All Forum Comments
Comment by Lance B posted on USM and DA* 50-135mm at 24/08/2009 - 03:43
womble wrote:
I'll be selling a Samsung 12-24 in three weeks time.
As a matter of interest, why are you selling this lens?I'll be selling a Samsung 12-24 in three weeks time.
Comment by Lance B posted on Da 14 or 15mm at 24/08/2009 - 03:32
RichardDay wrote:
RicTax sounds like rictus, not so good!
LOL.RicTax sounds like rictus, not so good!
Quote:
I doubt that an alliance would mean any branding changes, it would just be a working technology partnership with each company. I think that's what Suzuki really meant. I think everyone is reading too much into his statement.
Yes, I believe his statement was a fishing exhibition and as you say, people are reading too much into it.I doubt that an alliance would mean any branding changes, it would just be a working technology partnership with each company. I think that's what Suzuki really meant. I think everyone is reading too much into his statement.
Quote:
Like Pentax, the Ricoh camera division also looses or makes very little money, so a joint development/manufacturing partnership could actually benefit both companies.
Agreed. I think though, that Pentax has more credence than Ricoh and they would be better off sticking with the Pentax drand name.Like Pentax, the Ricoh camera division also looses or makes very little money, so a joint development/manufacturing partnership could actually benefit both companies.
Quote:
I know many people think that the sensor is the crucial component in today's digital cameras, but I disagree to some degree, the difference in modern sensor performance is not that massively different. I think other aspects such as ergonomics, the processor pipeline, lens designs and other features actually matter more. It wouldn't worry me unduly if my K20D has a Sony 12MP CMOS sensor instead of the Samsung unit, but all the other features are much more important to me.
It was the same in the days of film cameras. All could use the same films, but it was the feature set and system that mattered and was the basis of choice.
I have to agree, Richard.I know many people think that the sensor is the crucial component in today's digital cameras, but I disagree to some degree, the difference in modern sensor performance is not that massively different. I think other aspects such as ergonomics, the processor pipeline, lens designs and other features actually matter more. It wouldn't worry me unduly if my K20D has a Sony 12MP CMOS sensor instead of the Samsung unit, but all the other features are much more important to me.
It was the same in the days of film cameras. All could use the same films, but it was the feature set and system that mattered and was the basis of choice.
As you say, sensors IQ differences are marginal at best. Things like ergonomics, accuracy of various features/functions and build quality are some of the things that are now more important considerations once you factor in that the IQ of sensors are basically the same.
The thing I liked about my *ist D was that it has great IQ. Once you got over the slow write times and the very small rear LCD, everything else about it was fantastic and it made me want to go out and take photos. AFter all, apart from IQ, this is a very important factor. No point in having a camera that you hate to take photos with. This was not so much the case with the K10D and K20D. Now that I have the K-7, I have the desire to take photos more often again - the solid feel, the build quality, the features/functions work brilliantly, IQ is outstanding.
Comment by Lance B posted on Hoya to seek digital camera alliance at 24/08/2009 - 03:31
Obviously has overcome LBA. So, there is a cure!
Comment by Lance B posted on Too many lenses at 21/08/2009 - 09:20
RichardDay wrote:
At first it may seem way off base, but I think Ricoh would be a great choice. They are a large company who are happy to have a small very specialist niche division producing some of the finest compacts available. Being able to add a similar DSLR marque with a similar philosophy to the division would seem an ideal mix and retain the "core ideology" of Pentax as it's very similar to Ricoh's. They have the electronic, optical and precision mechanical engineering and manufacturing capability as well. They don't possess sensor technology, but that is already available from Samsung or Sony, both who make suitable CMOS sensors (de rigeur these days).
Ricoh are smaller, but somewhat similar to Canon, in that they are also involved in the document imaging/printer/photocopier market and have considerable resources worldwide, plus they are a Japanese company with a culture that could suit Pentax/Hoya.
Their after sales and service are superb and they are held in very high regard by the independent dealer network, I know many dealers who stock Ricoh that don't stock much in the way of any DSLR maker including Pentax.
I think it would be a superb mix, I don't think Samsung, Fuji or Kodak would be such a good solution.
Another possibility is Sanyo as they already manufacture all of Pentax's P&S models as well as those for many other brands.
But I still like the idea of Ricoh!
Ricoh would be a good partner/owner of Pentax. Interesting that 30 years ago, Pentax was the big brother and now it may be that Ricoh will be the big brother. At first it may seem way off base, but I think Ricoh would be a great choice. They are a large company who are happy to have a small very specialist niche division producing some of the finest compacts available. Being able to add a similar DSLR marque with a similar philosophy to the division would seem an ideal mix and retain the "core ideology" of Pentax as it's very similar to Ricoh's. They have the electronic, optical and precision mechanical engineering and manufacturing capability as well. They don't possess sensor technology, but that is already available from Samsung or Sony, both who make suitable CMOS sensors (de rigeur these days).
Ricoh are smaller, but somewhat similar to Canon, in that they are also involved in the document imaging/printer/photocopier market and have considerable resources worldwide, plus they are a Japanese company with a culture that could suit Pentax/Hoya.
Their after sales and service are superb and they are held in very high regard by the independent dealer network, I know many dealers who stock Ricoh that don't stock much in the way of any DSLR maker including Pentax.
I think it would be a superb mix, I don't think Samsung, Fuji or Kodak would be such a good solution.
Another possibility is Sanyo as they already manufacture all of Pentax's P&S models as well as those for many other brands.
But I still like the idea of Ricoh!
What will we call the camera brand? Rictax? Pentoh? Penricohtax? Ricpentaxoh?
Comment by Lance B posted on Hoya to seek digital camera alliance at 21/08/2009 - 06:28
I was a Silkypix 3 User and now I have downloaded Silkypix Pro. This is a fantastic RAW converter and I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who anyone considering a serious RAW converter. It has fantastic functions and features.
Comment by Lance B posted on SilkyPix PRO (+ upgrade) now available. at 21/08/2009 - 02:32
I have just obtained the DA17-70 and I am very pleased with it. I would recommend it wholeheartedly for a general purpose travel type zoom.
Comment by Lance B posted on Dissapointed,Now after a sharp lens at 20/08/2009 - 03:27
RR wrote:
I actually sold my 12-24 & bought Unlockers 14mm. Didn't regret it for a minute, but then again I had the 10-17mm if I NEEDED to go wider.
It was beautifully sharp, minimum focus distance was alot closer which I found a great boon in composition & it was more resistant to flare.
Only you'll know if a fixed focal length will be an issue for you. Why not go out for the day with your Sigma fixed at 14 or 15mm & see how you get on, if you can't fight the urge to zoom rather than move then a prime may not be for you.
I find when shooting primes that you take less shots as the convenience of a zoom isn't there. The ones you do take however will have had far more thought put into the composition & angle of view.
Your thoughts are mirrored by mine. I have both the DA14 and the DA12-24 but I rarley use the DA12-24. The DA12-24 may be a travel lens for me, but the advantages of the DA14 for me are as you say, the extra close focus-ability which is quite handy for those dramatic wide angle close-up-to-distant shots that can be so effective.I actually sold my 12-24 & bought Unlockers 14mm. Didn't regret it for a minute, but then again I had the 10-17mm if I NEEDED to go wider.
It was beautifully sharp, minimum focus distance was alot closer which I found a great boon in composition & it was more resistant to flare.
Only you'll know if a fixed focal length will be an issue for you. Why not go out for the day with your Sigma fixed at 14 or 15mm & see how you get on, if you can't fight the urge to zoom rather than move then a prime may not be for you.
I find when shooting primes that you take less shots as the convenience of a zoom isn't there. The ones you do take however will have had far more thought put into the composition & angle of view.
The other advantage of the DA14 is the distance sclae on the lens which allows for hyperfocal focusing, which I find indispensable.
The DA14 is built very nice, has a positive AF feel and has the f2.8 capability.
Comment by Lance B posted on Da 14 or 15mm at 20/08/2009 - 03:18
timk wrote:
Im toying with the idea of selling the Sigma 10-20 and getting a da 14 or 15mm,would I regret it?
I have the DA14 and it is my favourite wide lens. I also have the DA12-24, but for some reason I am not as enamoured with it as many others are. Don't get me wrong, the DA12-24 is a great lens, but for some reason I like the DA14 better. Im toying with the idea of selling the Sigma 10-20 and getting a da 14 or 15mm,would I regret it?
The DA14 is slightly better built and I like to use the DOF scale and the closer focus at 170mm over the DA12-24's 300mm, which can be very useful for those dramatic close-up-to-distant shots which is somewhat more difficult to achieve with the DA12-24.
The only questions you need to ask yourself is whether you require f2.8, the extra 1mm in width and whether you need a small lens. If you require a small lens, then the DA15 fits the bill perfectly, very diminutive and discreet, but if you require f2.8 or the extra 1mm (7% wider) of the DA14, then you will need to get the DA14.
The other consideration of the DA15 is that it is a Limited lens and that may be of importance to you.
Comment by Lance B posted on Da 14 or 15mm at 20/08/2009 - 03:12
Is this the DFA100mm f2.8 macro you are talking about?
Comment by Lance B posted on Pentax 100mm f2.8 at 13/08/2009 - 14:33
The USM motor on my DA* 50-135mm appears to have died. Has this happened to anyone else? I guess I'll have to send it off to Pentax for repair. That will probably be painful... Although I love the images on this lens the fact that part of the lenshood attachment snapped off and now the motor has died is not very impressive on an 18 month old lens.
Cheers, Kris.
Can you try this.
Put a small screw driver into the screw drive slot of the DA*50-135 and turn it a few times and then try it on your camera again. My DA*16-50 refused to AF after a few months of ownership and I tried my method above and it worked. I have had the DA*16-50 for another 12 months ot more and it hasn't missed a beat since.
I wonder if there is an issue with the SDM to screw drive AF in the lenses with both AF types. There may be sone sort of sensor or micro switch that is susceptible to minor issues and therefore disengages the SDM "thinking" that the camera will drive the screw drive AF. Unfortunately, the camera "knows" that it is an SDM lens - via the contacts - and therefore will only try to AF by SDM, so round in circles it goes and no AFing gets done.