Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-11-2023, 04:43 AM
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Wow, your 2X macro ant shot is awesome. Was a tripod used or simply handheld ?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-10-2023, 06:09 PM
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That was a great guru feedback and thanks a bunch. So a 100mm Laowa at 2X would require twice more light than a 100mm Pentax at 1X. Now, assuming that I want the insect to appear the same size in my view finder, I can pull back further from the insect with a 2X Laowa, right ? Would that mean keeping the "same magnification" at further distance will decrease the chance of scaring the insect away ? ---------- Post added 10-10-23 at 06:38 PM ----------
Thanks for your valuable feedback which reinforce my initial intention to go with a 1X, see how I will do along the way and determine if I need a 2X lens later.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-10-2023, 07:34 AM
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Lenny, you are right on my unkown that I am not sure if 1:1 will be enough for me. With a higher magnification like a 2:1 macro for insect macro shots, I suppose I don't need to get too closw to the insects and thus the lens will not be blocking natural light illuminating the insects, thus avoiding the use of flash. Have you done insect macro shots without flash ?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-05-2023, 08:34 PM
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I want to get into macro and I have narrowed down my choices to the above 2 options. Here are the pros and cons of the two that are in my considerations: Pentax 100mm 1X AW
+ weather sealed,
+ auto focus,
+ HD coatings
+ smaller and lighter
+ great user reviews
+ have silver version to go with my silver body
- no 2X macro Laowa 100mm 2X
+ 2X macro
- MF
- not weather sealed
- coatings against flare unknown
- larger and heavier
Would someone using the Laowa please give your reason why choosing the Laowa over the Pentax ? In particular, does the 2X macro ability of Laowa make it less or more dependant on the use of a flash for insect shots ?
I am new to the macro field and there is no Pentax retail shop in where I live. I would be much appreciated to your view.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-19-2019, 10:20 PM
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Very well said. I paid for my mint copy of FA*85 used for a about the same price for a new FA77. FA77 is much more portable but the FA* is not that much bigger either.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-15-2019, 06:37 AM
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Get a DA20-40 to start with. Still have LBA and money left, think about the DFA100F/2.8 macro and then the DA*300F/4
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-29-2019, 05:45 AM
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I was in similar situation last when when my 5 years old K-30 started to have the black aperture problem. I would not consider the K70 since I suspect Ricoh use similar aperture component as in the K30 and K50. The KP was attractive but I didn't like its grip. Then a near mint condition of K-5iis came along with just 3,500 clicks for about $300 and I just grabbed it.
It has 14-bit DR compared to 12-bit for K-30 and has no AA filter. It is a professional body and you can feel it just from holding it. The overall ergonomics are more intuitive and it also has separate buttons for focus lock and exposure lock. By the way, I used the cost difference between a new KP and a used K-5iis to get a used copy of DA*50-135 f2.8 pairs well with my DA*16-50 f2.8 very well.
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
03-17-2019, 07:08 AM
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I received it after work Friday. Below is my first try on a fish eye zoom. Truly amazing field of view. Thanks Adam.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-30-2018, 08:48 PM
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My copy has no auto focus problem at all. Which camera are you using it with ?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-27-2018, 08:44 PM
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My usual hiking lens pairs are smc DA15 on my K-5iis with my DA55-300 in the back pack. Sometimes I will bring the DA12-24 for more flexibility instead of DA15.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
11-22-2018, 08:21 AM
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Travel with only 1 lens for general shots: FA20-35
Travel with 2 lenses for landscapes : DA12-24 and FA24-90
Travel with 2 lenses to gardens or parks : DFA100 macro & DA*300
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
10-03-2018, 05:39 AM
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Reflection of a small puddle of water on the school playground
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-22-2018, 05:29 AM
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It appears that no one mention about the sound and mechanism of the shutter of K70 and KP. K70 has the same shutter sound as K-30 and K-50 which are quite loud to me, so loud that can scare off birds. On the other hand,K-5, K-5ii, K-3 and KP all have the same whisper quite shutter sound.
Have you considered the option of KP + Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 ? This fast Sigma lens is selling for about $300 and quite sharp.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 11:44 PM
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Very encouraging photos ! The mean looking girzzly photo (2nd one) is a very good capture. You certainly need the 1.4HC to keep distance from the grizzly.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-06-2015, 08:59 AM
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K-30 looks like a real Pentax while K-50 is closer to a Canon to me. Your mileage may vary though.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-25-2015, 07:57 AM
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Well, this Canon guy's setup (70d with 18-300 lens) is physically bigger yours (K-3 with 17-50f2.8). So we cannot deny him saying that yours a "nice little camera". If I were you, I wouldn't mind to hold his set up a while and then asked him politely to hold yours to let him feel for himself how the word "solid" should be defined.
I had compared my workplace's 7d with 18-135 to my K-30 with 18-135WR for a week last year. The 7d is better in tracking focus and skin tone for portrait but my K-30 is better in every other aspects (DR, high ISO, focus in dark room), has more features (HDR, WR, IBIS) and better build quality.
Bottom line: different strokes for different folks.
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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50
02-21-2015, 09:51 PM
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My K-30 is my first DSLR andI love it too ! Like you, I have mine for 18 months and it has 15,000 clicks on it. The only gripe that I have is shutter noise not as quite as the K-3 for indoor shots, but I had known about that before I bought it. Most of my shots are taken outdoors. No plan to upgrade to K-3 or K-S2, may be to the upcoming FF in 2016/2017.
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Forum: General Photography
02-17-2015, 10:04 PM
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No it is not but expensive photo gears do cost an arm and length.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2015, 08:15 AM
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A very helpful write up indeed. Thanks a lot ! ---------- Post added 02-16-15 at 08:20 AM ----------
Thanks for the head up. Haven't thought about that. May be better wait for a K-3 later this year when the full-frame model comes out.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2015, 07:56 AM
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Yes, the thought of carrying the 5 lb set up (camera and lens) is a bit prohibiting. Holding such a long lens may attract some disapproving stares as well. That's why I am debating myself to go for it or not.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-16-2015, 05:53 AM
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Hi Forum Experts,
I am using a K-30 with its kit lens 18-135 WR since 2013. Early last year I got the DA50 mm f1.8 and last month I got a used copy of DA55-300 non-WR version.
A bit of history first. I have moved to Hong Kong some years ago and now commute to work in a 15 minute ferry ride across the Victoria Harbor. At this time of the year, some egrets like to tailgate the ferry looking for some easy meal. When I tried my DA55-300 for the hunting egrets, the reach was still a bit short most of the time and the focus could not catch up with the egrets most of the time.
While I am happy with the the DA55-300, there is a closed out deal of APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM for slightly less than $600. Is it worthwhile to go for the 100 mm extra reach ? Grateful if anyone have used both could give some user experience. :confused:
Regards,
Ken
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