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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
11-19-2019, 11:29 AM
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IMO the Samyang/Rokinon 14 F2.8 is a great lens to start with, if you don't already have any around that focal range. It has no auto focus, which shouldn't matter for your intended usage, and is relatively cheap.
If you camera has the astrotracer function built in - fantastic! If not, after a few sessions you might be looking into getting some sort of mount that would allow you to increase the exposure time without star-trails.
A steady tripod is a MUST.
Be prepared for post-processing work :D
Edit:
Here are the resources I found helpful:
Stellarium web: https://stellarium-web.org/
I use this to help predict what I would likely to see at what time and facing what direction.
Find a dark location:
https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#4/39.00/-98.00
http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/ |
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
04-15-2019, 09:12 AM
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From our trip to DC in the beginning of April. Not the usual cherry blossom pictures :)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-18-2019, 09:41 AM
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I have the DFA-100 WR and A-50 macro lenses, using them with K-5.
Some pros and cons for each:
DFA100:
+ WR
+ subject distance
+ has AF <- doesn't matter much for macro, but I found this lens is also great for just everyday shooting
+ does 1:1 magnification without adapter
- size <- relatively speaking
A50:
+ size: small but feels solid
+ MF only and has a long throw, a joy to use for macro
+ cheaper than the DFA100
+ did I mention that the MF on this lens is absolutely fantastic to use :lol:
- only goes to 0.5x magnification
- not WR
Hope this helps.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-18-2019, 07:50 AM
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Would be good to know what is your primary objective with the macro lens?
Insects, flowers, etc? Do you need 1:1 magnification?
Budget?
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Forum: Photographic Technique
12-20-2018, 08:59 AM
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Just wanted to chime in based on my somewhat limited astrophotography experience :)
1. What is your goal, photographing DSO or wide-field milky way?
Looks like you have lens/telescope in the range of 300mm which would rule out wide-field-milky-way-kind-of-shots.
From what I gathered, DSO photography is much much more difficult than milky way shots and, in general, need better gear and post-processing skills.
2. Az-El mount is not particularly good in terms of tracking, which you will need if you intend to take, say 100 photos and stack them later.
You will probably soon find out that at 300mm, you won't be able to make a long enough exposure before star trails become obvious, which means lots of photos need to be taken so you could stack them later to get a cleaner/better image, which means a somewhat precise tracking is a must...
3. A good GEQ mount is expensive :( however, I would suggest research those tracking mounts/devices designed for DSLR + lens or small/compact telescope.
The following come to mind: Pentax OGPS-1, iOptron Skytracker (or something like that, they have many models and the names get confusing very soon), etc.
Those are generally very portable, which means you could take them to a camping trip or whatever, and the setup processes are usually much simpler.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-05-2018, 06:27 PM
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Post processed in LR :lol:
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-16-2018, 09:36 AM
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Sunrise shot from the balcony of our hotel room :lol:
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-04-2018, 05:50 AM
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While I anxiously wait for the 100mm macro to arrive, I took the A-50 macro out for a spin :lol:
I'm still learning how to post process black & white pictures (watched a how-to video on Ansel Adams zone system).
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Forum: Photographic Technique
04-16-2018, 05:59 AM
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From my limited experience, the longest shutter time you can achieve with the widest lens you have (15mm) is probably around 25 seconds, before you start to see noticeable star trails in the image, which you do not want for a milky way shot.
If you can get to a site with minimum light pollution, 25 seconds is definitely long enough for milky way shots, without an astrotracer. You might have to increase the ISO to 1600ish, since the DA15 is only at F/4. Play around with different ISO and shutter time to get the best results.
Good luck, and don't forget to post back your results :)
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-18-2018, 12:33 PM
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Enjoying the snow day here in North Carolina, the DA35 isn't WR so I took a risk :cool:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-14-2017, 07:34 AM
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I paid about $200 for the A50 macro a few years ago. The manual focus ring is a pleasure to use!
$45 is a steal, assuming it is in decent condition :)
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
02-25-2016, 07:05 AM
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Practicing some shots indoor, not sure what exactly the flower is called... we bought from Asian market
K5 with A 50 Macro
 IMGP9956
 IMGP0027
 IMGP0017-2 |
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-15-2015, 11:23 AM
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I'm no expert, but it really depends on *what* you want to photograph.
Milky way, nebula, wide field, etc
For general wide field or milky way, I used a Samyang 14 f/2.8, it costs significantly less than the *16-50. I picked it up used for a little over $200.
It is manual focus only, but this shouldn't be a problem for astrophotography purposes.
I used it without oGPS1, since you can pretty much achieve 20 seconds exposure without any noticeable star trails, on my K-r.
I have no experience with oGPS1 or nebula astrophotography, but I have also read a lot about them.
You do not need a special tripod to use the oGPS1. It mounts on to the camera body and does not move the camera body, but rather the sensor.
Make sure you have a camera newer than K-r (i think...) to support it.
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Forum: Pentax K-01
11-03-2014, 11:36 AM
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Not a pro myself but I have played with shooting stars and will try to help :)
First of, what do you mean by had trouble using long exposure, what in particular didn't work for you?
I used Kr and a 15mm prime lens and
1. usually keep my ISO at 3200 or 1600, wide open or close to wide open at f2.8
2. exposure time is usually around 20-30 seconds. there's a "rule of 600" (or 400 in the case of apsc cameras?) to determine the slowest shutter speed you can achieve without seeing noticeable star trails. In short, 400 divide by focal length gives you the rough estimate of that shutter speed.
3. use Manual Focus to focus to the infinity, take a picture and zoom in on the LCD to check if the stars are in focus. Sometimes you need to rotate back the focus ring just a little bit.
4. use a stable tripod
5. post processing - many tutorials online
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