|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-20-2019, 10:15 AM
|
| |
If I was lucky enough to take a trip like this, and if I hoped to have some trophy prints on the wall afterward, then I would take two bodies with the 60-250 on one (or 70-200), and a long tele on the other. I would carry my 16-85 for landscapes, or in your case the 15 + 20-40. As I'm always on a budget the long tele would probably be an older manual focus 300mm + tc. Alternatively, if I could find a used Bigma, I might take that with the wide zoom on the other camera. But if the purpose was only to post pics on the web, I'd stick with the 55-300 or even pick up an 18-300.
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-70 & KF
02-08-2017, 08:31 PM
|
| |
I am convinced, since two of my cameras failed under very similar circumstances, that the aperture block failure occurs in cameras that sit for a time unused. My K30 and then my KS2 failed in this way. I think if you use your camera often the chances will be less, even if the camera is otherwise the same as mine.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-04-2012, 09:25 PM
|
| |
Had a chance to cruise to Alaska - very enjoyable experience. K200D getting a little long in the tooth, but still capable of bringing home some memories.
|
|
Forum: Photo Critique
04-07-2009, 11:01 PM
|
| |
I also like the third shot, very very nice. I do like the new crop on second picture much better, but the third shot is the one I would hang on my wall.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Photo Critique
04-07-2009, 10:55 PM
|
| |
I like the cropping on the original also. I would clone out the swimmers and would consider faking the sky (make it all same as upper left corner) and increase the contrast in the sea. Blasphemy to some I know.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-07-2009, 05:58 PM
|
| |
I like both shots. Is PP in the second one the so-called Orton technique? Very nice.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-07-2009, 05:53 PM
|
| |
Very nice image of the boats. Serene is a good word as already used to describe it. A slight crop to put the boats off-center might enhance it a little, but excellent as is.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-05-2009, 09:56 AM
|
| |
Dan - thanks for the info on Queensland. It certainly does seem to be a busy and growning place, and yet at the same time it has a relaxed feel that is hard to find in the US. It is probably quite similar to Florida in terms of climate, definitely a contrast going from northern hemisphere winter to the subtropics. My father-in-law lives in the little town of Blackbutt (at first I thought that was some kind of reference to Aborigines - only recently learned it was a kind of gum tree :) He is getting along in years, so we hope to start visiting much more frequently than in the past.
 |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-04-2009, 07:03 PM
|
| |
G'day Grant. This was my first trip to the Gold Coast, absolutely loved it! I envy you living there in Burleigh. My wife is Aussie, and we do visit her dad in Queensland fairly often - will be there again in October. Would love to get together with some Pentaxians.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-04-2009, 05:42 PM
|
| |
Just back from trip to Oz, had a great time, thought I'd share a few snaps:
(Any comments or criticisims welcome)
Surfers Paradise by Day (taken from Burleigh Heads)
And at night:
Hinterland walks:
Couple of sunrises:
 |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-11-2009, 10:32 PM
|
| |
Nikon has 16-85, 18-105, and 18-135 zooms. The closest thing in Pentax mount is the Sigma 18-125 zoom.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-10-2009, 11:14 AM
|
| |
Dave, I have enjoyed using my 100 f/3.5 - it is small and light and takes reasonably sharp macros. It is plastic, but doesn't seem any more fragile than most kit lenses. It is noisy and has a long focus throw, usually use MF for macros. I recently picked up a KM for my wife, and am hoping to get myself a more "serious" macro and let her have the 100 f/3.5. Even after I get a new macro lens, it will still be nice to have both the smaller lighter lens and the close up lens as well for those times when I travel light.
--Mike
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-10-2009, 09:51 AM
|
| |
Well if the $20 promaster turns out to truly be 2-element, please let us know as I would be very interested in that as I also have the FA 100 f/3.5 and also a 50mm I currently use on extension tubes. Maybe sometimes you get more than what you pay for...
(btw - nice shots hinman)
--Mike
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-09-2009, 08:28 PM
|
| |
Sorry I don't have the answer to your question, but just a couple of thoughts. I believe the Macro Adapter that comes with the Promaster is single element. 2-element or achromatic close-up lenes are known to give much better results. The Sony VCL-M3358 (+3.3) or the Canon 250D (+4) would significantly decrease the minimum focusing distance, but not sure if it would be 1:1 (or even greater?). Don't think these come in 49mm sizes, so step up ring needed. Before spending any more money I would suggest you use the lens for awhile to see if you really miss not being able to get in even closer.
--Mike
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-08-2009, 07:56 PM
|
| |
It's a shame there is no budget "normal" prime like there used to be in the film days. Also missing is an intermediate range zoom, something like an updated version of the 24-90 (replaces the 35-135 zooms) or 28-105. At least a version II of the 50-200. But still, we are blessed with those limited primes and the DA 15mm is a nice addition.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-08-2009, 09:21 AM
|
| |
I think prioritizing the wide lens is the right choice. Glacier is not like Yellowstone in terms of wildlife - you'll be lucky to see a large animal and chances are that it will be off in the distance although for that rare occasion it would be nice to have something available. (Marmots and chipmunks are plentiful though :) Obviously either the 12-24 or a wide prime would compliment your 24-60 nicely. I personally like to have macro capability along on trips like that - your Sigma 70-300 is probably macro but a relatively cheap way to get a lot more IQ is an old 50 to 135mm prime on a set of cheap manual extension tubes - viva la green button! Glacier is one of my favorite places, your really going to enjoy it. (Keep in mind July can still be quite cool and sometimes damp - hopefully not, but be prepared).
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-07-2009, 10:36 PM
|
| |
By July you should be able to pick up the DA 15mm which would satisfy your needs for a wide prime quite well. And yes, in Glacier you will want something wide. What else do you have to take with you?
One view at 21mm:
 |
|
Forum: Sold Items
02-18-2009, 01:38 PM
|
| |
Bump for price reduction to $475 with free shipping to Continental US
mike
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-15-2009, 03:04 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Sold Items
02-14-2009, 01:00 PM
|
| |
Haven't used the lens much and don't have any old photos at 300 or 400, so here are some taken as test shots today. It is cold and grey outside, so indoors with off camera flash will have to do.
Photos shot in RAW and converted/resized without additional processing by FastStone
Pointsetta, figurine, and 100% crop of figurine at 300mm:
Pointsetta, figurine, and 100% crop of figurine at 400mm:
 |
|
Forum: Sold Items
02-13-2009, 04:05 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-13-2009, 01:12 PM
|
| |
I don't have either lens, but have been looking at them for my daughter who has my old *istD.
It is interesting that at photozone the tamron scores better on the resolution charts than the pentax. (I know more goes into the final image than just resolution). Also, at 200mm the tamron is still at f/4.5 while the pentax is f/5.6 - don't know if there really is a difference in the changeover point. Also I wonder if some who have compared the two are thinking of the non-Di version of the tamron, and if the Di LD is actually an improvement over the older version?
Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED - Review / Test Report
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 LD Di macro (Pentax K) - Review / Lab Test Report |
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-11-2009, 10:16 PM
|
| |
Seems in line with what most of the reviewers are saying, with the notable exception of DPR of course. I will have to sell some gear to get one but I hope to pick up a K2000 for my wife soon.
Mike
|
|
Forum: Sold Items
02-11-2009, 10:03 AM
|
| |
Reviving an old thread - still for sale, original post edited and should now be showing pics of the lens and new price.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-17-2008, 01:18 PM
|
| |
Chuck,
I may be totally wrong, but what I was referring to was different lighting between two photos not different settings to capture the same lighting. If there is enough light to allow you to both stop down the lens and increase the shutter speed then there will be less apparent noise. This is probably due in part to the increased contrast that goes along with increased ambient light in real world shots, but in my experience high iso comes off looking a lot better in brightly lit scenes.
But it is well known that very long exposures have much increased noise (hence the technique of dark field subtraction). Maybe if you graphed noise vs. exposure time you would get a 'U' shaped curve, but I have not seen that put forth as a concept anywhere, i.e. if 8 seconds gives more noise than .5 seconds (it does) then at what point does it switch over so that the shorter exposure starts to give more noise? I don't think that is the case.
Mike
|
