Seriously caught the macro bug last summer, and since got a Sigma 105mm, but this was taken handheld with a Pentax 50mm 1.7, on three extension tubes (about 60mm altogether), with flash way off camera (three feet or more to left and above). Used to hate flash, but now love it for macro with the *istD.




P.S. It's a Hoverfly on a Sunflower.

Dan

I still wouldn't want a Pentax 300mm 2.8, it would cost, and weigh, too much.

But I am very happy with my DA*300. I think the £800 I paid for it is more than just right.

Dan

Thanks Matt, will have fun playing with those...

Dan

Matthew, are you casting aspersions about my Tamron? If you think I'm forking out for a Pentax 300mm f/2.8, you're sadly mistaken. For the amount I use it, the £300 I paid for this lump is about right for me.

This was taken at about f/4 (only had a PK mount at the time so can't tell from EXIF), and the shutter speed was 1/125s, so a little slow for a lens like this (I had to extend the centre column of my tripod to get the right angle for him, something I try to avoid with this lens). Add to that my focusing was a little out - a fraction too close. Overall I'm pleased with the quality of this, so can't justify the expense of re-lensing myself.

I'll agree though that it's not the sharpest lens in my bag

Glad you liked the mouse,
Dan

Still just playing with C1 LE Trial at the moment, but thought I'd post one example, camparing Pentax Lab to C1. I've been blown away by the improvement - why can't Pentax do as well as C1?

Anyway, for anyone using RAW files, and Pentax Lab, here's a comparison:



Pentax Lab, Sharpened in Photoshop Elements 2 (Unsharp Mask, 120%)



Capture One LE, sharpened in C1 (120%)

These are crops, shown at 100%. The detail shown is way ahead in the C1 image - far fewer artifacts created, and diagonal lines show hardly any 'jaggies'. I've noticed this in all the shots I've compared so far, so will be buying a proper version of C1LE before my 15 day trial runs out!

I'll continue sharpening in C1 for the time being as I don't have full Photoshop so can't use Matt's Sharpen'o'Matic. Having said that, I haven't tried USM on a C1 originated image, so I'll have to do that.

Dan

Very quickly, as I've got to go and pick wifey up from station (railway, not police ) - just had a quick go with C1 LE Trial, and WOAHH! How much better than Pentax Lab????!!!

Will post a couple of comparison shots in near future to demonstrate. I've had a five minute go and am convinced - 1000% better!

Will now read up about how to use it

Dan

Hi Spirit, try this one:

http://www.pentax.co.uk/_uk/photo/service/guide.php?photo&service&guide

Pentax have recently updated their website, so old pages may have been deleted.

Dan

Just a little reminder to all those thinking of dabbling with the IR - those fresh new leaves just coming out will be perfect over the next few weeks or so.

Have fun!
Dan

Will, you're absolutely right. So it's either an optical illusion, or Victorian engineers miscalculated the Earth's curvature, or perhaps the camera was tilting down a bit?

I'm guessing you're more than capable of using a spirit level (those panoramics could be disasterous without one ), so I had a check on those verticals in photoshop and guess what? You're spot on - so the answer is a) it's an optical illusion (although perhaps only to me! ).

I didn't realise the towers get bigger as they go up, and I think that, combined with the lack of converging verticals, made me think that the towers were leaning outwards.

I'll keep my mouth shut next time!

Dan

There you go Will - perfect for Giraffes!

Dan

P.S. Being really super picky (and bearing in mind it was your first try-out with the lens), did you give it a bit too much shift? The right hand tower looks as though it's leaning outwards.