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Forum: General Photography 10-09-2023, 04:30 AM  
Stop describing AI-generated art as photos! (article - editorial)
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 54
Views: 3,362
I am not sure how many painters responded in this way. Likely almost none. Photography was not seen as art and so posed little threat. It took decades for photography to be so recognised.

In any case, it's a false comparison. Photography is not based on ripping off the imagery of those who came before. And there are rules in place for taking photos of existing artworks, architecture, etc. Regardless of legislation, it's usually dead easy to tell where the attribution lies. (Monkey selfies as an edge case!)

None of that is true with these image synthesisers, which have been trained on a large corpus of images for which no permissions were given. The work of millions of artists has simply been harvested.

So, yes, we should stop calling these photographs. We should also stop calling this AI. There is no such thing as artificial intelligence and never will be. There is only a hype train formulated by corporations for the sole purpose of conning investors and making money off the back of human labour. As it ever was.

Everyone playing around with these engines should at least be happy with their own work being ripped off with no compensation.



Which changes nothing.
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 09-25-2023, 08:08 AM  
L-mount camera club - Leica, Panasonic, Sigma
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 257
Views: 10,446
BMPCC4K and BMSC4K are MFT mount
BMPCC6K G2 and Pro, BMSC6K Pro, and URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 are EF mount
URSA Broadcast G2 is B4 mount
URSA Mini Pro 12K is PL mount
BMCC6K is L mount

MFT is in a minority here. I would love to see a BMPCC4K Pro with the features of the 6K (screen, ND, viewfinder option), competing with smaller cameras from other manufacturers. But I don't see that happening.

There's a chance that Blackmagic will continue with MFT to keep existing customers who don't want to switch lens systems. But the most recent model suggests they are happy changing mounts almost on a whim.

---------- Post added 2023-09-25 at 04:17 PM ----------



They shipped to me here in Ireland, so there's that.



The larger sensor is simply much better. I shoot gigs and having that extra 2-3 stops (maybe more) is incredible. With NR applied in post I can make any ISO look usable. That's definitely not the case with the MFT sensor. My other compelling reason to move to Lumix S was video. Having a hybrid camera that does both tasks well is so much handier than maintaining two systems.

What I don't like is the bulk and weight. I prefer compact designs like those Sony and Fuji have released. But their cameras just can't compete in the lower price bracket.

The final amazing thing about L mount is that there are no bad lenses. And I'm having fun adapting Zeiss when I want something special!

P.S. I had no problem printing A2 posters even from MFT. Don't do it often but had a couple pieces in local shows. I think I may even have done A1.
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 07-20-2023, 02:00 PM  
L-mount camera club - Leica, Panasonic, Sigma
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 257
Views: 10,446
Some lovely photos here that really show off the colour profile of the Lumix S.

Jonathan, I especially like those Wasteland shots since they appear so natural. Same with your later contribution from teh 50mm and 20-60mm. By contrast the Sigma shots don't have that same appeal. But maybe that's just these examples and not indicative of the lenses.

jschoonj, I love that shot of the (presumed) dancer. Nice filmic noise.
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 06-20-2023, 11:59 AM  
L-mount camera club - Leica, Panasonic, Sigma
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 257
Views: 10,446
I've compiled all the L-mount lens stats into one spreadsheet. This should save someone a few hours.

Link is to a blog article with spreadsheet freely downloadable.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 06-15-2023, 08:47 AM  
beautiful lens hood + cap... do they exist?
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 6
Views: 924
Oddly my country does not show up in the sidebar. Apologies. But I am in Europe, so sales in the USA are not useful. Shipping prices are insane. Neither are UK stores of interest since the Brexit disaster.

The best I have found so far are the Fotover metal hoods. They are sleek and simple, but come with a nasty pinch cap. But the front of the hood is filtered (58mm thread on the 55mm hood) so other options are possible.

Inexpensive at about €10. Heliopan can't compare.
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 06-14-2023, 06:15 PM  
beautiful lens hood + cap... do they exist?
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 6
Views: 924
I am looking for a lens hood with push cap to match the beauty of several lenses I own. I'd be looking at 55mm first.

My gold standard is the hood and felt-lined cap of the Pentax FA Limited series, specifically the 43mm. Minimal. Beautiful. Ergonomic.

But all I can find is generic crap. Does anyone make such hoods?
Forum: Photographic Technique 06-11-2023, 12:47 PM  
The correct way to think about focal length
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 27
Views: 2,104
Thanks photoptimist for posting an intelligent response here to my article.

But all the comments complaining about Flickr, cookies, etc.? Get a grip and learn how the internet works. Yes, I could have re-uploaded all the images to Blogger, but then you'd get to complain about how the rendering wasn't as good as the full-size Flickr images. I don't get to control how Blogger uses cookies. You can simply turn them all off if you prefer. It's the same as any other web platform. Sheesh!



Yes, if you don't understand irony.



It's supposed to be elementary. The article is for beginners who make basic errors in understanding. The chart itself is hopefully a new contribution, since I couldn't find a similar diagram anywhere else.



FOV is one contributing factor and perhaps we can agree the most important? That's exactly what I wrote.



The article is not meant to be revolutionary. It's supposed to correct a pervasive error that I see repeated too often.

---------- Post added 2023-06-11 at 09:10 PM ----------



Likely all the previously mentioned factors play a part. Designers might like to aim for round numbers. Firms might prefer to round off actual focal length for marketing purposes.

For me the unique focal lengths of the FA Limited lenses only added to their appeal. Jun Hirakawa chose 43 mm because it is "the diagonal length of 35 mm size film" and chose 77 mm as a "lucky number among 70-80 mm" (quoting from his white paper). I have no idea where 31mm came from!

The only previous 43mm I know of is the Mamiya N 43mm F/4.5 L, but as that was for 6x7 medium format, it's hardly the same.

Dulens now have a 31mm and 43mm in their APO Mini Prime set. Must be in emulation of Pentax.

There are of course plenty of 40-45mm lenses for 135 format. If I can mention but three:
Leica 40mm f2 Summicron
Voigtlander 40mm f1.2
Carl Zeiss Tessar T* 45mm f/2.8

The Pentax Fa Limited 43mm is a goddess among these.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-10-2023, 11:00 AM  
Vivitar 28mm As FA31mm Replacement?
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 554
Views: 223,066
A new version of the Bestiary is now completed, the first update in a decade.

I know, I know. I'm crazy.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-10-2023, 10:59 AM  
The Great Vivitar 28mm Bestiary
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 101
Views: 42,035
A new version of the Bestiary is now completed, the first update in a decade.

I know, I know. I'm crazy.
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 06-10-2023, 05:54 AM  
L-mount camera club - Leica, Panasonic, Sigma
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 257
Views: 10,446
Thanks Jonathan.

Even though I'd used the Panasonic MFT and a Varicam (on a couple occasions)... stilI I didn't know about the Lumix S series! That's how well they are hidden. I now know one other person who shoots with a Lumix S locally. But I had never even seen one before I took the plunge.

On a strictly features versus cost basis they completely out-class the competing brands. Excellent photographic features, some of which are akin to magic. And very good video features as well. (Though no false colour.) As someone who is primarily a photographer, the Lumix S line makes so much sense.

But I don't get the lens thing. I have plenty of full-frame glass and some of it is rather big and heavy. With today's plastic compounds the weight can be reduced significantly. Hence we get a 35mm f/1.8 at only 295g and a 85mm f/1.8 at 355g. But they are so huge! This impacts how much I can take out on a daily basis.

The decision to have the primes an identical size is a video imperative. I would like to see a range of pancakes that can appeal to a different audience. For example, a set of tiny 28/35/50 primes at f/2 could be marketed as retro glass, especially if they had aperture rings.

In the meantime I will adapt and manually focus.

Vivitar 28mm f/2 MC Close Focus:



Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Auto Telephoto Close Focusing

Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 06-08-2023, 08:03 AM  
L-mount camera club - Leica, Panasonic, Sigma
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 257
Views: 10,446
I've only had my Lumix S5 for a few weeks, but I've been researching a new system for two years. As a result, I've already written a dozen articles on this system. I'm motivated by the fact that there's darned little information available on this amazing camera system, unless one wants to watch endless talking heads on YouTube. My most personal article is the first one you'll find on my landing page, which explains how I went from Pentax to MFT to where I am now.

I must say that the native lenses are incredible. They really give up nothing in terms of image quality. But I can't quite get used to how huge they are. Others call them small!

Laura Duff with the Lumix S 85mm.



Rin-Rin with the Lumix S 35mm.



The Abbey River with the Pentax FA Limited 43mm.



This camera is huge compared with my MFT set, which is already amazing. So long as I can continue to deal with the size, I'll be shooting Lumix S.
Forum: Lens Clubs 06-08-2023, 07:01 AM  
The 50mm Lens Club
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 2,018
Views: 309,859
Thanks! I moved from Pentax to mirrorless, which I much prefer for ergonomics etc. Have a good number of MFT cameras, which have served me well. Wanted something with a larger sensor finally. Still love the Pentax glass!
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-12-2023, 08:50 AM  
Home made MTF comparisons 50mm's, 35mm's, 28mm's and 100mm's + bonus 3.5/135
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 8
Views: 2,507
I am most interested in the 43mm Limited and the K 50/1.2 in case anyone has done those. There was once ample data on the internet but bit rot has set in.
Forum: Photographic Technique 05-09-2023, 07:17 AM  
The correct way to think about focal length
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 27
Views: 2,104
Here's the correct way to think about focal length. Let the debate begin.

Apologies to my Pentax friends that I am using Lumix S lenses as the data. But exactly the same thinking applies to any system. Though the actual numbers here apply only to so-called full-frame (135).

And, hey, I am using Pentax glass on the Lumix, so there's that.
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-08-2023, 05:10 AM  
The 50mm Lens Club
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 2,018
Views: 309,859
Pentax K 50mm on Lumix S5. First shot is wide open at f/1.2. Dreamy look works sometimes. Full-size on Flickr.





P.S. My first post here in almost a decade!
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 11-16-2014, 02:29 PM  
Micro Four Thirds Club
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 6,127
Views: 526,371
All shot with the Olympus E-P5, a simply stellar camera. And the 45mm lens, my staple.





Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 09-02-2014, 07:49 PM  
Micro Four Thirds Club
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 6,127
Views: 526,371
Elastic Sleep


pod bay doors


Maynooth University
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-11-2014, 04:33 PM  
35 and 43 Limiteds
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 17
Views: 2,078
The 35 is a good lens. The 43 is THE lens. Guess which I sold.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 04-27-2014, 02:38 PM  
Best editing software for a beginner
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 42
Views: 5,340
Since when does Lightroom mean you stop using folders? I use both. But 10,000 numbered files in folders mean little to me unless I have previews, tags, filters, and searches available as well.
Forum: Post Your Photos! 04-22-2014, 01:34 PM  
Not Work-Safe Miss
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 20
Views: 1,562
Not at all like my lens tests.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 04-22-2014, 01:34 PM  
Best editing software for a beginner
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 42
Views: 5,340
Just get Lightroom. Because eventually you will realise that organising your photos is even more important than editing them.

Then, later, get Google Nik plugins.
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-14-2014, 08:28 AM  
Vivitar Lens Club - share the beauty
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 1,051
Views: 203,903
Vivitar Series 1 105mm. A brilliant optic.

Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 03-14-2014, 08:24 AM  
Micro Four Thirds Club
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 6,127
Views: 526,371
Might I respectfully suggest that that is plenty of shots from our Indian correspondent. You could set up your own thread for these? Or pick the best one or two only to represent a set, like the rest of us do?

---------- Post added 2014-03-14 at 03:25 PM ----------

five things found on the ground...



(for the other four you can check out Flickr)
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-14-2014, 08:16 AM  
FA LIMITED will be updated soon
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 341
Views: 57,718
Since I didn't even mention Ricoh I am amazed you might interpret me as blaming them for everything.

Neither am I asking for the return of something old since I have myself moved on to something new. The problem now is the same problem that has haunted the Pentax brand since, well, forever. They are too slow to move with the times. (Remember auto-focus? Pretty well killed Pentax.)

I am sorry if you feel misrepresented by the fact I didn't quote your entire post. I was trained to only quote the relevant bits, and continue to teach my students the same. In any case, I was only agreeing with you, but somehow that didn't make the right impression. Oh well. Internets. :confused:
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-11-2014, 02:38 PM  
FA LIMITED will be updated soon
Posted By rparmar
Replies: 341
Views: 57,718
Add me to the list. I only dropped by because a friend told me about the new FA Limiteds and I figured I'd read about them. But is there anything exciting to read? A Limited 105mm? A Limited 28mm? New designs to reduce the horrible FA77 purple fringing? No. New red rings. A new coating.



Yep. Anyone still with Pentax is doing so out of inertia or investment in a system. Pentax used to be a value proposition with smaller cameras, IBIS, and great "affordable" primes. Now lens prices are double, other brands have smaller units, and even stabilisation. The FA Limiteds are the gems in the Pentax lens range, but the company fired the designer and chose never to repeat their incredible rendering. Slow DA Limiteds is all. (They are decent lenses, don't get me wrong, but every brand has decent lenses.)

They won't even uncripple the mount for feck's sake. Even Nikon did that! And my 50/1.2 works better on my Olympus than on any Pentax camera.



Indeed. A very sad waste of a brand and some good engineers.



More so Olympus and Panasonic and Fuji. They all produce the small, effective, technologically advanced, and simply cool cameras Pentax should be making. But never will.
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