Hi Dave

The WB is easily fixed in post processing, you should have a white balance tool in whatever processing software you have? I use Adobe Camera RAW, just click on an area which should be white and it fixes the colour imbalance.

Regards
David

K-3, K-3ii?

Cheers
David

I have the Pentax 100WR and used to own the Sigma 105 DG EX. I sold the Sigma because I didn't need two macro lenses. However, it all depends on what you intend to use the lens for, is it just for macro work or do you intend other uses? The reason I ask is because the Sigma has a bit of an ace up its sleeve.

It is possibly the best portrait lens I have ever used, much better than the Pentax for this type of work. It has a sublime way of rendering skin tones and also has lovely bokeh. Another reason for selling it was my acquisition of a Pentax DA*50-135, also a superb portrait lens, but I think the Sigma is better, albeit fixed focal length.

For macro work, the Pentax is definitely the better lens, it is noticeably sharper and also being smaller / lighter is easier to handle when not using a camera support. The Pentax also has better build quality I think.

It may help if a few of us post images on the thread taken with each lens? Here are a few:

Sigma 105 Macro, this one with extremely shallow DOF due to extension tubes and wide aperture:





Sigma Macro:





Sigma Portrait:





Pentax Macro:





Pentax Macro:




Regards
David

Hi Dave

I would certainly use a lens of at least 100mm focal length, easier to isolate the subjects and get diffused backgrounds. Also, one that has smooth bokeh.

I wouldn't be afraid of using manual focus as it's immaterial on static subjects, you can use the Live View to get it 100% spot on. A lens I have that is very good for this type of work is an old one and can be bought cheaply - a 135mm SMC Takumar F3.5.

Macro lenses will also be good, one that has especially nice rendering and bokeh is the Sigma DG EX 105 Macro, again this can be bought quite cheaply second hand.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards
David

Third one for me Alistair, it has something the others don't.

Forgive me for saying, but I think 1,2 and 5 are just a tad out of focus?

Regards
David

I don't think the fee is excessive at all and I'm happy to pay it to help the upkeep of the site. You don't get ow't for now't these days!

Regards
David

Well done Nigel, very well deserved for a superb image. Sorry I didn't enter, I really need to do more to contribute to the competitions, but been a bit short of time lately.

Regards
David

These are great, 5,7 and 11 for me are the most interesting as I can see more 'faces' in these than the remainder of the set.

However, all of them are very good, the only one I'm not sure of is number 10, I don't think the shallow focus works too well on this one.

I'm always impressed by your 'photographer's eye' Bill, you always find interesting subjects and interesting ways of framing / presenting them.

Regards
David

I think what suits best is heavily dependent on what you are trying to achieve. Danny has given some excellent advice if you wish to run a professional photography business, but I suspect you are not looking to go down that route at present and just want to build an online portfolio?

I used to have my own website, but let it lapse because I'm not a Pro Photographer and didn't see good reason for investing the time, money and effort required to keep it up to scratch. I'm happy to post on here and on Flickr, in fact i use Flickr differently to a lot of people and just use it for my favourite images. I post on facebook occasionally and I do get asked to do photography work on a semi-commercial basis, but I strictly limit what I do and I generally do it free of charge, for enjoyment only.

So, I think it's 'horses for courses' so to speak.

Regards
David

I'm not a fan of this guy, but it's an interesting video, about the doom and gloom around Nikon at present.

link

How many people have jumped to Nikon and what do you think about this?

The camera industry is clearly under massive threat.

Regards
David