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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-30-2012, 01:37 PM
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Twilight, is that still the case? When I log out, I can see the image as a guest. Maybe the page is in my cache though. It's from my new Zenfolio account and I have all the permissions set as public.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-30-2012, 11:30 AM
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Recent wedding, Older 80-200mm f2.8 push pull (first version) and D700 with 3 off camera strobes remote triggered. Love shooting weddings in the fall.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-22-2012, 09:12 PM
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Bossa, Honestly I like the way the Pentax renders the image the best from these Rose samples. But I'll qualify that is asking if you did some PP on them? There's a huge difference between image #2 and #3 in colour, highlight preservation and contrast.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-03-2012, 04:25 AM
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Some fantastic work presented from all. As usual, my shooting is all work at this time of year.
One from a recent TTD session after a wedding. 2 strobes on poles planted in the water/sand and one on camera flash with D700 and triggers to compete with the very bright sun and reflected light.
Attachment 139494 |
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-14-2012, 06:49 AM
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Bossa, those graphs give the 1.8G the edge on paper'. When you are buying a lens like this, wide open performance is the most important aspect for most shooters. It's sharper. I passed on the much more costly 50mm's for the 1.8D for exactly the same reason. It's a sharper lens wide open (sold the 50mm 1.4G after testing head to head).
The Sigma would be a no-go with such low corner performance. I don't want my subjects in the middle of the frame all the time. I've always wondered with a lens like this, if the corners are so soft, does that impact the ability of the camera to focus the lens while using one of the far left or right focus points?
The 85 1.8G with it's relatively flat response across the frame and numbers at 1.8, this is the lens to own. With the high ISO ability of most of these cameras the 2/3 stop difference is minor and the difference in DOF for wide open shots isn't much different either.
A little concert fun. My kid was doing his end of season concert and they had the regional orchestra also joining the kids. You can tell by the hands, that this isn't a 15 year old ;) People were giving me funny looks while I was trying to control the background by moving around so I wouldn't get someone elses head or arm in the shot.
D700 and 80-200mm at f4.
Attachment 128154
Btw, I've been debating the new cameras and a purchase very soon. I am retiring a D700 that is now over 300K shots and I just don't want to use it for weddings/work any more. The D800 is a non-starter for my work. File sizes would drive me nuts and the speed is an issue (not withstanding the lock up issues). So the stop gap solution is a D300s as a second body and later in the season as I save some funds, I'll get a D3s and get rid of the D300s.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
02-14-2012, 01:18 AM
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If you are making the switch (I'm not advising this one way or the other). IMO sell the gear you have and start fresh with the brand of your choice. The Canon route hacks the Pentax lens and the Nikon route requires an optical adapter that will degrade IQ (different registration distance).
You'll see from this thread that many have chosen the Nikon route, partly because the D700 had no peer and partly (my reason) because of the superior flash system and the controls are very similar to Pentax. I hated the Canon wheel on the back vs the aperture control dial the same as a Pentax designed body. I found it took me 1-2 days to make the 'mental' switch to the new control layout on a Nikon but I confess, even after more than a year, I still try to twist the lens off the wrong way and a few other things. ;)
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
02-14-2012, 12:50 AM
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Jay, it's a great lens as JT has shown. If you're looking for something like this another alternative is the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4. Harder to find and closer to $250-300 but it's faster and the 2mm makes a difference at the wide end. Also very sharp. I've got one and really like it. If you don't care about the speed and 2mm, the 19-35mm is a heck of a deal and a solidly built lens.
We don't have a lens review here for it (odd) but I found it here: FM Reviews - Tamron AF 19-35MM F/3.5-4.5 |
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
02-06-2012, 06:16 AM
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JT, you can't just post these great shots and not tell us more. Good Lord man! where were you and do you do this often? (I guess so looking at the gear). Wonderful images.
DWB. Cool wedding. I shoot 30+ a year but never like this. I love unique weddings that have a cultural flare and different that the traditional North American style.
Now speaking of weddings. Although bookings are solid, the "Weekend Warriors" and Uncle Bob's are causing price pressures that's making things tougher. So I've decided to get into Maternity and Baby photography. It's tougher in some ways and you should have some studio gear which many hobbyists don't own. It's challenging in that baby's are harder to 'control'. One thing I'm considering is adding a new strobe. I have 2 that recycle in less than a second but Alien Bees have near zero recycle times. This seems required with kids as they react so darn quickly and you can never get them to repeat things.
So here's a couple samples from my second ever maternity session. Funny thing is, I over prepared the gear (the shot was done at their home) and was nervous for the first time in a long time. I grabbed the D700 with 85mm f1.8 attached. I completely forgot to take the lens belt and showed up at the house with only that lens.
It forced me to shoot with the 85mm only and I use zooms much of the time. It was nice and really made me think more about composing. Comments welcome.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-14-2011, 05:08 AM
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TS, very good series. I like the template you used for those as well. Nice job!
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-14-2011, 05:07 AM
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I have to agree with Coffee on the AF and response speed. I've found it a great boost and has really helped in expanding my creativity. I just don't think about how to wrestle a shot out of the camera, it just works. The Flash system and how accurate it exposes, is amazing on Nikon. I'm also not knocking Pentax, it's just better suited to a different type of shooter than I am now.
Another plus for both brands is lenses. Nikon for offering lower cost primes that do a very good job, 50mm f1.8D at around $125.00 and 85mm f1.8D at around $400.00 and Pentax for the limiteds which have no equals.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-13-2011, 03:31 PM
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Thanks Coffee. I know I know. It's a sweet lens but honestly I wouldn't have done this with the Sigma. I was more concerned about getting the lens wet than the camera. Good lenses are our babies....
Tom that area sounds like it's been hammered this year. Next will be a snowstorm. It's alway tough when you see buildings swamped and know that a day or 2 of water inside will destroy the place.
Yeatzee, don't know if I fit your list ;) but the transition has been overall very satisfying. For one thing I love that a 24mm lens is actually very wide. My Tamron 28-75mm has a whole new life. The PK version got nearly no use and the FF one is on the camera almost too much. Another big plus is having APSc and FF in the same brand. For me it's the D90. So If I want my Sigma 70-200 to give me a FOV of 300mm, well APSc almost gets me there without buying another lens.
The major thing is reliability. I'd had so many issues before that I'd lost faith every time I had a shoot. Not now, the D700 is a tough body that really is built differently.
I will say though, I miss some of the Pentax features. Hyper-program being the most significant. Nikon does it, sort of, but Pentax has it right. A little thing like removing the lens. The Nikon is the reverse and I always found changing a lens on a Pentax easy while just standing but with the Nikon, you basically need a table or something to put the camera on to do it. It's a 2 hand operation just to get the lens off where with Pentax, it's easily done with one hand. Another is changing ISO. Nikon's way is terrible to be honest and awkward. Pentax got this right as well. Also manual adjustments of WB. Nikon's way sucks and the Pentax method of putting the last pic on the screen with the adjustments works so much better. Finally for me, the Off Camera cables and adapters. Nikon doesn't make these right and the Pentax's versions are a lot more functional.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
09-11-2011, 02:56 PM
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OK this is a cheat. It's APS-c with my D90 and 85mm f1.8. I'm posting it because I like the shot and wanted to share. I had a family sesion on the beach this morning. I was watching the excellent waves with nearly no wind (aftermath of Katia). After they left, I took off my sneakers switched cameras and went for a wade on the wild side up to my chest. Wasn't going to risk ruining the D700 for a wave photo (OK about 300). There were plenty of people on the beach with cameras, I got some odd looks.....
Attachment 103260
I almost got 'inside' this one but decided not to ruin the lens with salt water.
Attachment 103261 |
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-31-2011, 08:24 PM
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Very true, I don't post nearly as much as I once did. Still moderate a fair amount but most Pentax discussions are not what I'm doing. I post here once in awhile though.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-20-2011, 05:03 AM
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Twilight, I'm soooo disappointed that you were in PEI and didn't send me a PM. I'm in the photographic wilderness here sometimes and would have loved to meet up with a fellow forum member. Not hard for me to recognize the locations you were in although the hay bales are all over PEI.
I've been really busy with weddings this season (31) and done almost no personal shooting. With luck, that will change this fall.
Here's a few, all taken either going to or during a wedding shoot. D700 with Sigma 70-200 or Tamron 17-35mm
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
06-11-2011, 09:31 PM
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Thanks Todd. I really like that Tamron. It's no longer made but seems to be a fogotten or little known lens. 17-35mm f2.8-4 XR Di version that is Full Frame. Nice and wide on a FF body. Fast and sharp and although not as wide as the 14-24mm f2.8 Nikon or the 12-24mm Sigma, it's more than enough in most cases. Plus it's very compact and light and at under $300 used, a very good choice for a wide shooter.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
06-11-2011, 08:32 PM
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All taken in Toronto.
A stitched shot using Hugin. 5 frames. First time I've tried this and this was hand held. Tamron 17-35mm D700
Attachment 94248
A reflection of the CN tower (1815 ft tall) on a nearby bank building. Tamron 28-75mm D700
Attachment 94250
The view from the observation deck from the tower at 1500 feet. This was through glass. Tamron 17-35mm D700
Attachment 94249 |
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
06-11-2011, 08:26 PM
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Todd, I think you did a great job with these. I'll bet she'll love them.
What's the mix with the dog? He's not a pure breed. I've been to Newfoundland at least 50 times and these dogs are all black and the coat is curly. They are big but not much over 150-175 Lbs often.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-21-2011, 03:28 AM
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FOV, DOF, AF speed and the VF are big attractions for me as well. I love how a lens at 85mm is actually 85mm. The Tamron 17-35mm is great on the D700. Cheap, sharp and fast (both aperture and AF).
One lens in particular that has a new life is the Tamron 28-75mm. I've shot the 24-70mm Nikon but I can see very little difference between them other than the size and weight (and of course the 4x price difference). It's glued to the body. I had one on Pentax but it never saw much use. Just a FL that never fit APS-c well.
So speaking of that lens.... @28mm/f8 2 remote strobes.
Now what's the real advantage of a FF body in your line of choice? APS-C. Having a FF body and the second body in cropped sensor gives you a lens kit that is so versatile. Right now I have a D90 (sold the D300) but that will be upgraded to a D400 when it comes out. The D90 is a very good body though and IMO compares well to the K20D that shot a lot of weddings for me.
So putting the 70-200mm on the D90 gives me enough FL to get this (277mm Equiv).
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
05-03-2011, 10:32 AM
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Gawan, what adapter and could you post a picture of it?
Although I don't have any images to show from it yet, I picked up a Tamron 17-35mm f2.8-4 XR Di wide angle recently for $200.00.
It arrived today and at first look seems like a very good lens. 17mm on a D700 is more than wide enough most of the time. I had a Sigma 12-24mm f4-5.6 and although the lens is W I D E. It`s slow and has filter limitations. The 14-24mm f2.8 is a great lens but at 9x the price of the Tamron, I'll live with the -3 mm and variable aperture. Hopefully I'll have some decent shots from it to post soon. I think a lens worth considering for Canon and Nikon owners who want a wide FF lens.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
04-10-2011, 12:56 PM
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I'd love to hear about and see some pics from the 50mm f1.8D. I just sold my 50mm f1.4 G for a couple of reasons. Found it slow to focus particularly in low light and I usually only shot around f2 and above. So I am trying to decide between the Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX or this lens.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 03:41 PM
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les3547, Yes I've shot Pentax for 30 years. I'm a fan even if my post didn't come across that way. Pentax offers a lot that others don't. The Limited's, SR, true WS bodies and a number of other things. I guess what I'm saying is Pentax needs to clean up the current line before considering a launch of a new system.
Revamp the SDM system including a renaming of it. Offer some better lenses in key areas. Another body in APSc would make sense too.
I just see FF as far too big an investment to really attract the volumes of customers that the investment would require. To just launch a FF body to have one would not make any sense. Particularly without the lenses and other parts required to support a new system.
FF is really a working photog's system. enthusiasts will want one but how many will really drop $2500 + on it? Do they really need it and would they see much advantage anyway? Particularly if the K-5 comes down (to where it should be against the D7000) of around $1199.00
No brand bashing from me, just reality. It doesn't make much sense IMO.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 02:52 PM
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I was optimistic that a FF Pentax would happen and today I don't think so.
I agree completely with Jay's list below and partly why I feel this way.
#1 is easily possible.
#2 is easily possible.
#3 is possible but highly unlikely as we've been screaming for the reintroduction of the FA*'s since the *istD came out and there has never been a sign that they would put these and other FF lenses in the line.
#4 shows no signs of improvement. They haven't lifted a finger to do anything about SDM.
Also Sony had disco'd the A850 and A900 with no replacements in the works. If they don't have the drive (with the budgets they have available) to keep this going, I can't see how Pentax could do it. FF is more than a camera. It's a system with really 2 or 3 bodies and the back-end support for working/pro photographers. Pentax never has more than 2 APSc cameras that are current. Sure the K-x and K-7 might overlap the new bodies but they are discontinued models, the second the K-r and K-5 were on the shelf.
Looking at what will make the company money is MILC. Much cheaper to sell and produce with nearly no back-end support required. This category has a much broader consumer base to sell to and is hyped much more in the mass media than a big, heavy camera like the D700 or 5DMKII.
Would the serious paid shooter go to Pentax with one FF body that offers no upgrade path and a limited FF lens line? Do 5DMKII or D700 owners always lust after a MKIII or D3s and like that it's there if they have the money or their career in photography takes off? Absolutely they do.
Would a working photographer find the flash line OK? The accessories? Pentax would have a lot of work to do. I'm not saying that all the buyers would be working photographers. Some would be enthusiast types. But honestly, I don't see the need for a FF body for the latter group. APSc is just fine for 95% of these shooters and they prefer the small sized bodies.
Lets look at lenses a little. The DA* 16-50mm sucks compared to the 24-70mm Nikon. Not as sharp, lots of wide end barrel distortion (that isn't the easiest to correct because it's uneven) and a crappy drive motor. This is a bad lens to base a possible system purchase on.
A second very critical lens is the Nikon 14-24mm f2.8.
Pentax has nothing even close to this lens and there's no real 3rd party version. FF would mean a big revamp of the lens line to make FF even slightly attractive to former Pentax shooters or current Canikon owners.
Then there's the issues around QC. The K-5 is a very nice camera in all respects. There have been some serious issues with the QC of this model. It's not going to instill confidence in a paid shooter who's considering a switch. Could you wait 4-6 weeks while CRIS is repairing your camera and you have paid work booked for each week?
The FA* 28-70mm might compare favourably but they are rare and would be impossible to find if a FF was launched. A new version would need an upgrade with a ring motor and I think that means a new lens design. This is a critical lens to make a FF system work.
Pentax doesn't have the budget to support P&S, MILC, APSc, FF and medium format. If Sony couldn't make it work, I'm sure Pentax would have a tough job selling this to Hoya.
So base your lens purchases on what you want now and will get you the APSc results you are after. There are a number of FA*'s and Limited's that should be considered but not because you hope Pentax will have a FF body. IMHO, it's ain't going to happen.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-20-2010, 05:32 PM
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DWB, I will give you some of this but honestly the Tamron's no slouch.
Focus speed isn't an issue and I've taken at least 10,000 shots with the Tamron now (my most used lens by far) and have never missed a shot due to focus speed/accuracy or performance.
Bokeh is darn close and comared the Pentax 28-70mm and Nikon 24-70. The Tamron is a touch more nervous. That is the only area the 2 OEM lenses have over this lens.
Bult quality. I don't agree. The Nikon might be a lot heavier, but my Pentax version got seriously heavy use and so has the NK version. I'll take the weight and build over the Nikon any day when you have to carry it for 8-10 hours without a break.
Not sure about the coatiings and flare. Both show flare at times but I like how the Tamron renders it and I can use it creatively. I've shot straight into the sun with zero flare on many occasions. My tests showed the Nikon was no better. It wasn't any better in contrast and any other aspects of what the coatings could do.
Here's an example: 
Corner sharpness is darn good with the Tamron at all focal lengths and I'll give you the extra 4 mm. But to me that's just not enough. I bought a 12-24mm Sigma and your 20-35mm for shooting wider. Plus 28mm on FF is sweet.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-20-2010, 01:18 PM
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I have this lens as well and love it. Had it on Pentax as well. Far too overlooked by Nikon shooters. Pentax shooters buying patterns are very different I find than Nikon shooters. The Nikon crowd buys Nikon lenses and seem to look down on many alternatives.
My second shooter bought the 24-70mm and I had a chance to test both lenses on the D700. The Nikon is much bigger and heavier, of course a bit wider which is nice. Other than that, I see no reason to own it. Nikon shooters rave about the lens and it's very popular. It's a great lens. In every respect IMO the Tamron matches it.
So you could spend $400 and get a great lens. Or if you just need to boost your 'manhood' for the larger Nikon and look more 'pro', then spend $1600 and get the same results.
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