All Forum Comments
Comment by Mannesty posted on Macro Flash at 14/02/2008 - 11:04
This is exactly the reason I review the histogram after every potentially important shot.
The histogram tells all and the white saturation/clipping will have been obvious.
The histogram tells all and the white saturation/clipping will have been obvious.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Over exposed at 14/02/2008 - 13:06
I've found Martin Evening's books 'Adobe Photoshop CS/CS2/CS3 for Digital Photographers' to be very useful and readable. Scott Kelby has produced some good books too but his style is typically american. Checkout Podcasts too, just search for Photoshop.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Photoshop CS3- any good books? at 11/02/2008 - 23:05
Having a weather sealed camera body is only part of the solution. You'll need weather sealed lenses too. You'd better start saving for some DA* lenses.
Comment by Mannesty posted on what is the difference between.. at 11/02/2008 - 22:59
Subject says it all really, but I'm guessing it doesn't.
I would just ask those privileged persons who have had a look at the new camera to let us know if Pentax have re-enabled TTL flash control.
Inside the mirror box there will be a rearward facing sensor at about (or exactly) 45 degrees to the sensor plane. AFAIK, the *istD is the only Pentax DSLR that has TTL capabilities.
I can't find any information re. flash in their K20D press release, save for the mention of the x-synch socket.
I would just ask those privileged persons who have had a look at the new camera to let us know if Pentax have re-enabled TTL flash control.
Inside the mirror box there will be a rearward facing sensor at about (or exactly) 45 degrees to the sensor plane. AFAIK, the *istD is the only Pentax DSLR that has TTL capabilities.
I can't find any information re. flash in their K20D press release, save for the mention of the x-synch socket.
Comment by Mannesty posted on K20D TTL flash capabilities - does it have any? at 10/02/2008 - 21:40
Quote:
As for the new lens (Pentax D-FA 100mm) i got that on a whim at a good price and as my Tamron only went down to 1.2 i thought why not
If its not up to the Tamrons standard i don't think i will lose anything on a re-sale.
I guess to answer your question i like to experiment and i am happy with the shots i am getting but i still think there is improvment to be made.
I think we'll be seeing a Tamron macro lens on ebay very soon MX veteran wrote:
With the results you get already I would have to really think about what gain I would get for the outlay on the new equipment. You're blowing us all away now with the fantastic quality of your macro shots, could you expect a significant improvement for the significant amount of money spent?
I think a ring flash would be a benefit to any macro kit. Dan thinks they make the shot look flat and that maybe the case but for the 50quid i spent on the one i got i think its worth having a look at. I haven't got it yet but hope to see it this week, and put it through its paces. With the results you get already I would have to really think about what gain I would get for the outlay on the new equipment. You're blowing us all away now with the fantastic quality of your macro shots, could you expect a significant improvement for the significant amount of money spent?
As for the new lens (Pentax D-FA 100mm) i got that on a whim at a good price and as my Tamron only went down to 1.2 i thought why not
If its not up to the Tamrons standard i don't think i will lose anything on a re-sale.
I guess to answer your question i like to experiment and i am happy with the shots i am getting but i still think there is improvment to be made.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Which Macro ring flash at 24/02/2008 - 13:17
Quote:
There's just no free lunch, eh?
Nope. Swings 'n roundabouts springs to mind.There's just no free lunch, eh?
Comment by Mannesty posted on Which Macro ring flash at 10/02/2008 - 21:43
Quote:
f22 or f32 would be ideal for most macro shots where DOF is at a premium, no?
Ideal for maximum DOF? Yes. Ideal for best sharpness? No. f22 or f32 would be ideal for most macro shots where DOF is at a premium, no?
Most lenses produce their best sharpness at somewhere within a mid-range f-stop, not at their extremes. My SMC Pentax 100mm 1:2.8 Macro lens is best for sharpness at anywhere between f8 and f16. Some DOF is inevitably sacrificed to achieve optimum sharpness.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Which Macro ring flash at 10/02/2008 - 21:30
The Pentax AF140C flash works well with all of the Pentax DSLR's as long as you are aware of the restrictions of this, and other TTL/manual flashes.
The K10D and other Pentax DSLR's cannot control the output of a TTL flash (the *istD can) so in manual mode, the flash will discharge 100%. You'll need to use a flash meter or experimentation to set exposure correctly. Experimentation only usually takes a few shots, just check your histogram on camera.
If you use the two TTL settings the flash still discharges 100% but the aperture will be fixed. Using my 100mm Macro lens and shutter priority (Tv) mode on the camera, the f5.6 setting on the flash results in a setting of f13 on the K10D, and the f22 setting on the flash results in a setting of f32 on the K10D.
The K10D and other Pentax DSLR's cannot control the output of a TTL flash (the *istD can) so in manual mode, the flash will discharge 100%. You'll need to use a flash meter or experimentation to set exposure correctly. Experimentation only usually takes a few shots, just check your histogram on camera.
If you use the two TTL settings the flash still discharges 100% but the aperture will be fixed. Using my 100mm Macro lens and shutter priority (Tv) mode on the camera, the f5.6 setting on the flash results in a setting of f13 on the K10D, and the f22 setting on the flash results in a setting of f32 on the K10D.
Comment by Mannesty posted on Which Macro ring flash at 10/02/2008 - 18:34
A while ago I started to make a dual flash system for macro work using 2 x AF240FT flashes. It got very cumbersome and I abandoned the project. Also, it was a TTL or manual only solution, not PTTL and would only work properly with my *istD, not the K10D.