All Forum Comments
Comment by Greytop posted on Pentax K3 II or Olympus OM-D EM-5 II? at 17/05/2015 - 10:18
madmazda86 wrote:
I'm planning to borrow an Olympus EM-1 this weekend under the Test and Wow scheme at my local camera dealer - it uses the same sensor and EVF as the EM5 mk II. I'm taking it to a place that I've shot with Pentax before so I can compare the images. I'll let everyone know how I get on!
As an ex-Pentax user myself now with Oly m4/3rds (E-M1 and E-M5 Mk1) and a bunch of Sigma DPMerrills I'm planning to borrow an Olympus EM-1 this weekend under the Test and Wow scheme at my local camera dealer - it uses the same sensor and EVF as the EM5 mk II. I'm taking it to a place that I've shot with Pentax before so I can compare the images. I'll let everyone know how I get on!
I'd be interested to hear how you found the the E-M1.
I'm sure you've already established that you can use focus peaking with any lens (manual or otherwise) via the rear screen or the excellent EVF, a fantastic tool for manual focussing.
Comment by Greytop posted on Pentax K3 II or Olympus OM-D EM-5 II? at 16/05/2015 - 11:53
MrB wrote:
As this didn't get any response from the other forum, I'll try it here:-
In follow up to this information from kh... :-
"The shutter stays open throughout. The four shots are taken using electronic shutter method with the sensor being shuffled about in-between each readout. As long as nothing in the image moves it will work. Presumably there will be some shutter speed limitations."
I put forward this suggestion:-
"If that is the case, I was just pondering that to move the sensor 1 pixel might take only a tiny fraction of the time of the set shutter speed. I was then thinking (hoping!), if that is the case, some guideline of shutter speed appropriate for lens focal length might permit even hand-held super-res. shots in suitable light?"
Any ideas here?
Cheers.
Philip
There will be finite time to achieve four exposures and as IBIS will not be available you will need to tripod mount the camera. For still life / product shots in doors or in a studio this is fine but if you're outside you will have to pray for a still day / evening or night otherwise it's recycle bin time. As this didn't get any response from the other forum, I'll try it here:-
In follow up to this information from kh... :-
"The shutter stays open throughout. The four shots are taken using electronic shutter method with the sensor being shuffled about in-between each readout. As long as nothing in the image moves it will work. Presumably there will be some shutter speed limitations."
I put forward this suggestion:-
"If that is the case, I was just pondering that to move the sensor 1 pixel might take only a tiny fraction of the time of the set shutter speed. I was then thinking (hoping!), if that is the case, some guideline of shutter speed appropriate for lens focal length might permit even hand-held super-res. shots in suitable light?"
Any ideas here?
Cheers.
Philip
Unfortunately with the Bayer array you can't have your cake and eat it for full RGB at each pixel site.
Comment by Greytop posted on pixel-shifting at 26/04/2015 - 22:33
To be fair to John, after a little investigative work it seems the Sigma fixed lens camera review John was referring to was the pre Merrill (and now Quattro) cameras so he's not really up to speed on the current output quality (with respect to John).
Comment by Greytop posted on pixel-shifting at 26/04/2015 - 00:07
I think Pentax are to be applauded with their new pixel shift system in the K3 MkII, it should really elevate the image quality of the camera in situations where it's possible to use the feature. Studio work should benefit as well as the odd landscape on a very still day.
It's just a shame it takes four exposures to achieve but unfortunately there is no way around that with the Bayer array.
Of course as others have pointed out Sigma with the Foveon sensor have been producing this wonderful quality for some time in a single exposure. Yes there are areas where Bayers simple trample over the inflexibility of a Sigma setup but when used in their sweet spot there really isn't anything that can come close this side of a very high resolution 35 mm or medium format camera.
For those that might be interested, here is an enlightening review/comparison between the Pentax K5 (Bayer sensor) and a DP3 Merrill.
Should also give prospective K3 MkII purchasers a feel for what may in store with the new pixel shift feature.
It's just a shame it takes four exposures to achieve but unfortunately there is no way around that with the Bayer array.
Of course as others have pointed out Sigma with the Foveon sensor have been producing this wonderful quality for some time in a single exposure. Yes there are areas where Bayers simple trample over the inflexibility of a Sigma setup but when used in their sweet spot there really isn't anything that can come close this side of a very high resolution 35 mm or medium format camera.
For those that might be interested, here is an enlightening review/comparison between the Pentax K5 (Bayer sensor) and a DP3 Merrill.
Should also give prospective K3 MkII purchasers a feel for what may in store with the new pixel shift feature.
Comment by Greytop posted on pixel-shifting at 25/04/2015 - 22:39
tyronet2000 wrote:
Hello Stan,aliengrove wrote:
I drop in sometimes to see what's going on...although I've changed systems, I still have a K5, though the FF Pentax lenses I kept are getting more use on my unmentionable new system (of which they are an invaluable part, me having only two native lenses as opposed to 6 PK ones)
The GR is still used a lot.
Any recommendations as to lens adapter. I have one or two Pentax "A" which I'd like to try out on the 4/3 system, think the articulating viewing screen will be very useful too I drop in sometimes to see what's going on...although I've changed systems, I still have a K5, though the FF Pentax lenses I kept are getting more use on my unmentionable new system (of which they are an invaluable part, me having only two native lenses as opposed to 6 PK ones)
The GR is still used a lot.
If its a m4/3rds system you have there are a few options via Amazon here
Comment by Greytop posted on Silent Members at 03/12/2014 - 18:04
bforbes wrote:
Yes I still us the K20 occasionally. I have it set up with split screen focus for the manual lenses.
I'm trying the X-Pro1 out, handy for things like the Edinburgh Fringe, when you want to travel light.
Good to here it's being put to good use Yes I still us the K20 occasionally. I have it set up with split screen focus for the manual lenses.
I'm trying the X-Pro1 out, handy for things like the Edinburgh Fringe, when you want to travel light.
I had an X-E1 and a few primes plus a couple of nice zooms, nice gear but in the end prefered the operational familiarity I have with my E-M5, E-M1 and the extensive range of glass the 4/3rds and m4/3rds stable has as well as pretty much any legacy glass you want to hook up to.
Still I ways have soft spot for Pentax, really like the build and operation but I prefer the lighter weight / compact approach
Comment by Greytop posted on Silent Members at 03/12/2014 - 00:25
Hi Barrie,
Yes still using my Oly gear though I did have a brief flitation with the Fuji X system last year (kept hold of my core gear though)
Wow you have amassed quite a collection of gear there Barrie, do you still use the K20D?
Yes still using my Oly gear though I did have a brief flitation with the Fuji X system last year (kept hold of my core gear though)
Wow you have amassed quite a collection of gear there Barrie, do you still use the K20D?
Comment by Greytop posted on Silent Members at 02/12/2014 - 22:51
I occasionally pop in and have read through some topics and have gander in the gallery.
However as Ex-Pentax owner it's not that regular occurance.
Still it's nice to pop in every once in a while
However as Ex-Pentax owner it's not that regular occurance.
Still it's nice to pop in every once in a while
Comment by Greytop posted on Silent Members at 02/12/2014 - 22:34
An amusing verbal sparing session... really a great read
Having read John's very nice review I see two key problems on the evidential side.
1) To avoid any doubt both camera bodies need to be tested along side each other at the same time under the same environmental conditions with the very same lens. Tripod mounted, image stabilisation off, mirror lock up / anti-shock and timer (or remote release) you know the drill.
2) Unfortunately having studied the full sized images, none of the lenses used for the test are of adequate quality to make such a comparison. I would think pretty much any of the Ltd primes would have been the foremost candidates for the task to be honest. A bit like taking half the air out of your Ferrari's tyres before giving a nice gunning along prime piece of sweeping Alpine tarmacadam
I will however add that I've no doubt that when the best Pentax glass is bayoneted on you will see a difference between the two bodies output. No AA filter verses one with will make a difference. It's even possible to pick out difference between AA filters of different strengths on the same sensor. Granted they are small but they are there.
Having read John's very nice review I see two key problems on the evidential side.
1) To avoid any doubt both camera bodies need to be tested along side each other at the same time under the same environmental conditions with the very same lens. Tripod mounted, image stabilisation off, mirror lock up / anti-shock and timer (or remote release) you know the drill.
2) Unfortunately having studied the full sized images, none of the lenses used for the test are of adequate quality to make such a comparison. I would think pretty much any of the Ltd primes would have been the foremost candidates for the task to be honest. A bit like taking half the air out of your Ferrari's tyres before giving a nice gunning along prime piece of sweeping Alpine tarmacadam
I will however add that I've no doubt that when the best Pentax glass is bayoneted on you will see a difference between the two bodies output. No AA filter verses one with will make a difference. It's even possible to pick out difference between AA filters of different strengths on the same sensor. Granted they are small but they are there.
Comment by Greytop posted on JR K5 IIs review at 30/01/2013 - 20:32
You realise a real time historgram can be displayed as an overlay in the EVF right?
Interesting to hear your feedback btw.
One other comment, I always shoot RAW processing with CaptureOne Pro, not that I find jpegs especially lacking but it just gives me that extra flexibility.