All Forum Comments
Comment by PeterKR posted on sigma 24-50 f4-5.6 at 21/09/2013 - 19:37
These are fantastic shots, David.
I nearly fell off my chair when I saw they were HAND HELD !!!
The sharpness is just amazing but the downside for me is that they've made ne feel I should give up trying as I'll never be able to reproduce anything like them.
Once again - great shots, but actually, I won't give up since I'm a 'Scorpio' !
Best regards
Peter
I nearly fell off my chair when I saw they were HAND HELD !!!
The sharpness is just amazing but the downside for me is that they've made ne feel I should give up trying as I'll never be able to reproduce anything like them.
Once again - great shots, but actually, I won't give up since I'm a 'Scorpio' !
Best regards
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Macro - with and without a Macro Lens at 10/09/2013 - 12:51
I tried using PDCU4, the 'Free' version of Sylkypix that came with my K-r.
I found it very difficult to get to understand until Nigel prepared his 'Mini Guide' which he posted on this Forum. I then found it very good and fairly quick.
However, I have recently moved over to PSE11 which I got as a present (mainly to carry on with the PP after developing the RAW image).
I now open the RAW files directly in PSE11 (right click on file and select 'Open With').
I find the RAW screen of PSE11 much more powerful and quicker than PDCU4 and it is also easy to use (I have never had to resort to the help files - I just play around with the sliders and see what effect they have). That is why PSE11 is now my program of choice for RAW files. It also means I can go straight to the main PSE11 screen to continue working on the image.
Much depends on how much you wish to spend - Lightroom 5, whilst much cheaper than previous versions, is STILL around 3 x the price you can get PSE11 for if you keep your eyes open !
I'm sure that those people who are 'Lightroom addicts' will insist that it is the best. However, it is 'horses for courses' and it all depends on what you want (or need) !
I found it very difficult to get to understand until Nigel prepared his 'Mini Guide' which he posted on this Forum. I then found it very good and fairly quick.
However, I have recently moved over to PSE11 which I got as a present (mainly to carry on with the PP after developing the RAW image).
I now open the RAW files directly in PSE11 (right click on file and select 'Open With').
I find the RAW screen of PSE11 much more powerful and quicker than PDCU4 and it is also easy to use (I have never had to resort to the help files - I just play around with the sliders and see what effect they have). That is why PSE11 is now my program of choice for RAW files. It also means I can go straight to the main PSE11 screen to continue working on the image.
Much depends on how much you wish to spend - Lightroom 5, whilst much cheaper than previous versions, is STILL around 3 x the price you can get PSE11 for if you keep your eyes open !
I'm sure that those people who are 'Lightroom addicts' will insist that it is the best. However, it is 'horses for courses' and it all depends on what you want (or need) !
Comment by PeterKR posted on RAW processors at 09/09/2013 - 09:58
I got mine earlier this year for £11 off e-bay, complete with a rubber lens hood and a 'Tamron' carry case that fits.
It is now one of my favourite lenses.
I's so sharp you could cut yourself on it !
However, they do not appear very often !
Peter
It is now one of my favourite lenses.
I's so sharp you could cut yourself on it !
However, they do not appear very often !
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Pentax SMC-F 35-70mm, How much? at 20/08/2013 - 22:30
Hi Nigel
These last ones still look a little too yellow on my monitor whereas the other various landscapes posted recently on the Gallery all look right, so I don't think it is my monitor setting.
Puzzling ?
Peter
These last ones still look a little too yellow on my monitor whereas the other various landscapes posted recently on the Gallery all look right, so I don't think it is my monitor setting.
Puzzling ?
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Coombe Wood & Garden, Croydon at 18/08/2013 - 22:41
Welcome back and good luck with whatever M42's you pick up.
I was new to Pentax when I bought my K-r and one of the reasons for getting it was that I had some M42 lenses including an old Helios 58mm f/2.0 from my old Zenit 35mm SLR.
There are several options from very cheap to not so cheap but being a 'penny pincher' I've gone for the lower cost options.
There are 2 different types of adaptors available :-
- one fits completely INSIDE the Pentax camera mount
- the other is a thin flange which remains OUTSIDE the camera mount.
BEWARE - the (cheap)ones which go INSIDE the camera have a small leaf spring on the side to stop them coming loose - however, they can also stop you ever removing it !!!
I removed the spring from mine and it still fits fairly securely but don't leave an expensive lens on it in case ot falls off !
The flange type is completely safe but has the drawback that the lens is now a small bit further forward which means you may lose focus at infinity. However, I mainly use my M42 lenses for close-up work so that is not a problem and I feel much safer.
I hope this helps and look forward to seeing the results on the Gallery
Best wishes
Peter
I was new to Pentax when I bought my K-r and one of the reasons for getting it was that I had some M42 lenses including an old Helios 58mm f/2.0 from my old Zenit 35mm SLR.
There are several options from very cheap to not so cheap but being a 'penny pincher' I've gone for the lower cost options.
There are 2 different types of adaptors available :-
- one fits completely INSIDE the Pentax camera mount
- the other is a thin flange which remains OUTSIDE the camera mount.
BEWARE - the (cheap)ones which go INSIDE the camera have a small leaf spring on the side to stop them coming loose - however, they can also stop you ever removing it !!!
I removed the spring from mine and it still fits fairly securely but don't leave an expensive lens on it in case ot falls off !
The flange type is completely safe but has the drawback that the lens is now a small bit further forward which means you may lose focus at infinity. However, I mainly use my M42 lenses for close-up work so that is not a problem and I feel much safer.
I hope this helps and look forward to seeing the results on the Gallery
Best wishes
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on M42: Am I missing something? at 11/08/2013 - 12:27
I've had several Epson printers and found a very useful (FREE) Utilities program. See this link:-
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
I used it to reset one printer after it stopped working because the head cleaning sponge pad was fully saturated.
I carefully removed the sponge pad (wearing latex gloves and with the printer over a washable surface !), washed and dried it and replaced it before resetting the print count using SSC.
The website doesn't mention Win 7 but if you have XP you are OK.
Good luck
Peter
http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml
I used it to reset one printer after it stopped working because the head cleaning sponge pad was fully saturated.
I carefully removed the sponge pad (wearing latex gloves and with the printer over a washable surface !), washed and dried it and replaced it before resetting the print count using SSC.
The website doesn't mention Win 7 but if you have XP you are OK.
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Epson 800 Printer at 20/05/2013 - 17:46
If you have lost the CD that came with your K-r, never fear !
You can load the PDCU4 program if you follow the instructions given in Corros BlogSpot. Go to the following address :-
http://corrosphotoblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/how-to-install-pentax-digital-came...
I used this method on Windows without any problems but it should also work on a Mac ? Worth a try ?
Good luck
Peter
You can load the PDCU4 program if you follow the instructions given in Corros BlogSpot. Go to the following address :-
http://corrosphotoblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/how-to-install-pentax-digital-came...
I used this method on Windows without any problems but it should also work on a Mac ? Worth a try ?
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on PDCU4 - MAC OS 10.7 lion at 20/05/2013 - 17:31
Hi Andrew.
Everyone has different opinions as to what setup is best but it is always a personal choice (influenced, of course, by cost).
I got my DA 55-300 mainly for photographing wild birds and birds of prey. That is quite a good lens for that purpose.
I've previously posted several such shots on the Gallery.
However, just to be different, I've posted one today that I took last week whilst on holiday in Devon & Cornwall. For ease of use and 'travelling light' I fitted my cheap Cosina 28-210 as a general purpose lens. It is a bit soft wide open but following your advice on a diffent thread (about the DAL 18-55) I simply switched to Av and stuck the lens on f/8 (sorry Smeggie !)
I've posted the full image so you can see the total field that I saw from the wall beside the river with the lens at full 210mm extension. However, even when the image is blown up to 100% it is quite reasonable and remember this was hand held.
Sometimes it is just a case of being in the right place at the right time and that's where the GP lens is handy. Not the best but best not to miss the shot ?
Good luck
Peter
Everyone has different opinions as to what setup is best but it is always a personal choice (influenced, of course, by cost).
I got my DA 55-300 mainly for photographing wild birds and birds of prey. That is quite a good lens for that purpose.
I've previously posted several such shots on the Gallery.
However, just to be different, I've posted one today that I took last week whilst on holiday in Devon & Cornwall. For ease of use and 'travelling light' I fitted my cheap Cosina 28-210 as a general purpose lens. It is a bit soft wide open but following your advice on a diffent thread (about the DAL 18-55) I simply switched to Av and stuck the lens on f/8 (sorry Smeggie !)
I've posted the full image so you can see the total field that I saw from the wall beside the river with the lens at full 210mm extension. However, even when the image is blown up to 100% it is quite reasonable and remember this was hand held.
Sometimes it is just a case of being in the right place at the right time and that's where the GP lens is handy. Not the best but best not to miss the shot ?
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Photographing birds by accident at 19/05/2013 - 17:56
Crazy, isn't it ! The software supplied with each camera is modified to be camera specific !
But you should have had PDCU4 with the K-r and you need THAT software to open the K-r dng files !
Meanwhile, I have found that PSE11 also opens my K-r dng files without any problems.
Good luck
Peter
But you should have had PDCU4 with the K-r and you need THAT software to open the K-r dng files !
Meanwhile, I have found that PSE11 also opens my K-r dng files without any problems.
Good luck
Peter
Comment by PeterKR posted on Silkypixs 3.0 at 26/04/2013 - 10:16
I picked one up for £15 early last year and it lived on my K-r until I got the Pentax F35-70 (sharper) and the Cosina 28-210 (longer telephoto range but not quite as sharp).
I may have a good copy of the 'Epsilon' as some people don't rate it as highly but I've never had any problems with it and am more than satisfied with its performance (which I rate higher than the DAL 18-55).
It all depends on what you want to do with it and how deep your pockest are ! All 3 of the lenses I've mentioned are quick AF which I'm finding more and more important as the years take their effect on my eyes !
Good hunting
Peter