All Forum Comments
Comment by simonkit posted on Three Castles Classic car "rally" at 04/06/2011 - 20:35
I use the "Bruce Fraser" method for sharpening which involves 3 stages - explained in the link:
http://www.creativepro.com/article/out-of-gamut-thoughts-on-a-sharpening-workflo...
My initial impression is that images are slightly softer out of camera than they were with the K20D, having had a quick look around the web it seems a few people have mentioned this too...no problem either way as I'll just add a little extra in ACR
Simon
http://www.creativepro.com/article/out-of-gamut-thoughts-on-a-sharpening-workflo...
My initial impression is that images are slightly softer out of camera than they were with the K20D, having had a quick look around the web it seems a few people have mentioned this too...no problem either way as I'll just add a little extra in ACR
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Do your K5 shots need more sharpening? at 04/06/2011 - 09:10
Having owned the K5 for a couple of weeks I at last managed to get out walking today and take a few shots. I've just started processing them and it seems that I need to apply a little more "capture sharpening" in ACR than I did with the K20D - has anyone else thought this?
thanks
Simon
thanks
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Do your K5 shots need more sharpening? at 03/06/2011 - 22:26
boudou701 wrote:
yes i actually just looked at it and there is no option to "shrink to fit" as the person told me on the phone, at least not on the "zero install" online thingy.
i might need to edit the format (do you match their requirements in terms of DPI?), i guess once you know what to do it might actually work ok, but unless you want to print 10 pictures (which i dont), the tests are actually not cost effective!
I just go with 300DPI, just do all the editing yourself - you can download their colour profile too to softproof your prints beforehand - their printing process is fully automated so you do need to be 100% sure that your files are exactly as you want them, if things do go wrong as you've seen their customer service isn't the best but you'll really not find anyone who provides such good quality prints for the priceyes i actually just looked at it and there is no option to "shrink to fit" as the person told me on the phone, at least not on the "zero install" online thingy.
i might need to edit the format (do you match their requirements in terms of DPI?), i guess once you know what to do it might actually work ok, but unless you want to print 10 pictures (which i dont), the tests are actually not cost effective!
Comment by simonkit posted on online enlargement print - digitalab at 02/06/2011 - 16:06
boudou701 wrote:
just got the prints from DSCL.
i have mixed feelings (I printed 5 pictures 12 x 18'' matt):
- colours look good
- paper quality is good too
- i printed the same picture twice, one with autocorrection and one without, the one autocorrected is better (B&W, better contrast)
- i ordered 2 panoramas, they got cropped to 12 x 18'', although i ordered white borders so was expecting to get big white bands - apparently there is a "shrink to fit" box which i did not see so my mistake i guess
- one B&W looks really weird, i boosted the sharpness quite a bit but it looks horrible on the edges of the person's face (around the face basically), might be coming from my picture.
anyway on a positive note it was very cheap (paid £10.48 for 5 prints), only one can go on my wall though.
I've recently read another thread or two on problems with DSCLs new software, it seems the editing options are not too good - particularly cropping - I've never had a problem but always do all edits myself and only use the "pro" option (uncorrected, uncropped) - using their "zero install" softwarejust got the prints from DSCL.
i have mixed feelings (I printed 5 pictures 12 x 18'' matt):
- colours look good
- paper quality is good too
- i printed the same picture twice, one with autocorrection and one without, the one autocorrected is better (B&W, better contrast)
- i ordered 2 panoramas, they got cropped to 12 x 18'', although i ordered white borders so was expecting to get big white bands - apparently there is a "shrink to fit" box which i did not see so my mistake i guess
- one B&W looks really weird, i boosted the sharpness quite a bit but it looks horrible on the edges of the person's face (around the face basically), might be coming from my picture.
anyway on a positive note it was very cheap (paid £10.48 for 5 prints), only one can go on my wall though.
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on online enlargement print - digitalab at 02/06/2011 - 13:03
Just to complicate things - I'd take the 10-24 which would cover landscapes and city architecture, the DA 55-300 incase you need a little extra reach and throw in the 35mm for low-light. The only reason I'd take the DA18-135 would be if I wanted to minimise changing lenses.
Simon
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on Holiday lenses at 02/06/2011 - 11:21
I have the B&W 10 stop but I've only used it a couple of times so far - I think that they're great for coastal shots, especially if you like the "misty" effect than seems popular now.
I'm not criticising your shot, I like it, the 10stop creates a nice sky but the problem with reflections is that, if conditions are still, the long exposure actually blurs it slightly so they end up not quite as clear as they could be - it's the main reason I don't use it in this situation. If the lake is a little "choppy" though it's a great way of flattening things out.
Thanks for posting - you've reminded me I really should use it more!!
Simon
I'm not criticising your shot, I like it, the 10stop creates a nice sky but the problem with reflections is that, if conditions are still, the long exposure actually blurs it slightly so they end up not quite as clear as they could be - it's the main reason I don't use it in this situation. If the lake is a little "choppy" though it's a great way of flattening things out.
Thanks for posting - you've reminded me I really should use it more!!
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on ND 10 Filter at 02/06/2011 - 09:17
duncanM wrote:
For clarification re the 3 small blemishes behind the front element- a pretty experienced camera buff has had a look at the lens for me and has expressed the view that it seems to be dust. But as he is neither in the trade nor technically an expert, he won’t let me rely on his opinion in case there is any subsequent controversy.
So, as it seems likely to be dust, I then asked John Riley what the significance of dust inside the lens was, and I quote his reply: "most lenses have a bit of dust inside and provided it isn't excessive it doesn't have any optical effect”. He does however want to make it clear that he has not seen the lens in question, and that that is just a general comment by him.
I have the DA17-70, terrific lens, mine also has a few specs of internal dust which have absolutely no affect on IQFor clarification re the 3 small blemishes behind the front element- a pretty experienced camera buff has had a look at the lens for me and has expressed the view that it seems to be dust. But as he is neither in the trade nor technically an expert, he won’t let me rely on his opinion in case there is any subsequent controversy.
So, as it seems likely to be dust, I then asked John Riley what the significance of dust inside the lens was, and I quote his reply: "most lenses have a bit of dust inside and provided it isn't excessive it doesn't have any optical effect”. He does however want to make it clear that he has not seen the lens in question, and that that is just a general comment by him.
Simon
Comment by simonkit posted on PENTAX DA 17-70 for sale at 01/06/2011 - 20:20
Just read a little more on the Think Tank bags and they certainly get good feedback - quite expensive though, so far I'm favouring the Domke F-5XB.
For a very inexpensive option the Lowepro Exchange messenger gets pretty decent feedback too although
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-Lowepro-Exchange-Messenger-Black/p1521775?cm...
For a very inexpensive option the Lowepro Exchange messenger gets pretty decent feedback too although
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-Lowepro-Exchange-Messenger-Black/p1521775?cm...
Comment by simonkit posted on "compact" holster case for K5 at 01/06/2011 - 17:03
Blythman wrote:
You've taken some great pics with this lens Mike. Surprised its going. Guess you must have a cunning plan for new glass
Exactly what I was thinking You've taken some great pics with this lens Mike. Surprised its going. Guess you must have a cunning plan for new glass
.
Comment by simonkit posted on FS: Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED at 01/06/2011 - 12:14
Unfortunately my photos didn't quite work out as well as I had hoped, I definitely need more practice with my motorsport shooting. the 1st is the only panning shot which nearly came out ok - the front of the car is slightly OOF though despite the driver & rear being ok?? Most of my other shots were completely OOF
I'd appreciate some pointers for next time I give this a go...the exif data for shot 1 is:
Iso 200, 1/200s, F11 - also used AFC, perhaps this was a mistake?
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP0365.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP0298.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e68/STKITCHIN/IMGP0303.jpg[/IMG]