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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-31-2008, 11:01 AM
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I spy a green snake somewhere in those trees....
Dont ask where it is. Just trust me, there's gotta be a snake in there :confused:
RB
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
11-05-2008, 07:52 AM
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FWIW, I have the Pentax Right Angle Finder II back from my MX-Me Super days. It has worked fine and fully compatible with every camera (Pentax) I've had ever since (SF1, PZ10, PZ20, ZX5N, PZ1P, istD and now with the K20D).
That means that if you find one labeled for one of the older pentax cameras, it will also work fine on any new DSLR.
Robert B.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-31-2008, 07:41 AM
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A spy fresh coffee (I guess it can't get fresher than this :D)
Robert B.
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
03-11-2015, 10:10 AM
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A couple more examples of this fine lens
FA*200/2.8 [IF]
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Forum: Lens Sample Photo Archive
02-23-2015, 10:47 AM
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One of my favorite lenses, from the *istD, then the K20D, and now enjoying with my K3.... and sure it will be used again in its full expression with the new FF body!
Some examples in flare control, close up, backlight and bokeh. This lens is sweet at F2.8, but it becomes "Finger licking goooood!" at F4 to F8. Screwdrive af is fast enough, probably because its an internal focus mechanism. Only warning: DO NOT USE ANY FILTER, especially a UV - Skylight or Protective filter, unless is top quality super coated on both sides FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS. Regular filters even high quality ones but single coated or one side coated, will produce ghostings from highlights. If you need a polarizer, get the best one you can afford for digital cameras.
With the K20D
With the K20D
With the K20D
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-11-2015, 11:44 AM
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If camera is in green mode or landspace mode, then macro is disabled. In fact, when in green mode, just about any adjustable parameter is locked.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
05-18-2015, 08:45 AM
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Well, I am not really disappointed at the OP, but rather get a feeling of "well... here we go again..." Lets see if I can clear up this.
Many people in this world, including the OP, are the kind of people that thinks that the "music comes from the piano, not the pianist". It is normal to expect many people to feel that by having such and such gadget, instrument, tool, car, appliance, or whatever, automatically makes them better "performers" at any given craft for which whatever gadget was created for.
Of course, almost everyone knows that by buying a Steinway grand piano, automatically does not make you a pianist like Liberace... right? That's an easy one. But think about those office managers at a financial office, that upon bad results from the last quarter just yell: "bunch of morons.... we've just spent a million bucks on new computers and state of the art software... and this is the results you give me?"
Exactly; what this manager doesn't know (because of pure ignorance), is that having a better instrument for the trade does not make anyone "better" at that trade. They first have to take a few simple steps: 1 Learn the trade basics, 2 Learn the use of the available tools and at the end, try and be your best at the trade with your available tools.
Ask any airline pilot on what type of airplane they learned to fly. They will all answer you that it was (probably) a single engine Cessna, Piper, even a PT17 or can archaic as a Piper Cub J3. None of them learned to fly on an Airbus A340 or a Boeing 757. It was ONLY after many hours experience and several steps "upgrading" the tool of the trade (bigger airplane each step) that they got to sit at the left side of the cockpit in a Airbus A380 and at the same time, have 500 souls on board trusting you to a safe travel.
I would like the OP to answer a simple question: If you had the money (and the wish), would you buy a small airplane like a Learjet and try to fly it by yourself by just reading the "owners manual". I don't think so!
Fortunately, any error with your K3 will just (worst case scenario) make you unhappy for a few minutes. No lifes at risk nor expensive damage will happen. But as simple of complicated it may be (the K3 or any airplane), you first have to learn the craft to a level that will allow you to get the best out of your sophisticated tool (the k3 in this case).
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
05-28-2015, 07:53 AM
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K3 +
FA*200/2.58 (purple flower and first humming bird)
DA 18-135 (second hummingbird)
DA 12-24 (gas station)
FA 100/2.8 macro (fungi on tree stump)
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
05-17-2015, 06:25 PM
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For any newcomer to the K3, even if you are a well versed Pentax user, I would suggest taking the following 2 advices seriously:
1: Take time to go through the owners manual, as many times it needs to fully understand specs, features, results with different adjustments and such. Sometimes with and other times without the camera. Take manual when commuting, bathroom, office or workplace and nightstand. Make it a rule for you to read an understanding at least one feature/setting at a time.
2: Optics: Unlike the K20D and prior models, when using cheap, consumer grade or pro grade glass makes little differences, the K3's resolution and IQ really draws a thick line separating good glass from the consumer or cheap stuff. So be emotionally prepared for some disappointment when using vintage third party or consumer grade lenses, or be prepared for very nice surprises and bedazzlement if you own and use some pro grade glass (FA★ series for example).
Another small word of advice. REMOVE all your UV, skylight or whatever protection filters. The K3 is the most sensitive camera I've seen for image degradation ( quality loss) from using protection filters. Keep only your polarizers and use with known caveat.
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
04-08-2015, 08:18 AM
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My MX-1, shooting in HDR mode1 (no cropping, full camera frame)
This is a vintage Westinghouse Hydraulic Generator (exhibit), not in use since about half century ago.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-16-2015, 03:02 PM
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Let's add my 2 cents along this great thread... (NOTE, THIS IS A SMALL CROP FROM THE WHOLE FRAME, ABOUT 1/3 AREA OF THE FULL FRAME)
of course, with my DA 18-135 and K3 body to match!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-19-2015, 09:51 PM
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LBA: Lens Buying Addiction
CBA: Camera Buying Addiction
Its like herpes... it was once considered a "shame" disease. Now its not only socially accepted, but sometimes actually mandatory in order to be accepted among certain elite groups! :lol:
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-12-2015, 09:26 AM
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Ha, at least you can brag about having an excellent LBA control.
We know everyone gives in eventually. Still no known cure!!!!
It took me just 20 pages of this thread to give into the insomnia, night sweats, lack of concentration, jitters and dry mouth normally caused by severe LBA episodes. I enden up getting my fix of DA 18-135... with a K3 body to match....
All good for the time being... but its only a matter of time when the LBA nightmare will attack again!!!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
04-11-2015, 11:23 PM
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Great image. Love those sharp feather details.
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-12-2015, 04:37 PM
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Just to clear any doubts about how sharp is my FA* 200 / 2.8 ED [IF], here is an exploded detail view of one of the Toucan series pictures (first from previous post).
Look closely at the eye's reflection.... violá! THAT'S ME TAKING THE PICTURE!!!!!
K3 + FA* 200 / 2.8 ED [IF]
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
04-08-2015, 08:11 AM
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Shot with my beloved MX-1... my grandchildren!
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-30-2015, 04:22 PM
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Shot yesterday, this is an aprox 2/3 crop of the full frame.
Another example of sharpness; K3 + FA*200 / 2.8 ED [IF]]
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-26-2015, 02:29 PM
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C'mon guys; any good engineer knows the prime universal of physics, or "the law of movement".
"If it doesn't move and it should = WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't = DUCT TAPE."
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-04-2015, 11:13 AM
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Translates to : "Today the premiere, which had arrived wanting me"
Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/7-pentax-compact-cameras/284315-my-mx-1-p...#ixzz3TRQzEhyA
No wonder it makes no sense at all. Who knows what kind of "swagili-russian-japanese-latin-sanscrit-papiamento-mayan dialect-english to spanish" translator you used, but for the love of God, NEVER use this same translator on a cooking recipe! You may end up dead with everyone in your family poisoned!
aina2's comment translates to: "Today I will break it in (as in -use the first time), I was so wishing for it to arrive!" |
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Forum: Pentax Compact Cameras
03-18-2015, 12:16 PM
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Even considering the outstanding image quality of the GR, I would rather prefer it the other way around; give me a new MX-1(MX-2??) but with an APS-C sensor and WIFI. Kepp the rest identical including the zoom's magnification range.
But thinking it a little more.... keep the MX-1 as is, but add an eyelevel EVF (for those open broadlight situations) and WIFI. name it whatever they want but keep it under the Pentax name. BTW, throw in a hotshoe! This minor changes will make a killer bridge camera!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-16-2015, 09:05 AM
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My K3 is pretty new and even if I would find some features to be added like WIFI, better AF or such already mentioned, I would find this two features to be extremely useful for this already very capable body:
1) Higher sync speed. I can't understand while cameras (full frame-film) like the PZ1P had sync speeds up to 1/250. The APS-C shutter curtain needs to travel (vertically) slightly more than half of the travel move from a full frame body. That means that if using the same mechanism, they could achieve sync speeds higher than 1/250 sec. or not?
2) I have big hands. I bought my K3 with the extra battery grip. Sometimes, it has happened that I left the grip's on/of switch turned on because I am shooting both vertical and horizontal at the same subjects. Sometimes, my big hands inadvertently press the grips shutter button (with my pinky finger) causing the AF to go crazy and sometimes even bursting a few shots. This is annoying, but more annoying is having to turn on and off the grip's switch on demand. So it would be nice if the grip could be fitted with some kind of "position sensor" (such as a mercury switch), that will automatically disable the shutter button (grip's) when camera is at horizontal position. To make it "democratic", have this position sensor the possibility to turn on and off. |
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Forum: Lens Clubs
03-12-2015, 04:08 PM
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I dunno why some people does not like the FA*200/2.8 ED [IF]. For me is a very fine and ultrasharp lens, which make me ask anyone who does not feel this lens is sharp, if your sample has ever been CLA'd by anyone not official Pentax Service?
Some pics with my FA* 200/2.8 ED [IF]
With K3 full frame
With K3, cropped vertical from horizontal frame
With K20D full frame
With K20D full frame
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-11-2015, 05:17 PM
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Exactly, but to be sure you can access ALL shooting modes (focus, flash, focus area, fps, etc) they you set the camera to P (program mode). Then every single parameter that is adjustable, can be adjustable. Nothing will be locked out or limited.
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Forum: General Photography
03-10-2015, 08:07 AM
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Now I get a better idea of your planned trip.
Some valuable information:
Liberia and Guanacaste zone (in general). Most of it is low altitude with few hills reaching just a couple hundred feet above sea level. Beautiful coastline with plenty of beaches (and high end resorts). Second half of March will be VERY HOT (four our standards), reaching temps around 35 to 38 C° (about 95 to 100 F°). It will also be VERY DRY and almost no foliage. Do not expect any rain at all, but do expect some wind gusts with plenty of dust. Atmosphere will be murky, loaded with dust and some white mist. Blue skies will be rare, so landscape photography will be limited to very early mornings or just before sundown.
I suggest visiting Guanacaste National Park, at the Santa Rosa section. This national park is one of the only two/three spots of "tropical dry forest" in all the western hemisphere. If you've seen movies about Africa.... well my friend; its the same scenario!
Going up Guanacaste's mountains you will find the climate changes very fast, from very hot to just perfect, then to chilly!. The higher you go, the windier it gets and probably you may get a few showers but no heavy rains.
Monteverde zone is another story. This is up in the mountains along the central range. Perfect example of tropical cloud forest. It can get chilly at night and around the Monteverde reserve, it will be easy to spot plenty of wildlife. Altitude will be around 2500 ft above sea level. Lots of "tourist traps" there so beware.
Arenal zone: This is in the transition zone in the middle of the central mountain range. You can go to Arenal from Guanacaste, via city of Cañas and Tilarán, or from the Caribbean side, going towards "La Fortuna". The Guanacaste side is very windy and dry, and offers some outstanding opportunities for landscapes. There is a large water reservoir (lake) that you drive around to get to La Fortuna and Arenal zone (Arenal volcano). This area (la fortuna and arenal) is the most tourist oriented. There are plenty of places to stay, from cheap b&b to high end thermae spa's, with a couple of them even catalogued as some of the best hotels in the world, like Baldi Springs https://www.baldihotsprings.cr/. Arenal Kioro Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa en La Fortuna Costa Rica or Tabacon Tabacon Grand Spa, Luxury Hotel in Arenal Costa Rica - Official Site Book Direct
Palo verde: This a natural wetland reserve. Not much facilities there, not even reliable transportation. Unless going with someone that know the zone, you will have trouble getting there and back. Of course there is a lot of birding to do, but not this time of the year. Best time would be around November and around late April, when thousands of migratory birds come through. It is extremely hot and nasty weather with very high humidity (from wetlands, now mud holes!) and humming bird size mosquitoes!
Cerro de la muerte: Now, this is a complete change. You are talking about some major weather change. Up there is cold, probably because average altitude is between 9000 and 12000 feet. There are some places to stay, like "Cabinas Los Chacon" (also known as Savegre resort) Savegre Hotel, Natural Reserve & Spa Where you may find yourself wandering into a beautiful cloud forest, loaded with exotic birds and one of the highest concentration of hummingbirds (species) in the world. This is one place that a fast 300 mm is almost "mandatory".
Last words of advice: You will need a strong sunscreen when in Guanacaste (spf 30 or higher) and a good insect repellent creme or lotion. REMEMBER THAT INSECT REPELLENT and plastics are not compatible!, so always have in hand some wet wipes or something to completely remove lotions from hands before touching cameras and gear... I've seen some nasty things happen!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
03-08-2015, 12:30 AM
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Try reflashing firmware on body. Check version and upgrade if necessary.
By all means, let us know your findings.
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