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Forum: Lens Clubs
08-06-2023, 04:10 PM
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I've been itching to get back into photography, or rather going out to the open air to do so. These photographs are very motivating.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-15-2018, 09:26 PM
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Back in August my wife and I went to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Inside there is a place called Cade's Cove. I took a panorama stitching four pictures together to get this one image. I still have to fix a couple of things here and there, but I'm happy with it.
Looking forward to printing this one.
The second picture is of Abrams Falls. The trail is 2.5 to get there from Cade's Cove over a hilly and narrow path. It was tough getting there just because of the weight I had to carry. A tripod with a K5iis and two lenses with some water bottles and filters can be burdensome when facing rocky and slippery parts of a trail that had steep drop offs to one side. Regardless, even after an hour hike, I made it. Took a long exposure with a Lee filter Big Stopper and made a 2 minute exposure.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-28-2017, 06:50 AM
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In all honesty, I hope Ricoh comes out with a mirrorless system. The buzz right now in the industry is APS-C/35mm sized, retro mirrorless cameras. Compact, discreet and made for lightweight packing and carrying.
The next K3 should be a mirrorless camera. It would at least justify the huge lump of money they will surely ask of its customers. At the very least, a $1299 price tag would not surprise me.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-18-2016, 07:34 PM
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So I was watching the new Netflix series, "Stranger Things" and wouldn't you know it, one of the main characters uses a Pentax film camera (show is set in the '80s).
Great show, and a cool little nugget for us. I would also add that the character that uses the Pentax is an introvert, "weird" and a loner. Just like us!!!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
02-18-2016, 09:16 PM
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Not this year. I like my K5IIs. It's comfortable and I've finally gotten used to its shape, its curves and its weight. Having that relationship between the hand and the body already established and changing it feels counterproductive. I would also have to consider upgrading my work laptop to handle larger files from 20+ MP cameras. I'm a creature of habit when it comes to photography. Once I get a handle on my camera and its layout, it helps me when out and about taking pictures and capturing what really matters. Changing bodies for extra bits of MPs wouldn't really advance my craft, but probably would hinder me in some other ways, mainly having to deal with slow downs on my work machine due to the larger file sizes. Would I submit myself to that while post processing and storing those files, disrupting the flow of my work? Nah, not worth it.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-05-2016, 07:31 AM
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Cant complain. For $1000 you can get a great "starter" kit comprised of a K-50 and a few Limiteds. That's crazy talk if you would have told me this two years ago.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-29-2015, 09:55 PM
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Finally had to try out this D FA 100mm f2.8 WR lens since it arrived over two months (sorry!) ago. Paired with the K5iis, I think I discovered a goldmine!
Here ya go, a picture of my Seiko automatic movement.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-22-2015, 04:22 AM
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I might be paranoid, too, I should add. However once you get to 100% magnification it just lacks resolution. I had a Canon version of a Tokina 11-16 f2.8 that was great under 100% magnification so I have an idea as to what I would like to see with a wide angle lens.
But true, that image does look fine now that I look at it. I might do the print test and do a 15x10 to really see what I'm dealing with or if my old age is getting the better of my eyes.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-21-2015, 04:47 AM
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So I've finally decided to put this lens through its paces, and I have to say I must have a bad copy. Under 100% scrutiny, the images I get lack a clear sharpness. Even stopping down to f8-11, I tend to get average sharpness in the center and down right, dog ugly at the edges, specially at the far right. I might have to send this guy out to get it serviced. From what I've seen on this thread, the 15mm is hit or miss when it comes down to copies being ultra sharp or off in some way.
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Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups
02-24-2015, 07:57 AM
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One thing, is the color of the shirts just black or white? Or can we introduce other color options like red and blues? I know black and white shirts are economical compared to color, but some design choices would look better with color.
Just checking.
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Forum: Photographic Technique
02-23-2015, 07:16 AM
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I second this opinion. Subject matter is key. And the photographer makes excellent use of his subject matter by infusing as much of the surroundings as well as the interesting people. I'm guessing he is using something close to a 24-28mm for his shots because for these portraits the environment is just as important as the person he is shooting.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-20-2014, 09:26 PM
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I recently went to a festival at the Morikami Japanese Gardens here in South Florida. Great little festival with lots of things to photograph. I had two cameras my film Pentax ME Super and my K5IIs. Most other photographers were with the usual Canon and Nikon cameras. Then the rest had a sprinkling of Sony, Fuji and a Leica or two.
While I was walking up the steps of the main building at the park, a saw a flash of yellow within the hands of a guy fiddling with his camera on the steps. As my eye wondered towards his direction it was to my surprise that he had a bright yellow K-01. I was following my wife up the stairs, but I threw in a passing compliment on his fine choice of equipment.
We happened to chance another meeting as we darted the grounds. We talked for a few and he told me he was saving up for a K50 for the weather sealing. He was impressed with my ME Super, and I asked about his peculiar Helios lens. Nice conversation and a surprising encounter.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
10-17-2014, 03:20 PM
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I shoot film because for the price of a full frame digital camera plus lens (around the $2500 combined in conservative estimates) I can buy a $25 Pentax ME Super, $100 for a 50mm f1.4 SMC-M lens and $2000 worth of rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 film and processing and be happy as a hamster in a wheel. For less than $200 I can shoot "full frame" and rack up some great images due to the "bang for your buck" nature that you try to maintain with film. Every shot is worth its weight in gold so I tend to be cautious how I shoot each frame.
I can understand the need for a digital 35mm equivalent. Full frame cameras have their use and I understand the professional need for such devices, but as a way to get joy out of photography, the organic feeling of winding that lever, pushing a button and repeating the process endlessly is therapy for the soul. I don't know what it is, or why I prefer film over digital, be it its look or the anticipation of something not known to you at an instant, but I do know it's addicting.
Yeah, it has it's disadvantages. And yes, if you ever plan to buy a full frame camera the developing and film can be pricy over time. However, I feel that film photography has something else altogether that 95% of the time you aren't trying to get with full frame digital camera. It's almost apples and oranges at this point.
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Forum: General Talk
10-16-2014, 05:32 AM
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This reminds me of Jonny Cash's "Hurt" right before he passed away. Nine Inch Nails might have written it, but Mr Cash owns it.
And true, Alzheimer's is a terrible disease. From what I've heard it's harder on the family members than the actual person who has it.
My grandmother had it but my dad suffered the most. He hated the day when she didn't recognize him and asked who he was. I assume, that's how it is for most people. One day, their loved one is no longer there, and all you have is a reminder of what they look like in the flesh but not in their essence of who they are.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-10-2014, 03:12 PM
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Just for my own personal space. I wanted to get out of the mold of only displaying my photography through a digital screen. Some pictures were good enough for me to print them and hang them on my wall. For that reason I feel that I should go all the way and at least complement the photograph with a good quality of frame and glass. I prefer UV coated as a personal preference, but not every picture has to have it. In this case, for the three pictures that I want mounted, yes I'd prefer to have it. Where I would like to put one of them there is a good chance of direct sunlight eventually hitting that spot because the community I live in will most likely clear away tree branches directly in front of my window and thus the sunlight will seep in.
I haven't really seen any quality plexi or UV coated, granted I haven't looked for it. If you feel that's an adequate replacement for UV coated glass, well I'd like to hear your suggestions as well.
Thanks everyone!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
09-10-2014, 02:24 PM
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I too have been mulling this decision between the 16-50 and the 20-40. The most important thing is the weather sealing, at least for me. I have my k5IIs and now that I have the opportunity to pair it with a WR lens, I'm looking at these two lenses. I have a 50mm M f1.7 prime that I absolutely love, and a 135mm f.2.8 but no weather sealed lenses that I would take outside on a muggy, humid Florida day.
Pricewise, both are at the $900-$1000 range, so its pretty negligible, but the focal length and size of each lens is starkly different. I don't know which one would suit me best as the main reason for a purchase of one of these lenses is for a Jack-of-all-trades piece of glass when I don't feel like carrying a lot of gear and it involves outdoor activities.
I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm suffering from analysis paralysis. Help!!
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
09-10-2014, 01:26 PM
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Unfortunately, my favorite art store that sold and custom matted my pictures has gone out of business. The last Pearl art store closed its doors not too long ago and were the ideal place to buy my frames and mat boards. I believe the frames I purchased from them were made by ArtCare frames which I have a hard time finding on the interwebs, plus Pears carried acid-free mat board as well.
Overall, I was happy with their service and supplies, but they are no more. That leaves me with a giant hole to fill. I haven't tried the local framing stores, and I'm not sold on the quality that Michael's provides. Since I'm getting serious about my prints and how to display them, as well as trying to sustain the longevity of my photos, I'd very much appreciate some suggestions as to where you get and purchase your framing supplies. The most important part of all this is getting UV-coated glass for the frame. I can always go to a thrift store to purchase the frames and even Home Goods have some decent frames that I can toss the plexi glass junk that usually comes with it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-25-2014, 10:17 PM
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I would put the candle higher in the frame. It falls on the vertical third from left to right, but it's placed right at the edge of the picture which takes it away from the horizontal third from bottom to top. In other words, it misses where the eye would naturally want to follow or focus. If that candle is your starting point, then it needs to be higher so that it naturally takes the viewer to other elements of the picture. Right now, its floating within the frame and it isn't adding to the picture.
My suggestion is maybe using the light source, the candle, to silhouette your wife as she prays? Maybe moving the camera behind her and keeping her between the candle and the camera? Or, just moving the camera to shoot perpendicular to the subject? The tiles in the background could add a strong horizontal and vertical element in the background.
Just my thoughts. Hope to see what you come up with next.
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Forum: Photo Critique
06-25-2014, 10:00 PM
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I like it. Just as mentioned above, the motion blur of the left side tree doesn't help the picture. A crop or would help. The sky could be darkened some to let the house stand out. Overall, I like the picture.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-15-2014, 04:17 PM
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Hello all, recently I discovered a few fingerprint smudges on the rear element of a SMC-A 50mm f2.0 lens. My question is how can I clean this sensitive area of a lens without scratching it? I don't know what sort of coatings this glass might have or what sort of solution I should use to clean it. I have a microfiber cloth, but I've used it on a filter and watched as it spread the dust and lint around the filter without picking it up. I don't want this happening to the rear element.
So, any help would be appreciated as I'd rather do this myself instead of spending money to send out to clean a $15 dollar lens. For that matter, how would I clean that filter as well?
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-10-2014, 07:38 PM
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I guess my mind ran wild with glass flying everywhere and slicing and dicing a digital camera. Still, you are right, drugs and computers don't mix.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
06-10-2014, 10:04 AM
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If the major reason for upgrading from your current camera is to take baby pictures, then I think I'm with JohnX with this one; What can't you get with the K100D that the K5/50/500 will let you achieve. If its just an upgrade, but you want to use the camera to document the next years of your baby's life, then I don't think the upgrade is going to do much for you. 6MP is enough for 5x7s if you are going to print and its definitely enough for online sharing.
However, I'm not saying you shouldn't upgrade at all. The thing you should upgrade right now (this is not knowing if you have these things in your gear list) is your lighting. Invest in a good flash or two (there are affordable options from Yongnuo, the 560III is a great option), maybe some triggers and a reflector. That alone will exponentially improve your photography, and it will be much less than buying a brand new camera. Add to that a solid tripod, and you'll be fine.
That's my opinion based on your needs. If you aren't going to take full advantage of the upgrade, meaning new features not found on the K100D, then a new camera wont feel much different than your current one.
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
06-10-2014, 06:47 AM
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Hi there. I'd like to know more about that freak window reinstalling accident and the aftermath. There seems to be more details to that story and what lead to a dead digital camera in its wake.
As for the other stuff--in do time.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-09-2014, 03:36 PM
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Assuming you have a good monitor, I'd put my money on RAM and a good video card. I don't know how intense Photoshop and/or Lightroom have gotten, but i5s are plenty for those applications. However, all those fancy specs won't count for nothing without a decent monitor.
Have you given a Surface Pro 3 a thought? It does have a stand with access to external ports, although it would be an added expense.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-09-2014, 03:29 PM
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For me it's all about the subject matter. If I need to take pictures for reference and just that, no need for RAW. Everything else, I shoot in RAW. RAW is for the artist. A straight up JPEG out of the camera would be for those that need something fast, need something for reference (like a contractor or inspections worker), or for the newly minted DSLR owner who needs it to start out and not want to get into the murky world of formats.
So yeah, RAW.
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