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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-11-2022, 08:43 AM
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I believe the SDM has already stopped working. ;)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-19-2020, 05:33 PM
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Here, this was shot using the Ultra Achromatic Takumar 4.5/85mm (visible light left, reflected UV light right):
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-19-2020, 07:43 AM
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Why don't you post a few of the types of image you'd like to see, maybe someone will take one for you and post it? No one can tell from your criticisms exactly what you're looking for.
The fact that the images weren't shot exactly the way you wanted them to be... why would you even expect that? DO you really think your opinion is universal and that there aren't a million other ways to kick the can?
I just find your appraoch to be somewhat myopic.
If they gave me he lens for day or two, I would have gone looking for a moose. :D
What the heck good is a lens if you can't get good moose images with it? I bet you're more impressed with this guy images than you would have been with mine. :D
What if I said these images were inappropriate because there was no moose in it. If he doesn't take something like this, how can I even evaluate the lens?
 Moose by Norm Head, on Flickr
Should I complain because Pentax didn't include any moose images?
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Forum: General Photography
05-13-2020, 10:18 PM
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I was contacted by Denver 7 a few days ago about my astrophotography.
They wanted to do an article and a short segment on the evening news. Yesterday we had a Zoom meeting in my dome and I gave them a few photos. The article posted today and they will be airing it on the evening news tomorrow.
Here's the article if interested: Shooting the stars: Colorado astrophotographer builds backyard dome observatory
This is the first time I've been on the news for my photography, so it's pretty exciting. I have been on the news a few other times in different places, but that was always having to do with Drone Racing with MultiGP.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
04-29-2020, 05:03 PM
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The K 1000mm f/8 is an old school design but still a very sharp lens. It's a very large lens, about 15 lbs with cam, so needs a heavy duty tripod and a gimbal mount to balance on properly. After that you feel like a tail gunner swinging it around! Aside from the portability (or lack there of) I've taken mine to remote locations in the Everglades via kayak. It gives a reach of 1500mm with APSC and I found my K20D to be the limiting factor, not the lens (sensor too noisy above 800)! I've successfully used it with my Q also, and even with a 2x TC for a ridiculous effective reach of 11200mm!!
It's able to pull in distant details from many miles away provided you can focus it and the weather is good. There is some fringing on highlights, but not bad f/11 - f/13. The rack and pinion focus action is super smooth and very precise. I only wish that it had a focus lock screw!
See here for a trip I did with this lens: (scroll down to the lens)
Winter birthday triad on Florida Bay with the ‘Banana Boat’! | kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i )
Another option is the 1000mm f/11 reflex which is a lot lighter and a lot smaller, hence will naturally get more use. I use a larger video fluid head and a medium duty pod, rock solid! The reflex is not quite as sharp as the refractor (to my eyes) but focuses much closer than the big gun. Excellent for moon shots, again with APSC cams like the 24mp KP (same pixel density as K-1) and an older Sony 16mp Nex-3N. This one also good for solar observation with a safety filter on the front. The reflex also has a bit of fringing on highlights, but the secondary mirror obstruction is comparatively small, so not too many donuts (unlike the 500mm mirrors!) which is nice! The KP is a huge improvement in higher ISO performance, and the K-1 MII will likely give similar results. Very well made lens, handles easy for what it is.
See here for reflex eclipse shots (also with a Q):
ART of Eclipses and other Cosmic alignments! | kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i )
Here's the last 'pink' full moon with the reflex and KP:
The Coronavirus might stop our world, but can’t reach the sky nor the moon! | kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i )
To sum up, lenses of this focal length are special purpose, you need to plan ahead to use them properly and successfully. Also you will probably need to do some PP to boost contrast (esp the mirror) and adjust colors. The reflex I'd recommend if you can get it at a good price. The big refractor get only if you're willing to lug it around, it comes in a big aluminum case. It will draw a lot of attention if you pull it out in public! ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
10-27-2019, 07:25 PM
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Jupiter9 85/f2 M42
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-16-2019, 03:19 AM
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Thank you :)
---------- Post added 11-16-19 at 03:22 AM ----------
CZJ 20mm f2.8
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-05-2020, 04:19 AM
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Probably a lot more planet friendly too...
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-13-2020, 10:25 PM
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Gently turned her back on me.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-12-2020, 03:18 AM
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A quiet moment to reflect...
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-11-2020, 04:20 PM
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Another from my "Delicate Series"...
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
04-20-2020, 03:12 AM
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In the grounds of the Murad Reis Mosque... has to my favourite kirkyard of anywhere in the world...
So tranquil and peaceful... an escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, while still so visually stimulating.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-12-2020, 05:58 PM
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I've got both the whitecat 51 and a DA* 300 and FA* 300. and the K-1 Mk 1
In my view the Whitecat is the better lens for astro work.
The flatter field, less CA (both the 300s have some) and the pinpoint stars are in the WO favor.
The ability to use standard 2" astro filters without having to resort to step-up/down rings an added bonus.
Here's a couple of images for comparison.
Lagoon and Trifid nebulas WO White cat 51.
North American Nebula Pentax FA* 300
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
02-09-2020, 11:34 AM
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Given all the ways Pentax has leveraged IBIS into a variety of features I have an idea for a great feature.
Have a mode where Composition Adjustment moves the sensor all the way to the Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left and Lower Right. Then it composites them all in the camera.
I think this would be an impressive feature and it should be easy to implement in firmware.
Also for lenses I think a consumer grade zoom that goes to 600mm would be something marketable. Updates of the macro lenses with modern AF motors might also be good, particularly for the 100mm.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
01-31-2020, 01:23 PM
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If questions are too specific or confrontational, or possibly exposing too much of their strategy they don't want to share, we will certainly get answers that are short, vague and evasive, as has been the case in previous interviews. So perhaps it is better to ask more general (polite) questions about matters we know little about but still interesting. This ensures a positive atmosphere during the interview, and perhaps they are willing to tell us a bit more as a result.
Personally I would like to know how the design of the camera bodies is organized. Is there one single person who does the design, or a team. Is the design done by Pentax, or do they contract it out to an external design agency. And how about the design of the new APS-C, it seems to be a more stylish deviation from the K7, K5, K3 line, but still with a classic appearance.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-14-2019, 02:58 PM
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Dang! This rabbit hole went deep fast and with considerable sketchiness as well. Amazing too is that there are no example photos to back any of the claims.
Several years ago I read an article where someone good at math did a thorough work-through of the DOF equation (DOF being the sign posted at the entrance to this particular rabbit hole). The outcome was that all of the factors cancel out except for entrance pupil size and final magnification. Chew on that awhile and it should be obvious that format, focal length, and crop factor only count if one decides they are important.
Another consideration might be that as final magnification approaches infinity, DOF approaches zero. If one truly wishes to puzzle, consider infinite magnification coupled with infinitely narrow entrance pupil size. Now multiply aperture by crop factor. :confused::confused::confused:
Steve
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-12-2019, 10:52 PM
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These things we know...
- Focal length is focal length. One can measure it on an optical bench, no camera needed.
- Aperture diameter is, well, the aperture diameter. One can measure it with a ruler and again, no camera needed.*
- F-number (relative aperture) is a fraction of the first over the second. That is why it is always expressed as a fraction. Again, no camera needed.
There are those who attempt to complicate things using concepts such as total light or various depths of equivalence, but from the perspective of optical physics, the three points above stand.
Steve
* Technically, not quite. It is the diameter of the entrance pupil; which may be and often is, different than the physical aperture diameter.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-24-2019, 03:44 AM
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The sensor position doesn't reset during between pixel shift frames. On my K1, it works the following way:
- sensor tracks star motion
- 1st ps frame is exposed
- sensor shifts 1 pixel from last sensor position
- sensor continues to track star motion from last position
- 2nd ps frame is exposed
- sensor shifts 1 pixel from last sensor position
- sensor continues to track star motion from last position
- 3rd ps frame is exposed
- sensor shifts 1 pixel from last sensor position
- sensor continues to track star motion from last position
- 4th ps frame is exposed
- sensor position resets
- mechanical shutter closes
- black frame exposure (if low shutter speed NR is enabled or auto with exposure longer than 1 second).
So I effectively get full RGB definition of seemingly fixed stars. If there is a foreground, if it only selected from a single frame if motion correction is enabled, if motion correction is disabled then the foreground will have lots of pixel shift artifacts since the sensor was not at the same position for each of the 4 pixel shifted frame.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-19-2019, 09:31 PM
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Yep, and the "prism housing" is actually a clever hiding place with flip-up lid for breath mints. :cool::cool::cool:
Steve
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-19-2018, 02:10 PM
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Sometimes you just have to go to the top!
I sent an email to the President/CEO of Ricoh USA (Joji Tokunaga) this morning and got an email back from someone on the technical solutions team. He apologized for the delay and assured me that "all upgrade kits should be fulfilled and received by mid-December." I had also emailed the President of Precision last week - with no response - so very happy that Ricoh responded. Ricoh moved up a notch in my view.
The person on the tech team offered to have my camera shipped back while I wait (which Precision has also been offering) and which I probably will decline since I don't want to lose my place in the queue and shooting with my K3 (and the 1.5 extra reach) is kind of fun. BUT I do miss my K1.
I will follow up with him in mid-December if they don't make good on their promise. (I did offer to take a NEW K1 II at a discount, but they didn't bite.)
Anyway - more waiting but I feel confident this is accurate information.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-21-2018, 11:34 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
06-06-2017, 11:45 AM
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From the Palouse this weekend, Pixel shift with the baffle modified DA*60-250
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-04-2018, 06:37 PM
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I will point out that with longer lenses the 2s MLU timer will not be long enough to allow for all vibrations to dissipate, so using the alternate two press MLU mode is more appropriate for telephoto lenses over 100mm
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Forum: General Photography
11-03-2018, 10:06 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-01-2018, 02:50 AM
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The threadopener asked about what the lens is worth. The whole point of this thread (any thread) is to gather different opinions. There is no "correct" answer with universal relevancy. One or two extreme fan collectors willing to pay $2000 for a golden plastic smurf figurine or this lens (based on their personal opinion) do not make it worth $2000 to anyone but themselves.
And anyone can write its not worth $5.
Both are valid opinions and certainly none is "nonsense".
The only interesting bit here is to discuss what value the majority/average photographer (in contrast to fan collectors) would assign to the lens. And there the usual way to compare a product with its peers (here we have a superior new product with full warranty for 490 EUR as reference). Which is what I did and a handful of fans do not want to hear.
---------- Post added 1st Nov 2018 at 11:08 ----------
Go sell an full working copy DA*300mm lens on ebay and the exact same item with a not working SDM drive plus damaged screw drive. The only difference is AF. The price difference is what the market values the feature AF. I would be surprised if there is no price difference.
See above.
I think you are not discussing AF vs MF but build quality. And yes I agree that build quality can demand a surcharge. With regards to lens prices I don't expect the broader market to value this at more than +10-15% though. It might even be a downside for some. See the weight discussions.
Agreed. But here you clearly need a direct visual comparison against peers. In PK-mount there are Porst 135/1.8 peers costing 250 EUR used and Samyang 135/2 costing 490 EUR new. If someone can show a direct comparison with exact same subject where the A* is much better then this would be fine. Only there is absolutely nothing of this type of evidence.
I have owned both the Samyang and the Porst and can say that their bokeh certainly was nothing to criticise.
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