All Forum Comments
Comment by simonkit posted on Do you REALLY need more lenses?! at 28/09/2011 - 09:59
I visit this site occasionally, some really terrific images get posted - seems to be quite a few photographers based in Scotland on there
http://inspiring-photography.com/forum/index.php
I also visit the talk photography forum but it's often hard work trawling through all the threads as it's quite a busy forum
Simon
http://inspiring-photography.com/forum/index.php
I also visit the talk photography forum but it's often hard work trawling through all the threads as it's quite a busy forum
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Photo Site Recommendations at 27/09/2011 - 22:20
This is a follow-up shot to one I took earlier in the year but not in particularly good lighting. This time out the lighting was much better although I still think it probably could be improved upon - the main problem with this location is that the golden hour isn't an option as quite a large hill puts the abbey in shadow a couple of hours beforehand.
As usual all comments welcome
Simon
As usual all comments welcome
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Valle Crucis Abbey/Castell Dinas Bran - Llangollen at 27/09/2011 - 16:10
I must admit I'm not really sure about these, the last one I think works well but the lighting/processing in the others doesn't work for me personally.
The lighting in the Lakes is notoriously difficult, I've been trying to catch some decent images for the last 3yrs on my yearly visit but not managed anything particularly great, processing just can't replace good lighting sometimes and I think that's the situation here - sorry, not for me these although your "holiday snaps" are just terrific!!
Simon
The lighting in the Lakes is notoriously difficult, I've been trying to catch some decent images for the last 3yrs on my yearly visit but not managed anything particularly great, processing just can't replace good lighting sometimes and I think that's the situation here - sorry, not for me these although your "holiday snaps" are just terrific!!
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Some hills this morning with the DA18250 at 27/09/2011 - 10:09
I thought photomatix had a hand in a couple, I've just started to give it a try but I'm a bit heavy handed with it at the moment - I'll be very happy if I can obtain results like yours
Simon
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Holiday Snaps at 26/09/2011 - 20:59
marklj wrote:
Cheers again - agreed Doc. I was very disappointed in the distortions with the 12-24. Tried my best to get rid of them - No1 was particularly bad. I'd never taken photos of buildings before and it was a new experience that I didn't enjoy that much due to the distortion. Not sure how you avoid it - is the idea to take them absolutely flat ie level or just use a different kind of lens.
I did say they weren't as good...
I must admit I'm very suprised by the distortion you mention - I previously owned the Sigma and sold it as I thought it showed far too much, having bought a DA12-24 I find it exhibits much less and is terrific for architecture shots - perhaps sample variation is playing a part here?Cheers again - agreed Doc. I was very disappointed in the distortions with the 12-24. Tried my best to get rid of them - No1 was particularly bad. I'd never taken photos of buildings before and it was a new experience that I didn't enjoy that much due to the distortion. Not sure how you avoid it - is the idea to take them absolutely flat ie level or just use a different kind of lens.
I did say they weren't as good...
I'm really interested in the processing you've applied to your shots as the effect is excellent - is it a subtle use of HDR?
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Holiday Snaps at 26/09/2011 - 15:13
japers45 wrote:
I figured that I could use it for landscapes and keep things simple by having a lens correction profile at the one focal length.
I am a little confused about the prime/zoom IQ debate. It seems general consensus that primes will out perfom a zoom on IQ but on PU this seems a hotly debated topic.
I generally use the 18-55 kit lens at the moment and sometimes the 17-70 f4.
I also have the Sigma 10-20 which I tend not to use for landscapes as I find it a bit too wide. I could sell it if I went for the 15mm.
If you're talking about IQ in the sense of image sharpness then the DA12-24 matches/outperforms both of these primes by most accounts - when shooting landscapes you're more often than not going to be using a small aperture (F11 etc) so sharpness differences between zooms and primes become less noticeable too.I figured that I could use it for landscapes and keep things simple by having a lens correction profile at the one focal length.
I am a little confused about the prime/zoom IQ debate. It seems general consensus that primes will out perfom a zoom on IQ but on PU this seems a hotly debated topic.
I generally use the 18-55 kit lens at the moment and sometimes the 17-70 f4.
I also have the Sigma 10-20 which I tend not to use for landscapes as I find it a bit too wide. I could sell it if I went for the 15mm.
Having said the above I don't think IQ is just about image sharpness it's also about colour/contrast rendition and this is where primes usually better zooms - the DA21mm in particular seems to get very good comments in this respect.
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on A landscape prime at 24/09/2011 - 12:01
I've recently changed supplier to http://www.oxfordimagecompany.com/
Top notch quality and service
Simon
Top notch quality and service
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Online Printing Services at 22/09/2011 - 10:18
Dangermouse wrote:
I don't really understand why anyone wants earlier 35mm lenses now the DA 35/2.4 and 35/2.8 Macro Ltd are available.
Ok, I have a Super Tak and Pentax-M 35mm f2.8 too but I'm using them on film bodies where the DA lens isn't much help (lacks an aperture ring), I wouldn't pay £80 for them. I strongly suspect it's due to collectors who just want to complete the set, rather than being after lenses to use.
I must admit to buying an FA 35mm recently despite previously owning and selling a copy of the DA 35mm - personally I prefer the FA build and to me anyway I think it produces better contrast than the DA - that may just be me though!!I don't really understand why anyone wants earlier 35mm lenses now the DA 35/2.4 and 35/2.8 Macro Ltd are available.
Ok, I have a Super Tak and Pentax-M 35mm f2.8 too but I'm using them on film bodies where the DA lens isn't much help (lacks an aperture ring), I wouldn't pay £80 for them. I strongly suspect it's due to collectors who just want to complete the set, rather than being after lenses to use.
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on E Bay lunacy.. at 21/09/2011 - 11:25
With sharpening I find adding a reasonable amount of "capture sharpening" in ACR together with final output sharpening works really well with the K5, it does need more than my K20D did though.
I actually use the Bruce Fraser developed "Photokit sharpener 2.0" plug-in for my output sharpening, great piece of software
http://www.pixelgenius.com/PKS2-PR/
Simon
I actually use the Bruce Fraser developed "Photokit sharpener 2.0" plug-in for my output sharpening, great piece of software
http://www.pixelgenius.com/PKS2-PR/
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Achieving sharpness and IQ at 20/09/2011 - 22:57
DA12-24, FA 35mm, DA17-70 & DA 55-300 - covers everything I need and the IQ of them all is excellent.
Previous to buying the K5 I was considering something slightly faster than the DA12-24 for interior shots but the high iso abilities of the K5 sensor have changed my mind.
If a DA17-70 WR came along I might be tempted though!!
Simon