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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-01-2015, 01:46 AM
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You get the PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6AL WR as standard. It's also the only lens I can find that is in white. So my existing Pentax lenses (for my K5) don't look as cool on it :(.
Richard
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-30-2015, 08:53 AM
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Glorietta Mall. This is a big mall in Makati by Greenbelt and the Shangri-La and Peninsula hotels amongst others. Credit card statement says Camerahaus Glorietta 2, Makati (see CameraHaus seventh down on left). It's in a wing full of high tech shops (hi-fi, cellphones, etc) on the right as you walk out of the central area. Can't remember which floor. They had a huge fibre glass model of the camera in the shop doorway (that's what caught my eye initially). I think the staff said it was owned by the Pentax distributor for Phils. It was 24,990 pesos with lens and strap. No case or anything.
Richard
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-25-2015, 09:19 AM
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I was in the Philippines (wife is from Philippines) last month and couldn't believe my eyes when the shop I went to get a local SIM an hour after I arrived was also a) Pentax dealer and b) had several in stock. I did not need one as I have a K5 and want a K3. But, well, I just HAD to get it didn't I? Price was same as UK (about £370). Apart from using standard coloured parts it has the Philippine sun symbol on the top. I've done an 'unscientific' comparison between it and the K5 using the same lenses and, I have to say, the K-50 seems at least equal and is certainly better in low light. Not as rugged nor does it have many features I use. But more than just a flashy camera. Now all I need is a suitable case and strap to match it. Black is soooo boring!
Richard
PS I also play guitar so I dreaded going into a music shop and seeing a Fender Stratocaster is Philippine Flag colours.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
10-31-2014, 04:29 AM
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I know that one way to deliberately get that effect is by using a small aperture. Maybe that's the reason although I'd have thought smaller than F11.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
10-14-2014, 01:16 PM
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Just happened to have these three items laying around and the matching colours just seemed to say 'photo please'....
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-14-2014, 01:04 PM
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Here is my attempt. All done using the marvellous Smart Photo Editor....
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-03-2014, 11:40 AM
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Well I know that both watches and cars are made for specific markets (i.e. lower quality to make them affordable) but for something as 'niche' as lenses I'd be surprised. Maybe an idea to ask for a serial number. You may be able to find our direct from Sigma.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-16-2014, 01:20 AM
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I have used the excellent Magix Extreme Photostory on CD and DVD (is this similar to what you are using?) several times to create DVD based slideshows with music which I can run from a standard DVD player and view on a TV. I end up with those sort of 'backstage photos' added extras you often find in film DVDs. All the synced cross fades and changes etc. Absolutely brilliant software especially for the price. But the process from basically saying 'yes' and burning the DVD was so processor intensive it wasn't true. I even got high temp warnings on the PC and had to get a fan out of the garage whilst it did it! The issue (well maybe not an issue) but I think it is effectively creating a movie because that's the only thing a DVD player will understand (apart from individual jpegs). It is not simply copying load of files to a DVD with some sort of script. Once you get your head round that then its easier to accept the huge file sizes involved and the processor power needed on the PC. I think you can save that file to a PC/laptop and play it from there as well (which I assume is what you are trying to do). If you are limiting yourself to a laptop (i.e. not a TV based DVD player) then you could use Powerpoint and create a PowerPoint Show file (PPS). I've done that where I know the target will never be a DVD player. But I don't think this does a good job of retaining high res images.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
08-22-2014, 01:54 AM
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Not sure if this is much help but I had a K100 and I have an image taken on it on our wall printed on canvas. It was printed by a specialist (i.e. not high street) and is 30" by 20". People who come to the house are mightily impressed by the image and even more impressed when I tell them it was only 6mp. They then try and spot pixels and fail. So, a good low ISO photo from the K100 will print no problems at 20x30 in my view.
Interesting comment about your 'hit rate'. It is rather depressing isn't it? I find the same. In fact, when I take a batch of photos (say on holiday) I whittle them down from maybe 600+ to something viewable (not more than 200). Then I wait months, maybe longer, before culling them again down to usually 50-60. The reason I wait so long is to get rid of the 'effort factor'. Sometimes, if you know you waited 30 minutes for the right things to come together for a shot, it's sometimes hard to convince yourself that the results is only average. But months down the line you can make a more accurate judgement without the baggage of the effort or circumstances clouding your judgement.
Richard
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-25-2014, 11:38 PM
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Presume you mean the shaded blotch bottom centre? I get this on my K5. Depends on lens and aperture. I've always put it down to dirt on the lens or mirror or sensor. Basically, I assume a good clean is needed.
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Forum: General Talk
07-10-2014, 11:58 PM
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Sorry to those who live in Brighton but I've never been impressed I'm afraid. There's many other places in the south of the UK that you'd be better spending your time going to. Or simply spend more time at the places you have listed.
Richard
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-10-2014, 12:41 AM
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Wow, the difference between the K3 and K5 is quite noticeable. In your opinion how alike were the two pictures in terms of 'test condition'. In short, should I go and get a K3 :(
Richard
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
07-02-2014, 08:35 AM
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Hi all, thanks for the contributions. I'll waste no time and tell you that 'todd' has won this month's competition. Giving you all reasons 'why' may be risky and certainly there's no technical reason. It's just the one that hit me as soon as I saw it. The secret, I reckon. was in the square crop (like ChristianRock) which removed some of the superfluous foliage. Todd's take warmed up the oranges and the sky which was what Seville was all about to me (as said in the original post). I also think the crop accentuates the oranges. On my original they are somewhat lost.
I also liked 'Barts' first take. The 'dreaminess' of it. Be interesting to see a square crop with that sort of effect.
I also liked Den's very brave attempt. I reckon there is a good picture going a bit arty such as this but unfortunately this effect wasn't one that got me going.
And, finally, its interesting how ChristianRock's reverse image seems to work better (or is it just different?). Maybe there's some 'rule' that things should lean in from the left?
Anyway, congratulations to Todd. We eagerly await his submission for the July contest!
Regards
Richard
PS Todd did not win because he comes from Orange in California! In case you were wondering ;)
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-18-2014, 03:38 AM
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Or even when they focus in on the wrong guitarist!
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-16-2014, 12:08 AM
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How about the crop below? As far as B&W goes I'm afraid I rarely see the point. I'll often desaturate to the point there is little colour but I've never quite 'got' the penchant for B&W. If God had invented colour photography from the word 'go' black and white would never have existed. I know its just a personal thing so ignore me on this ;)
Richard
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-15-2014, 02:07 AM
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Voice of Reason, One way is to use the RAW Editor in Photoshop and play with the Luminance controls. I've heard this is what, for example, professional wedding photographers do when taking pictures in low lighting conditions (e.g. candles). You need the speed because of a) camera shake if no tripod and also b) the moon is actually moving.
Richard
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-13-2014, 10:52 PM
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Great shot. I've had an interesting experience re moonshots lately. A friend (not really a 'photographer') send me a shot he'd taken a few nights ago of the moon. It was superb. So much so that the next night I set up in the garden. I used my K5 with a Pentax 55-300mm lens, infra-red remote control and Mirror Up. I took many shots and, when cropped, ended up with something approaching the shot you have taken. But it was nowhere near as sharp as my friend's picture. I was quite depressed about it because I saw him take the photo. It was handheld using a Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, retail price here in the UK is about £300. It has a 1200mm zoom lens. 1200mm!!! I couldn't believe it. I see most of these system cameras offer a similar model in terms of zoom. My equipment probably retails here for about £1200.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
06-11-2014, 01:02 PM
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Thanks for spotting. Thought the link was to the Forum not the actual photo. Have replaced with correct URL.
Richard
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
06-11-2014, 02:22 AM
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The picture posted for this month was taken with a Canon G12 compact camera.
The picture was taken in February 2014 in Seville, Southern Spain. Four months later my memories are of perfect temperatures, no crowds, blue sky, a lovely mix of Spanish and Arab architecture and streets with trees that drip oranges. And that's what I tried to capture in this picture. I've always felt it needs some sort of attention to really bring out these characteristics. The ingredients are there but the mix is lacking somewhere. Whether it needs subtle treatment or would benefit from something surreal I'll leave that for you to decide.
Richard Briggs, UK
The Rules
1. Have Fun!
2. Use any Post Processing Software and techniques.
3. Entries will close on June 30, 2014 at midnight Eastern Standard Time (a.k.a. New York time).
4. Maximum image dimensions for entries are 1024x768 pixels
5. Max of 3 image entries per person. Entries may be withdrawn or changed
6. List software used, as well as your method, with your entry so we can all learn.
7. There are no limits or restrictions - make the subject image into whatever you want!
8. Do not copy or alter other entries.
9. Contest winner determines the rules, selects theme, sets closing date, and judge’s the next competition.
10. Have Fun
The file is .jpg only and is available here:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/myfiles/#g216nxqn00yg3j5
Information for the next host:
The MediaFire website is: mediafire.com
The log in name is: pentaxchallenge @ yahoo.com
The password is: postprocessing
Thanks to all, and I'm looking forward to seeing the interpretations that come from this.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
06-08-2014, 10:34 AM
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Well one suggestion is an infra red remote control. I use mine a lot in similar circumstances with my K5.
Richard
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
06-08-2014, 02:00 AM
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Hi ghl. not taking comments wrong way. Simply that it has concerned me that maybe the tool I use (Smart Photo Editor) is somehow degrading my original shots in terms of quality. So I was really interested in hearing your views. So if, for instance, you'd observed strange artifacts in the image that may be due to the product. For $30 the quality of results amazes me. I'm constantly thinking there must be a catch!
Regards
Richard
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
06-05-2014, 11:59 PM
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Just to pick up on ghl's comments. One of the cool things about Smart Photo Editor is that you can create your own effects (using their Effects Editor workflow) and then you can, optionally, submit them to a community and they are then made available to one and all. Currently there are over 4000 effects submitted by product owners. And, of course, you can vary the impact of each effect and layer multiple effects over each other so the results are almost infinite and can be unique to you. The downside is you may use 'sub standard' effects. A classic example would be the use of a replacement sky someone has submitted where the new sky has a lot lower resolution than the original picture. Only way is to look at the result. Closely. ghl's comments may relate to that or simply I adjusted a particular layer too much :(
Richard
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
06-04-2014, 10:50 PM
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I won! Wow, thanks for that and I echo the other response about effort put into reviews. Not sure what you mean by distracting elements. Could you explain? It maybe because I simply captured the image off screen using Windows 'Snip' so the resolution would be awful.
As well as thanking my Mum, Dad, teachers, wife, kids and everyone I've ever met ;) I'd like to say just what a fantastic little product Smart Photo Editor (SPE) is. It's worth far more than the $30 you pay.
Regards
Richard
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Forum: General Photography
06-04-2014, 12:44 AM
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I know everyone goes there but a must is the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. First of all some amazing shots can be taken from the ground looking up due to the distorted shape of the structure and the flat top. You can then pay to go to a viewing gallery on the top. Stupendous views across Singapore (I took an amazing stitched panorama). What I could not find in Singapore were 'old traditional oriental views' as most of that has been knocked down. Chinatown is OK especially for street vendors and there's also a great temple there (can't remember name). But there's lots of modern architecture and quirky signs etc.
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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
05-30-2014, 01:15 AM
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I have a Canon G12 (compact) and Pentax K5. I absolutely love the Canon as its small and produces excellent photos. BUT.... the lack of 'real estate' on the Canon means many of the controls are convoluted to use or require access to the menu system. I can adjust almost anything on the K5 without even looking from the viewfinder. So I can only imagine everything being on touchscreen will be the worst of all worlds. I think this is a benefit of SLRs that is often forgotten.
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