My first *ist-D Sample Photos

OK folks, here are some of the first shots I got from the *ist-D. (Please bear with my not-so-good photographic skills )

Enjoy the shots and feel free to give comments, good or bad

http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos

I will be updating this page when I can.

Cheers!

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http://www.photonski.com/shotgun http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos
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"It's only a Pentax!"

Thanks for the images Shotgun!

Had to put up a few images I took at the weekend:
http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/istd

This is looking like serious fun

BTW, apparently Park Cameras have shifted a box-load of the *istD's, and an equal number of Canon 300D's. I was nearly too late

The camera is just soooo intuitive, a few niggles but none major. Works brilliantly in P-TTL mode with the AF360FGZ both on-camera, and wireless! Already it's given me some more experience in lighting... I'll let you know after a few hundred images...

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Impressive, Matt!! Those are really nice pics! Yeah, this looks like serious fun I agree.

I guess I'll have to upgrade to the AF360FGZ to enjoy it's P-TTL feature. I was wondering if you have tried it in bounce mode with the omni cap or bounce card on? My AF500FTZ's TTL just doesn't seem to work in this mode, so I'll have to compensate +EV to get it right.

Thanks for posting the pics! Looking forward for more

Have a nice day.

Hi (Shotgun I presume),

The AF360 cannot take a Stofen omni bounce - I bought one and had to send it back. It's got quite a wide shape to it. However, it does have it's own built in diffuser and catch light.

That said, I will try it in bounce mode as soon as I can and let you know what happens. I'm sure it'll be perfect with the P-TTL though

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Yes Matt, it's me (forgot to log-in in my earlier post).

Yup, I would love to see a sample shot with the AF360FGZ used in bounce mode

Sometime next week I shall be delivering some photographic/digital imaging work to a client (my sideline) and I could be getting a AF360FGZ by then, and use my AF500FTZ as a backup flash. Of course, the latter could still be great with my MZ-S, although I believe both the MZ-S and *ist-D could do better with the new features of the AF360FGZ.

Looking forward to it

ShotGun.

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http://www.photonski.com/shotgun http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos
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"It's only a Pentax!"

Hi Shotgun,

I've just taken a few quick images. Not the greatest subject, but basically I couldn't make it go wrong The flash-to-subject distance was very short - only 600mm or so. It throttles down very nicely. All taken at ISO400 with Tokina 24-200, and of course the AF360FGZ. If I were using the images for real (heaven forbid), I would tweak them in PSE2. (Accidentally took them all with cloudy whitebalance - another lesson to learn!)

http://www.pbase.com/mattmatic/istd_360

The wireless flash is just fantastic! It opens up so many creative possibilities. I've just got to tame the beast first

As soon as I can get a "real" subject I will update the gallery...

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Many thanks Matt.

You have clearly demonstrated the accuracy of the AF360FGZ in bounce mode!!

I am now convinced that I needed that .

In about 2 or 3 weeks time, I would be getting one. Although my AF500FTZ works great with my film SLR bodies, I'm sure both the MZ-S and *ist-D will benefit more out of the AF360's features.

Thanks again for posting the pics.

NT

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http://www.photonski.com/shotgun http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos
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"It's only a Pentax!"

Hi Shotgun,

Yes you neeeeed an AF360FGZ

Still, from what I gather you can use both flashguns, or all three. If you get the extension lead kit too, you can mount the AF500FTZ on the extension as a direct slave, use the popup flash too and have the AF360 in wireless. You can then choose whether the popup is just a controller (as in all my sample shots), or adds the picture. If that doesn't work, you can daisy chain both flashes using two sets of flash kits (ouch - expensive!).

If you use P-TTL for all three, you should have a formidable lighting arrangement

That said, I am surprised that the AF500FTZ doesn't work for you. It should do P-TTL mode when directly connected. Maybe a revisit to your manuals might help I had to dig the AF360 manual out to set it up properly.

So, all that said - there are six more images on the *istD Flash test gallery. Three directly connected, three in wireless.

Enjoy!
Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

Wow! Very impressive! OK, OK, hands down, I think I neeeeded that

I also don't understand why my AF500FTZ doesn't work in bounce.... maybe you're right. I should dig up my manual and re-read

Thanks!! Those are lovely shots. I pressume she's your kid? Very cute.


ShotGun

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http://www.photonski.com/shotgun http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos
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"It's only a Pentax!"

Thanks to Shotgun and Mattmatic for providing the prompt images taken with the Pentax istD. Also the evidence of the 360 Flash performance when dedicated to the istD.

The performance looks good and shows others that the istD and 360 Flash is the way to go.

Thanks for the images.

Regards
grahamwalton

Great to see the first shots appearing from the *ist D. Visiting the Forum lately has been like watching for the first swallows of summer!!!

Not yet released in Republic of Ireland and to be honest am a bit worried about pricing level - as yet unannounced!!

Anybody care to comment on the card removal - is it awkward, although I thought I read in one preview that they may have already amended this!!


Lurach

Hi,

First off, thanks for the image compliments!

In response to your CF card removal querry, here's my take:

Initially, it was fiddly to remove a new CF card especially during the first few times of removing it. After a while, it becomes a breeze. I just tilt the camera a little sideways and use gravity to drop the card without shaking the camera. Also, the release lever has some spring effect and it serves as a catapult to eject the CF card downwards. In effect I don't even need to pull out the card, it just slips down nice.

But, IMHO it could be better to be able to remove it easily without tilting the camera, especially for people with large fingers.

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http://www.photonski.com/shotgun http://www.pbase.com/santyluib/first_istd_sample_photos
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"It's only a Pentax!"

Hello,

Thanks for commenting on the images It's been really fun so far, and I am trying to get at least one image a day up on the PBase site (for the time being anyway).

Removing the card is a pain, it has to be said. With an IBM microdrive it is more of a pain - it's fatter than a normal CF card. Consequently gravity cannot help... You need a carefully placed fingernail to catch hold of the little lip on the underside of the microdrive. I considered making some kind of plastic 'hook' to help eak it out... it would be nice if they could amend mine though

I have been pulling the images off the camera using the PC-istD USB connection - this has been fast enough for the highest resolution JPEG images, emptying it every day.

Considering the niggles with the CF card, I now wish I had bought a 512Mb CF card rather than a microdrive. ParkCameras did a deal on the *istD and microdrive - the 1Gb microdrive worked out an extra £100. I may still go 'real' compact flash in the future...

Mind you, that niggle aside, the camera is fantastic - especially, especially the wireless AF360 flash mode. AFAIK, with the Canon solution you need to buy a wireless sender in addition to the flash. With the *istD it's all in the palm of your hand

Matt

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http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

I solved the sticky microdrive problem. Cut an inch of sellotape and create a little pull handle. Be careful you don't cover the drive breather hole. Now I have a little handle to pull the drive out by.

My ist D had a minor fault. It forgot the time everytime I removed the AA batteries. If you've not removed your batteries yet it might be a good idea to try in case the problem isn't a 'one off'. Replacement obtained with no trouble at all, very pleased with it so far.