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Forum: General Photography
4 Days Ago
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this year I’m going to be on edge patrol with my landscape photos .
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-08-2020, 06:16 PM
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I use my light meter for landscape and flash . Even my camera light meter is usually ok, the hand held meter I find faster to use with less test shots. I really like the 1 degree spot meter function of my sekonic 858.
MIke
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-26-2020, 03:40 PM
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Not a number you are the man , thanks so much worked like a charm. When I originally bought adapters I bought all the OEM ones I could find. They were not that common in Ontario at the time. This particular adapter has always worked fine. At 0530 this morning I was in a rush and I changed lens without paying attention to the proper orientation of the red dot on the adapter and I did have it not 90 but 180 degrees in the wrong direction.
Thank you to everyone for your response , all of you have been a great help every time I had a problem or wanted to buy a new piece of gear.
Mike
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-26-2020, 09:08 AM
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Aaron , what do you mean by a slight return? Do you mean counter clockwise?
Mike
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
07-26-2020, 06:39 AM
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Hello All
I have managed to get an M42 adapter stuck in my K1 I can unscrew the lens but the adapter stayed in place. Before I put the adapters on my M42 lens I removed the small screw that holds the 2 small flanges on the adapter just in case they got stuck. I did not realize it at the time but the lens appears to be attached to the camera 90 to far in the counter clock wise direction. I have included pics of the both the lens on the camera and just the adapter on the camera. The adapter in the pic is loose it is not jammed in the mount however it will not release. Any help would be appreciated .
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
05-21-2020, 08:16 AM
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Hello All,
Today I received 3 tt600 speedlights and a godox X2T P trigger (with pass through adapter) and I could not be happier. The ability to work with lights that are manageable with a few basic controls is wonderful. My wife wants to be my VAL at the moment so I haven’t even broken out my new boom stands yet.
Just taking portraits of the dogs with 3 lights set at random power set about the room makes photographs that would never be possible relying completely on ambient light. I will be playing with these for months and even then I am not sure I want to move to a studio strobe anytime soon.
Adding flash opens a whole new world that I never really had an appreciation for until this point. Thanks to everyone for their help and guidance.
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
05-09-2020, 05:23 PM
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Professor could you elaborate in what scenarios you use each of your lights?
Thanks
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
05-07-2020, 10:39 AM
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In researching battery powered strobes this is what weighs on my decision . While it is great to have a light like the Godox 1200pro that has lots of flexibility (over powering ambient light) it weighs 18lbs on it’s own. The following are some approximate weights of some of the systems I have been looking at.
1. Godox ad1200pro 18lbs plus stand (2lbs) and bag(16lbs) = 36lbs approx.
2. Godox H1200B 14lbs (2 x 600ad heads) stand (2lbs) and bag (16lbs) = 32lbs approx
3. Godox ad200pro x 4 10lbs(4 units) 4 stand (8lbs) and bag (8lbs) just a guess = 26lbs approx
As you can see the weight of the bigger units is certainly something to consider if you are taking out in the field to do shots of trucks, tractors , boats and large subjects. The Ad200 pro set of 4 weighs less but how would you ever make up for that lack of power if you were interested in lights of 1200ws? And I guess my next question is having never used a strobe how many times would the average hobby photographer need 1200ws of power?
To have more latitude to work with the ambient light is certainly an advantage of the larger units, but shooting the same subject in either blue hour, sunrise or sunset seems to me would not require as much flash power. The obvious advantage of the 1200ws system is you can shoot in much brighter ambient conditions and still be able to get the exposure you are happy with.
How did you guys come to a final decision on portability vs power ? As a beginner I would be very interested.
Mike
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
04-19-2020, 12:35 PM
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While trying to decide how to proceed with low key outside , I thought I would try some inside stuff today. The image was shot with my K1 mk11 at ISO 100 f16 , there was no additional light added .
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Forum: Photographic Technique
04-18-2020, 02:01 PM
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I have been trying to figure out what would be the best set up for low key shots outside. I am interested in doing low key shots of farm machinery , barns and out buildings during the day. I have a Pentax K1 with all M lens . So TTL and HSS are probably no in my future.
My ideas so far really break down into 2 camps.
1 a pair of godox ad 200 pro with a soft box (magmod or the like)
2 a ten stop ND filter to really help crush the ambient light (since I will be limited to about 1/200 shutter speed)
3 a remote trigger with single pin firing (Thanks Javier)
The second idea I had is as follows
Led lights Litra studio with a soft box maybe x 2
I won’t need and Nd filter since I can set the shutter speed well above 1/200
I won’t need a remote trigger since I will be seeing the exposure in real time.
Do either of these setups seem correct or am I way off ?
If I were to go the strobe route do I need something bigger than an AD200 like the AD 600 to use outside in bright sun?
Thanks for your help.
Mike
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Forum: General Talk
02-20-2020, 02:54 AM
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Forum: General Photography
01-22-2020, 05:11 PM
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It’s a hobby for me Street I am not performing open heart surgery without a license, if you get my meaning.
Mike
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Forum: General Photography
01-22-2020, 08:30 AM
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As I had mentioned in an earlier post I tried my friends Sekonic 508 for the first time and it was a great experience. Today we went out and used the light meter while being setup for a scene just using live view. With the camera set up in live view , I could leave it alone take reflective spot measurements and have the meter average them and set up the camera based on that average. While it did not give me the exact exposure I wanted every time it was a lot less trial and error than just using the histogram on the back of the camera.
My friend used a hunting analogy to explain the difference between using the camera's internal meter vs a hand held meter. He claims that using the dslr's meter is like holding a rifle with a very good scope to use a range finder to judge the distance to the target. He states that using a purpose built range finder does the same job, much like a light meter , however, it is faster to use and you don't have to touch the rifle/camera to get the readings.
I have to say in practice I tend to agree with him. Setting the camera up for the composition you want and using the meter to get you in the ball park is very handy. I also tried exposing for the highlights and shadows using the meter and taking 2 exposures for a sort of HDR image and that worked out well .
The light meter is still teaching me the exposure triangle, much like my camera does in manual, those lessons are always welcome.
Mike
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Forum: General Photography
01-20-2020, 02:01 PM
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I like my Fuji X70 and my Sony RX 100V .
Mike
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Forum: General Photography
01-20-2020, 03:53 AM
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Recently I started a thread asking about light meters, and I got a lot of great responses and help. After reading through the posts and doing some research about zones and reflective metering, they started to make sense. Using a spot meter to measure the light and darkest parts of a scene made a lot of sense to me.
As was pointed out to me my camera’s meter can achieve the same result by taking test captures and reading the histogram. I have practised this method and through trial and error does eventually produce an acceptable result.
As a novice there is a lot of test shots and adjustments which I am sure a lot of beginners have and still do on a daily basis. When I mentioned to someone I work with that I had been researching light meters he mentioned his Sekonic 508.
I did not realize this fellow was interested in photography so it was a great to have someone to compare notes with. We did go out to shoot some landscapes and I did try his meter. He was giving me tips along the way and I can see the learning curve involved , but it really opened my eyes to reading light and how it affects exposure.
The light meter did not suddenly make me “king of exposures” but it did teach me a lot about light in a scene and help me further understand the concept of the zone system. The measuring of the brightest parts and the darkest parts of the scene and averaging them was a very helpful starting point.
I found that the light meter is not going to make the exposure for you but will accurately give you the information to guide you along the way to a good exposure. From a novice point of view I really liked using it, but would I pay the price of a new L858 D well I can honestly say “I don’t know” :)
Mike
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
01-14-2020, 11:07 AM
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I asked a question about sekonic meters in the lighting forum, but since we are sort of on the subject of metering. Do any of you guys use an external light meter? I shoot all manual lens on my K1 and while I agree there is a lot of range, the idea of taking several readings from a landscape scene and having the meter average them sure sounds appealing .
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
01-11-2020, 08:27 PM
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Well all of the replies were very helpful and certainly cleared up some of the misconceptions I had about using a light meter. I shoot landscapes mostly and I bracket a lot of my shots or adjust something in the exposure triangle , I thought a light meter would speed this process up. Am I wrong in that assumption?
Tony I watched that video very helpful, Thanks.
Moren your explanation of how you use and calibrate your light meter is close to what I had in mind.
Mike
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
01-11-2020, 11:30 AM
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I have read the reviews and some of the specs of this meter (I think I got the model # correct) it is the 478D I have been reading about.
It seems this meter has DTS (data transfer system) in which you can some how down load your camera’s algorithm for metering into the meter so they are both on the same page so to speak? Is this correct?
In the online brochure it states you should calibrate your meter to the camera buy taking shots of a grey card with the lens you most use and I assume making adjustments to the meter? Then I see a guy on youtube use the thing right out of the box not following any of the above steps.
Could someone explain to me if the above steps are necessary and why they are necessary? I have tried to figure it out on my own but I am not having any success.
Thanks
Mike
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-28-2019, 02:20 AM
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Thanks everyone, I was about to upload the photos when I gave Microsoft Ice a try and the Pano worked. Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am continuing to work on my CPP 2018 post processing skills.
Mike
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-27-2019, 09:16 AM
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My version is CPP 2018 , I have tried both raw and jpeg, I am currently using a K1 with the latest firmware update. I have been on the Corel site several times watching both the panorama video, timelapse video, and several viewing of an introduction to Corel Paintshop Pro. I thought there might be someone who has used the program on a photography site might be able to give me some clue as to what I am doing wrong.
I am using a Kiron 75/150 f4 manual focus lens for all of the shots.
Mike
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Forum: Digital Processing, Software, and Printing
12-26-2019, 04:34 PM
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Hello All,
I have tried to stitch together 5 photos in CPP but when I place the photos on the selected layer background they are small and then they disappear. I have followed the tutorial but it does not help. I thought it was the format of the photos I changed them to JPEG and it still won't stitch. If anyone has any advice I would be grateful for the help.
Thanks
Mike
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Forum: Pentax K-1
12-12-2019, 02:11 AM
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I can’t imagine carrying one with a neck strap or wrist strap all day. I have a small day pack since a brick/tank can be heavy and awkward at times.
Mike
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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
12-10-2019, 07:23 PM
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The three legged thing Corey would be nice.
Mike
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Forum: Pentax K-1
12-10-2019, 07:16 PM
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I purchased my K1 and K1 mkii for the purpose of keeping them until they wear out. Yes I will admit they can be a bit heavy for long periods, but landscape and astrophotography they are great. I have never thought of them as disposable neither one was cheap but I really love shooting with them everyday. Even if shooting means taking pic of the lamp in the spare bedroom.
Mike
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
12-04-2019, 09:55 AM
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That is the money shot, well done , I hope I can take shots like that one day.
Ps
Sign me up for the prints when they come out.
Mike
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