep that in mind.
Does the in-camera high ISO noise reduction still process raw files, or only jpegs?
EDIT: Just searched, according to this link, the K20d does no NR on raw files, only jpgs. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/32501-high-iso-noi...thing-raw.html
I've read the same for the K-5, so I would assume the K-7 doesn't either. So ignore where I talked about NR settings, because I guess they're not doing anything.
Cliffnotes: There is no noise reduction in these images.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-01-2012, 08:20 AM
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Again, part of the discussion that prompted me to do this was about metering differences between the cameras as well. Exposure was calculated the same way for every shot; spot metering, exposure locked on the wooden candle jar lid - any exposure differences are based on the 'brains' of the cameras, I did not set the shutter speed to the same on both. For a scientific experiment, what I did wouldn't work; 2 variables (metering/iso performance) in one trial = no no, but this wasn't a scientific experiment for me, I do those all day. I was just trying to show differences in the cameras' performance. I tried to do the same thing with my E-PL1, but that 50mm lens on 4/3 sensor was way too long to take the same picture.
I didn't want to do any correction when converting to raw, because I thought that would count as 'cheating'.
*shrugs* If no one finds this useful, I can just take it down.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-01-2012, 08:09 AM
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I don't really see where this bias comes into play; it seems you are implying that there's a bias toward the the K-7, but the K-x is said to have the better IQ. If the K-x 'wins' despite a bias toward the K-7, that's even worse for the K-7, no?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2012, 10:44 PM
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I had read about it in the past, but just did this for myself, to help me decide about moving to K-5 and/or selling my K-x, etc., and thought people here might want to see it. That sounds pretty much like what I am seeing here, though.
I should have done that, but the recent threads/discussions were talking/complaining about metering differences between the two cameras, too.
Why does that make it biased?
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2012, 09:44 PM
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100% Crops:
K-7 ISO 100
K-7_ISO100 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-7 ISO 200
K-7_ISO200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 200
K-x_ISO200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-7 ISO 400
K-7_ISO400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 400
K-x_ISO400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-7 ISO 800
K-7_ISO800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 800
K-x_ISO800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-7 ISO 1600
K-7_ISO1600 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 1600
K-x_ISO1600 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-7 ISO 3200
K-7_ISO3200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 3200
K-x_ISO3200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 6400
K-x_ISO6400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
K-x ISO 12800
K-x_ISO12800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
It's a shame the focus isn't consistent across all of the shots, sorry: By the time I realized it, I had already moved everything.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2012, 09:44 PM
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Not sure if this is the right place for this, but there has been a lot of discussion here recently regarding the K-7 vs the K-x sensor, so I did a quick shoot to show the differences at ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200. Low light, just a stupid, dim floor lamp from Ikea directly behind the camera pointed at the ceiling, and my TV behind and to the left of the bobbling Sith lord.
Lens: Pentax-F 50mm f/1.7
Aperture: f/2.0
Spot Metering, exposure locked on the wood candle topper that Darth Vader is sitting on, then focused on his helmet
Shadow Correction: Off
Highlight Correction: Off
High-ISO NR: 1 Medium on both,
High-ISO NR Start on K-7: ISO800
Aperture Priority
Exposure Compensation at 0 for both cameras
Auto white-balance
I think those are the important bits, if anyone wants more info, check out the Exif or ask.
Shots are all handheld, so the lower ISO's probably have a bit of shake-blur. And it looks like I missed focusing on the helmet and got his chest a couple of times... but you should still be able to get an idea for the noise performance. The K-7 photos look a bit more underexposed than the K-x's, but I was just relying on the camera's meters.. I'm not sure what this will do to the noise between them.
They were shot in raw, so they were processed with lightroom, but it was just the default 'develop'.
ISO 100 (K-7)
K-7_ISO100 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 200 (K-7)
K-7_ISO200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 200 (K-x)
K-x_ISO200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 400 (K-7)
K-7_ISO400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 400 (K-x)
K-x_ISO400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 800 (K-7)
K-7_ISO800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 800 (K-x)
K-x_ISO800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 1600 (K-7)
K-7_ISO1600 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 1600 (K-x)
K-x_ISO1600 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 3200 (K-7)
K-7_ISO3200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 3200 (K-x)
K-x_ISO3200 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 6400 (K-x)
K-x_ISO6400 by alstauffer, on Flickr
ISO 12800 (K-x)
K-x_ISO12800 by alstauffer, on Flickr
I'm getting 100% crops together now.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-30-2012, 09:15 PM
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Google Chrome translated it for me when I followed the link, here is the translation:
It's still pretty hard to understand, though..
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
04-30-2012, 08:27 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2012, 09:32 AM
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There's a decent-sized dent in the bottom, but nothing other than that - hmm, that's definitely something to think about.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2012, 09:30 AM
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Also.. I hope I'm not coming off as elitist or something complaining about the K-7 high ISO performance, it's just that, this whole album was accidentally taken at ISO3200 on the K-x (it was my first time seeing many of those cars in person, I was overwhelmed and forgot to change the ISO from taking low-light pictures the night before), and yes there is some noise in the pictures, and yes they're pretty heavily post-processed, by I ended up getting one of my favorite shots that day, and if I was using the K-7, who knows, maybe none of them would have turned out:
Classic Porsche 911 Headlight by alstauffer, on Flickr
Yeah, it was user error, but still, K-x saved my butt, and I think the K-7 might have thrown me under the bus :lol:
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