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Forum: General Photography
1 Day Ago
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Classically B&C, as has been said above. However A & D are it being "chased". You could embrace this threat and if these photos were extended into the space behind the bird it would calm things a little. Perhaps it would look more like a runway and the bird leaving the frame.
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Forum: General Photography
03-30-2024, 05:11 AM
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3-way every time, but I'm a slow photographer. I am so used to using a three way head that I slacken off all three arms, support the camera, position and tighten. It's all quick, and for me, the important thing is that it is secure and positive.
I've used 3-ways for landscape, real estate and product/still life. I've never had a need to pan.
I have used/tried a range of quality ball and 3-way heads and I'll never go for a ball head.
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Forum: Ricoh GR
03-28-2024, 07:47 AM
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Very odd - not for me. But then, maybe. Actually I quite like it ...
I do like the way Ricoh keep throwing these interesting variants into the mix. Maybe it won't appeal to many, but look what happened to K3 Monochrome. There is a growing sense that an old look is becoming more mainstream in photography. Wouldn't it be nice if the big players start fretting with their emotionless, cold computer-cameras.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-28-2024, 02:24 AM
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Thank you. All I need is a dog to work with in the forest :)
Like you I've followed excellent Simon's work. However, it's an odd thing but the more I viewed his work the more I realised I didn't want to shoot his way. I believe he uses mostly telephoto lenses, but more importantly he's (for his audience) naturally seeking the Wow! shot which often means dramatic weather. Down here in the soft south, damp and mild is the norm in winter. Embracing this poor photo weather is required otherwise the levels of jealousy will rise too high. Thus the project, narrative approach. You'll have some cracking winter weather where you live as do many on this forum...
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-27-2024, 11:43 AM
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I'm a prime sort of person, but I had a 15-30 (bought used) 'left over' from some commercial work. I decided to give it a go with a year long project, visiting a local forest at dawn each week for a year.
I don't go for the spectacular, preferring instead more narrative shots.
At first the lens seemed enormous to me. Just way too heavy, but I stuck with it and by the end of the year I found that I hardly noticed its heft. Optically it has an excellent balance and in challenging lighting, as in a forest, it did remarkably well with all that glass.
I will refresh my very average website soon, but the 15-30 project is at: Barry Edge Photography portfolio website in case this helps.
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Forum: General Photography
03-25-2024, 02:26 AM
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I haven't got the Monochrome camera, but I do now take predominately B&W (ish) shots with K-1. The reason why I said 'ish' is because I'm finding I do like to have, at times, just a trace of colour. So working from a RGB image and desaturating (there are many ways to do this from simple to more complex in PS), for me, this gives greater, creative possibilities.
I've recently uploaded a few to my Instagram account @barryedgeimages if pictures work better than words ...
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Forum: General Photography
03-20-2024, 01:55 PM
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I'm sure many will chip in as filter usage does tend to polarise (:-)) folk. For me a high quality protection filter (B+W) just makes me feel more relaxed when using more expensive lenses. I've tested and tested them and not seen any detrimental effects on new or oldish lenses. Cheaper versions can cause problems. So for peace of mind, especially when I'm in woodland, my protective filters stay on. Helps with resale value too.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
03-05-2024, 07:51 AM
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Welcome from the other end of the Pilgrims Way...
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-26-2024, 04:49 AM
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I do sometimes forget how the corners are slightly clipped with the O-ME53, but it's helpful with keeping extraneous light out. With two pairs of specs I can see your extra dilemma. It's bad enough with one pair of specs on a cord, camera strap and sometime tripod case and Loupe round my neck. Luckily I'm a slow photographer so I try and stay chilled when things get a little knotted :(
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-26-2024, 03:41 AM
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I wear reading glasses, but with the O-ME53 I too would have a problem. So I adjust the dioptre setting and wear half moon glasses that I can slip down my nose when viewing through the viewfinder. I have O-ME53 on all my K cameras - I find them useful.
It's a pain having to wear reading glasses, but with the half moons on a cord, it works fine for checking LCD details etc.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
02-24-2024, 11:00 AM
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I was looking for a low profile backpack that I could cycle with - most stick out too far. I found the Fulton v2 14L Rucksack Tan/Olive | Tenba Does the job nicely. It can take a small laptop, but as it's got a roll top it packs down well and doesn't unbalance me. The camera area is small. I take a K-1 and two primes, plus a few small accessories in the camera compartment and any other bits/lens would go, padded, in the body of the bag.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-09-2024, 09:17 AM
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These examples are not really 'product photography' shots as usually understood in the industry, but rather 'packshots'. Some of the advice given, especially by me, has been aimed towards your request for "high end' product shots. The approach, gear, lighting, background, creativity, etc is different between product and packshots.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-08-2024, 08:31 AM
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Another thought. Perhaps the most useful thing when assessing shots: tether your camera. Lightroom works, just about
---------- Post added 02-08-24 at 03:38 PM ----------
But ***perfectly*** doable with K-1. Though I did not pursue commercial product too far as I switched to real estate (then Covid hit ...), a K-1 was a great camera with either of the macro lenses (50/100) which are even across the frame. I would never use the 24-70. It is not the camera, but rather the lighting that is key.
As Peter says above. Manual all the way.
I have a few examples left on my website at: Barry Edge Photography Still Life and Interiors page |
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-08-2024, 07:35 AM
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This is a large and can be complex subject. Here are a few starter points:
Yes, soft light is or rather can be important, especially on reflective surfaces, but it may be a little bland all over. So think about using point sources as well eg with snoots to emphasise parts of the cosmetics eg brand name.
Flash is more useful/controllable/creative, in my opinion, than continuous. Good choice.
You may want to forget soft box idea, instead use something like sheets/roll Lee 216 diffuser. Make your own scrims - panels of 216
Controlling nasty reflections will probably be key, so reduce ambient light. Yes, flash will overwhelm most ambient, but you may be surprised how much a polished surface reveals.
Modelling lights are very useful. I believe some Godox models have them.
Backgrounds are key, as is the staging/set. Don't forget to control the lighting on the background and the 'inverse square law' should be your friend (normally).
Focus stacking will likely be important. so a very good tripod is important.
Two lights may not be enough. Can use mirrors and reflective card etc.
There is a ton more stuff that might be said, but this is a starter ...
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Forum: Pentax KP
01-11-2024, 09:38 AM
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Looks like you had a proper fall of snow. Crampons over the slippers might have been wiser. Maybe next time ...
No doubt they'll be some of those show offs in Canada etc who won't understand how excited we get around here when we have such a heavy snow fall as you got. I could have probably have counted the flakes that fell on our garden across the border. Still it does count as a snow so the Met Office was correct.
Time for some T-shirts with that slogan...?
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-06-2024, 01:31 PM
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Like you I've struggled with MF portraits with K-1. You've had useful advice above. I've not much to add as it seems things are a little better for you now with -10.
One thing I did find helpful is to wear an eye patch on my non-focussing eye - it's much more relaxing than closing the other eye, or with it open, trying to ignore it. With it lightly in place it's easy to flick it out of the way and with a few pirate gags it can break the ice ... :-)
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-28-2023, 10:10 AM
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As the others have said.
I don't have the mark i, so I'm guessing, but I suspect you'll have some of the broken red 'glass' . Maybe you could form some comparable (to the glass - colour & opacity) LEE lighting gel over the hole. Yes there might be some re-calibration involved, but it may be worth experimenting.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-19-2023, 09:07 AM
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Perhaps???
Unless you want/need the speed of the K3iii, maybe go for an excellent condition second hand K1 at MPB in UK and a GRiii. Covers most bases, except high frame rate and (some) fast moving subjects.
The GRiii excels where the big camera is a too cumbersome eg holidays, the kids, towns/cities and the K-1ii does most other things very well. Any FF lenses bought can be used on APSC, so if you add a K-3iii later, you're OK.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
12-17-2023, 07:04 AM
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Hi Richard, (from nr. another historic city, Winchester). Welcome aboard.
The GRiii and K-1 are a perfect brace of cameras to build from. They complement each other very well.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-07-2023, 08:54 AM
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Great to see Ricoh/Pentax supporting old cameras like this. I have no idea, but do the likes of Canon, Nikon & Sony etc do this? If not it really is a distinguishing point that marketing should make use of.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
12-04-2023, 11:44 AM
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Some of the SanDisk cards have Lifetime warranties on them. I've tended to choose these in the hope that the manufacturer has confidence in them for a good few years and they'll therefore last.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-20-2023, 01:29 PM
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Well I guess I could reasonably have expected that, James ;)
I do get a tad frustrated when folk (generally, not implying you) seem to think that the/a camera is at fault and buying new gear will solve the problem. I hoped I'd made it clear up front in my post that I was as much responding to others' suggestions that a new camera is the only answer, when it isn't.
When I shoot on 43/50 for standing poses I do mostly use flash, but sometimes with some ambient to bring the room setting into play. The flash and modifiers are mainly for model isolation. Often the AF points are in the wrong place so I AF and recompose, accepting a few misses. Tethering allows me to adapt quickly and reshoot. I often resort to manual focus, when I wear an eye patch over my other eye which limits eye strain. I find manual focussing to be almost as good as AF and probably more flexible when the AF points are not perfectly positioned.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-20-2023, 09:36 AM
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Stop and save the big spend!
First this post is not aimed at anyone in particular, but the original post does not need to be solved by a camera purchase. It's a combination of lighting control issues, the design of the set/creativity and some technique. Mostly it's the lighting.
1)Find a cheap polystyrene manakin and a marker pen to create lines & dots on it so camera AF works. Even a teddy bear or balloon would work.
2) Raid cupboard, shed, garage, DIY warehouse for bed sheets, boards, white emulsion (and black emulsion for flagging) to BOUNCE light around the set.
3) Tether K-1 to Lightroom. Only a USB cable required.
4) Buy a cheap MANUAL speedlight (or two or three) and a trigger. I use Cactus, but Godox is better.
Now spend a few hours blending ambient light with flash, in MANUAL mode. No light meters. No confusing TTL. Take a shot look at tethered photo. Add/subtract flash light. Really easy.
Now you''ll have good control over the changing ambient light and can lower the ISO.
Add a cheap CTO filter to balance light, if required.
Paint a backdrop or buy a crease free one.
Later buy a speedlight bracket that has a Bowens fit and the you can fit zillions of softboxes, snoots etc so the light control gets almost infinite.
Sorry this is poorly formatted and explained, but I've b*****ed my neck and typing is hard.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-19-2023, 09:13 AM
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I get your pain as this is something I struggled with, but as Issac says above, background and lighting changes would help. At f5.6 to f8 using a 43/77/50 and hand holding, while moving around quite a bit, I'm happy with my successes. More specific, sculptured lighting to shape the face and a simple background at some distance behind the subject is my approach. Then from front on the eyes are sharp and the ears out going of focus. The background is nice blur and dark unless I add some subtle lighting to the background to give a glow.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-13-2023, 06:40 AM
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I've probably got this wrong as I've not followed this recent (ish) refresh of this lens. So the previous version which was sold up till recently has replaced by an HD version and the Classic version. I get the HD update, but I had assumed the Classic was the previous version with the internal elements tweeked a little to get the rainbow effects (plus some trim), but has the Classic also had some coatings changes that will have changed its flare performance compared with the original version?
Thanks.
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