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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 09-03-2016, 03:28 PM  
Choosing a Pentax Long Telephoto
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 21
Views: 3,319
I would humbly suggest that the FA* 250-600/5.6 is or can be of prime sharpness. Of course YMMV with your technique, support setup(s), etc. Having shot with the Sigma 500/4.5 and the FA* 300/2.8, my FA* 250-600/5.6 loses a stop or two of light, but not sharpness. :)

Some are taken at F5.6 aperture. I tend not to shoot this lens wide open, given the narrow DOF and the subjects being so close.

F5.6:

Link to EXIF





Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time 0.005s (1/200)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 320
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 2401 x 1606

F6.3:



Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time 0.002s (1/500)
Aperture f/6.3
ISO 400
Focal Length 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions 3113 x 2073

Crop:


F7.1:





Camera PENTAX Corporation PENTAX K10D
Exposure Time - 0.002s (1/500)
Aperture - f/7.1
ISO - 320
Focal Length - 600mm (900mm in 35mm)
Photo Dimensions - 2534 x 1691

Crop:
Forum: Ask B&H Photo! 08-01-2016, 05:31 PM  
Bill of Sale needed
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 0
Views: 910
EDIT: called this morning and Don in Customer Service had my bill of sale emailed to me within 2 minutes.

Awesome service!! :)


------------------------------------


Hi,

Would it be possible for someone from B&H Photo to PM me please?

Need a replacement bill of sale for a lens purchase made in early February 2012. However, I cannot look/search for any purchase information on my account prior to January 1, 2013. I dug through my email archive and cannot find any email confirmation with the bill of sale in it, yet I have all the other orders prior to and subsequent to the lens purchase.

Have a lens that I paid $799 for and it requires warranty service, so they need a bill of sale. Fingers crossed you can help.

Thanks in advance,
Marc
Forum: Photographic Technique 06-05-2016, 07:37 AM  
"Shooting" hummingbirds - hints/recommendations?
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 20
Views: 3,136
Forum: Lens Clubs 01-24-2016, 10:24 AM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 40,769
Views: 4,310,367
Captured with FA* 250-600/5.6 + 1.4X-L teleconverter, for a focal length 840mm. Was testing the newly acquired teleconverter, very pleased so far!

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-24-2016, 08:09 AM  
FA* 600 F4 Softness at F4 Issue
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 44
Views: 4,429
Glad to hear a positive outcome on this matter.

Feedback from Mark:
"The 600 f4 was always soft wide open. The only time it was ok for me to shoot f4 was when the target was not moving. It was very easy to misfocus when the depth of field was so slim."

EDIT: Mark also shied away from the 560mm for his needs: "...That thing could never be used for sports because it has misfocus issues and awfully slow"
Things may have improved on the focusing issue, he may have tried a bad copy, not sure?

I concur about the narrow depth of field issue, in addition anything else that may be going on with the lens.My subjects were often less than 6m/20ft away, often very small. I'll probably end up buying the 150-450mm as a excellent long lens option for travel.

Hope that helps!
Marc
PS. I had a focus issue happen after selling/shipping my FA* 300/2.8 to a forum member. It was well packaged, but one never knows how it was handled.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-23-2016, 08:09 AM  
FA* 600 F4 Softness at F4 Issue
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 44
Views: 4,429
Inquiry sent! He's overseas, so it may take a bit of time for a reply.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-23-2016, 07:50 AM  
FA* 600 F4 Softness at F4 Issue
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 44
Views: 4,429
My copy of the FA* 250-600/5.6 is stellar wide open.
I've heard some people comment that the 600/4 results can be a tad soft wide open, although several people shooting other brands of older copies of their 600/4 have made that comment too. That seems to be congruent with previous comments made here.

Can always bounce the question to a professional photographer friend who shoots with it regularly - just let me know if you'd like his opinion. Based on your findings so far, it sounds like there's more to it than that. The positive is that you already have the 250-600.
Forum: Lens Clubs 11-19-2015, 10:12 PM  
Post your HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW pictures!
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 3,522
Views: 476,590
Good evening! It has been a while. :)

I've read several pages and viewed images with interest. The FA* 250-600/5.6 is without any hesitation a prime quality lens as far as zooms go - discussed in some detail to the Sigma 500/4.5 a while back - and I am wondering if this would be worth considering for lighter travel options. Sounds like it is very capable in the right hands, but it's hard to be sure. That's not a negative comment - simply a smaller pool of people, versus another lens in the Canon/Nikon shooter population.

The Sigma 500/4.5 I used on a Canon body was a great lens, so additional input/thoughts on what I want/expect in the lens' IQ are welcome. Is the 150-450 truly that good? (Anyone is welcome to comment of course!)

Sometimes it's hard to tell as you've mentioned with image size samples posted.
I'm unsure if this lens would meet my expectations on IQ, since the 250-600 sets a very high benchmark.

Or... just rent it. :D

Hope everyone is doing well!
Marc
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-19-2015, 06:13 PM  
Questions about a SMC Pentax FA 250-600mm f5.6 ED[IF] lens
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 28
Views: 6,478
Yes, that's my CPL. ;)

Even though it's a heavier lens, it has stunning image quality, even wide open. To the OP (even though this thread is old(er), how do you like the lens?

Cheers,
Marc
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-27-2014, 07:11 AM  
manual for TS-110 remote/Intervalometer
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 8
Views: 4,173
Hello Chris,

I managed to track it down quickly - the benefits of webmail! Sent it your way, so please let me know it's arrived intact.

Best,
Marc
PS. Sometimes it's a smaller world than we think - my brother lived in NZ, albeit on the north island (Wellington).
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-26-2014, 05:18 PM  
manual for TS-110 remote/Intervalometer
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 8
Views: 4,173
Hi Chris,

Per your messages/request, will send you a copy of a higher resolution scan in PDF format. J am mobile phone only right now.

Cheers!
Marc
Forum: Sold Items 03-29-2013, 09:10 PM  
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 - $750 or trade for Sigma 85mm 1.4 or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 4
Views: 2,057
Well, you DID have a convincing response... :)

Thank you sir! I promise to do my part with some images from the lens. It was simply good timing - I was actively searching for this lens, and the DA* 50-135 f/2.8 was the alternative. I wanted a fast focusing, indoor/outdoor event photography lens.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 03-29-2013, 08:48 PM  
Google is offering all of Nik software for $150 total
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 118
Views: 14,605
When I ran the Nik Collection installer, it recognized all instances where the plugin can be used on my computer: Photoshop, LR and Bridge. Would that be a possible problem?
Forum: Sold Items 03-29-2013, 08:26 PM  
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 - $750 or trade for Sigma 85mm 1.4 or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 4
Views: 2,057
PM sent, payment sent. Thank you. :)
Forum: Sold Items 03-29-2013, 07:55 PM  
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 - $750 or trade for Sigma 85mm 1.4 or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 4
Views: 2,057
PM sent.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 03-29-2013, 06:14 PM  
Google is offering all of Nik software for $150 total
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 118
Views: 14,605
Agreed about Mike's liking the plugins!

Stan, I wish that was the case - checked everything in any related account before contacting them on Wednesday via the web form. I give them kudos for making it a relatively painless procedure to follow and make good on a refund/free upgrade.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 03-29-2013, 03:45 PM  
Google is offering all of Nik software for $150 total
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 118
Views: 14,605
Colonel00: correct on not receiving an e-mail, despite my being eligible, but my registration may have been lost in the transfer over to Google last year. I even received the notification of the transfer on nov. 1st, 2012 and did not opt out. So no announcement on a refund, simply my own initiative. I checked their policies on refunds before buying the Nik Collection. You have 30 days from the purchase date.

After seeing that option, perhaps I was truly eligible for the upgrade, owning a retail boxed copy with product key. That's when I decided to make the inquiry via the form. Turns out they readily understood and immediately processed my RMA request for a refund.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 03-29-2013, 03:01 PM  
Google is offering all of Nik software for $150 total
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 118
Views: 14,605
I will get a refund on the $149 bundle (actually $126.65 with the coupon).

Just edited my original post - thanks for asking that - good thing to clarify!
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 03-29-2013, 02:52 PM  
Google is offering all of Nik software for $150 total
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 118
Views: 14,605
For those eligible, you have 2 options, by phone or e-mail...
  1. Customer Support phone: 619.725.3150 - follow the prompts. They're staffed from 8:30-4:30, PST.

  2. Go to this webpage and fill it out: Nik Collection - Support


NOTE: today was the first day I got through on the phone. You may wish to try the web form, since I received a verification e-mail within 5-10 minutes of submitting it. I received my download link to the free Nik Collection upgrade today - approximately 48 hrs. The web page form is probably the easiest contact method. There is no longer a serial number requirement, since I wasn't prompted to activate anything after installing it. It's working as is... others have mentioned this.

I did get on the phone today to speak about a refund on the purchase. It took a bit of time, and I had to be transferred over to another, internal department. Both reps confirmed they've been inundated, so please be patient. I received my RMA confirmation for my purchase order of $149 ($126.65 with coupon), and it will post within 2 weeks. Again, they're swamped right now - Zach indicated that anyone and everyone is calling, so you can only imagine. My call finished in 22 minutes, but I was also involved with a refund (RMA).

Cheers,
Marc
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-27-2013, 09:24 PM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 40,769
Views: 4,310,367
It may be a day or so before I can oblige, and I promise that I shall do so.
Thank you for the kind words!
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-27-2013, 09:00 PM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 40,769
Views: 4,310,367
Hi Stan,

Thank you for the vote of confidence! I don't think I did as much in 2012 - will have to review what I have taken and processed from the RAW files.

So would this shot from 2011 with a K10D be a reasonable start? Here's a good example of detail, wide open, some light sharpening because of noise reduction software - ISO 500 on a K10D is not as good as my K5, no question!


EXIF

This was wide open, at 330mm. Subject size: 7-9cm/3"- 4" long. Subject distance was approximately 13'-15'/4m-5m. Some cropping to better frame the subject.

Regards,
Marc
Forum: Travel, Events, and Groups 03-27-2013, 08:26 PM  
Pentax at world's greatest Japanese garden
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 4
Views: 1,419
Hi David,

I will be booking my travel arrangements later on this week. Look forward to seeing everyone!

Best,
Marc
Forum: Lens Clubs 03-27-2013, 08:16 PM  
300mm plus Lens Club: discuss your long lenses
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 40,769
Views: 4,310,367
Generally speaking, this is very true about being closer with long glass, vs. using a TC.

It's been a while - I went back through several pages - it seems the thread is still going strong! :)

Almost makes me want to dig through the images from last season...
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 10-01-2012, 05:55 PM  
F 250-600 on eBay, BIN USD3500
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 26
Views: 3,330
Congratulations Russ! I was wondering about the photo(s) too, and Adam has weighed in. Fingers crossed that you're a happy man soon enough! I do mean that. Hopefully you don't have to do a gimbal head and tripod upgrade too.

So... welcome to the club! Think you'll enjoy it - I like mine... really. :)
Forum: Ask B&H Photo! 08-29-2012, 08:28 AM  
Photoshop CS6 Promotion
Posted By Marc Langille
Replies: 3
Views: 2,022
Hi Henry,

I received the $400 promotion and coupon code in my mail today. I've applied it and did get the $400 discount. Added LR4 to the order too. That includes both of the Kelby's crash course and training DVD's.

Marc Langille
ML Photo
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Fayetteville AR
Card Type: Visa Card
Card No.: xxxxxxxxxxxx-2367
Amount Charged: $ 350.15


Adobe ADPSCS6WW
Photoshop CS6 for Windows $249.95

Adobe ADPSL4W
Photoshop Lightroom 4 Software For Mac And Windows (Boxed Full ... $89.95)

Sub Total $339.90
Shipping $10.25
Sales Tax $0.00

Total $350.15

Needless to say, I am very happy to be able to make this purchase.

Regards,
Marc

PS. Been a B&H customer for some time. Also wanted to thank you and the customer service folks for helping me out in a pinch when a delivery went awry - it went missing. It was during a photo competition in the middle of nowhere - they promptly sent out a replacement order. It finally was found and I returned the original order - awesome customer service!!
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