All Forum Comments
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on Which Workflow? at 20/07/2009 - 20:52
Hi folks
I'm looking to play a bit with some of camera flash, using some optical triggers.
I seem to remember s/o saying the SKY4 ones available on ebay are OK (not p-ttl compatible, so manual only), but can't remember the ID of the seller, anyone recommend any particular ebay seller?
Also I think I will need a couple of stands to be able to mount the flashguns to, I'm looking for cheep-cheep but still cheerful, can anyone recommend anything please ? in a perfect world I'd be able to use later with a softbox, but not essential.
finally, anywhere suggest resources I can read up on flash technique please?
thanks folks
I'm looking to play a bit with some of camera flash, using some optical triggers.
I seem to remember s/o saying the SKY4 ones available on ebay are OK (not p-ttl compatible, so manual only), but can't remember the ID of the seller, anyone recommend any particular ebay seller?
Also I think I will need a couple of stands to be able to mount the flashguns to, I'm looking for cheep-cheep but still cheerful, can anyone recommend anything please ? in a perfect world I'd be able to use later with a softbox, but not essential.
finally, anywhere suggest resources I can read up on flash technique please?
thanks folks
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on advice for cheap lighting stands & optical triggers at 19/07/2009 - 13:58
Mike-P wrote:
Apparently Jessops are no longer stocking Sigma lenses for any camera brand (to order only) and Tamron are now there preferred manufacturer.
I wonder if all those people that were shouting about Jessops dropping Pentax will now be saying that Sigma are on the ropes and may not last much longer
Seems Sigma have seen the writing on the wall also.
yeah sigma must be about to go bankrupt Apparently Jessops are no longer stocking Sigma lenses for any camera brand (to order only) and Tamron are now there preferred manufacturer.
I wonder if all those people that were shouting about Jessops dropping Pentax will now be saying that Sigma are on the ropes and may not last much longer
Seems Sigma have seen the writing on the wall also.
I would rather jessops survive, but their business model is based on those venture capitalist scheme, like the ones that bought the AA then gave it loads of debt, doesn't make sense long term to me.
if I was running a store I would be reluctant to buy stock at the moment with such large changes in prices over the past 6 months, might get saddled with lots of expensive stock you can't shift - perhaps it's nothing more than that ?
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on Another Jessops thread at 18/07/2009 - 14:07
iceblinker wrote:
Release Candidate version now available:
http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/dsp_rc.html
been trying out the new version and gradually getting the hang of it. The spotting tool works pretty well imho, and the copy function within it is well designed to work with a pen tablet. nb it doesn't work like a paintbrush. Release Candidate version now available:
http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/dsp_rc.html
you can include your own (bespoke) titles and watermarks at development stage now too which I like, especially as they can be assigned to a sub-taste. Haven't fully got to grips with the hierarchy of tastes in the batch and single development section yet, but that area has had a substantial revision vs DS3.
release candidate means beta release BTW, shortcutinc suggest the final version will be on sale 1st August.
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on Silkypix Pro at 10/07/2009 - 22:26
Unlocker wrote:
... thought the pound had dropped around 30%?
apr08 YEN:GBP 240:1 (the peak - it was ~200:1 for a while b4 that IIRC)... thought the pound had dropped around 30%?
apr09 YEN:GBP 120:1 (the worst)
jun09 YEN:GBP 160:1
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on K-7 price dropping already? at 03/07/2009 - 10:27
DELTIC wrote:
We all know the benfits of shake reduction at low shutter speeds but is there any benefit to using it at high shutter speeds? I always keep it switched on but is it feasible that at a high shutter speed SR could actually induce some blur particularly if you take a shot as it tries to stabilize? Has anyone doen any tests?
Before anyone says it I know that SR will stop amoving object from being blurred.
Thanks!
I leave it on all the time and have had no problems, and from what I've read the SR is in a menu now on the K7 so I would surmise that pentax don't think there's any problem with leaving it on all the time (nb I expect auto off for mirror lock up) Not done any specific tests.We all know the benfits of shake reduction at low shutter speeds but is there any benefit to using it at high shutter speeds? I always keep it switched on but is it feasible that at a high shutter speed SR could actually induce some blur particularly if you take a shot as it tries to stabilize? Has anyone doen any tests?
Before anyone says it I know that SR will stop amoving object from being blurred.
Thanks!
PS you might want to re-phrase the "before....blurred" bit !
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on Shake Reduction when using high shutter speeds at 03/07/2009 - 10:03
Unlocker wrote:
Title says it all really!
I was the extremely lucky bugger that got randomly chosen to have the privilege to test out the K-7 for the next 2 weeks! Most of my initial findings, Amin has already posted in the open day thread, so I won't go to pains to repeat it here, but I do have a big smile on my face!
It has been confirmed that I have the only K-7 in private hands, all other test models in the UK are either with the press / retailers / pros etc. Seeing as though most other testers probably do not have the time to respond to every question on a forum, I will do my best to answer any questions you have!
And finally, a big thank you to both Pentax for letting me have the privilege to have a play with their new baby for a couple of weeks, and Chris at SRS for organising pick up at the open day, I'm chuffed to bits!
you jammy wotsit !!!!!Title says it all really!
I was the extremely lucky bugger that got randomly chosen to have the privilege to test out the K-7 for the next 2 weeks! Most of my initial findings, Amin has already posted in the open day thread, so I won't go to pains to repeat it here, but I do have a big smile on my face!
It has been confirmed that I have the only K-7 in private hands, all other test models in the UK are either with the press / retailers / pros etc. Seeing as though most other testers probably do not have the time to respond to every question on a forum, I will do my best to answer any questions you have!
And finally, a big thank you to both Pentax for letting me have the privilege to have a play with their new baby for a couple of weeks, and Chris at SRS for organising pick up at the open day, I'm chuffed to bits!
hope you enjoy yourself immensely, if it had beem me chosen at random they would have had to lend it to me for 3wks as I'm away on hols soon, or they would have had to travel to scotland to prise it out of my hands !
anyway thnaks for the offer to answer queries, may I take you up on that straight away and ask the main one which is whether you feel the reported increased focus speed has been traded for focus accuracy - how about some side by side investigation with the same lens (60-250 spring to mind) on K10, K20 and K7 ?
with screwdrive lenses does the K7 simply rotate the lens more quickly ?
Looking forward to anything thoughts you feel able to post
enjoy, you must feel like a cheshire cat with 3pints of cream !
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on I've got a K-7 to play with for 2 weeks!! at 07/06/2009 - 15:37
aminstar wrote:
Danny had brought all his lenses and we got to play with it for over an hour. And we did some comparision also side by side with the K20 and I must say "WOW", and Danny will confirm this.
In simple words its like that feeling one has when first time one tries the SDM feature when is just used to the normal focus? This is one notch up with the same difference. Absolutely amazing how it goes so fast and locks quick.
Danny noticed this and went and got his K20 attached the lens and gave it to the pentax guy and asked him to try to focus near and then far and vice versa and he tried with the K20 and then got the K-7 in his hands and the moment he tried it he turned to Danny and said "GOSH".
So even he wasn't aware of this fact and then the small group started wondering why it was so quick with the K-7 compared to the K20. Stripped the battery speculating that may be the battery was more powerful than the K20 one, but then concluded it wasn't. It wasn't just the quick focusing lock but the movement of the lens itself that was so quick that when you are looking through the viewfinder it has that impression that its absolutely fast moving up down and then locking.
And I can't even begin to tell you how soft the shutter release sound is. You could literally be standing next to it and it sounds like just a small rubber ball thumb on a well cushioned solid wooden plank. Very very dampened.
Is this enough for now?
There are some more I could go on,
audible groan, this is getting harder and harder to read this thread, sounds like a major improvement over K20 and I think you guys have just pushed me over the edge wrt K10 upgrade, I'm starting to save now - stuff the LBA !Mike-P wrote:
Do you know if the kit lens is the WR model or are we going to be paying extra for that?
Just back from SRS. Ran into Danny and Mark which was nice to get to meet them.Do you know if the kit lens is the WR model or are we going to be paying extra for that?
Danny had brought all his lenses and we got to play with it for over an hour. And we did some comparision also side by side with the K20 and I must say "WOW", and Danny will confirm this.
In simple words its like that feeling one has when first time one tries the SDM feature when is just used to the normal focus? This is one notch up with the same difference. Absolutely amazing how it goes so fast and locks quick.
Danny noticed this and went and got his K20 attached the lens and gave it to the pentax guy and asked him to try to focus near and then far and vice versa and he tried with the K20 and then got the K-7 in his hands and the moment he tried it he turned to Danny and said "GOSH".
So even he wasn't aware of this fact and then the small group started wondering why it was so quick with the K-7 compared to the K20. Stripped the battery speculating that may be the battery was more powerful than the K20 one, but then concluded it wasn't. It wasn't just the quick focusing lock but the movement of the lens itself that was so quick that when you are looking through the viewfinder it has that impression that its absolutely fast moving up down and then locking.
And I can't even begin to tell you how soft the shutter release sound is. You could literally be standing next to it and it sounds like just a small rubber ball thumb on a well cushioned solid wooden plank. Very very dampened.
Is this enough for now?
There are some more I could go on,
I just hope pentax haven't traded focus speed for accuracy.
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on K-7 at SRS on June 6th at 07/06/2009 - 11:26
womble wrote:
I was very impressed with the K-7. The size was OK, the new grip shape felt comfortable
Hi KrisI was very impressed with the K-7. The size was OK, the new grip shape felt comfortable
from what I've seen on the web most/all the control button are duplicated on the grip too - is that right ?
womble wrote:
and the LCD screen was bright and clear. I could read the in-viewfinder information much more easily than the K10D and the 100% viewfinder was clear and bright.
sounds encouragingand the LCD screen was bright and clear. I could read the in-viewfinder information much more easily than the K10D and the 100% viewfinder was clear and bright.
womble wrote:
The motordrive mode (whatever one calls that on a non-film camera) was quick. I liked the retro strap lugs. All-in-all I was very impressed and should I have an unexpected windfall I would happily buy one. I also had a nice glass of orange juice and some nibbles. I stuck a 60-250 on my K10D and was stunned how sharp it was, but I am not sure if it was the real deal or the pre-production model.
Nice combination isn't it The motordrive mode (whatever one calls that on a non-film camera) was quick. I liked the retro strap lugs. All-in-all I was very impressed and should I have an unexpected windfall I would happily buy one. I also had a nice glass of orange juice and some nibbles. I stuck a 60-250 on my K10D and was stunned how sharp it was, but I am not sure if it was the real deal or the pre-production model.
Whenever I go into SRS I always end up trying the DA*300 and that just works fab with K10, I'd love to have one but I can't logically justify it to myself vs my other lenses let alone to the mrs.
womble wrote:
I admired an old 135-600mm zoom (Mannesty's?) in the window. I managed to get out of the store without my CC taking a hit which was lucky as I discovered I had left my wallet at home when I went into Sainsbury's.
I saw that last time I was in there, it's amazing, wonder how much they want - it's not on srs's website used list IIRCI admired an old 135-600mm zoom (Mannesty's?) in the window. I managed to get out of the store without my CC taking a hit which was lucky as I discovered I had left my wallet at home when I went into Sainsbury's.
ooops no wallet ) The ultimate CBA/LBA prevention technique
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on K-7 at SRS on June 6th at 07/06/2009 - 11:18
piotro wrote:
Well, that was one of the numerous lenses available, they have some nice limiteds as well, it was my choice to attach 60-250 as I know now more-less how it works, so I could compare...
As to the firmware, it seems that there is no final firmware yet, I wouldn't be suprised.
One more thing I saw on Steve's print out he's got from Japan, they mentioned "... sensor SEC", just checked and it looks SEC may stand for Samsung Semiconductors.
Starting price 1199 GBP, plus a small bit more for a pack with kit lens.
One more thing found on this occasion, seems it is very easy to recognise pre/production 60-250, pre one has no space between the lens and tripod mount (fin), while production one has a lot of space over there (enough to accomodate few fingers ).
Hi piotro, It's pretty easy to tell from the IQ too ! my 60-250 is waaay better than the pre-production one, but nice to hear there's a physical difference too. Why the pentax uk don't provide a pukka 60-250 I have no idea, a bit shortsighted by pentax IMHO. I guess the samples get mishandled a lot, but....Well, that was one of the numerous lenses available, they have some nice limiteds as well, it was my choice to attach 60-250 as I know now more-less how it works, so I could compare...
As to the firmware, it seems that there is no final firmware yet, I wouldn't be suprised.
One more thing I saw on Steve's print out he's got from Japan, they mentioned "... sensor SEC", just checked and it looks SEC may stand for Samsung Semiconductors.
Starting price 1199 GBP, plus a small bit more for a pack with kit lens.
One more thing found on this occasion, seems it is very easy to recognise pre/production 60-250, pre one has no space between the lens and tripod mount (fin), while production one has a lot of space over there (enough to accomodate few fingers ).
wish I could have been there
Comment by bladerunneruk posted on K-7 at SRS on June 6th at 07/06/2009 - 11:06
Hi,
What do you use out of the following for your workflow:
Lightroom 2.0
Aperture 2.0
Capture One
Silypix
At the moment im undecided which to use for workflow.
Have CS4 for major editing but need something forf workflow
Matt