|
Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
22 Hours Ago
|
| |
Interesting event. Blend gin, take pictures. Sounds like fun!
I could be there in 23 hours, although I don't have a GR and gin's not my drink of choice. But I've enjoyed my several visits to Sydney.
Maybe next time -- a K-3 and dark ale event? ;):)
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
2 Days Ago
|
| |
Thanks for this. I had never heard of the band before.
Just finished listening to their piece "May Ninth." Awesomely relaxing, reflective, peaceful, nostalgic, bittersweet and uplifting, all at once. Wow.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
3 Days Ago
|
| |
Articles by veteran Dave Etchells are interesting, insightful, and well presented. I enjoy his interviews.
Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the DPR comments section brings out the usual cynicism and FUD.
I think that Mr. Etchells is associated with DPReview these days (as a contributor), so it makes sense that he would publish his piece there. The article doesn't seem to be 'sponsored' by Ricoh Imaging.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
6 Days Ago
|
| |
You may be correct. In my local camera club (100 members, mainly 'older'), we hold five photo competitions each year. Of the some 600 images presented this year, I can't think of one for which a highly-advanced camera was required. The acclaimed images show the photographers' skill, including selection of subject, light, composition and timing.
Since the invention of photography, there have been notable innovations, such as
- Creation of the negative
- Film roll for multiple exposures
- 35-mm camera
- Colour photography
- Point-and-shoot compact film cameras
- Automatic exposure control
- Autofocus
- Digital camera
- Phone cameras
- The Selfie
Many of the current advances in cameras (or lenses) are not introducing fundamentally-different concepts or features. We still hold a discrete item to our eye -- a camera -- that has a lens and some way of viewing a scene.
What will the future bring? What should the future bring? Most of us, who are not product designers or inventors, are not visionaries. It's easier to suggest, say, a higher frame rate or finer autofocus than it is to dream of a new photography 'paradigm'.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
04-14-2024, 03:34 PM
|
| |
Interesting thread. A few random thoughts...
Conditioned to Spend?
Reminds me of a leadership course I took, in which we explored Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which he introduced in his 1943 paper, A Theory of Human Motivation.
1. Physiological needs: air, food, water, shelter, sleep
2. Safety needs: personal security, health
3. Love and belonging: friendship, community, connection
4. Esteem: respect, recognition, prestige
5. Self-actualization: desire and ability to achieve one's full potential, become the best that one can be.
The most basic needs -- physiological and safety -- are inherent in humans. The others may be important or not, depending on individuals. In our capitalist, currency-based society, spending (money) is necessary to achieve the basic needs. I suppose one could avoid spending by foraging for food and drinking from a clean stream, but these solutions are hardly practical for most humans.
Consumerism?
Occasionally, I may receive a gift card to Starbucks Coffee. I'm quite amazed by the high prices of their products -- especially when compared to my mid-morning home-made 25-cent coffee and 15-cent muffin -- and even more so by the long queues and busy cafe, which seems populated mainly by young patrons. How do they afford $10 for a frequent drink and snack?
IMO, yes, we're inundated with invitations to spend. That's what advertising is all about. Then there are the slightly-less in-your-face subliminal pitches -- you NEED this 20 FPS, gnat-AF camera... how could you possibly take good pictures with your old piece of gear-driven gear that's five years old? Fear of Missing Out?
We can live without
I'm reminded of a Pentax Forum post of a few years ago:
Mend and Make-do
Likewise. My engineering education served me well, financially and with interesting projects. I never became rich in the Canadian government public service, but our family had comfort.
I'll usually try to make or mend things around the house -- minor plumbing and electrical jobs that don't require permits, woodwork, mortar, appliances (minor and white goods), etc. Saves a ton of money. Glad to have my basement workshop. And, our quality sewing machine was one of the best items we bought after we got married.
OT
Finally, about the BBC. I often depend on BBC online (or CNN) for coverage of unfolding world events. Our own Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) radio is pretty good for documentaries, music, and current affairs.
Enough for now. I'm off to check the Shipping Forecast for the conditions in Dogger. ;):) Seriously, though, there's something to be said for the longevity, consistency, and calm of the Shipping Forecast, in the age of consumerism.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
04-06-2024, 04:13 PM
|
| |
Mixed up with the sweatshirts?
Hope it works out! Sometimes, sweet deals come our way.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
04-06-2024, 03:46 PM
|
| |
An accidental 'Add to Cart'? Oh, those finger twitches.;):)
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
04-05-2024, 08:29 AM
|
| |
Welcome to Canada!
Montreal can be very pretty when it snows.The snow won't stick around long.
Monday looks promising.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
04-03-2024, 10:34 AM
|
| |
Is that the telecom tower near my place? ;):)
Looks like a great lens. Well done.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-03-2024, 05:26 AM
|
| |
WHAT? A K-3 FF? Why didn't anybody tell me?
I'm sick and tired of my K-3 Mark III APS-C camera. It can't focus, DoF is too deep, there are no lenses for it, and it doesn't have a flippy screen. ;)
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
04-02-2024, 11:27 AM
|
| |
I think you might be correct. A very well-staged one at that.
It's a facade with only a 'sign-up' function and no product information.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
04-02-2024, 08:34 AM
|
| |
Neat! Any issues with corner sharpness?
In 2019, I received as gifts a Lego Saturn V and an Apollo 'lunar lander' as gifts. Apollo 11 50th anniversary. Great enjoyment.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-01-2024, 02:50 PM
|
| |
Of course. Silly me. :o
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-01-2024, 11:37 AM
|
| |
Will the J- version come in different exotic woods?
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax K-3 III
04-01-2024, 10:10 AM
|
| |
Unset removes an assigned function from its numbered 'slot' (1-5), so that slot will be unused.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
04-01-2024, 08:15 AM
|
| |
I've often frowned on those cameras that seem to need a separate hand grip or thumb rest, especially considering the typical prices of those accessories. I guess I've been spoiled by the Pentax ergonomics, so I'm not exactly a candidate for this "patent-pending, anti-theft, no-futz" grip, despite its "no-compromise thumb rest" and its "higher grade of alloy." ;)
I had a hard time watching the video (and I didn't watch it to the end) -- 12 minutes to present a very simple message, less the time spent to promote the sponsor. I guess they want to introduce the product with great fanfare to capture people's emotions. And, judging from the comments at the YouTube channel, folks are champing at the bit.
It's not an April Fools joke?
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Homepage & Official Pentax News
04-01-2024, 06:06 AM
|
| |
Q. I have an old Nokia flipphone. I think it's got a rudimentary camera. Would Pentaxify work on those files, assuming I can get the phone to work?
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-31-2024, 10:53 AM
|
| |
I have a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II, Lens ID '8 16'. It works on my K-3 Mark III in both Viewfinder mode and Live View mode.
Note that some copies of this lens may have the lens ID of '8 255', which also identifies certain other Sigma lenses. Lenses with this ID may not work properly.
Some info on the lens firmware and ID tag is discussed here: Sigma No Longer Offering Firmware Updates for Some K-mount Lenses - PentaxForums.com
- Craig
|
|
Forum: General Talk
03-29-2024, 04:55 PM
|
| |
I was thinking the same thing a few days ago as I was browsing the Joke Thread, which he started.
My third year Electrical was my hardest, and occupied pretty much all my time. Final year was a bit more relaxed, but still demanded a lot of attention.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-29-2024, 04:39 PM
|
| |
What are the 'normal' prices for those systems? Seems that you caught a very good deal.
In Canada, the S5 II + 24-105mm is selling now for approx. CAD $4,000 (GPB £2,300) , while the K-3 Mark III (body only) sells for CAD $2,200 (GBP £1,300). The K-1 II + 28-105mm is around CAD 2,600. All prices are before sales tax (typically 13%).
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-28-2024, 05:45 PM
|
| |
Should the other optical products, such as binoculars and scopes, also be considered? Or are those lines developed by different teams than the cameras and lenses?
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-28-2024, 08:35 AM
|
| |
Because Ricoh Imaging's descriptions and instructions concerning weather resistance are variable and generally vague, it's difficult -- if not impossible -- to determine design specifications or limits. Indeed, descriptions between the marketing material, operating manuals and warranties range from "highly airtight," and "the most demanding conditions" to 'don't expose the camera to water'.
Certainly, there are many threads here that discuss WR, AW, environmental exposure and water damage. And just when we think that the topic has been exhausted, another nuance appears and the issue is revisited again.
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-26-2024, 11:37 AM
|
| |
To dig a bit further into the weather-resistant rabbit hole, here's an interesting video by Dave Etchells, a respected technical guy who adeptly explains complicated things.
The air-handling aspect of Olympus lenses starts at about the 10:30 mark.
You Tube
|
src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bCdi0m1fe9U?controls=1" allowfullscreen>
|
- Craig
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-26-2024, 10:54 AM
|
| |
It's true. My K-3 Mark III makes me itchy to get out and take a rash of pictures on a photo hike. If I don't wear sturdy footwear, I might get blisters on my feet. ;):lol:
(sorry, couldn't resist)
- Craig
|
