Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
08-27-2017, 06:25 AM
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Agree with Adam, after a few wrong mode accidents, I made this change and I prefer this setup, but I do a lot of manual focus point selection anyway.
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Forum: Sold Items
08-25-2017, 12:51 PM
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
08-21-2017, 06:51 PM
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Some great stuff here. I really wasn't expecting to get much, first time trying this sort of thing. I was happy just to not fry my camera :o. Used a 10 Stop, 6 Stop and a polarizer with K1 and 60-250. Here in Raleigh we got to about 93% coverage I think. This was a little before max, but I like the sunspots here. Loved being able to use the Image Sync App on iPad to watch the Eclipse, show the kids, and control the camera. Worked like a charm.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
08-21-2017, 04:34 PM
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I wanted to use K3ii if for no other reason than I was a little worried about frying my camera. I did not have a proper solar filter, so I thought I could get "close enough" by stacking a Lee Big Stopper (10 stop), a Little Stopper (6 stop) and a polarizer (maybe 1-2 stops more). However, I also really wanted to use the Image Viewer app so I could control the camera and see the live image on the iPad screen (and show it to my daughters), and that doesn't work with the FluCard. So, I did a test image with the k3ii. Didn't destroy the camera - happy day! So then I switched to the K1 (with a towel over it to keep it cool until I needed to shoot). So, pixels aside, the live view on the iPad made it *so* much easier to shoot the Eclipse and to share it in real-time with my kids. Worked way better than I expected. Wanted to shoot with 150-450mm but I forgot that I didn't have the Lee filter ring adapter for that big beast, so had to use the 60-250mm.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-21-2017, 04:25 PM
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Those are very cool photos! Really like what the clouds add to the image, quite unique.
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Forum: Sold Items
08-20-2017, 10:34 AM
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60-250 pics attached
The bottom two pics show the tripod foot with its broken cleat. the tape in the bottom two pics is so I don't lose the little metal cleat. Someone skilled in such things might be able to repair it themselves with an industrial strength glue.
Also what looks like hair around the rear lens opening is just tiny flecks of the soft 'felt' they use inside the rear of the barrel (I assume for smooth zoom operation but I'm just guessing - never noticed it before).
Link to full size phot sample jpegs: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm6VFZYz
These jpegs are exported from Lightroom. Photos were completely unedited in LR (and no sharpening applied on export).
I took two pixel shift shots (with K3ii) on a tripod, one at 60mm F11 and one at 250mm F4, using live view (CDAF) focus. These were imported in to DCU for processing the pixel shift (some motion in the leaves) and then exported as TIF to LR, so exif data may not look right for those two.
I took two handheld shots, one at 80mm F7.1 and one at 250mm F4, using traditional viewfinder (PDAF) focus.
Here are some older samples of work done with the 60-250 (a little bit of post-production work does wonders): https://flic.kr/p/CPDJhx https://flic.kr/p/DFmNxv https://flic.kr/p/DPAdhu https://flic.kr/p/xPHrys https://flic.kr/p/ysZe9K https://flic.kr/p/wG4irH https://flic.kr/p/qS1qWB https://flic.kr/p/s386iU |
Forum: Sold Items
08-19-2017, 12:52 PM
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PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing Item for Sale
K-5, several lenses and accessories Asking Price
200.00 USD Item Location
Raleigh, NC (United States) Item Description
Pentax K-5 good condition, some normal wear (see pics): $200 ** SOLD **
Shutter count: 13,137
Original box, manuals, charger and cables all included
Original battery (which now barely holds a charge) and a 3rd party second battery included
8MB SanDisk Extreme SD card included
I am throwing in the D-BG2 Battery grip as well (in box)
Also selling:
Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 - pristine condition, only used 2-3 times: $75
original box and lens and back covers included
Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-F5.6 - good condition, some dust in lens, not affecting IQ: $200
original box, lens and back covers included
Pentax DA 12-24mm F4.0 - very good condition: $400
original box, lens and back covers included
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 "Art" lens - Beautiful lens, excellent condition with some very minor scuffs showing on the barrel: $550.
This lens can exhibit the classic focus issues that have been widely reported. I always used Live focus for landscape shots, no problems in Live focus mode. A great lens to pair with "Pixel shift" feature on K3ii, etc.
For samples of what this lens is capable of: Sigma 18-35 F1.8 Art | Flickr
Pentax O-GPS1 astrotracer unit - in box, never used: $50 **SOLD**
Vanguard SBH-250 ballhead unit, in box with adapter plate, used once: $70 ($100 retail)
Manfrotto 496RC2 compact ball head, in box with adapter plate, barely used: $50 ($80 retail)
Pentax DA* 60-250mm **SOLD**
It has a damaged tripod foot which needs to be replaced. I will be listing once the foot has been replaced and unit cleaned. However, if someone wants to lowball me and save me the hassle of shipping it out to Precision Camera, feel free to PM me an offer. It is in otherwise good condition and a great lens.
[EDIT] Since there have been a few folks interested in the 60-250 let me add some details:
As mentioned above, the tripod foot has a tiny broken metal 'cleat'. The reason I had planned to send to Precision was to get a new foot. I don't see any way from US to just order the foot, but I'm also too lazy/busy to do a bunch of calling around. I figured the lens can always use a cleaning at the same time. But, there is nothing wrong with the image quality and I am adding links to pictures taken today here. Also added pics of the lens itself and the broken cleat. Finally, the plastic grooves where the lens hood attaches are slightly damaged (flimsy plastic). The hood is undamaged and still attaches fine, but I would advise against putting it in the reverse mount position (where the hood reverses back along the barrel) because it is very hard to get off then.
Lens comes with front and rear caps (original), lens hood and soft carry bag. I'll also throw in a 67mm-77mm filter ring adapter in case you want to use any 77mm ND filters or polarizers, or hook on a Lee filter holder. Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
Yes Are you selling or trading this item?
Selling Item Condition (Key)
Used
Good Shipping Destinations
North America Shipping Charge
USPS continental US included Shipping Services
USPS, others on request Accepted Payment Types
PayPal Return Policy & Additional Details
returns considered if unsatisfied with camera or lenses. Accessories listed are all mint, no returns.
Please send me a private message if interested in the item!
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-28-2017, 11:46 AM
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A ten stop will almost always result in a >30s exposure meaning you can't use pixel shift with it. And if not, it would almost certainly affect the sharpness, it's an extra piece of glass/resin in the way. My Lee 10 stop certainly affects picture sharpness to some degree. More expensive ones like the Singh-Ray mor-slo might affect the sharpness less.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-18-2017, 03:13 PM
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RawTherapee processing looks nice! I might have to try this. ---------- Post added 01-18-17 at 05:29 PM ---------- Another pixel shift. this time with HD DFA 15-30mm. processed only in Lightroom (no PDCU).
Coal Mine Canyon Arizona. 1/180s, F14, ISO100.
Can you see the light? by Sky Matthews, on Flickr
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
01-15-2017, 03:01 PM
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Pixel Shift photo of Lunenburg Nova Scotia at sunrise (shooting away from the sun, catching the opposite side light).
Maritime Adventures by Sky Matthews, on Flickr
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Forum: Photo Critique
01-14-2017, 12:51 PM
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Nicely done! I was there also at beginning of January in similar conditions. Whole area was covered in cloud except for a brief window near sunset. I used the 15-30 and I like your shot with the Sigma better because you managed to get quite a bit more of the sky in the frame. Nice color and terrific detail.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-14-2017, 12:46 PM
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+1. esp. shooting landscape with any sun or bright lights. I underexpose 1/2 to 1 EV typically. With pixel shift you can push it even more (i'll go to -2 ev in pixel shift without worrying too much).
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
01-12-2017, 06:07 PM
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An amazing early morning shoot of lava fields at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, shot from a helicopter at a height of probably 20-25 feet. One of the coolest experiences of my life.
Link to original size (with different watermark placement): Lava Creatures: The Claw (Flickr)
I incorrectly entered the lens as 150-450. It was actually taken with D FA Pentax 24-70 (I had 2 bodies with me, one with the long lens and one with the shorter).
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-12-2017, 04:31 PM
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My most frequently used filter is the Lee 0.9 Graduated ND. Very useful for trying to expose a nice sunset where the top is frequently much lighter than the bottom. Often hard to pull off a sunrise/sunset shot adequately without a GND.
Polarizers also useful, though I have found the Lee polarizer to be quite disappointing and tend stick my trusty B&W circular polarizer on when I need that. The 5/6 and 10 stop ND filters are also useful especially if you want any cloud streaking or other long exposure ghosting type effects.
I will say that I don't need to use multiple blended exposures nearly as much with the K-1 as I did with the K-3/K-5. And even though I have no qualms against it, I do find it easier if I can get it done with just a single shot with a decent filter. But as you say, blended exposures will also do the job.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
01-01-2017, 01:31 PM
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Picked up the 70-200 just 6 days before it finally goes on sale at B&H ;)
But I had a horse show to shoot and in an indoor poorly lit arena. I was wondering whether this lens would really be worth the $, and I can now say it absolutely delivered. Required a slight focus adjust (+2) out of the box, but AF seems very fast and accurate with this combo, it doesn't hunt much at all even in poor light.
Here's a sample of a shot at 6400 ISO and F3.2 at 1/800s. Never thought I'd get usable shots at 6400ISO! This is with just a little NR applied in Lightroom. raleigh winter A dec 2016-164 by skymatthews, on Flickr
[Note that for equestrian photographer purposes this is not a good enough shot, as the horses legs are not even so not good enough for the missus, but photographically I like it anyway]
The 70-200 also doubles as my new portrait lens:
raleigh winter A dec 2016-114 by skymatthews, on Flickr
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
12-30-2016, 08:27 AM
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Damn! I got tired of waiting for B&H price drop on this and ordered it as my christmas present.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-23-2016, 08:35 AM
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Totally agree. Allows me to underexpose so I don't blow any highlights and still pull incredible amount of detail from the shadows with little noise. In practice, it means I can often get away without using graduated ND filters for sunrise/sunset.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-22-2016, 01:25 PM
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Great pics Rondec! I like the sunrise shot in particular.
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Forum: Repairs and Warranty Service
12-09-2016, 10:30 AM
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Incidentally, square trade warranties are cheaper through Amazon but only applicable for cameras/lenses purchased on Amazon. When I priced square trade drops and spills for 150-450, it was just over $300 on B&H and just over $200 on Amazon. Almost makes up the sales tax difference.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-09-2016, 08:40 AM
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You have a good dealer! I don't think my local pentax dealer even knows how to spell K-1.
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Forum: General Photography
12-08-2016, 08:46 AM
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Neil, that is completely awesome! Great shots, fantastic work in what I'm sure must've been some difficult conditions. This one is my favorite, great light streaks: 41 Hours Chasing a Train by Neil Zeller - Exposure
-if the link above doesn't go direct to the photo, it's the one in Winnipeg (I think?) with light streaks through the right side of the frame.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-06-2016, 09:12 AM
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Sometimes Pixel Shift artifacts can be cool. Use PS to make your own northern lights!! Just for fun...
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia. With some PS special effects courtesy of Pentax and Adobe Lightroom :p
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
12-03-2016, 07:17 AM
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At lower temps LCD will become very sluggish and may be unreliable.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-30-2016, 06:02 PM
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Thank you both, very nice feedback. When run through DCU, it does tend to have a very sharpened look and I use only the default sharpening in DCU, but the level of detail with PS really is phenomenal. To be honest, I waffle between thinking it looks good and thinking it looks over-sharpened. But I'm starting to get comfortable with it.
And Lunenburg really is a beautiful little fishing village. Nova Scotia as a whole is a great place to visit.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
11-30-2016, 02:53 PM
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K-1 and Pentax 24-70 f2.8 @70mm.
Pixel shift with 2 exposures merged. Lunenburg NS Canada.
WIshed I'd had the 70-200 to reach further over the seaweed in the foreground. Oh well. Pretty happy with IQ from the 24-70 with PS.
Maritime Adventures by Sky Matthews, on Flickr
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