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Forum: General Photography 10-24-2018, 08:48 PM  
The Future of Photography is Code
Posted By stens
Replies: 73
Views: 6,262
Yep. Concur with this article. Phone cameras have become better with each generation. I am afraid that it won’t be Canonikon that finishes off Pentax, but Apple, Google, Samsung, etc. of course, they’ll most likely also displace Canon and Nikon.

I’m not ready to give up my K-1 yet, not really anywhere close. Phones don’t have a quality telephoto or true macro, among other features they lack. But the images keep improving: Portrait mode actually works, and the phones are leveraging the image streams, powerful processors, and equally powerful software to make great images, as noted in the article.

The camera companies so far don’t have anywhere near the on-board processor power, nor do they have the requisite software engineers to make use of those processors. Man, I’d like an A12 chip and Apple software in my K-1...but I don’t see that happening (and Apple would try to include a nonremovable battery...). Maybe Sony...but even they can’t keep up with the newer tech giants. I don’t see anyone of the mainstream camera companies who can make any great leaps in processors or software, unless they would ally with one of the tech giants. But what would be in it for Apple, Google, or Samsung? Phone cameras and interchangeable lens cameras don’t have much in common, except for creating art with light.

I’m returning to Kenya again this winter. But, as it’s a working trip, and I’m not going on safari, I’ll just take my phone and travel light. I’ll get some great pictures.
Forum: General Talk 01-05-2018, 03:20 PM  
Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?
Posted By stens
Replies: 2,951
Views: 202,968
I have Blizzaks. Only snow tires available in my size in my area at the time. I’m happy with them. My wife has Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3’s, again the only snow tires available in her required size. My kids’ cars are running Nokian Hakkapelitta R2’s (no studs allowed here). Of the bunch, I like the Hakkapelittas best, but they’re all a marked improvement over “all season” tires.
Forum: General Talk 01-04-2018, 09:52 PM  
Your vehicle: what do you have, why do you like it, and what do you not like?
Posted By stens
Replies: 2,951
Views: 202,968
My daily driver is a 2012 Mercedes CLS 550, bought in December 2016 with 2961 miles on it. I love the twin turbo V8, it has only gotten me into a little bit of trouble from the Man. In winter, I love the AWD, although I put snow tires on as well ( not required here...should be). There is nothing like German seat heaters, they’re awesome. I wish the first owner had opted for a heated steering wheel, but, since I only buy used, I don’t have a choice. Given the car I drive, I expect zero sympathy.

To keep this forum-centric, the photo was taken with my K-3.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 01-04-2018, 09:34 PM  
When travelling light, what do you take?
Posted By stens
Replies: 73
Views: 7,133
Seriously, if I had to get 5 days of clothes, toiletries, etc. all in a carry-on, I would just take my phone as my camera. My next trip to Kenya will not involve a safari, and I will be packing a lot of medical gear, so I’ll just have my phone. Mind you, I've captured some pretty great images with my phone...but not as great as my K-1.

One more thing, please do NOT tell us if you plan on takiing less than 5 sets of underwear....TMI.:eek:
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 01-04-2018, 08:15 PM  
Battery grip D-BG6 issue
Posted By stens
Replies: 13
Views: 1,761
My K-1 has a small gap. Just checked, and my K-3 does as well. Doesn’t affect weather seal, as that is made by the gasket around the contacts.

Not sure why this would be a “necessary evil”. For that matter, I don’t see any utility in it.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 01-04-2018, 06:14 PM  
Any word on how K-1 Silver is selling?
Posted By stens
Replies: 24
Views: 3,244
I would guess that a new 85/1.4 will be about as much as the 24-70...and might not be silver.

I do like the look in post #10...
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 01-03-2018, 01:47 PM  
Is the K-1 not sharp?
Posted By stens
Replies: 49
Views: 7,260
I cut myself on one of my images last week...
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 01-01-2018, 02:11 PM  
K-1 mode dial failure
Posted By stens
Replies: 12
Views: 3,216
1. I do like it.
2. K-3 is sitting on the shelf, waiting for another safari where I will use the 300. K-1 is my current go-to body.
3. It’s a bit heavy, but well-balanced. I’ve used it with the Sigma 70-200, which is not as heavy as the Pentax 70-200.
4. I’ve gotten some great images with the K-5 and K-3. I’ve gotten great images with the K-1. More keepers with the K-1, but I think that’s due to autofocus improvements, not necessarily FF-related. The K-1 is better for some images, i.e. narrow depth of focus. Additionally, there’s more dynamic range to play with in the K-1 images. Low light shots are better with K-1.
5. Yes, the added potential bokeh happens.
6. Would buy over a Canon at same price, based on reviews. If the D850 were the same price, I might go with that, although I would need to factor in replacement of my Limited primes. Given that the D850 is currently (i.e., a minute ago) $1300 more than I paid for my silver K-1 with grip, the question is moot. Even a refurbished D810 is more than the current K-1 price at B&H. Please note, I don’t shoot much video.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 10-27-2017, 09:39 PM  
Silver K-1 Limited
Posted By stens
Replies: 32
Views: 4,279
This is EXACTLY why I bought the silver K-1. It precisely fits the look I aim for.

Excellent analysis.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 09-28-2017, 06:18 PM  
Silver K-1 Special Edition
Posted By stens
Replies: 28
Views: 3,054
I have one as well. Concur with jcdoss, seems like silver high-impact plastic. I put my Sigma 70-200 on there, despite known clearance issues. It put the expected linear dent in the front plastic, the bottom of which is silver. It’s certainly not paint. I am not doing any further experimentation on the finish, so don’t ask!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-24-2016, 08:50 PM  
Questions about remotes for pentax k 3 and k 5 II
Posted By stens
Replies: 18
Views: 1,756
No such app for iPhone, as there is no IR transmitter in the iPhone. Some (most? all? I think "some" is accurate) Android phones have an IR transmitter built in.

Since I have an iPhone, I've used a Goja remote with both a K-5 and K-3. Available here:

Amazon.com : IR Wireless Remote Control for PENTAX Q, PENTAX DSLR (645D, K-5 II, K-5 II s, K-50, K-30, K-500, X-5, K-m, K-r, K-x, K-01, K-5, K-7, K10D, K20D, K100D, K110D, K200D, K2000) *ist (D, DL, DL2, DS, DS2) + Premium MagicFiber Microfiber Lens

They've worked fine and are dirt cheap.
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-21-2016, 08:21 PM  
Cactus V6
Posted By stens
Replies: 3
Views: 977
That should work, it appears to have a regular hot shoe. If you are happy with the 38 guide number for your shooting, you could consider a second Photozuela and the Cactus V5, since you'll be shooting with the flashes on manual. That would be a budget alternative. The Cactus flash is quite nice, even compared to my Metz 58AF-2 that I use with the off-camera v6 unit. I like the Metz better, but not enough to justify the price difference.

You'll like the flexibility that the 56 guide number on the RF-60 gives you. You don't always need that much light, but when you do, it is nice to have it. Good luck, it is fun experimenting with off-camera flash.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 08-21-2016, 07:58 PM  
Pentax K-1 does Motocross (MX) racing
Posted By stens
Replies: 30
Views: 7,350
These excellent shots make me say, "I gotta get me that K-1."

Of course, while I DO gotta get me that K-1, what I really need is your talent! Great shots, thanks for posting them.
Forum: General Photography 03-12-2016, 11:58 PM  
Recent photographic experience.
Posted By stens
Replies: 8
Views: 1,421
Ooh. The ME with the M 135 mm was a sweet combination. I bought the 135 for my first Nepal trek. That lens was a jewel. I definitely should have kept it when I passed the ME on to my sister.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 03-12-2016, 10:16 AM  
Sandy Ramirez - Pro photographer - K-1's autofocus on par with Canon 1DX
Posted By stens
Replies: 44
Views: 6,986
I believe this is his website, with samples and credits: About Me - Sandy Ramirez
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 03-12-2016, 09:48 AM  
The Impossible Dream(?)
Posted By stens
Replies: 15
Views: 2,343
Boy, that goes back a long way. As I remember, back in the 70's, when I bought my ME, it was the smallest SLR available, just a hair smaller than the Olympus OM-1. The ME measured 131 x 82.5 x 49.5 mm (no lens mounted). MX was the same I think. For reference, the Spotmatic F was 143 x 93 x 94 mm with a 50 mm lens mounted.

That said, I hunted around a bit (i.e., googled smallest screw mount SLR) and found the Fujica ST605N, which measures 133 x 86 x 88 mm with 50 mm f/2.2 mounted; the Fujica is quite close in size. The Fujica is 565 g, body only, while the ME is 460 g. The Fujica has a Praktica thread mount, which is the M42 mount screw mount. The MX with a screw mount adaptor would be a manual film SLR smaller than the Spotmatic and slightly smaller than the Fujica.

As a nearly full-service replier, I note that there are a number of the Fujicas available on...an auction site I checked. None of them are mine.

EDIT: dcshooter was first-in with the Fujica. I type too much.

EDIT 2: the Chinon CM-3 is 140.5 x 88 x 50 mm and 610 g.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-06-2016, 12:54 PM  
K-1 report from Imaging Days (Brussels, Belgium)
Posted By stens
Replies: 43
Views: 9,840
If it doesn't make lattes, i shall have to rethink purchasing the K-1.:D
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 02-23-2016, 09:23 PM  
Flash question
Posted By stens
Replies: 9
Views: 1,370
I've got 2 flashes that work well with P-TTL on the K-3. The Metz 58 AF2 works well. Pretty pricey, but excellent results. The Cactus RF-60 is P-TTL compatible and much cheaper. I think it works as well as my Metz. I would recommend a diffuser for on-camera flash, as well as use the bounce angles of the flash.

I would recommend that the flash be P-TTL compatible on K-3 or newer cameras.
Forum: General Photography 02-23-2016, 07:56 PM  
What camera straps do you have on your Pentax?
Posted By stens
Replies: 75
Views: 6,712
Op/Tech strap. I bought it when I replaced my ME with an SF1n. It looks like the current Op/Tech Pro strap. It's got some Himalayan trail and African savannah dust rubbed into it, but is otherwise as good as new, over twenty years later. It feels really nice on the neck/shoulder, which is to me a very important criteria. Works well on the K3.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 08-14-2015, 01:45 PM  
Will You Be An "Early Adopter" of the Pentax Full Frame?
Posted By stens
Replies: 177
Views: 19,648
Awesome, Adam. I will be watching for this.

I'm usually not an early adopter, I wait for price drops, bug fixes, etc.

However, this time around I've got senior portraits of my son and an upcoming safari. If there are problems, I'll happily shoot with my K3. If everything is as expected, I'll do most of the portrait shooting full frame, and use the new camera for wider shots and the K-3 for long-range shots on safari. With two bodies, there'll be less messing around with lenses, and more looking around just experiencing Africa. Looking forward to the new camera.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 02-10-2015, 10:33 PM  
Which camera strap for K-3 ?
Posted By stens
Replies: 56
Views: 10,680
Another vote for Op/Tech.

I've got an Op/Tech strap (current version would be the Pro strap). I bought it in 1993 or 1994, when I got my SF1n for a trek in the Himalyas. Extremely comfortable, and it worked as well on my K5 and, now, my K3 as it did back in the day on my SF1n. It's got some ground in trail dust, but otherwise the strap is as good as new, 20 years plus later. Under $1/year cost for this.
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 02-10-2015, 10:18 PM  
All hail the Spotmatic-D
Posted By stens
Replies: 16
Views: 2,422
Spotmatic-D was what I was thinking, too. However, I'm pretty sure the marketing types would keel over if this was dictated to them. Best we can hope for is K1000D, I suspect; but K-1 seems likely, in my opinion.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-24-2014, 04:26 PM  
Which camera/brand did you use before switching to Pentax and why?
Posted By stens
Replies: 105
Views: 9,868
Started with a Pentax ME that I bought in high school (I bought it new...if that dates me at all). Shot that for years, then a SF-1n, after the ME ate a lot of dust on the Annapurna circuit trek in 1991. I also had a Pentax IQ Zoom point and shoot 35 mm. When I decided to go digital, I had a Sony 3.2 megapixel point and shoot. At some point, I upgraded to a nice little Canon point and shoot.

I knew I'd go back to the SLRs when I was ready, but the advances were so fast I never bit before the next new thing was coming. Finally, I decided that was a ridiculous attitude, and fortunately the K5 came out, right on my schedule. I bought that for the usual Pentax reasons: compact, ergonomic, weather resistant; plus, I had some old glass around. Now I've got the K3, which I love. Hopefully, I can get out and shoot some this weekend.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 11-24-2014, 04:19 PM  
What is the best remote to purchase to use with my new K-3?
Posted By stens
Replies: 16
Views: 2,690
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 04-17-2014, 11:19 PM  
Kr TTL trigger
Posted By stens
Replies: 4
Views: 1,177
My Cactus V5s work really well for manual flash triggering, and they're not expensive. I've used them with a K-5 and Metz flash. I understand the upcoming v6 will transmit P-TTL data, but I haven't seen a release date or price yet.
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