|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-10-2023, 08:19 AM
|
| |
I seldom shoot telephoto with landscape and mainly use it for bringing a subject closer. Here are three from the Pentax 60-250 DA* f4 and a couple from the Pentax A 135 f2.8. All on the K-5iis
Delicate Arch from the Viewpoint
Fisher Towers, Utah
Kancamagus Highway, NH
Cliffs at Aquinnah
Boathouse on the Concord River
 |
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-27-2020, 03:20 AM
|
| |
I think the lack of AA filter only makes a slight difference in resolution, I don't think it makes much, if any, difference to the contrast. This site did comparison testing between the K-5ii and K-5iis with the same lens. There was a slight difference in resolution, but none in contrast that I could see. The primary difference between the K-5ii and K-5iis was that one had an AA filter and the other did not. As others have pointed out there are many factors affecting final image quality, but it certainly possible to compare the final output from zooms where they overlap in range or by setting a zoom to the same focal length as a prime you want to compare.
|
|
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
04-26-2020, 06:26 PM
|
| |
I used the same sensor in three cameras - the Sony SLT A55, the Nikon D7000 and the Pentax K-5iis. I never did strict comparison testing, but based on experience, the lenses used make a much bigger difference than the body. I used the CZ16-80 on the Sony, this was a Zeiss design with Zeiss T* coatings, but manufactured by Sony. it was an excellent all round performer, but crucially it delivered great contrast. On the Nikon I used the Nikkor 16-85. This had very good resolution and control of aberrations etc, but it just couldn't deliver the contrast that the CZ16-80 could provide.
It was by chance I discovered the Pentax Ltd's and switched to Pentax to regain the contrast/rendition I had lost on the Nikkor 16-85. With the D7000, it was not the case of some other camera body difference causing the lack of contest, as I also had a Nikkor 70-300 (don't remember the exact designation) and this provided much better contrast than the Nikkor 16-85.
|
|
Forum: General Photography
12-19-2019, 08:16 PM
|
| |
I used SmugMug to host my pictures. I could set up selling, but I don't have any need to do that. SMugMug lets you create a photo hosting site from a combination of galleries, folders and custom web pages. You can control if each page on the site is public or private. I have found the interface easy to use and the hosting service has been fast and reliable. I have contacted support a few times and always had a fast response so far. My site at Richard Bird Photography is on SmugMug. I can't compare to Flickr, never having used it.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-18-2019, 03:49 PM
|
| |
As other has mentioned this lens has very noticeable field curvature, especially at the long end. I do like the lens for its control of flare and the contrast it delivers. My personal workaround is focus deeper in the shot than I might otherwise do with other lenses.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-29-2019, 09:33 AM
|
| |
I have the DA 15, 21, 35, 40 and 70 DA Ltd and none have required adjustment for AF. However, I am mainly shooting landscapes with a big depth of field.(I Shoot with the K5iis also.)
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-01-2018, 10:41 AM
|
| |
I have been using Capture One for a number of years and have been very happy with it, both for the catalog and for image processing/editing. The catalog provides projects, groups, albums and smart albums. Albums are primary picture container. A smart album contains copies of pictures selected based on the desired meta data values. You can apply metadata such as ranking and color coding. You can also edit the IPTC metadata fields. When I travel I set up a new catalog on my lap top for that trip, I usually do some preliminary sorting and editing while I am on the road. When I get back I simply import that catalog back into the main catalog I am using. You can store the images internally within the catalog (managed) or externally (referenced). I usually import directly into the catalog for initial editing, but once I am done with a set of images, I move them out into the file system on an external drive.
I have a number of catalogs, typically with 30,000 - 50,000 images each. I haven't noticesd any performance issues. I have found imports, typically 50-500 images for me, to be pretty speedy. (Sorry I don't have any timings) It does take longer to complete the generation of preview images, but this will go on in background while you edit. I am using a six year old Mac Mini. I have always found all the edit sliders to be responsive.
I have found raw conversion to be excellent with very good control of noise/sharpening. The control of color/contrast is likewise excellent. CO does recognize some (not all) Pentax lenses. For example it has built in profiles for the 15mm and 21mm DA Ltds for correction of barrel distortion. CO provides multiple edit layers that you blend by setting the opacity of each layer. Each layer can contain adjustments or cloning/repairs.CO has the usual masking tools.
Hope this helps,
Richard.
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-05-2017, 03:46 PM
|
| |
Capture One,
pros: lower CPU usage, possibly way more, I just haven't spent enough time with it yet..
troubles*: Can't find a comprehensive purple fringing slider like Camera Raw has, which is quite useful with my manual lenses. No 'whites' and 'blacks' adjustment sliders, which I have been using a lot, very confusing at first. Took me ages to figure out how to export to jpeg..
I have been using CO for a couple of years and have been pretty happy. With regard your questions:
The CO Purple Fringing slide is under the lens correction tool tab.
I am not aware of sliders in CO for black and white points, but these can be easily adjusted by moving the pointers at the bottom of the Levels histogram. You can find the Levels histogram on the Exposure tool tab.
BTW, you can customize any of the tool tabs to include or exclude the tools you want.
Good Luck!
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-15-2016, 10:01 AM
|
| |
No problems with the Hoya 49mm ND 8 or the Hoya polarizer on my 15mm Ltd.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-29-2016, 06:50 PM
|
| |
I have used the DA Limiteds for a couple of years. No problems with the weather, although In general I tend to be fairly careful in how I use the camera in bad weather. However, I have used the Ltds on sand dunes in windy conditions, i.e. lots of dust in the air. Once I was out photographing an ocean storm and got drenched by an unexpected wave. The camera and lens barrel (40mm Ltd) got quite wet with sea water, but I dried it off and no problems. Picture of the storm:
 .
|
|
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-21-2016, 09:08 AM
|
| |
I was a long time Aperture user and very disappointed that Apple discontinued that product. I switched to Capture One a couple of years back and have been very happy since. CO provides beautifully rendered raw conversions, and has a strong catalog/metadata features. I tried LR, but found I much preferred the CO interface. For me, the CO interface felt much closer to Aperture than LR.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-01-2016, 05:58 PM
|
| |
| |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-09-2013, 04:07 PM
|
| |
Fantastic sky, a beautiful sunset and well captured.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-09-2013, 04:06 PM
|
| |
Great light and color, especially on #3. Very nice!
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-06-2013, 03:53 PM
|
| |
Great colors, the sky color is very complementary to the rocks.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-05-2013, 05:27 PM
|
| |
Great shot, works really well in BW. I like the second shot with the stick cloned out best also.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-04-2013, 04:02 PM
|
| |
I really like #1 and #3, very nicely composed and great light.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-02-2013, 12:21 PM
|
| |
Beautiful winter scene, great composition, works well in B&W.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
06-02-2013, 12:17 PM
|
| |
Great set, I really like the composition on the first.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-30-2013, 05:51 PM
|
| |
Thanks for taking a look at the linked galleries, I do try to time my shoots for the beginning and yet of the day to catch the best light. The sandstone in the Canyonlands warms up beautifully in the golden hour.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-29-2013, 04:47 PM
|
| |
Thank you everyone for your comments. I only recently converted to Pentax, but I have delighted with the DR the K-5's can handle and the beautiful contrast from the Ltd primes.
Thanks again!
Richard.
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-28-2013, 04:01 PM
|
| |
Just back from a great visit to Canyonlands and the Arches national park. All shots with the K-5 IIs, lenses as described below. Any and all comments welcome!
Mesa Arch - 15mm f4 Ltd
Green River Overlook - 40mm f2.8 Ltd
Double Dome - A 35-105mm f3.5
Potash Pools at Dead Horse Point 15mm f4 Ltd
For anyone interested the full gallery is at Richard Bird Photography | Canyonlands
and the Arches at Richard Bird Photography | Arches |
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-04-2013, 05:09 AM
|
| |
Great set, incredible views down into the valley! I visited Zion a couple of years back and thought about the Angel's Landing hike, but I don't have a head for heights and gave it a miss. Although it looks like you can get a pretty good vista from just part of the way up.
|
|
Forum: General Talk
12-25-2012, 06:29 PM
|
| |
My wife tracked down and gave me an excellent condition Pentax 35-105 f3.5. Very happy!!
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
12-19-2012, 07:26 PM
|
| |
Beautiful set and a fantastic range of color. I am also very encouraged - I just bought a 15mm Ltd for my K-5 IIs!
|
