All Forum Comments
Comment by milamber posted on suggestions for walkaround lenses at 12/04/2012 - 09:36
Actually I think you are both right.
Clearly the best lens for catch in focus is a manual one, then it works perfectly without adaptions.
For those of us without huge budgets working with a limited number of lenses then sometimes work arounds are necessary.
There are at least three active threads on catch in focus open so it's clearly a popular (and confusing) subject. Perhaps it's time for some 'stickys' at the top of the page or another section to definitively address some of these common issues so that the same question doesn't get asked again and again? I've only been a member for 7 months or so, but have lost count of the number of times certain subjects have come up. So often, in fact, that it makes it difficult to search so it's easier to ask again!
Clearly the best lens for catch in focus is a manual one, then it works perfectly without adaptions.
For those of us without huge budgets working with a limited number of lenses then sometimes work arounds are necessary.
There are at least three active threads on catch in focus open so it's clearly a popular (and confusing) subject. Perhaps it's time for some 'stickys' at the top of the page or another section to definitively address some of these common issues so that the same question doesn't get asked again and again? I've only been a member for 7 months or so, but have lost count of the number of times certain subjects have come up. So often, in fact, that it makes it difficult to search so it's easier to ask again!
Comment by milamber posted on catch in focus at 12/04/2012 - 09:07
For pity's sake don't let Charlotte buy it. Her pictures are already too good. I dread to think what she could do with this
Comment by milamber posted on FS (A Vendre) Pentax DFA100mm f2.8 Macro at 12/04/2012 - 08:53
There are a few ways of diffusing the light with the inbuilt flash. They are a bit fiddly, but can work.
Putting something over the flash is easiest, but what you place over it depends on how much light you want. I've stuck everything from paper to a piece of tea towel (!) to diffuse the light and it does work, when it doesn't fall off.....
Alternatively, try something along the lines of Charlotte's DIY Pringles diffuser (search for 'Pringles' on the forum). That works well, but is a little unwieldy when trying to get into those small spaces the bugs love.
I've just ordered one of the battery powered ring lights which might have worked well for your weevil photo. I'm not 100% certain how effective it will be, but they are so cheap on Amazon at the moment they are worth a try. The purists might scoff, but they seem an effective way of getting additional soft light into small spaces. I'll let you know when I've tried it out.
I'm considering an external flash, but whilst that will allow you position it more accurately you will probably still need some sort of diffuser for macro work. Unless, of course, you can get one that allows varying flash output, but I know very little about flashes so will leave that to someone more experienced.
I have plenty of pictures that require sunglasses to view as well!
Putting something over the flash is easiest, but what you place over it depends on how much light you want. I've stuck everything from paper to a piece of tea towel (!) to diffuse the light and it does work, when it doesn't fall off.....
Alternatively, try something along the lines of Charlotte's DIY Pringles diffuser (search for 'Pringles' on the forum). That works well, but is a little unwieldy when trying to get into those small spaces the bugs love.
I've just ordered one of the battery powered ring lights which might have worked well for your weevil photo. I'm not 100% certain how effective it will be, but they are so cheap on Amazon at the moment they are worth a try. The purists might scoff, but they seem an effective way of getting additional soft light into small spaces. I'll let you know when I've tried it out.
I'm considering an external flash, but whilst that will allow you position it more accurately you will probably still need some sort of diffuser for macro work. Unless, of course, you can get one that allows varying flash output, but I know very little about flashes so will leave that to someone more experienced.
I have plenty of pictures that require sunglasses to view as well!
Comment by milamber posted on Weevil Beetle at 12/04/2012 - 08:48
Have you got the body set to AF?
Should work fine with a manual lens, CIF 'on' and the body set to AF. I have a range of manual lenses and they all work fine with it.
Should work fine with a manual lens, CIF 'on' and the body set to AF. I have a range of manual lenses and they all work fine with it.
Comment by milamber posted on Catch in Focus? at 11/04/2012 - 21:59
vic cross wrote:
I've tried to use the catch in focus prog. but it seems I have to use the shutter each time. (K7). Not tried on the K5 yet. On my old Chinon once it was set up I could press the button and walk away and the camera would roll off a whole roll of film as and when something came into focus. Am I missing something in the prog? Surely I should be able to press the button and walk away and let the camera do its own thing when something comes into focus. HELP HELP HELP> CHEERS Vic.
That's exactly what I thought I could do and asked the same question yesterday, but apparently not. I use catch in focus all the time for macro, no problem, but have to keep the shutter button pressed down.I've tried to use the catch in focus prog. but it seems I have to use the shutter each time. (K7). Not tried on the K5 yet. On my old Chinon once it was set up I could press the button and walk away and the camera would roll off a whole roll of film as and when something came into focus. Am I missing something in the prog? Surely I should be able to press the button and walk away and let the camera do its own thing when something comes into focus. HELP HELP HELP> CHEERS Vic.
I also thought that there must be a way of setting up a shot, pressing the button and leaving the camera to snap way if anything comes into focus, but I'm told not.
I'd love to find out different.
Comment by milamber posted on Catch in Focus? at 11/04/2012 - 20:14
JAK wrote:
At least I haven't got the task
of doing the next one and conjuring up a theme
Cheers for the 2nd
John
Don't count on it. I was 2nd last time - that's how I ended up judgingAt least I haven't got the task
of doing the next one and conjuring up a theme
Cheers for the 2nd
John
Comment by milamber posted on Fortnightly competition 90 : Simplicity at 11/04/2012 - 20:07
I have to say I'm not entirely comfortable with judging this, but I promised Sally, so here goes. Please just bear in mind that my photographic skills are still in the early stages so much of what I say will be subjective, rather than based on any technical experience.
Sandinista - Pieris
Nice colours and great use of light. Sharp focus and I like the way it mirrors the bud behind. Perhaps a little too much going on for my personal taste for a competition entitled 'Simplicity'.
darkskies - White on Black
I really like this one. Very effective in black and white and interprets the competition theme beautifully. Great lighting and bokeh. Love the way the focus moves from sharp to soft. The sort of shot I'd like to aspire to.
TOZZA27
Another effectively simple shot which interprets the theme well. Nice colours, sharp focus and good bokeh. If I was being super-critical I'd have preferred just the one spray of flowers for this particular theme with just the leaves in the background.
Charlotte - Dandelion
A typically excellent macro shot from Charlotte and I love the small bug emerging from the dandelion head. Well lit and nicely in focus. Just a bit much going on and overwhelmingly colourful for this specific theme, perhaps.
Frogherder - Gate
Definitely simple and fits the theme well. It was a good attempt at a different interpretation and well shot, but I don't find the subject particularly interesting, if I'm honest. To my mind it needs a splash of colour or some detail in it to make it stand out.
JAK - Tulip
A lovely shot with great detail, colour and sharp focus. The plain background isolates the main subject perfectly. This interprets the theme very well and is a shot to be proud of.
I think this was quite a difficult theme to approach with any originality. I expected a series of flower shots and wasn't disappointed. I had already taken my entry when Sally asked me to take over and it was an orchid spray against a black background, so no variety there either! I suspect the difficulty in interpretation led to the lack of entries which was a shame.
Anyway.....please take the comments and judging in the spirit they were intended
1st - darkskies
2nd - JAK
3rd - TOZZA27
Sandinista - Pieris
Nice colours and great use of light. Sharp focus and I like the way it mirrors the bud behind. Perhaps a little too much going on for my personal taste for a competition entitled 'Simplicity'.
darkskies - White on Black
I really like this one. Very effective in black and white and interprets the competition theme beautifully. Great lighting and bokeh. Love the way the focus moves from sharp to soft. The sort of shot I'd like to aspire to.
TOZZA27
Another effectively simple shot which interprets the theme well. Nice colours, sharp focus and good bokeh. If I was being super-critical I'd have preferred just the one spray of flowers for this particular theme with just the leaves in the background.
Charlotte - Dandelion
A typically excellent macro shot from Charlotte and I love the small bug emerging from the dandelion head. Well lit and nicely in focus. Just a bit much going on and overwhelmingly colourful for this specific theme, perhaps.
Frogherder - Gate
Definitely simple and fits the theme well. It was a good attempt at a different interpretation and well shot, but I don't find the subject particularly interesting, if I'm honest. To my mind it needs a splash of colour or some detail in it to make it stand out.
JAK - Tulip
A lovely shot with great detail, colour and sharp focus. The plain background isolates the main subject perfectly. This interprets the theme very well and is a shot to be proud of.
I think this was quite a difficult theme to approach with any originality. I expected a series of flower shots and wasn't disappointed. I had already taken my entry when Sally asked me to take over and it was an orchid spray against a black background, so no variety there either! I suspect the difficulty in interpretation led to the lack of entries which was a shame.
Anyway.....please take the comments and judging in the spirit they were intended
1st - darkskies
2nd - JAK
3rd - TOZZA27
Comment by milamber posted on Fortnightly competition 90 : Simplicity at 11/04/2012 - 19:11
Thanks Charlotte
I'll keep practicing - no hardship taking lots of photos!
I'll keep practicing - no hardship taking lots of photos!
Comment by milamber posted on Some macros with the Vivitar 100mm at 11/04/2012 - 17:12
Here are a few macros with the Vivitar 100mm that arrived today. I'm not convinced it's any sharper than the 50mm prime and tube setup I've been using, but the additional distance from the subject is helpful as is the slightly larger focus throw. Using a 12mm manual extension tube to enable catch in focus as well as the matched 1:1 adapter so magnification is higher than I've been used to. Hopefully practice will make perfect!
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/fly2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/butterfly-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/bug-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/ants.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/fly2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/butterfly-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/bug-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp15/chriseast/ants.jpg[/IMG]
Comment by milamber posted on Some macros with the Vivitar 100mm at 11/04/2012 - 16:26
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/which-is-better-for-street-photography---...
It's not exactly the same, but might help. I think it's a subject that has been discussed many times so you might find an answer from a search on the forum. That said, you will find people who love one and another bunch who love the other!