Waiting
1 day ago
Thursday, February 16, 2012
PESO 2012 #02 - Southern Israel
Some time last year I posted a comparison between Sony A-850 and Pentax K-7. Before departing I thought I might as well take with me a film camera to see how I would manage to shoot with good old film. I had Pentax MX with FA 20/2.8 loaded with Fuji Reala 100. Below are some images from that day.
I have to say that these three and other film photos I took throughout the last year make me admit that film has some kind of magic that seems to have been lost with digital, but I digress...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Pentax K-5 clicking noise in video problem solved
The problem is that when K-5 Motion JPEG video is converted by practically any program, the resulting video file has clicking noises that are heard approximately every second. This problem is well-known at can be easily googled up on the web. Suggested solution is usually to install better MJPEG codec that will help the converting software to produce noise-free video. Minor gotcha here is that MJPEG codecs are usually commercial and I even came across some place on the net where it was said that no free MJPEG codec exists. Additionally, I use WinXP 64 bit so that it is a bit of an esoteric OS from modern software perspective.
Here is what I found and what works wonderfully for me.
Usual disclaimers:
Here is what I found and what works wonderfully for me.
- MP4Cam2Avi Easy Converter - this is portable (as in - no installation necessary) software that, as it claims, produces an AVI file that unlike the original that came from the camera, can be edited in VirtualDub and other programs. In my case, it produced AVI files about 1:5 of size of the original.
- XMedia Recode - this is also portable software (*) that converts between different video formats. For example, I asked it to convert the output of MP4Cam2Avi to MP4 and it gave me the file of about 1:10 of the size of the input (total 1:50 of the original from the camera) that was visibly just as good and totally noise-free.
Usual disclaimers:
- I am in no way affiliated with the makers of the above programs. So use them at your own risk.
- My interest is video is most casual one. The quality of the final output produced by this process is absolutely sufficient for me, but your mileage may naturally be different than mine.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Pentax K-01 and some blog notes
Sadly, during last few months my photographic activities were reduced to almost complete stand still. Having become aware of this I hope for the better, but I am not making any promises.
On the other hand Pentax land seems to be full of good news - new cameras, new lenses, solid lens road map for the couple of years ahead. Life seems to be good. It actually is in all respects but one, which kind of bothers me. I'd call it "fragmentation".
You see, K-01 and announcement of few more lenses designed especially for this new fascinating camera got me wondering - will these XS lenses (say, DA 40/2.8 XS - tiny little kit lens) be compatible with my K-5 and Galia's K-7? By the way, huge kudos to Pentax for introducing K-01 with prime kit lens.
So, back to the fragmentation thought. Presently Pentax has K-5 for serious photographers or at least those who care more for technical merit of their gear and not the posh value. Then there are Pentax Q (which I think really has to do with being Q-ute) and K-01 which was the first photography related effort by a renowned designer. And K-01 has this bumble bee variety - yellow on black. And this signature of Marc Newton on its bottom. Add to that multitude of colors of K-x and later K-r consumer level DSLR cameras produced by Pentax. It seems Pentax (and rightfully so) has turned to the younger crowds of people who busy themselves with buying fancy cases for their iPhones or Samsung Nexus S's.
Again, nothing specifically wrong with it. It is just that if Pentax decides to sacrifice its unique backward compatibility feature and create lenses that are of the same mount but not really compatible across their current camera offerings, it may have negative effect on the Pentax world in the term longer than immediate.
Certainly, Pentax K-01 is very cool and either it or its successor is likely to replace K-7 for my daughter. But won't Pentax fragment their own lens line and camera body line to the point where it will actually damage the sales?
I cannot possibly tell. Time might have the answer to this question. I sincerely hope at least someone whose voice is heard in the headquarters had asked this question and the answer provided was sensible.
Have a great 2012 everyone, be you my blog reader or just a causal passer by. Let your lenses shoot straight and your light be marvelous.
On the other hand Pentax land seems to be full of good news - new cameras, new lenses, solid lens road map for the couple of years ahead. Life seems to be good. It actually is in all respects but one, which kind of bothers me. I'd call it "fragmentation".
You see, K-01 and announcement of few more lenses designed especially for this new fascinating camera got me wondering - will these XS lenses (say, DA 40/2.8 XS - tiny little kit lens) be compatible with my K-5 and Galia's K-7? By the way, huge kudos to Pentax for introducing K-01 with prime kit lens.
So, back to the fragmentation thought. Presently Pentax has K-5 for serious photographers or at least those who care more for technical merit of their gear and not the posh value. Then there are Pentax Q (which I think really has to do with being Q-ute) and K-01 which was the first photography related effort by a renowned designer. And K-01 has this bumble bee variety - yellow on black. And this signature of Marc Newton on its bottom. Add to that multitude of colors of K-x and later K-r consumer level DSLR cameras produced by Pentax. It seems Pentax (and rightfully so) has turned to the younger crowds of people who busy themselves with buying fancy cases for their iPhones or Samsung Nexus S's.
Again, nothing specifically wrong with it. It is just that if Pentax decides to sacrifice its unique backward compatibility feature and create lenses that are of the same mount but not really compatible across their current camera offerings, it may have negative effect on the Pentax world in the term longer than immediate.
Certainly, Pentax K-01 is very cool and either it or its successor is likely to replace K-7 for my daughter. But won't Pentax fragment their own lens line and camera body line to the point where it will actually damage the sales?
I cannot possibly tell. Time might have the answer to this question. I sincerely hope at least someone whose voice is heard in the headquarters had asked this question and the answer provided was sensible.
Have a great 2012 everyone, be you my blog reader or just a causal passer by. Let your lenses shoot straight and your light be marvelous.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D
A co-worker of mine recently bought this very special lens to go along with his Nikon D90. Few days ago I had an opportunity to play with it a little.
Obviously, being a rather old lens, a lot can be found about it on the net. So I will put here only my personal impressions.
Operation
Everything just works. AF is quiet, quick and precise. The defocus control ring is conveniently placed and is very to operate. Although somewhat on the heavy side (it is after all a fast f/2.0 optic), it is only ever so slightly front heavy on D90. The viewfinder view is bright, although judging exact degree of defocus is not always so easy. But chimping is easy these days, isn't it?
Image quality
This is where it truly shines. In fact, the whole idea of defocus control, where the degree of defocus is decoupled from the aperture (unlike, e.g. Pentax soft lenses, where the softness is simply set by the aperture) is just brilliant. The three dimensional effect due to play of in focus to out of focus transition can be very pronounced too.
Summary
Highly recommended in all respects. It can be used both as fast medium tele lens and as a very special portrait optic and for great many other purposes.
If I shot Nikon I would definitely get one of those defocus control lenses because I quite like the soft focus effect.
Obviously, being a rather old lens, a lot can be found about it on the net. So I will put here only my personal impressions.
Operation
Everything just works. AF is quiet, quick and precise. The defocus control ring is conveniently placed and is very to operate. Although somewhat on the heavy side (it is after all a fast f/2.0 optic), it is only ever so slightly front heavy on D90. The viewfinder view is bright, although judging exact degree of defocus is not always so easy. But chimping is easy these days, isn't it?
Image quality
This is where it truly shines. In fact, the whole idea of defocus control, where the degree of defocus is decoupled from the aperture (unlike, e.g. Pentax soft lenses, where the softness is simply set by the aperture) is just brilliant. The three dimensional effect due to play of in focus to out of focus transition can be very pronounced too.
Summary
Highly recommended in all respects. It can be used both as fast medium tele lens and as a very special portrait optic and for great many other purposes.
If I shot Nikon I would definitely get one of those defocus control lenses because I quite like the soft focus effect.
Saturday, November 05, 2011
Pentax SMC DA* 16-50/2.8 follow up
A couple of weeks ago I posted about Pentax SMC DA* 16-50/2.8. Having shot with it about 800 images, I think it may be time for a follow up post.
Handling and build
It's just about perfect. The focus ring does not rotate when AF is working which makes it most convenient. In fact it's my first lens that I can hold any way I want without risking to intervene with gear operation. Zoom ring is smooth and tight.
Image quality
That's where real fun begins. This lens flares more than other Pentax lenses I used. Well, may be FA 28-105/4-5.6 (nee Tamron) flares really badly, but this one does catch flare every now and then.
Also the purple fringing can be a bit of a problem. LightRoom solves almost all of it via lens profile mechanism, but although I don't usually fret about purple fringing sometimes it is hard not to notice.
There is certain degree of sharpness fall off towards the corners of the frame for wider zoom settings. Since I am yet to print a proper enlargement from my shots with this lens, this statement and others in this section have to be taken with a sensible grain of salt.
So, I think that if this lens was submitted to a laboratory testing it would fair not too well. Also I think that if one would take into account its relatively high price (the likes of Sigma 17-50/2.8 or Tamron 17-50/2.8 are significantly cheaper), one would not be so unreasonable to say that the value for the money of this lens is not very high.
The good thing though that when it hits it, it shines. And it hits it like 99% of the time. Sharp wide open, excellent color rendering, smooth tonal gradation, very smooth OOF rendering. Add to that silent SDM AF system and weather resistant construction and you get a clear winner.
On SDM
I don't think SDM has any real advantages over screw driven AF except being silent and allowing for full time manual override. These two are very significant advantages and silent AF can be most useful for shooting in the crowd or during events. It is sufficiently precise although it did miss few times but it might have been my mistake as well as technology limitation in play here. The AF speed is comparable and although some say that SDM is faster, I don't think it is that much faster so as to be a game changer. It well may be that when I return to any of my older lenses, I will change my mind, for I've been shooting with this lens exclusively since I got it.
Summary
There's very little one may dislike about this lens. Although being the flagship of the brand (along with its sister lens DA* 50-135/2.8 that I don't own) it is not perfect and it has its flaws. Yet, it's a wonderful tool that already has served me very well on quite a few occasions.
P.S. Several most recent PESOs were shot with this lens, so have a look at what it can do, don't take my word for it.
Handling and build
It's just about perfect. The focus ring does not rotate when AF is working which makes it most convenient. In fact it's my first lens that I can hold any way I want without risking to intervene with gear operation. Zoom ring is smooth and tight.
Image quality
That's where real fun begins. This lens flares more than other Pentax lenses I used. Well, may be FA 28-105/4-5.6 (nee Tamron) flares really badly, but this one does catch flare every now and then.
Also the purple fringing can be a bit of a problem. LightRoom solves almost all of it via lens profile mechanism, but although I don't usually fret about purple fringing sometimes it is hard not to notice.
There is certain degree of sharpness fall off towards the corners of the frame for wider zoom settings. Since I am yet to print a proper enlargement from my shots with this lens, this statement and others in this section have to be taken with a sensible grain of salt.
So, I think that if this lens was submitted to a laboratory testing it would fair not too well. Also I think that if one would take into account its relatively high price (the likes of Sigma 17-50/2.8 or Tamron 17-50/2.8 are significantly cheaper), one would not be so unreasonable to say that the value for the money of this lens is not very high.
The good thing though that when it hits it, it shines. And it hits it like 99% of the time. Sharp wide open, excellent color rendering, smooth tonal gradation, very smooth OOF rendering. Add to that silent SDM AF system and weather resistant construction and you get a clear winner.
On SDM
I don't think SDM has any real advantages over screw driven AF except being silent and allowing for full time manual override. These two are very significant advantages and silent AF can be most useful for shooting in the crowd or during events. It is sufficiently precise although it did miss few times but it might have been my mistake as well as technology limitation in play here. The AF speed is comparable and although some say that SDM is faster, I don't think it is that much faster so as to be a game changer. It well may be that when I return to any of my older lenses, I will change my mind, for I've been shooting with this lens exclusively since I got it.
Summary
There's very little one may dislike about this lens. Although being the flagship of the brand (along with its sister lens DA* 50-135/2.8 that I don't own) it is not perfect and it has its flaws. Yet, it's a wonderful tool that already has served me very well on quite a few occasions.
P.S. Several most recent PESOs were shot with this lens, so have a look at what it can do, don't take my word for it.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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