isdky

Joined: 18th August 2008

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isdky
Slideshows don't work in Firefox 3.0.8 (Mac) or in Safari 3 - I can see the initial image but cant go next or play. Also, should there be a background image? As its all black apart from the logo and the menu bar...

Heres a screenshot of what I get:

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Comment by isdky posted on New Website, comments etc appreciated at 10/04/2009 - 17:42

isdky
I saw the protest girl post and even made a comment on it!! hmmm...

Comment by isdky posted on Vanishing Posts at 02/04/2009 - 16:55

isdky
leytono wrote:
Quote:
and they flip open with a built in USB connector
Until the weak plastic hinge gives up the ghost, nice idea, but poor design.
Thats where the Sandisk lifetime warranty comes in over the cheaper ebay cards (if anything does ever break). - I've had one that I purchased 18 months ago still working fine and no damage to the hinges - used daily; and have another two for when I go on holidays and need the extra space. Great build quality, and definitely not weak plastic.

Comment by isdky posted on Firmware at 02/04/2009 - 15:28

isdky
I bought 2 Sandisk Ultra 2 cards from play.com for 9.99 each delivered.

4gb capacity with 10 MB/sec read/write and they flip open with a built in USB connector, so no need for card readers! And at least buying direct from play.com you wont get ripped off with fake sandisk cards like you do on ebay!!!

Comment by isdky posted on Firmware at 02/04/2009 - 00:07

isdky
Is the IQ any better on the 55mm f2 Rikenon than the f1.7 50mm I already own?
And for reversing, am I better of using a longer or shorter focal length prime lens?

Cheers!

Brian.

Comment by isdky posted on Macro Bodgification at 31/03/2009 - 20:40

isdky
shim wrote:
They are very good. I like the 1st and 4th best. I'd just get some proper step down rings or reverse adapter and connect up what you've got or get a bellows which gives you a lot of control over the lens and camera. A macro lens on it's own isn't enough you also need a rack and pinion focus rail (not needed with a bellows, it's usually built in). If you do get a bellows a reversed enlarging lens gives extra options.

shim
On your advice shim, I've just picked up a set of bellows from ebay including a bonus 55mm Rikenon f/2 lens and reverse k mount adapter.. I'll give it all a whirl as soon as it arrives!

And thanks to everyone for all the great feedback,

Brian.

Comment by isdky posted on Macro Bodgification at 31/03/2009 - 15:48

isdky
Quote:
Depends on whether macro will take up more than 10% of your shots I suppose. What focal length do you use most on your 50-150 ? There are Macro lenses at differing lengths right through that range & all are f2.8 so if you can lose the zoom flexibility then you may not lose that full 10% of low light stuff.
I'd say I use the 50-150mm between 100-150mm at f/2.8 - I have a 50mm f/1.7 to cover the mid-tele end, hence why I was thinking about a 100mm Pentax macro - I'm sure my leg-zoom can cover that extra 50mm

Quote:
those images are better than 1:1
True, I'm not sure how to calculate the exact ration - I took a shot of a tape measure and was only able to fit 4mm across the frame. Anyone have the mathematical skills to work that one out?

(edit: typo)

Comment by isdky posted on Macro Bodgification at 26/03/2009 - 13:53

isdky
Thanks for the kind comments on the photos Paul; you'll be surprised to learn that all the above shots where hand-held with my bodged macro lens and shot with a shutter speed of 1/180th - the flash was manually set to fire from 1/2 up to 1/8 power and adjusted as required.

To be fair, I don't rely on the Sigma 50-150mm, its just nice to have that f/2.8 at 150mm when needed... And the sellotape is pretty damn strong!

Comment by isdky posted on Macro Bodgification at 26/03/2009 - 13:47

isdky
I wanted to take some high magnification macro photos, but unfortunately I don't currently have a macro lens to hand (thinking about a Pentax/Samsung 100mm - but would probably have to sell my Sigma 50-150mm to fund any LBA impulses I have).

Anywho, I rummaged through my box of camera cast offs and came across a set of jessops PK extension tubes, a set of M42 extension tubes, and M42 to pk adapter and a 35mm f/3.5 kenlock M42 manual focus lens. I assembled these with the 35mm lens reversed onto the end of all the stacked tubes, and here are the results...

1.link to flickr post
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2.link to flickr post
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3.link to flickr post
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4.link to flickr post
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5.link to flickr post
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6.link to flickr post
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And the contraption that made it all possible
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What does everyone think? and is a dedicated macro lens worth trading in my 50-150mm (as I only really use it in low light conditions approx 10% of my shots).

Thanks in advance all!

(p.s. I put the links to the flickr post in-case anyone wants to view the full size 14mp versions, didnt want to post 6 large images all in one post!)

Comment by isdky posted on Macro Bodgification at 26/03/2009 - 13:24

isdky
I personally went through two copies of the 16-45mm, the first had substantial wobble on the extension as if something was broken inside, I sent it back and got a replacement thinking that it must have been damaged in transit - the second had extremely soft corners which didnt sharpen up until f/11 !! I looked through some reviews and decided to send it back, originally for a third copy of the lens which was then out of stock, I decided to go for the Sigma which was kindly price matched to the cost of the 16-45mm by Jacobs Digital (when I purchased, the Sigma 17-70 was £279 and the 16-45 was £219). The Sigma has been practically glued to my camera ever since, worked great on the K10D, then I changed to the GX20 and its still a great lens, sharp corner to corner apart from when wide open at 17mm where there is some corner softness and slight light fall off but this sharpens up by f/4 - f/5.6.

Most of my shots are taken with the Sigma, its extremely well built and personally gives me great results - unfortunately Sigma lenses look to be on the price increase due to the weak pound...

Comment by isdky posted on Pentax 16 -45 or Sigma 17 -70 or Tamron 17 - 50 at 23/03/2009 - 09:09

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