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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-09-2009, 07:44 AM
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Unfortunately, I think my K-7 actually performs worse than the K20D. Just did a simple test with both camera in my dimly lit livingroom on a tripod and some of my daughter's toys. Both raw files (K7 using DNG, K20D using PEF), imported into iPhoto and screen captured in TIFF. Apart from K-7 giving much better white balance, the K20D wins in amount of noise present and details retained...
1. F5, 1/15 @50mm, ISO 1600 (DA*50-135mm) - K7 left, K20D right
ISO1600 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
2. F8, 1/13 @50mm, ISO 3200 (DA*50-135mm) - K7 left, K20D right
ISO3200 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Just want to know if this is what you people with both camera have observed.
If so, I'm a little disappointed...
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Forum: Sold Items
01-14-2009, 08:25 PM
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Damn good price! Can't believe suddenly there're so many of these babies for sell... I waited months and eventually bite the bullet for one just before Christmas.
Someone please snap it up, quick!!!
If you haven't already, try your luck selling this at the Overclocker Forum Australia. I remember someone else local looking for one.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
01-03-2009, 06:28 AM
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I have both the Tamron and DA*50-135. The Tamron has equal IQ to DA* except for around 135mm where it's softer wide open, but stopped down past F3.5 I feel both are equal. In terms of AF speed, the Tamron feels if not faster then the same to me (not scientifically tested), maybe it's the high pitched screwdrive motor noise that makes it seem/sound faster.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-28-2008, 04:59 PM
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I got the Tamron, was blown away by its optical quality. At 70mm, it matches DA70 Ltd in every respect, and is equally sharp at the 200mm end. True to DPReview testing, my copy is slightly soft wide open at 135mm, but improves significantly by F3.5. AF is pretty fast on my K20D due to powerful in body screwdrive motor, it's no slower, if anything faster than my DA*50-135mm SDM.
Unless you're shooting fast moving subjects with AF-C, or you need near silent focusing, you can't go wrong with the Tamron.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-22-2008, 05:34 AM
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My K20D has a vertical banding issue too. At any ISO especially with DR on and becoming more noticeble as ISO get higher until 800 when NR kicks in, and again with worsening banding above that.
I mainly notice it in under-exposed areas in the green channel, and is amplified when I try to drag details out from shadows. But as I learnt to correctly expose I notice this less often. Now it doesn't bother me much and I just enjoy taking beautiful correctly exposed pictures with this camera.
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Forum: Sold Items
12-12-2008, 03:32 AM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-05-2008, 04:24 PM
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More testing, this time AF vs MF
Seems like infinity focus calibration is the culprit.
100% crop @200mm f/2.8, top MF, bottom AF, subject >500m away
MF achieved incredibly sharp image whereas AF struggles with inconsistent focus, quite often not hitting focus spot on.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-04-2008, 04:26 AM
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Both 100% crop @200mm, top f/2.8, bottom f/3.5
Subject approx 1km away
f/2.8 just look softer with less contrast, f/3.5 much better
It seems focusing problem is predominantly for distant objects, perhaps infinity focus is not calibrated properly... That's my guess anyway
Consolation is that when AF gets it right, I'm very impressed by the resolution, colour, contrast.
I've had replies on other forums where a number of Tamron owners reported the same findings as me. Guess my copy isn't bad after all... Maybe I should just keep it or at the most send it with my camera to get calibrated.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-02-2008, 06:13 PM
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Has any other owners of this lens noticed that at F2.8 at any range, it seems like the image is slightly brighter overall and just lacks contrast compared to 1 stop down. I don't know if this is the "ghosting" effect that's talked about elsewhere, or that the camera is getting the exposure wrong...
Also, my copy seems to have the same issue as the one tested by DPReview, namely, AF is just so unreliable, especially for distant objects. When it's spot on, I'm amazed by the sharpness, but I'm more often disappointed and frustrated when focus is off.
Other than that I don't mind the focusing speed, though it hunts more than any of my other lenses, the bokeh is buttery and colour and contrast as I expect, except @ F2.8.
Anyway, I've decided to give the Sigma a try.
PS. I'll try to post some pics when I get home
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-17-2008, 04:58 PM
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I bought my entire setup in HK less than 1 month ago.
K20D - 8800
FA35 - 1950
DA*70 - 3200
Tamron A16 - 2880
540flash - 2750
The good thing is that I was able to exchange the local warranty card to international. So I saved a bundle (compared to AUS prices) and still have warranty!
Try CitiCall, a chain electronics store. Good price and official goods with exchangable warranty card.
Oh, and the filter prices in Tin Cheung are the cheapest. About half the price as in Oz.
Good luck
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-17-2008, 05:56 AM
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Seems like PEF no longer works for me in iphoto, but DNG still works.
Oh, and it also improved my subtle vertical banding with DRange off. With it on, it's still very obvious.
Hopefully either Pentax or Apple will fix the problem with PEF soon.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-13-2008, 05:13 AM
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I've seen Debbie's banding post, and admittedly this is very subtle and no where near as obvious. Some people say they can't see it, but to my eyes, the bands are definitely there, almost consistently if I look for it at the right places. But they are subtle and I don't notice them when viewing full screen on a 24" monitor, only see them if I zoom in closer. Pretty sure it won't be noticeable unless I get poster sized prints.
Has anyone else noticed these subtle bands in their shots? Is this "normal" in bad shots?
I'm just new to DSLR and still can't get correct exposure consistently, which worsens the problem. What I'm asking is, should I bother to send it back for repairs (might take weeks/months), or should I live with it knowing it's only a minor flaw and should improve with me taking better shots?
Any advice appreciated
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-12-2008, 09:41 PM
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Yep, these are 100% crops, but I think jpg processing made them even more subtle.
So I shouldn't worry too much able it then. ^_^
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-12-2008, 09:08 PM
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I'm noticing quite subtle vertical banding with a good proportion of my images. Always present with DRange on, regardless of iso/raw/jpeg, and most obvious in intermediate shades and skin tones. Problem less obvious with DRange off, but still visible in some circumstances.
Am I pixel peeping too much, or do I have a real problem and should get it fixed?
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