Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
07-29-2012, 06:02 AM
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I have a 32" one as I decided it fits nicely folded in my bag. However, shooting with other photographers I've discovered a much bigger one is better, it works better to block the sun, it can reflect the light further allowing it to stay out of the shot if your using a wide angle, and it creates a more even light.
Get a bigger one, if I couldn't borrow one, I'd have bought my own in a heart beat.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-27-2011, 10:54 AM
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I took a CE course here and there was another Pentaxian there. So we are out there. And I got asked by two of the other people "Why did you buy such a fancy camera, why not a Nikon?". Made me laugh.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-27-2010, 07:07 AM
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I've updated the first post with the test from this morning. The multicoated filter shows almost no change (though there is some).
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-26-2010, 06:04 PM
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I thought I'd present a the result of a simple experiment to everyone here at PentaxForums. Enjoy. :D BACKGROUND
I wanted to test what impact a UV filter would have on the resolution of a lens. When I first got my DSLR I of course got a UV filter to "protect" the lens and because the helpful sales person said I'd be crazy not to.
However I've now gotten three lenses where the hoods are solid enough and deep enough that I feel the lens is protected and I started to wonder what kind of damage the filter is doing.
I've got a DA 12-24mm f4 and it has had an Optex 77mm A1 filter on it since I got it off another forum member.
Henry's has this 77mm filter for $39, and as all Canadians know Henry's is almost always the most expensive place in Canada. So that can give you some kind of idea about the filter. For price comparison the very basic B+W UV filter is $118. METHODOLOGY
The experiment consisted of shooting ten images with the filter on and ten with the filter off. The camera was locked down to a heavy tripod and the ballhead was secured.
The camera was set to x-sync and f8 and ISO 100, and tripped with a remote. Shake reduction was of course off. I even cleaned the filter with lens paper and before the test.
Lighting was a single strobe bounded into a silver umbrella mounted above and behind the camera.
Its freezing rain/snowing outside so I shot the fireplace, the only brick wall I have inside.
I shot RAW and created an action to load each image into photoshop and crop the centre. The automated action ensured that the conversion was the same for each image.
I then reviewed the series of 10 and chose the sharpest image for each set. RESULTS
The image on the left is with the filter the one on the right without.
To say the least I was surprised how much of the difference there is, but I will let the results speak for themselves. (but I think I am looking for a new filter) PART II
I repeated the test this morning with a Sigma 17-70mm Macro and a HOYA HMC Super UV(0) filter. The results are below in the attached image.
As expected (or at least hoped for) there is alot less change between images.:)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-03-2010, 02:47 PM
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Remember extension tubes can also be used to reduce the minimum focusing distance of long lenses, to allow it to focus on say small birds ect.
They don't have to be only for macro.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
10-23-2010, 08:18 AM
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Not true, SMART depends on the USB controller card on the external drive if it is supported. I'd download Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring (no association, I however use it) and see what it says.
Also use Crashplan to automate backups to MULTIPLE external drives. I have three I use and then if one dies oh well.
Both of these software solutions are free for personal use. But the purchased versions open alot of nice features (Crashplan especially).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-28-2010, 04:55 AM
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No. Hoya has been keeping the lid on things very tightly. Remember the DFA 100mm Macro was dismissed here as a Photoshop fake just days before it was announced and it hit stores within weeks.
Don't expect to see or hear anything until it is ready to ship.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
05-20-2010, 07:46 PM
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OK, I'm impressed I was 99% sure this entire thread was going to be a trollfest.
Anyway, I've got a 12-24mm on my camera 70% of the time, and often only have my 50mm 1.4 and maybe a 50-200mm kit lens with me.
The other lenses stay in my bag unless I know I'm going to go somewhere for something specific.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
05-16-2010, 02:58 PM
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No.
They are not too good for you. Enjoy the camera and the lenses. A long 2.8 will allow you to create photos you just can't with the 18-250mm.
Enjoy (and don't yell:D)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-12-2010, 04:35 AM
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These are brilliant marketing. The Japanese love this sort of stuff. It costs perhaps $10 to get the different colours (being conservative) and they get to sell them at a higher price and more importantly drive interest.
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