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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-21-2009, 09:16 PM
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Hinman, Here's my favorite of both sets... Again, the sigma. I even looked for one to purchase, although I'm not 'in the market'.
Cheers, Matt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hin_man/3340023794
Edit: This image is just 'retarted'. Is that what the kids say nowadays?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-19-2009, 09:23 PM
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Hinman, I realize that the shooting environments were anything but controlled, but I scrolled back and forth for quite a while, and I have to say the Sigma is my favorite in both macro and portrait sets. I don't know if I should have said anything as I really would not want to influence your decision. I have a 50mm Sigma macro, and the build quality is excellent, I'm assuming the 100mm is similar. Without having handled the Tamron, I'd have to say it would have to be very nice to edge out the Sigma in this department...
Cheers,
Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-19-2009, 08:26 PM
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I haven't posted on the board for quite some time. You, falconeye, have brought me out of hiding. Congrats. Or rather, thank you...
Eagerly waiting for more 'developments'.
Matt
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-02-2008, 06:40 PM
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Buddha, those are really good. With your "lens hood" you should go nuts with an off camera flash, it should really help with that slow lens you mentioned.
Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-01-2008, 06:05 AM
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I found a local seller on craigslist that let his da* 50-135 go for $500. This is kind of on the opposite side of the scale from you guys, but still my best deal yet.
Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-28-2008, 08:10 AM
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I'm considering getting this lens, and for what it's worth, those results would not be acceptable to me. I've seen much better test shots from this lens.
Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-27-2008, 07:29 AM
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Good choice Aegisphan. I've been contemplating upgrading my Tamron to the 16-50, but I kind of like the overlap, I don't go changing lenses as much... Although I don't think my Tamron is as sharp as some of those shots in that gallery posted above.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-26-2008, 08:14 PM
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Aegisphan,
Flickr: Photos from MCLauterbach
Here's some shots in a poorly lit gym with one on camera flash (into reflector, not at climbers) and a single slave in most shots. Similar conditions to a poorly lit wedding reception. All except the last portrait are with the Tamron. The last portrait is with the 50-135. You should get both. And a second body. Then you're good for sure. Good and broke. But definitely mark my vote for the Tamron. Could be a bit sharper at 2.8, but I'm comparing it to my DA* 50-135 now. Before I got that lens, I was 100% happy.
Enjoy.
Matt
Edit: 1 from the Tamron:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-23-2008, 08:31 PM
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Rosemary, Those specs I listed were for the shot you posted. I actually re-edited after I opened your photo in PHOTOME. It tells you all the info from a shot. It's free on the net if your interested. Let's you peak into how a photo was shot. I really was just telling you that if you post great photos people will want to know (and not everyone knows about PHOTOME).
Cheers, Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-20-2008, 10:34 PM
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You already have some killer glass... I think most lenses in the focal length range you're looking for will be inferior to your Tamron 28-75 and your 100mm Macro (well most of the rest too, but these two lenses would make a decently small kit for the range you described).
Matt
Edit: Bring your 1.4x too. Done and done.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-20-2008, 10:26 PM
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Congrats Rosemary. Your new lens definitely found a good home.
Matt
Edit: With such great pictures comes great responsibility. Post your data for us (e.g. ISO 100, f/2.5, 1/180s, hand held, Av). Was that wide open? M
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-19-2008, 06:58 AM
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I have a couple Nikon SB24s, they are great, better build quality than Vivitar stuff. Full manual control. That being said, I have a few Vivitars too. Nothing wrong with them. The 285 have manual controls built it, the 283 has a few settings, but for real manual control, there is a adapter you can find for 20 bucks or so, the varipower adapter. The Nikon sb26 has a built in optical slave, that's nice. For photo class, I would find a cheap 283 or 285hv. The 283s that say made in China should be safe to put on your camera hot shoe as well as the 285hv (please measure your trigger voltage yourself, I can only speak for my copies of this flash). Then look for a sb26 w/ built in optical slave (free) for your second flash. Then... Well I'll stop there, you'll be in up to your neck in no time.
Cheers, Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-18-2008, 09:55 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-18-2008, 08:39 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-18-2008, 08:35 AM
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I've got a Sigma 50mm f2.8 and it's really sharp.
Check out this thread:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/22694-help-macro-selection.html
Basically at macro magnification, the DOF is not affected by the focal length. As soon as you focus in a normal situation you betcha the 50mm has more DOF, but not at macro. And to be honest the field of view isn't as big of a difference as I expected either. It boils down to working distance more than anything.
Cheers, Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-18-2008, 08:31 AM
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Buddha, my local photo store has cheapie collapsible rubber hoods. They look more like a coaster when folded up, or vacuum attachment when in place, but they'll work (cheap too). I used the metal hood from my 28mm f3.5 Tak on a M 50mm, and that worked reasonably well too.
Cheers, Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-18-2008, 08:27 AM
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rmtagg,
I actually like that photo a lot. The one petal that's perpendicular to the lens looks great and the out of focus (oof) area looks really nice.
Every lens has a sweet spot where it performs best. Usually f5.6 or f8. It's different for every lens. That being said, you can stop down way past that to f22 (like those orchid photos from the other day) and get heaps of area in focus. Your lens at these small apertures suffer from 'diffraction'. Basically diffraction is the extra light bouncing around inside your lens that will deteriorate image quality.
Here's a good link:
Understanding Lens Diffraction
luminous-landscape is a pretty good sight to browse as well.
It all doesn't NEED to be in focus. Some photos are better without a huge DOF.
Did you decide on a macro lens?
Cheers, Matt
Edit: you have flowers out already?!? You lucky dog you.
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Forum: Sold Items
03-17-2008, 12:23 PM
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Forum: Sold Items
03-17-2008, 12:12 PM
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PM sent regarding Zenitar as well. (2nd in line)
Thanks, Matt
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2008, 09:37 AM
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Your next lens should be the 50-135 paired with the Tamron 1.4x That will round out your longer end quite nicely. There's a thread right now with examples of this combination. Very good results.
Matt
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-16-2008, 05:19 PM
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I couldn't do much with lighting from up top There were 100 or so climbers all working their way through the circuit of problems. Rather than 'setup time' I just saw someone starting on a problem I liked, then picked a spot to drop the slave. One, maybe two shots, then it was over. And getting shots without other competitors or spotters or kids right there was tough too. I wouldn't wait for another climber at each problem, I would just move on after the shot. Most of the time, there wasn't someone waiting to hop on the problem that the photographer was shooting. Imagine that. With some setup time, I could setup fills at a couple spots that I liked, maybe next time.
That third shot you like was actually way underexposed. I meant to a little, but dang...
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-16-2008, 04:35 PM
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I'm pretty happy with what I captured considering it was short notice and pretty much 'run n gun' as far as seeing a climber start a problem, run past drop the flash, run back, drop down, shoot, and hope that they're not past your chosen spot by then. Lots and lots of fun, and like I said I was pretty happy with some of the different looks I was going for. Thanks for any comments.
Matt
These are from my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and the last is the DA* 50-135 doing what it does best.
The rest are here:
Flickr: Photos from MCLauterbach |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-16-2008, 04:24 PM
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Wow, the field of view isn't really that different either in this not so exact comparison... Very interesting...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-16-2008, 04:20 PM
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With the 1.4x and 50-135, You're at 70-189 f/4. I think that's actually pretty reasonable to retain the 50-135 image quality and SDM albeit losing a stop of light. For me, if I ever feel the lost speed hurt, I think the DA* 200 would work with a bit of foot work, retain weather sealing and SDM, and turn into a nice 280 f/4 with your converter.
Man I need a janatorial job at night to buy more lenses... Well maybe something other than that, but still...
Cheers, Matt
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-16-2008, 02:32 PM
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You guys are crazy talking about ditching the 50-135. It's such a nice lens... I think the Tamron 1.4x which will work with HSM and a DA* 200/2.8 is what I'll be doing. Oh heck I just reread and you already have the 1.4x.
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