Re: suggestions around san jose area?
This sounds like a good plan (Hwy 17, then 92 etc). I have almost the entire day since the flight is later in the evening at 8pm from San Jose airport back to Boston. Thanks Godfrey and John for the suggestions. I am excited! Gaurav On 4/12/08, Godfrey DiGiorgi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you have some time tomorrow afternoon, this should be fun (if a little pricey) http://bayarea.yurisnight.net/2008/ NASA/Ames Research Lab is just a couple of miles from Santa Clara. There's a lot to see right around here. With a half-day, you could go to Santa Cruz via Hwy 17 early for breakfast, drive north up Highway 1 to sight see on the coastline, head back over the hills via Hwy 92 at Half Moon Bay, take a drive into Palo Alto to visit Stanford University campus and University Avenue/downtown, then head down to NASA/Ames for an hour or two before getting back to your hotel to pack and head to the airport. That's about as much or more than you have time for. (Trying to tackle 17 Mile Drive or San Francisco is going to take more than you have time for, even just to get there and back and have *any* time to see anything.) Godfrey On Apr 11, 2008, at 9:43 PM, John Francis wrote: On Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 12:21:12AM -0400, Gaurav Aggarwal wrote: Hi, I am in Bay Area, California for the first time. Was visiting a customer today (Friday) and flying out Saturday evening. Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do on Saturday morning? I have my trust Pentax ZX-M and 35-105 with me. This is my first trip out west. I have heard a lot about the Pacific Coast Highway and the 17-mile drive. Any other suggestions or tips about the PCH etc? I am staying in Santa Clara. Thanks a lot!! Gaurav You're leaving it a bit late to ask ... Pacific Coast Highway is wonderful, but I much prefer it in the evening. Watching the sun set over the Pacific is a wonderful end to the day. And, in any case, the best parts of the PCH are Big Sur and southwards. As you're asking about 17-mile drive, I assume you have a car for the day. That's certainly a very nice way to spend some time, but Carmel is an hour (or more) away from Santa Clara. I'm not sure I'd recommend it as the best way to spend your only free half-day in the Bay area. Apart from the obvious suggestions (San Francisco, for one, or Santa Cruz) there are all sorts of interesting places a lot more local to Santa Clara; downtown San Jose, Mountain View, Shoreline Park, Vasona Park, etc., etc. There are also wineries - not just north of the Golden Gate in Sonoma or Napa - there are also wineries around Saratoga (which also is home to Villa Montalvo - another photogenic site), and Hecker Pass (near Watsonville). -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
suggestions around san jose area?
Hi, I am in Bay Area, California for the first time. Was visiting a customer today (Friday) and flying out Saturday evening. Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do on Saturday morning? I have my trust Pentax ZX-M and 35-105 with me. This is my first trip out west. I have heard a lot about the Pacific Coast Highway and the 17-mile drive. Any other suggestions or tips about the PCH etc? I am staying in Santa Clara. Thanks a lot!! Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: What would a K10D body sell for?
I might say $450 for a good condition body. It is right not $570 new at Adorama after mail-in rebate of $100 (original price $6700 and shipping is free. So I would imagine a used body to sell for at least $100 less (used, no warranty etc etc). Gaurav On 1/28/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: With the K20D coming soon what would be a fair price to charge for a K10D body only ? Walt -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
k10d vs nikon d80 handling
Hi, I am hoping to buy my first Digital SLR and spent a few minutes in a store before my wife dragged me out :-) I use a Pentax ZX-M with two PKA zoom lenses right now (35-105 f/3.5 and 70-200 f/4). I thought that I liked the feel of Pentax K10D but then when I tried Nikon D80 it sort of felt lot better. Was this because I spent too little time inside the store and not outside etc.? I don't know. The focussing on Pentax with the 18-55 seemed to hunt compared to the Nikon that had 18-70. Has anyone had direct exposure to Canon and Nikon besides Pentax. I searched the archive and read a few emails on this topic but wanted to ask all over again. Sorry about this. My concern is that Pentax autofocus may seem to hunt more and be less accurate. The salesman and couple of other customers in the store all suggested that Nikon is way better than Pentax. Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: k10d vs nikon d80 handling
Thanks everyone for such prompt responses and discussion. Yes, I understand that Pentax offers in-body image stabilization and that I am used to Pentax systems -- I also have a M-50 f/1.4 in addition to the two zooms that really work very well for me. I was almost sold to the K10D given the stabilization and the weather sealing but somehow the auto-focusing seemed so such better. Note that I have never used AF earlier, having only used manual focus lenses for the last 6-7 years now. I couldn't compare apples to apples since I realized that Pentax doesn't have a 18-70 and I guess this is how the salesman was selling the Nikon by putting a more expensive lens. So a different question -- In your experience does the K10D AF often hunt and be random? On a 18-55 or any other lens that isn't too expensive like the DA* lenses. I prefer to get 1 new lens that is less than $300 and probably another later. What a vague question but I'll ask nevertheless :-) Gaurav On 1/27/08, William Robb [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: - Original Message - From: Gaurav Aggarwal Subject: k10d vs nikon d80 handling Hi, I am hoping to buy my first Digital SLR and spent a few minutes in a store before my wife dragged me out :-) I use a Pentax ZX-M with two PKA zoom lenses right now (35-105 f/3.5 and 70-200 f/4). I thought that I liked the feel of Pentax K10D but then when I tried Nikon D80 it sort of felt lot better. Was this because I spent too little time inside the store and not outside etc.? I don't know. The focussing on Pentax with the 18-55 seemed to hunt compared to the Nikon that had 18-70. Has anyone had direct exposure to Canon and Nikon besides Pentax. I searched the archive and read a few emails on this topic but wanted to ask all over again. Sorry about this. My concern is that Pentax autofocus may seem to hunt more and be less accurate. The salesman and couple of other customers in the store all suggested that Nikon is way better than Pentax. It would have been nice if you had compared equivalent lenses in your research. There is no doubt in my mind that anything other than the bottom end Nikon or Canon bodies will outperform the K10 auto focus. However, I bought into Pentax because I wanted to use Pentax lenses, moving away from Nikon and their lenses in the process. To my eye, Pentax glass takes better pictures. Twenty five years later, many as a professional photographer, I still think I made the right decision. The K10 offers image stabilization to the two lenses you already own, If your most important criteria is camera body performance, the D80 will be the better camera, if overall picture quality is your most important criteria, I believe Pentax is still the better choice. William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Any Pentax deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Hi, Does anyone know of deals on Pentax K10D offered by retailers for the coming post Thanksgiving shooping season? A quick search didn't turn up anything. I could only find a price of $650 after rebate from Adorama (looking for reputed sources only). Thanks, Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Any possibility of price reduction for K10D?
Is there any possibilty of a price reduction of K10D? A few of us hoped for one in the 6-7 month period after the product launch. Does anyone see that happening in the next 2-3 months? Thanks, Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: new K100D doesn't work
Thanks everyone. I took the camera back to the store over the weekend and got a new camera. This one works fine. I am glad that I bought this from a local store and did not have get into Internet store returns etc. Hunts Photo were very professional and exchanged it without any problems. Gaurav On 3/9/07, Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Take the camera back to the store from which you purchased it. There are numerous things that could cause the problem, including user error. Have to store check out the camera and make sure you know what you're doing. Shel [Original Message] From: Gaurav Aggarwal I got a new Pentax K100D with 18-55mm lens yesterday at Hunt's Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. It just doesn't work. It turns on, auto-focuses and the shutter fires but the pictures come out dark, almost black. The only time I can get something is if I shoot directly at a light source. Anyone have an idea what is happening? I tried to reset the menus and tried new batteries but nothing helped. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
new K100D doesn't work
I got a new Pentax K100D with 18-55mm lens yesterday at Hunt's Photo and Video in Melrose, Mass. It just doesn't work. It turns on, auto-focuses and the shutter fires but the pictures come out dark, almost black. The only time I can get something is if I shoot directly at a light source. Anyone have an idea what is happening? I tried to reset the menus and tried new batteries but nothing helped. Thanks! Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
shutter won't fire on ZX-5n
Hi, I have a Pentax ZX-5n that won't fire the shutter at all times. It seems to auto focus and the metering works but the shutter doesn't fire. The batteries are new. Any ideas what could be going wrong? Any pointers appreciated. Is it worth talking to Pentax for a repair? Thanks, Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
what does a dirty lens or filter lead to?
hi everyone, i was curious what happens if one shoots with a dirty lens/filter? for example if there are finger prints, smudges, dust, fibers or just fungus on either the front or the rear element? any personal experiences? do we get similar marks on the recording media (film/sensor)? i doubt it. do we get incorrect colors? bad saturation? chromatic abberations? haze? thanks, gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
any feedback on Optio M10?
Hi, I have to recommend a $150-$180 camera to a friend on budget who wants a PS since the film camera died. He hardly uses a computer and is not very tech-savvy. However, a bigger LCD screen is favorable. 3x optical zoom and 4-6 mp. Size isn't important however, would prefer low shutter-lag (Nikon L-series seemed to have more than 1sec autofocus shutter lag). I short-listed to the following: Pentax Optio M10 Sony DSC-S500 Fuji Finepix A600 Any views on the above? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: any feedback on Optio M10?
Thanks Tom. I looked around a lot of such sites and google'd a bit but found a lot less reviews and feedback on Pentax cameras. Mostly Sony, Canon, Fuji, Kodak. A few of the reviews on Pentax were negative -- mostly talked about poor focussing, slow focussing and slow shutter lag. I was wondering if anyone on the list has any opinion about Pentax Digital PS though I do know that most on the list use SLRs etc. Gaurav On 9/11/06, Tom C [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: www.dpreview.com and www.dcresource.com are pretty good places to read hands-on reviews, if you haven't been there yet.. Tom C. From: Gaurav Aggarwal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net To: pdml@pdml.net Subject: any feedback on Optio M10? Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:27:03 -0400 Hi, I have to recommend a $150-$180 camera to a friend on budget who wants a PS since the film camera died. He hardly uses a computer and is not very tech-savvy. However, a bigger LCD screen is favorable. 3x optical zoom and 4-6 mp. Size isn't important however, would prefer low shutter-lag (Nikon L-series seemed to have more than 1sec autofocus shutter lag). I short-listed to the following: Pentax Optio M10 Sony DSC-S500 Fuji Finepix A600 Any views on the above? Any other suggestions? Thanks, Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
any views on K100D vs. Canon Rebel XT (350D)?
Hi, Coming out of the lurking mode, I would like to get your views/opinion on K100D vs. Canon Rebel XT (350D) assuming no existing investment in lenses/flashes? The Pentax kit is around $100 cheaper in the US. Is Canon auto-focus better than the Pentax under normal lighting conditions? I am just an occasional amateur and use the camera during travel. And how would you compare the kit lens of the two? The canon kit can be upgraded to 17-85mm which is supposedly quite good. What would be a similar upgrade on the Pentax? I currently shoot ME Super with 35-105 f/3.5 and 70-210 f/4 but would rather move to auto-focus since I not too sure if I can use MF lenses without any manual focus assist on the K100D. Thanks a lot! Gaurav -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
ZX-M focusing screen on ZX-5n
Hi, I had recently changed the screen of my newly acquired ZX-5n with a split image focusing screen (a ZX-M part ordered from Pentax Colorado). Thanks to Don for helping me with precise instructions. I developed my first roll after that and I tend to feel that I didn't get sharp focus on almost all of the shots. Most of the shots also seem to be a little over-exposed. I was using a Pentax A 70-210 f/4 lens with the camera. Of course, being a beginner, I tend to suspect my technique but does anybody of such problems when changing focusing screens? I have been using a Pentax PZ-1 with Beattie Intenscreen and a A 35-105 f/3.5 lens for the last 3 years. I haven't ever had auto-focus lenses so have gotten quite used to manual focusing. Thanks a lot! Gaurav
Re: PESO: Others 2005 :: 1 :: GDG
Way cool!! The water droplets bring life to the shot. Didn't quite understand why you chose to leave space below the flower and not much on the right. Gaurav On 3/13/06, Godfrey DiGiorgi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Been concentrating on the Ramsey exhibit, the www.gdgphoto.com website and reception so much the past six weeks or so I haven't gotten much going on the 2006 PAW effort yet at all. But I have been poking about sporadically taking pictures ... It's fun to shift gears again and look back at a few of the exposures I've made in the past month. This flower was captured on a Sunday morning a few weeks back, waiting for some friends to arrive for breakfast at a cafe in Saratoga. http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW6/01p.htm Very little post processing other than a small tweak to brightness in Camera Raw. Wish I knew what kind of flower it was ... perhaps someone can let me know. enjoy, Godfrey
Re: PESO: My Grand daughter
Wow! This is a great shot. Thanks for sharing. It isn't just any other family album shot. Good timing and of course perfect exposure. Gaurav On 3/14/06, Jens Bladt [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Even though it's mostly for the family album, I like this shot of my grand daughter Karla and my son in law Christian: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bladt/112596018/in/set-72057594082259138/ Regards Jens Jens Bladt http://www.jensbladt.dk -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.2.3/281 - Release Date: 03/14/2006
Re: PESO - Low Flying II
Great shot! I love it. It portrays the action so well. I like how there is a center of interest but not in the center but a little to left and I can feel that he will just fill the space in the right. Thanks for sharing! Gaurav On 3/12/06, Peter McIntosh [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi guys, The stills camera isn't getting used alot at the moment, as I seem to be travelling from one BMX event to the next. And when I'm there, I'm usually videoing her races and watching others in between. I did manage to get the *ist-DL out for a while on our recent trip to the state titles event at Canberra. Here's one from the event: http://www.pbase.com/petergly/image/57181674 I'm concerned about using the *ist-DL at BMX, as it's typically extremely dusty. This track, however, wasn't too bad: a couple of concrete corners, abundant use of water to keep the dust down, and an advantageous breeze meant I was prepared to try it. Ciao, Peter in Sydney
OT: Fujifilm Slide Processing in Phoenix
Hi, Off-topic post related to slide film processing using Fujifilm mailers. Has there been any issues lately? I haven't received a couple of rolls now for a little more than 3 weeks whereas I usually get them back in 13-17 days. Does anyone know how to contact them? I google'd but couldn't come up with any 1-800 number or website. www.fujifilm.com also didn't seem to mention anything about Slide Mailers. Any pointers greatly appreciated. Thanks! Gaurav
Re: PESO: one more from Boulogne
Hi Ralf, I really like this picture. The composition is great and the choice of using BW makes it really work. Color probably would have destoryed the mood?? A minor remark is that the top of the roof of playhouses merges into the factory background. If you could have changed your viewpoint by going up a few inches, probably that would reduced. Great picture. Thanks for sharing. Gaurav On 3/10/06, Ralf R. Radermacher [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Last chance to take this shot. Next month, blast furnace no. 6 will be gone. They're already drilling the holes for the dynamite. http://www.photosight.ru/photo.php?photoid=1315833 Comments and suggestions, as always, most welcome. Ralf -- Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - Köln/Cologne, Germany private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de manual cameras and photo galleries - updated Jan. 10, 2005 Contarex - Kiev 60 - Horizon 202 - P6 mount lenses
Re: PAW - The Earnslaw
David, I loved this shot! Thanks for sharing. The extra blue in the picture sets the mood. Just a remark -- the boat seems to merge with the trees behind it and since there aren't any clouds, do you think it might have been more powerful if you reduced the amount of sky and added more of the water in the foreground since it has great texture. Gaurav On 3/10/06, David Mann [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Here's a nice summery photo to drag you northerners out of the depths of winter, and to help me forget about the impending cold. http://www.bluemoon.net.nz/photo/printsdb/view.php?p=301t=1 The pier where the boat docks, right in the middle of Queenstown, is a few minutes walk to the left. The boat is shown departing on one of its regular tourist trips across the lake. I may have shown this pic a couple of years ago (probably on PUG), but I just came across it again as part of my big scanning project. Cheers, - Dave http://www.bluemoon.net.nz/ http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/
Re: PESO - Outcast
Just as others have said -- Great composition. Loved the way the birds and wave pattern is in the picture (though I personally wouldn't have noticed the one-legged bird story if you didn't mention it). It does seem flat on my monitor but then I have never calibrated it. Thanks for sharing, Gaurav On 3/9/06, Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The poor little one legged guy standing in the water facing back at the group gave me a feeling of someone who is longing to be part of the group, but has to stay on the outside. Pentax *istD, A 70-210/4, handheld ISO 200, 1/180 sec @ f/16 Converted from Raw using Capture One LE http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/bkd_2886.htm Comments welcome -- Bruce
Re: PESO - Choices
I like this though not quite as much as the other one with the one-legged bird. Again it appears quite flat on my monitor. I really like the way you give technical details of the shots since I am a beginner and sometimes these details help me a lot. This one might look even better if you crop the top 1/4 of the shot and make it more like a panoramic. Gaurav On 3/10/06, Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This pair really made me stop and think about decisions - I can choose the left path or the right one. Hope it works for you. Pentax *istD, A 70-210/4, Handheld ISO 200, 1/350 sec @ f/16 Converted from Raw using Capture One LE http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/bkd_2893.htm Comments welcome -- Bruce
Re: some new pics
Great pictures. I loved almost all. Thanks for warning about the Latex pics or else I wouldn't have seen the link and not clicked it. They are great too. I liked sailors.jpg, axlex and th02_02 a lot. On 3/11/06, Timo Hartikainen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.kolumbus.fi/t_ja_s.hartikainen/kuva.htm I have used Pentax KX Ricoh XR-X bodies, Pentax Vivitar lenses for those pics. (but for this one I used my friend's Canon DSLR: http://www.kolumbus.fi/t_ja_s.hartikainen/KF4.JPG) Warning! There's a link to my latex-gallery on that page, so if you don't like latex fetish pics, do not click it. cheers, Timo
Re: PESO: Strasbourg Window
I like it, though like Bruce, I find the shirt and person competing for attention. In addition, I disliked the vertical pipes on the left and the angle from which the photo is taken (bottom left) that gives more roof on the right top side than on the left top side. Minor remarks. A good picture. Thanks for sharing. Gaurav On 3/11/06, Rick Womer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Taken on a hot day in Strasbourg, France last June. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4211017 PZ-1p, FA24-90, Elite Chrome 100, exposure not recorded. Comments appreciated. Rick __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: PESO - Green
Amazing. You are the most consistent in producing great shots. This one goes down so well with the other flora shots you have shared in the past. Gaurav On 2/9/06, Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Taken on one of the walks some time back. Pentax *istD, Tokina AT-X SD AF 400/5.6, Handheld ISO 800, 1/1500 sec @ f/8.0 http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/bkd_1587.htm Comments welcome -- Best regards, Bruce
Re: PESO: Idaho Snow Moon
Great shot. Excellent composition and exposure. How do you like your Tokina 500mm mirror lens, in general?? Gaurav On 2/12/06, Tom C [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Tajken approximately 1 1/2 hours ago. Tokina 500/8 mirror lens. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4118417 Tom C.
Re: PESO: Frozen Pond
I like it a lot. Though for some reason I do feel that you may have gotten 2 shots out of the scene. One of the background with just a hint of the pond and one of just the logs and little or no of the background. Gaurav On 2/13/06, Rick Womer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Another in my On My Way to Work series. We had a bit of snow here in the northeastern US, and I tarried on my walk to work to shoot a little. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4119836 Optio 33L, +0.7 exposure comp., slightly cropped. Comments most welcome. __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? (The Photo)
Where did you find it Dave? On 2/11/06, David Savage [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Whoops! Never mind. Found it elsewhere. Dave On 2/12/06, David Savage [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On 2/11/06, Don Sanderson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Here is a rather large photo of the screen retaining clip in the ZX-5n. Photo? Dave
Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n?
Thanks Don. This was great. I was able to change the focusing screen in less than a minute. You were so right that it appears tricky the first time around. You have been a great help. Really appreciate it. Thanks! Gaurav On 2/11/06, Don Sanderson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Again, with the link: ;-( http://www.donsauction.com/pdml/5nClip.jpg Here is a rather large photo of the screen retaining clip in the ZX-5n. Also pictured is the tool I use to release it. It's just a cheap dental pick with just a tiny hook formed on the end with a pair of wire cutters. Oriented as it is in the picture the clip needs to be pulled 'up' just slightly to release it. (Towards the mirror bumper foam.) I just use my fingernail to lock it back in place. HTH Don -Original Message- From: Gaurav Aggarwal [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 6:07 AM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? Thanks Don for your note about how to change the screen. But I need more help/pointers. I can see some kind of a tab behind the foam and I tried to push, pull etc but nothing seemed to release it. I didn't use much force, obviously. On the PZ-1 it was a breeze. Is there some trick here? Using a tweezer, do I push, pull, bend, what do I do? Thanks! Gaurav On 2/8/06, Don Sanderson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I don't believe their called interchangable because no alternative screens are available. (Except the S.) However _all_ of the ZX/MZ series are user removable, hence user interchangable. Nice feature for cleaning if nothing else. Don -Original Message- From: William Robb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 4:58 PM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? - Original Message - From: Gaurav Aggarwal Subject: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? Hi Guys, I wanted to use two manual focus lenses more effectively on my Pentax ZX-5n and ordered the split image focusing screen of ZX-M. It arrived today. Now how do I change it? I have changed the screen on my PZ-1 (I used a Beattie Intenscreen). That was very easy. Any instructions/tips for ZX-5? I didn't think the screen in the MZ-5 (same as ZX-5) was interchangable. William Robb
OT: Linear vs. Circular Polarizer from a beginner?
Hi, I have read in books, websites about linear vs. circular polarizer filters and how circular are better than linear for SLRs and auto-focus etc. But what really is the difference? What do circular provide that linear don't and can one use linear just as effectively to reduce the reflections and make sky bluer? Are linear uncomfortable to use? Do linear polarizing filters ever have a rotating mount? Thanks in advance! Regards, Gaurav
Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n?
Thanks Don for your note about how to change the screen. But I need more help/pointers. I can see some kind of a tab behind the foam and I tried to push, pull etc but nothing seemed to release it. I didn't use much force, obviously. On the PZ-1 it was a breeze. Is there some trick here? Using a tweezer, do I push, pull, bend, what do I do? Thanks! Gaurav On 2/8/06, Don Sanderson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I don't believe their called interchangable because no alternative screens are available. (Except the S.) However _all_ of the ZX/MZ series are user removable, hence user interchangable. Nice feature for cleaning if nothing else. Don -Original Message- From: William Robb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 4:58 PM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? - Original Message - From: Gaurav Aggarwal Subject: how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n? Hi Guys, I wanted to use two manual focus lenses more effectively on my Pentax ZX-5n and ordered the split image focusing screen of ZX-M. It arrived today. Now how do I change it? I have changed the screen on my PZ-1 (I used a Beattie Intenscreen). That was very easy. Any instructions/tips for ZX-5? I didn't think the screen in the MZ-5 (same as ZX-5) was interchangable. William Robb
how to change focusing screen on a ZX-5n?
Hi Guys, I wanted to use two manual focus lenses more effectively on my Pentax ZX-5n and ordered the split image focusing screen of ZX-M. It arrived today. Now how do I change it? I have changed the screen on my PZ-1 (I used a Beattie Intenscreen). That was very easy. Any instructions/tips for ZX-5? Thanks, Gaurav
manual focusing on ZX-5n
Hi, I bought a used Pentax ZX-5n off ebay last week. I only have manual-focus lenses and found it a bit hard to focus using the AF screen in the ZX-5n. Is there a possibility of changing the focusing screen on the ZX-5n and using a split-image screen instead? If yes, then for how much approx. I do not want to spend a lot of money right now. Thanks in advance, Gaurav
Re: PAW - Poppy
Very nice. I like the different treatment of the oft-photographed subject. Was there dew on the petals? If yes, then it might have looked good if it was more obvious. Right now I am confused about what is there on the red petals. Gaurav On 12/19/05, David Mann [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Soon after graduating my partner went over to Texas for a few months to assist in some research at one of the universities. She brought home some poppy seeds and after planting a few in the garden we soon found the things sprouting all over the place. Poppies are nice so we just let them grow. This is one of many plants that grew between the cracks in the paving stones. Most of them were black in the centre but occasionally we'd have a white one, as shown here. http://www.bluemoon.net.nz/photo/printsdb/view.php?p=166t=1 They're very interesting to photograph, particularly as the flowers are coming out of the buds. The slightest hint of wind sends them swaying all over the place so you need a very still day. We've since moved house but we still have a good crop of poppies in our herb garden because some seeds somehow hitched a ride with a parsley plant we brought with us. Cheers, - Dave
Re: GESO: A day out with the Optio 60
Wonderful. Great composition. Some of them are too dark. I am viewing them from a monitor in my office-lab which may not be that good. I like Optio0041 a lot. A little closer crop might do well (remove the gucci and the top right corner). Gaurav On 12/18/05, Juan Buhler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Today I went out to try to do some street shooting with the Optio 60. This isn't what I bought it for, but I just wanted to see how much I could do with it. I put together a little flickr gallery of the most decent pics of the day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbuhler/sets/1610069/ All full frame, except I cropped them vertically to get to my preferred 3:2 aspect ratio. Shot in color, processed in the same way I process my istD images, with Petteri's PS actions. I uploaded the full res images, so they are available for those of you who want to check them out. Thanks for looking, j -- Juan Buhler http://www.jbuhler.com photoblog at http://photoblog.jbuhler.com
Re: PAD - photo a day
Great work. You combine superb composition with perfect technicality. Your photos are art and not just photos. Please continue sharing more of your work. Gaurav On 12/15/05, alkos [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [ Don't worry, I will not post a jpeg each morning here ;-) ] I'd like to present you my site - http://pad.go.pl All of the pictures were taken with pentax gear : k2 or mesuper with 50/1.2 or 28/3.5 with few exceptions for the pentax gear I don't have anymore ;-) I hope you'll like it :-) cheers alkos, (trying as much as he can to follow the pdml flow, having no internet at home ;-) -- 24x36 at op pl http://pad.go.pl
Re: PESO: Everyone Needs a Grandma
A great picture. You son/daughter would be quite pleased with all the pics that you take of your grand daughter. I like the tight crop and your grand daughter's eyes that clearly depict her cold symptoms. A minor composition related remark: I would have liked it even more had there be a little more on the left side (right now your wife's eye is too close to the border for my comfort). And might have wanted to see your grand daughter's little hands and less of your wife's hand/fingers. But minor remarks. The picture is really amazing. Gaurav On 11/26/05, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: My wife and grand daughter, taken earlier today. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3908302 *istD, DA 16-45/4, f4.5@ 1/125, ISO 800
Re: PESO - Queen St in the Snow
Great job! I like how you managed to capture the mood. Typically, the mood is lost because of flat lighting but this is just great. Gaurav On 11/25/05, Adam Maas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mawz/66670322/ *istD, Tamron 28-75 f2.8 XR Di -Adam
Re: A PESO From Big Bertha
I like both the pictures. You have composed the Real Southwest photo quite well. I like what you included and what you left out and the angle. The bird, of course is great too though as note yourself, the attention keeps returning to the out of focus eye area. Good attempt nevertheless. Hope you have fun with your new lens. Gaurav On 11/24/05, Joseph Tainter [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Actually a couple of PESOs. Here's another of my Real Southwest series. (Caution: Ruin and Decay. May not be suitable for all audiences.) http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/mypics/535671/display/4445956 And here's the best of my first attempts with the F* 600 F4: http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/cat/3527/display/4445777 Obviously I need more experience using this lens. I post the photo just to show what the lens can do. It looks pretty sharp at F4 and 4.5. I'm not sure yet what its best aperture is. Joe
Re: PESO -- Time Out
I like it. You guys always keep thinking and finding great moments to capture. Amazing! Gaurav On 11/24/05, E.R.N. Reed [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: One of my collection of moments in family life -- http://www.members.aol.com/ernreed/time-out.jpg Comments?
Where to get film developed?
Hi, I have been in the US only a few months. I typically get my film developed/printed at a neighbourhood photo lab that I think is quite expensive at $14 for 36 exposures for one set of 4x6 prints. Slides are developed/mounted for $9 or so. Is that regular? I sent out a slide roll yesterday by mail using the Fuji mailer hoping that there will no loss in the postal system. Question: Are the cheaper film mailers any good? Does anyone of a good lab in the north-eastern Massachusetts area (north of Boston or southern New Hampshire). How much would you expect to pay for a 8x10 or 8x12 print from a negative? And where do you usually buy the mount/frames/matte/border or whatever it is called to put around a print when you want to show it to others. Thanks a lot! Gaurav
Re: enablement disablement
Is there any cheap alternative to Vuescan that comes closer? I am a beginner who got a Minolta Dimage Dual Scan IV yesterday. Last night wasn't a very successful night but then obviously I need to spend lot more hours figuring out how to use all these scanning tools and photoshop etc. But if someone suggests that another free software is better than what came with Dimage DualScan then I might as well spend time on that software's learning curve. Thanks, Gaurav On 11/16/05, Rick Womer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gautam, I have a different scanner (an Epson RX500), but have been struggling with the same problem for a year. I'm making progress, though. Vuescan is a great program in that it produces gorgeous scans, but its interface is awful and the learning curve is steep. For prints, I use it; for the web, the software that came with the scanner is fine. What I'm doing now that seems to be working: Clean the glass! I do a preview scan of the slides, then use the controls in the scanning software to make some basic adjustments for each one. I find that a considerable boost in contrast is always necessary, plus unsharp mask, a slight warming of the hue and a bit more saturation. I scan to an uncompressed tif file. It's (relatively) easy to use Photoshop on a tif file, but PS adjustments to a jpg just don't seem to work. Then, I take the slide off the scanner, open the tif file in PS Elements, compare them side-by-side, and tweak some more. When I'm satisfied, I Save for Web in PS Elements. Last year I was very disappointed with most of my scans. Now, I'm pretty satisfied. Good luck! Rick --- Gautam Sarup [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Enablement: One scanner (Canoscan 8400F) Disablement: Can't figure out how to make the scanned results look like the original slides. Here's a scanned picture anyway: http://static.flickr.com/32/61457071_b4d2a95df6.jpg All comments appreciated. Gautam __ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com
Re: A good zoom lens deal.
I made my best offer at $10 and they accepted it. So the lens is on its way for $20 including UPS shipping. I am a beginner and my skills will not do justice to a great lens anyway :-) So I felt that let me play with something. Though when I made the offer, I never thought they will accept it. Wife spent $80 on some organic cosmetics or some such nonsense. I just had to get something Thanks Don. Gaurav On 11/15/05, Don Sanderson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=7553676422 Not an auction so it should be OK. I have 2 of these and they are a surprisingly good little lens for the almost give-away price. If anyone is looking for a cheap knock around or spare short zoom this is quite a deal. Here's a quick snap of an artificial flower at 80mm, f/5.6 and about 2.3 to 1, on the ist-D at ISO 200 by the light of a single table lamp. http://donsauction.com/pdml/Posie.jpg Don Nope, I'm not affiliated in any way ;-)
Re: PESO: Walk in the Woods
Hi Paul, Great shots. Like them a lot! How close do you get to the birds? Do you handhold? And what lens did you use with the *istD? Thanks! Gaurav On 11/14/05, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oops! The two URLs should be: http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3879093size=lg http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3879099size=lg Paul And thanks for the comment and the heads-up, David. On Nov 14, 2005, at 6:34 PM, David Savage wrote: Both the same photo Paul. But I found the Cardinal :-): http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3879099 I like the one of the ducks. Dave On 11/15/05, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Took a walk in the woods this afternoon with the *istD, the A400/5.6, an A2X-S converter and the Sigma 500Super with Kirk flash extender. All of it on a monopod. ISO 800, f5.6 @ 1/500th, flash set to high-speed synch. The ducks are full frame, the lady cardinal is cropped. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3879093size=lg http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3879093size=lg
Re: Compare Takumar 70-200 f/4 vs. SMC 70-210 f/4
Thanks Andre for your suggestions. Do you believe the F- lens is better optically or just because it is auto-focus? And I thought that I will lose an extra 1.5 stops at 210 mm (f/4 on A vs. f/6.7 on the F-lens). I am now used to manual-focus since my only lens is a A-35-105 f/3.5. Gaurav On 11/15/05, Andre Langevin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I use a Pentax 35-105 f/3.5 on my Pentax PZ-1 currently. I plan to compliment this lens with something like 70-200. I notice that there are two versions: SMC A 70-210 f/4 (which I believe has a very good reputation??) and the Takumar-A 70-200 f/4 Macro (how good is this??) Any thoughts, comparisons, For-sale, suggestions? Thanks, Gaurav The Takumar is bad mechanically. It will loosen in no time if it is not already loose. The A is a good lens in all respect. For a bit over over 100$ I think you may find a still better F 70-210 4.5-5.6, and you will benefit from AF. If you prefer a manual focussing lens, the F lens has only a small plastic focus ring but you may get used to it, or may not... Andre
Compare Takumar 70-200 f/4 vs. SMC 70-210 f/4
Hi, I use a Pentax 35-105 f/3.5 on my Pentax PZ-1 currently. I plan to compliment this lens with something like 70-200. I notice that there are two versions: SMC A 70-210 f/4 (which I believe has a very good reputation??) and the Takumar-A 70-200 f/4 Macro (how good is this??) Any thoughts, comparisons, For-sale, suggestions? Thanks, Gaurav
Re: PESO - Norwegian skies
Picture perfect. Make a postcard out of it or hang it on the wall. On 11/13/05, Boris Liberman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi! http://www.photoforum.ru/photo/233521 Yet another thanks goes to Jostein for letting me use his excellent photo gear. Boris
Re: Modern PC hardware, Was: Re: Full Frame
Yes, I know. I just chose the wrong email in the thread to respond to :) I forgot to mention that to Adam, that there is no way that uncompressed MPEG (or H.264/AVC) video is 1920x1200 uncompressed. The MPEG or AVC standard (and now VC-1 from SMPTE/Microsoft) is really 1920x1088. It is 1088 because the dimensions are multiples of 16 what is called a macroblock. The last 8-pixels are clipped and we have 1080 vertically. It is not scaled to get 1080 but just clipped. Gaurav On 11/12/05, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It wasn't me who suggested HDTV was ever 1200x1920. BTW, a lot of computer monitors can display the progressive TV formats with a simple analog component video to RGBHV converter box and the displayed format is unchanged. I am doing this now with one of the Dell P991s I bought. I have it connected to the 480P analog component outputs on my Sony DVD recorder jco -Original Message- From: Gaurav Aggarwal [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 10:04 PM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: Modern PC hardware, Was: Re: Full Frame There are two types of standards: one for TV and one for computers. A lot of flatpanel monitors can handle both these but not all. Most TV can still handle only TV formats and most computer monitors cannot display TV formats. Let us distinguish these so that we do not misuse the terms and confuse everyone: There is no HDTV (uncompessed or otherwise) that is 1920x1200. HDTV is often referred to as 1920x1080 or 1280x720. The TV formats are as follows: 480i or NTSC: 720x480 interlaced 480p: 720x480 progressive 576i or PAL: 720x576 interlaced 576p: 720x576 progressive 720p: 1280x720 progressive 1080i: 1920x108i interlaced In addition, 720p and 1080i have two versions for 60 hz (Japan, US) and 50 hz (Europe). Where have you guys heard of 1920x1200 and down-conversion? I am pretty sure there is no such thing. Computer formats and sizes are a different story. They go as VGA: 640x480 SVGA: 800x600 XGA: 1024x768 SXGA: 1280x1024 UXGA: 1600x1200 WSXGA: 1650/x1050 WUXGA: 1920x1200 (if you refer to this then this is a computer format and not HDTV) Hope this clears some of the doubts. Gaurav
Re: PESO - William Stone
Great shots. Brings out the life in his eyes. A technical quesion: I may be making a fool of myself but how does one use a Pentax lens on a Canon EOS body? Do we use some adapter or are the newer canon d-slr take pentax lenses? Gaurav On 11/13/05, Cotty [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Today (Sunday 13th Nov) is Remembrance Sunday in the UK, and services were taking place up and down the country to honour and remember those who have passed away in conflict, not just in two world wars, but in countless other arenas over the years. I was in Watlington, Oxfordshire, covering one such memorial service for the news. A regular character to these parts is one William Stone who served for many years with the Royal Navy. As lively and jovial as ever, he walked unaided to the service and participated in the solemn - but spirited - atmosphere. After I had finished filming, I managed to grab a very quick portrait before he was whisked away for lunch with friends. In my haste, I accidentally left the ISO at 800 from a previous shoot (d'oh!) but it has not detracted from the picture. http://www.cottysnaps.com/snaps/portraits/images/pic31.html EOS 1DmII + Pentax SMC-A* 85mm f/1.4 1/8000th at f/1.4, levels, sharpened, slight crop. BTW, William is 105 years old, and still has his ration of rum every night at 9pm. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _
Re: close call with disaster
Thanks for sharing your experience. Good lesson for everyone. The pics are great too. Glad it all worked out and the party looks to have been more than a success. Gaurav On 11/13/05, George Sinos [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Short version - The hard drive on which I store my photos crashed. I restored the backup copy and didn't lose anything but time. At the same time I discovered a hole in my backup process and plugged it. Long version - Late last Saturday afternoon I returned from a surprise party. The family was celebrating a cousin's 50th birthday. I had shot about 200 photos (it was a big party) and copied them all to my external data drive. At that point I converted all the PEFs to DNGs and ran a Photoshop batch job to make a set of JPGs. At this point I started the backup program to copy everything to another external hard drive. This can take a few minutes so I wandered away from the computer and got busy catching up on a few other things around the house. Later that evening I returned to the computer to pick a few of the best shots and upload them to my web site. As I began to edit the photos I heard an ominous click, click, click coming from the data drive. While I was investigating the problem the drive failed. It was too late to buy a replacement so I quit for the evening. Sunday I purchased and installed a replacement drive and began the restore process. Luckily it can run unattended. I hit the restore button about 3pm on Sunday afternoon. It finished shortly before 1 am on Tuesday morning. My restore process copies the files than rereads the source and destination copies and compares them to verify the copy. (OK, call me paranoid) So it takes at least twice as long as a simple copy. Lesson learned? Before the problem I only copied new stuff from the backup drive to DVDs once a month. Had the problem been more extensive and killed both the data and backup drives I would have lost everything I'd shot since October first. I'm adding a step to my process to burn new stuff to DVDs as it's added to the backups. I'm also considering scattering the files over a few smaller drives just to shorten the inevitable restore process. Another issue, once the PEFs are converted to DNGs I don't really use them for anything. They could be archived somewhere other than a working drive for the same reason. Oh yeah, some of the birthday photos are here: http://www.georgesphotos.net/gallery/954900 Nothing special, just family party photos. See you later, gs http://www.georgesphotos.net
Re: PC hot shoe adapter for PZ-1 ??
Thanks Mat. If a generic adapter works, then does this mean that the hot shoe PC adapter only uses the trigger connection and not any of the other connections like ready, mode etc? Those would be different across different camera manufacturers and body, correct? Gaurav On 11/11/05, Mat Maessen [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: You should be able to use a generic hot shoe PC adapter. I think I got mine at BH for about $10. Hunt around in their flash accessories section, and you should be able to find it. I'm actually a little surprised that a PZ-1 doesn't have a PC socket already on the camera... For most indoors shooting, your 35-105 should suffice, though I'll give the disclaimer that I've never taken a Yankee Seminar. You might want to get their recommendations on what lenses to bring. I do love my 35-105/3.5 though, and I've used it quite extensively with flash (Metz 45CT-4), for wedding/event photography. -Mat On 11/11/05, Gaurav Aggarwal [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, I just found out about the Yankee Seminar in New England (Danvers, Massachusetts) on 11/19 and am thinking of going there. I am a beginner and haven't attended any such seminars. I haven't even shot indoors other than an occasional family snap. The site: http://www.yankeephotosociety.homestead.com/ says: Photographers are encouraged to bring their own PC hot shoe adapter for their make of camera for all strobe light setups. So what is the correct PC adapter for a PZ-1 camera? How much does it cost approx? I plan to use my PZ-1 with a Pentax A 35-105mm f/3.5 lens. Also, I am planning to add a tele-zoom to the above lens. I am looking out for a good deal on the Pentax-A 70-210 f/4. Any other suggestions while I go thru ebay, keh and bhphoto?
Re: Modern PC hardware, Was: Re: Full Frame
There are two types of standards: one for TV and one for computers. A lot of flatpanel monitors can handle both these but not all. Most TV can still handle only TV formats and most computer monitors cannot display TV formats. Let us distinguish these so that we do not misuse the terms and confuse everyone: There is no HDTV (uncompessed or otherwise) that is 1920x1200. HDTV is often referred to as 1920x1080 or 1280x720. The TV formats are as follows: 480i or NTSC: 720x480 interlaced 480p: 720x480 progressive 576i or PAL: 720x576 interlaced 576p: 720x576 progressive 720p: 1280x720 progressive 1080i: 1920x108i interlaced In addition, 720p and 1080i have two versions for 60 hz (Japan, US) and 50 hz (Europe). Where have you guys heard of 1920x1200 and down-conversion? I am pretty sure there is no such thing. Computer formats and sizes are a different story. They go as VGA: 640x480 SVGA: 800x600 XGA: 1024x768 SXGA: 1280x1024 UXGA: 1600x1200 WSXGA: 1650/x1050 WUXGA: 1920x1200 (if you refer to this then this is a computer format and not HDTV) Hope this clears some of the doubts. Gaurav On 11/12/05, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Or you just might be wrong, that's a third and most likely possibility because it wouldn't make any sense to do be doing those things. interlacing doesn't distort or crop which is very different animal.. -Original Message- From: Adam Maas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 9:31 PM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: Modern PC hardware, Was: Re: Full Frame Well, given that Uncompressed HD is 1920x1200 and 1080i is 1920x1080, they must be doing one of the two (note that they're also interlacing the signal at the same time, since straight uncompressed HD is also Progressive-Scan) -Adam J. C. O'Connell wrote: I don't follow that logic. you cant downconvert 1920x1200 to 1920x1080(HDTV) without either cropping or stretching, neither of which would be acceptable. jco -Original Message- From: Adam Maas [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 9:11 PM To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net Subject: Re: Modern PC hardware, Was: Re: Full Frame 1080i is downconverted from 1920x1200, which is what uncompressed HD is, one of the big advantages of the 23 panels is they display uncompressed HD pixel-for-pixel. There's a reason I specified uncompressed HD. You are correct about the pixel format, I got old-fashioned NTSC mixed up with HD for a second. -Adam
Re: Autumn 2005 Synchronicity Gallery
Godfrey, I just love the picture with the women and starbucks coffee cup: http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/38.htm The expression, the lighting makes the picture for me. There is something going on and makes me want to be part of it. It may not be sharp but that adds to the picture in more than one way. Gaurav On 11/11/05, Godfrey DiGiorgi [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sorry I didn't get around to sending you any pix. I have three from the autumnal equinox posted on my site ... http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/38.htm http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/38p.htm http://homepage.mac.com/ramarren/photo/PAW5/38q.htm Godfrey
PC hot shoe adapter for PZ-1 ??
Hi, I just found out about the Yankee Seminar in New England (Danvers, Massachusetts) on 11/19 and am thinking of going there. I am a beginner and haven't attended any such seminars. I haven't even shot indoors other than an occasional family snap. The site: http://www.yankeephotosociety.homestead.com/ says: Photographers are encouraged to bring their own PC hot shoe adapter for their make of camera for all strobe light setups. So what is the correct PC adapter for a PZ-1 camera? How much does it cost approx? I plan to use my PZ-1 with a Pentax A 35-105mm f/3.5 lens. Also, I am planning to add a tele-zoom to the above lens. I am looking out for a good deal on the Pentax-A 70-210 f/4. Any other suggestions while I go thru ebay, keh and bhphoto? Thanks a lot! Gaurav
Re: The sky is...
Adam, I just moved from India to the US (an intra-company transfer for 2 years). I beg to differ here. I don't think that India is doing a reasonable job with infrastructure. Infact, it is falling apart. Electricity is still not available to manufacturing industry, most software companies (where outsourcing and design happens) deploy their own diesel generator sets. The public transport system in most cities is crumbling given high growth of migration of people from rural/semi-urban areas to cities looking for jobs. The farmers are getting poorer. The government is hardly improving the infrastructure in any ways -- airports are one of the worst, come winter and 50% of all flights from/to Delhi will get delayed by 10-16 hours. High-speed internet at home is still a dream, try getting 256kbps. There is no cable-internet really. DSL is mostly regulated. More importantly, I haven't seen any serious design work happening there. Do you have specific examples? Most of it is outsourcing and few, if any, companies are moving up the value chain. Call-center is hardly a white-collar job. I do not know of a single company doing design for export. Except for pharma companies which are innovating (and sometimes just replicating) and exporting medicines for 1/10th the cost. There is one thing though -- Indian economy is mostly domestic which isolates it well from boom/busts in other economies, like south-east asian crisis etc. Gaurav On 11/6/05, Adam Maas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [..] India on the other hand has steadily been building the necessary infrastructure, and while they haven't seen the growth China has (Because they've been building infrastructure instead of just production), they are in a far better position to take advantage of things in the future. [..] still production stuff, not design. India on the other hand is getting White Collar jobs and building the necessary experience in Engineering and Design to actually take over the portion of the work that stays onshore when outsourcing to China happens. India in other words is doing what Japan did in the 1950's and 1960's. With likely the same results in the future as Indian companies start to design and produce their own
Re: PESO - Museum tour
Wow! I love this photo. The reflections are amazing and it is beautifully composed. Can you share any technical details about the shot? Camera, lens, settings? Gaurav On 11/4/05, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Something like this? http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=882544
Re: PESO - The Scribe
I love the picture especially with the coffee cup in the front. Sets the mood. Of course the lighting and the exposure enhances the mood. Everything looks great. BTW, did you tell her that you are taking her shot? What kind of lens did you use and was it shot in BW (film) or converted later on? Gaurav On 11/4/05, Marco Alpert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Another from Starbucks: http://www.alpert.com/marco/pdml/peso30.html Comments, as always, welcomed. -Marco
Re: PESO Silk purse or sows ear?
Great picture. Loved it. I would like to see the picture in color also just to understand what you discuss here, if possible. It looks just great in BW though. No problems with size since I use a 1600x1200 monitor. Where were you standing when you took this picture? Obviously not on the ground since there is no distortion that happens when the camera is pointed upwards. Gaurav On 10/30/05, Rob Studdert [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Another pic from my trip. Bad bad Rob, I forgot that the camera was in manual exposure mode and in a rush shot off five frames which were at least a stop and a half too hot. What this tends to do apart from the obvious is turn the sky a very icky turquoise colour, so rather than completely writing the images off I decided to see if I could recover some value by removing the colour. Whether I succeed I'll leave up to you to decide. http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~distudio/temp/IMGP6415.jpg (~140B) Tech: *ist D, ISO200, 1/250s A24/2.8 FE @ f6.3 Comments, questions and critiques welcome. Cheers, Rob Studdert HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA Tel +61-2-9554-4110 UTC(GMT) +10 Hours [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications/ Pentax user since 1986, PDMLer since 1998
Re: PESO - The Simple Joys
I like the picture. The color sets the mood that is obviously enhanced by the splashing water. The birds are subtle and you know what's happening. I guess if they were any sharper then it would have taken away the fun. Great shot. Gaurav On 10/31/05, Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Stood on the beach in Monterey this morning with my daughter. This dog was having the best time chasing away all the sea birds. Pentax *istD, A 70-210/4, handheld ISO 200, 1/1000 sec @ f/8.0 Converted from raw using Capture One LE http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/bkd_2424.htm Comments welcome -- Bruce
Re: PESO - Snapshot of Naisha
Enjoyed it. Quite amazing. She seems to be saying something that wants me sit up, take notice and listen. Would love to see her brother too, if you shot him too and both of them together. You indeed are gifted. Gaurav On 10/29/05, Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This was taken yesterday on the bus to San Francisco. It was so nice to be able to relate to and photograph these kids (Naisha and her brother) without being concerned about cops, being labeled as a pervert or pedophile. The kids' mom was aboard and she had no problem with the http://home.earthlink.net/~shel-pix/naisha2.html Shel
Re: PESO: Chimp with offspring
Great picture. Caught the right mood and composed just right. And choice of colors is best because colors actually would probably lost the focus on the mood, moment and expression. Thanks for sharing. Gaurav On 10/29/05, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The title says it all. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3836659size=lg
Re: PESO: Boston Harbor
Thanks so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it. I am looking forward to such comments to help me improve as I go along. Regards, Gaurav On 10/27/05, Rick Womer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Gaurav, My slightly-belated welcome! I like your pix. I think the harbor pic could do with some cropping--it seems bottom-heavy and left-heavy to me. I would crop about 1/4 of the way in from the right, and just above the top of the sailboat's mast. Similarly, I would crop the park pic down through the tree trunk (which would eliminate that body emerging on the right), and just below that horizontal branch. Looks as though you have some camera motion blur on this one, too. Keep them coming! Rick --- Gaurav Aggarwal [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Wow! I feel so much more comfortable. So many people remember my post from months ago. I am amazed. Thanks for your welcome. I really appreciate it. I was intending to post another shot until next week but here are two shots I took in Boston: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/harbor.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/bostoncommons.jpg Gaurav
New novice member from north of Boston
Hi guys, I joined PDML a couple of weeks back but have been silent not knowing what to contribute. I would love to comment on the PESO/PAW but I feel that my praise would really bring no value to the table. I am a novice and was subscribed to PDML for a few months couple of years back when I first started taking pictures. But I never really did take many. I recently moved to the US and find myself with more time and inclination to take pictures so I signed up again. I use film and haven't taken many pictures so far. Looking for feedback/pointers on: a) I feel embarrassed/shy of going out and taking pictures all by myself. Am I the only one who feels this? Recently Paul S. mentioned this in relation to the picture taken in Starbucks. b) I joined a Merrimack Valley Camera Club last week (Andover, Massachusetts) but they don't go out that often or at least no member seemed comfortable so far to take me with them when they shoot. c) I am looking for company to get some tips, pointers and help me improve my composition lot more than just the technical details. d) I still shoot film and do not have money to buy a digital SLR. Can I get any decent film/slide scanner used for less than $150? And to share a picture that I took in India: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/angry.jpg All comments more than welcome. This was scanned from a 4x6 print using the office scanner. Thanks for reading a longish post. Gaurav
Re: New novice member from north of Boston
Thanks. You have amazing memory. I hadn't posted this exact shot though. A few other similar ones taken that weekend when some road was being constructed. Gaurav On 10/27/05, Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello, and welcome back. I remember the photo, the comments it generated, and the discussion we had about cropping and color balance. I recall a few other strong pics from you as well. Shel [Original Message] From: Gaurav Aggarwal And to share a picture that I took in India: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/angry.jpg All comments more than welcome. This was scanned from a 4x6 print using the office scanner.
Views on HP Photosmart S-20 film/slide scanner?
Does anyone have any views on an HP Photosmart S20 film/slide scanner? I am looking to buy a film scanner since I do not shoot digital as yet. I have a limited budget of $150 for a used scanner. A guy on craigslist is selling this particular model so was wondering if it is any good? I intend to scan negatives for sharing pictures on the web and scan some slides occasionally to get prints made from the digital files (family, travel etc). Thanks, Gaurav
PESO: Boston Harbor
Wow! I feel so much more comfortable. So many people remember my post from months ago. I am amazed. Thanks for your welcome. I really appreciate it. I was intending to post another shot until next week but here are two shots I took in Boston: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/harbor.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-10/1098407/bostoncommons.jpg Gaurav
Re: Views on HP Photosmart S-20 film/slide scanner?
Thanks! I am not going to buy the S20 since as Susan pointed out, I may problems with Windows XP which is what i use. Gaurav On 10/27/05, Jaume Lahuerta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The S20 was my first film sacanner, and it was a great learning tool. I replaced it for a Nikon LS-40, which is in another league. For me, one of the key missing features of the S20 was the dust/scratches removal. I still have images obtained with the S20 if you wold like to see the results that it can produce. Regards, Jaume --- Gaurav Aggarwal [EMAIL PROTECTED] escribió: Does anyone have any views on an HP Photosmart S20 film/slide scanner? I am looking to buy a film scanner since I do not shoot digital as yet. I have a limited budget of $150 for a used scanner. A guy on craigslist is selling this particular model so was wondering if it is any good? I intend to scan negatives for sharing pictures on the web and scan some slides occasionally to get prints made from the digital files (family, travel etc). Thanks, Gaurav __ Renovamos el Correo Yahoo! Nuevos servicios, más seguridad http://correo.yahoo.es
Re: Paw: My first Cover Photo
Congratulations! Its a great shot. Many times better than the typical Rolling Stones cover. Great detail, perfect timing and a story that is quite evident. I would just want to see the heads of the two ladies on the right top corner :-) But hey the magazine is not about them... All the best for more covers. Gaurav On Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:52:59 US/Eastern, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Gang. Its not the cover of the Rolling Stone, yet, but this shot made the the cover of: Local paper called Farm and Rural Life. http://photobucket.com/albums/v408/divad_b/?action=viewcurrent=KVA_PRS_8389.jpg Hey, its a start.LOL Now i have to start shooting cows sheep, as well as horses. LOL Comments welcome. Dave
RE: PZ-1 viewfinder problem
Hi Alan, That was very helpful. I opened a camera for the first time in my life and managed to put it back. I have to wait and see if it continues to work and expose film correctly :) Just wanted to point out that there are infact more screws to be removed: 2) Remove all screws (5) on the top, + 1 screw inside the battery compartment. There are 7 screws in addition to the 1 screw inside the battery compartment. These extra 2 screws are on the sides, near the strap lugs. Also, I was concerned whether the top will be clipped (some snap-fit type of cover) and whether I should use any force to remove the top-cover or not. Much like you have to do while opening walkmans, tv, vcr, music systems etc. But no, once you open all the 8 screws, the top just comes off. Also, it comes off with the Tv, Av and mode dials within the cover. I thought that I might have to slide the cover or life it at some angle to leave those dials on the body but no they come with the cover. Again my bias was based upon having opened a few bigger electronic gadgets. All in all a very satisfying weekend. Here in India, nobody that I have shown the PZ-1 had seen it before :) So very pleased to have repaired it myself. Finally, just a quick question: the camera gave me E when I closed the back of the film compartment (without a film) after I put back everything. This never used to happen before. Did I mess up something? Of course, when I loaded film, there was no Error message. Now I have to wait to finish the film but the E sort of scares me. Thanks Alan, I really appreciate your help. Gaurav -Original Message- From: Alan Chan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, September 03, 2004 4:05 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: PZ-1 viewfinder problem I forgot to mention, the hot shoe cover must be removed or the top won't come off. Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan http://www3.telus.net/wlachan/Z1p-eyepiece1.jpg http://www3.telus.net/wlachan/Z1p-eyepiece2.jpg http://www3.telus.net/wlachan/Z1p-inside.jpg 1 of the 2 coated elements might got loosen. You can try to clip them in place. If they were broken, just buy the eyepiece assembly from Pentax and replace it yourself. I think it costs less than USD20. 1) Remove the flash cover (there are a clip a screw on both side. The clips are fragile so be careful) and push the flash back in. 2) Remove all screws (5) on the top, + 1 screw inside the battery compartment. 3) Life the top carefully and never ever touch any contacts inside. They are extremely fragile. 4) Now you can remove the entire eyepiece assembly (2 screws) and work with it. Alan Chan http://www.pbase.com/wlachan
RE: Gaurav's PAW #7: Why me?
Thanks Shel, Boris and David for valuable comments. Shel, I really appreciate your detailed feedback and comments. They really help. I read almost all of your posts and benefit from them. I am understanding the meaning of contrast and crop slowly. I typically present what I had shoot. No crop afterwards or changes of any kind. I don't have PS but use Paint Shop Pro (PSP). I will try the techniques there and try to learn. I am pleased that Boris noticed the red-shot eyes. They had attracted me. The persons in background were not incidental though leaving a man half was not planned. The person had moved while I fumbled with my manual focus lens. I liked the idea of trying BW and will experiment in future but in this case, I wanted the red eyes. The overall pinkish tone, I agree should go away. The man-cut-in-half wasn't the boss. The boss was quite bossy and was telling me not to take the snap but the cut-man wanted his snap and I wanted this guy's snaps. I don't speak the local language so couldn't even communicate. Each print is expensive so here, I wanted to take only a single shot. I am glad it turned out good :-) I am now planning to buy Joseph Tainter's Sigma 70-300 APO lens to try more of street photography. Gaurav -Original Message- From: Shel Belinkoff [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 8:31 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Gaurav's PAW #7: Why me? Hi Gaurav, This photo clearly shows a little more thought compared to your previous PAW. I like the relationship between the worker, with his intense glare, to the out of focus co-workers in the background. I'm not sure how I feel about the fellow that we only see half of, whether I'd like to see all or none of him, but that's an early-morning-just-having-my-coffee-first-thought on the matter. The photo may benefit from a tighter crop based on fiddling with it a bit by moving it around in a frame in Photoshop. A few alternatives that might give the photo some added impact became apparent. Also, that pinkish cast has once again appeared. Must be the lab or the scanner you're using. A simple automatic adjustment in Photoshop fixed that in a moment. I didn't play around with the photo beyond these actions, but I will a little later and put them up for you to see what I'm trying to describe. Maybe you'll get some ideas from the suggestions. I can't help but wonder how this might look in BW, however, I've not tried a conversion yet. Still, it seems that with the right technique, this could become a very intense BW portrait. I generally see in BW, and that's how I see this photo, although the wonderful skin tones on this gentleman are quite nice, as well. Do you have Photoshop, or a good photo editing program? Your work is moving in a good direction, you've got a good eye for photographing people based on what you've posted here, but the scan and resulting image quality is really poor. Your photos can be improved tremendously with a few small adjustments to contrast, color balance, and cropping. Shel http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2423586size=lg
Gaurav's PAW #7: Why me?
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2423586size=lg Shel's remarks on my PAW #6 made me sit up and think whether I really want to take ordinary photos or actually plan them more. I typically used to take a single 'snap' of whatever I liked not worrying too much about the elements in there. Just hoping for a story to come out. This one had much more effort in it. Its scanned from a 4x6 print and no manipulation done. As all always comments/criticism invited. To me his expression says a lot. He's a road side worker who isn't really pleased with his day. Thanks for viewing! Gaurav
AF160 Flash with ME Super
Can I use a AF160 Flash with ME Super? I tried to but the flash doesn't fire. I do not have manuals for either. The flash test fires. I used a small length of wire to manually connect the centre of the flash hotshoe with the side pin of the hotshoe. The flash fired. I guess this is what the camera does when the shutter is clicked. I put a multimeter probe on side and centre pin of ME Super hotshoe and clicked. No connectivity. Is my ME Super broken? What is the second off-centre pin in the ME super hotshoe for? Should I try to get a cable and try to connect that? I tried the 125 setting on the dial of the ME super but that didn't help either. Is there some other setting that I have to do? Thanks for any pointers. Gaurav There are two types of death, one due to electricution by conductive teabag through a leaky chocolate biscuit wrapper, called dafticide, and then there is everything else, antidafticide. -- Atanu Dey's Weblog
Gaurav's PAW #5: Indian Parliament house
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2351011size=lg An ordinary scan of a picture taken just when I was getting interested in photography and had bought a camera from rec.photo.35mm.equipment. Scanned from a 4x6 print at 200 dpi. Comments on composition, lighting welcome inspite of the poor scan etc. Gaurav
RE: Split-image screens in AF cameras?
I am thinking of getting the Beattie Intenscreen Diagonal Split screen for my PZ-1 since I have difficulty focusing with my Pentax 35-105 f/3.5 manual focus specially when trying macro shots. How does one change the focusing screen? Will the instructions come with the beattie screen? Can I do it at home? I am not very technically inclined though reasonably so with electronics and gadgets. Alan, where did you get the MZ-M screen from? Most shops don't list it on their websites at least. I had called up the Pentax support center and they said that it wont fit the PZ-1 and hence weren't ready to sell one to me. Gaurav --- There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home. -- Ken Olson, Chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 9:04 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Split-image screens in AF cameras? My PZ-1 continues to meter jes' fine with the replacement screen in place. I've never noticed a difference, even with slide film. ERN
User Manual for Vivitar Macro 2x TC?
Hi all, I bought a used Vivitar 2x Macro focusing TC at the Camera Expo in Buena Park this Sunday. This is my first experience with a TC and was wondering if someone can give me any tips or point me to a user manual. I searched the web but could not find one. Thanks! Gaurav
RE: Long zoom macro lens?
I am back again to ask more questions. I am visiting US for some time and want to buy a used tele-zoom (macro not essential) before I return. I didn't see any FS: on the list so tried keh.com. How are the following lenses and prices: 75-300 F4.5-5.6 TOKINA MACRO A (58) for $105 80-400 F4.5-5.6 TOKINA AT-X AUTO FOCUS (72) for $286 I am tempted to buy the second even though it is way beyond my means. Also thinking of buying a used Vivitar Macro 2x teleconv from them for $60. Thanks, Gaurav -Original Message- From: Gaurav Aggarwal [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 9:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Long zoom macro lens? Hi all, I have been reading the posts for around 5-6 months now. I have a Pentax ME Super with M50/1.7 (and a PZ-1 also which I don't use though). I now realize that I would like to have a longish zoom for taking portraits of family, street photography, birds etc. Also, I have never done macro but would want that feature as well. IIRC, from the past posts some good long zoom lenses are: F 70-210 f/4-5.6 A 70-210 f/4 FA 80-320 f/4.5-5.6 Tamron 70-210 f/3.5 (manual focus?) Tokina ATX 100-300 f/4 (manual focus?) Vivitar Series I 90-180 f/4.5 Any other? . I am a hobbyist photographer, not even a serious amateur so build quality need not be very strong since I shoot 1-2 roll a month. . Manual Focus is fine since I will primarily use ME Super. . I prefer the reach of 300 mm, if possible. . Want to spend less than $150 (whis is Indian Rs. 7000). . Want macro (will I need/use it?). . Prefer not to be too heavy (less than 500g for sure) . I don't mind non-Pentax. . I had a Pentax 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 IF and wasn't extremely pleased with it so would want better optics. Is anybody selling anything that will meet my requirements? I saw Wendy is selling the A 70-210 f/4. Maybe that will be good since I bought my ME Super from her :-) Thanks so much!! Gaurav --- C++: Where friends have access to your private members. -- Gavin Russell Baker
gemini macro converter
I see an auction for a Gemini macro converter ending in another 1 hour (around 10:30 am pacific time) but dont if it is any good. Any views? I am looking for a macro converter for less than $40 so this sounded good though based on your recommendations, I am really looking for a Vivitar 2x Macro TC. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2956576352category=15240 Also, I apologize if such a question about an ebay item is considered out of the mailing list norms. Please let me know so that I dont make the same mistake again. Gaurav
Nobody selling anything??
Hi, I live in India where it is difficult (and expensive) to buy used and new Pentax equipment since Canon and Nikon are more popular. I am currently visiting Irvine, CA on official work and was hoping that I will be able to buy some used stuff. Surprised to see so few FS: postings in the last couple of weeks. Is there any other way by which I can buy stuff? Keh, Adorama, BH used department appears expensive (though may not be). I cant register with ebay since no home address, credit card etc. Anyone knows shops that sell used stuff in this area? Also any suggestions where to spend weekends? I was advised the Pacific Coast Highway by someone. Will try to go to the San Diego zoo also. Gaurav -Original Message- From: Gaurav Aggarwal [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 11:58 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: want to buy (and looking for suggestions too) Hi, Thanks for all the help that you guys gave me personally and through all the posts that I silently keep reading. I feel ready to make some purchases so would appreciate some help and prices if you are selling any of these: 1. Macro teleconverter for my M 50mm f/1.7. Lieberman suggested Panagor Macro converter. Others talked about Vivitar Macro 2x. Any other? Selling any of these? 2. A lens to reach 300mm (and optimistically beyond). I am a small hobbyist so don't need the best optical performance. Just want to avoid consumer grade/beginner stuff. A zoom may be good though not necessary, say 100-300 (or 75-300). AF or MF. Tamron AF 70-300? Tamron 60-300? Tamron 300 f/5.6 Adaptall? Pentax FA 80-320? Sigma 70-300 APO? Sigma 300 or 400 Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4? Tokina AT-X 400? 3. How about achromatic close-up lenses instead of tele-conv? Cost is a big constraint :( Looking forward to your recommendations/suggestions as well as asking prices for anything that you are interested in selling that you think might meet my largely open requirements. Gaurav
RE: Nobody selling anything?? (Blakely?)
Thanks! I google'd to find a Buena Park swap meet on Oct 19. That sounds good. http://www.cameraexpo.com has more info. Gaurav -Original Message- From: Steve Larson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2003 10:45 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Nobody selling anything?? (Blakely?) Hi Gaurav, There is a camera swap meet in Orange county, but it is only every other week or so. Lots of used stuff. Sometimes you can get a deal. I saw a guy snag a SMCP 50/1.2 for $75 once, the guy selling it didn`t know what he had. I don`t remember the name or address of the show, but Bob Blakely does, maybe he`ll chime in. Steve Larson Redondo Beach, California
Almost OT: which telescope for a beginner
Here's another OT question (FAQ?): I am just beginning to get interested in star gazing but have never looked through a telescope. How do I go about choosing and buying one? I am sort of looking for a ME-Super+50 f/1.7 of telescopes. Thanks for your help. Gaurav
RE: free Cable Switch F
Hi Peter, Hope I am the lucky one. I have a PZ-1 and tried to build one myself but it didn't work properly :( Gaurav -Original Message- From: Peter Popp [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 7:20 AM To: pentax-discuss Subject: free Cable Switch F Some people may remember that I was selling off my entire 35 mm in order to expand my 645nII kit. Most things have sold, and I have paid for my FA 45-85/4.5 and I'll soon be ordering the FA 150/2.8. I no longer have need for my Cable Switch F, so I would be glad to mail it for free to the first person to send me a private e-mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] - please be sure that you have a camera you can use it with. It is the older style remote with three pin sockets in line. I know it works with the PZ-1 and PZ-1p, and I believe the 645n (not nII) and ZX series as well. And please don't respond if you already own such a cable. Peter
RE: Still FS, etc
Colin, Is this the KR-5 Super II body? I am a newbie so dont know all the models. A google search suggested that the features of KR-5 Super II are almost the same as ME Super. Is that true? Thanks! Gaurav Ricoh KR super II body $35 Excellent condition. Standard K mount. 1 - 1/2000 shutter speed. 1/125 flash sync
Long zoom macro lens?
Hi all, I have been reading the posts for around 5-6 months now. I have a Pentax ME Super with M50/1.7 (and a PZ-1 also which I don't use though). I now realize that I would like to have a longish zoom for taking portraits of family, street photography, birds etc. Also, I have never done macro but would want that feature as well. IIRC, from the past posts some good long zoom lenses are: F 70-210 f/4-5.6 A 70-210 f/4 FA 80-320 f/4.5-5.6 Tamron 70-210 f/3.5 (manual focus?) Tokina ATX 100-300 f/4 (manual focus?) Vivitar Series I 90-180 f/4.5 Any other? . I am a hobbyist photographer, not even a serious amateur so build quality need not be very strong since I shoot 1-2 roll a month. . Manual Focus is fine since I will primarily use ME Super. . I prefer the reach of 300 mm, if possible. . Want to spend less than $150 (whis is Indian Rs. 7000). . Want macro (will I need/use it?). . Prefer not to be too heavy (less than 500g for sure) . I don't mind non-Pentax. . I had a Pentax 28-200 f/3.5-5.6 IF and wasn't extremely pleased with it so would want better optics. Is anybody selling anything that will meet my requirements? I saw Wendy is selling the A 70-210 f/4. Maybe that will be good since I bought my ME Super from her :-) Thanks so much!! Gaurav --- C++: Where friends have access to your private members. -- Gavin Russell Baker
comments and tips solicited
Hi everyone, I am a newbie who has got interested in photography quite recently. I have been using a camera for more than 5 years now but it was mostly to take group pictures of family and touristy snaps to show where all I went and what all I did :-) http://www.photo.net/shared/community-member?user_id=748579 I would really like to hear from you guys. I have been on the list for a few months now. Don't think twice before sending negative, most damnest of all remarks (ref: thread on please comments). I would appreciate if you tell me how to improve the composition, technique, get better exposure and in general, photographs that appeal to some. I understand that to each his own but still, right now my pics don't even appeal that much to me! Thanks a lot! Gaurav PS: Thanks to Wendy from whom I bought my ME Super + 50mm f/1.7 recently. --- Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons. -- Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
RE: comments and tips solicited
Thanks John, I really appreciate your comments. No upseting me :-) BTW, there are 27 more shots there. The links aren't that apparent. Try: http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=748579 The shaky foundations was definitely not intended but I sort of liked it. Taj is something that I don't know how to capture. For Colors the slide was scanned by a lab. I would definitely keep your comments in mind since I too feel that the pics aren't that appealing. Thanks so much! Gaurav -Original Message- From: John Coyle [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 1:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: comments and tips solicited Welcome to the group Guarav, and I obviously you enjoy what you've found here: I just hope our comments don't upset you! My comments, and I only looked at the three showing on the link: Wah Taj - if you're going to make a building lean by titling the camera, you might as well go all the way! I am not sure about the tower at the right, it might have been preferable to include the base, to connect it with the wall in the foreground. The shot seems a little unsharp, perhaps out of focus, in the middle to top of the frame. Shaky foundations - it's seldom possible to convince anyone that you did this on purpose, and I think that we've all taken shots just like it hand-held and thrown them away. It doesn't really do anything for me at all. Colours - I think I see what you were trying to do here, but it just doesn't work for at least three reasons: 1. That horizon! IMHO, it's either level or it's wrong. You might be able to justify it with a dynamic marine action shot, but not with one as static as this. 2. The tree. It's pretty ugly in form, and I would have changed my viewpoint to lose it altogether. If you couldn't do that, it might have been possible to use it as a frame at one side of the shot. 3. The exposure, or possibly the post-scanning adjustment, is just not deep enough. You're obviously trying to use the silhouettes in the foreground to contrast with the colours on the horizon, and on my monitor they are not dark enough. Was it scanned from the slide by you or by a laboratory? If a lab, it seems they were trying to bring the shot up to 'normal' daylight levels. Offered in a spirit of trying to be helpful... John Coyle Brisbane, Australia
how is the HP Scanjet 7400c?
hi all, is the HP Scanjet 7400c scanner with the included adapter for scanning negatives, slides any good? i want to use it for hobby/amateur use and scan some of my slides. any special tips to get the most out of it? thanks! gaurav Missed your favourite TV serial last night? Try the new, Yahoo! TV. visit http://in.tv.yahoo.com
Totally OT: need pointers on Handycam
Hi all, Here is yet another OT post! I am looking to buy a cheap video camera since my wife feels they are closer to capturing human emotions than my ME Super. Any pointers on where to find more information. I don't know anything about them, other than they are either analog or digital. And there is optical zoom and digital zoom. I am looking to buy one for less than $500, could stretch to $700 if I end up postponing for another 2-3 months. These are new prices. If I can locate a used one, then my budget would be scaled down propotionately. Any mailing-lists, websites, would really be helpful. Of course, if you could tell what you guys use then nothing better than that :) Thanks, Gaurav Missed your favourite TV serial last night? Try the new, Yahoo! TV. visit http://in.tv.yahoo.com
RE: Who are you
Well, I am a silent member, who reads less than half of the posts. I am based in Bangalore, India and got introduced to photography while I was in Irvine, CA for my M.S. in Computer Science. I bought a used Pentax PZ-1 through rec.photo.equipment in 1997 and got a new Pentax 28-200mm lens that I probably shouldn't have bought. I had seen a few of my friends take great photos and I decided that I wanted a camera for myself. Thats when I started looking for a used one since I was living out of a scholarship. Anyways, I moved to India soon after and more or less stopped taking pics until very recently. I am still an occasional photographer whose pictures are so ordinary and boring that no one (not even me myself) wants to see. I got pulled into photography due to high-tech stuff and all the technical details. I figure that I don't have a good eye. Hopefully, I will be able to take at least family pictures and some touristy pics. Just recently, I decided that I needed a manual-focus smaller camera because I wasn't really putting my PZ-1 to good use and thought that the 28-200 wasn't probably as good (even for my 4x6 prints). So I bought a ME Super with 50mm from Wendy on this mailing list. Got it with the help of two friends in the US who eventually sent it to me in India. I just finished my first roll with the ME Super and am as disappointed with my skills as I was a few months ago :( Need to improve soon!! Gaurav Missed your favourite TV serial last night? Try the new, Yahoo! TV. visit http://in.tv.yahoo.com
RE: Looking for a 300mm cheap
I am also looking for a tele so got interested in the post. Any idea how does this Tamrom compare against the Pentax 80-320 shot at longest range? Thanks, Gaurav -Original Message- From: Sas Gabor [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 1:19 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Looking for a 300mm cheap Hi, On 2 Sep 2002 at 22:25, Jim Fellows wrote: I need a long lens but do not want to spend a how lot of maony. I want something fairly sharp. It does not need to be a fast lens as I will be using a tripod. Thanks in advanced for all recommandations. The Tamron (Adaptall2) 5.6/300 seems to be a good choice for you. Gabor Want to sell your car? advertise on Yahoo Autos Classifieds. It's Free!! visit http://in.autos.yahoo.com
Exposing slides (and prints too)
Thanks to Wendy, I will be taking my newly acquired ME Super to a long weekend trip to Kerala, South India. I want to use some slide film too (in addition to the regular Kodak Gold 100 that is popular in this part of the world). I can manage to get Elitechrome 100. Question: Do I need to over/under-exposure slides as some sort of general rule? How about prints? Should I under-expose sunsets to get that warm orangish hues?? Also, it will be lush green in Kerala this time of year due to rains. Would I better using a Fuji print film compared to Kodak Gold? We don't get any other films other than the consumer grade films here. I will be only getting 4x6 prints made. Thanks in advance, Gaurav Want to sell your car? advertise on Yahoo Autos Classifieds. It's Free!! visit http://in.autos.yahoo.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Building a battery grip for PZ-1 (a FAQ perhaps!)
:-( That could be a reason. I also don't use flash more than 20-25% of the times. No power zoom and no mid-way film rewind. Just one possibility that my batteries are poor quality. I use Sanyo 2CR5 batteries that are probably smuggled (imported?) into India via the south-east Asia route perhaps. Gaurav -Original Message- It has been a year (?) since I sold my last PZ-1p, so my memory may be off, but I believe that I was getting 35-40 rolls of 36 exposure film with each battery change. I used flash often (25-30%?), power-zoom very often, and occasionally forgot to turn off the switch. If your battery usage is this high, I would suspect a defect and would try to have a knowledgeable repair person check for a short circuit or other problem. I know the PZ-1p has a reputation as a battery consumer par exellance, but 6-8 rolls just doesn't sound right. Of course, YMMV, IIRC, etc. Stan From: Gaurav Aggarwal [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 18:04:05 +0530 Subject: Building a battery grip for PZ-1 (a FAQ perhaps!) Hi, I have a PZ-1 that is eating up batteries (probably I use the flash quite often and leave the camera on once in a while). The batteries are quite expensive in this part of the world (approx 5 times the cost of a Kodak 100 print film), and I get only 6-8 rolls out of one. . . . Looking forward to your views and comments! Thanks in advance, Gaurav Want to sell your car? advertise on Yahoo Autos Classifieds. It's Free!! visit http://in.autos.yahoo.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Building a battery grip for PZ-1 (a FAQ perhaps!)
Hi, I have a PZ-1 that is eating up batteries (probably I use the flash quite often and leave the camera on once in a while). The batteries are quite expensive in this part of the world (approx 5 times the cost of a Kodak 100 print film), and I get only 6-8 rolls out of one. So I have decided to use 4-AA cells even if the whole contraption becomes a little untidy and clumsy. I looked at the archives of the list and found a few postings on this topic. Specifically saw that Andreas Wirtz posted that the camera electronics will not work with the amperage of the AA cells. Has anyone made any attempts at using AA cells (alkaline or Ni-Cd) with PZ-1? Would appreciate any pearls of wisdom that you guys might offer me. I plan to make a hole in the battery cover and take out leads to connect to a battery holder through a Berg connector often found in a electronics lab or computer equipment. Basically small male-female connectors. Now the question is, how do I make proper contacts with the camera terminals? I plan to put tape the wires onto a used battery (with the battery terminals themselves insulated with tape). Would that be secure enough? Looking forward to your views and comments! Thanks in advance, Gaurav Want to sell your car? advertise on Yahoo Autos Classifieds. It's Free!! visit http://in.autos.yahoo.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Any recommendations on PS??
Hi all, I know discussing PS is inviting the fury of brotherhood :), but I need to help a friend in office who wants to buy a PS with zoom ability. My only experience with a PS is a Olympus Epic that had a 28mm lens. It was quite good. Would somebody know about Pentax or other brands? A mid-zoom range like 28-90 or 38-110 would be nice to have. Price is a constraint. Upper limit is $150. Thanks in advance, Gaurav - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: May PUG Review from Cotty
Thanks a lot Cotty. Your comments are much appreciated and I hope to improve and post again soon. I am just getting started and somehow am unable to give more time. Gaurav Cotty wrote: [..] The Sun Sets (a sunset over dam water) Gaurav Aggarwal I always mention first timer PUGsters, and Gaurav has provided a brave attempt with an easy subject to shoot - a difficult subject to shoot well. Sunsets are ten a penny, and keeping the viewer looking is the real trick. Watch those horizons! Lord knows I've learnt the hard way :-) Well done Gaurav. [..] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
OT film question: difference between USA and Imported
BH lists two different types of film for most of the brand/specification. One is marked USA and another Imported. The price difference is quite a lot, especially for print films. Are the imported films markedly more inferior to the ones made in the USA? Or it doesn't really matter and would effect only those extremely finicky. Thanks! Gaurav - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: I need a picture of the Z-1p grip
The picture at BH isn't very nice and clear so may not be that useable. And for whatever its worth, I tried removing their logo. If its not a violation of copyright etc. then the jpg attached may be used. Gaurav -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Sylwester Pietrzyk Sent: Monday, May 06, 2002 12:45 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: I need a picture of the Z-1p grip on 05.05.02 2:11, Bojidar Dimitrov at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ...for the KMP. Thanks a lot, Boz I have found one on BH Photo site, but it is stamped with their logo :-( -- Pozdrowienia Sylwek - [demime 0.98e removed an attachment of type image/jpeg which had a name of 91508A.jpg] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Photos of Tulip Fields in Washington
Extremely beautiful!! I really enjoyed them. I also looked at some other pictures and particularly liked the sunset picture at: http://www.geocities.com/harald_nancy/images/sunset.jpg Was wondering if you could give me some tips on capturing sunsets. How did you meter it? What is the best time to capture the sunset? Did you need to bracket by large EV values? Any tips would be much appreciated. Gaurav -Original Message- Hi Pentaxians, I just spent a few days shooting in the tulip fields by La Conner, Washington state. The expanse of colors in the tulip fields were spectacular! If anyone likes to view a few photos I scanned, go here: http://www.geocities.com/harald_nancy/Tulips_2002.htm Photos were taken with my trusty ZX-5, Pentax 50 macro, Pentax 28-70, Tokina 80-200, Tokina 20-35. slide film Kodak Elite Chrome 100. Harald - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Website Update
I am just a beginner, who hardly manages to take a few shots worth showing to anybody so probably I should not comment. In any case, I would say that I was awestruck! The pictures are just amazing and the navigation is convenient, easy and intuitive. Great site. It just encourages me to spend more time on photography than the few hours that I spend with the camera and less with the computer with which I dont spend few hours in the day. Gaurav -Original Message- Earlier this month I did a complete re-write of my website, and last night moved the project a little nearer to completion by adding a couple more galleries. I really tightened up on the rather ramshackle nature of the earlier site, and have been more vigorous in editing images and have greatly reduced the number of photos, hopefully showing just the best of each category. I still have one more gallery to add - general wildlife images (mostly squirrels, frogs, and a few deer) but otherwise the page is pretty complete. Except for a handful of images shot with a CP990, everything is done with Pentax gear. So - take a look. I'd appreciate any feedback about the layout and content. (I took Shel's advice and changed the background to an ~18% grey, which works pretty good I think.) The URL is: http://www.markcassino.com Tally-ho - MCC - - - - - - - - - - Mark Cassino - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Anybody selling ME Super??
A WTB is probably against the charter of the mailing list, so I apologize. But since I have seen a few WTB/FS postings, I will go ahead and ask :) Is anybody selling a ME Super with a 50mm or 28mm lens? I decided to buy one after all. I am not in a hurry so would be looking to get one in good condition for around $100 then I will be happy. Always the optimist, eh?? ;) Regards, Gaurav - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
