aliengrove wrote:
David Storm has very kindly uploaded some RAW files for me to play with. Unfortunately the fan on my computer is playing up again and it gets a bit warm when I do too much processing....I'm going to the UK next week and have ordered a new fan, so will finish the experiment then.

However, I have processed three files taken at ISO 6400, -2ev, all of the same scene with the same lens. It's surprised me: the K3 does indeed have more noise, negligibly, but it's very fine-grained, and after a bit of processing there is far more detail than in the K5 and K5iis shots. If I try and get rid of all the noise in the K3 file, there's not much to choose between the three cameras. However, with these ISO 6400 images processed to the point that I think they look good at 100%, and once all the images are resized to a size midway between the K3 and K5 file sizes, the K3 produces the best images imo (significantly so), with the most detail and least noise.

I'll update this for those who are interested once I've processed all the files.

As for my choice of what camera to buy next (I was planning to next week), Ricoh have thrown a spanner in the works as it seems there's some new models coming out.

Smeggypants wrote:
You're probably too busy pixel peeping

Only kidding, but although it's late for me and I'm tired so haven't read all the text ( and it seems a google translation at any rate ) , the pictures themselves certainly have some personality, which I can only respect.

They have some unusual bokeh too.



Such a refreshing change from the usual obsessive "sharpness" and "resolution at all costs" ethos you see from too many photographer who offer up stale results because they are too obsessed with technical perfection, to the cost of image content.

what's telling is the actual image content of this guy's test images are pretty boring, but they still look nice becuase of the charisma of his DIY lens tweaking.

thought you'd like it Smeggy!
Interesting stuff, I'd loke to get into mount conversation s for contax kit etc but thats as fsrxas my experience and expertise would take me I'm afraid! Im full of admiration for people who do stuff like this and enjoy reading it very much...

Imagine what results he would get if he took the lenses out and took some pics with a stronger subject. Highly impressed.

It's an inspiration to get more creative and focus on the art instead of heading towards a vortex of lens and sensor perfection.

Nice find Jules.

ChrisA wrote:
Makes the blood run cold, doesn't it

I think I'd do a fair bit of thorough tugging and stretching over a nice soft surface before I trusted it.

stevejcoe wrote:
The HD Pentax-DA 135-380mm f/4-5.6 ED [IF] DC WR is what I have been waiting for. I was hoping for 400mm at the long end, but you can't have everything. If the IQ is there then I will most probably sell the 55 - 300

DA 16-50,DA 50-135,DA 135-380, though not a lightweight combination would be my go to kit.

Regards - Steve