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Excellent set Gary ! I really like the one with the black head - we don't get that one over here (we have Bohemian and Japanese) - what is it and male or female ?
Comment by Frogfish posted on Waxwings in Wiltshire at 29/11/2012 - 20:19
Welcome Ralph !
Another two tips to keep you going :
1. make sure when you focus it is two distinct moves a) half press to focus and for the SR to engage b) fully depress to take the shot whilst keeping still (I see so many newbies start walking before they have even fully depressed the shutter button) !
2. make sure you are holding the camera the correct way (Google is your friend but basically left hand supporting underneath the lens, right hand gripping and elbows tucked in).
Another two tips to keep you going :
1. make sure when you focus it is two distinct moves a) half press to focus and for the SR to engage b) fully depress to take the shot whilst keeping still (I see so many newbies start walking before they have even fully depressed the shutter button) !
2. make sure you are holding the camera the correct way (Google is your friend but basically left hand supporting underneath the lens, right hand gripping and elbows tucked in).
Comment by Frogfish posted on I'm Scared at 26/11/2012 - 19:17
Very nice job Simon.
A couple of comments :
1. You need to correct this : Payment by cheque is also possible, please contact me to for details.
2. It loads fast because you are using Low-Res versions, this has it's own issues as some of the shots look 'noisier' than they otherwise would with hi-res versions (or higher res versions should I say).
3. It's a bit strange that if people want an express delivery (24 hrs) then they should contact you by email first - that would seem to be mutually exclusive
A couple of comments :
1. You need to correct this : Payment by cheque is also possible, please contact me to for details.
2. It loads fast because you are using Low-Res versions, this has it's own issues as some of the shots look 'noisier' than they otherwise would with hi-res versions (or higher res versions should I say).
3. It's a bit strange that if people want an express delivery (24 hrs) then they should contact you by email first - that would seem to be mutually exclusive
Comment by Frogfish posted on New website - would appreciate some feedback at 26/11/2012 - 19:08
The Cotton Carrier system comes with two tethers in addition to the hubs, and I don't have any system of carrying that doesn't employ, at the very least, a shoe string (tied directly to the camera's D-ring) or other tether as back up ! The shoe string, and now the black rapid I currently use when using a monopod, have all proved their worth and saved me thousands of pounds worth of equipment and heartache (the monopod is carried over my shoulder - saving my back) !
It's easy to forget to regularly check (tighten the screws on the plates or gimbal) when working or engrossed in your subject (usually birds for me) or when scrambling up and down banks. So redundancy is absolutely vital.
I used to have the Black Rapid double harness to carry two cameras on the chest, however I didn't like this at all, it was unbalanced when using one camera and moving around and they bumped up and down (and against each other) all the time.
When using one camera with a short lens on it (anything under a 300mm is a short lens to me ) then a small waist-bag and a hand-strap when the camera is in use, is perfect.
It's easy to forget to regularly check (tighten the screws on the plates or gimbal) when working or engrossed in your subject (usually birds for me) or when scrambling up and down banks. So redundancy is absolutely vital.
I used to have the Black Rapid double harness to carry two cameras on the chest, however I didn't like this at all, it was unbalanced when using one camera and moving around and they bumped up and down (and against each other) all the time.
When using one camera with a short lens on it (anything under a 300mm is a short lens to me ) then a small waist-bag and a hand-strap when the camera is in use, is perfect.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Holster instead of straps at 25/11/2012 - 06:27
Just ordered a Cotton Carrier (for 2 cameras) vest & holster. Very keen to see how the vest works out.
I have a Peak Design Capture, the only problem being that I don't usually have something on my chest to attach it to (and the backpack usually stays in the car).
I have a Peak Design Capture, the only problem being that I don't usually have something on my chest to attach it to (and the backpack usually stays in the car).
Comment by Frogfish posted on Holster instead of straps at 24/11/2012 - 20:05
Similar question ot someone who was doing a grad project on DSLR marketing and products and specifically Pentax and asked why - these were my responses :
Quote:
- In a market that is dominated by the heavy hitters of Canon and Nikon, what characteristics of the Pentax brand are appealing to you the consumer (price, features, durability, etc)?
1. Feature set compared with Nikon / Canon who cripple their lower priced cameras to encourage buyers up the chain to buy a camera with the features they require. Note even the superb new US$3,000 Nikon D800, currently being feted for it's superb Dynamic Range, amongst other assets, only matches the K5 in that area, both around 14 EV (of course with a 36MP FF sensor it can do a bit more with it, but that's besides the point).
2. In-Camera Stabilisation. This not only means lower priced top end lenses (since they do not require in-lens stabilisation) but smaller, lighter lenses and one would assume lens longevity.
3. Size.
4. WR
5. Be Different. This is attractive to mavericks like us ! I don't buy with the crowd if there is something equivalent in another brand.
Quote:
- In what method is the purchase and delivery of the good right for you (internet, professional camera shop, etc)
Camera & Lens Purchasing
I have bought all of my large ($ wise) purchases from the same local shop, luckily over here they are very price competitive with on-line prices. Indeed when I bought my first Pentax (the K7) it equaled the very lowest on-line price I could find in the USA. Since then I have bought 2 K5s and a Q. The first K5 I didn't buy at a reduced price, I paid US$1,500 for it and it was more expensive at the time than the Nikon D7000 - it's equivalent in the Nikon range. I bought the second K5 when it hit US$900 as I needed two bodies for shooting paid events and the K7 was failing in lighting conditions the K5 wasn't.
Quote:
- What keeps bringing you back to the Pentax brand for repeat business?
Same Reasons I bought Pentax in the first place. I love Pentax, but not so much as to deny myself a better product if one exists for what I require of a camera and lenses.
Quote:
- If there was one word to describe the rationale behind a Pentax purchase, what would it be (price, quality, etc)?
Feature set (for all cameras across the range) compared with it's peers.
In the Future
I will probably buy the replacement for the K5. I may buy a Pentax FF if they bring one out with the specs I am looking for. I will be buying a Nikon FF for shooting birds as the lack of long Pentax lenses is crippling in this field - both birding and Full Frame cameras are very big fields that Pentax have ignored for too long. The togs in those sectors are usually big spenders who buy the best lenses (often one lens costing much more than the camera they are fitted to and many times the price of a K5) and I have seen many Pentaxians move on because of the lack of an upgrade path to FF (full frame) and the lack of long lenses (500/600/800) and high quality AF TCs to work with those lenses.
I will definitely be keeping at least one K5 (or it's replacement) and my favourite lenses (43, 77, 15 and Zeiss) so will be running two systems for 2013.
Marketing
As mentioned Pentax must attract the younger photographers. i think this is very difficult when most will not want to be seen as being different from their peers - mainly buying Nikon/Canon. Though the range of different coloured bodies available in entry priced cameras, the Q and the K-01 are all appealing to younger buyers.
If rumours are to be believed and we have a new Pentax FF as well as a new flagship APS-C camera on the way then Hoya are addressing two areas of weakness. The road-map indexed 560mm maybe too late arriving, and too expensive, for many though.
In the UK I saw Pentax had upped their game in a very positive way with their marketing, using a well known TV star posing with a Pentax. There was also a superb viral video that went around on YouTube and FaceBook. Another great strategy. For younger buyers these are much more effective marketing tools than a list of specifications on a page in a photographic magazine. That is for the higher end cameras and lenses.
Quote:
- In a market that is dominated by the heavy hitters of Canon and Nikon, what characteristics of the Pentax brand are appealing to you the consumer (price, features, durability, etc)?
1. Feature set compared with Nikon / Canon who cripple their lower priced cameras to encourage buyers up the chain to buy a camera with the features they require. Note even the superb new US$3,000 Nikon D800, currently being feted for it's superb Dynamic Range, amongst other assets, only matches the K5 in that area, both around 14 EV (of course with a 36MP FF sensor it can do a bit more with it, but that's besides the point).
2. In-Camera Stabilisation. This not only means lower priced top end lenses (since they do not require in-lens stabilisation) but smaller, lighter lenses and one would assume lens longevity.
3. Size.
4. WR
5. Be Different. This is attractive to mavericks like us ! I don't buy with the crowd if there is something equivalent in another brand.
Quote:
- In what method is the purchase and delivery of the good right for you (internet, professional camera shop, etc)
Camera & Lens Purchasing
I have bought all of my large ($ wise) purchases from the same local shop, luckily over here they are very price competitive with on-line prices. Indeed when I bought my first Pentax (the K7) it equaled the very lowest on-line price I could find in the USA. Since then I have bought 2 K5s and a Q. The first K5 I didn't buy at a reduced price, I paid US$1,500 for it and it was more expensive at the time than the Nikon D7000 - it's equivalent in the Nikon range. I bought the second K5 when it hit US$900 as I needed two bodies for shooting paid events and the K7 was failing in lighting conditions the K5 wasn't.
Quote:
- What keeps bringing you back to the Pentax brand for repeat business?
Same Reasons I bought Pentax in the first place. I love Pentax, but not so much as to deny myself a better product if one exists for what I require of a camera and lenses.
Quote:
- If there was one word to describe the rationale behind a Pentax purchase, what would it be (price, quality, etc)?
Feature set (for all cameras across the range) compared with it's peers.
In the Future
I will probably buy the replacement for the K5. I may buy a Pentax FF if they bring one out with the specs I am looking for. I will be buying a Nikon FF for shooting birds as the lack of long Pentax lenses is crippling in this field - both birding and Full Frame cameras are very big fields that Pentax have ignored for too long. The togs in those sectors are usually big spenders who buy the best lenses (often one lens costing much more than the camera they are fitted to and many times the price of a K5) and I have seen many Pentaxians move on because of the lack of an upgrade path to FF (full frame) and the lack of long lenses (500/600/800) and high quality AF TCs to work with those lenses.
I will definitely be keeping at least one K5 (or it's replacement) and my favourite lenses (43, 77, 15 and Zeiss) so will be running two systems for 2013.
Marketing
As mentioned Pentax must attract the younger photographers. i think this is very difficult when most will not want to be seen as being different from their peers - mainly buying Nikon/Canon. Though the range of different coloured bodies available in entry priced cameras, the Q and the K-01 are all appealing to younger buyers.
If rumours are to be believed and we have a new Pentax FF as well as a new flagship APS-C camera on the way then Hoya are addressing two areas of weakness. The road-map indexed 560mm maybe too late arriving, and too expensive, for many though.
In the UK I saw Pentax had upped their game in a very positive way with their marketing, using a well known TV star posing with a Pentax. There was also a superb viral video that went around on YouTube and FaceBook. Another great strategy. For younger buyers these are much more effective marketing tools than a list of specifications on a page in a photographic magazine. That is for the higher end cameras and lenses.
Comment by Frogfish posted on why oh why pick pentax ? at 22/11/2012 - 10:36
I think you'd do far far better splitting that lot. You would have to be extremely lucky to find a buyer with that amount of cash who actually wanted everything you are offering. You'll probably make more splitting too.
Comment by Frogfish posted on FS: My PENTAX K-5 Gear at 20/11/2012 - 13:34
coker wrote:
Thanks, Frogfish.
They were yellow. You can just make out the shape of one, ruffling the breast feathers where it's standing on one leg, the other held up.
Roger.
Just confirming it was a Little and not Intermediate !Thanks, Frogfish.
They were yellow. You can just make out the shape of one, ruffling the breast feathers where it's standing on one leg, the other held up.
Roger.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Little Egret at 19/11/2012 - 07:24
Nice shot ... what colour were the feet ?
Comment by Frogfish posted on Little Egret at 18/11/2012 - 19:12
