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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-18-2008, 09:15 PM
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Funny, I just read some stuff about this very topic. I have a tack 1.4/50 mm. I haven't been extremely happy with the results, but since I'm still learning, I'm blaming it on the man behind the camera and not the lens. If I remember correctly, you can shine light through it with the lens wide open onto some white paper. If the light on the paper is yellow, you have an issue. If not, then it's just the defracting of light due to the coatings on the lens.
If my lens is radioactive though, I think I'll see if I can use it as a power source for my car. Then, with all the money I save in gas, I can go out and buy tons of lenses.
Randy.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-18-2008, 09:07 PM
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Awesome! Thanks for the input everyone. I'm thinking about getting a set to try out some macro, but since I haven't done any macro, I don't know if I'll 'take' to it. So, I would rather buy a cheap set and upgrade later, than an expensive set that just sets around.
I'll keep everyone's advise in mind when I finally figure out what set to get.
Thanks again,
Randy
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-18-2008, 09:01 PM
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Start simple. If you have the plug in adapter, try it out and see if the camera works. If not, see if your local camera store has one that they will be willing to let you test your camera on. If the camera works, it's in the battery system. If not, more than likely a dead camera, or one with a short.
Randy.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-18-2008, 08:54 PM
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First, Happy Birthday.
Honestly, if I was the salesman, I would suggest that you share your generous fortune with others. I'll take a tripod. I'll PM you the address in which you can send it.
Randy.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-18-2008, 12:31 AM
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Okay, I'm sure that this has probably been asked about before. I'm considering getting a set, but I don't want to spend a bunch of money on them.
Has anyone here bought any of the cheap sets that come from China off of E-bay? If you did, did they work out for you?
Thanks
Randy
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-14-2008, 02:33 PM
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Professional is an abstract term, like love. Hard to define and differs from person to person. In terms of professional photographer, I think of a person that does it for a living. If they push the envelope, do great shots, become legendary, etc., he/she is an artist. If they are like me, then they are just a goof ball with a camera that tries to learn and take some shots they can be proud of.
Now, if you truly want to know the difference between a profession and a hobby, look at Section 183 of the Internal Revenue Code, or go to this fact sheet: Is Your Hobby a For-Profit Endeavor?
As always, the IRS provides answers to all of these difficult questions in life.
Randy.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-13-2008, 07:40 PM
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
09-12-2008, 08:51 AM
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Nice shots, but man, those things are creepy. I remember when I was a kid being out at my grandparent's in the country, and those things would just fall out of no where and land on you. Talk about scaring the crap out someone.
Randy
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Forum: Photographic Technique
09-11-2008, 08:25 AM
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This may not really effect anything, but everytime you convert an image, you change it's properties. In this case you have 2 conversions: PEF to TIFF, then TIFF to JPEG. Probably doesn't make much of a difference, but something to think about.
Its true, as the other OP mentioned, that some photo sites alter the picture. They streamline it for faster download, compress the heck out of it to use less drive space, and sometimes change the resolution in the process. Try cutting out the 'middle man' and see if you get better results. View your pictures in your usual web browser off of your hard drive. It depends on which one you are using, but under the File menu, there will be an option like open, open file, open url, etc. You may have to explore around until you figure it out. It should give you a window that you can browse your hard drive. Find your picture and see if it has the same viewing results as your ACDsee. If it looks like you want it, then its the site you upload to. If not, then I would suggest trying a different browser and repeating the test.
Hope this helps you out some.
Randy
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Forum: General Talk
08-31-2008, 06:44 PM
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Love classic rock, old school country, jazz, and blues.
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-29-2008, 05:36 PM
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Wow! Those things are bitter, you should of heard what they just called me! Seriously, nice shot.
Randy
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-28-2008, 07:22 AM
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Good thing to consider, JMR. Business names, however, fall under trademarks which are protected by the Lanham Act of 1946. If Gary took the picture himself, then he holds the copyright of the image. Finding 2 exact images of a photograph is impossible, thus removing the liability of a torte. If he is only giving out business cards locally, then he's flying under the rader and personally, I wouldn't bother shelling out the expense of a trademark lawyer or filing a copyright for the dragonfly image. However, if he creates a website, it may be wise to talk to a lawyer (or do some research atleast) to protect himself from tortes and to protect his hard work.
Randy
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-28-2008, 06:36 AM
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Sweet images. I love seeing good pics on cheap old lenses. Since I am a frugal guy (read tightwad), I'll have to keep the Cosina in mind when looking around.
Randy
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Forum: General Talk
08-28-2008, 06:13 AM
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Clicker:
I put amateur, but this really varies on a day to day basis! The other day, I would say I was a professional, shooting pictures with the best of them. The day before that, I was worse than a novice, hitting the delete button faster than a gun slinger at the O.K. Coral. Such is life I guess.
Randy
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-27-2008, 06:22 AM
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Things have changed since I was a pressman (about 15 years ago now that I think about it). You're right, 4 color process isn't a PITA, it was actually my favorite thing to print, but it's printing on the back side of the cards that's a pain. To many issues with piling and picking, and with coated stock, you can scar the coating if it isn't done right. Then there is the whole offset issue. We didn't have UV coating, we used a form of corn starch that was 'sprayed' on the pages, yeah, I'm old school. I've spent plenty of days cussing a set of coated cards through a small press.
Randy
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-27-2008, 05:30 AM
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Attachment 17777
Consider something like this. The screened section allows for text and information that can be easily read without detracting from your image. This is just an example, it took me about 5 minutes to do in Corel Draw.
Just FYI, unless you are cranking these out on your computer, the cost of 4 color process at a print shop can be a little expensive. Use a coated stock, or your image will be dull and degraded. Double sided printing is an option, but the cost would go up and it's a PITA for the printer, especially with a coated stock.
In my opinion, a business card should do three things: be attractive, rememberable, and convey the information that you are wanting. I've designed quite a few of cards in the past, and at one time was a printing press operator. Feel free to ask any questions.
Hope this helps,
Randy
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
06-01-2008, 08:58 AM
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That's a good shot of your dog Abby, Fred.
Here's a picture of our dog Gretchen. I swear this dog has the longest tongue in the world. We were on a walk so the tongue is longer than usual, but it still cracks me up. The picture was taken with my Sigma.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-26-2008, 09:06 AM
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Daz,
I too am new to DSLRs, having bought a K100D Super in March. My only bit of advise is to be patient. I have seen posts on here and other forums where new camera owners are upset because they can't get the camera to do what they want it to do right away. I had some problems in the beginning (and still do at times), and yes, it can get frustrating, but if you have some patience I think you'll be very satisfied with the results that a DSLR can provide.
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