I currently have an A-50 1.7 and as good as it is in low light focusing is still a problem sometimes. I guess I could get used to it, but I'd like some opinions on the FA50.

The review on photozone.de shows it to be very soft wide open. I don't expect it to perform as well as an FA Limited but am still a little worried. The FA 35 2 is also an option but the results I've had with the A-50 are generally quite good, just the focusing problems.

Everyone would love a FA-31 or 77 1.8 Ltd. but that isn't really possible.

Hmmm... It is fine on my screen... well off to 'fix' it. Really confused about that.

Ok, replaced the original uploaded file so the picture should now be ok. Please tell me if it is still not showing correctly as the histogram was ok, as was the exposure on the original shot.

Bear in mind the background is supposed to be black...


EDIT: Argh! Forgot to remove the small CAs, not that you can see it in the 800x5xx pic above.

Someone's going to tell me it is too bright now...

Had a look at it on my PDA just to see what it looks like on an other screen and it was ridiculously dark. :S Anyone else see a very dark image? It is fine on my screen and when printed... :S

Clipping out the dark regions caused the reds to darken and look a little underexposed, especially on the lower two flowers. It probably was not necessary, in fact going back now to look at it unedited it is better.

Here it is:
removed


This is what happens when you like to play with a Development or Editing program too much.

Using the DA 50-200mm and K10Ds built in flash.

PEF developed in Lightroom, minor adjustments only to sharpening and black clipping and removal of chromatic aberrations (tiny fringing at 200mm only visible on full sized image).

All opinions and critique welcome

I don't know about visible dust's solution, but their sensor brush system should be good enough.

You can always get the Pentax cleaning kit which will be fine.

It stated that neither E or E2 solutions can be taken on aircraft. I've not seen anywhere where it says you can take it onboard, let alone ship it by air.

I know it meantions the K10D and A100 but these two cameras should not be cleaned with the E1 solution in this pack. The E2 solution doesn't seem to be available many places at the moment.

It shouldn't do too much harm if you use it only a few times but over a long period and repeated cleaning the sensor will suffer degradation so it is best not to risk it if you want it to last you 5, 10, 15+ years. I wouldn't risk it and would not use it.

http://www.photosol.com/cameras_bymfg.html

The information comes from the manufacturer of the solution. You have to look up which camera has a tin oxide coated sensor and use the right solution. Otherwise you strip the tin oxide coating off your CCD

http://www.photosol.com/eclipse_e2product.htm

I've just received my K10D and an Arctic Butterfly SL700. I thought that would be the best combination for dry cleaning. As for wet cleaning, the tin oxide sensor on the K10D needs a special solution mix because of the materials used and I can't find any in the UK (Eclipse E2, has to be the E2 solution, not the standard one which can corrode the sensor).

I'm hoping I don't have to run a cleaning cycle with my SL700 any time soon as it is new.

Well, I'll find out when this one runs out.

I've been playing with my old A50 1:1.7 and it produces some amazing results on the K10D wide open. Certainly a lot better than the prosumer P&S I'm used to.

Need to get used to having two separate dials though as I keep wanting to change everything with one. Oh and I discovered the ISO shortcut in M mode purely by accident.

I wanted to shoot some birds in the garden but they're all hiding out of the rain I just want to shoot something, anything... Well, not quite.

It is driving me mad.

Yep... I guess that is one reason.



First battery is charged, spare is now on.

Having a play with metering and sensitivity, I need a faster lens in this dull light. Going to have a go with an A 50mm f1.7.

I really do like the look of the FA-50 1.4. Mustn't spend more, need to save for DA* LOL.

Anyone got the Hahnel HL-150? It is 1500mAh compared to the D-LI50's 1620mAh but at £20 I'm hoping it works well as it is 40% the price of the Pentax battery.