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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-03-2024, 10:35 AM
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I always seem to have one less lens than I need ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome
03-27-2024, 12:31 PM
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The DFA*50/1.4 is just about the best IQ and Bokeh you can get - so technically it would be considered an "upgrade" - but it really does depend on your style of shooting and what you are comfortable with. The DA70/2.4 is so compact and lightweight and still delivers excellent results, whereas the DFA*50/1.4 is much bulkier and heavier but with the ultimate IQ. If you're a fan of ultra-thin depth of field then the 70mm loses out a bit, if you do low light level shooting again the 70mm is at a bit of a disadvantage, I've used both lenses and have been more than happy with the results from both, if I was forced to make a choice then 8 times out of 10 I would go for the 50mm - but there are definitely occasions when the 70mm would be a more comfortable choice.
If you are able to buy the 50mm and keep the 70mm then you'll have the best of both worlds ;)
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
03-17-2024, 04:46 AM
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Yeah - very poor quality lens, just look at the orange colour cast on this photo ;)
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
03-14-2024, 02:53 AM
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Slightly off topic (but raised within this discussion) - I often read how I would be so much better off with a Sony/Nikon/Canon/Fuji but I have still seen nothing that convinces me that any of these would be a notable improvement over my K1 for the majority of my photography (Landscapes, Macro, Street, Portraits) - the K1 series coupled with the DFA lenses produced over the last few years produce superb results - which other camera system will produce better IQ and Bokeh? I wouldn't argue that for high speed shooting other brands are more advanced and I can appreciate the benefits of EVF for many, but I still haven't seen an EVF that is as comfortable to use as the OVF's of the Pentax offerings and the build of the Pentax premium bodies feels so much better (to me) than similarly priced alternatives.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-18-2024, 05:00 AM
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This seems counter-intuitive as the later FA version should have been an improvement over the earlier F series, but I do agree - I've owned both versions several times and the F seemed to produce slightly better results. maybe my eyes prefer the coatings on F series ;)
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Forum: Pentax Price Watch
02-10-2024, 08:15 AM
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Superb Price - notable that some stores are offering the K1 MkII at full RRP (£1899) and including a "free" DFA 100mm f2.8 AW macro.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-09-2024, 01:29 AM
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This is the lens that reaffirmed my belief in Pentax - it is a true continuation of the Star series principles but with current technologies. I don't use it as often as some other lenses but when I do I can be confident that the lens will produce sharpness and bokeh in abundance.
No other Pentax "standard" lens is up to this level, and that really is saying something because they have always produced excellent 50mm and 55mm lenses. If you can afford it then I would highly recommend it, if you can't then most of the other Pentax fast 50's will be more than adequate for most images.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-08-2024, 10:46 AM
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It's a remarkable lens, great in a tight spot...
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-20-2023, 05:17 AM
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I think quite a few of us are hoping for a K1 MkIII that keeps all the existing features but improves them, adds a "better" sensor and adds more new stuff - but I suspect that some of the costs associated with the base K1 will need to be trimmed if we are to have a new Full Frame DSLR that isn't double the cost of the current model. That articulating screen is absolutely superb (IMO) but is not needed by all and I would guess that it pretty expensive to produce such a well engineered component, so I suspect that might be a casualty, as could be the built in Astro?GPS components.
For the size of the company (well the camera division anyway) I am impressed with what Pentax releases - the DFA 21mm Limited is a such an enjoyable lens of the highest quality. The K3III has a superb optical viewfinder, harking back to days of Pentax SLR's. The Star series lenses are just incredible. A Monochrome DSLR at a fraction of the cost of the competition that garners great reviews and stunning images. Even the "little" advances such as the DFA AW 100 Macro, turning an already great lens into an even better image producer. All of these things play to the strenghts of Pentax (IMO), I'm sure I would be labelled a Pentax "FanBoy" by many - but it's for all the reasons above coupled with the fact that I can still use 20, 30, 40, 50+ year old lenses on the latest bodies!
I currently don't need or want anything else, but I look forward to whatever they release next and seeing how long it takes me to crack and buy it :D
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Forum: General Photography
12-08-2023, 11:32 AM
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So Pentax and Betelgeuse share the same fate - is it one the same timescale ;)
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
12-02-2023, 03:08 AM
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I've got the FA31mm f1.8 Limited as part of my Silver Series but if I'm truthful it is very rarely used - I don't seem to get the same buzz from this lens as many others on the forum do :o
I prefer the K 30mm f2.8 or the K 28mm f2.0, both being used quite regularly, and that beautifully smooth and buttery feel of their focus rings does give confidence when adjusting focus while looking through the viewfinder - If you think about it, we Pentaxians are very lucky to have such an enjoyable, tactile, and real-view experience ;)
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Forum: Welcomes and Introductions
11-25-2023, 09:16 AM
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Hello Warwickshirean from a Worcestershirean :)
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Forum: Lens Clubs
11-18-2023, 04:00 PM
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
11-07-2023, 12:33 PM
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Ricoh GRII or GRIII with a GV-1 optical viewfinder - superb combination for street photography. You just need to work out your preferred mode/settings (i.e. snap focus), once you've done that you can be quite unobtrusive and capture yourself some quality results!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-10-2023, 01:12 PM
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I've used macro lenses quite a bit, but I'm far from an expert and I'm not usually trying to get those incredible shots of the tiniest creatures so that may be why I don't see the need for the extra magnification. Most of my macro has been without flash as I prefer the "look" of natural light, until you become skilled (I'm not suggesting you aren't) with macro flash you may find it quite harsh and contrasty.
Something else I'd forgotten is that I did own a Laowa 60mm 2X macro for a short period - if it is representative of the 100mm then it is a capable lens, no issues with sharpness or IQ - but I didn't enjoy the build of the lens, it was as smooth or refined as other lenses, but that doesn't affect it's actual use of course.
This shows the tiny depth of field when used at high magnification = I'm pretty certain it was at f2.8..
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-06-2023, 12:34 AM
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Your biggest unknown is how often you are likely to need/want to get closer than 1:1 magnification - for users starting a macro journey there is often the belief that the more magnification the better, but most rarely find our current (mainly 1:1 lenses) limiting so unless you know you are going to be delving down into the microscopic world I would advocate the Pentax 100mm (just look at all those Plus points you've listed). It's also worth considering how good a lens is at further distances - some lenses (earlier ones mainly) were designed as macro lenses with little thought for distance performance, but in my experience the more recent Pentax macro lenses are excellent performers at infinity too.
This was shot with the Pentax AW 100mm a few weeks ago...
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Forum: Lens Clubs
10-02-2023, 06:07 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
10-02-2023, 03:32 AM
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This gave me a similar feeling to when a man gets kicked in the "privates" :o
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
09-30-2023, 12:36 PM
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One more with the DFA 21mm Limited...
...and one more with the DFA 150mm-450mm...
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
09-29-2023, 06:27 AM
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Room with a view.
HD Pentax-D FA 21mm F2.4 Limited
Harbour dawn.
HD Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 ED AW Macro
Hazy harbour.
HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
All taken with the Pentax K1 MkII :cool:
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Forum: Lens Clubs
09-29-2023, 12:40 AM
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Autumnal Red Squirrel
Ferry at Dawn
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
09-25-2023, 05:57 AM
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I'm guessing that many of us DFA 21mm f2.4 Limited users either own or have owned the Pentax DFA 15-30mm f2.8? And probably a fair few who had/have both also have a Lee SW150 outfit to enable the use of filters? It would seem logical that the design of the SW150 adaptor for the 15-30 could be copied/adapted for the 21mm! With this in mind I sent Lee Filters (UK) an email enquiring as to whether they had plans to produce an SW150 21mm adapter but it is not in their current plans, but they did say this might change in future if there was enough demand.
I don't know how many people would have to register an interest with Lee Filters to get a design implemented, or indeed how many of us are interested? But maybe a few enquiries might spark something?
Good idea? Crackpot idea?
:)
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