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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-22-2022, 07:30 AM
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Okay. Colour rendering is subjective and can be adjusted to whatever you want if you do a little post-processing. The simpler ways is to use LUT tables, then you will be able to obtain, for example, the Fuji-like colour rendrering from a Pentax, Canon or whatever.
Fujis are great for their jpeg output. I had several Fuji cameras, sold all of them about two years ago. The really good thing about Fujis are the lenses. They are all excellent with no lemons hidden in the basket. Fuji's raw files still are a pain to extract all the juice, especially in terms of definition. I shot thousands of images with Fujis and unless I tweak on Capture One or RawTherapee and take a lot of care to not exagerate on sharpening, very fine details are smudged. To keep it short IMHO Fujis are fantastic but the images always needs some tweaking for definition.
But thanks God, DxO Photolab now has support for X-Trans files (experimental). It's like seeing an image with/without using glasses. It has support for many cameras/lenses cominations and woth a try. It does NOT support older cameras like the X10/X20/X30.
Pentaxes are great but I'm very frustrated with the K3-II due to its Astrotraces precise calibration. It rarely works. Besides this I love the camera. It's reliable and the raw files have plenty of information to play. Also, DxO has full support for it. I don't plan to buy any other Pentax gear for now.
My main photo gear now is Sony. I have two A7 , Mk2 and Mk3 and the reason is that I have some very good Minolta MD lenses, mostly wide angles, that I can't use on my Pentaxes (K5-II/K3-II).
I still use the Pentax when I need WR and for night sky photography.
If you want to try something different, I would recommend the Sigma DP2/SD1/SD Quattro (Foveon sensor). They are tricky for sure but in terms of brute reality the image quality is stupendous.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-03-2019, 05:56 PM
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@Jonathan
It depends on what you expect of course. I always shoot in raw for multiple reasons that is beyond the scope here, but I agree that the jpegs from the camera are generally good.
But when you shoot raw, there are just a narrow selection of programs capable of extracting all the juice from the rew files. Lightroom is one of those that aren't the best if you want extreme detail and highlight/shadow recovering. The difference of LR output compared to more capable programs like Iridient Developer, Capture One, Luminar, Raw Therapee and Silkypix is huge.
But in the end what really matters is if you like the image, not the absolute sharpness. Image quality is very subjective as we all know.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
10-01-2019, 06:02 PM
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Just an update.
I sold all of my expensive Fuji equipment but I kept a X-T1 body with just three inexpensive lenses, the XF27 pancake, the very basic XC 16-50 and the XC 50-230 to be used as a low cost and light option to my Pentax gear. A second hand X-T1 is very affordable and capable, and with equivalent image quality of the K5-II, depending on the lens used, of course.
The problem with the Fuji is, like every Fuji user knows is the raw processing of the X-Trans files. Today the best option is the freeware version of Capture One, called Capture One Express for Fuji. Works well and it's free, BUT you need to work a lot to extract all the juice from the raw files, especially in terms of sharpness.
The K5 has essentially the same output, but easyer. I recommend Luminar or DxO Photo Lab (due to the excellent optical modules)
Today I wouldn't even thing to abandon Pentax and go to Fuji. Not even considering the X-T3. It's a great camera but still a pain with the raw files and honestly, it's too expensive for what it is.
That's why I kept my K3 and gave up about upgrading my Fuji equipment.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-22-2019, 12:58 PM
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I have the same sensation after using Sigma Foveon cameras. It's a bit off topic but I couldn't find any camera/lens combination capable of surpassing the DP2 Merrill image quality in good light. Even pixel shift from the K3-II can't compete.
Like you said, there are many niches and possibilities around.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-22-2019, 07:54 AM
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I'm still deciding if i'll keep both systems or not. It's not so obvious depending on the application.
There are good and bad things on both systems. For example I really hate the AF noise from some Pentax lenses and some other AF issues.
I also hate Fuji's EVF in low light and that loose aperture control rings of most of the R series lenses.
But generally speaking, I can't deny that Fujinons are awesome, I never saw a bad one or even a so-so one.
Decisions, decisions....
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-19-2019, 01:09 PM
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No. I had severe issues with Oly AF in low light and under red/orange/yellow light. Impossible to get an AF lock, for example on an illuminated water fountain at night in Barcelona when it was lit by the mentioned colors.
Depends hugely on what lenses are you using on Fuji, Oly and all other brands. Some lenses are slow to focus, other extremely fast.
Fuji XF23,XF27,XF35 and XF50 are very fast to focus. Some zooms are slow.
For me the best AF is from Panasonic. Never miss.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-19-2019, 08:32 AM
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Francisco,
I like both X20 and X30. They have exactly the same output. Both can be extremely sharp if you do the things with care, for example shoot in raw and do the post processing with a decent raw converter (LR no please). Of course they aren't a K1 you know.
The optical viewfinder of the X20 is nice but unusable for close ups and macro, but better for low light. Battery life is low, about 250 pics maximum.
The X30's EVF is quite good and the battery lasts much more, about 450 photos.
Some days ago I posted a very short post about this on my blog. I'll update it in the next week with more examples. Note that the images quality can be compromised when uploading them to Google Photos.
Old Good Light: Remember Fuji X20 and X30 ? How Good are Them Really ?
Nowadays colors and contrast are more due to software than optics, believe me. Specially if your edition software is able to work with LUT tables.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-18-2019, 04:31 AM
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A bit off-topic but after some weeks thinking, I decided to keep my Pentax gear and sell the Fuji, but not everything..
I have a X-T1 (had X-10, X-E1 and X-E2) with 7 lenses, two zooms and 5 primes. But I also have two Fuji compacts, X20 and X30, and a very nice Panasonic micro four thirds set, and the Fuji is larger and heavier than it. The image quality from both systems are not that different to justify having them at the same time.
The Panasonic bodies I have are the GX85 and GX7. Both have IBIS, great ergonomics and are very good performers.
It's not a final decision but I'm really considering this.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-15-2019, 06:20 AM
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Don't forget to update the XE2 firmware to the latest version. It makes a HUGE improvement compared to the previous versions, including in autofocus.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-04-2019, 07:34 AM
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It's not my case. It was an assumption about someone having a Pentax and thinking about moving to Fuji.
---------- Post added 05-04-19 at 07:37 AM ----------
That's true. RT is in my opinion, by far, the most powerful raw converter ever, but it's not for beginners. There are so many options enough to make most people be dizzy just for looking.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
05-03-2019, 07:17 AM
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There's also another thing to consider, the Fuji's raw development. If you want to extract all the juice from the X-Trans sensor array please forget Lightroom. I'm using Fujis since they were launched and believe me Adobe's raw engine for Fuji really sucks, even in plain 2019. But thanks God we have some good options for this now, for example:
Best Fuji X-Trans raw developers:
- Silkypix Pro versions 8 and up. This thing can deliver the best results IF you manage it right, but it's slow like continental drift.
- Iridient Developer: Excellent, but need caution when using the sharpen algorithms, it's prone to strange artifacts. Horrendous interface, but works well.
- Capture One for Fuji. Works well. Too bad that the free version is very crippled and the paid one extremely expensive for what it is.
- Luminar 2018: This one works well and it's my first row in battle. Fast and affordable. When things goes bad I switch to Silkypix and take a coffee.
- RawTherapee: The most comprehensive raw converter ever, but extremely complicated and can deliver absolutely stunning results.
Note that all the abobe mentioned software can be used with Pentax .PEF raw files, but for this task my option is still DxO PhotoLab.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-30-2019, 10:01 AM
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Well, every night sky photo I did with the K5/K3 came much better than the X-T1.
Take a look at this one made with the K5-II
I agree with you, both systems can coexist
For example, I prefer the XT1 than the K3-II for "urban travel" just because it's way lighter and more discrete.
But the Pentax are much tougher.
For light travel, I'm using two cameras, Panasonic LX100 and GX7
Depends a lot on what you need or want.
Oh, one thing I hate so much about some Fuji lenses is the aperture control ring.
It's obviously a nice feature, but it's too easy to change the aperture by mistake and the "A" position has no lock.
Several times I was using aperture priority ("A" position on aperture ring) and changed it to F16 by accident.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
04-27-2019, 02:32 PM
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@Francisco
During the last month I took my K3-II out from the drybox and did some tests versus my Fuji XT1 to refresh my memory and impressions.
Here is what I concluded:
- K3-II battery lasts more
- K3-II is best in low light and higher ISOS
- K3-II optical viewfinder is way better than Fuji's EVF in dim or low light by a huge margin
- K3-II jpegs are very easy to work with, specially if you try DxO Photo Lab
- Fuji makes a score on having a decenf focus peaking system
- Fuji is way lighter
- All Fuji's lenses are excellent, even the XC18-55 from the kit
- Fuji's raw are still a pain to extract all the juice. You need a decent raw converter. The JPEGS are way better than the Pentax ones.
- Good Pentax lenses are expensive. Period.
- Pentax has a wider offer of lenses, from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina.
The question about to change from Pentax to Fuji would depend if I already have a good set of lenses for it or not.
There are also plenty of extremely good old Pentax KA lenses on market for a very reasonable price and they are 100% compatible with the digital Pentax cameras.
IF I had a really decent lens set for Pentax, I would stick with it.
I still have both systems, and If someday I need to choose one, I would probably sell the Fuji.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-11-2019, 07:07 PM
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Actually, I'm leaving Fuji due other factors.
I'm totally satisfied with my old Pentax DA Limited lenses, specially the 70 and the 40mm. I like the IBIS and love the possibility to use tons of really good old Pentax glass I have here like the SMC-A 50/1.2 and the SMC-A 100/2.8. Both K3-II and K5-II I have were fit with microprism/split image focusing screens.
To my taste, Fuji has more annoyances, for example, what I consider a design flaw in many of the XC lenses, a pretty loose aperture control ring and honestly I'm not a big fan of electronic viefinders.
Fuji raw development is a pain in the ass, at least to extract all the juice. Pentax goes very smoothly and gives fantastic results when used with DxO.
Now, comparing bodies, there's no doubt that the K3 is better than the Fuji XT2 and WAY better than the previous Fuji generation.
But I have to say that the old Pentax AF motor system (in-camera) really sucks. It's slow, noisy and not very precise. I always hated this system since the film era. Nikon and Minolta also had the same system.The Pentax k5-II and the Fuji XT1 are from the same era and at that time Fuji's lenses were much faster and silent than what Pentax had at the same price tag.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
01-10-2019, 06:19 PM
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Hi !
There are some other aspects that worths mention.Like I said before I have both systems.
With my current set of Pentax lenses, the Pentax System is much noisier than the Fuji.
Fuji is faster.
Pentax has IBIS.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-21-2018, 06:18 AM
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Francisco,
If you really want to use vintage lenses with flange distance shorter than 45.46mm (used by Pentax) you will need a Canon EOS body or a mirrorless one, like Fuji or Micro 4/3. If you need in body stabilization, then the choices will be narrowed to Olympus and some Panasonic bodies like the GX85 or GX7 for example. Obviously you will also need the proper adapter.
All Fujis have peaking focus and a magnifier, for focus aid (most of the Olys and Panas too)
Be sure of having the latest firmware on your Fujis because Fuji did some very important and useful updates.
My moto is don't waste money unless you really figure you will have a real gain, because photo gear GAS is sometimes a path with a difficult way back haha !
I love my Pentaxes BUT I didn't find the perfect setup to my taste yet. For example I don't like the 18-55, it's very noisy and blurry.
But the Pentax bodies are fantastic, and that's why I'm keeping them.
My favourite lens to use with them is the Leica Vario-Elmar R 35-70 F4 Macro. Boy, this lens is the sharpest zoom I had in hands. But it's a pain to have to modify the IBIS focal lenght setting every time.
The DA 70/40/15 are very good lenses and also very compact.
I'm looking for a decent zoom for travel that not make a hole on my pocket, thinking about the 16-85 and the Sigma 17-70 F2.8-4 "C". I have this Sigma in SA mount for my Sigma SD1 Merrill and it's excellent, but I had a very bad experience with the Sigma 18-35 F1.8 I bought in Barcelona some years ago for my Pentax. It misses the proper focus maybe 70% of the times. I have to use it in manual focus mode !! But the 18-35 is the sharpest wide angle zoom by a wide margin.
The problem with the Sigma 18-35 is well known. I'm a bit bugged about the possibility of having the same issue with the 17-70 "C" and the K3-II.
That's why I'm still using my Fuji setup as my main travel photo equipment. Sometimes I use one of my Panasonics (GX7 or GX85), the lenses are very good, even the kit ones are pretty sharp.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-20-2018, 08:43 PM
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Hello !
I have both systems and maybe I can help.
My Fujis are the XE2 and XT1, my Pentax are K5-II and K3-II
Considerations about the kit lens DA 18-55 WR and XC 16-50: The Fuji is MUCH better. period.
Both systems are good on low light up to ISO 3200.
Fuji raws are a pain in the ass to be well converted. You will need something like Silkypix8, Luminar, Iridient or Capture One to obtain all the juice from Fujis.
Pentaxes are easyer, have an optical viewfinder, but the live view sucks.
All the Fuji lenses I have are extremely good, including the zoom lenses.
---------- Post added 12-20-18 at 09:20 PM ----------
On the other hand, I find the Pentax DA 18-55 WR a so-so lens. It's sharp at F7 to F8 with very soft borders wide open at all focal lenghts. Cent by cent the Fuji is much, much better. Considering the price of an used or k3 with the pentax 18-55 and an used XE2 or XT1 with the kit lens XC16-50, the fuji wins in everything, but there are differences. One obvious is the viewfinder, EVF vs OVF. The other one is if you need weather sealing, but the XT1/XT2 are weather sealed.
The Fuji XC 50-230 "kit" grade lens is razor sharp and has a very good IS.
Fujis also have descent EVF and live view.
The Fuji focus is much faster, simply can't compare. And it's silent.
Pentax are tougher, has in body stabilizer, an excellent optical vewfinder and a dreaded live view
There are some really good Pentax lenses like the DA 40 limited, Da 70 limited and other ones.
I don't know any lens from Fuji that I could consider not excellent in sharpness and color.
Both systems have their own strenghts and weaknesses.
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