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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-13-2017, 04:40 PM
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We use whatever software does the job better. I personally prefer open source, but i don't inherently dislike closed software. We use Autodesk Maya over Blender, because while Blender is feature complete and perfectly fine, it isn't as swift or as big as Maya (and the feature set, while complete isn't as good as Maya's - although we are looking to transition away from Maya toward Houdini). Support is also a key area for us. Having a large community and a large company like Autodesk (along with our re-seller), we can usually get problems fixed within a couple of days at most, is crucial on 4 week projects.
While i try to steer the company direction toward Linux, I'm fully aware that we will need windows boxes for at least a few years. Also business doesnt give a crap about opensource. I work at a small company, where i can choose with luxury which apps/hardware we use, the cost of acquiring/renting and using software isn't even a thought. Far more important is how quick (for us, at least) we can work and can we achieve great results. My dislike for Adobe software stems from how slow and antiquated their software is. It isn't until you try more professional grade applications, that you realize how bad adobe's applications are. For instance we used to use After Effects as our in-house compositing package - the layer based approach is just plain abysmal. Switching to node based compositing with Nuke, has seen our compositing complexity increase while also reducing both artist time and export time.
Also the cost of learning new software isn't much of a hindrance for us. We're all fairly good at picking up new software. Even if it were, this is usually just a short term issue (1, possibly 2 projects).
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-12-2017, 05:02 AM
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I am aware that the upfront cost of software isnt the whole story, and the adobe suite is the cheapest part of our production pipeline. However we have more issues with the adobe suite than any other part of our pipeline. We have the need to paint large resolution images with a large number of layers, Photoshop just plain sucks at this sort of thing. After effects handling of colours with floating EXRs is quite honestly absurd. Premiere is limited to 10bit export. This is just plain terrible. While i understand that premiere is designed for video editing and very few cameras shoot above 10bit, it is an issue for us.
Again, for the vast majority of people who have relatively basic needs the adobe suite is a good fit. For us its terrible. We also have other software on a subscription basis, and all the software we have on subscripion has had a steady decline in both new features and stability since they changed their business model. (counter to software in the same field that has major releases).
I should also point out that we are a mixed os production house, but we prefer linux, and adobe is keeping us from having the majority of our machines on linux.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
02-10-2017, 09:54 AM
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We use the Creative Suite commercially here at work, and i want to get rid of it asap. Affinity Photo can do about 95% of what we need to do in photoshop, and Designer should be able to replace Illustrator. As for After Effects and Premiere, we're replacing them with Davinci Resolve and Fusion/Nuke (undecided on which yet).
The thing that bothers me about Adobe is they make good software until they get the lead, then they completely phone it in. Photoshop is slow, bloated and new features are lackluster. The same goes for the rest of their software. Subscription means they get your money regardless of any improvements they need to make. Hard versions require them to constantly improve so that you'll purchase the next one. Subscription allows complacency.
Personally looking for a replacement for Lightroom, but Affinity Photo has completely removed my dependence on Photoshop.
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
01-24-2017, 04:00 AM
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This might help with regards to your canon printer
How to install Canon PIXMA PRO-100 on Ubuntu –
Ubuntu is typically the easiest Distro to get working, but don't overlook openSUSE, Fedora and if your looking for the absolutely most stable OS CentOS. I use Archlinux at home, CentOS at work. I would avoid Mint personally, but it might suit you.
I use Linux as my primary OS for work (work in the VFX industry) and home. I am thankful that majority of the Apps i wish to use have native linux versions (Maya,Nuke,Houdini,Arnold....) The only downside is Photoshop/Image editor. Gimp works well once configured to act similar to Photoshop, but its still not at the level Photoshop is at. You can always dual boot or VM to run specific software. I dual boot for games that aren't Linux native.
The reality is that the difference between Windows and Linux is very small. Windows has too much bloat for me personally, and when i push my system linux performs better, but that is an edge case. Try to find alternative applications that run native for linux, and try using them. At the end of the day if your absolutely require AutoCAD, and no linux app comes close then your better off with windows.
Also Windows isn't a virus ridden parasite. I dual boot windows (and have used windows consistently since i was a kid), along with managing 5-6 Windows machines at work. None of them run Anti-virus, or Anti-malware and haven't ever had an issue. It comes down entirely to the end user. If you get hit with that stuff, your doing things wrong (don't hate, but its true). Don't open email attachments, don't visit dodgy websites, don't install software from non-trusted sources etc.
As far as image editing goes, Darktable is an absolute godsend. It provides excellent results and has a ton of tweaking modules. Lightroom can get me quicker results, but Darktable gives me better results with time. I can't get the results in Lightroom no matter how much time i spend as it just doesn't have the modules/options (such as the equalizer module). I also find Darktable has better colour reproduction on Pentax files. Lightroom doesnt process my k-50 dng out of the box very well. Although my Nikon files don't have this issue.
Currently working on a CentOS 7 powered box, running the i3wm.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
04-04-2016, 12:14 AM
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You did some amazing shots for a fixed 200, and i still don't think i could just shoot 200mm exclusively.
Quick summary of the Pentax-A 70-210mm f/4.
I really, really like this lens. Most importantly it has excellent image quality. The colours are nice and vivid, with the right amount of punch, even shot wide open. Sharpness is stellar, particularly for a zoom lens. Having mainly just shot with primes i was expecting to have to settle on sharpness, but this is not the case. While not quite as sharp as my DA 35mm f/2.4, it can produce some amazing results even without PP. However with a small amount of PP it can be deadly sharp from f/5 onwards. f/4 and f/4.5 are a little soft, but nothing I wouldn't ever use. This lens sweet spot is around f5/5.6, and is where i spent most of my time shooting. While this lens was sharp across the frame up to f/10, and a bit soft over, there really isn't any situation that this lens is no decent, and in most cases excellent. During the month i didn't notice any significant difference between the wide and tele ends, i suspect 70mm is sharper, but i haven't done any tests to compare, and I've got sharp results at both ends, and great results in between. The lens coatings are excellent, and i can easily shoot into the sun without any problem. The lens hood does improve the contrast, but it isn't needed, and for most of my shots I didn't use the lens hood. Focusing with this lens is very easy. Comparing to my Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7, when your in focus, things just 'snap', and i usually hit focus much easier with this lens than other lenses. I do like the one touch zoom/focus, however i know a lot of people don't. I found it easy to lock focus while zooming out on a subject (bikers coming towards me), something i don't think a two touch lens could have achieved.
f/4 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25110179269
f/5 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/26027306982
f/5.6 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25462942960
f/6.3 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25763585325
f/8 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25210269664
f/11 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25668544541
f/16 https://www.flickr.com/photos/40074476@N00/25451593286
Build quality
I brought this lens used from SRS, in what can only be described as mint condition. Not a single knock, scratch or ding to any part of the lens, a couple of light dust specks on the inside of the front element, but nothing to affect image quality. The Lens feels solid, and all metal, with the exception of a plastic aperture ring. The Aperture ring does feel quite cheap, when compared to the excellent precision metal that it accompanies. The lens has a good amount of weight, but not that it ever got uncomfortable. I could easily shoot all day with this lens without any problems. The only downside, its a slight amount of zoom creep. However this is very slight and only really occurs when its warm. On a cold day the lens stays in position, but on a hot day it will creep. This doesnt bother me, but it might bother some. The built in lens hood is nice, but i felt like it could do with being slightly longer (this may be due to it being a full frame lens on a crop body). The lens hood isn't loose, but it doesnt feel as solidly built as the rest of the lens.
Overall i really like this lens, very pleased with the results and i'll probably keep it with me at all times, as my go to tele lens.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
03-03-2016, 02:35 AM
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How so? Also how does the 18-50 RE compare to the 18-55 WR from the k-30? Your pictures are looking great so far
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
02-28-2016, 11:03 AM
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Hi,
Thanks, looking forward to the challenge. Considering I've been mainly shooting 18-55, with 135 very rarely its going to be tough having a minimum of 70 for a whole month. Hopefully it arrives Tuesday, but if it doesnt ill have to make up for the missing days. Its more if the lens arrives damaged or unusable. Although, i guess not as restrictive as 200.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
02-28-2016, 08:58 AM
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Hi guys,
Newbie here trying my first challenge. Going to attemp the Single in March challenge, using a newly (still not arrived, hopefully arrives on march 1st) 70-210 f4.
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
01-17-2016, 04:19 PM
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Beginner, so I cant really give much advice, but what has worked for me is to just get out and shoot. The more I get out and shoot the better I feel like I get.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-17-2015, 04:25 AM
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Just got my replacement, and while it is a bit soft at 55mm f5.6, it doesnt have the glow/halo thing going on. Need to do more tests, but I'm much happier with this lens so far. I also had to use Nikon this last week after using the k-50 for 2 days, it felt like such a downgrade.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 09:54 AM
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no matter what is in focus, and the focal distance at 55m everything has a glow, but its more pronounced in those images. But again only at f5.6/6.3/7.1 at 55mm. Other than that focal length/apertures, its a good lens, which leads me to believe it is a defect rather than the lens. At f8, f9, f10 everything is sharp all focal lengths, even 18-45mm are fine wide open.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 07:01 AM
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I've returned it to amazon for a replacement, hopefully the replacement doesnt exhibit this problem.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 02:46 AM
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It happens on every 55mm f5.6-6.3 image, don't get me wrong i am a beginner, so I know that my technique is bad, and that the lens is probably fine, but I would like to make sure that I don't have a defective lens.
This leaf crop shows the difference between f5.6 and f7.1, this issue doesnt appear at less than 45mm, and yes while 45mm f4.5 is soft compared to 45mm f7.1 it doesnt have this 'glow'.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 01:39 AM
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At every situation (45-18 wide to f11 (havn't shot below f11), and 55mm at f8+ (f7.1 isnt bad, but the glow isnt an issue at f8)) the lens is sharp, sharper than the d5100 kit lens, and has better colours, the only issue i have is this lens at 55mm f5.6-f6.3 (again its a little pronounced at f7.1, but that one is just me being super fussy).
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
07-10-2015, 12:36 AM
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Hi,
Just brought a Pentax K-50, and compared to the D5100 i was using its fantastic. Its a joy to hold and use, and the pentaprism is so much better than the pentamirror in the nikon. However im having an issue with the Kit lens at 55mm.
At F/5.6-7.1 im noticing a weird glow. It happens on all my 5.6-7.1 images. I've attached the best sample of this issue. Is this normal of the kit lens, or did i receive a duff lens? This is an extreme example, but it does happen in all lighting situations. I've tried a couple of portraits at this length and they look like ive added a cheap photoshop filter over the whole image.
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