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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 01-18-2022, 11:39 PM  
Is photography dead?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 147
Views: 8,516
I recently read Alfred Watkins’ 1920s book on photographic practice and principles. In it he celebrates the new film cameras for the flexibility it affords him (until then he was carrying a tent to prepare colloidal wet plates in the field - there’s dedication for you!).
The focus should be on ‘in what situations might this new technology help me in the work I’m striving to produce?’. If it doesn’t help you, skip it. Only your own creative achievements matter. I couldn’t care less what a member of the ‘spray and pray’ or ‘AI point and click’ brigade are up to unless it helps me. Follow your own vision.
On weddings, I’ve done many over the decades and people nowadays increasingly want a signature look or style. For these practitioners who follow their passion and do their own distinctive thing brilliantly (whether for personal satisfaction or commercial reasons), photography will never be dead.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-14-2021, 12:52 AM  
Lens comparison? 43mm vs 50mm
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 17
Views: 2,576
The 43mm was always my favourite lens on K1. A perfect - in every sense of the word - focal length for me and makes full frame photography just about as compact as it gets.

But I note that over the past two years it’s the 50mm that rarely leaves the body. The quality it produces is outstanding.
Forum: General Photography 11-08-2021, 02:23 PM  
My step son's iPhone.
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 196
Views: 6,105
Fascinating thread that highlights how social consumption of photography is changing.

Yes, phones are now mind-blowing for perfectly good, social media ready, images with no fuss. No, they can’t compete with an ILC when blown up.

But think about how we’ve consumed images through history too. Like today, often small: the carte d’visite; the 110 and instamatic 6x4 holiday snaps; the Polaroid instant. The iPhone excels at all of these uses. And the best bit? It’s already in your pocket.

But there’s always been the market for quality enlargements too: the weddings, the enthusiast projecting his velvia holiday transparencies; the creative visual artist.

That’s why I have a bag full of Pentax lenses as well as an iPhone. They are both wonderful. And I don’t see either as a threat to the other.

What I think is more interesting is how we consume images culturally in an era where everyone now has a pocket video recorder, and how that affects how we perceive still photography . Citizen journalism. This is becoming the new credible news source - the eye witness tik toc video on the front line to supersede what film journos did in the past.. Think 9/11, how images instantaneously went around the world as it shocked us all. Then, think about the specific role of Joel Meyerowych’s ‘Aftermath’ of 9/11 large format film images in a city’s healing. Incomparable. Slow. Enduring. Poignant. Can’t do that on an iPhone. I love that Pentax sees this and is specialising in the creative joy of photography instead.
Forum: General Photography 06-21-2021, 01:47 PM  
Can too much technology stifle creativity?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 141
Views: 6,769
Yes, it can, but humans will always seek to overcome it.

Generally speaking, technology creates new possibilities as a catalyst for creativity. A good example is photoshop: we might not always like the outputs from it, but it allows us to subvert norms and experiment in ways previously not possible. On this basis technology has to be a good thing for creativity.

However more recent technological advances such as AI can have the opposite effect by normalising and standardising image aesthetics, composition and other aspects. The chance of ‘happy accidents’ reduces as the ‘best’ camera settings and presets are chosen automatically. Social media tools such as Instagram have been shown to stifle creativity as the desire to get ‘the look’ or ‘the location’ becomes formulaic.
Inevitably work then starts to all look the same (look at car design over the past 70 years as a parallel. Imaginative fins and chrome on a ‘59 Chevy gave way to the similar-looking ‘jellymoulds’ of today as wind tunnels and computers optimise designs for efficiency).

But humans will always seek to subvert. The thing I’m fascinated in is how humans will increasingly look to oppose the algorithms and AI (for it is inevitable that we will try) for our own creative, political and social reasons. Bring it on, I say! We can’t let the computers win!
Forum: Pentax K-3 III 04-04-2021, 01:04 AM  
independant K3 III First impressions / Full Res Video and Sample Pics
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 23
Views: 4,006
Good review, thanks Stephen.

“it is a high-end record player in the streaming age. An anachronism that does well and proves that DSLR technology is far from finished.”

Exactly! I love how Pentax is carving out its niche here, rooted in both 100 years of history and pentaprism cameras. This was never going to be the cheap, mass-market mirrorless beater. Instead, those that appreciate Pentax’s OVF principles continue to have some high quality gear at their disposal.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 04-02-2021, 12:28 AM  
Will you buy the k3 Mark 3?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 452
Views: 25,467
Yes. Reasons:

- natural upgrade for my current K-3 ‘backup’ body for my K-1 when used for paid work
- specs look great, especially low light performance, viewfinder, AF
- ideal basis for a high performance compact travel camera kit with Ltd primes
- Pentax ergonomics are best in class
- works with my existing lens investment
- I want to support the company’s ongoing success.

Some people are unhappy with the price but I won’t be upgrading again in 12m. Long term TCO therefore paints a very different picture for my wallet as well as the planet. I see Pentax filling a specialist SLR niche brand now, not the high volume mass market place.

I write this as someone who came to Pentax 12 years ago from Canon and spent the last 3 years really trying hard to love Fuji as a travel camera, but just can’t get over the inferior handling compared to Pentax.
Forum: General Photography 03-04-2021, 12:59 AM  
I feel an explosion in megapixels coming now
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 179
Views: 7,826
I still wonder what percentage of all these increasingly large RAW files only see the light of day when exported from Lightroom as small .jpgs to put on Instagram. I’d love to know.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 03-01-2021, 10:24 PM  
K-1 II Stuck in movie mode.
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 7
Views: 895
I did that too! Spent ages scratching my head wondering what I’d done.
Was pleased to put all that motion picture tomfoolery behind me when I finally sussed it out!
Forum: Pentax Full Frame 02-27-2021, 03:03 PM  
Macro lens on K1 to digitize 645 B/W negs
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 23
Views: 1,953
I frequently use an old 90mm Tamron macro, the negs on a 25 year old light box and a K1 on a tripod! Good results if, as has been said, watch for front reflections and keep the lens perpendicular to the light box.
Forum: General Photography 11-25-2020, 05:38 PM  
Reducing the GAS: How I'm improving my Photography
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 43
Views: 2,115
Good thread, thanks.

I agree. The best photography ’gear’ I bought (apart from Pentax cameras, of course!) was to invest in a photography/art degree as a part time mature student.

Of course, it’s not ‘gear’ at all really. But it got me really thinking about what I saw in other peoples work, finding meaning, expression, understanding myself better to develop a creative voice (ongoing journey) and slowly overcoming that human tendency to ‘compare’ and be your own worst critic. The discipline of deadlines got my creativity flowing when I’d otherwise procrastinate due to bad weather, etc too.
Forum: Video Recording and Processing 11-18-2020, 03:47 PM  
You guys were right, no one really cares about 4K video on Youtube.
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 65
Views: 8,002
I did find one use for 4K. It’s just about enough to buy a K1 and 3 amigos...��
Forum: General Photography 10-20-2020, 08:08 AM  
The Iphone 12 is better than a DSLR
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 323
Views: 19,046
Exactly.
If you want ‘good’ images in most everyday situations, the phone wins.
If you consistently need excellent images (as defined by meeting/exceeding either your, or your customer’s pre-visualised expectations) you need a ‘proper camera’ that can cope with extremes of lighting, DoF, etc (whether this is achieved or not is down to the person operating it - but that’s another matter! The camera has the potential).

Also, some very good points made by others about machine learning and inevitable normalisation. How does your phone toting friend measure ‘better than’? It is certainly better at driving aesthetic convergence...
Forum: General Photography 10-20-2020, 03:45 AM  
The Iphone 12 is better than a DSLR
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 323
Views: 19,046
When I’m faced with no light, a wedding party and a need to get a shot with good dynamic range, low noise and without resorting to direct flash I still need a big sensor camera like the K1, not an iPhone. Equally, when I need smooth graduation of tone in a fine art image.

There’s still a case for ‘proper cameras’.

But then it gets more nuanced, especially with smaller sensors. Phones are certainly catching up, are more convenient and address the needs for immediacy and smaller enlargements. In the last few years we’ve had wider, longer lenses, raw, low light and pseudo bokeh capabilities from computational computing. Many uses don’t need large blow-ups or gallery perfection.

I wonder if phones are starting to pick at the smaller sensor/mirrorless market for amateurs in the way they decimated compact cameras. The ‘proper camera’ would be a more specialist tool for demanding applications and enthusiasts. Will this drive more to full frame? Or will people expect more portability and so want the full frame quality (aided by computational photography) in a smaller ILC body? In 5 years time, instead of ‘#nofilter’ on Instagram will we see ‘#nocomputational’?! I note the very progressive direction Ricoh is taking on this with the Theta brand. Also how it is carving out a niche for Pentax for those specialists that want to look through a prism, rather than at a screen.

Very interesting times....
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-02-2020, 05:19 AM  
To buy a k20d or not
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 20
Views: 2,154
It’s the camera that moved me from Canon to Pentax. Although I went on through K3 and K1 afterwards I still have it and still use it occasionally. Although it doesn’t have a CCD sensor, the colours are just wonderful. Also, the infrared jpg effect was marvellous straight out of the camera. The lower resolution somehow made it more ‘forgiving’ about camera shake at low shutter speeds compared to the K3.

Yes, lots of other things have moved on technology-wise since. Dynamic range evaporates as you push the iso up. The small screen discourages chimping! But even now people look at some old prints and ask what camera I use, not realising it was that old. It does have a certain je ne sais qois about it.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 08-08-2020, 11:56 PM  
PEF vs. DNG - Is there any loss of data having the camera save in DNG RAW?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 41
Views: 6,002
Ten years in, I’m struggling to see any downside of using DNG.
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 07-23-2020, 11:25 PM  
Hiking with a K-1ii
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 74
Views: 8,465
You guys really impress me.
When I go for a long hike in the UK hills I usually make two key adjustments to my K1 full frame kit:
1. Swap the 24-70, 70-200 and 15mm for a trio of small primes...
2. Swap the K1 for my trusty old (lighter) k3 and remove the grip! ��
Forum: General Photography 07-14-2020, 12:08 PM  
Help Me Out With My Thinking!
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 67
Views: 3,793
Been here and empathise. I decided to stick with Pentax.

I came from a pro Canon/wedding background. When the world went digital I saw it as an opportunity to reevaluate and nothing seemed to match what Pentax were offering for the money in a shiny new K20D and full kit of lenses.

But soon the noisy screwdrive lenses and lack of ‘the next best thing’ in TTL flash, etc made me worry about my decision. Also, people were asking me to do weddings again and I created a fear in my head that I needed the ‘latest gear’ to remain credible. Worse - the ‘Pentax is doomed’ brigade were telling me my investment might be unwise.

But, every time I added up the cost of changing it was prohibitive. I felt trapped. And despite there being more on the 2nd hand market for other brands it wasn’t actually cheaper when I got there.

However I did decide I wanted a small carry-everywhere Mirrorless to supplement my kit and so a Fuji was acquired.

Two years on, a few things have become profound learnings for me, which has settled the debate in my head:
1. Fuji/Mirrorless. I’ve tried really, really hard. But I can’t use it as intuitively as a Pentax body. Pentax ergonomics are sublime
2. Interestingly, more people have said ‘wow what camera do you use?’ Over images of my K20D and K1 and any other camera I’ve ever owned . The K1 sensor will do anything I ask of it. The K20D has a ‘look’ (I’ve not had the same feedback about the k3 interestingly...) I don’t own a KP so can’t comment there
3. I love the idea of getting off the ‘upgrade every year’ treadmill of Canon/Nikon/Fuji. The world is changing and I see this moving into the camera market too: the world has ‘peak stuff’. Buy great (Pentax) gear and I know it will serve me well for a good few years, it’s so liberating (for the planet and my wallet)
4, Pentax seem committed to their manageable niche. Slow but steady, good products. The ILC market is becoming smaller and more specialist - I’m not convinced £300 ‘starter’ DSLRs are the future any more. Pentax are ‘living within their means’ and getting there as able to. The 50mm FA* is amongst the best lenses I’ve ever used (I’m quite old!). The New 85 was released in the middle of a global pandemic (need more continued commitment?). The APSC wide angle zoom is a great lens.

So, away from the marketing hype, Pentax is giving me just what I need - great, affordable gear without the hyperbole and new products released at a slower pace that makes them more affordable!

I attended a portrait workshop in January with a renowned Elinchrom ambassador, he used Pentax, and was in the process of becoming a Pentax ambassador which meant dropping Canon. I rest my case.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 07-10-2020, 12:38 PM  
Young Fruit Sellers
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 8
Views: 649
I would like to nominate this photo
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 05-23-2020, 01:38 PM  
Monochrome setting on K20D
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 18
Views: 2,747
There is something curiously unique about the infrared setting on the K20D that is gorgeous. I never parted with my K20D for that very reason. Enjoy!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-22-2020, 09:16 AM  
DFA 24-70 1:2.8 WR - small wobble when at 24mm
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 4
Views: 962
Mine had the same problem as per this thread:

UK Sevice Centre - PentaxForums.com

It had suffered a small fall onto soft carpet but I can’t say for sure that caused it. I found that there was no wobble at max zoom nor when I clicked the ‘lock’ switch.

Optically it seemed ok, but I sent it into Pentax to be checked over. It came back repaired (I.e.no more wobble at wide zoom end) and, of course I was a couple of £100 worse off!
Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom 04-24-2020, 11:43 PM  
What is the point of B&W film?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 70
Views: 4,575
Interesting debate which I’ve enjoyed following.

I have a strong film background but inevitably became more and more digital as time went on. I’m also part way through a photography art degree which stretches my creativity. I noticed in recent months that my motivation was waning and one of the many diverse things I did to reignite it was to shoot a b&w film again and develop it over the kitchen sink.

What I found was that this reestablished an emotional link in my work which had suffered with the onset of digital. It’s hard to explain in a logical sense, but it’s definitely there. Perhaps the analogue link through to the original subject, perhaps mere nostalgia, perhaps the ‘look’ or the heritage behind the process. Who knows.

I can see that colour raw files can produce beautiful monochrome images. So I’m sure colour negs and transparencies can do the same from the comments above. Fascinating to read. But photography is a creative language and I’m learning - for the 2nd time - that film has a unique but hard to define way of allowing us to express ourselves.

When we look back, colour was scoffed at until 40 years ago as not being ‘serious’. Then William Eggleston, Stephen Shore & co gave us a new way of seeing. Nowadays monochrome connotes age, authenticity, reportage, tonality, drama in a way that colour often cannot. They say quite different things. So what do we actually want to say?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-16-2020, 01:07 AM  
Pentax 24-70 f2.8 - slow AF?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 13
Views: 1,248
I do find it slower than primes but as Jatrax says, everything is relative and it’s still much faster to focus than the 16-50. Also agree it rarely hunts, even in low light.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12-24-2019, 12:12 AM  
What would you bring in your kit for an overseas trip?
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 47
Views: 2,546
I’m with gerardbaron: standard zoom for travel. That way I can work fast and light, with a versatile set of focal lengths, without wasting time changing lenses in busy tourist crowds.

You’ll need a wide angle here in the UK because there’s so much really good stuff to fit in ;-)
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 12-23-2019, 11:01 AM  
No more Sigma lenses for Pentax.
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 6
Views: 1,032
Ultimately my philosophy on this:
Buying Pentax lenses helps Pentax survive.
Buying 3rd party lenses helps 3rd parties survive.
I want Pentax to survive.
Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service 12-03-2019, 02:29 PM  
UK Sevice Centre
Posted By HippyHippo
Replies: 11
Views: 2,457
Just had a DFA 24-70 2.8 back from repair with John Pye. The front of the lens had about 0.5mm wobble following a short drop onto carpet so I wanted to get it checked out.

The lens came back fully repaired and clean. It was well packaged for transit. It needed new internal parts, a clean and optical calibration.

Turnaround was about 3 weeks this included a slight delay while their head engineer was on holiday. It had to be shipped by them to the main repair site in France, as apparently most of the newer lens designs do.

Overall no complaints and they’ve done a good job of the repair.
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