Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Ryan, ordinary plastic flash clip will do, no real need for one with pentax name on it. The important thing is that the surface of the clip that comes in contact with flash pins is all plastic so the shortcutting among pins cannot occur. I use one that I bought in a local photo store, it can be attached onto the tripod and also comes with a bounce joint at the bottom. It does the job of holding the flash where I want just fine. Matjaz Hiya wise Pentaxian panel.. About using the af360fgz flash as a wireless slave with an mz5n (using the popup flash to trigger the slave), I was wondering about this bit in the manual: To prevent accidental short-circuiting of the flash unit's hot shoe contacts, attach the Off-Camera Shoe Grip or Off-Camera Shoe Clip CL-10 when using the flash unit as a slave unit. and this bit in a separate section: When using a flash unit separated from the camera, use of the Off-camera shoe adapter F or the Off-camera shoe clip CL-10 is recommended. While the latter remark seems a bit more passive, the former seems to warn of dire consequences. Since I don't have either accessory, I was wondering what the real risk is (of using a wireless slave without a clip, grip thingie). Also, how much do they cost anyway (anyone got spares lying around they want to offload?) Rgds, Ryan
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Ryan Lee a écrit: Hiya wise Pentaxian panel.. About using the af360fgz flash as a wireless slave with an mz5n (using the popup flash to trigger the slave), I was wondering about this bit in the manual: To prevent accidental short-circuiting of the flash unit's hot shoe contacts, attach the Off-Camera Shoe Grip or Off-Camera Shoe Clip CL-10 when using the flash unit as a slave unit. and this bit in a separate section: When using a flash unit separated from the camera, use of the Off-camera shoe adapter F or the Off-camera shoe clip CL-10 is recommended. While the latter remark seems a bit more passive, the former seems to warn of dire consequences. Since I don't have either accessory, I was wondering what the real risk is (of using a wireless slave without a clip, grip thingie). Also, how much do they cost anyway (anyone got spares lying around they want to offload?) I use a home made shoe with full metal socket: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/photo/bricolage.htm#Support flash Michel
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Hi Michel, I tried going to the URL, but even cutting and pasting the whole line gets a broken link. Was it a typo? Rgds, Ryan From: Michel Carrère-Gée [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use a home made shoe with full metal socket: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/photo/bricolage.htm#Support flash Michel
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Hi Matjaz, That pretty much clears it up. I'll be on the lookout for one just like that with the tripod mount. Cheers, Ryan From: Matjaz Osojnik [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ryan, ordinary plastic flash clip will do, no real need for one with pentax name on it. The important thing is that the surface of the clip that comes in contact with flash pins is all plastic so the shortcutting among pins cannot occur. I use one that I bought in a local photo store, it can be attached onto the tripod and also comes with a bounce joint at the bottom. It does the job of holding the flash where I want just fine. Matjaz Hiya wise Pentaxian panel.. About using the af360fgz flash as a wireless slave with an mz5n (using the popup flash to trigger the slave), I was wondering about this bit in the manual: To prevent accidental short-circuiting of the flash unit's hot shoe contacts, attach the Off-Camera Shoe Grip or Off-Camera Shoe Clip CL-10 when using the flash unit as a slave unit. and this bit in a separate section: When using a flash unit separated from the camera, use of the Off-camera shoe adapter F or the Off-camera shoe clip CL-10 is recommended. While the latter remark seems a bit more passive, the former seems to warn of dire consequences. Since I don't have either accessory, I was wondering what the real risk is (of using a wireless slave without a clip, grip thingie). Also, how much do they cost anyway (anyone got spares lying around they want to offload?) Rgds, Ryan
Re: Digital issues
The Epson C80 and other printers makes nice prints from 4 or 6 color inks, due to the small nozzle sizes. The problem is the cleaning cycles. We have central air heat, which drys things out, and at the moment the printer cannot spray a single drip of ink. My own fault; I should have printed a test block of colors once per week just to keep the ink flowing. The same thing happened with the color on the HP printer, but at least you can get a new print head when you get more ink. Too bad HP's older inks turn colors. I've had fairly good luck cleaning my Epson heads with a high grade of isopropyl alcohol. I simply pull out the print cartridges and take a cue tip loaded with alcohol and place a drop in the opening of each print head. I then take a clean dry one and soak up the excess. Replace the cartridges and run a couple of cleaning cycles. So far so good with this procedure. Whether or not there are any negative consequences to this I don't know yet. But what else to do? David
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Mike, Matjaz, Michel, Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just thought of something- because the mz5n hasn't got wireless TTL with the af360fgz, am I right to say that to fix up all the connections to have a remote flash (wired) I'd probably need the Pentax labelled bits anyway if I wanted to use remote TTL? Rgds, Ryan
Re: NorCal PDML Meet Pictures
I wanna know why there's no piccies of Marnie. cheers, frank Because, sadly, I don't photography well and never have. So when people take out their cameras I hide or put a sackcloth over my head. :-) Well, I wish I could. I've only had about 3-4 good pictures taken of me during my lifetime. The true answer is Bruce has access to some that we should be sharing soon. Marnie aka Doe
Re: Digital issues
On Sat, 25 Oct 2003, mike wilson wrote: My (presently) biggest gripe with digital imaging is the cost. For a process that is not significantly better, except in immediacy of results, I am expected to pay a very significant premium? No, thank you. I can do almost the same thing by buying a film scanner for about 1/5th of the price. I moved away from film scanning a few years ago after getting sick one last time of dealing with dust on the slides. I really did like shooting slides and viewing them, but scanning them with anything less than a $1000 scanner just wasn't producing decent results. I don't know if prices for good scanners have come down and maybe that has changed. I was using a Nikon LS1000. I think my photography has improved as a result of using digital for a few years because I can preview right away and tweak the image by taking it again in a slightly different manner. The knowledge that I've picked up from this would probably carry over to film too. The only film that I expect I would shoot anymore is if my *ist D died on a trip, or if I was going somewhere that required I carried the smallest camera possible and then I would take my Ricoh GR-1. alex
Re: Figure this?
Still no luck on getting PUG photos on the laptop. I just checked all of the tools settings against those on the desktop and they're identical. PUG loads fine on the desktop, but only names of contributors on the laptop. IIRC I had this problem with the desktop machine when I installed XP, but damned it I can remember what I did to get it to load the PUG properly. Any more suggestions? Not familiar with XP, but usually that is one's browser settings -- not something set in Windows per se. Play around with the graphic setting in your browser -- preferences. You might try compress graphics or don't compress graphics and see what works best. Sometimes what works and won't work is a function of how much memory you have. Marnie
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Ryan Lee a écrit: Hi Michel, I tried going to the URL, but even cutting and pasting the whole line gets a broken link. Was it a typo? Rgds, Ryan From: Michel Carrère-Gée [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use a home made shoe with full metal socket: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/photo/bricolage.htm#Support flash Try: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/Photo/bricolage.htm#Support%20flash or http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/Photo/bricolage.htm And go to Support Flash Michel
Re: Finally!
Oops. You already got it. Congrats! Marnie aka Doe
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Ryan Lee a écrit: Mike, Matjaz, Michel, Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just thought of something- because the mz5n hasn't got wireless TTL with the af360fgz, am I right to say that to fix up all the connections to have a remote flash (wired) I'd probably need the Pentax labelled bits anyway if I wanted to use remote TTL? The MZ5n has not wireless flash, but AF360FGZ con work as slave flash with all bodies (use channel 2) Michel
Ebay
Beware of hacked accounts, esp. if you choose to conduct the transaction outside the Ebay system. From personal experience, alas: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/index.asp?layout=articlearticleId=CA289972 (long URL may break into multiple lines in your email client) == Brian Dipert Technical Editor: Mass Storage, Memory, Multimedia, PC Core Logic and Peripherals, and Programmable Logic EDN Magazine: http://www.edn.com 5000 V Street Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 454-5242 (voice), (617) 558-4470 (fax) mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit me at http://www.bdipert.com
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Michel Carrère-Gée a écrit: Ryan Lee a écrit: Mike, Matjaz, Michel, Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just thought of something- because the mz5n hasn't got wireless TTL with the af360fgz, am I right to say that to fix up all the connections to have a remote flash (wired) I'd probably need the Pentax labelled bits anyway if I wanted to use remote TTL? The MZ5n has not wireless flash, but AF360FGZ con work as slave flash with all bodies (use channel 2) Use mode slave 2, not channel 2. Michel
What DSLR Improvements I'd Like To See
I've been thinking about what improvements I'd like to see in DSLRs -- in the immature c**p technology -- before I am happy or happier. And, thus, more willing to spend bucko bucks on a DSLR. Trouble is, I am rather ignorant. But I think I'd like to see: 1. Canon solve it's exposure problems. (Not totally sure this is the problem, but it seems that is the problem, or maybe it's auto focus in low light, which is supposedly a problem with some of their film cameras as well.) 2. Better software for chromatic aberrations This is where I am really ignorant. But it seems to me that good interpolation (?) software might distribute the results of chromatic aberration better, so that digital apes film more. I mean, people are not going to be happy when they discover that one half of their lenses do not work that well with a DSLR. I wouldn't be happy shopping around for older lenses, having to find out which one had bad effects on a DSLR. 3. Greater latitude. Again ignorant. But I've been thinking maybe software could ape film types more as well. I am used to shooting slides now, so the lack of latitude may not bother me -- much. But for those who formerly shot negative film, it may be a bit of a shock. Maybe this could not be done by software, maybe it has to be firmware, but I think it might be doable. Very doable. Settings to change latitude. 4. Less artifacting. Well, most 6 mps seems to not artifact too much, but there seem to be some cases where they do. I am still sort of examining this one. 5. Full frame sensor? Nope, don't think that is important to me. 6. Being able to use older lenses on a Pentax DSLR. The more and more that I have read this list, the more and more I think that would be a great idea. The main reason is that there are tons of cheaper manual lenses out there. More people would hop on the Pentax bandwagon (newbies) if they could pick up cheaper lenses for their new DSLR. However, I am not sure if the firmware would support it -- because the aperture is set from the camera and the right contacts are missing from the lens mount (this is what I have gathered from reading the list). Is an adapter ring down the line at all possible? Anyway, these are my ignorant ramblings. What improvements would you like to see? Marnie aka Doe Saying no digital at all in not allowed. :-)
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Salut Michel! Yep that link's better. I just checked it out- I must say I don't understand anything on that page, but for the record, the stuff you made looks really neat. The clip for the flash looks metal though.. is it? Cheers, Ryan From: Michel Carrère-Gée [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: Michel Carrère-Gée [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use a home made shoe with full metal socket: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/krg/Photo/bricolage.htm#Support%20flash
Re: OT: Ebay
Hi Brian, Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience. I must say that you came across pretty calm in that article. If it happened to me I'd be looking thru the hire-a-hitman section in the yellow pages, and probably wouldn't have enough composure to sit down and type out an article. So was that it in the end, you not seeing your money again? Rgds, Ryan PS. I suppose on the bright side your money wasn't down for a Mac Powerbook G4.. Saw one in the shop the other day.. talk about gorgeous.. *drool*.. and I don't even know how to use a Mac.. - Original Message - From: Brian Dipert [EMAIL PROTECTED] Beware of hacked accounts, esp. if you choose to conduct the transaction outside the Ebay system. From personal experience, alas: www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/index.asp?layout=articlearticleId=CA289972
Field Conditions,was: A3 printer recommends please
Brendan chimed in with: Even the higher end printers like the 2200 are ink monsters, Hi all. Now i have several examples of printers other than my Canons,thanks to Bill and Wendy. But, i tend to use my printers and computers in some pretty dusty,hot,windy,fly infested conditions.I have noticed i have to service the S800 quite often as the pull down rollers stop pulling down,have to push it a bit,and after a few months in the field i noticed,under light bulb light only,not under normal daylight,very fine,less than hair llike scratches on the papers surface.None noticed with Ilford papers. Has anyone used their Epson,say 925 or so or Olympus dye sub in field conditions such as mine.???The photographer that sold me the D1 mentioned the dye sub's can produce a poor quality print if ANY dust/dirt gets in the ribbon/ink/paper. Wendy said her first on site went well with good quality prints. Any comments. Dave
Re: new to list and a question
LOL. Well there was talk earlier this month, at work, about sending me to Cold Lake for 4-5 weeks.If they do, and i drive out,i'll let you know.I'm sure i can stop for a min or two.:-) Dave On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Chris B wrote: If the buyer has a good feedback rating you'll probably be ok. I ship internationally to most countries and have never had a problem, but I've only done that around 10 times. chris I'm probably your best customer anyway eh.:-) Dave True enough, you hoser. I'll buy you some beer and back bacon if we ever meet up. :) chris
Re[2]: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
No TTL that way. You must manually set flash output and probably meter manually. Also need to take into account the popup flash on the MZ-5n. If you want off camera flash and TTL, you are going to need cords and connectors from Pentax. --- Bruce Saturday, October 25, 2003, 9:42:41 AM, you wrote: MCG Michel Carrère-Gée a écrit: Ryan Lee a écrit: Mike, Matjaz, Michel, Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just thought of something- because the mz5n hasn't got wireless TTL with the af360fgz, am I right to say that to fix up all the connections to have a remote flash (wired) I'd probably need the Pentax labelled bits anyway if I wanted to use remote TTL? The MZ5n has not wireless flash, but AF360FGZ con work as slave flash with all bodies (use channel 2) MCG Use mode slave 2, not channel 2. MCG Michel
Re: Ebay
Hi, Brian! ===8==Original message text=== BD Beware of hacked accounts, esp. if you choose to conduct the transaction BD outside the Ebay system. From personal experience, alas: BD www.reed-electronics.com/ednmag/index.asp?layout=articlearticleId=CA289972 BD (long URL may break into multiple lines in your email client) BD == BD Brian Dipert ===8===End of original message text=== Thanks for sharing. Indeed, you had an unfortunate experience. I suppose, you nailed it for me - no eBaying. Especially, being a non-American citizen, I would have even less chance of recovering if I get in trouble... It's a pity such things keep happening... sigh Boris
Re: Re[2]: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
I also am very interested in this use of slave flash. I would have expected the TTL functions to operate normally on the camera for not only the onboard or external mounted flash but also for the slave flash. If you set the slave for less then you expect to need 1/16 etc, then the on camera flash would make up the difference wouldn't it? It would read the total provided light from both flashes via TTL and provide the necessary amount on the on camera flash to provide correct exposure. I'm not saying I know this to be true, but rather pose this as a question. Dave No TTL that way. You must manually set flash output and probably meter manually. Also need to take into account the popup flash on the MZ-5n. If you want off camera flash and TTL, you are going to need cords and connectors from Pentax.
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips, not to mention chips
Hi, Ryan Lee wrote: Mike, Matjaz, Michel, Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just thought of something- because the mz5n hasn't got wireless TTL with the af360fgz, am I right to say that to fix up all the connections to have a remote flash (wired) I'd probably need the Pentax labelled bits anyway if I wanted to use remote TTL? Consider yourself corrected, you naughty boy 8-) But you are right. This is quite easy with the analogue flashes but seems to be more complicated with the digital ones. Basically, you need to perm any three clips and wires from the 5P set. mike
Re: What DSLR Improvements I'd Like To See
Hi, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've been thinking about what improvements I'd like to see in DSLRs -- in the immature c**p technology -- before I am happy or happier. And, thus, more willing to spend bucko bucks on a DSLR. It's not crap technology, it's very expensive, cutting-edge technology. Trouble is, I am rather ignorant. But I think I'd like to see: 1. Canon solve it's exposure problems. (Not totally sure this is the problem, but it seems that is the problem, or maybe it's auto focus in low light, which is supposedly a problem with some of their film cameras as well.) Not interested. I find Canon cameras unpleasant to use and will not be buying one in the forseeable future. 2. Better software for chromatic aberrations This is where I am really ignorant. But it seems to me that good interpolation (?) software might distribute the results of chromatic aberration better, so that digital apes film more. I mean, people are not going to be happy when they discover that one half of their lenses do not work that well with a DSLR. I wouldn't be happy shopping around for older lenses, having to find out which one had bad effects on a DSLR. An area that certainly needs improvement. I would be _very_ unhappy to have bought a camera that showed the problem that has been highlighted on this list in the last few days. 3. Greater latitude. Again ignorant. But I've been thinking maybe software could ape film types more as well. I am used to shooting slides now, so the lack of latitude may not bother me -- much. But for those who formerly shot negative film, it may be a bit of a shock. Maybe this could not be done by software, maybe it has to be firmware, but I think it might be doable. Very doable. Settings to change latitude. As above. Both of these areas show what I call a consumer development approach to product design. You make something that doesn't work quite as well as its predecessor and sell it. If the consumer complains, then it's an area to work on. If they don't. Anyone remember stainless steel disc brakes? People probably died from that little fiasco, yet it took years before manufacturers reverted to cast iron. 4. Less artifacting. Well, most 6 mps seems to not artifact too much, but there seem to be some cases where they do. I am still sort of examining this one. As above. 5. Full frame sensor? Nope, don't think that is important to me. Why? It would lessen some of the problems you have highlighted above. It would also significantly reduce someone's profits. 6. Being able to use older lenses on a Pentax DSLR. The more and more that I have read this list, the more and more I think that would be a great idea. The main reason is that there are tons of cheaper manual lenses out there. More people would hop on the Pentax bandwagon (newbies) if they could pick up cheaper lenses for their new DSLR. However, I am not sure if the firmware would support it -- because the aperture is set from the camera and the right contacts are missing from the lens mount (this is what I have gathered from reading the list). Is an adapter ring down the line at all possible? Agreed. It is the major thing that would persuade me to buy a DSLR. Yes, I would pay significantly more for it. Yes, I will wait for it to happen. Yes, I will stick with film (maybe even moving to LF) for now. If I need digital, I will buy a ps. Anyway, these are my ignorant ramblings. Odd, they are mine too. mike
Re: Digital issues
My (presently) biggest gripe with digital imaging is the cost. For a process that is not significantly better, except in immediacy of results, I am expected to pay a very significant premium? No, thank you. I can do almost the same thing by buying a film scanner for about 1/5th of the price. Not really. You can get decent results from a dedicated film scanner at around half the price of a *ist-D/D100/10D (or something quite close to the price of a 300D), but the cheaper units are usually just flatbed scanners with transparency adapters, which don't work as well. Then, of course, there's the sheer tedium of doing the scanning. You can get film scanners with bulk feed magazines, of course, but those cost about as much as a DSLR. By the time you've scanned a couple of hundred frames you'll welcome anything to relieve you of this task. Next problem; dust. Unless you live in a semiconductor manufacturing plant, there's going to be dust on your slides. Cleaning up dust spots is yet another tedious chore. You can get semi-automated software and hardware to help with this task, but this too is not without drawbacks. And, finally, cost. I'm sure that many of the DSLR purchasers here shoot enough that using the *ist-D will end up being cheaper than the cost of film and processing over the next couple of years. If you only shoot one roll a month, and if you are prepared to let WalMart or CostCo scratch your negatives, then a DSLR isn't cost effective. Shoot an average of more than a roll a week, though, using slide film, and take the film to a local pro or semi-pro lab, and the costs mount.
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Whoever's brave enough to answer Dave's query, could you also drop some info on how one would usually go about doing the settings for a remote slave flash (triggered by the popup, no TTL). If it's a af360fgz tailored answer, even better! Thx, Ryan - Original Message - From: Dave Miers [EMAIL PROTECTED] I also am very interested in this use of slave flash. I would have expected the TTL functions to operate normally on the camera for not only the onboard or external mounted flash but also for the slave flash. If you set the slave for less then you expect to need 1/16 etc, then the on camera flash would make up the difference wouldn't it? It would read the total provided light from both flashes via TTL and provide the necessary amount on the on camera flash to provide correct exposure. I'm not saying I know this to be true, but rather pose this as a question. Dave
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Hi Bruce, Just using a random example, if you're metering using the camera and it gives you say f5.6 at 1/100 with the popup of a subject say 2 metres away (if that is enough information), and you want to use a remote slave (non-TTL) say to the right of the subject from say 2 metres away as well, how would you normally go about manually setting the flash output taking into account the popup flash too? Thanks in advance! Ryan From: Bruce Dayton [EMAIL PROTECTED] No TTL that way. You must manually set flash output and probably meter manually. Also need to take into account the popup flash on the MZ-5n.
Re: Digital issues
Not really. You can get decent results from a dedicated film scanner at around half the price of a *ist-D/D100/10D (or something quite close to the price of a 300D), but the cheaper units are usually just flatbed scanners with transparency adapters, which don't work as well. You might consider the Minolta Scan Dual III for under $300 new. Check the reviews on this scanner and I think you'll find it is rated quite highly. No, it's not a perfect solution, but does offer the digital world to many of us at an affordable price. Since I own this scanner I am finding it quite hard to justify a DSLR at this point, since a good share of my motivation is controlled by my Wallet! Dave
Re[4]: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Dave, You are basically correct if the popup flash is stronger than the slave and ambient isn't too strong. The problem is, that the reason to move the flash off camera is to make the main light not be direct. In your proposed approach, the popup becomes the main and the AF360FGZ becomes the fill. The desired lighting effect is probably not really what you are looking for. You either need something to control TTL on all flashes, including ratios or run all the lights manually and flash meter for correct exposure. --- Bruce Saturday, October 25, 2003, 11:02:32 AM, you wrote: DM I also am very interested in this use of slave flash. I would have expected DM the TTL functions to operate normally on the camera for not only the onboard DM or external mounted flash but also for the slave flash. If you set the DM slave for less then you expect to need 1/16 etc, then the on camera flash DM would make up the difference wouldn't it? It would read the total provided DM light from both flashes via TTL and provide the necessary amount on the on DM camera flash to provide correct exposure. DM I'm not saying I know this to be true, but rather pose this as a question. DM Dave No TTL that way. You must manually set flash output and probably meter manually. Also need to take into account the popup flash on the MZ-5n. If you want off camera flash and TTL, you are going to need cords and connectors from Pentax.
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Dave wrote: DM I also am very interested in this use of slave flash. I would have expected DM the TTL functions to operate normally on the camera for not only the onboard DM or external mounted flash but also for the slave flash. If you set the DM slave for less then you expect to need 1/16 etc, then the on camera flash DM would make up the difference wouldn't it? It would read the total provided DM light from both flashes via TTL and provide the necessary amount on the on DM camera flash to provide correct exposure. DM I'm not saying I know this to be true, but rather pose this as a question. It pretty much does so, provided the slave flash doesn't overexpose the main subject. When in a hurry, I set the 360FGZ in auto mode on one stop wider aperture than the one on camera to make sure it provides half of the necessary light at most. For careful setups I prefer the manually adjusted output based on aperture, distance, light loss on bouncing and how important the slave is in the combination. Even if it works quite well - still I see the need for a full wireless P-TTL. Servus, Alin
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Bruce wrote: BD You are basically correct if the popup flash is stronger than the BD slave and ambient isn't too strong. The problem is, that the reason BD to move the flash off camera is to make the main light not be direct. BD In your proposed approach, the popup becomes the main and the BD AF360FGZ becomes the fill. The desired lighting effect is probably BD not really what you are looking for. You either need something to BD control TTL on all flashes, including ratios or run all the lights BD manually and flash meter for correct exposure. That's a very good point. Still one can exercise some control by dialing negative compensation on the camera to attenuate the pop-up flash. I never use direct uncompensated flash except for the midday fill-in. The illumination provided by a punctual light source like the pop-up flash is especially harsh. Servus, Alin
Re: Re[4]: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
Bruce Could you please explain this further. I had actually planned on the slave providing most of the light and the popup or hotshoe mounted flash providing the minority of the light. I'm afraid I'm still a bit lost here. I have the PZ-1p and PZ-1 cameras at this point and have no wireless to play with as yet in my Pentax equipment. I also have acquired a professional stand type modeling flash with 3 variing outputs from a local photographer that retired, only $40, and of course would like to implement it. Unfortunately I do not possess any metering equipment other then on camera metering. I have the AF360FGZ and a couple of other off brand flashes for pentax. one of which supports TTL and AF. I had planned to use a minisoftbox on my hotshoe on camera flash with the slaves. Dave You are basically correct if the popup flash is stronger than the slave and ambient isn't too strong. The problem is, that the reason to move the flash off camera is to make the main light not be direct. In your proposed approach, the popup becomes the main and the AF360FGZ becomes the fill. The desired lighting effect is probably not really what you are looking for. You either need something to control TTL on all flashes, including ratios or run all the lights manually and flash meter for correct exposure.
Re: What DSLR Improvements I'd Like To See
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've been thinking about what improvements I'd like to see in DSLRs -- in the immature c**p technology -- before I am happy or happier. And, thus, more willing to spend bucko bucks on a DSLR. It's not crap technology, it's very expensive, cutting-edge technology. Of course it is. Trouble is, I am rather ignorant. But I think I'd like to see: 1. Canon solve it's exposure problems. (Not totally sure this is the problem, but it seems that is the problem, or maybe it's auto focus in low light, which is supposedly a problem with some of their film cameras as well.) Not interested. I find Canon cameras unpleasant to use and will not be buying one in the forseeable future. Except if Canon fixes its exposure problem it means the whole front on digital technology moves forward. These companies RD departments don't operate all that independently from each other. IE. An advance with one company usually means an advance with other companies as they copy each others' advancements. 2. Better software for chromatic aberrations This is where I am really ignorant. But it seems to me that good interpolation (?) software might distribute the results of chromatic aberration better, so that digital apes film more. I mean, people are not going to be happy when they discover that one half of their lenses do not work that well with a DSLR. I wouldn't be happy shopping around for older lenses, having to find out which one had bad effects on a DSLR. An area that certainly needs improvement. I would be _very_ unhappy to have bought a camera that showed the problem that has been highlighted on this list in the last few days. So would I be. However, I don't think anyone who has already bought a *istD, or a 300D or a 60 or 30D is stupid. I think they just have more photographic discretionary spending money than I do. I want to make that non-stupid part clear. 3. Greater latitude. Again ignorant. But I've been thinking maybe software could ape film types more as well. I am used to shooting slides now, so the lack of latitude may not bother me -- much. But for those who formerly shot negative film, it may be a bit of a shock. Maybe this could not be done by software, maybe it has to be firmware, but I think it might be doable. Very doable. Settings to change latitude. As above. Both of these areas show what I call a consumer development approach to product design. You make something that doesn't work quite as well as its predecessor and sell it. If the consumer complains, then it's an area to work on. If they don't. Anyone remember stainless steel disc brakes? People probably died from that little fiasco, yet it took years before manufacturers reverted to cast iron. I don't think it's deliberate. I think it's what happens with an emerging technology. They release something and find out later where the real problems are. There is only so much development time they can give something. Things also evolve and get better. But I certainly wouldn't call it planned in any sense, say of deliberately releasing less than they can do at that point in time. I think it *is* what they can do at that point in time. 4. Less artifacting. Well, most 6 mps seems to not artifact too much, but there seem to be some cases where they do. I am still sort of examining this one. As above. 5. Full frame sensor? Nope, don't think that is important to me. Why? It would lessen some of the problems you have highlighted above. It would also significantly reduce someone's profits. Well, if full frame would solve problems, then that would be good. I don't particularly *want* it, because I like shooting wildlife and I like the way long glass is magnified. But mainly it's not something I think they will do soon, for lower end DSLRs (under $2,000-3,000) anyway. There is no compelling reason for them to do so. So it is not on my wish list. 6. Being able to use older lenses on a Pentax DSLR. The more and more that I have read this list, the more and more I think that would be a great idea. The main reason is that there are tons of cheaper manual lenses out there. More people would hop on the Pentax bandwagon (newbies) if they could pick up cheaper lenses for their new DSLR. However, I am not sure if the firmware would support it -- because the aperture is set from the camera and the right contacts are missing from the lens mount (this is what I have gathered from reading the list). Is an adapter ring down the line at all possible? Agreed. It is the major thing that would persuade me to buy a DSLR. Yes, I would pay significantly more for it. Yes, I will wait for it to happen. Yes, I will stick with film (maybe even moving to LF) for now. If I need digital, I will buy a ps. I am not sure if it can be done technology-wise, but it certainly would be a selling point. Anyway, these are my ignorant ramblings. Odd, they are mine too. mike Except,
Re: What DSLR Improvements I'd Like To See
Hi, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 2. Better software for chromatic aberrations This is where I am really ignorant. But it seems to me that good interpolation (?) software might distribute the results of chromatic aberration better, so that digital apes film more. I mean, people are not going to be happy when they discover that one half of their lenses do not work that well with a DSLR. I wouldn't be happy shopping around for older lenses, having to find out which one had bad effects on a DSLR. An area that certainly needs improvement. I would be _very_ unhappy to have bought a camera that showed the problem that has been highlighted on this list in the last few days. So would I be. However, I don't think anyone who has already bought a *istD, or a 300D or a 60 or 30D is stupid. I think they just have more photographic discretionary spending money than I do. I want to make that non-stupid part clear. Me neither. What I think they have done is buy something that they have no way of knowing will fulfill the functions they require. Rather like I had to enter into a contract with my ISP _before_ they would answer any technical questions. No choice. Doesn't make me any happier with the outcome of my situation and I think there will be listers who are unhappy with the outcome of theirs. 3. Greater latitude. Again ignorant. But I've been thinking maybe software could ape film types more as well. I am used to shooting slides now, so the lack of latitude may not bother me -- much. But for those who formerly shot negative film, it may be a bit of a shock. Maybe this could not be done by software, maybe it has to be firmware, but I think it might be doable. Very doable. Settings to change latitude. As above. Both of these areas show what I call a consumer development approach to product design. You make something that doesn't work quite as well as its predecessor and sell it. If the consumer complains, then it's an area to work on. If they don't. Anyone remember stainless steel disc brakes? People probably died from that little fiasco, yet it took years before manufacturers reverted to cast iron. I don't think it's deliberate. I think it's what happens with an emerging technology. They release something and find out later where the real problems are. There is only so much development time they can give something. Things also evolve and get better. But I certainly wouldn't call it planned in any sense, say of deliberately releasing less than they can do at that point in time. I think it *is* what they can do at that point in time. I think it _is_ deliberate. It is also, to some extent, understandable. Otherwise you get to the stage where you never release a product because you know you can just go one step further towards improving it. Rather like an ex-lister and his book 8-) With something like software, which is probably more complex than all the rest of the item put together, it is more understandable that less-than-perfection is released as the manufacturer knows that it is relatively easy to correct. However this may also lead to an attitude of relative complacency. 5. Full frame sensor? Nope, don't think that is important to me. Why? It would lessen some of the problems you have highlighted above. It would also significantly reduce someone's profits. Well, if full frame would solve problems, then that would be good. I don't particularly *want* it, because I like shooting wildlife and I like the way long glass is magnified. It is a relatively small attraction of present DSLRs for me, too. Except, I think, possibly, that I am more optimistic than you. I see these things as solvable. And I think they will be solved. So I am very serious about this question... (addressed to others now) Was it something I said? 8-) I am optimistic that the present difficulties will be dealt with. I am not sure they will be dealt with in a manner beneficial (both financially and photographically) to me. mike
On how *istD handles.
Gang, Having had my first hours of quality time with the *istD, there are some experiences I'd like to share with you guys. I'd be very grateful if other *istDers could comment on how you have experienced these issues. In general, the first experience is that the *istD is a natural step in the Pentax camera evloution. Nothing revolutionary about the design, they have scraped together ideas from both the Z-series and the MZ-series. The interface is, as I guess everyone already know, very recogniseable from other autofocus Pentaxes. Still, there's room for more evolution here, IMO. So, here's some changes I'd like to see in an *istD II. First, I think the Av wheel is positioned too far to the right. IMO, swapping position with the +/- button would have improved handling a lot. Second, the on-off ring is too wide, making the distance between the shutter button and the Tv wheel too long. Third, the green button that takes you back to the program after messing about with the Tv/Av wheels is also too far from any finger. I would have preferred to have that button placed the way it is on MZ-S; high up on the front. Another thing that I know will annoy me in time to come, is that the eyepiece and rubber plugs in connectors are so loosely fitted. The eyepiece is exactly the same as on the MZ-S, btw... They got to bea able to think of something better than that. A personal frustration is that my hands are obviously too big for the *istD ergonomics, even with the grip attached. This leads to a few problems, like I cannot leave the shutter button on the grip in on position while shooting horisontally because I keep tripping the shutter with the palm of my hand. - I have already had a few confusing experiences of that...:-) ... Also, when walking with the camera at the ready, my hand aches after only a few minutes of just holding the camera. -Tested with a 31mm ltd, which isn't _that_ heavy... The same lens on the Z-1 is a breeze to carry by comparison. I guess I'm saying that I would like a camera to have ergonomics fitting more hands than the Japanese's. The *istD is very similar to all other DSLRs I have seen in that it does not handle well with gloves on. The buttons and wheels are simply too small to be felt and properly pushed with gloves on. IOW, it's a challenge to use it properly outdoors in 6 months out of 12 here in Norway. Small hopes for a fix on that one, though... Well, those are first thoughts anyway. Tomorrow, I will try to find a suitable spot and test colour aberrations with various tele lenses, including another FA-100/2.8 macro. I will try also to check out flare control with the wide-angles I have available. I will also bring a thinner pair of gloves...:-) Cheers, Jostein -
Re: Wireless flash and off camera clips, grips, pips, tips, salsa dips
On 25/10/03, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged: I use a home made shoe with full metal socket I saw that. Good film. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
