All Forum Comments
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 180mm Macro EX DG - Sample Images at 11/04/2008 - 23:26
Quote:
Having looked at quite a few ist D cameras when I was buying mine, there seemed to be a high percentage with faulty built in flash. Is this a common problem with the ist D?
If it is, I have an old hot shoe (?) flash from my SuperME. Will this work with the ist D?
If it will, is there any benefit from using this over the built in flash; ie, to prolong battery life and prolong the life of the flash?
It isn't a "fancy" flash unit, just an upright forward facing flash, but then the built in flash is only basic, ( well, compared to some of the other flash units I've seen).
If i am correct in saying the ist*D does not support P-TTL and if this is the case and your old flash is TTL compliant it should work ok. Just check the trigger voltage first. Having looked at quite a few ist D cameras when I was buying mine, there seemed to be a high percentage with faulty built in flash. Is this a common problem with the ist D?
If it is, I have an old hot shoe (?) flash from my SuperME. Will this work with the ist D?
If it will, is there any benefit from using this over the built in flash; ie, to prolong battery life and prolong the life of the flash?
It isn't a "fancy" flash unit, just an upright forward facing flash, but then the built in flash is only basic, ( well, compared to some of the other flash units I've seen).
Someone more in the know than i will correct me if i am wrong.
Comment by Clarky posted on Flash advice at 11/04/2008 - 11:29
Quote:
Yup. Keep the sky out of the picture.
I love that boat pic. The colours are far too nice to lose to b&w.
G
I rather prefer the mono version George. Keith Grant wrote:
A few more images from a recent retreat south of Halifax, NS, for your C & C, please.
First, two perspectives of a shack at Blue Rocks, near Lunenburg, on a rainy day. Any suggestions for working with skies that are so uniformly overcast?
A few more images from a recent retreat south of Halifax, NS, for your C & C, please.
First, two perspectives of a shack at Blue Rocks, near Lunenburg, on a rainy day. Any suggestions for working with skies that are so uniformly overcast?
Yup. Keep the sky out of the picture.
I love that boat pic. The colours are far too nice to lose to b&w.
G
Nice shots
Comment by Clarky posted on coastal images at 11/04/2008 - 01:56
Quote:
the connections you need are the Power Zoom contacts, not the normal data contacts. These are located inside the K mount on a sortof wedge thingy at the bottom right of the opening as you look into the body (I'd show you a picture, but I don't have my K10D with me).
If you look in the MZ-5, it has the wedge but the contacts are blanked off, whereas in the K10D and other SDM/Power Zoom capable cameras they are copper.
Since SDM is just a different way of doing the same thing, any camera with the contacts would be able to do SDM if it had the necessary firmware. Alas, even if Pentax wanted to there is no way to easily update the firmware in a film body, so it wouldn't be viable to do.
You say firmware in a film body, but wouldn't you need hardware to make SDM work :the connections you need are the Power Zoom contacts, not the normal data contacts. These are located inside the K mount on a sortof wedge thingy at the bottom right of the opening as you look into the body (I'd show you a picture, but I don't have my K10D with me).
If you look in the MZ-5, it has the wedge but the contacts are blanked off, whereas in the K10D and other SDM/Power Zoom capable cameras they are copper.
Since SDM is just a different way of doing the same thing, any camera with the contacts would be able to do SDM if it had the necessary firmware. Alas, even if Pentax wanted to there is no way to easily update the firmware in a film body, so it wouldn't be viable to do.
Comment by Clarky posted on SDM Tele converters.. at 11/04/2008 - 11:35
Quote:
Clarky,
Neither the 080C or the 160 has a PC socket, so the easiest and cheapest thing for you to do is buy one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/5mg3d5
and trigger it by mounting one of your 160s on the camera.
However, you will probably need to deflect the light from the camera-mounted flash, using a bit of card, perhaps,
Or, buy the excellent AF240Z, which will allow you to point the flash at the ceiling:
http://tinyurl.com/64dfwq
G
Ok i see where you are coming from now. Clarky,
Neither the 080C or the 160 has a PC socket, so the easiest and cheapest thing for you to do is buy one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/5mg3d5
and trigger it by mounting one of your 160s on the camera.
However, you will probably need to deflect the light from the camera-mounted flash, using a bit of card, perhaps,
Or, buy the excellent AF240Z, which will allow you to point the flash at the ceiling:
http://tinyurl.com/64dfwq
G
But wouldn't it be easier now i have most of the gear anyway too just get hold of another off camera adpter F and that will complete all the
circuitry. : Or am i missing something
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 12/04/2008 - 12:56
Quote:
Clarky,
As you won't be using P-TTL or TTL, you can get away with PC cables or a simple remote flash trigger.
You might need a hotshoe-PC thingy.
I am surprised you got 5P connections with the Super A. Should have been 4P.
G
OK i have switched to dumb mode now Clarky,
As you won't be using P-TTL or TTL, you can get away with PC cables or a simple remote flash trigger.
You might need a hotshoe-PC thingy.
I am surprised you got 5P connections with the Super A. Should have been 4P.
G
How does this remote flash trigger work : does that mean wireless
I have 2 of those hotshoe PC adapters and a 5 metre cable that goes with it. It also came with the super A, and a 4P sync cord about 10inches long. But it doesn't appear too attach to anything :
I got a whole mish mash of gear off my relative including an MG body and the 2 AF-160 flashes. I couldn't make heads or tails of any of it until recently when i dug it all out.
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 12/04/2008 - 12:00
Quote:
Actually, having grown up in the wilds of Africa I am all in favour of a bit of DIY.
If you need some advice or ideas, ask Don. Ingenuity is his middle name.
G
Thanks George, I think i have it all covered, What i do need is an Off camera Adapter F thingymabob Can't believe how expensive these things are, 80bucks a pop in the land of OZ Daniel Bridge wrote:
P.S. Clarky, of course we promise not to laugh.
Speak for yoruself. P.S. Clarky, of course we promise not to laugh.
Actually, having grown up in the wilds of Africa I am all in favour of a bit of DIY.
If you need some advice or ideas, ask Don. Ingenuity is his middle name.
G
I already have a few bits and pieces which i got with a Super A kit a relative passed on to me. 2 x hot shoe adapter, 2 x coiled cords, 1 x FG adapter, and 1 x off shoe adapter. Turns out these were the most valuable part of the whole kit
If i can get hold of a flash which has the F5 port on it i wouldn't need the adapter, but i don't want it to be too big either, thats why i like the little AF 160 flashes i have.
Oh well back to the work bench
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 12/04/2008 - 11:31
Quote:
My twin head flash bracket would have looked similar. I got a couple of goose neck microphone/lamp stands, a couple of miniature ball heads and mounted flash shoes to the top of them. The two flash guns I had were AF240FT's with the 5P socket which facilitated cable connection back to the camera's hot shoe with appropriate adapters.
A minor difficulty was finding 1/4 inch studding to screw into the top of the goosenecks to allow the ball heads to be fitted. I think I butchered a couple of screws in the end.
I still have the goose necks, ball heads and flash shoes (modified for the extra pin). I sold one of the flash guns and thought I'd kept the other, but I can't find it. Maybe I'll have another go at it some day. It'll not be P-TTL though, only manual I'm afraid.
I got hold of a cheap ($10) chinese gorilla pod and dismantled the legs, I found it will be stiff enough to support the weight of the flash Clarky wrote:
I would need a 49-72mm step ring if i want to use my AF-080C
You got me thinking sometime ago when you mentioned making a macro flash bracket but gave up when it became too cumbersome.
I have a couple of dinky little AF-160 flashes and decided to make a bracket to hold these. (Not sure if these will be the ideal flash for this purpose)
It will look similar to this http://tinyurl.com/3msltp
I think i just heard George fall off his chair laughing
I will post a pic of it when its finished if you all promise not to laugh
72-49mm apparently, the first number is the lens thread diameter, the second is the filter thread diameter. Hence 72-49 is step down, 49-72 is step up.I would need a 49-72mm step ring if i want to use my AF-080C
You got me thinking sometime ago when you mentioned making a macro flash bracket but gave up when it became too cumbersome.
I have a couple of dinky little AF-160 flashes and decided to make a bracket to hold these. (Not sure if these will be the ideal flash for this purpose)
It will look similar to this http://tinyurl.com/3msltp
I think i just heard George fall off his chair laughing
I will post a pic of it when its finished if you all promise not to laugh
My twin head flash bracket would have looked similar. I got a couple of goose neck microphone/lamp stands, a couple of miniature ball heads and mounted flash shoes to the top of them. The two flash guns I had were AF240FT's with the 5P socket which facilitated cable connection back to the camera's hot shoe with appropriate adapters.
A minor difficulty was finding 1/4 inch studding to screw into the top of the goosenecks to allow the ball heads to be fitted. I think I butchered a couple of screws in the end.
I still have the goose necks, ball heads and flash shoes (modified for the extra pin). I sold one of the flash guns and thought I'd kept the other, but I can't find it. Maybe I'll have another go at it some day. It'll not be P-TTL though, only manual I'm afraid.
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 12/04/2008 - 00:38
Quote:
Even though the filter ring is 72mm, the front element is only about 58mm so I'm hoping I'm not going to have too much trouble using my AF140C ring flash with it, which has an internal diameter of about 58mm. I do need to get a 72-58mm step down ring though. None available in UK (ebay) at the moment, I can only find them from Hong Kong and USA.
I would need a 49-72mm step ring if i want to use my AF-080CClarky wrote:
Tell you what if you sell me your 180mm you can then buy the lens of your dreams, it would look magnificent at the head of your impressive list of glass
Thanks but I think I'll settle for the Sigma. I've had a short play with it today, and I like it. I only Had my *istD with me but I like the results so far. I've not done any real macro stuff with it yet, that'll come next week.Quote:
Clarky,
You know George is right, he's always right
If I hadn't just shelled out for the Sigma (poor substitute) I'd have a go at it.
That lens is arguably one of the finest on this planet, and the next. As the advert goes, If Carlsberg made lenses, they'd probably make this one.
I look forward to seeing some images from it soon
Regards,
Pete: I have my heart set on a K20 with the sigma 180mm macro and as much as i would love to get my hands on Robs 200mm star, I must resist the temptation Clarky,
You know George is right, he's always right
If I hadn't just shelled out for the Sigma (poor substitute) I'd have a go at it.
That lens is arguably one of the finest on this planet, and the next. As the advert goes, If Carlsberg made lenses, they'd probably make this one.
I look forward to seeing some images from it soon
Regards,
Tell you what if you sell me your 180mm you can then buy the lens of your dreams, it would look magnificent at the head of your impressive list of glass
Even though the filter ring is 72mm, the front element is only about 58mm so I'm hoping I'm not going to have too much trouble using my AF140C ring flash with it, which has an internal diameter of about 58mm. I do need to get a 72-58mm step down ring though. None available in UK (ebay) at the moment, I can only find them from Hong Kong and USA.
You got me thinking sometime ago when you mentioned making a macro flash bracket but gave up when it became too cumbersome.
I have a couple of dinky little AF-160 flashes and decided to make a bracket to hold these. (Not sure if these will be the ideal flash for this purpose)
It will look similar to this http://tinyurl.com/3msltp
I think i just heard George fall off his chair laughing
I will post a pic of it when its finished if you all promise not to laugh
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 11/04/2008 - 23:54
Quote:
It's $500 cheaper AT THE MOMENT.
Extraordinary that two of these should be on sale at the same time. They are very rare.
G
Extraordinary indeed, maybe the planets have aligned It's $500 cheaper AT THE MOMENT.
Extraordinary that two of these should be on sale at the same time. They are very rare.
G
I didn't read the listing too well on the japanese one, thought it was a buy it now.
Comment by Clarky posted on Sigma 150mm macro at 11/04/2008 - 23:10
So what are your intitial thoughts :
A couple of the telephoto shots looked a little soft :
I look forward to a few macro shots though to get my interest bubbling