All Forum Comments
If you are prepared to consider MF then the Pentax A 35-105 f3.5 is excellent - and built like a tank
Comment by smudge posted on Replacement for FA 24-90mm at 22/07/2013 - 19:31
I have the Sigma 24mm f1.8 macro. I didn't buy it primarily for macro but it works well as a fast wide lens, if you do not mind the size and weight. The couple of times that I have used it for macro I have been happy with it, but I am no macro specialist.
Here is one I took with it a few weeks ago of some baby beetles?? hatching on an orchid
Comment by smudge posted on Wide Macro Lenses at 26/06/2013 - 08:53
Conqueror wrote:
These are some of the best K-5 mk1 photos I think I've seen... which just shows how capable the mk1 is with quality glass..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/
What lenses do you have?
I would say forget the body and plough that money into the FA 31/43/77 if you don't have them.. and possibly the DA* 50-135mm
Great photos in that link. The sad thing is that I have the K5 and K5II and the limited lenses...but somehow my pics just don't look like that...These are some of the best K-5 mk1 photos I think I've seen... which just shows how capable the mk1 is with quality glass..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/
What lenses do you have?
I would say forget the body and plough that money into the FA 31/43/77 if you don't have them.. and possibly the DA* 50-135mm
Comment by smudge posted on K5IIS V CANON 6D at 24/06/2013 - 22:46
simonkit wrote:
I'm currently having a similiar dilemma and have read through quite a few revies of various alternatives...unfortunately I can't go too deeply into them on here as this forum doesn't really permit major discussion of other marques...I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why that is
What I am sure of, despite comments suggesting otherwise, is that full frame sensors offer an improvement in both image quality and captured detail over APS-C sensors, certainly far more than moving from a K5 to a K5IIs...the advantages of full frame are very well documented across the web in reviews etc but the best way to judge is seeing large prints, there's a significant difference.
Having said the above the K5 in any of its forms is capable of producing high quality prints up to 36x24 inch, IMHO you would see a difference in detail if compared to a full frame print at these sizes but bear in mind that prints of this size generally aren't viewed at "pixel-peeping" distances so it does need some thinking about, especially considering the cost difference.
I've already decided that full frame will be my next move, it's not an urgent one as I'm not 100% happy with either the Canon 6D or Nikon D600, both of which seem to have some issues...the Nikon D800 is without doubt excellent but at £2000 just for a body it's a very expensive option bearing in mind you need also to buy good glass to use it's very high resolution sensor. Sony are also making interesting developments in Full frame, the A99 replacement could be very interesting indeed with its EVF technology which Sony seems to be doing a very good job of.
Personally I'm waiting to see if Pentax makes it's mind up regarding full frame in the next 4/5 months, if it doesn't I'll be heading elsewhere, most probably Nikon as I think they currently have the edge with Full frame cameras.
Simon
TBH Simon I would love to see what you would produce with a Pentax 645D. It would seem to be the ideal tool for your work - and much cheaper than it used to be.I'm currently having a similiar dilemma and have read through quite a few revies of various alternatives...unfortunately I can't go too deeply into them on here as this forum doesn't really permit major discussion of other marques...I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why that is
What I am sure of, despite comments suggesting otherwise, is that full frame sensors offer an improvement in both image quality and captured detail over APS-C sensors, certainly far more than moving from a K5 to a K5IIs...the advantages of full frame are very well documented across the web in reviews etc but the best way to judge is seeing large prints, there's a significant difference.
Having said the above the K5 in any of its forms is capable of producing high quality prints up to 36x24 inch, IMHO you would see a difference in detail if compared to a full frame print at these sizes but bear in mind that prints of this size generally aren't viewed at "pixel-peeping" distances so it does need some thinking about, especially considering the cost difference.
I've already decided that full frame will be my next move, it's not an urgent one as I'm not 100% happy with either the Canon 6D or Nikon D600, both of which seem to have some issues...the Nikon D800 is without doubt excellent but at £2000 just for a body it's a very expensive option bearing in mind you need also to buy good glass to use it's very high resolution sensor. Sony are also making interesting developments in Full frame, the A99 replacement could be very interesting indeed with its EVF technology which Sony seems to be doing a very good job of.
Personally I'm waiting to see if Pentax makes it's mind up regarding full frame in the next 4/5 months, if it doesn't I'll be heading elsewhere, most probably Nikon as I think they currently have the edge with Full frame cameras.
Simon
Comment by smudge posted on K5IIS V CANON 6D at 24/06/2013 - 11:07
If the IQ is decent this could make acouple of my fast primes redundant. OK it is big but my Sigma 24mm f1.8 is not exactly tiny either.
Comment by smudge posted on Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 WILL be available in Pentax mount at 14/06/2013 - 17:44
The carbon one is rated for 15kg, the aluminium 12kg - which may be significant. I have both carbon and aluminium tripods (though not this make). Aluminium tends to feel smoother in operation when extending and locking the legs but is a little heavier. I have not noticed any difference in absorbing vibrations, but I do not use any really long lenses...the birders may be better qualified to comment.
Comment by smudge posted on Carbon Fiber, vibrations absorption, a myth? at 13/06/2013 - 19:29
womble wrote:
It is more likely that they'll make one of those than the tilt-shift lens I have been after. I was saddened to see the Samyang advert in AP didn't list a PK mount version of their lens despite it being listed in their original press release. I've just checked B&H and although they did list a PK version initially at $999 that has now vanished.
K.
There is one listed on ebay - a bit more expensive than I expected thoughIt is more likely that they'll make one of those than the tilt-shift lens I have been after. I was saddened to see the Samyang advert in AP didn't list a PK mount version of their lens despite it being listed in their original press release. I've just checked B&H and although they did list a PK version initially at $999 that has now vanished.
K.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samyang-24mm-T-S-F3-5-Tilt-Shift-Perspective-Control-E...
Comment by smudge posted on 1.4 x why are we waiting? at 11/06/2013 - 16:04
I would love to keep my lenses on an open shelf for ease of access, but an empty shelf is hard to find in my clutter filled house! I don't really get the air circulation thing though - surely a lens with front and rear caps on is pretty much a sealed unit, so any internal air circulation would be very slight indeed. I would have thought the moisture content of the air was more significant, hence the humidity controlled cabinets people buy to store lenses in the tropics.
Comment by smudge posted on CAMERA & LENS STORAGE at 05/06/2013 - 15:32
cabstar wrote:
The eye fi pro cards do, but boy are they slow... Just do a direct connection.
Yes, I found eye-fi slower than expected. I watched a you tube demo that showed almost instant transfer but I can only assume he had his camera set to produce very small file sizes.The eye fi pro cards do, but boy are they slow... Just do a direct connection.
Comment by smudge posted on Pentax dslrs, ipad at 05/06/2013 - 09:10
