All Forum Comments
Comment by PeterKR posted on 'SharpShooter' e-book offer at 23/07/2016 - 17:01
davidwozhere wrote:
You can do a lot worse than browse Ebay. You can pick up umpteen manual lenses for peanuts and try them out. That's how I got most of mine and how I learned which were the best - like Takumar 55mm f1.8 (equivalent but better to your M50mm) Helios 44M-7 (stunning - needs a small modification but will take on all comers) Pentacon f3.5 30mm (which is a Meyer Optic 'Lydith') Jupiter 11A 135mm (knocks spots off a Zeiss Sonnar). None of these should cost you more than £20. And finally, the really el-cheapo Miranda 28mm macro (Ex Dixon's Bargain Basement - except it's a little gem). Just put M42 in the search box under Cameras and Photography.
I have the Pentacon f3.5 30mm, It was the first lens I ever bought off ebay and I got it for £6.01 !You can do a lot worse than browse Ebay. You can pick up umpteen manual lenses for peanuts and try them out. That's how I got most of mine and how I learned which were the best - like Takumar 55mm f1.8 (equivalent but better to your M50mm) Helios 44M-7 (stunning - needs a small modification but will take on all comers) Pentacon f3.5 30mm (which is a Meyer Optic 'Lydith') Jupiter 11A 135mm (knocks spots off a Zeiss Sonnar). None of these should cost you more than £20. And finally, the really el-cheapo Miranda 28mm macro (Ex Dixon's Bargain Basement - except it's a little gem). Just put M42 in the search box under Cameras and Photography.
I agree that it's a great lens but like Nigel I tend to use AF lenses most of the time when I'm out & about.
Comment by PeterKR posted on SMC M lenses at 15/06/2016 - 21:34
davidwozhere wrote:
Not that I could even consider buying such an expensive object, but is this what the two brass contacts are for, just inside the mirror box on my K5?
But even my K-r has those 2 little contacts ?Not that I could even consider buying such an expensive object, but is this what the two brass contacts are for, just inside the mirror box on my K5?
I also note that the DA 18-135 (as shown fitted on the K70 in the first shots) has those 2 contacts in the same place as this new lens.
Can anyone enlighten us ?
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on New 55-300 - No aperture lever! at 13/06/2016 - 22:33
bwlchmawr wrote:
You are too modest, Andrew.smudge wrote:
Give the 'pro contrast' filter a go (within the Colour Efex Pro segment). Very good for breathing life into dead images.
Thanks Smudge, I will. Most of my images are pretty lifeless! (Every little helps.)Give the 'pro contrast' filter a go (within the Colour Efex Pro segment). Very good for breathing life into dead images.
I'd never call your images dull - a bit rusty occasionally perhaps- but never lifeless !
Enjoy the Nik collection - there's a lot to wade through but I'm finding it fun.
Best regards
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Google NIK Collection of Add-ins - Free download at 11/05/2016 - 14:32
Hi Nigel.
Nice work.
Especially for you I've posted a shot of some Snakes Head Fritillaries, today.
Best regards
Peter
Nice work.
Especially for you I've posted a shot of some Snakes Head Fritillaries, today.
Best regards
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Three Cannizaro Flowers at 03/05/2016 - 09:53
I use Photoshop Elements 11 all the time for developing my RAW files but you can also go straight in with jpegs if you don't save RAW (DNG).
It is super if you want to start learning about how to process RAW files as the features are easy to use and once you have done as much as you want it then takes you to the main editing screen where you do all sorts of things.
There are also loads of YouTube videos on how to do things in PSE so it is very versatile.
Look out for special offers on places like Amazon - I got mine as a bundle with Premier Elements (video editing software) for around £40 a couple of years ago.
As Nigel said, you really need a later version than the one you mention
Good luck
Peter
It is super if you want to start learning about how to process RAW files as the features are easy to use and once you have done as much as you want it then takes you to the main editing screen where you do all sorts of things.
There are also loads of YouTube videos on how to do things in PSE so it is very versatile.
Look out for special offers on places like Amazon - I got mine as a bundle with Premier Elements (video editing software) for around £40 a couple of years ago.
As Nigel said, you really need a later version than the one you mention
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6, and Photoshop elements 5.0? at 04/03/2016 - 22:40
That really is a sad tale, Gareth. We expect (and deserve) much better service from Pentax than that !
Meanwhile, enjoy your 18-135, it really IS a lovely lens.
It had bad reviews when it was first released but that seems long passed.
I got mine around 15 months ago as the 'kit lens' with my K50 and can confirm that it's a cracker throughout the range making it a useful 'walkabout' setup.
Therefore, most of the time it stays on the camera.
Perhaps you need to buy a spare camera body so you can keep it to hand all the time !
Good luck
Peter
Meanwhile, enjoy your 18-135, it really IS a lovely lens.
It had bad reviews when it was first released but that seems long passed.
I got mine around 15 months ago as the 'kit lens' with my K50 and can confirm that it's a cracker throughout the range making it a useful 'walkabout' setup.
Therefore, most of the time it stays on the camera.
Perhaps you need to buy a spare camera body so you can keep it to hand all the time !
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Lens back from repair! But ... at 29/02/2016 - 19:42
If the lens you have seen is the latest version of the Sigma 18-250mm then this is the same one that I got just over 2 years ago.
I chose it because it got better reviews than the Pentax 18-270 and was much cheaper !
Is is a FANTASTIC lens and I used very little else on my K-r during 2014 covering everything from close-ups of flowers to air shows, using a wide range of focal lengths.
I found NO problems at full zoom and posted many such shots in this gallery (check my portfolio for 2014 shots.)
The auto focus is quick and accurate so it is an ideal 'carry around' lens when you want to travel light and the 18-250mm range means you don't need to change lenses 'in the field' which is something I avoid like the plague to ensure I don't get any dust on the sensor.
Once I got the K50 with DA18-135 kit, which are both WR, I have tended to stick with the 18-135 as it is sharp enough at 135mm to handle being cropped.
However, I do still use the Sigma on the K50 when I'm sure it won't get wet ! The shots at the Fairford air show in 2015 were all taken with the Sigma.
My experience seems to be at odds with some of the other reports here but that's how things go !
The DA18-135 got bad reviews when it was first launched but mine is excellent.
Back to you, I'm afraid !
Good luck
Peter
I chose it because it got better reviews than the Pentax 18-270 and was much cheaper !
Is is a FANTASTIC lens and I used very little else on my K-r during 2014 covering everything from close-ups of flowers to air shows, using a wide range of focal lengths.
I found NO problems at full zoom and posted many such shots in this gallery (check my portfolio for 2014 shots.)
The auto focus is quick and accurate so it is an ideal 'carry around' lens when you want to travel light and the 18-250mm range means you don't need to change lenses 'in the field' which is something I avoid like the plague to ensure I don't get any dust on the sensor.
Once I got the K50 with DA18-135 kit, which are both WR, I have tended to stick with the 18-135 as it is sharp enough at 135mm to handle being cropped.
However, I do still use the Sigma on the K50 when I'm sure it won't get wet ! The shots at the Fairford air show in 2015 were all taken with the Sigma.
My experience seems to be at odds with some of the other reports here but that's how things go !
The DA18-135 got bad reviews when it was first launched but mine is excellent.
Back to you, I'm afraid !
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on 18-250mm lens. Is this good please? at 26/02/2016 - 22:49
Horst wrote:
............., my wife took the picture. she had enough trouble to find the release button holding the camera vertical.
I am even surprised half my legs are not missing.
Regards, Horst
Dangerous talk there, Horst !............., my wife took the picture. she had enough trouble to find the release button holding the camera vertical.
I am even surprised half my legs are not missing.
Regards, Horst
If your wife sees this posting half your legs WILL go missing !
All best wishes for the New Year
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on My Chrisrtmas present at 28/12/2015 - 19:09
McGregNi wrote:
No 1 is great .... What deep shadows! They give good depth and sense of space to make a lovely forest image.
The last one is a superb view. I rather like overhangs in landscapes but many don't.
My own inclination with all of these would be to shunt the colour balance a little away from green and towards red.
+1No 1 is great .... What deep shadows! They give good depth and sense of space to make a lovely forest image.
The last one is a superb view. I rather like overhangs in landscapes but many don't.
My own inclination with all of these would be to shunt the colour balance a little away from green and towards red.
And I agree with Nigel as regards to the green, especially in No's 2 & 4
Best regards
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on December shadows at 28/12/2015 - 19:04
link
It is full of hints and tips on getting sharper shots and for around £2:37 when converted it's a bargain.
Peter