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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-08-2022, 10:18 AM  
Travel kit mostly wider end
Posted By lplade
Replies: 70
Views: 5,283
I had some concern about the 55-300 PLM being slower, but no regrets once I got the lens. The difference in autofocus speed is a night-and-day difference and more than makes up for a fractional stop. The RE mechanism really makes a difference for whether it gets thrown in my bag - the older model was just a little on the big side. The fully electronic focus ring is very occasionally annoying for manual focus situations (astro) - no feedback when it hits infinity.


I'm struggling more to advise on the wide zoom front. I haven't seen the new DA* PLM, and probably won't at the asking price. I can say the Sigma 17-50, although not WR and with a backwards zoom ring, is perfectly serviceable and can be had used for much less than a DA* lens.
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 12-10-2019, 11:19 PM  
GIMP vs Darktable or something else?
Posted By lplade
Replies: 26
Views: 13,836
I'm pretty underwhelmed at Lightroom. I use RawTherapee for nearly everything. Squirrel Mafia's presets are pretty great.


If more serious post is needed, I export from there into GIMP, which finally in 2.10 got features like 16-bit color and LCH.


If ISO is really high, lens aberrations are bad, or other tough situations, sometimes I'll fire up DxO Optics.

SilkyPix seems to have the best de-noise algorithm anywhere but I only use it for nightmare high ISO stuff.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 11-30-2019, 08:33 PM  
rebirth of the sun
Posted By lplade
Replies: 3
Views: 438
The exact moment the sun poked out from behind the moon, setting the dark sky to light
Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom 05-25-2017, 03:50 PM  
Favorite films for BW medium format landscapes
Posted By lplade
Replies: 7
Views: 1,140
You should look at Ilford Pan F 50 if you are doing tripod shots.
Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom 05-25-2017, 03:39 PM  
TMax 400 vs. Tri-X; pros and cons of switching
Posted By lplade
Replies: 30
Views: 14,387
I just got through a semester shooting a pile of both films. Here's my take:

(I'm assuming you're talking ASA 400 versions, otherwise it's apples and oranges.)

TMax 400 is probably the "nicer" film from a technical perspective. It captures a lot of smooth nuance in gradation and detail. It must have seemed amazing in the pre-digital days.

Here's the thing though: The results look very similar to what I can do if I shoot with my dSLR in monochrome.

Tri-X 400, on the other has, has that quintessential "film" look about it. A little more contrast-y and grainy. You can try to simulate this look digitally, but it's never the same as the real thing.

So if I'm shooting film, I like classic Tri-X. Purely subjective.

They are both great films though. Shoot and bunch and see if you like it.
Forum: Film Processing, Scanning, and Darkroom 05-25-2017, 03:15 PM  
How/where do you get your film developed?
Posted By lplade
Replies: 12
Views: 1,708
Hi,

Depends what kind of film.

C-41: While corner stores and Walgreen's have been dropping proper film processing, there are still vendors hanging in there. The local pro photographer shop still does C-41 with quick turnaround. If you've got a good camera shop locally that does this, check them out, they can probably use the business. There are good mail order options too. I've had good luck with oldschoolphotolab.com and Dwayne's, although I have seen scratches. Dwayne's won't cut my negatives to strips of six, so I have to cut the rolls myself. If you're doing pro work you might want to pay more for better quality.

I do my own scanning on a not super expensive Epson. I had a (different, slow) local shop process and scan my negatives, but the scans were very poor and I can do better myself.

E-6: I get the prepaid FujiFilm mailers, which go to "FujiFilm Processing Center" in Parsons, Kansas, which everybody knows is actually just Dwayne's. These are amazing. They come back with nice FujiFilm branded mounts and a nice little box. Mounted slides are so much easier to scan, in my opinion.

B&W: I recently had access to a group lab, where I was doing all my own processing and printing. It's kind of addictive. I may end up getting the chemistry to do it at home. I am still scanning a backlog of negatives.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 04-18-2017, 05:50 PM  
Poll: Expired Contest Poll VOTE NOW - Photo Contest #127 Poll (Architectural Elements - March 2017)
Posted By lplade
Replies: 51
Views: 7,581
Wow, this one is hard. These are really good.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 04-16-2017, 07:22 PM  
flowing water
Posted By lplade
Replies: 4
Views: 499
flowing water
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 03-18-2017, 05:45 PM  
Joby/Other Tripod compatability
Posted By lplade
Replies: 14
Views: 2,813
If you are going to get a different ballhead, I don't see any reason you need to stick with the Joby brand. Ballheads pretty universally attach to legs with a 3/8"-16 screw.

I just point it out because Joby does indeed make a GorillaPod with an ArcaSwiss head.

ArcaSwiss quick release plates are as close as there is to a "standard" for quick release plates. Other heads all seem to use their own slightly different quick release plates. I have, for instance, bought a couple of the plates for my specific Dolica ballhead, and keep the plates attached to different devices.

If that's an application that appeals to you, looking at ArcaSwiss type systems is the way to go, and makes sense as a long-term gear investment.

See this:
What is Arca-Swiss Quick Release System?

If you buy yourself a nice tripod now and it comes with an ArcaSwiss type head, you can always swipe it and mount it on your GorillaPod!
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 03-16-2017, 11:15 PM  
Joby/Other Tripod compatability
Posted By lplade
Replies: 14
Views: 2,813
The cute little ballhead that came with my GorillaPod SLR-Zoom is decidedly NOT compatible with any other quick release plate I have seen.

Joby does make ArcaSwiss compatible heads though. The GorillaPod Focus appears to come with one, "Ballhead X."

You can always take the head off your GorillaPod and use a more compatible head.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 08-08-2016, 05:53 PM  
The big show
Posted By lplade
Replies: 0
Views: 439
a 4th of July celebration
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 08-02-2016, 11:32 PM  
Thunderstruck
Posted By lplade
Replies: 12
Views: 905
Great timing AND composition. Nominate.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 07-11-2016, 10:23 PM  
Lowry Avenue Bridge at Night
Posted By lplade
Replies: 12
Views: 773
I like it.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 07-04-2016, 11:56 PM  
K-50 Extra Battery Options?
Posted By lplade
Replies: 24
Views: 5,097
I didn't feel like could trust third-party power accessories inside my K-50, so I shelled out for the genuine D-BH109 AA adapter.

I normally keep the body loaded with 4x Eneloops. I keep the charged D-Li109 as the backup battery, mostly due to gear packing ergonomics. The loaded D-BH109 is bigger and heavier than the D-Li109! If I'm on a really long shoot, I pack a second (or third) set of charged AA batteries, and can load them into the D-BH109 if it comes to that. I never worry about my camera running out of power.

I don't keep good data on the Eneloops vs the D-Li109, but my impression is the D-Li109 runs down sooner.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 06-28-2016, 10:38 PM  
KEH Pentax Sale
Posted By lplade
Replies: 18
Views: 2,784
Also, sorry to anyone who might have been interested in that PZ-1. :p
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 06-28-2016, 01:36 AM  
KEH Pentax Sale
Posted By lplade
Replies: 18
Views: 2,784
Thanks for the tip!

Also, 25% film bodies today only (15% on digital bodies) with code CAMERADAY.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 06-15-2016, 06:16 PM  
Poll: Expired Contest Poll VOTE NOW - Photo Contest #117 Poll (Still Life - May 2016)
Posted By lplade
Replies: 68
Views: 9,195
These are all pretty solid!

I'm dying to know what went into making #4 though, because it's basically perfect stock art. It could be the cover of a coffee table book or an ad for a nice tailor. Great lighting, good composition that looks like an accidental arrangement. It's just fun to look at the details.
Forum: Sold Items 05-24-2016, 12:53 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Tiffen filter kit, FREE
Posted By lplade
Replies: 3
Views: 937
PM sent
Forum: Sold Items 05-22-2016, 12:24 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Mz-s, fa24-90
Posted By lplade
Replies: 9
Views: 2,275
pm sent
Forum: Sold Items 05-12-2016, 02:32 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Pentax ZX-10 SLR
Posted By lplade
Replies: 6
Views: 1,332
Can you verify that the shutter mirror works and the gear isn't broken?

I just bought one of these on eBay, and it was in "perfect condition" until I pushed the shutter button. :(
Forum: Photographic Technique 05-08-2016, 04:55 PM  
Take Camera to U of A Graduation?
Posted By lplade
Replies: 23
Views: 3,344
I have no idea what the policy or decorum is for the ceremony, in terms of if that is weird or permitted. If you can't find the info, it doesn't hurt to pick up the phone and call someone. That's usually the only way I get clear rules about photography for private venues.

I guess I would consider the 55-300 if you shoot the big ceremony, since you will probably be sitting a ways away. Although the screw drive lens might not be what you want to use sitting in an audience.

The U of A has a gorgeous campus.
Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 05-08-2016, 12:53 AM  
P mode - please share your experience using it
Posted By lplade
Replies: 32
Views: 4,075
I shoot in P mode almost exclusively for "walk around" shooting, since Hyper- modes made it easy to control aperture or exposure on the fly if needed. It nearly always hits within 1 EV of what I want, easy to fix up in post. It would be weird if my K-50 was outperforming your K-3 II. Maybe something is not set right.

I usually shoot in auto ISO 100-800, but I do occasionally do this thing where I toggle into fixed ISO mode and forget to go back to auto ISO until I notice I'm underexposing,

What lens are you shooting with?
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 01-01-2016, 12:47 AM  
What's the big deal about "Weather Resistance"?
Posted By lplade
Replies: 46
Views: 5,748
A friend of mine had a Canon DSLR which stopped working after he took some waterfall pictures. Canon denied his warranty claim, as the damage was caused by mist getting into the camera. He was pretty bummed about months of saving down the tube.

This incident certainly factored into my choosing to buy a K-50 over another camera.

I didn't get rained on during my last photo hike. I'm a little disappointed. I wanted some WR bragging rights.
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 12-17-2015, 09:04 PM  
Poll: Expired Contest Poll VOTE NOW - Photo Contest #111 Poll (Motion - November 2015)
Posted By lplade
Replies: 110
Views: 13,602
Lots of good ones. Hard to choose one.
Forum: Pentax Price Watch 12-08-2015, 06:35 PM  
Click Elite Venture 30 Backback - $89
Posted By lplade
Replies: 13
Views: 2,131
Holy smokes, that's a great price. I just paid way more than that for a Clik Elite ProBody Sport. Seriously tempted to send that back. :hmm:
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