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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-09-2022, 05:45 AM  
What is the lens that lives on your camera?
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 318
Views: 19,220
DA* 300mm f4 on my K-3, all summer long, with and without DA 1.4X TC.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-18-2022, 09:58 AM  
Sensor cleaning mystery
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 4
Views: 819
Lens elements are clean, but your suggestion helped. It appears the K20D needs a blank background for the Dust Alert. The patterns I was seeing were the outlines of whatever was in front of the camera. I don't recall the K-3 exhibiting this behaviour. Both lens and sensor are clean.
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 07-18-2022, 07:59 AM  
Sensor cleaning mystery
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 4
Views: 819
I've just had a strange sensor cleaning experience with my K20D. I was getting my cameras ready for a trip. Dust alert on the K20D showed extensive contamination. I did my usual cleaning routine a couple of times with no success, but it was weird. Every time I used Dust Alert, it showed a different pattern of spots and geometric patterns, but visually the sensor looked clean.

In troubleshooting this situation, I found that changing the lens from the DA 18-250 to an FA 50mm showed a perfect result in Dust Alert. Mounting the superzoom again showed extensive patterning. What is going on? :o
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-12-2021, 07:57 AM  
What is the lens that lives on your camera?
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 318
Views: 19,220
18-135mm on K-3
18-250mm on K20D (Lives in my vehicle, so I always have a camera available)
18-105mm f4 on Sony
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 01-24-2021, 08:18 AM  
Anyone planning to grow old with their K3?
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 192
Views: 23,271
Are you using the latest firmware?
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 11-03-2020, 08:27 AM  
Anyone planning to grow old with their K3?
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 192
Views: 23,271
Plans have changed. Audio was my main hobby from 1972 to 2007. In 2007 I fell in love with photography and still love it, but surgery due to a medical accident and COVID 19 have kept me indoors for almost a year. As a result, I have transitioned back to audio as my main hobby, and it's an expensive one. I've blown a lot of disposable cash on four computer audio systems and subscribed to two music services. I need a new car soon. A new camera has slipped far down in my wish list. This is compounded by the fact that I still love the K-3 and don't find it limiting at all. I'll have to do something about my DA AF 1.4X, as it can't focus worth a damn any more, even on a stationary subject. Not sure if it's repairable, may need to be replaced.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-08-2020, 06:05 AM  
Pentax 300mm primes
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 44
Views: 4,447
Also worth a mention that the DA*300 hits maximum sharpness at f5.6. That extra stop is useful in a forest, or at dusk/dawn. Not that I am ever mobile at dawn. :lol:
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 12-30-2019, 06:30 AM  
BIF Photography
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 1,820
Views: 206,688
Better AF will not affect the aperture you can use. I live in Northern Ontario, Canada. I shoot with the K-3 and DA*300 in similar conditions to what you describe. A camera with improved AF could help to capture small birds in flight alright, but you should be shooting with the lens wide open. At that distance, f4 will give plenty of depth and the DA*300 is sharp from wide open. You just have to ensure you are locked on the target, not the background before you release the shutter. What AF pattern are you using? I suggest SEL 25 or 27 points with the center point active for BIF.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 12-17-2019, 07:31 AM  
The K20D Club
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 606
Views: 112,320
K20D and DA 18-250mm
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 12-17-2019, 07:16 AM  
BIF Photography
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 1,820
Views: 206,688
Double-crested cormorant, shot with K20D and my slowest focussing lens, the DA 18-250mm.
Forum: Lens Clubs 07-02-2019, 06:49 PM  
The Raynox Macro club
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 947
Views: 302,324
Well, physics is the same for everyone. :)

Using a high quality prime with a Raynox makes good sense for best IQ. Using minimum focus distance exclusively makes sense if magnification is the only goal. However there are times when subject distance becomes more important to me than maximizing magnification, i.e. with skittish or hazardous subjects.
Forum: Lens Clubs 06-30-2019, 05:52 AM  
The Raynox Macro club
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 947
Views: 302,324
Diopter magnification is affected by the focal length of the host lens. If your lens suffers from focus breathing (focal length changes as focal distance changes), you can end up with significantly less magnification at close focus. For example the 18-250mm's actual focal length is only about 70mm (IIRC) when set to 250mm and minimum focus. Macro magnification is weak at 250mm and MFD.

If I have a Raynox mounted on a zoom lens, I use infinity focus and vary the focal length for magnification. If I have a prime mounted, I use the focus ring to vary magnification.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 05-04-2019, 07:01 AM  
Unpopular Opinions From Current Industry Professionals
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 79
Views: 6,370
A lens hood mounted backwards doesn't make you look cool, it makes you look like an ignorant noob.

Probably not an unpopular statement, but I'm feeling cranky this morning.

90% of the time when I see someone with the hood facing the wrong direction, it's a Canon shooter.
Forum: General Talk 03-14-2019, 03:14 PM  
The Joke Thread
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 5,865
Views: 490,346
People say that cats hate baths.
I gave my cat a bath and she loved it.
But it took two days to get all the cat fur off my tongue.
Forum: General Talk 12-28-2018, 03:25 PM  
The Joke Thread
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 5,865
Views: 490,346
Shouldn't that be "wurst"?

Anyway, I disagree. Long-winded puns are the worst. (This is not a joke, don't try to figure out an alternate meaning.)
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 10-15-2018, 09:08 PM  
The K20D Club
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 606
Views: 112,320
I went from a K100D Super to a K20D and I agree, it was major.

I've since owned a K-x, K-01 and K-5. I currently own a K-3 and still use the K20D. All the rest are gone. That's because the K20D is a better camera than all the others IMO, though not as good as my K-3.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-15-2018, 07:26 AM  
the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 384
Views: 50,854
The FA 35mm is actually sharper than the DA 35 macro:

http://www.opticallimits.com/images/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_35_2/mtf.gif

http://www.opticallimits.com/images/8Reviews/lenses/pentax_35_28/mtf.gif

The main reason I chose the FA 35 was the extra stop. For close focus I can just pop a Raynox 250 on the end of the FA 35 (or better yet, use my DFA 100mm). To get 1:1 focus on a DA 35mm, you almost have to be touching your subject with the lens.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 08-31-2018, 06:40 PM  
the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 384
Views: 50,854
I had both as well and there was one photographically significant difference. The XS has double the CA of the Limited, as shown at DXOMark and referenced in the PF review. The CA was too much for me and was not removed easily in post. Also, I always use a hood to minimize flare, and that more than negates the XS size advantage. Sure, the lens is somewhat resistant to flare, but the difference between ther Limited with hood and bare XS was clearly visible, even indoors.
Forum: General Talk 08-30-2018, 09:56 PM  
The Joke Thread
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 5,865
Views: 490,346
Good one bigdavephoto. I'm going to borrow some of your prose.

Jesus and Moses were playing a round of golf. On the first tee, Jesus swings. The ball flies down the fairway about 100 yards. A squirrel came running out of the bushes, picked the ball up in it's mouth, and started to run down the fairway. About half way down the fairway, an eagle flew down and grabbed the squirrel and took off. About the time the eagle reached the green, a bolt of lighting flashed out of the clear blue sky and scared the eagle causing the eagle to drop the squirrel. The squirrel hit the ground with the ball still in it's mouth. The squirrel got up, ran across the green and dropped the ball into the hole.

Moses says "JESUS CHRIST, ARE YOU GOING TO F*** AROUND OR PLAY GOLF?

---------- Post added 2018-08-31 at 01:17 ----------

In a similar vein...

A man fan dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter, knowing the man is a huge fan of rock music, asks if he would like to see heaven's band. Of course the man eagerly agrees. The band consists of Keith Moon and John Bonham on drums, Jack Bruce and John Paul Jones on bass Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman and Eric Clapton on guitar, Greg Allman and Billy Preston on organ and vocals. As he's watching this amazing lineup, he says to St. Peter, "This is awesome, but I didn't know that Eric Clapton was dead."
St. Peter says "Oh he's not. That's just God. He thinks he's Eric Clapton."
Forum: Photographic Technique 08-14-2018, 10:43 AM  
Focus help with K-3 birds in flight
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 66
Views: 10,817
I can't agree with AF-S for birds in flight. May work fine if the bird is flying horizontally. If it is flying toward you, by the time you focus and get the shot off, the head will likely be out of the focal plane. You're much better off with AF-C and expanded area, let the camera assist with
tracking.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/6...ml#post4400157
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 08-07-2018, 06:46 AM  
BIF Photography
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 1,820
Views: 206,688
Trumpeter swan K33 made three passes at a pool before landing. I got about 60 well-focussed BIF's. (K-3 and DA 55-300mm PLM).
Forum: Photographic Technique 07-29-2018, 02:58 PM  
Focus help with K-3 birds in flight
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 66
Views: 10,817
I don't see that fewer AF points should matter. When using extended area AF, initial acquisition is concentrated on the specified point only. The outer points are not in play.

I do use the 9-point array, expanded area AF for sports, where the target is not moving so quickly. With a BIF however, I can not keep the bird in the center, so the outermost points are best kept in play.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 07-17-2018, 08:22 PM  
the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 384
Views: 50,854
I was doing that, now I use a generic 40.5mm pinch cap. I was concerned that constantly pushing the film cap in and out might wear the paint over time.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-26-2018, 11:22 AM  
the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 384
Views: 50,854
The K-3 is about as good as it gets for DXOMark APS-C lens scores. There are three things that affect DXOMark sharpness scores:
  • Sensor size (larger sensors score higher, all else being equal)

  • Number of pixels (more pixels = higher resolution, all else being equal)

  • Anti-aliasing (blur) filter. The stronger the blur filter, the lower the sharpness score, all else being equal.


The Overall Score is an unknown combination of measurements. I consider the Overall Score to be DXO's opinion on desirability of a lens, when used on the specified camera. It is a coarse and questionable measure. Even the other scores (sharpness, vignetting, etc) are limited in usefulness. The graphs are much more informative.

Note that DXO does not consider lens rendering or bokeh. What they do provide is useful, but certainly not the final authority on what lens to choose.
Forum: Photographic Technique 06-24-2018, 06:06 AM  
Focus help with K-3 birds in flight
Posted By audiobomber
Replies: 66
Views: 10,817
A bit more explanation is warranted here.

When you half-press the shutter in Expanded Area AF-C mode, the camera tries to find focus on the central point. As soon as focus is confirmed, you need to take the shot. If you don't take the shot, the camera assumes that it has selected the wrong target, and starts to search adjacent points. When you take the shot, the camera records the shape and colour of the object in focus and begins tracking. It tracks until you let up on the shutter button.

If you have accidentally focussed on something other than the subject, say a cloud in the background, that is what the camera will track. If this happens, you need to stop and restart tracking by letting up and re-depressing the shutter button. This is called focus bumping. Sometimes the camera loses focus during a sequence. This again calls for focus bumping. IME, the K-3 is very good at tracking with the settings I listed above, and given a fast focussing lens like the DA*300 or 55-300mm PLM. Tracking a BIF with the older 55-300mm lenses is possible, but you will have a lot more missed opportunities.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/38-photographic-technique/332226-focus-h...ml#post3806571
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