George,

I expect that you've seen loads of good HDR images and have never known.

It's only the bad ones that stand out like a sore thumb. And there's plenty of bad photographs of all types.

What do you think about this one I took looking towards northern ireland's mighty prow of Fairhead?

If anyone is interested in my own application of HDR for photographing the interiors of marine caves then check out my project.

http://www.andymcinroy.com/5port.htm

I use Photomatix and blend between 3 and 7 exposures depending on how much contrast there is in the scene.

The project is actually featured in the latest issue of Pentax User Magazine.

I'll be in it too Ben !!

It will be good to share an issue with you !!

I've just got a 4 page spread in Amateur Photographer published this week if anyone is interested. May31st issue.

Ahh, there's a bit more to it than that Ken.

Take a read through my articles which have some tips.
http://www.andymcinroy.com/monthidx.htm

Many of these images were taken with the 16-45mm DA




Andy

There is some rumour on dpreview that DA lenses would support a 1.3 sensor. Other people are mentioning that lenses like the DA70mm are already cutting it a bit fine for coverage at the edges on a 1.5 sensor.

I think the DA lenses will have varying degree of coverage but the unification to a DA standard suggests to me APS-C is here to stay. The only other possibility is that of a cropped mode on a future FF camera. But that sounds like a long way off given the pentax strategy on this one.

Andy

And here's the official announcement.

http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/news/2007/200708.html

Andy

Guys,

After many years of speculation, Pentax has finally made it's intentions clear regarding full frame.

Pentax has just announced that the new 200mm, 300mm prime lenses will be DA* lenses (APS coverage) rather than the originally announced D-FA (FF coverage).

This now locks them into APS and I personally think it's a great move by Pentax.

So what have we got,
- A consistent system (c.f Canons 3 different sensor sizes)
- Superb optical quality (New DA* lenses and Limited(L) lenses including 3 unique Pancakes and 1 to come)
- Lighter/cheaper system over FF with better quality to price ratio
- In-body stabilisation system works on everything from pancakes to long telephotos.
- Dual camera motor and lens motor system mean that pancakes can maintain camera driven autofocus and long lenses can move towards SSM (supersonic motor system).

This announcement plugs pentax's remaining weakness (poor lens support) and I think will take Pentax back to the top.

And if you really want FF quality, there's the 645D which will take you much further.

Nice one Pentax.

Andy

If a photography magazine were to conduct a "top gear" style suicide test on a K10D, I'd be sure to buy it.

They could start with a fine mist and move up through the levels until the final test of a scuba dive. To be fair, they would have to seal the lens with some kind of waterproof enclosure.

Just a thought.

Interesting question. That might be my next test.

Andy

Hi Folks,

I went out yesterday to a deserted Donegal beach with my K10D and DL2 to do a bit of real life testing.

I took 2 identical tripod mounted RAW shots using my FA 50mm 1.7 at f8. The K10D was set to ISO100, the DL2 was set at ISO200 as I wanted to compare the very best that each camera had to offer. Everything was else kept the same.

Then I exported both into bibble and applied default identical processing to both. Printed them on my Epson 1800 at A3.

I can see no difference. They are identical, even under a loupe. Now I accept that this was a print test. Prints are what matters to me but I have to say that even at 100% pixel peeping the K10D only won by a fraction.

Still, the functionality of the K10D top notch. It just goes to show what a great little camera the DL2 is.

Andy