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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-23-2019, 01:42 AM  
Sigma 18-300 Alternatives
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 4,220
Thank you to everyone who has contributed here, particularly @hcc and @bdery :-)

Lots of food for thought, but I will be hunting out a DA 18-270 to have a proper look.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-22-2019, 06:31 AM  
Sigma 18-300 Alternatives
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 4,220
Thanks for this - I am interesting in your comparison of the DA 18-270 and the Sigma 18-300. Bushwalking - or its softer English equivalent :-) is my reason for a single lens.

The DA 18-270 is about £180 more expensive locally and reviews don't seem to rate it as highly, but was it just the weight that prompted you to buy it?

---------- Post added 01-22-19 at 06:56 AM ----------



Thanks for that - a most detailed review. I note that US and UK Warranties are different - that is my concern about buying from the US.

You say in your conclusion: " the Pentax 18-270mm costs $80 more, doesn't fare any better optically, and has a shorter warranty." The difference in the UK is just over £100, but I could probably live with that (and the loss of 30mm) if the optics were as good. Are they?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-22-2019, 06:10 AM  
Sigma 18-300 Alternatives
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 4,220
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't tried purchasing something like this from the US (or indeed anywhere outside of Europe). I see that BHPhotovideo have an arrangement with UK Customs, so that is not a problem, but how do Guarantees, etc work? I don't really fancy having to ship it back to the US if anything happens




My original digital setup was a K100D and 18-55 & 50-200 kit lenses (I still have them), but I found constant swapping when out & about to be a pain and I ended up having to get the sensor cleaned more than once. I use my camera out and about in local woods & fields, so a single superzoom is more convenient really.

I have a Sigma 70-300, but find the lack of wide angle frustrating at times. The plan is for that to join my Tamron 18-200 in a friend's collection (they are starting out).




One day :-)

I have a few primes (35, 50 & Sigma 105 macro, as well as some old manual lenses from my film days) and a Sigma F2.8 24-70, so I know not to expect miracles, but just want the best compromise superzoom.

---------- Post added 01-22-19 at 06:15 AM ----------



One of the shops I am talking to has a Sigma 18-250, but it is more expensive than the 18-300 would be (if they had stock). The reviews I have seen don't rate it as highly as the 18-300, but I am interested in your experience. Have you done any direct comparisons?
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 01-21-2019, 02:44 PM  
Sigma 18-300 Alternatives
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 4,220
I rather set my heart on a Sigma 18-300mm F/3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM, however I can't find one in the UK (new or used). The shops I have spoken to say that Sigma have no stock and as they "batch produce" them, the shops cannot get a likely delivery date.

I know that Pentax, Sigma and Tamron have produced a number of lenses in the 18-250/270 range, but none of them seem to be as highly rated in the reviews I read (here and elsewhere).

I had a Tamron 18-200 and was disappointed in the sharpness, etc (particularly at 200, but throughout when wide open) . I was also hoping for some extra reach.

Has anyone here done a direct comparison of the Sigma 18-300 with the 18-2XX from either manufacturer?

Do I keep waiting, or is another lens a suitable alternative (and significantly better than the Tamron 18-200)?

I am running a K3 so Full Frame isn't a necessity. My budget is £400, but I could stretch that a bit, however F2.8 lenses are out of my price range at the moment.

All advice gratefully received...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-09-2018, 04:56 AM  
Lightweight/compact telephoto legacy lenses (m42 or K)
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 30
Views: 4,484
I would echo .a.t. here I am very happy with my 135 on my ME Super.

Also a 135 should be easy to find at a good price. I picked mine up in a charity shop (here in the UK) and have seen several since.
Forum: Photographic Technique 03-12-2018, 11:11 AM  
You are being served...
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 2,441
I have given up trying to use my K3 for family events (unless a formal posed pic is required) - its just too much bother and quite often the pics aren't great because you don't have compose properly in the viewfinder.

I bought myself a small pocket point & shoot (Olympus ZX-1) pre-owned and mainly leave it on auto. I can pass it round, or people can grab it if they feel like it. If the grandkids drop it or dunk it, it won't be the end of the world.

Its also pocket-size for those days when i don't "plan" to take photos.
Forum: General Photography 03-06-2018, 11:38 AM  
Poll: If Pentax disappears, what would it be for you?
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 80
Views: 5,985
I don't think this unlikely event would impact me at all. I have other brands (film & digital), but I still have room to upgrade in the existing Pentax range if I wanted to.

The one thing that I might look at anyway is mirrorless (Fuji?) - a gap in the current Pentax lineup (IMHO). Even that wouldn't stop me using my Pentax gear though. Its all horses for courses.
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 01-25-2018, 11:24 AM  
Flucard Discontinued?
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 10
Views: 2,231
Give these guys a call - H A Baker Ltd, Lewes - H.A.Baker Ltd

Less than a year ago they were giving them away with K3s. May well have a few lurking about.
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 12-19-2017, 06:39 AM  
Photo Story Fort Nepean
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 17
Views: 1,754
Thanks for sharing. I haven't been to Australia for many years and had forgotten the lovely light in Victoria.

I am sat in the UK on a dull winter day - this has brightened it nicely :-)
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 12-06-2017, 06:39 AM  
ME - MG Differences?
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 13
Views: 8,871
My first SLR was an MV - I am surprised to see it identified as a replacement for the MX.

I bought mine in late 79 (IIRC) and it was cheaper than the ME Super then.

It might have been the lowpoint of development, but mine saw many years of service, including a year backpacking round Australia. It was very solid, almost idiot proof and capable of producing pretty good results with its std 50mm F2 kit lens.

I will admit it sits in its box now, and I use a ME Super for most of my film work, but it gets an occasional outing for old time's sake.

---------- Post added 12-06-17 at 06:44 AM ----------



Get yourself an original 40mm pancake. It suits the ME-Super to a T! Almost pocket sized (well - coat pocket)

:-)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-26-2017, 05:05 AM  
Looking for advise for lens filters
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 13
Views: 1,087
Not just a lighter shade of pale then......




Someone had to say it. I'll get my coat :-)
Forum: Photo Critique 10-03-2017, 09:42 AM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
Thanks fizzio - will have a play, but know where I am going now :-)

---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:42 AM ----------



Thanks Peter - really appreciate your help :-)

---------- Post added 10-03-17 at 09:47 AM ----------



Thanks Na Horuk. I have played around with the crop a fair bit, but I quite like the vignetting effect of the red brick. I do see what you mean though, so I will re-visit that and play some more.

:)
Forum: Photo Critique 10-02-2017, 01:44 PM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
How does this look?

a) have I improved the image & b) have I avoided oversharpening? Also - is it too dark now?

Thanks for your thoughts

Forum: Photo Critique 10-02-2017, 02:16 AM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
Thanks Peter - you are very kind. Yes - serendipity provided just the right shop name.

I need to look at RAW - in the Pentax utility if not Lightroom. At the moment I just shoot jpg (still early days as a "serious" snapper).

---------- Post added 10-02-17 at 02:20 AM ----------



Many thanks Savoche. Really helpful. Will give all that a try.
Forum: Photo Critique 10-02-2017, 12:13 AM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
Thanks fizzio. That's the sort of "pop" I was trying to achieve. I shot in jpg and don't have Lightroom, but will have a play in gimp and see what I can achieve.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 09-30-2017, 02:01 AM  
newbie...Please help finding lens for k1000 slr!
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 39
Views: 4,726
If your DSLR is ACPS, rather than full frame (ie if Pentax, it is not the K1), you are probably looking for a 50mm lens to match your current 35mm setup

Loads out there, start with a traditional Pentax, but you will find Takamur, Zeiss (with M42 adapter) and plenty others

Enjoy :-)
Forum: Photo Critique 09-29-2017, 11:04 AM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
Thank you - very kind.

If I can find a spare tuba player I might just do that :-)
Forum: Photo Critique 09-29-2017, 04:39 AM  
Abstract To dull??
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 12
Views: 1,258
I took this photo of a building reflected in the bell of a tuba at a street concert.

I cropped it in Faststone (to 16:9 ratio) & increased the brightness & saturation a bit, but I think it looks a bit dull. What do you think? How can I improve it?
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 09-19-2017, 06:24 AM  
Alternative choice for Ricoh Image Sync App - Pentax Photo Sync
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 212
Views: 64,052
I'm a K3 user (and have an original ipad 2) so unlikely to use it immediately, but thank you
Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing 08-31-2017, 09:35 AM  
Darktable for Windows Alpha
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 11
Views: 1,896
Thanks for this. I have been looking at my options for RAW processing alongside GIMP. I have historically shot JPG, so this will be a help in my move to RAW.
Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals 08-29-2017, 09:10 AM  
The evil work of contract?
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 23
Views: 2,868
Try changing "Like posting on" to "including, but not limited to," and you might get somewhere.

From a customer point of view though - if I purchase the photos of my product outright, I would want control over how & where those pictures appear, so don't be surprised if they say no.
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 07-24-2017, 12:26 PM  
SUPPLEMENT to the PENTAX FLASH GUIDE
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 28
Views: 4,040
Many thanks for this Nigel.

I am picking up flash again, not having used one since my film days, so I know this will be really helpful in understanding the changes.
Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras 06-29-2017, 05:36 AM  
Article: "Is film photography saved?"
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 15
Views: 2,874
Guys, I don't want to stir the pot here, but I can tell you that a professional photographer that I know here in the UK ships her film to Canada for development (the relationship started when the company was also in the UK, but she stuck with them).

The beauty of Kodak Gold film - It's not just for nostalgia

Canadian Film Lab - Professional Film Processing in Canada

The lab is in Vancouver, if that helps.

She uses a film camera (as well as digital) for weddings, etc and seems very successful - so maybe the film revival is more than just yuppies and old codgers :-)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-28-2017, 12:01 AM  
Macro choice - Sigma 105 vs Tamron 90
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 18
Views: 7,140
I would dearly love to go the Pentax route (especially if it has WR), but I can't afford it at the moment.

I have spent some time comparing the Sigms and Tamron reviews - they seem so close in pro & cons
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-27-2017, 08:05 AM  
Macro choice - Sigma 105 vs Tamron 90
Posted By Robin CB
Replies: 18
Views: 7,140
Thanks for this - your personal perspective is very helpful.

Looking at the reviews the 2 seemed very similar in so many aspects, so I am not surprised that the cons are also very similar.

I'd also think of the Pentax 100, but I haven't found one for a reasonable price locally :-(
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