All Forum Comments
Comment by Frogfish posted on FA 31 Limited - why is it so good? at 26/01/2013 - 14:00
screwdriver wrote:
The German manufacturers, with their usual Teutonic efficiency, went with what you can measure, mainly resolution, lines per mm.
The Japanese went with a more aesthetic mandate and produce lenses that render better, don't ask me to define 'render' there is no S.I. unit for it LOL.
Most lenses are 'tested' on a flatly lit 2D test chart, so the 'measurbater' lenses win every time, mainly because contrast doesn't enter into it much.
But illuminate a 3D subject with 45° lighting (which is what photography does most of the time) and the aesthetic lenses begin to shine (pun intended) through, higher colour contrast makes them much more 3D than the German lenses. They are much more pleasing to look at and seem to have more 'pop', at least to my eye.
I think many people would strongly debate those assertions Chris. I have (had) 5 Zeiss lenses and not only is their sharpness jaw dropping but their rendering exquisite and the 3D is certainly there if conditions and settings are conducive (as they need to be with all lenses that offer 3D 'pop').The German manufacturers, with their usual Teutonic efficiency, went with what you can measure, mainly resolution, lines per mm.
The Japanese went with a more aesthetic mandate and produce lenses that render better, don't ask me to define 'render' there is no S.I. unit for it LOL.
Most lenses are 'tested' on a flatly lit 2D test chart, so the 'measurbater' lenses win every time, mainly because contrast doesn't enter into it much.
But illuminate a 3D subject with 45° lighting (which is what photography does most of the time) and the aesthetic lenses begin to shine (pun intended) through, higher colour contrast makes them much more 3D than the German lenses. They are much more pleasing to look at and seem to have more 'pop', at least to my eye.
Comment by Frogfish posted on FA 31 Limited - why is it so good? at 26/01/2013 - 12:05
Whilst I no longer own a Pentax camera (I'm skipping this K5 generation, I'm sure the next one will be something special) I've kept some 'special' lenses, liberally dusted with Pixie Dust, that I won't sell :
15 Ltd (fitted with an invisible polariser everything that comes out of this gem seems to have been already processed for colour and sharpness),
43 Ltd (my first Pentax lens, bought before I even had a Pentax camera. Stunning sharpness, rendering and functionality).
77 Ltd (is there a better portrait lens ? I've not seen one, this produces magic in my eyes)
The other two I've kept are the Cosina 55/1.2 and Lensbaby set, both specialised lenses with an output unlike any other.
If anyone hasn't seen it then this is an article, old article granted, to make any Limited owner glow with pride :
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-05-02.shtml
15 Ltd (fitted with an invisible polariser everything that comes out of this gem seems to have been already processed for colour and sharpness),
43 Ltd (my first Pentax lens, bought before I even had a Pentax camera. Stunning sharpness, rendering and functionality).
77 Ltd (is there a better portrait lens ? I've not seen one, this produces magic in my eyes)
The other two I've kept are the Cosina 55/1.2 and Lensbaby set, both specialised lenses with an output unlike any other.
If anyone hasn't seen it then this is an article, old article granted, to make any Limited owner glow with pride :
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-05-02.shtml
Comment by Frogfish posted on FA 31 Limited - why is it so good? at 26/01/2013 - 05:12
Sweet birds.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Meado Pipit in the snow! at 24/01/2013 - 12:32
Superb behavioural set Danny !
Amazing that the gull was able to swallow the duckling whole.
Amazing that the gull was able to swallow the duckling whole.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Duckling for Breakfast! Viewer discretion advised! at 24/01/2013 - 05:02
I agree MF on moving Girds is tough
With MF it is best to pre-focus on a spot (at f8 to f11 if the light permits) and move your feet a small amount as required to pull the bird into focus, take multiple shots. Not cropping too close can also improve perceived sharpness.
With MF it is best to pre-focus on a spot (at f8 to f11 if the light permits) and move your feet a small amount as required to pull the bird into focus, take multiple shots. Not cropping too close can also improve perceived sharpness.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Bird with new lens at 24/01/2013 - 04:55
There are two perspectives here (excuse the pun), that of the photographer and that of the birder.
Pic 2 is better for ID purposes and as a behavioural shot as the food matter is clearly visible. However the human eye prefers landscape shots (which is how we see the world) over portrait so that is probably why your friends prefer #1.
Pic 1 is aesthetically more pleasing due to the snow covered branches being more in focus (again something your friends can appreciate).
The perspective really depends on the action (or lack of !) of the bird, so sometimes a portrait shot will suit the subject better, however in most cases you need to give 'room/space' in front of the direction the bird is facing, so shooting in landscape is more often used.
I often see people try to crop too close in bird shots (something I have also been guilty of) however a more pleasing shot can usually be achieved by encompassing some of the environment, especially when it is attractive (as you have done in shot #1) or provides a pleasing bokeh.
Pic 2 is better for ID purposes and as a behavioural shot as the food matter is clearly visible. However the human eye prefers landscape shots (which is how we see the world) over portrait so that is probably why your friends prefer #1.
Pic 1 is aesthetically more pleasing due to the snow covered branches being more in focus (again something your friends can appreciate).
The perspective really depends on the action (or lack of !) of the bird, so sometimes a portrait shot will suit the subject better, however in most cases you need to give 'room/space' in front of the direction the bird is facing, so shooting in landscape is more often used.
I often see people try to crop too close in bird shots (something I have also been guilty of) however a more pleasing shot can usually be achieved by encompassing some of the environment, especially when it is attractive (as you have done in shot #1) or provides a pleasing bokeh.
Comment by Frogfish posted on Fieldfare feeding - is it acceptable to have an animal facing away in an image? at 24/01/2013 - 04:51
Sold to PU buyer. Thanks for looking !
Comment by Frogfish posted on FS Sigma 50-150/2.8 at 22/01/2013 - 21:14
Weekend bump.
Comment by Frogfish posted on FS Sigma 50-150/2.8 at 20/01/2013 - 05:24
Mike-P wrote:
Any chance you can reduce that ridiculous sig now you have sold most of your Pentax gear .... makes reading the forum on my mobile a right pain.
What .. nothing to say about the SDM on the 300 now ? Just some petty bitching about a sig. ? Done.Any chance you can reduce that ridiculous sig now you have sold most of your Pentax gear .... makes reading the forum on my mobile a right pain.
Comment by Frogfish posted on FS : Pentax FA*300 and Kenko x1.5 at 18/01/2013 - 20:31
I think many people would strongly debate those assertions Chris. I have (had) 5 Zeiss lenses and not only is their sharpness jaw dropping but their rendering exquisite and the 3D is certainly there if conditions and settings are conducive (as they need to be with all lenses that offer 3D 'pop').
It's horses for courses, there is no right and wrong here, all I'm saying is they are different, not better or worse.