Re: 28mm
Ahh, you're right! *smacks forehead* I do a lot of street photography at night because I don't have time during the day, so it's basically street lights. Slowest I can hand-hold with an slr is i'm guessing 1/30 (it's been awhile since i used a film slr). On my old setup 1/15 and f/2.5 at iso400 was the worst i'd allow myself to consider usable (http://www.flickr.com/photos/almost-normal/4905962/ , and las vegas is brighter than portland!). I'm leaning a bit towards the sigma, but i've read all sorts of good things about the pentax 28mm. but then again that's not all i'd use it for, so i guess i'm also looking for some sort of comparison stopped down also vs. wide (wide wide) open. doesn't have to be scientific, just if it holds up to looking good. thanks! --Daniel Liu If at first you don't succeed, sky diving is definitely not for you. http://almost-normal.blogspot.com/ On 24 Jun, 2005, at 22:19, Cesar wrote: Daniel, You have to define low-light work to me. I customarily shoot in 'concert-like' settings; dark surroundings with spotlights on performers... I do not have either of the lenses you mention. I do use the FA* 24/2 simply because it has the largest aperture. This way I can adjust the ISO on the *ist D to keep the shutter, and to a lesser extent the aperture, where I want it. Basically, for me at least since I have had different people say low-light and had quite a difference in EV, I need to know what shutter speed you will be shooting at different apertures to see if the extra stop and a half would be worth it for you. César Panama City, Florida Daniel Liu wrote: Hi, just want to get some opinions. I'm planning on getting an istds and a 28mm prime, and I like to do low-light work. Which lens would you pick, the sigma 28mm 1.8 or the FA pentax 28mm 2.8? I'm used to shooting at a very crappy-looking iso400 on a canon g3 at f/2, but I figure i'll be getting a usable iso400-1600 (at last! haha). Is the extra stop (stop and half?) worth it? They seem to be the same price around the internet. Thanks. --Daniel Liu If the llama melts, don't drink it. http://almost-normal.blogspot.com/
Re: DL manual is online
Weird, in some ways it's better than the DS. bigger screen, auto iso, you can choose cont. AF in any non-preset mode.hope the ds gets a firmware update. --Daniel Liu If at first you don't succeed, sky diving is definitely not for you. http://almost-normal.blogspot.com/ On 25 Jun, 2005, at 8:47, P. J. Alling wrote: They supply AA alkaline batteries with the *ist-DL. Then recommend against them. How cheap can you get... and cheap is what they're aiming for, they give picture capacity for 128mb sd cards. Sylwester Pietrzyk wrote: If somebody is curious: http://www.pentaximaging.com/files/manual/istDL_web.pdf -- A man's only as old as the woman he feels. --Groucho Marx
28mm
Hi, just want to get some opinions. I'm planning on getting an istds and a 28mm prime, and I like to do low-light work. Which lens would you pick, the sigma 28mm 1.8 or the FA pentax 28mm 2.8? I'm used to shooting at a very crappy-looking iso400 on a canon g3 at f/2, but I figure i'll be getting a usable iso400-1600 (at last! haha). Is the extra stop (stop and half?) worth it? They seem to be the same price around the internet. Thanks. --Daniel Liu If the llama melts, don't drink it. http://almost-normal.blogspot.com/
Re: OT: Kodak marketing BW film w/movie
My local drugstore actually carries a lot of stuff (relatively speaking), tri-x, t-max, elite chrome, their own brand of 200 speed film, but they are the absolutely worst place to get prints. The negatives still stay nice and clean though, i gotta wonder what the heck goes on over there... --Daniel Liu Six meals a day keeps the doctor away! On Thursday, Jul 24, 2003, at 19:00 US/Pacific, Peter Alling wrote: The local drugstore here even has Tri-X. (As well as the new C41 stuff). Even the local super markets have the C41 stuff. At 01:04 PM 7/17/03 -0400, you wrote: I keep hearing that drugstores stock bw film. What drugstores do you shop at? The ones I go to sure as heck don't. cheers, frank Caveman wrote: The drugstore in the corner stocks Kodak Tmax 100, 400 and that C-41 BW. They also manage to have them processed and printed. Obviously not a professional's outlet, so it might appear that regular people still burn some BW film from time to time. cheers, caveman -- I don't believe in God, but I do believe in pi - Henri Cartier-Bresson To grasp the true meaning of socialism, imagine a world where everything is designed by the post office, even the sleaze. O'Rourke, P.J.
Re: Zooms vs. primes
I use primes only because the fast ones are cheaper. And I get to think less when I'm using them. Though I'll be the first to say that changing lenses is annoying. --Daniel Liu Free speech is the right to shout 'theater' in a crowded fire. On Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003, at 19:01 US/Pacific, Amita Guha wrote: Very true. I recently used my 28-70mm to shoot fireworks, and because of the flexibility, my shots came out a lot better than they would have if I'd been stuck trying to swap primes, with limited time, in the dark. -Original Message- From: Lon Williamson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] I think it's when you can't step forwards or backwards that zooms become useful. There are many situations in which this can't be easily done. But if I am free to move around, I'll take a prime every time. John Dallman wrote: In article [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Mark Roberts) wrote: For those who haven't checked this week's Sunday Morning Photographer yet, Mike has a few things to say on the subject of Zooms vs. Primes: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-03-07-13.shtml Thanks; I've not seen his writing before. I think I agree with him on this subject - when I've tried using zooms, there always seems too much to fiddle with, and hunting for a zoom ring seems more complicated than a step back or forwards. --- John Dallman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
super program screen
Anyone know if the focusing screen in the program plus is the same one in the super program?
Re: P30 vs. Super program (Super A)?
So, just curious, how quickly do the pentax flashes fully discharge? eg, 200T, 280T, 200SA, 400T, and others? --Daniel Liu It's no longer a question of staying healthy. It's a question of finding a sickness you like. On Thursday, Jun 12, 2003, at 03:33 US/Pacific, Anthony Farr wrote: Should be Hensel 3200 and 6000 joule packs - Original Message - From: Anthony Farr [EMAIL PROTECTED] (snip) For instance my Metz 60CT-1 has full power duration of 1/400sec, and the big Hensel 3200 and 600 joule packs I formerly used burned for about 1/100sec at high powers (requiring 1/60sec or longer). regards, Anthony Farr
Re: Minty fun ;-)
That's odd, why 2 front lens caps. --Daniel Liu The future is much like an eraser that does not erase because it is not yet an eraser. On Wednesday, Jun 11, 2003, at 21:59 US/Pacific, Peter Alling wrote: Nice rubber focusing ring on the lens, I wonder if that costs extra. At 10:05 PM 6/11/03 -0400, you wrote: Read the description for the lens, then look at the photo: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2934244461category=15240 ;-) cheers, caveman Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. --Groucho Marx
Re: *ist in stock
Ohhh dear, powerout resets the computer clock all the time, i need to get a new battery, but i'm too lazy. Still though, i personally like silver. Besides, a variety of colors is probably more expensive for them to make. Apple had to nix the multi-colored imacs partly because of poor sales on orange. Oh, the days of metal cameras with fake leather are over, aren't they? But i'm sure some brave soul will try painting theirs. --Daniel Liu You know when you're getting old, there are certain signs. I walked past a cemetery and two guys ran after me with shovels. On Thursday, Jun 5, 2003, at 04:40 US/Pacific, Mark Roberts wrote: Daniel Liu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: *ist in stock From: Daniel Liu [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:18:20 -0800 What on earth is wrong with silver? Wed, 31 Dec 1969??? ;-) -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: *ist SLR and K-mount lenses
If you ask me, they're probably working on a more advanced version of the *ist, something that more resembles the 5n. After all, why wouldn't they? Seems like a lot (not all) of the problems you guys have described can be solved with a software fix, like the metering with older lenses. --Daniel Liu Six meals a day keeps the doctor away! On Thursday, Jun 5, 2003, at 07:21 US/Pacific, Anthony Farr wrote: IMHO the advances in TTL metering are attempts to become as good as quality hand-held meters. It's also MHO that multi segment metering calculates an xposure that is correct most of the time but not every time, and the photographer isn't likely to know just what skew the meter's interpretive feature has put on the exposure. OTOH a hand-held meter used with experience and skill gets the correct exposure every time, and its workings are completely transparent. Centre-weighted averaging TTL is almost as good as external metering if you use manual exposure or a memory-lock in auto, it is arguably even better when a very long lens is up front. TTL metering is for speed of working where that's essential, or convenience whether to avoid the purchase of an external meter or to carry less gear. It's a compromise whose price is ultimate accuracy. It's unreasonable to expect full backwards compatability from a CHEAP camera like the *ist, which is chock-full of bells and whistles for first time 35mm SLR users or those prepared to accept limitations when using obsolete lenses. At least you'd be able to use those lenses. Good luck fitting old-mount Canon or Minolta lenses to the current bodies of those brands. Pentax has cameras in its current lineup for old lens owners, and most likely will have suitable future offerings when the higher level *ists (or the mythic New LX) come out. regards, Anthony Farr - Original Message - From: Artur Ledóchowski [EMAIL PROTECTED] (snip) Buying an external meter only to be able to work with the plain K-mount lenses in the M mode of the *ist makes no sense to me. The camera has a new, advanced, 16-segment matrix and it's IMHO better to get rid of such lenses and get the KA-mount ones to be able to use it. One thing I'm sure is that the *ist is not the camera for me - I need full backward compatibility... Regards Artur
Re: What about Takumar 1:1.9/85
Haha, that is pretty neat. Does anyone know how much one of those things costs nowadays? Or where i can get one once i win the lottery? --Daniel Liu The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face. On Thursday, Jun 5, 2003, at 13:36 US/Pacific, Caveman wrote: Fred wrote: I do have some comparative 85mm shots (including the Super Takumar 85/1.9) at - http://www.cetussoft.com/pentax/85compar/ Even being one of the old f**ts that know those images for quite a while, I still can't refrain to LOL each time when I get to view the 85/2.2 Soft one in the Location of depth of field category ;-) cheers, caveman
Re: Cheap 135mm lens?
Whoops, sorry, i mean the M 135mm f/3.5. I'm looking to buy something that'll take decent pictures while keeping my bank account intact. On Friday, Jun 6, 2003, at 18:29 US/Pacific, Fred wrote: Any thoughts on how much a decent (clean glass, some exterior wear) SMC-M 135mm lens should be worth? I remember reading somewhere that they were very good considering the price they go for nowadays. It depends upon which 135mm lens you are thinking about (both for optical worth and for monetary worth)... Fred
Re: Question on Pentax Lineup
Exactly. Pentax cameras do what i want without fuss, and without much of a hit to the wallet. Well, i take that back, maybe the old russian rangefinders can do the same thing for about $20, and they do have the cool CCCP label on them On Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003, at 14:47 US/Pacific, Caveman wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pentax has never *consistently* made PJ-type 35mm bodies. See if I care. Now seriously. Why would I. cheers, amateur caveman
Re: Pentax bashing (was Re: another 31 Limited question)
I think something we forget too often is how fun taking pictures can be. Not necessarily getting the shot and have the satisfication of seeing it perfect, but rather the work involved getting it. I remember using a canon AF slr (rebel somethingorother) once: it was point, shoot, and pray. It's very satisfying to have to set up all the exposure, focus, and all that, i think. And pentax had at one point (mid 80s?) gotten that all right. And to some extent still do. --Daniel Liu Oh Lordy, that's dry. Sucks the tissues right out of your mouth. On Monday, Jun 2, 2003, at 06:53 US/Pacific, Bruce Dayton wrote: I used to have very mixed feelings about Pentax (much like Caveman) when I was pursuing 35mm. I was trying to get the best quality I could in lenses and bodies but my pictures didn't show that much difference. Once I crossed over to medium format (thanks to some much needed encouragement and information from some PDML'ers) the whole Pentax world changed for me. My local camera shop carries Pentax MF along with all their Nikon stuff. The quality of manual focus lenses was high like in the old K mount days. My picture quality has gone up tremendously. I don't get condescending looks from Canon/Nikon shooters when I pull out that big 67II. The lens line is extensive for medium format. I no longer have this driving urge to need what Nikon and Canon 35mm offer. I have found that I am actually enjoying my 35mm shooting more now than I was before moving to Medium Format. I used to shoot PZ-1p's and then MZ-S's in my quest. Now I am shooting an MX and SuperProgram. Yes there is an occasional image that is harder to capture that the high tech cameras would aid with. But my contentment with what I have and am doing has increased dramatically. Bruce
Re: 50mm Lenses
Thanks everyone, I think I'll wait and get the 1.4. It's not so much of a focusing issue for me, it's being able to get a decent shot off in a dark room without a tripod, so the 2.8 is out. Candid shots, remember? In the meantime, I'll stick with my f/2. --Daniel Liu The toothbrush is an indispensable part of enjoying life. I brush my teeth every day. I have a wonderful time. I like my toothbrush. I was wont to get up early.
Re: Incident meter suggestions wanted
I don't know too much about light meters, but i do know that the sekonic meters that don't use batteries use a solar powered selinium cell to measure light, which are fine outdoors, but are something of a problem in low light. I have an old sekonic AL-86 (not an incident meter, btw) that uses a selinium cell and only meters down to 6 EV with asa100 film, when most modern cameras meter all the way down to 0 ev. So, my suggestion would be to get something with a battery. --Daniel Liu When a tree falls in the woods on a mime, is there a sound? On Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at 12:33 US/Pacific, zcaballero wrote: Hello, Many say that the Sekonic is a good choice. Thank you for your suggestion as well. I use different meters for different purposes - spot meter, in camera meter, my personal internal meter, so incident meter will be good addition for some subjects and situations. Z == I have newer and more low-light sensitve meters but it sounds like the simple and accurate Sekonic L-398 might be an option for you. ... obviously isn't for everyone but for many of us, knowing how much light is falling on a scene is the most valuable information for a starting point on proper exposure. -- Email.it, the professional e-mail, gratis per te: http://www.email.it/f Sponsor: Vuoi una ricetta molto interessante per i tuoi risparmi? Ti serve la zucca di Conto Arancio. Clicca qui: http://adv.email.it/cgi-bin/foclick.cgi?mid=666d=27-5
Re: Lens choices?
About two weeks ago I saw an mf smcp-18mm f/3.5 packaged with a super program, 50mm and 28mm lenses all for about US$230, but i don't think you'll have much luck finding one. It was a great deal, but i don't have that kind of cash. --Daniel Liu If the llama melts, don't drink it. On Tuesday, May 27, 2003, at 14:07 US/Pacific, Paul Eriksson wrote: The last couple of weeks I've been contemplating my lens purchase/use philosophy. Right now I'm in a financial position to purchase cameras/lenses, this will change about 12 months from now. Right or wrong I want to equip myself with the cameras/lenses I'll be wanting/needing for the next couple of years, maybe even five years. This is why I'm planning to get the ist D to complement my ZX-L. Now to the hard part, what lenses do I want/need? I do basically all kinds of photography except for wild life. Right now I feel that I have it pretty well covered with 24, 35, 50, 100 macro 70-210mm. The way I see it my first priority should be a 24-90 or a 200 prime? Also the is the focal length extension of the ist D to think about, in which case I'd want a 16 with regular filter threads, does anyone make one of these for k-mount? The closest that I've found is the MF Tokina 17 3.5. Ok, after all this rambling comes the real question. That focal lengths do you use, how much (%) and for what kind of photography? Thanks for your patience Paul _ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
