All Forum Comments
I turned 40 last month - gutted!
Comment by hefty1 posted on PENTAX Users Age *****POLL*** at 08/02/2009 - 15:43
I think it's likely to be towards the end of this year, however, I would expect it to be an improved version of the K20D rather than an entirely new camera.
I would expect the Live View to have a better implementation (something more like the Sony Alpha cameras), some new software tweaks, an upgraded shutter/mirror assembly to allow for faster shooting rates and possibly a new version of the SAFOX autofocus system.
Flash metering via P-TTL could also do with a little overhaul - I'm sure the Pentax engineers have had plenty of time to reverse-engineer a Nikon camera by now!
Will the end results be any better than the cameras that preceded it? Probably not. It will just make getting those pictures slightly easier and more convenient for some photographers under certain circumstances; so I wouldn't worry about what the future *may* bring, just enjoy the camera you have at your fingertips here and now.
I would expect the Live View to have a better implementation (something more like the Sony Alpha cameras), some new software tweaks, an upgraded shutter/mirror assembly to allow for faster shooting rates and possibly a new version of the SAFOX autofocus system.
Flash metering via P-TTL could also do with a little overhaul - I'm sure the Pentax engineers have had plenty of time to reverse-engineer a Nikon camera by now!
Will the end results be any better than the cameras that preceded it? Probably not. It will just make getting those pictures slightly easier and more convenient for some photographers under certain circumstances; so I wouldn't worry about what the future *may* bring, just enjoy the camera you have at your fingertips here and now.
Comment by hefty1 posted on What would be the K30D? at 08/02/2009 - 15:30
I think that's a huge improvement Amin - the natural light just looks so much more, well, natural!
Getting the subject sharp and the background blurred can sometimes take a little pre-planning. Sometimes it can be quite pleasing to just have part of the flower (for example) in focus in which case you'll use a wide aperture and the blurriness will take care of itself. By stopping down the lens you are *progressively* bringing elements in front of and behind the point of focus into focus themselves, so to mitigate this and blur these elements you can try moving your subject away from its background and/or moving the lens closer to the subject.
Rome wasn't built in a day (as the old saying goes) but compare the picture above to the ones you posted at the start of this thread and see how far your technique has come in such a short space of time!
Getting the subject sharp and the background blurred can sometimes take a little pre-planning. Sometimes it can be quite pleasing to just have part of the flower (for example) in focus in which case you'll use a wide aperture and the blurriness will take care of itself. By stopping down the lens you are *progressively* bringing elements in front of and behind the point of focus into focus themselves, so to mitigate this and blur these elements you can try moving your subject away from its background and/or moving the lens closer to the subject.
Rome wasn't built in a day (as the old saying goes) but compare the picture above to the ones you posted at the start of this thread and see how far your technique has come in such a short space of time!
Comment by hefty1 posted on My first images with the 100mm Macro at 08/02/2009 - 02:15
Hi there and welcome to the forum.
I don't think Pentax themselves run courses, however, the basics of photography are essentially the same whichever brand of camera you use so I'd suggest finding if there are any camera clubs in your area. For issues specific to your K20D you can always ask on these forums and someone will help out.
I don't think Pentax themselves run courses, however, the basics of photography are essentially the same whichever brand of camera you use so I'd suggest finding if there are any camera clubs in your area. For issues specific to your K20D you can always ask on these forums and someone will help out.
Comment by hefty1 posted on MY 1st DIGITAL SLR CAMERA at 08/02/2009 - 02:03
Hello Paul and welcome to the forum
Comment by hefty1 posted on hello im a new user at 08/02/2009 - 02:00
womble wrote:
"The AF360FGZ feature [sic.] a built-in red spotbeam projector to assist the autofocus system in dim light or low-contrast conditions... the AF360FGZ can be used exclusively as a focusing aid in dim light." The manual, page 55.
This is rather inconclusive as to how it works. It does also say, however:
"The AF spotbeam on the flash unit works accurately only when mounted onto the camera's hotshoe."
That suggests that it is doing a little more than "merely providing sufficient illumination" although I will agree the precise nature of how it functions is not clear just from the manual.
Cheers, Kris.
The flash projects a red grid pattern onto the target, thereby giving the AF system an area of high contrast to lock onto. It's an extremely simple idea but one that works very well. "The AF360FGZ feature [sic.] a built-in red spotbeam projector to assist the autofocus system in dim light or low-contrast conditions... the AF360FGZ can be used exclusively as a focusing aid in dim light." The manual, page 55.
This is rather inconclusive as to how it works. It does also say, however:
"The AF spotbeam on the flash unit works accurately only when mounted onto the camera's hotshoe."
That suggests that it is doing a little more than "merely providing sufficient illumination" although I will agree the precise nature of how it functions is not clear just from the manual.
Cheers, Kris.
*edit* PS. It has to be on the hot-shoe in order to (a) know when to cast its light and (b) be facing the same way as the lens.
Comment by hefty1 posted on Pentax 100mm Macro at 08/02/2009 - 01:52
Some people prefer the f/1.7 and it's certainly rarer. Ffordes aren't noted for cheapness but I reckon they'll probably get £99 for this - just not from me.
Comment by hefty1 posted on Pentax FA 50 f1.7 at ffordes at 07/02/2009 - 14:45
Hello MDR and welcome to the forum
Comment by hefty1 posted on Hello from a long time Pentax User at 07/02/2009 - 14:42
To be fair Nathan, the one in the OP's link is a *very* different design to yours - one I hadn't seen before in fact... Looks interesting though and cheap!
Comment by hefty1 posted on DIY Ring Flash for Macro Photography at 07/02/2009 - 14:41
[quote:3496ace15f="bforbes"]Thanks for the answers. It would seem this one is not a good bet then.
]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220354767380&ssPageNam...
That particular model isn't a "true" Pentax lens, it's a re-badged version of the Cosina AF 100mm f/3.5 Macro which is reviewed over at Photozone.
For the money it looks to be quite a good lens - not in the same league as the various 100/2.8 offerings but not too shoddy either. I probably wouldn't pay more than £90-100 for one though.
]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220354767380&ssPageNam...
That particular model isn't a "true" Pentax lens, it's a re-badged version of the Cosina AF 100mm f/3.5 Macro which is reviewed over at Photozone.
For the money it looks to be quite a good lens - not in the same league as the various 100/2.8 offerings but not too shoddy either. I probably wouldn't pay more than £90-100 for one though.
Comment by hefty1 posted on Macro Magnification at 07/02/2009 - 01:23
