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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-16-2009, 11:55 AM
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I agree with that. That is one of the main restrictions for using our SLR lenses on rangefinder cameras as well. The actual distance reading is too approximate and different on each lens. AF is based on the readings of the contrast sensor and not on actual screwdriver position or rotations.
A more solid approach for using hyper-focal philosophy, would be to define 2 focus spots (instead of 1 like in single select mode "SEL") and let the camera adjust the focus so that both these spots are in acceptable focus. That way, we could select the AF metering spots that represent the closest and the furthest spots that we want in focus, and let the camera find the focus that would make this happen according to our apperture. But again, some kind of DOF preview would be required to allow this to function properly, so AF would have to work with the mirror up, which i really doubt is possible on K10 and K20.
Maybe with a sequence of mirror ups and downs, but it could seriously affect the final speed of this AF mode and possibly the life of the shutter/mirror mechanism.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-15-2009, 06:43 PM
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I did some playing around with the interpreter and the autorun.
The camera I used is a K20D with 1.0.3 firmware.
First of all, I cannot disable the interpreter with [SCRIPT_EN_MODE DIS].
It just keeps running.
As soon it reads an autorun file, it executes it.
Now, you said that the interpreter runs on its own thread.
I noticed something that makes me think otherwise. Most likely it runs before the camera starts its "proper" function.
As long as the card has an autorun file, the interpreter executes it. The thing is that after it is over, even with "EXIT" or "EXIT;" on its end, the camera seems to be in a kind of pre-function mode. The image counter displays 0 (like the moment you set it to "on" without a card, right before it displays the amount of photographs available) and the front and back wheel dials do not have any effect on lets say the apperture or exposure on M setting.
The thing that brings the camera to full function is pressing the shutter release button. This wakes up the counter and makes the dials function again, making me think that the interpreter works only before the camera starts its full operation. And the EXIT thingies, do not terminate this pre-function state properly. The camera seems to pause in some pre-function state.
I think this might be of value since it indicates that the interpreter might be part of a separate program funtioning like the bootloader, running before the OS is started, or even starting it itself. Or if it is part of the OS, then it halts its sequence that brings the camera's functions to life.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-07-2009, 07:33 AM
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This thing really made my day...
One of the biggest headaches I have is the AF and how Pentax slacks calibrating the bodies...
Do you see any functions that could possibly manually set the AF correction levels by more than +-10?
I guess this will have to be matched with lense IDs though, maybe as a parameter or something...
I will send you my exports today. One K10 and one K20
good work m8
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-29-2009, 01:25 AM
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Same situation here in Greece too.
Catalogue prices have doubled to those outrageous amounts.... 460 euros for the 50mm and 630 for the 35mm. Similar changes for the rest of the line-up too...
Good thing I don t need any more Pentax lenses...
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
07-06-2009, 06:10 AM
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I just needed to use the signature upload to make it work with the [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] bbcode
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
07-06-2009, 06:03 AM
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I have tried it before, but as you can see it displays it as a plain link...
Does it matter that it is png?
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Forum: Site Suggestions and Help
07-06-2009, 01:35 AM
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I have a small banner that I use on my signatures, but when I use it here, It appears enlarged and with a link under it to open a bigger version...
The image is this small png
And you can see how it appears, below on my signature.
Could you please check this?
thanks in advance
Dim
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
07-05-2009, 11:59 PM
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Calling peoples' work crap is very easy....
I am usually open to critisism, but only when I hear a valid argument with it.
And as for "Street photography", it is a very very very wide and possibly elitist subject. We can t expect everyone to deal with it in the same way. And yes snapshot "CAN BE" street photography. Actually from my point of view, the reverse is always true. Street photography is ALWAYS snapshot. The thing that makes it stand out is the "story" (emphasis on the quotes)
Nice work everyone and good luck.
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-25-2009, 01:35 AM
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You need to start slow.
First identify what is it that you want to shoot. This will more or less define the light source and the manipulating accessories you will need.
From my experience as a hobbyist, the big lights are just a big toy that you will use for a few weeks at home and then store under your bed.
I would give a look at Strobist
You will understand many things about light and the ways you can manipulate it, and also you will save a lot of money buying something that you can use everywhere, anytime you want.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-23-2009, 12:35 AM
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One of the most important and more practical differences is that light stands have short legs and long bodies.
This is not accidental, since they are expected to support big light handling contruptions like umbrellas or whatever. The short legs allow these to move freely, while the long legs of a camera tripod would not allow them to move downwards (which is their most common direction anyway)
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-18-2009, 11:55 PM
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There are a few programs to do that.
I have tried deepskystacker
You can combine multiple lights, darks, flats, dark flats and biases
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-12-2009, 01:22 AM
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Really it is matter of what you want to do. So the first step would be to familiarize yourself with potential drawbacks in yor photos.
For example, digital photos 99% of the time need a bit of sharpen.
Next, you most likely want to adjust your white balance and levels to make the colors appear more natural and punchy all around the dynamic range of digital photographs
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Really it is up to you to decide what needs fixing or adjustment in your photos.
Now, If the photo is too orange after you process it, it is not the program's problem or fault. It is your problem/fault.
The programs are just tools. It is up to you to learn how to use their tools effectively to achieve what you want.
For example, if the photo looks too orange, then maybe you did something wrong along the way... Or you need to further process it to make it appear less orange.
It is up to you to familiarize yourself with a program and its tools and how use them to apply different technics on your photos.
While learning, your bag of tricks will become larger and larger, and you will be able to identify more potential problems and correct them more effectively.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-12-2009, 12:57 AM
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Note that while in SL mode, by cycling through the settings using - & +, you do not see a manual setting but an Ev flashing.
In Slave mode, you cannot use manual power. This is what we were trying to describe above.
You can only use compensation in terms of Ev
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-09-2009, 01:09 AM
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Yeah Metz confirmed that the camera compensation works on top of the flash one.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-04-2009, 05:30 PM
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I think the setting is communicated automatically in the automatic and semi-automatic programs. It s wireless TTL.
My question to Metz was about Manual camera setting where the TTL is supposedly off...
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
06-04-2009, 03:05 PM
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Actually you can use Ev compensation in Slave mode.
In SL mode just hit + and - together twice and you will see Ev flashing. you can now adjust a compensation of -3Ev up to +3Ev.
I don t know what is used as a base on top of which the compensation is made, but still you can do it... :p
I have sent an email to Metz asking what is the base.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
06-04-2009, 01:55 AM
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There is not right amount of processing, at least in a non objective way. It s up to you to decide if the amount is right for your needs or for your taste... Only you can judge if you have achieved what your were trying to do.
If one other doesn t like it shouldn t matter to you that much if the photo serves its purpose...
It s exactly like exposure... there s no right exposure... there s only what you want to show and how well you have achieved it...
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-03-2009, 05:38 AM
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I m also using the strap from my old MZ. Black/grey with leather/rubber interior for more comfort. And a bit longer. The ones that come with the Ks are just crap...
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
06-02-2009, 04:39 AM
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Anyone knows how the x-sync / pc port works on the K20D while on the wireless mode?
Does it trigger on the main flash or does it trigger during the master pre-flash as well?
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
05-30-2009, 02:21 PM
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Here is my version :D
About the technique, you can read about it here. A bit more fiddling might be needed to fix the brightness decrease due to the increase of the contrast.
Correcting Color with Levels
Ι hope you like it...
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
05-30-2009, 08:51 AM
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Wow... I haven t been there since I was a little kid... thanks :D
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Forum: Weekly Photo Challenges
05-30-2009, 06:20 AM
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Hope it s not too cliche :D
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-29-2009, 03:22 PM
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Yeah ok good game comparing a 1200 euro camera to a 650 one...
Still, I have used both and K20D stands so close to D300 it almost feels like a steal to have to pay twice as much for the Nikon. From what I have seen, ISO quality is almost identical up to 800 with the D300 getting lead on 1600. 3200 is unusable on both with my standards.
I haven t used them in sporty situations so I ll just take everyone's word that D300 wins this one.
Still, with K20 at half the price, I really don t see any reason why to pay for a Nikon other than if you mainly shoot sports or if you are a brand freak...
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Forum: Photographic Technique
05-29-2009, 02:15 PM
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Might be helpful but it could be very distracting for the athlets. Just avoid it.
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