All Forum Comments
Comment by johnriley posted on Time for a new DSLR sensor?? at 12/12/2005 - 22:57
It seems to compare some DSLRs, certainly not any Pentax ones that I could see...I was surprised by how poor the result was from the EOS 1D MkII.
I've done plenty of tests on various DSLRs combined with various lenses, and it is very much more complicated than this particular set of pictures might suggest. Not only do we have the CCD or CMOS resolution, but also the lens resolution, and, critically, how the two work in combination. Then testing needs to be done at different apertures, different focusing distances and different focal lengths in tha case of zooms.
All on a sturdy tripod of course and under controlled lighting, certainly not returning the next day for some more daylight shots....
I think we are best doing our own testing wherever possible, other people can only offer guidance to a certain extent. For what it's worth, I have found that high quality pro film lenses and digital lenses both give excellent results on Pentax DSLRs, but primes are better....
However, even the humble 18-55mm SMC Pentax-DA is actually a very good lens.
I've done plenty of tests on various DSLRs combined with various lenses, and it is very much more complicated than this particular set of pictures might suggest. Not only do we have the CCD or CMOS resolution, but also the lens resolution, and, critically, how the two work in combination. Then testing needs to be done at different apertures, different focusing distances and different focal lengths in tha case of zooms.
All on a sturdy tripod of course and under controlled lighting, certainly not returning the next day for some more daylight shots....
I think we are best doing our own testing wherever possible, other people can only offer guidance to a certain extent. For what it's worth, I have found that high quality pro film lenses and digital lenses both give excellent results on Pentax DSLRs, but primes are better....
However, even the humble 18-55mm SMC Pentax-DA is actually a very good lens.
Comment by johnriley posted on Time for a new DSLR sensor?? at 12/12/2005 - 21:29
Although Matt usues RAW capture and I use JPEG, we are both getting good sharp results from our Pentax DSLRs.
It's probably better to describe the results straight out of cameras as "unsharpened" rather than "soft", because judicious application of USM in Photoshop crisps the images up beautifully, without creating masses of artifacts.
If you prefer the results out of camera to be sharper, then you can adjust the settings for sharpness and contrast and this should make a difference. The camera will do what you tell it to if you make alterations to the way it is set up.
In general, I use less sharpening than I did, and many of my friends have taken the same view. Too much USM results in halos and other artifacts, regardless of camera marque, and we are all much more moderate these days.
I have no complaints about the sharpness of my *istDS.
It's probably better to describe the results straight out of cameras as "unsharpened" rather than "soft", because judicious application of USM in Photoshop crisps the images up beautifully, without creating masses of artifacts.
If you prefer the results out of camera to be sharper, then you can adjust the settings for sharpness and contrast and this should make a difference. The camera will do what you tell it to if you make alterations to the way it is set up.
In general, I use less sharpening than I did, and many of my friends have taken the same view. Too much USM results in halos and other artifacts, regardless of camera marque, and we are all much more moderate these days.
I have no complaints about the sharpness of my *istDS.
Comment by johnriley posted on Time for a new DSLR sensor?? at 11/12/2005 - 21:22
Quote:
Spent my 25th Wedding Anniversary doing the Caen Hill flight of locks.
Fantastic!Spent my 25th Wedding Anniversary doing the Caen Hill flight of locks.
Sue and I explored that part of the K&A when it was still derelict, and it's great to see it restored to its former glory. I would imagine working the flight of 29 locks is pretty hard work!
Comment by johnriley posted on SMC Pentax FA 50mm 1.7 - First attempts at 11/12/2005 - 17:18
No, it only switches on at EV3, so it needs a bit of light through the lens.
The holster idea is OK, that might work. What does Mac think?
The holster idea is OK, that might work. What does Mac think?
Comment by johnriley posted on End Caps for Metal Lens Hoods at 09/12/2005 - 23:07
I've been wandering around with a KM, which is the bayonet version of your SPF and which has the same problem.
And I couldn't find an easy answer either. It's the one drawback of a brilliant camera design in every other respect.
The only suggestion I have is that we remove the lens hoods and use the lens cap. Then replace the hood to shoot. Not very convenient though.
There would be the same problem in the studio.
Back to the Pentax MX for me!
And I couldn't find an easy answer either. It's the one drawback of a brilliant camera design in every other respect.
The only suggestion I have is that we remove the lens hoods and use the lens cap. Then replace the hood to shoot. Not very convenient though.
There would be the same problem in the studio.
Back to the Pentax MX for me!
Comment by johnriley posted on End Caps for Metal Lens Hoods at 09/12/2005 - 22:58
There are several repair houses that specialise in older Pentaxes, and ME Supers should not pose much of a problem.
Comment by johnriley posted on Centon bargains at Jessops at 12/12/2005 - 18:13
I'd still rather have a second hand Pentax - there are so many good ones around I don't think we'll have a problem getting one to use in any reasonable forseeable future...(Check back in 100 years or so...)
Comment by johnriley posted on Centon bargains at Jessops at 09/12/2005 - 17:45
I agree with you, Kevin, the important thing is to take pictures. When it comes down to it, we don't need much equipment to make great photographs, but there's always a big difference between "need" and "want".
It's not so much brand loyalty that lies behind my Pentax-only choice, but the consistent ergonomics. The SMC coating gives pretty consistent colour reproduction. The aperture rings (where present) always rotate the same way, same for the focusing, there is some consistency in filter sizes. And of course in general the optical qiality and construction quality are better.
Now the 12-24mm does have a very high price, but then so do the limited lenses and many others in the range. My particular choice will be to wait until I can afford it, or, more probably, talk myself into it before I can afford it....Such is life
It's not so much brand loyalty that lies behind my Pentax-only choice, but the consistent ergonomics. The SMC coating gives pretty consistent colour reproduction. The aperture rings (where present) always rotate the same way, same for the focusing, there is some consistency in filter sizes. And of course in general the optical qiality and construction quality are better.
Now the 12-24mm does have a very high price, but then so do the limited lenses and many others in the range. My particular choice will be to wait until I can afford it, or, more probably, talk myself into it before I can afford it....Such is life
Comment by johnriley posted on Sigma announce 10-20mm for Pentax K at 08/12/2005 - 00:16
Interesting indeed, but I won't be tempted. I'll wait for a good deal on the Pentax 12-24 and I think will be much happier in the long run.
I think 12mm (18mm equivalent) will be wide enough - I rarely used the SMC Pentax 15mm f3.5 when I had one.
I think 12mm (18mm equivalent) will be wide enough - I rarely used the SMC Pentax 15mm f3.5 when I had one.
Comment by johnriley posted on Sigma announce 10-20mm for Pentax K at 07/12/2005 - 23:50
Get the lens cleaner out John and sort out your glasses. There are two shots taken with a 'DS' and the kit lens.
Actually, the truth of the matter is that it took so long to load I eventually got fed up and may not have seen all the images....Well, that's my snivelling excuse anyway.....