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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
10-19-2011, 12:00 PM
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Here's another... my favorite dog-walk lens...
Cheers...
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
06-09-2023, 03:49 AM
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Bird flying backwards? :eek:
In my case yesterday, with the K-3iii+70-210+1.4TC+1.7 ICC...
Got a Mourning Dove on the ground running towards me through grass and weeds... smooth appearing body, bobbing head, dappled shade (iso 8000), etc.... some foot motion blurring (shutter set too slow), but perfect eye/head/beak focus on 99% of the images (10 taken). Since the images were a personal test, they've been deleted. You'll just have to take my word for it. ;)
Do the same and I bet you'll be impressed, too. :cool:
Now. my biggest worry is TOO MANY keepers and the extra time needed to sort through them to pick the best. :o
Enjoy... M :D
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-08-2023, 01:48 PM
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^^This^^
Would LOVE to get an annotated set from a Pentax "Ambassador" who specializes in small animal and bird subjects. ;)
I'd even consider paying a nominal fee. :o Anyone...? :)
Cheers... M :D
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Forum: General Photography
09-12-2022, 08:27 AM
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
12-22-2021, 07:12 AM
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Get the K-3 III and don't look back. You know APS-c. You have a lens collection that's oriented to APS-c. The K-3 III will really up your current lens collection's game.
IMHO (I own both) the K-3 III is basically a K-1 Mk II in APS-c format, unchained, on steroids. New is new. There's a (say) 1 year learning curve for both cameras. Since you are going to spend the time and effort anyway, you might as well push the 'new' envelope, eh?
Check out...
MAN BEHIND smc PENTAX ?????: ??????????? Pentax K-3 Mark III ??
I'll be very surprised to learn the K-3 III disappoints.
Cheers and enjoy the season… M.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-20-2010, 08:22 AM
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I like the photographic discipline provided by a prime kit. As such, I own the FA 31/1.8 and DA 35/2.8 Macro and have been shooting them for about three years (first paired to a K100D and now a K-5). The 35 Macro came first. Both are great lenses and I will be surprised to read that either disappoint.
If I was given a 'do over', I'd get the 31, first. Like all lenses, it has a 'go slow' learning curve so I'd shoot it exclusively everyday paired to a K-5 for a year in order to fine tune my shooting style to its personality. After that year, I would add the D FA 100/2.8 Macro WR for longer/closer subjects and shoot this pair everyday for another year. A 31/100 combo should satisfy 98% of your everyday situational needs. Lastly, I would add the DA 15 limited for UW settings. Of all the lenses in my kit, these three are my 'go to's'. Since I also like to shoot birds, I have a DA 300/4. I enjoy the 300 immensely, but consider it a niche lens.
Anyway, the 15/31/100/300 is my most used lens group. Given the flexibility, power and satisfaction offered by the K-5 (I'm having a hard time imagining what Pentax can do as an encore to the K-5), a 15/31/100 pairing is a basic kit of solid performers and should serve you well into the future.
...my 2 cents.. :cool:
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
03-11-2022, 09:11 AM
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You may feel a "loss"... I try to reframe it as "tuition." :lol:
If I had not taken the leap, I may never had known success. The Q7+08 being the best of the best (all-around), closely followed by the K-3 MkIII (nature), If I were to rank things high on a “glad I took the challenge” scale. :o
Cheers and enjoy the season... M
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-28-2022, 01:03 PM
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No doubt…
Thanks for suggesting a visit to Thomas Heaton's YouTube channel. He sets a high bar for quality content delivery.
His ramblings (yours, too) have rekindled my interest in landscape photography.
Thomas Heaton - YouTube
Cheers and enjoy the season… M
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-08-2022, 05:50 PM
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Are you suggesting that spending several hours in a dedicated/confined space that's light compromised, dealing with and breathing potentially poisonous chemical vapors, makes sense? Good luck with that… :eek:
Sorry, that's NOT for me.
I'd rather spend five minutes with Lightroom+etc. quickly fine-tuning an image that can immediately enjoyed by millions of others.
It's easy to become a world-class post processor. I bet if you put your mind to it, now, you could get there before spring ends.
Just sayin'… M
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Forum: General Photography
02-09-2022, 08:53 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
01-25-2022, 03:19 PM
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Of course, one would never attach the knob directly to a lens foot in a way that might ruin the foot's threads. Instead, I bet if someone put on their thinking (tinkering?) cap, a proper threaded connector could be found to attach it to a clamp. The rig could then be attached to an appropriate (say) Swiss-Arca style lens foot release plate attached to the lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/899230-REG/Sunwayfoto_ddy_58_Discal_C...981&
Just sayin"... M :D
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
12-11-2021, 05:23 AM
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For years, my 'old" DA*55/1.4 SDM's AF has been dead on my K-3 II & K-1 MkII (GRRR :mad:). So I've tended to avoid its use and when I did give it a 'try', I used it like a manual focus lens. :o
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Enter K-3 III...
Mount the 55/1.4... camera ON... in OVF, using back-button (BB), AF = DEAD! :(
Camera OFF. :hmm:
Change to LV... camera ON... in LV, using BB, AF = DEAD! :(
Again, in LV, using touchscreen AF... the lens responds with a slight wiggle, then comes fully ALIVE :eek:.
Return to OVF, hit BB AF... again, it's ALIVE! :eek::D
Its AF now behaves LIKE NEW... Touchscreen AND BB! :D:D:cool:
Removed the lens from the K-3 III... remounted it on my K-1 MkII... camera ON... hit BB for AF... BINGO... it's ALIVE! :eek::D:D:D:cool:
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Say what you will about the K-3 III being overpriced, I don't know what happened, but I now have a refreshed 'like new' $645.00 lens, and it saved me a ton of hassle.
Cheers and enjoy the season... M
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-01-2022, 07:53 PM
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I try to shoot every day, weather and subject permitting. Nature (small critters, birds, butterflies, insects, plant foliage and fruit, tight landscape/urban settings, etc.) are my current subjects of interest.
The K-1 has been my 'go to' since it was introduced in 2016. It was later upgraded to a K-1 MkII when Pentax offered the service.
Recently, I acquired a K-3 MkIII. Before I bought it, like you, I was 'on the fence'. After studying this video numerous times, I pulled the trigger. Check it out:
MAN BEHIND smc PENTAX ?????: ??????????? Pentax K-3 Mark III ??
I'm finding, “Yes,” the video is accurate. YOU can easily get similar results, if you think positive and put your mind to it.
As such, I plan to be on the K-3 MkIII's learning curve to spring. Currently, I work with it (say) 75% of the time. Once winter gets behind me, I plan to use the K-3 MkII to capture more active subjects and the K-1 MkII for less active subjects and settings.
Over the years I've been fortunate to acquire good copies of several lenses. As such, my basic kit for each camera body consists of four lenses. Two work beautifully with both cameras.
K-3 MkIII: HDA 20-40, HD FA 70-210/4, DA*300/4+HD 1.4TC.
K-1 MkII: HD FA 28-105, HD FA 70-210/4, DA*300/4+HD 1.4TC
Unexpected lessons learned?
With good light, the HD FA 70-210/4 is excellent. It will probably be my first pick when working with either camera.
Working back and forth between both cameras, using the K-3 MkIII is teaching me how to make better use of my K-1 MkII.
I like to work FAST. The post-processing workflow of K-3 MkIII files is quick, easy, and satisfying.
Comments and questions are always welcome.
Cheers and enjoy... the Golden Age is calling... M
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III
12-14-2021, 12:50 PM
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Actually, in a way, they did.
When I pair my iPad Mini (iPadOS 15.2) to my k-3 III (1.31) with Image Sync (2.1.9) via Bluetooth, I can control the camera quite precisely and easily.
You might be surprised to find how more convenient it is to work on a much larger image using a bigger, non-tethered screen.
Cheers... M
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
11-01-2021, 07:46 AM
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
11-24-2021, 02:50 PM
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Here's my 'quick fix' for zoom-creep on my SMC Pentax-A 70-210.
It's inelegant, but cheap... works great on a super landscape lens.
Might work for you, too.
Cheers... M
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Forum: Pentax Q
08-24-2021, 06:30 AM
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Q7+01, native lighting, handheld, minimal post-processing, close crop, LR Classic, NIK...
Running the Line.
Grand Bend, Ontario, CANADA
Cheers... M
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-20-2021, 05:43 AM
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Bet if you asked, any US dealer will be glad to help you buy any item in their inventory. :D
They are not clairvoyant. All you need to do is make an email inquiry, or phone call... And your order will be out the door and on its way to your house. :cool:
Love the smell and feel of crisp euros in the morning... M :eek:
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-25-2021, 03:18 PM
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After (say) 6 months of disuse, I mounted my DA*55 on my K-3 II and found its AF dead in the water. I dismounted the lens and polish-cleaned it’s terminals with a lint free cloth, remounted the lens and BINGO… AF works great, again… like new.
Just sayin’… M
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
07-02-2021, 05:03 AM
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-11-2021, 07:01 PM
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Lots of good advice, lens and etc. The K-2 MkII, plus 28-105, 70-210, and HD 1.4TC covers about all of your bases. The high ISO capabilities of the K-1 II makes it possible for you to be good to go from 28mm thru 210 FF, or 42mm thru 441mm (crop factor) via APS-C.
As to tripod, when you feel its time, consider getting one with a leveling base plate ( amazon.com : IFOOTAGE Tripod, 61?tag=pentaxforums-20& Carbon Fiber Video Camera Tripod with Quick Fastbowl, Max Load 19.8 lbs, Compatible with Canon, Nikon, Sony DSLR Camcorders : Camera & Photo )... and instead of a ball-head, consider ( amazon.com : Acratech Long Lens Head : Tripod Accessories : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20& ). I'll be surprised to learn they disappoint.
Also, it's all about content and composition. If you put your mind to it, using LR and PS, it's easy to develop the skills of a world class post processor. Work every day for about three months and your friends will think you are some kind of wizard. You might just surprise yourself.
Finally... for inspiration, check out Thomas Heaton on YouTube:
Thomas Heaton - YouTube
Cheers and Enjoy the season... M
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
06-23-2021, 06:02 PM
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If you wish to learn more, read Thomas L's essay "Going Candid."
eBooks ? Thomas.Leuthard.Photography
He spends quite a bit of time addressing how to quickly "see" and imagine an otherwise mundane setting into something with photographic potential. According to Thomas, successful photography is all about content and composition... gear is important, but secondary. He trained himself to see compositions everywhere he looks... 24/7... even when he was just running a personal errand. Somewhere I read that he credited Siegfried Hansen with getting him started along these lines.
Anyway, be very careful, if you take this route... It's easy to wind up seeing and mentally framing compositions everywhere you go. It's almost impossible to unlearn and turn the approach off. It may have helped burn Thomas out and he quit a promising photography career. I understand, even now, he continues to see compositions everywhere he goes... 10 years later.
Yikes... M
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-25-2021, 05:44 PM
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OK...
Hey... even budget better... Get an earlier screw-drive version of the 55-300 (used) to pair with the K-5 IIs. The the screw-drive versions are perfectly capable lenses and save a few bucks, too.
Or...
Get a used K3, or K-3II, to pair with the PLM lens... both camera bodies can be had for cheap.
Cheers... M
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