Just a quick check of the TOS and the wording - this relates specifically Picasa Web Albums. So, if you upload (using Picasa desktop tool) to their web based hosting then they have the right to use the images.

I use the desktop tool, and not the web albums.

Goodness me, I have well over half-terabyte of images. I'd like to see Picasa try uploading that just to "steal" my images

Matt

Agree with Don I'm not a machine-gunner...

As far as I know, Pentax have included the ability to disable AF on half-shutter press on all their dSLRs It's buried in the custom menus (I've used it on *ist-D, *ist-Ds, K10D, and K20D)

This is definitely my preferred way of working:
* Use the AF button (or the OK button on the lower end cameras, IIRC) to prefocus on the anticipated point
* Use good reactions and judgment to hit the shutter when the subject gets to that point.

I've used this to capture birds in flight (including flying directly at me! :shock, kids, and other fast moving objects. It's the kind of thing that you need to practice a bit first, but once you get the method it is, as George says, at least 50/50 (if not better).

Matt

I have a very early 16-45 (bought it when it came out) and have been very impressed with the quality of images produced. The out of focus rendition isn't as nice as the DA17-70 and FA24-90, but it's a very capable lens indeed.

Maybe the variation is down to where they're made??

It's true that the 18-55 is a very good lens as well, but my wife prefers the feel and look of the 16-45 on her *ist-Ds

Matt

Brilliant
Thanks for sharing!
Matt

Completely ignore what I said about the switch.
Having an "off moment"

The 16-50 & 50-135 have their own AF/MF switches. The 17-70 doesn't.
However, it appears you can switch to MF either with the body switch or the lens switch.

(It may be I was confusing myself over some little niggles that occur when using extension tubes on the 50-135. The camera can get a little confused when the outer lens contacts are there, but the SDM connectors are not. Well... that's my excuse )
Matt

It really is the case

The RAW file has three chunks of data:
1) The original pixel data. This is in the Bayer matrix form (2xG, 1xR, 1xB per 2x2 square). Effectively colour.

2) The preview JPG. This JPG is generated from (1) by the camera.

3) The EXIF information. This contains piles of information - not just aperture, shutter speed etc, but also loads of "Pentax only" info about metering, the chosen picture style, etc, etc (PhotoME will show you pretty well all of the EXIF data)

So, using the Pentax supplied software, it will pull out the EXIF data (3) and show you what you expect to see

Other RAW software will mostly ignore the EXIF data and just work with the Bayer matrix data - showing you colour. (EDIT: Which is one reason that RAW converters differ so much. The way they decode the Bayer matrix data varies; the way they represent colour can be wildly different - you have to try 'em all and find one that works for you!)


As George says, there are LOADS of ways to do colour to B&W on the PC. However, sometimes it's helpful for visualisation to see the B&W in-camera... but when shooting RAW you always have everything possible to work from

Matt

All Pentax dSLR pop-up flashes fire a pre-flash as part of the P-TTL exposure. Then there's the main flash.

Not sure if all bodies can do trailing sync on the main flash. Pretty sure you only get that in M, Av, Tv modes (not in Green mode IIRC). It's not a custom option - you'll find it in the main flash pop-up menu (Fn etc) when you're in the right mode.

And, of course, trailing curtain flash sync is only any good if you're using a slower shutter speed.

Sorry to be so vague... having to run at the mo'
Matt

You can check the switch:
* Remove lens
* Move the switch to AF - the focus pin should protrude from the lens mount
* Move the switch to MF - the focus pin should retract

There is, of course, an internal switch as well that lets the camera know which mode it's in, but the physical link is needed.

Do also note that SDM lenses (16-50, 50-135, 17-70, etc) cannot be switched between MF & AF on the body. You have to switch the AF/MF on the lens.

Does that help?
Matt

Just to chip in with the "non destructive" way of doing it in PSE

The easiest way in PS is to add a "show all" layer mask to the text. Then, select the dancer and fill that selection with black - on the layer mask. You can then unlock the mask from the text and have fine movement of the mask. (And of course you can always redo and edit the layer mask ad-infinitum).

In PSE you can achieve exactly the same effect by using "Clipping Masks" (grouping layers). There's a tutorial I did ages ago here:
http://www.photon.me.uk/PSE/PaintingPSE.htm

I always work non-destructively so I can go backwards and forward and change things around at a whim
(Helpful when clients want little tweaks too )

Matt