Great compilation of PESOs/GESOs/PAWs
Hello, While I haven't posted much for months, I've sat silently and read the PDML once in a while... I've always been quite impressed by the average quality of PUG, but also PESOs, GESOSs, and PAWs... Since almost 2 years, I haven't discarded any PDML e-mail, and it occurred to me that I could compile all those PESOs into a nice database with links to the actual images... A few lines of code and here it is (at least, a preliminary version of it): http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/pdmlpesos/ There is a list of the latest 3663 PESOs, PAWs and GESOs, with the original PDML message, including links to the actual images (as they were in the messages). Of course, many of these links are now broken, and my parsing engine may have done outright errors (typically in interpreting the message titles to determine PESOs/PAWs/GESOs). For now it's a bit crude. However, if there's sufficient interest in this work, I might give it some extra effort for nicer look and features, such as grouping/searching by author, type (PESOs vs GESOs), keywords, displaying PDML member comments threads, or whatever we could imagine... Enjoy, and as usual, feedback is welcome. Patrice PS: Of course, Great in the subject refers to these images for quality, and to the compilation itself for quantity :-) -- 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.
Great compilation of PESOs/GESOs/PAWs
Hello, While I haven't posted much for months, I've sat silently and read the PDML once in a while... I've always been quite impressed by the average quality of PUG, but also PESOs, GESOSs, and PAWs... Since almost 2 years, I haven't discarded any PDML e-mail, and it occurred to me that I could compile all those PESOs into a nice database with links to the actual images... A few lines of code and here it is (at least, a preliminary version of it): http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/pdmlpesos/ There is a list of the latest 3663 PESOs, PAWs and GESOs, with the original PDML message, including links to the actual images (as they were in the messages). Of course, many of these links are now broken, and my parsing engine may have done outright errors (typically in interpreting the message titles to determine PESOs/PAWs/GESOs). For now it's a bit crude. However, if there's sufficient interest in this work, I might give it some extra effort for nicer look and features, such as grouping/searching by author, type (PESOs vs GESOs), keywords, displaying PDML member comments threads, or whatever we could imagine... Enjoy, and as usual, feedback is welcome. Patrice PS: Of course, Great in the subject refers to these images for quality, and to the compilation itself for quantity :-) -- 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: Flash for K10D
Hi, It might be a no-no for your needs, but it may be worth looking at Metz offering, specially for those who have a limited budget: I've a couple Metz flashguns second hand, and I'm very happy about them. Both are SCA3000 universal units with Pentax adapters, with twist/swivel capability, secondary lamp to assist when bouncing, and a very nice looking, powerful light. Both used to work great with MZ/ZX series and the *ist DS in TTL mode, but do not support PTTL. As everyone knows, Pentax does not support TTL anymore since the *ist DS, so we're stuck with A and M modes. However, these units feature the unique Smart Auto mode that even Pentax flashguns lack: in A mode (and M also, BTW), all parameters (ISO/focal distance for zooming/aperture) are transmitted automagically to the flash, and there is no additional setting to do on the flash itself. So, these units can be used in A mode as easily as in TTL/PTTL mode. The internal sensor is very accurate, and it's really a pleasure to use. - the 40 MZ3 is a bit older, and with the K10D it exposes strangely when bouncing... For whatever reason, set it on Program 4 and it's fixed. You can get it for very few bucks. - the 54 MZ3 is more recent, and works just fine in A mode... As I don't use HSS and Wireless, and I don't shoot photos where (P)TTL vs. A makes a difference, it was the best value I could find for the price. By the way, when I know I need to do fill flash and I want to keep wide open, I just compensate the lack of HSS by using a ND8 filter. Yes, I lose a few stops, but so does HSS. Just my 2 cents. Patrice Amirkambiz Hamedanizadeh a écrit : Hi, I used to have the Pentax AF-360FGZ, which is broken and they ask for lots of money to repair it ( Norway, sweet Norway☹). So I decide to buy one more flash and I dedicated around 250 US$ for a flash, I wonder which flash do you recommend. I do not think any time I need wireless feature. 1. Pentax AF-360FGZ 2. Pentax AF-540FGZ 3. Sigma EF-530 DG ST 4. Sigma EF-530 DG Super I appreciate your recommendation. Cheers, Amirkambiz -- 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: *ist DS AF speed
I think you'll find that if you continue to use your MZ-5 with NiMH batteries, the AF motor will self destruct pretty quickly. It wasn't designed to use batteries with that much current. I bet it runs really fast, but not for long. William Robb Hi William, What to you mean with, with that much current? The rated voltage for NiMH batteries is 1.2V each, instead of 1.5V, and unless their internal resistance is way lower than that of alkaline cells, they should provide less current. My experience with various equipment tends to second that. Or am I all wrong somewhere? I've been using my MZ5n flawlessly with NiMH for a few years now, maybe I'm just lucky. The AF in my previous MZ5 fried after a few years of moderate use, but I didn't use NiMH back then. Thanks and best regards Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
*ist DS AF speed
Hi dear PDMLers, My apologies in advance if this topic has been discussed at length already, however I couldn't find it in my PDML archives. Like many people around, I've always found that the *ist DS focuses quite slowly in poor lighting conditions. But last week-end, I took my MZ-5n out of its disgrace, and put on my F-50 f/1.7. I didn't have this lens yet when I bought the *ist DS, and had never used it before with the MZ. I must say I was immediately impressed by the AF speed! In both low light and normal light conditions, the MZ focuses way faster than the *ist. It's not just noticeable, it's like twice as fast!!! I wish I had such raw speed on my *ist! I used NiMH AA cells on both the MZ and the *ist DS. I assumed maybe the *ist DS draws more power for electronics, so I tried lithium batteries: it's a bit faster, but still not on par with the MZ still equipped with its NiMH cells. Is the *ist DS supposed to be so slow, or is my unit somehow bogus and I've failed to notice so far? Do any of you have an experience to share in this regard? My unit is still under guarantee for a few months, so I'd rather have it fixed now if it's abnormal... Best regards Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Prairie Pano
Nice picture, works for me. The lightly bent horizon disturbs me. I initially thought it was how the scene really is, before I realized that all vertial lines are also slightly bent to the right. Maybe fixing this would improve the picture. Patrice William Robb a écrit : This is 2 shots using the A400/5.6 married together. The seam is kinda visible, I need to work on this technique some more. http://users.accesscomm.ca/wrobb/pictures/peso/400pano.html Enjoy William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Something different
Great abstract! Reminds me of Escher drawings, where one doesn't now where is the shape, and where is the background. Patrice William Robb a écrit : Not my usual stuff. http://users.accesscomm.ca/wrobb/pictures/peso/before_coffee.html Enjoy William Robb -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Question about aperture in A, F, FA, DA, etc. lenses
Hi Bob, As I understood it (but I may be wrong): * With A-lenses and A-bodies in A-mode, the body only pushes the lens lever the right amount to reach the right aperture, and that's why the lever's operation must be linear. * With pre-A bodies and/or pre-A lenses, the body actuator always pushes the lens lever all the way through, which results in the lens closing to the aperture preset on the ring. So it doesn't make any difference whether the lever effect is linear or not, in this case. This might explain why you could never see any difference. Regards Patrice Bob Sullivan a écrit : [...] In practice, I've wondered about it, but never been able to notice any difference in the slides my cameras produced with A vs K or M lenses. I always attributed any differenced to the light transmission qualities of the lens itself. Regards, Bob S. On 3/26/07, Igor Roshchin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello! Sorry for bringing up this question that may be known to most of the people here. I just realized that I don't know it, and couldn't find the information on the KMP site or elsewhere on the web. This question is about aperture control design. For the A and later lenses that have A setting on the aperture ring, - what is the step of the actual aperture setting in this mode? If it doesn't coinside with F-stops or 1/2-F-stops, then is it body-dependent (i.e. is one body more capable to utilize sub-1/2-f-stops then another) or is it standardized? I realize that the motion of the diaphragm actuator in the lens is stepless, so it is up to the body to choose the steps, if any (is it determined by the DAC bitness?) Thank you, Igor -- 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
Re: PESO: Eclipse
John Sessoms a écrit : From: Patrice LACOUTURE Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-Eclipse/2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. I like the photos. But I've been wondering about the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. I saw some other postings about it indicating it would only be visible from Europe, but I could see it quite well from here in NC (USA). The totality could only be seen from the US eastern 1/3rd, and during a shorter time. Partiality could be seen from all the US (except Alaska). Link here: http://www.imcce.fr/fr/ephemerides/phenomenes/eclipses/lune/mars2007_1.php#img -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Eclipse
My mistake. I misread the visibility map: it will be well visible from the whole France, too. Let's set our clock now, and hope for a nice weather! Patrice Henk Terhell a écrit : Patrice, next total moon eclipse for me in the Benelux is 21 february 2008 at about 4 AM. So you may be able to see some of it in the south of France if you don't forget to set your alarm clock. Henk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) Sent: 05 March, 2007 11:47 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: PESO: Eclipse I hope you have the opportunity to see something great next year from where you are. It won't be visible from here, so my time was two days ago! Next total moon eclipse for me is in 2010. Regards Patrice Henk Terhell a écrit : Patrice, nice picture. I tried but failed to get something useful. But next year there is another opportunity. Henk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) Sent: 04 March, 2007 11:15 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: PESO: Eclipse Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-Eclipse/ 2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Eclipse
Hi Marnie, The rightmost of the three buttons in the center right above the image enlarges it slightly. I'll repost a larger version in a few minutes just for you :-) Regards, Patrice [EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit : In a message dated 3/4/2007 2:14:05 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-E clipse/2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice Cool shot. Like it a lot. Just wish I could see it a tad bigger. Maybe something on the page makes it bigger, but can't spot a button for that. Marnie aka Doe :-) BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Eclipse
I hope you have the opportunity to see something great next year from where you are. It won't be visible from here, so my time was two days ago! Next total moon eclipse for me is in 2010. Regards Patrice Henk Terhell a écrit : Patrice, nice picture. I tried but failed to get something useful. But next year there is another opportunity. Henk -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) Sent: 04 March, 2007 11:15 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: PESO: Eclipse Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-Eclipse/ 2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Eclipse
I'm still here :-) (at the same time on the list, and in front of my computer, somewhere in southern France :-) Paul Stenquist a écrit : Outstanding. Very good work. Where is Patrice? Wasn't he posting here? Paul On Mar 4, 2007, at 6:30 PM, mike wilson wrote: Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) wrote: Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-Eclipse/2007 -03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice One of the better moon pictures I've seen. -- 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
Re: PESO: Eclipse
Here is also a direct link to the larger version: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/d/3213-2/2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg and http://tinyurl.com/26bdgo Regards Patrice [EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit : In a message dated 3/4/2007 2:14:05 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-E clipse/2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice Cool shot. Like it a lot. Just wish I could see it a tad bigger. Maybe something on the page makes it bigger, but can't spot a button for that. Marnie aka Doe :-) BRBRBR**BR AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: the last of its kind
Great, as usual, Ralf. Great composition. Someday I promise I'll stop writing praise about every single industrial picture you post, but for know I just love them. Patrice Ralf R. Radermacher a écrit : The last working blast furnace in the Liège industrial basin will disappear in two years. http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/mypics/770012/display/8150301 Your comments and sguuestions, as always... :-) Ralf -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
PESO: Eclipse
Dear list readers, Here's my latest PESO. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-03-03-Eclipse/2007-03-03+Eclipse+de+Lune_0029_web.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/2q2uwc Taken last night during the total lunar eclipse visible here in europe. Just trying anything more original than a plain centered moon, as usual. The challenge was that the moon was very high above the horizon, and I had a hard time getting anything else in the frame, while still getting a recognizeable moon. The local power plant did the job. *ist DS + SMCP-FA 80-320 4.5-5.6 @approx 180mm, f/5.6, 2s, ISO 200. Comments always welcome. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Feb 12th Astro Challenge
John Celio a écrit : Well, I was going to set my alarm and head up to an east facing lookout not far from here - but, it started raining on Saturday and hasn't stopped since (not that I'm complaining, mind you) Yeah, it's cloudy here too, though no rain today. *sigh* Maybe next time. Anyone have any good night sky images in mind for the near future? John It was also cloudy this morning, but It's clear now (although the moon is not as close to Jupiter and Antares anymore) and I think I'll try it tomorrow morning (bad idea since tomorrow I'll fly for a business trip). Next similar event is Feb-19 at sunset: the moon will be *VERY* close to Venus right after sunset. Probably more spectacular than my previous GESO: Venus will be only 1 moon diameter from the moon. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Snow Moonset
Tom C a écrit : Last nights full moon is commonly called the Snow Moon. This was from this morning as it set in the northwest. http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5540370 Tom C. Great shot... I *must* steal one of those 500mm. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: IE7 and photo uploading
Digital Image Studio a écrit : On 28/01/07, Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: advocacy mode against microsoft plot to conquer the world This behaviour is a microsoft feature to force you and your web provider to upgrade the server software to be compatible with IE7, and in the process become incompatible with IE 6, then force more people to upgrade to IE7, then to Vista, then buy a new PC because Vista is Too Slow, which is mandatorily bundled with a new copy of Vista again, then migrate to the new Office version because they like the new Vista eye candy so much that they also want the new Office eye candy, then force everyone to migrate to the new Office to be able to read each other's new Office documents... you get the point. I chose to stick with good old Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice for now, keep my old PC etc... and still have friends. /advocacy mode LOL, I'm a Firefox convert for all the reasons you state. But what really gets up my nose is that Adobe is jumping on the bandwagon too, XP or Vista for CS3 (yes I've heard the arguments why XP/Vista is required, it still sounds more like justification to extricate more cash) :-( Well, while MS has a clear interest in everyone changing for a new PC every 18 month, because it's virtually impossible to buy a PC without paying the Microsoft Tax, I'm not sure Adobe has any. After all, they can't coerce you into buying a new copy of PS with every PC, not yet! So maybe they just want to make best use of new hardware and OS neat features, to stay on the edge, and they know that users will buy these new hardware anyway (and of course OS, no way around it), because everybody claims so loud that you need Vista that, well, it must be true. I could be very happy with just an Ubuntu box, if Adobe supported that, as well a a few other software and hardware vendors (but not MS). Big companies with big bucks have an interest in supporting some large and expensive free software projects (Linux, Apache, OpenOffice, Java, Mozilla among others), but so far it seems that noone with big bucks has a business model that involves supporting The Gimp up to PS level... Too bad. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: IE7 and photo uploading
advocacy mode against microsoft plot to conquer the world This behaviour is a microsoft feature to force you and your web provider to upgrade the server software to be compatible with IE7, and in the process become incompatible with IE 6, then force more people to upgrade to IE7, then to Vista, then buy a new PC because Vista is Too Slow, which is mandatorily bundled with a new copy of Vista again, then migrate to the new Office version because they like the new Vista eye candy so much that they also want the new Office eye candy, then force everyone to migrate to the new Office to be able to read each other's new Office documents... you get the point. I chose to stick with good old Firefox, Thunderbird and OpenOffice for now, keep my old PC etc... and still have friends. /advocacy mode Jack Davis a écrit : Yesterday I tried several times to upload a photo to the web and failed. I asked my webmaster (guess that's what folks some call them) if he would try it. He did and experienced the same problem. He somehow learned that there have been a number of complaints about the new Internet Explorer 7. I asked my wife if she had succumb to the IE7 upgrade offerings and she said she had. My webperson and I went back to IE6 and the uploading problem went away. Anyone else had the problem? Jack Need Mail bonding? Go to the Yahoo! Mail QA for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=listsid=396546091 -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Photo Challenge: Moon, Jupiter and Antares
Hello, Some of you may have noticed my latest GESO, about a nice conjunction between the thin moon crescent and the planet Venus last Saturday (GESO visible here): http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-01-20-LuneVenusMarseille/ http://tinyurl.com/24bg2d Unfortunately, I forgot to post a notice on the list beforehand, and only David Savage and I shared images of this event (Dave's images here): http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/GESO/GESO_013/pages/_IGP0846.htm http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/GESO/GESO_013/pages/_IGP0855.htm For people here that are interested in doing this kind of photos, I propose another similar challenge: On next February 12, the now growing moon will then be a very thin crescent again, closing to the sun. At this very day, it will cruise near the very bright planet Jupiter and the bright start Antares, in the Scorpion constellation. The trio will raise at the east (as usual), shortly before the sun, wherever you live. There are two challenges here: - doing a nice composition, of general photographic interest, and not only a pure astronomical documentary photograph, that would please only astronomers. - getting up at this time of the morning (and of the year in northern countries) I will do my best to produce something, and I invite enthusiasts to join me. To get an idea of what to expect, I did a simulation with the great software Stellarium, visible here: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/divers/2007-02-12-MJA/2007-02-12-Moon-Jupiter-Antares-crop.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/ytmx8k This simulation is for Marseilles, France, but the configuration should be similar wherever you live in the northern hemisphere. The moon inclination will vary according to your latitude, and will be reversed in the southern hemisphere, but you get the idea. FYI, my shot of last saturday with the longest focal was approx 125mm. This is not really a synchronicity project, as everyone must take the picture before dawn wherever (s)he lives, before the moon and the rest disappear into the sun's light. If the number of participants is enough, I'll probably set up a gallery somewhere to host the images. If this bothers you, sorry for that, otherwise, enjoy! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Photo Challenge: Moon, Jupiter and Antares
Markus Maurer a écrit : An interesting idea Patrice. What time in the morning would that be, maybe I'm still awake? Here in France, the moon will raise shortly before 4AM, and the sun at 7:45. Anytime in between should do, depending on the amount of dawn light you want. For other people far from here, and serious about this little game, I suggest downloading the excellent, free and easy to use Stellarium program from http://www.stellarium.org (works on Windows and Mac) and do this simulation for your own place. A map and a compass are also useful if you plan to investigate candidate places beforehand. Use the simulation to locate the position the moon will have, especially the heading, and prepare your shooting position(s) on the map, then on the field. Good candidate places are those known to produce gorgeous sunrise shots (as I did with my sunset), or you might discover new ones as a reward. Do you think the Pentax M 100 or 200mm (on film) would be a good lens for that, what did you use in your GESO? It will be just great. In my GESO (from EXIF data, therefore not very accurate): - 0024 was 100mm, slightly cropped, mostly vertical borders - 0031 was 125mm, no crop - 0041 was 125mm, almost no crop - 0048 was 45mm All this with a *ist DS with the usual 1.5 crop factor. The limiting factor here is the ability to use longer focal lengths, while still managing to include some interesting context/building/whatever in the frame. For instance, in my GESO, from where I sat, the moon did not get much closer to the church than in picture 0041, so anything longer than 135mm was useless. From another point of view, and/or with another subject in the foreground, I might have found a usage to the 80-320mm (equiv 480mm) and gotten a big moonball! But I had carefully chosen this location beforehand, and did not want to drive and run at the last minute to look for a better viewing angle (and probably miss it). In the Feb/12 case, the moon will be much farther from the sun than last Saturday. So either you shoot it close to the horizon, very early in the night, with a still dark sky, or later before sunrise, with a more colorful sky, but higher in the sky (composition may be more difficult, or surprising, or original, or all of them). greetings Markus Regards, I hope you can join. Patrice -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:31 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Photo Challenge: Moon, Jupiter and Antares Hello, Some of you may have noticed my latest GESO, about a nice conjunction between the thin moon crescent and the planet Venus last Saturday (GESO visible here): http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-01-20-LuneVenusMarseille/ http://tinyurl.com/24bg2d Unfortunately, I forgot to post a notice on the list beforehand, and only David Savage and I shared images of this event (Dave's images here): http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/GESO/GESO_013/pages/_IGP0846.htm http://www.arach.net.au/~savage/GESO/GESO_013/pages/_IGP0855.htm For people here that are interested in doing this kind of photos, I propose another similar challenge: On next February 12, the now growing moon will then be a very thin crescent again, closing to the sun. At this very day, it will cruise near the very bright planet Jupiter and the bright start Antares, in the Scorpion constellation. The trio will raise at the east (as usual), shortly before the sun, wherever you live. There are two challenges here: - doing a nice composition, of general photographic interest, and not only a pure astronomical documentary photograph, that would please only astronomers. - getting up at this time of the morning (and of the year in northern countries) I will do my best to produce something, and I invite enthusiasts to join me. To get an idea of what to expect, I did a simulation with the great software Stellarium, visible here: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/divers/2007-02-12-MJA/2007-02-12-Moon- Jupiter-Antares-crop.jpg.html http://tinyurl.com/ytmx8k This simulation is for Marseilles, France, but the configuration should be similar wherever you live in the northern hemisphere. The moon inclination will vary according to your latitude, and will be reversed in the southern hemisphere, but you get the idea. FYI, my shot of last saturday with the longest focal was approx 125mm. This is not really a synchronicity project, as everyone must take the picture before dawn wherever (s)he lives, before the moon and the rest disappear into the sun's light. If the number of participants is enough, I'll probably set up a gallery somewhere to host the images. If this bothers you, sorry for that, otherwise, enjoy! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML
Re: Photo Challenge: Moon, Jupiter and Antares
John Celio a écrit : On next February 12, the now growing moon will then be a very thin crescent again, closing to the sun. At this very day, it will cruise near the very bright planet Jupiter and the bright start Antares, in the Scorpion constellation. The trio will raise at the east (as usual), shortly before the sun, wherever you live. There are two challenges here: - doing a nice composition, of general photographic interest, and not only a pure astronomical documentary photograph, that would please only astronomers. This sounds fun! Could you maybe send out a reminder on the 11th, for those of us with horrible memories for dates? I have to get up really early these days anyway, so I might as well put myself to good use. Thanks, John Sure, if I don't forget it, too :-) By the way, the 13rd will not be too bad, too: the moon will be a bit more east from Jupiter and Antares, but thinner and closer to the sun, so the results might be pleasant, too... Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
GESO: Moon and Venus last Saturday
Hi all, There was a great conjunction between Venus and the moon last Saturday. Here is a selection of my coverage of the event, here in Marseille, southern France: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-01-20-LuneVenusMarseille/ http://tinyurl.com/24bg2d I have fiddled for about one month trying to figure out a nice place to shoot the event, and only Friday an old photo of mine (visible here: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/d/1584-1/Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde-web.jpg and http://tinyurl.com/yqobhy) reminded me that I know a good vantage point from where one can see the sun and all those things that orbit around it setting almost behind the major church in Marseille (at least at this time in the year). I sent a post about this a short while *before* the event, unfortunately it failed. As usual, comments are always welcome. With all my best wishes for year 2007. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Interest in developing a software around photograhy?
Hi! Here is a something I planned to do sometime, but never got the time to actually implement: - Feed the software a bunch of DNG files (or other RAW format, but preferably DNG ;-) ) - It will scan each file, and based on lens identifier, focal length, approximate focusing distance, and aperture, set the appropriate values for chromatic aberration and vignetting. - The values are fed from a (small) lens database. The feature looks pretty like PTlens, but acts on DNG parameters that are directly used by ACR. - In a first version, the lens information could just be entered manually once per lens. In a more extensible version, a training system could be used to feed the system with new information: - Feed the tool with a picture from an unknown lens, it will apply nothing, and warn the user. - The user uses ACR to set the appropriate corrections to the image, then starts some training function, that reads back this information and stores a new sample of parameter values for this lens. - When analyzing a new image from a known lens, the software proposes correction values, based on samples already in the database, possibly by using an interpolation technique (e.g. if known values are known for 28mm and 50mm, try to guess a value for 35mm). If the user is dissatisfied by the result, she can fix the values in ACR and run the training function: a new point is added to the database. As the database is really small here, a lightweight implementation, such as SQLite, should be more than enough. Honestly I don't think a database is mandatory at all for this usage, but at least you meet your requirements. Of course, depending on the scale of your project, you might include this function into a bigger tool. Best regards Patrice Thibouille a écrit : I have to produce a software as a final evaluation of my computer sciences studies. Of course, nothing like a RAW converter etc. but maybe there a couple things which would be handy to have in a little software? Conversions? (focal length, DOF...) Inventory? (lenses, bodies, film, memory cards, bags, outfits, flahguns etc ...) Cataloguing software? Exif/ipct collecting from files? I dunno, I'm open to any idea. I know a couple utilities already exists. It is more a question of programming something which I find useful rather than trying to revolutionize anything. A Database is mandatory. Except that I probably can do almost anything but I'll stay rather simple (I mean... not gonna do a second PS ;) Thanks for your ideas ! -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Flying
Great shot. It works well as it is for me. Patrice Bruce Dayton a écrit : I'd like some feedback on this. The issue is whether to crop it or not. What I like about this presentation is that you can get the sense of them flying over the trees. Cropping removes that context. On the other hand, there is sufficient detail in the ducks to handle some crop. Pentax K10D, Tokina AT-X AF 400/5.6, Handheld ISO 200, 1/500 sec @ f/8 http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/bkd_4280.htm Comments welcome -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: GESO: Moon and Venus last Saturday
Tom C a écrit : Nice, especially the sunset Notre Dame shot! I also like the other ones. What's the 'blue light' visible in the the fourth at the bottom? It's a gate from a ruined castle, that is lit at night. IMO this photo is not very well composed, as there are actually 2 images in there. I mainly included it for friends who know the place. Best regards Patrice Tom C. From: Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Subject: GESO: Moon and Venus last Saturday Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:33:36 +0100 Hi all, There was a great conjunction between Venus and the moon last Saturday. Here is a selection of my coverage of the event, here in Marseille, southern France: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/geso/2007-01-20-LuneVenusMarseille/ http://tinyurl.com/24bg2d I have fiddled for about one month trying to figure out a nice place to shoot the event, and only Friday an old photo of mine (visible here: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/d/1584-1/Notre+Dame+de+la+Garde-web.jpg and http://tinyurl.com/yqobhy) reminded me that I know a good vantage point from where one can see the sun and all those things that orbit around it setting almost behind the major church in Marseille (at least at this time in the year). I sent a post about this a short while *before* the event, unfortunately it failed. As usual, comments are always welcome. With all my best wishes for year 2007. Patrice -- 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
Re: Tools of the trade?
Ouch! Bob W a écrit : A photo by David Hurn of a consultant in genitourinary medicine: http://todayspictures.slate.com/20070123/11.html Bob -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Let's make a list: What has Pentax introduced in the past year?
Mark Roberts a écrit : (And is anyone still looking forward to the supersonic focusing lenses soon to come?g For sure, supersonic does not refer to the time to market. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: anyone else waiting forever for their K10D?
I too am waiting forever... to buy it! Maybe when it gets below 650$... Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Two palm trees
Hi! Great shot if you ask me. Geat sky! I just didn't see the red guy, and I believe cropping him off would result in a cropped boat, too, and that will probably be much worse IMHO. Too bad the two palm trees were not a bit more on the right, say, closer to the right boats instead of the left ones (but not as close). Regards Patrice Markus Maurer a écrit : I would like it more if the man on the right corner was cut away and again the photo looks a bit blurred to me. But the trees are nice indeed Boris :-) greetings Markus -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Boris Liberman Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2007 7:05 AM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: PESO - Two palm trees http://not.contaxg.com/document.php?id=16107full=1 As usual brutal and honest comments are the best ;-). Boris -- 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
Re: Understanding ProPhoto RGB - or not
Hi! Boros Attila a écrit : Hello Patrice, 8 SNIP SNIP SNIP - So there is really no silver bullet, and I should consider choosing a color space based on what kind of image I'm working with, and what the final output will be, and working with ProPhotoRGB in 16 bit is just a safe bet. Then the final step will be to convert to sRGB before saving for web. Can there be a loss of image detail/color when I perform such a conversion? Yep, with ProPhoto RGB/16bit, you're probably quite safe (16 bit is 16 times better and the 12 bits originally in RAW files, so this allows for a good clearance). In 8 bit you're definitely not. Let's say I have an image which fits perfectly into sRGB. A.) - I use ACR to open the image in Photoshop using ProphotoRGB. - Apply levels, curves, sharpening etc. - Convert to sRGB then save for web. B.) - I use ACR to ipen the image in Photoshop using sRGB. - Apply levels, curves, sharpening etc. - No need to convert, this is already sRGB so just save for web. Assuming that in both cases I work in 16 bits/channel mode will there be any differences between A.) and B.)? With other words, can colorspace conversions lead to a loss of information? It would seem that in B.) there is no color space conversion, it's sRGB all the way, but there is a catch: the article says that ProPhotoRGB is Camera Raw's native colour space. So if I get this right there will be a conversion in both cases. I'd say in 16 bit you probably won't see any difference. However, if you want to do a bit more advanced retouching, then save not only for web, but for print also, I'd recomment A, so you do the retouching just once for all. BTW, in case A, there are two color conversions: - Camera - ProPhoto RGB (ACR does this one) - ProPhotoRGB - sRGB (before saving, in PS) In case B, there is just one in ACR for Camera - sRGB (I assume here that the RAW camera data is in its own sensor-specific color space.) Just like curves/levels adjustments, any color space conversion will in theory destroy some information, because you relocate some colors to other values, and with a finite number of values, some colors that were initialy separate will become identical. My bet is that in 16bits, with 16 times more precision than actually present in the original data, this is not an issue. Anyway, if the final result is just for 8bit Web display, we just shouldn't bother with this, as most web viewers won't have a properly calibrated screen. I'd have very different conclusions in 8 bits, though! PLG Just my 2 cents (a bit long, but these are Euro cents). Thank you Patrice, it is well worth it:) -- Attila Best regards Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Understanding ProPhoto RGB - or not
Mark Roberts a écrit : Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: Selecting a colorspace is not a matter of which is better than the other, it's a matter of how much data you can capture vs editing flexibility vs what device will you be presenting a rendering on. Rule of thumb: Whenever someone tells you that one colorspace is better than another you can be pretty sure that what follows is going to be nonsense ;-) (Unless they're saying it's better for a specific application, as in sRGB is better for printing to photographic paper or Adobe RGB is better for the Vimfurdler 2355 inkjet printer, etc.) Indeed! And I would add that the color space is also better or worse depending on the image itself. For some images (maybe most of your images?) using a wider color space may actually give inferior results. I've imagined a lengthy, but very accurate metaphor for this: Imagine you have a field of land. It is your color space. It contains flowers and trees (each of them is a different color). You want to measure the positions of these flowers and trees in this field (each position corresponds to a given color). You can do so by dividing the field in equal portions, marked by poles. You can't position a tree in the field in a better precision than the distance between two poles. The problem is that you only have a limited number of poles. Now you are given the choice between a smaller field (sRGB color space) and a larger field (ProPhoto). The smaller field is contained in the larger one, so there are trees that are in the larger field, but not in the smaller field (these are very saturated colors.) You want the larger field to get an image correctly measured if important parts of this image (a lot of the trees) are only in the larger field. But this comes at a price. As you still have the same amount of poles whichever field you choose (say 256x256), if the larger field is chosen, more land needs to be covered, then the poles will be planted wider apart from each other. You can measure more land, but with less precision. If you chose to map the larger field, but all your trees are in the smaller anyway, all you get, regarding YOUR trees, is a coarser precision. Therefore, for an image with important detail in saturated colors (flowers?), consider working with a wide color space. If you're pretty sure your image only contains colors with lower saturation (portrait?), prefer a narrower color space and you'll have a better rendition of most of your image. Or, use not 256 poles in each direction, but 65536 (16 bit instead of 8) throughout your workflow, and use wide color space until the very last point. I like to use the highlight preview in ACR, to check that no major parts of the image are color-cropped. This preview changes dramatically for saturated colors depending on the selected color space. I work with sRGB whenever that makes sense, and seldom need any wider. Just my 2 cents (a bit long, but these are Euro cents). Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT - Prius Fuel Economy
It meant oil, gas, coal, tar ;-) and all kinds of fossil matter that one can burn... Sorry for my poor english :-) Patrice keith_w a écrit : Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) wrote: A bit chopped out, for brevity, but I've one question, so I can put all that you wrote in place: What's thermic? keith whaley The exact figures for 2005 (as has roughly been since the mid 80s) are: - nuke: 78% - *thermic*: 11% - hydraulic: 10% - wind and solar: 0.2% (from Electricité de France, http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/statisti/pdf/elec-analyse-stat.pdf). [...] The French answer (for now, but of course there's controversy on this), is stop fossil energy now, live to develop clean, renewable energies, and in the meantime fill the gap with the nasty nukes. I'm quite satisfied with this position, as I believe it's the most ecologically safe (ecologists will brobably burn me alive for writing this). I just can't understand some very ecologist countries, like Germany, that shut down nuclear plants to open new coal *thermic* ones, and pour more CO2 into the atmosphere! [...] Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT - Prius Fuel Economy
William Robb a écrit : - Original Message - From: Adam Maas Subject: Re: OT - Prius Fuel Economy The solution to the environmental issue is to outlaw coal power and push through nukes (Which are very safe and the disposal issue for spent fuel is far less of an actual issue than anti-nuke luddites insist that it is). Absolutely. I heard the other day that France is something like 90% nuclear, and they don't seem to be having any problems with their reactors. Is Pickering still running? There are also political issues surrounding nuclear which attempt to limit who can have it. We only have problems with anti-nukes ;-) The exact figures for 2005 (as has roughly been since the mid 80s) are: - nuke: 78% - thermic: 11% - hydraulic: 10% - wind and solar: 0.2% (from Electricité de France, http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/statisti/pdf/elec-analyse-stat.pdf). For sure, the masses feel terribly more uncomfortable with nuclear waste than with fossil CO2 production, which has been running for 2 centuries without causing any huge and terrible catastrophy so far. OTOH, most people have an image of nuclear waste that looks like a pile of rusted tanks that leak some nasty oily crap that glows purple in the night. What most people don't realize, is that most vitrified nuclear waste is just like regular glass, but with radioactive atoms embedded between the normal atoms. Most of the time, the resulting glass is just slightly more radioactive than many natural rocks. This glass will never leak all the nuclear atoms at once! Claims that it will remain radioactive for very long periods of time are justified, but for now, our choice between fossil and nuclear energy looks too much like a choice between leave an unpleasant legacy to our grand-grand-grand children and kill ourselves now, and stop worrying about grand children! Regarding renewable energies, the question is will we be able to replace fossil energy with it before we kill ourselves with CO2?. The French answer (for now, but of course there's controversy on this), is stop fossil energy now, live to develop clean, renewable energies, and in the meantime fill the gap with the nasty nukes. I'm quite satisfied with this position, as I believe it's the most ecologically safe (ecologists will brobably burn me alive for writing this). I just can't understand some very ecologist countries, like Germany, that shut down nuclear plants to open new coal thermic ones, and pour more CO2 into the atmosphere! We are dallying with wind power generation out here, but I don't know how viable it is for large population densities, how long it takes to amortize the environmental liabilities associated with making the turbines. And even better long-term solution is Solar Power Satellites, which have a serious lead time to get active, but make solar power a viable option for power (as opposed to a good method for supplementing power). The basic technology was worked out and proven 30 years ago. I recall hearing many years ago that the Russions were playing with power transmission without using power lines, and I heard an item on As It Happens the other day where a fellow (or group) had come up with a method of recharging small device batteries using a wireless transmission method. William Robb In La Réunion, the French island where I was born in the Indian Ocean, an interesting electricity wireless transmission experiment was done, to provide electricity through microwaves to a very remote village (actually VERY remote, see photo here: http://membres.lycos.fr/nirrey/etsdsfr211.html). It was promising. We may be WAY off topic, here! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT - Prius Fuel Economy
K.Takeshita a écrit : On 11/26/06 6:51 PM, Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail), [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The French answer (for now, but of course there's controversy on this), is stop fossil energy now, live to develop clean, renewable energies, and in the meantime fill the gap with the nasty nukes. French are smart, eh? To be honest, the French all nuclear electricity programme dates back from the 60s, when Algeria got independent, and France lost most of its fuel source! I'm sure it initially had not much to do about environment... Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: LCD Monitor Questions
For sure 6-bit would be 64*64*64 = 262144 colors, which is definitely *NOT* 16.2 million. Even 2 colors with 8 bits and one with 7 bit would be a bit more than 8 million colors. Therefore the reason must be something else than bit depth, though I haven't any clue what it might be, sorry. Just my 1.8c. Patrice Tom C a écrit : Some monitors claim to be capapble of displaying 16.7 million colors while others claim 16.2 million. 8-bit vs. 6-bit as I understand it. Any REAL difference in actual use? I see some monitors that have virtually identical specs... hard to compare and decide. Any real difference between: Dell http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=usl=ens=dhscs=19sku=320-4688 and Sceptre: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2478085CatId=0 Thanks. Tom C. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Apple Digital Camera RAW update now available
Wow, some of these models are not discontinued yet! Good job Apple ;-) Adam Maas a écrit : Finaly some Pentax love for Aperture. The Update adds support for the *istDS (And apparently the DL and D too according to the support list). No K1x0D support yet though. -Adam -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Apple Digital Camera RAW update now available
Until a few weeks ago, both DS and DL were still listed on the French Pentax site. Since then, the K10D entered the site, and only the DS disappeared. The DL is still there. Patrice Adam Maas a écrit : Actually, they all are discontinued. The K100D and K110D are the current models. -Adam Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) wrote: Wow, some of these models are not discontinued yet! Good job Apple ;-) Adam Maas a écrit : Finaly some Pentax love for Aperture. The Update adds support for the *istDS (And apparently the DL and D too according to the support list). No K1x0D support yet though. -Adam -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Waiting For Pentax Products
Mort de rire! (The French for LOL, litterally laughing to death) Patrice Tom C a écrit : LOL! Tom C. From: Joseph Tainter [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net To: pdml@pdml.net Subject: Waiting For Pentax Products Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:12:42 -0800 http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036message=20716303 -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: November Moon
Enlarged moon double exposure is, perhaps, the ultimate cliche in photography, but, it seems, I have no shame. Yep, but I've seen far worse instances of it... This is a great picture IMHO. Anyone got better results with Photoshop? Patrice Jack Davis a écrit : A couple of details. Shot about 20 frames of the moon with A*300 f/2.8, 1.4L T/C and 85B filter. (from my back patio) Rewound the 20 frames in the LX (great feature), removed the 1.4L T/C and, next day, headed for a local State Wildlife Refuge. Taken at about noon. Underexposed geese by 3 stops (2 by - exposure comp. and one by shooting 100 ISO Provia at ISO 200). Left the 85B in place. This small jpg produces some nodes (?) on the edge of the moon. Something I haven't see before. They do disappear with zoom in. Would liked to have had the full frame width, but the moon was too near the center, thus the 8x10 crop. Enlarged moon double exposure is, perhaps, the ultimate cliche in photography, but, it seems, I have no shame. Jack Comments certainly appreciated. http://photolightimages.com/aspupload/detail.asp?ID=198 __ Check out the New Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. (http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
*ist DS back from servicing
My *ist DS got back from servicing by Pentax France yesterday. I have to say I'm quite satisfied by them. The defective part (thumb dial) was replaced. The body housing was completely cleaned, as well as the sensor, and even the dust that was stuck between the focusing screen and the prism was removed. Not that it is specially outstanding, but I've heard very sad stories from friends with one of the Big Brands (not the one with a C :-) ), so I'm happy to see that Pentax even bothers to clean the seats and the windshield before handing back the keys. Of course I would have preferred if my DS hadn't failed in the first place, but now it is like new, and nothing suggests the same part should fail again. Or does it? Sorry guys, you'll have to see my crap now and again! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: K10D: kit (new one) and price for France
Thibouille a écrit : The lowest advertised price is currently 830,20 euros from Amazon.fr and 859,00 from Digibao (mentionned 'cos I bought my D from them and have been happy with them). I've bought my DS, a lens and a couple other items from Digibao, and I've been very happy with them, including their servicing department. Very professional, very efficient, very friendly, and very well reviewed by many buyers. As I live close to them, I can place an order one day and it is ready for pick-up the next day! I highly recommend them. Now I have to resist placing this 859,00 eur order! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - A valley view
Great shot. Advocates of real images would disagree, but it is probably much better without the power line ;-) A bit oversharpened. Sharpening does not harm in the leaves, but it does at the (jagged) horizon. I definitely need to get out before all those leaves fall ! Patrice Jostein Øksne a écrit : http://www.oksne.net/paw/valleyview.html Thanks for looking. Jostein -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Golden Eagle
Great picture! Seems that the foreground feathers show some duplication, like a motion blur, but the sharp spots do not show any (or is it my eyes? ;-) ) Have you experienced such out-of-focus duplication effect elsewhere, or did it move its wing, or something? Patrice Bruce Dayton a écrit : Taken at the San Francisco Zoo. Yes, it would be much cooler if I had hiked somewhere to find this, but I like it nonetheless. Pentax *istD, Sigma 100-300/4 EX @ 280mm, monopod ISO 400, 1/180 sec @ f/5.6 http://www.daytonphoto.com/PAW/sfzoo_0288a.htm Comments welcome -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: K10D - RAW - JPEG in Camera
I'd add this use case: If you're short of memory and don't have anywhere to unload your cards, just scan for the easy RAW files that you can safely convert to Jpeg, delete them to reclaim mem space. Shel Belinkoff a écrit : A friend who has ordered a K10D asked me what benefit there is to converting a RAW file to a JPEG file in camera. I offered a few ideas, but I sometimes tend to miss the obvious or some subtleties. So, can anyone offer up some benefits to this feature. Personally, I think it can be quite useful in some situations, such as when travelling and you want to make some prints locally but don't have your computer with you. You can make a custom JPEG and print it at a kiosk or instant print place quickly and easily. Or you can make a custom JPEG, instead of relying on the camera default, to send via email or burn on to a CD and send to friends/family, also with no need for computer and image processing software. What else? Shel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Pearl web
Beautiful! Great composition, great background, great colors... Colored spots in almost each drop catch my eye... Was this intentional? Do you know what they come from? Patrice Jan van Wijk a écrit : Taken a few weeks back in Bavaria, arround 9 in the morning when it was still a bit foggy, awaiting a beautiful september morning ... http://www.dfsee.com/gallery/index.php?id=203 Enjoy! Regards, JvW PS: The 'Heron kill series' and 'Yosemite halfdome' in that same gallery have also been improved a bit, based on comments :-) -- Jan van Wijk; http://www.dfsee.com/gallery -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Fallen Leaf #2
Great picture, Shel. Maybe the leaf is a bit too saturated, though. It doesn't look too realistic to me. Or it's just me, or my screen :-) Patrice Shel Belinkoff a écrit : I made this pic last year about this time. This morning I revisited the photo and saw something more, different in it. So, here's the revised edition. http://home.earthlink.net/~ebay-pics/fallenleaf2.html Shel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO - Fallen Leaf #2
Yep, I take your point, and I believe that this picture is great as it is. But I can't help thinking a bit less saturation would not harm this strong visual impact. As usual, the author is the ultimate juge of what he/she wants to express. Patrice Paul Stenquist a écrit : I see this as graphic art. I think the question of realism is irrelevant here. Paul On Oct 7, 2006, at 5:03 PM, Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) wrote: Great picture, Shel. Maybe the leaf is a bit too saturated, though. It doesn't look too realistic to me. Or it's just me, or my screen :-) Patrice Shel Belinkoff a écrit : I made this pic last year about this time. This morning I revisited the photo and saw something more, different in it. So, here's the revised edition. http://home.earthlink.net/~ebay-pics/fallenleaf2.html Shel -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: How to get a *bright* viewfinder
LOL! The only drawback is that it gets permanent over time, so you need to graft the camera to your eye socket... Juan Buhler a écrit : Making any viewfinder several times brighter is simple: have your eye doctor apply those drops that dilate your pupils. I tried it today--went shooting after my eye exam. Granted, I could barely see the camera, and had to dial some diopter correction in my istD, but the viewfinder (and the world) seemed so bright that I thought I had a digital MX or something. Maybe the K1D should have a little nozzle next to the viewfinder, that sprays those drops in your eye on startup. They'd get away with a pentamirror that way. :) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: K10D vs D80
Hi, There are a couple 3rd party options comparable in functionality to Nikon's 18-135, although probably not in par in terms of quality, and definitely not supersonic driven: Sigma 18-125 F3.5-5.6 DC Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC Tamron 18-200 F3.5-6.3 XR Di II I know nothing about the image quality of the Tamron. I own the Tokina 18-125 and I'm quite happy with it. Very convenient, and gives surprisingly good results given the price. Again, it is probably not as sharp as the Nikon, but the prices can't be compared neither. I can provide sample shots (with *ist DS) if needed. C'mon Pentax, please crank out some all-purpose wide-range hyperzoom 18-100+ with that supersonic drive thing! Patrice Juan Buhler a écrit : A coworker of mine asked my opinion. He's about to buy a DSLR, and his main two options are a Nikon D80 and a K10D. Of course, I suggested he goes with the K10D, saying that its specs are closer to a D200 than to a D80. He's leaning towards it, but says that he likes that Nikon has an 18-135 lens--he doesn't want to carry any extra lenses (!). I told him the kit DA18-55 is very good, but that I don't think Pentax has anything equivalent to Nikon's 18-135. Is that so? Anything else I should tell him? j -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT: CPU question
For Photo usage, I'd say buy RAM first. Then, if you still have some money to spend on it, buy more RAM again. Finally, think about getting a new CPU. I've a 1.5 GB machine with an AMD Athlon XP 64, and yes, PS goes faster than on most P4s I've seen with 1 GB or less. Patrice cbwaters a écrit : Ok, I know... Get a mac... I get it. just can't right now. My PC is a P4 1.7 (don't know the FSB speed) and I've got 504MB of DDR DIMM RAM (not sure of the speed there either) Without switching motherboards, I can move up to around P4 3.0 with an 800Mhz FSB and hyper-threading for about $85. How would one describe the improvement is speed here? 1-10 with ten being waoh, that's the best $85 I ever spent! I could, of course, also get more memory. Thanks for any help. CW -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: What do you do when you get to IMGP9999
Adam McKenty a écrit : How do you rename/organize your digital photos? I'm now at image 17,603 and am having a bit of a crisis with my sorting regime because I can't add my last 7603 images to my file system. Until now I've just been sorting my photos into a bunch of folders (people, deer, sail boats, etc.), and copying the best ones in to a best ones folder, with windows explorer. What I'd like to be doing is putting them all in one big folder and having them organized by their meta data keywords, which I could apply in bulk to an entire folder or drag on to an individual image without having to type them out seventeen thousand times. Is there any good freeware out there that can do this sort of thing? Most of my photos are jpgs but the last thousand or so are raws and I don't plan to be shooting to many more jpgs. Cheers, Francis www.photosynth.ca/photo (under construction) This is one of the reasons why I rename all my files -MM-DD ShootingEvent - NN.DNG as soon as they leave the memory card. I keep the original name in the Exif data just in case. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Street photography - religious objections
I feel worried, too, about this... I'm must say I almost never do street photography partly because of this, and I'm extra careful in crowded areas. Even in desert areas, one can encounter the issue, though! I was once shooting lizards in a (almost) desert park with my 80-320 (damn big telephoto lenses!). I hadn't noticed people in the line of sight about 50 or 100m away. They noticed me and ran at me yelling that I was not allowed to take photos of them. I'd have liked to explain that they were probably not in the frame, and even so they would be way out of focus, but they didn't get my lizards story and were obviously not in a mood to listen to my demonstrations (or to anything at all...). As they were getting pretty aggressive, and I was alone, therefore outnumbered, my best option was to mumble some apology and to get away, glad that they didn't insist to get the film, some money or whatever... Most people do not care about being photographed, some are very willing to participate, and then it's a real pleasure, but the few who are hostile to the concept (for their own good reasons I won't challenge) can sometimes become really nasty. Patrice Vic Mortelmans a écrit : Hi, This forum has discussed legal objections to street photography many times. When I do street photograpy, it's not that often that I really take a frame on individual people, so I don't really bother about that. If people are in the picture, they're mostly unaware and part of a crowd or passing by at some distance. Moreover, I'm an amateur and don't publish photographs, so I don't see any problem in that area. Today I was at a public street community fair (kind of garage sail) taking some pictures. Again: not framing individual people, but just catching the environment. Since we live in a multi-cultural city, I happened to frame a sale stand where a family of muslim people was looking around. One of the women directly signaled me that she opposed to have a picture taken. I know that this is forbidden by the islam religon. I have a dual feeling about this. On the one hand, I can fully understand people to oppose to being photographed, be it for religious reasons, privicy reason or economical reaons (if the pictures are commercialized), or whatever. That's the main reason why I'm not in to street photography with direct contact to the subject; I know the risk that the reaction is negative and having arguments or even a row would make me loose the pleasure of taking pictures. On the other hand, I feel uncomfertable that a couple of muslim people mingling in a crowd can prohibit me to take pictures. What if I would have been photographing my 2 year old son running around through the street and they happened to be in the background... Strictly spoken, that would have objected them as well, I guess. They're just part of a crowd. And I also have a third thought about this (but I hope I don't start a polemic discussion on this). I'm myself a practicing roman catholic, so I (think I) know what religion is about. Nevertheless, I can't imagine to interact with other people in my city community in this defensive (*) manner, based on my religious practice. But maybe I'm a bad catholic... Anyway, this is my (little) story... I'd like to hear some reaction to that! Maybe this forum numbers some muslim photographers? That would be really interesting! Groeten, Vic (*) note: I put the woman's reaction as being defensive, implying that I was the one to be offensive, starting to take the picture. That's just fair for the sake of the discussion. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Entre Terre et Ciel
Cotty a écrit : On 22/9/06, Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail), discombobulated, unleashed: Thanks It's in Britanny, France, on the north coast, between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac'h... One of he most beautiful coastlines in France BTW. Patrice http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/PESO/Terre+et+Ciel-web.jpg.html That's a lovely shot Patrice. Do you live there? The Granite-Rose coast! We visited a couple of years ago. My snap is not as nice as yours, plus I can't spell granite ;-) http://www.cottysnaps.com/snaps/landscapes/images/pic31.html We stayed on a campsite near Perros-Guirec for a week. It was very relaxing and the whole coast is beautiful. I live about the opposite coast, in southern France (near Marseille) (some shots here http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/Provence/ ) I spent one week in Bretagne 4 years ago... It was between Christmas and the New Year, so the weather was cold crap all the time, except a couple days. These few days, on the other hand, had a gorgeous light, so I could shoot some nice shots. I can see you were not as lucky as I was regarding quality of the light. I love winter for this. The crazy thing is that my pic was not taken specially early in the morning, probably something like 10.30, but the light would keep like this the whole day! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: DNG Converter?
Doug Franklin a écrit : David Weiss wrote: Do I understand correctly that I can convert a pentax raw file to dng using the pentax photo lab 3.02 software? Can someone lead me through this? For some reason, I cannot find the options to do this. (Or my brain is just too fried anymore). In the Photo Browser, right click on an image, and one of the options that appears will be Save as DNG. There may be other ways, too, but I didn't see DNG listed in the File Types box of the File Save As dialog box. ... though I don't clearly see why this would be preferable from using the free and fully automated Adobe DNG Converter... Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Care and Feeding of Rechargeable Batteries
Joseph Tainter a écrit : When our K10Ds arrive, what is the best way to care for the rechargeable battery: Wait until empty, then recharge? Top it up regularly? Thanks, Joe As it is a Li-ion battery, there is no memory effect to be worried about. You'll get the same perf whether way you proceed. However, I think doing more frequent partial charges may reduce lifespan, because this would mean more load/unload electro-chemical cycles (I may be wrong, though). Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Care and Feeding of Rechargeable Batteries
This was true with Ni-Cd batteries, and in a *much* lower extent, with Ni-MH. Li-Ion and newer batteries do not suffer this at all (the counterpart being a shorter lifespan). Patrice Shel Belinkoff a écrit : I've always understood that it's best to take 'em down to empty and in that way they can become fully charged. Recharging them before they are depleted doesn't allow for a full charge. Anyway, that's what I remember hearing. I seem to recall Sony or Canon suggesting that you fully deplete the bats before recharging. Shel [Original Message] From: Joseph Tainter When our K10Ds arrive, what is the best way to care for the rechargeable battery: Wait until empty, then recharge? Top it up regularly? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Moon Over Duomo, Milan
Joseph Tainter a écrit : http://www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pc/cat/4404/display/6739171 Pure serendipity. Late on the night of our arrival, jet-lagged and very tired, my wife and I stepped out the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and saw this sight. Comments welcome. Joe Great composition... Have you considered double exposure to get both the Duomo and the moon correctly exposed? (I guess you weren't carrying a tripod, though). Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
PESO: Entre Terre et Ciel
I haven't posted any PESO for quite a while, so here's one just to keep in good shape. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/PESO/Terre+et+Ciel-web.jpg.html As usual, all comments welcome. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO: Entre Terre et Ciel
Thanks It's in Britanny, France, on the north coast, between Perros-Guirec and Ploumanac'h... One of he most beautiful coastlines in France BTW. Patrice Bob W a écrit : That's very good indeed. Where is it? -- Cheers, Bob -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) Sent: 22 September 2006 21:59 To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: PESO: Entre Terre et Ciel I haven't posted any PESO for quite a while, so here's one just to keep in good shape. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/PESO/Terre+et+Ciel-web.jpg.html As usual, all comments welcome. Patrice -- 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
Re: OT: Fwd: 6x17 digicam
I'm panorama enthusiast, but not *that* enthusiastic! Wow, 28900 Euro for the mobile version! I'm afraid I'd need to invest in a new photo bag, and a few replacement vertebrae, though ;-) Patrice Godfrey DiGiorgi a écrit : For the panorama enthusiast... http://tinyurl.com/pfxcj Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: mirrorless SLR fantasy
Beside all other advantages and drawbacks of still cameras with EVFs, they essentially use the main sensor for the viewfinder function. This has a definite adverse impact on noise. Here, I rule out cameras that have a secondary sensor behind the viewfinder prism dedicated to the EVF, as these require the camera being a reflex in the first place, which was not your point. Maybe when active heat dissipation systems become practical (e.g Peltier or nanofans), and still allow in-body shake reduction... Patrice Godfrey DiGiorgi a écrit : I have owned and used several EVF cameras, including the A2 and R1 (the two best EVF cameras around ... and which i still own and use). While I don't hold out much hope for an EVF of the quality required to replace a single lens reflex camera's viewfinder, they are useful cameras in their own right. They are not SLR cameras, if only by definition. There is no mirror or beam splitter in the light path, the reflex part of single lens reflex. If, however, you were to design a camera using a high quality EVF as an SLR replacement, you'd be throwing most of the advantages away by adopting any current SLR lens mount. You would be better off designing a new lens mount that allowed the rear of the lens to get as close to the sensor plane as possible and thereby allow more room for light path correcting elements so that the lens would be best optimized for a digital sensor, with as close to orthogonal light path as possible. This implies a whole new line of lenses and a very different camera from anything we've seen to date. It would be interesting to see Pentax produce it as something separate from their SLR line, but I suspect it will take a lot to build something like this that is convincingly marketable. Sony is closest to it with the acquisition of Konica Minolta and the R1 in their portfolio already. If such a camera were developed and of the appropriate quality spec on all counts, like the current R1 but with an interchangeable lens system and far better quality EVF/LCD, I would be interested in one. But I still don't see the design paradigm as competing with the DSLR design of today: it's more complement than compete with different strengths and weaknesses. The major advantages of an all-electronic imaging system are the possibility of highly corrected lenses for the digital sensor, less vibration through the lack of a moving mirror, and a very flexible viewfinder positioning system to handle all kinds of situations where the fixed geometry of SLRs' optical viewfinder system can get in the way. Godfrey On Sep 19, 2006, at 6:34 AM, Takeshita K wrote: Nice how the lack of a reflex mirrorbox thins out the M8. Not wishing to stir up any controversy, but above begs another question. I wonder what other folks think about EVF which will eliminate the mirror box, and give lens designers a tremendous freedom in designing SLR lenses, particularly wider angle ones. It will also eliminate the ugly gables from the top of traditional SLRs, giving all sorts of freedom in body design too. Yes, I understand all the arguments that the optical view finder is the essence of SLR and so forth (SLRs are often judged by their viewfinder performance). However, I once peeped through an EVF of one of the K/M models (DiMage A2 or A200 or some such) and was surprised to find how clear the image was (I know the poor EVF's of many PS digicams which are only useful for the composition). But if the resolution is at least 1mp and the refresh rate is fast enough, I would be very interested in it. It can be a 100% view area, brighter (it could even be illuminated under certain conditions), and give all sorts of creative options such as instant magnification etc. Most of all, it is going to give a live view in SLRs. Maybe Pentax might be the first one to adopt a superior EVF for K1D ;-). Then again, they are still too conservative in adopting too radical a feature as a pioneer, unlike their past. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Does this mean what I think it means?
Adam Maas a écrit : From the Pentax France Page: Le traitement interne des fichiers RAW permet d'agir sur la taille, la compression, la balance des blancs, le réglage des ISO (Pentax est le seul), le ton de l'image, la saturation, la netteté et le contraste. via Babelfish: The internal treatment of files RAW makes it possible to act on the size, compression, the balance of the white, the adjustment of the ISO (Pentax is only), the tone of the image, saturation, clearness and contrast. It sounds like ISO adjustment in post is possible with RAW files. That would be an earth-shaking capability. -Adam Hi, French is my mother tongue (as my name suggests), and I can say that the babelfish translation is accurate in saying that it is possible to *act* on ... the ISO adjustment. To my ears this means that the ISO can be somehow (?) set at post-processing. How they achieve such a result while storing only the 12bits in the RAW file is still a mystery to me. I wouldn't say so if at least 4 more bits were stored into the RAW. Otherwise, with a 12bit RAW, +1 EV push gives roughly 11 useful bits, +4 EV (100-1600) gives only 8 useful bits = nothing I can't do with my *ist DS... Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: K10D on Pentax Germany site
Pancho Hasselbach a écrit : Raw file size will be roundabout 17MB. Unsurprisingly, this means 12bit uncompressed (as indicated about everywhere)... This still does not explain the post-shoot ISO setting (or it's just some kind of exposure control). Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: A caution about aging technology
In this kind of technology, most of the value of newer products is in the research and development. Manufacturing plays a smaller part, especially for high-end newest toys. Over time, competition pushes prices down while the technology becomes mainstream. Under this pressure, the manufacturing cost remains more or less the same, but prices still must go down. Eventually, the older models street prices become very close to the manufacturing costs, margins become as thin as cigarette paper, and older models are eventually discontinued after a few years. My approach is to buy such things, say, at 2/3 to 3/4 of their commercial lifetime. I get proven technology, with all upgrades and feedback from other users, at a very fair price. Therefore, I bought my *ist DS only last year when prices suddenly fell way down. Next step will probably be an AS body (K100D?), but as I do not *need* this feature (I just would love to have it!), I'll most probably wait a couple years. Of course, I may act a bit differently if photography was not just a leisure, but I needed maximum productivity. Ultimately the question is all about what one *needs* at one particular time. My current 6 Mpix DSLR is far more than I could have dreamt of just a few years ago. Patrice Collin R Brendemuehl a écrit : A consideration: We must remember that these DSLRs are now just computers and the longer we hang onto older technology the faster it loses value. The faster upgrade may be the cheaper way to go. Sincerely, Collin Brendemuehl http://www.brendemuehl.net http://evangelicalperspective.blogspot.com He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose -- Jim Elliott -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Estimated File Size K10D
IIRC, the *istD not only does not compress RAW files, but also stores pixels in 16bits instead of 12, taking up 30% more space than necessary in the process. 10 Mpix should take 20 Mbytes if sampled at 16 bits, 16 Mbytes at 12bits (without the attached JPG preview). While lossless compression works quite well with 8 bit pictures, I've always had inefficient compression rates with 16bit images (I assume it gets harder to find two identical pixels to compress!). If the K10D produces 11MB 16bit files, this is almost 50% lossless compression, which would be pretty good indeed! Hopefully it's indeed 16bit. Patrice Rick Womer a écrit : Nifty! My ist D give me 144 PEFs on a 2 gig card. Rick --- Mark Roberts [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: K10D uses lossless compression for its RAW files. They're claiming 185 on a 2-gig card, which works out to be about 11 Meg each. -- Mark Roberts Photography Multimedia www.robertstech.com 412-687-2835 -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: K10D Resolving power
Digital Image Studio a écrit : On 09/09/06, Paul Stenquist [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: There's no such thing as can't in an emerging technology. Anything is possible. In fact, vastly improved sensors are likely. Perhaps quite soon. This is where understanding a little of the underlying physics can bring one back down to earth. Unless we can find a way to multiply the number of photons that hit the sensor then things aren't going to get miraculously better regardless of the sensor tech. This leaves us with the bigger sensors way, then. Provided that the manufacturers can resist the temptation to produce more pixels instead of bigger pixels, which I doubt, given marketing rules nowadays. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Firmware updates!
Another example of Pentax' good policy for supporting older models. We've had the *ist DS v2.0 update with new features from the DL/DS2, and now this upgrade... It would be so easy for Pentax to restrict SDHC compatibility to newer models, just to give another reason to migrate... I'm glad I've Pentax and not some other big Camera manufacturer's gear. Patrice Mike Hamilton a écrit : SDHC for everyone! http://www.pentax.co.jp/english/support/ mike -- Remember to Breathe -- MichaelHamilton.ca -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Estimated File Size K10D
Mark Roberts a écrit : Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) wrote: If the K10D produces 11MB 16bit files, this is almost 50% lossless compression, which would be pretty good indeed! Hopefully it's indeed 16bit. Nope. They're 12-bit files. Then, it's 15MB uncompressed, and 11MB is a 73% lossless compression, which seems much more likely. Each time I tried 16-bit TIFF lossless compression (from scanned film), I got files bigger than their uncompressed version! So I hardly believed in the 50% 16bit thing... -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Dumb *istDS/DS2 question
Thibouille a écrit : Where can I find a TIFF parser ? A google to exiftool might do the job. This nice tool also allows to change EXIF params (useful for example for copyright notes and extended crop). Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT: Anyone have 24MB of web space free?
You can hand them to me, I'd happily post the file on my web site (and look at the tests!). Patrice Digital Image Studio a écrit : I made some quick and dirty lens comparison shots last week (DA16-45 vs A20/2.8 and A24/2.8) but I have no time to pare them down nor a place to put them temporarily for DL. So does anyone have 24MB of web space free that would be willing to host a zip file full of JPGs? Please let me know if you could host them for a few days so that anyone interested can check them out. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: *ist D Losing it's Mind
Hi, Looks like you've just invented a pretty good excuse for ordering the K10D! I've not expertienced anything like this (thank heavens!), but I have an extra suggestion: try to re-install the firmware. A alteration in the flash memory contents may well explain such a behavior. If this proves true, trying this operation has a chance to fry the firmware for good, if its part dedicated to its own replacement is altered also, but any good design should prevent this from happening (firmware loading engine separate from regular firmware code, and cross-checks). But then, the cure would be to send the camera for repair (flash upgrade again), which you have to do anyway. Lood luck, whichever fate you wish to your *ist-D ;-) Patrice Tom C a écrit : I suspect I'll need to send it in for a repair soon. In the last couple of weeks it has, intermittently upon power up, started acting strangely. Any push of any button or turn of any wheel will actuate the shutter, even though no exposure is recorded. Turning it on/off does not help. Removing the batteries and reinserting them does not help. The only thing that corrects it is to get into the menu and scroll down to the Contrast setting. Once there, exiting the menu clears it up and it acts normally for the rest of the shooting session and responds normally during subsequent power off/on cycles. Any one else experience this behavior? Oh well, it may be my chance to use up the Velvia and Provia in the refrigerator. Tom C. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Holy Crap -- Pentax 10MP body
Or... Move the sensor even more... To cover a much wider area... say full frame, but much more than 10Mpix? At least great wide angle landscapes with fine details (provided one owns a great 24x36 wide angle). What if Pentax says well, it's 10Mpix APS-C, but on a tripod, it becomes a 30Mpix 24x36 (I haven't checked the numbers, they are most probably awfully wrong, and the SR platform most probably can't move that far away). David Harris a écrit : To change from 67 would imply improved resolution and detail ... If shooting tripod mounted and with the mirror locked up it might be possible to use the SR system move the sensor a small amount between exposures then combine exposures using an interpolation algorithm to improve the resolution? Similarly, combining multiple exposures to improve the dynamic range in camera (a bit like HDR imaging). Dave - Original Message From: Aaron Reynolds [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net Sent: Monday, 14 August, 2006 12:08:00 PM Subject: Re: Holy Crap -- Pentax 10MP body No... mostly I shoot colour neg and make really nice scans on my Sprintscan 120. -Aaron -Original Message- From: Lucas Rijnders [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subj: Re: Holy Crap -- Pentax 10MP body Date: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:12 am Size: 1K To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List pdml@pdml.net On Mon, 14 Aug 2006 03:01:20 +0200, Aaron Reynolds [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have just learned something about it that pretty much seals the deal -- I'll be buying it if I have to sell a kidney to do it. It addresses my most basic complaint about digital. It's a feature that's so much of a no-brainer, and yet as far as I know not a single DSLR out there at any price, including ones using the same sensor, have it. And unless I've missed some posts, no one has even speculated about it here. Or even said gee, I wish it could do this. Brothers, I kid you not -- I may be selling my 67. Naturally, I have to see it in action to see if it matches up to what the advantage should be in theory. But if it does... holy crap. Mid-September we're going to be seeing some forehead-slapping amongst the competition in the DSLR world. Unless, of course, I've been fed a complete load of manure. Which is entirely possible. Hi Aaron, Brilliant post :o) My first guess was ISO as accessible as shutter and aperture as an exposure control. However, you heavily hint at vastly improved image quality, archieveable with the same sensor. So I'll just ask: Do you shoot a lot of BW in the 67? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Holy Crap -- Pentax 10MP body
Wow! Indeed the SR could do this! This only comes to advertized 30 Mpix (just like Sigma). How great on the spec sheets! Brendan MacRae a écrit : How about giving each sensor site the ability to capture more than one color at a time (like the Foveon). I would settle for that. -Brendan --- Aaron Reynolds [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have just learned something about it that pretty much seals the deal -- I'll be buying it if I have to sell a kidney to do it. It addresses my most basic complaint about digital. It's a feature that's so much of a no-brainer, and yet as far as I know not a single DSLR out there at any price, including ones using the same sensor, have it. And unless I've missed some posts, no one has even speculated about it here. Or even said gee, I wish it could do this. Brothers, I kid you not -- I may be selling my 67. Naturally, I have to see it in action to see if it matches up to what the advantage should be in theory. But if it does... holy crap. Mid-September we're going to be seeing some forehead-slapping amongst the competition in the DSLR world. Unless, of course, I've been fed a complete load of manure. Which is entirely possible. -Aaron -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Holy Crap -- Pentax 10MP body
Aaron Reynolds a écrit : I have just learned something about it that pretty much seals the deal -- I'll be buying it if I have to sell a kidney to do it. It addresses my most basic complaint about digital. It's a feature that's so much of a no-brainer, and yet as far as I know not a single DSLR out there at any price, including ones using the same sensor, have it. A good focusing device that can be used with MF lenses (of course) and is accurate enough for fast lenses... Well, not only DSLRs lack this. This and the wide angle limitation (sensor size) are my biggest complaints to the DSLRs (the full frame sensors do not suffer the wide angle issue, but they are far far over my price tag). -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: AdobeRGB vs. sRGB
William Robb wrote : Photographic paper's colour gamut falls within sRGB. If you send a wider gamut file to a photographic printer, the paper will clip. I agree with this. Besides, using a wider color space (adobe RBG or ProPhoto or any other) means that a given color range will be represented by a narrower numeric range: if 0-255 represents a wider range, this means that each interval, for instance 127-128, represents a wider range, too. So a physical color range that spans over 10 units in sRGB may only span 8 units in aRGB. Although a adobe RGB file will properly render a few colors that would be fully saturated in the equivalent sRGB, for the areas of the image that fall in both spaces, sRBG will have more distinct numeric values available to distinguish between colors. With 8 bit quantication, this means that adobe RGB may show more banding artifacts than sRGB for most colors, while sRGB will crop more very saturated colors. In most cases, where most of the image is in mid-range colors, one will prefer sRGB. In very specific cases with many details to be rendered with colors in the borders of the color space (flowers ?) adobe RGB may do a greater job, provided that a suitable output device is used. 16 bit AND a wide color space may give you both precision and wide range, but again, the output device and media must be up to the task. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Non-working FA 80-320
Had this exact issue last month (though I'm not sure about the lack of preview function... must be *ist D specific). Then I figured out that when slightly pushing the ring, still in A position, in the opposite direction from the manual settings (as if I wanted to go after A), the normal operation was temporarily resumed. It stopped working when I released the ring so it could only work with the hand on the ring. Eventually, I unscrewed the mount, and had to clean a conductive pad, where a brush attached to the ring comes to rest when the ring is set to the A position. This pad was dirty at the exact position where the brush would come when set to A, and pushing the ring even a slight bit would establish the connection again. Since cleaning, it just worked fine again, hopefully good for a few more years! I'm generally poorly gifted regarding precision handwork, so almost anybody who knows how to operate a precision screwdriver should be able to do this simple operation. The only delicate phase is putting the whole thing together again. The aperture mechanical bracket is almost guaranteed to move away during dismantling, and must be carefully put back in place afterwards (otherwise, the aperture lever will be stuck or loose, and you'll know immediately anyway. Nothing should break apart if you're careful and check manually before you mount it on a body). The small ball-shaped connectors are also a bit annoying, as they are mounted on springs. But again, if I managed to do so with a bit of patience and a clean working desk, many people can do so. Good luck, this lens deserves it. Patrice Larry Levy a écrit : I felt that I needed a little greater reach on my *ist D, so I found and bought an FA 80-320. The lens looks great, mounts well and has a major problem. The D does not recognize or change the settings on the lens. Additionally, when I use the preview switch, the lens does not stop down. On my Z-1, the camera does not set the lens in P mode, manual settings seem to work and preview stops down. Off camera, moving the lens lever controls the diaphragm. Is there a reasonable fix for this? I do like the reach and would not like to have to return it. Help -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Print sizes and megapixels
Bob W a écrit : This means that, with a 6mpix sensor, a 20x30 cm print should be seen from a 33cm distance or more, which seems quite reasonable. Looking from that distance at a print that size would mean you could not take in the whole area of the picture without scanning it with your eyes. This factor is one of the things that annoys me about a lot of photo books. They are very often far too big to be able to see the whole picture comfortably at a normal (for a book) viewing distance. -- Cheers, Bob That's the point. If those pixels are already barely visible at such a close distance, 6 mpix is clearly no limitation for normal viewing distances, where they go below human eye resolution capabilities... One may want to print BIG enlargements though, and expect the viewers to come close and still find detail. Some pictures clearly work like this, when you think hey, something's happening, here, and come and see closer. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Print sizes and megapixels
Hi, On a purely theoretical point of view, the human eye can resolve details at least 1/60th degree wide. This means, that the smallest detail the eye can see is about 3/1 the viewing distance... This means that, with a 6mpix sensor, a 20x30 cm print should be seen from a 33cm distance or more, which seems quite reasonable. As a rule of thumb, the viewing distance should equal the long border... Of course, these are only theoretical figures. As someone pointed in this thread, everyone may or may not find a given same print acceptable. But given those limits, the resolution should not be to blame. Patrice Bob W a écrit : Hi, I've been doing some calculations of print sizes and megapixels, and found something I don't understand. If we assume the correct viewing distance for a print hanging on the wall is about 90cm, and we accept that the maximum size of the diagonal of the print should be half the viewing distance, then for the 4:3rds system the print should be 36x27cm, giving a diagonal of 45cm. This fits comfortably on A3 paper (29.7x42.0cm, about 11x16 in American). Printers generally seem to print at about 300 dots per inch, which is 118 dots per cm, as near as makes no difference. So for the printed area we need (27x118)x(36x118) = 13,534,128 pixels. Yet I'm sure I read about people making high quality 20x16 prints from 6 - 10 megapixel cameras. What gives? Thanks, Bob -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: OT: Another Photo Contest
Powell Hargrave a écrit : At 11:05 AM 24/06/2006 , Marnie wrote: http://www.worldinfocuscontest.com/ Seems to be legit. There are enough good photographers on this list for someone to give it a shot. Or people who live in pretty places. Read the terms and conditions agreement. You send it they own it. Powell Technically they do not own it, but have the right to do virtually anything with it. And it's your responsibility to make sure they won't infringe any law by doing so... Personnally, I wouldn't spend 10$ for such privileges! Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Another Photo Contest
[EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit : In a message dated 6/24/2006 12:26:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: $10/entry! Kenneth Waller I did wonder about that. I mean it seems like a very good contest -- much better prizes, frankly, than I usually see (like in magazines). But maybe the entry fee is helping pay for part of them. But I don't think a contest should have an entry fee, really. I just figured maybe I didn't know anything. That maybe most photo contests have entry fees. That I am clueless. Never tried to entry a photo contest, so don't know. Oh, well. Okay, consider the link retracted. And me better educated. Marnie aka Doe ;-) I've seen recently a contest with higher fees, and a few medals and ribbons as prices! Anyone interested? Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: camera club question re: projected image contests
Tom Reese a écrit : Hey all, Our photo club currently has competitions in slides and prints. We're going to combine projected digital images and slides in future contests in order to provide maximum opportunity for participation. Members won't have to make prints to enter contests and they'll save a lot of aggravation and expense. My question from other club members is: are you having contests with projected images? What resolution do you use for the images? Have you had any problems? thanks for your help. Tom Reese Hi Tom, My club organizes every year quite a big contest (as far as a few thousands candidate photos is considered big), and seriously considered digital projection along with slides. We discussed with other clubs and decided that we would not venture into this yet, mainly for manpower reasons (reception, sorting etc...). However, we've often projected digital in various other occasions. What we learned: The quality is certainly behind slide projection, in resolution, and specially in color accuracy and stability (compared to a reasonably good slide projector typically available in a club). Maybe it's because the digital projectors we used were bad, but this proved noticeable with various recent models. Regarding color rendition, we did not have the hardware to calibrate the projected image, though. The photos are not on the same playing ground not only depending on the support (digi vs. film), but also depending on the image orientation. While a slide can be projected vertically and horizontally with equal quality, the digital imager is a horizontal rectangle. Therefore, with a 1600x1200 imager, horizontal images will be 1600x1066, while vertical images will be only 1200*800 (2/3 images like 24x36 and APS-C). The projected vertical image will be much smaller, with the same dot size, and will lose more detail. I can see only two workaround to this: - configure the projection software or pre-process the images so the projection area is square (in this case 1200x1200). Of course this means lowering the quality of horizontal images to the same level as vertical images. - wait until manufacturers make square image projectors just for the photo clubs :-) Projecting the original files and let the projection software do the resizing and adding black borders ran smoothly for us. One would expect that if the authors knew (or guessed) the projector's resolution, they would have the chance to adapt their files to it, especially sharpening and the interpolation method if one is preferred. Interpolators used in projection software do not always give identical results. Enjoy your club activity (and the pictures) and take care. Patrice -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: PESO and issue with *ist DS
Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) a écrit : Now about some annoying issue I have with my *ist DS: when I use the rear dial to zoom in/out in playback mode, or to change Aperture or Speed or Exposure compensation, it behaves quite arratically: - 100% OK when turned left. When turned right: - 50% OK - 25% does nothing - 25% turns right one or more steps! Oops! I meant 25% turns _left_ one or more steps (even more annoying). Not that it changes much ;-) Thanks Lou for the hint about pushing the dial downwards... I may return it for servicing, but this tip might help waiting for the most appropriate time to do so. Patrice
Re: PESO and issue with *ist DS
Thanks Lou for this tip. I just tried it, but unfortunately, it does not seem to help with my unit. Neither pushing it down, nor up, nor away, nor anyhow :-( On second thought, the occurrence of the issue is even worse (something like 50% maybe!) to the point where I can hardly stop the aperture down at all at times... 4.0 - 4.7 - 5.6 - 6.7 - 8.0 - Oops! now 5.6 again! I'll have to return it sooner than I expected :-( And use my good old MZ5n to frame my newborn daughter! At least the 5n allows me to use the lens aperture ring! Patrice Lou Billing a écrit : I've noticed this with my Ds also. The angled edge of the dial makes it easy to apply a small amount of downward pressure when turning it and this seems to correct the problem. It also seems necessary to turn it slowly and deliberately, one click at a time as well. Lou -Original Message- From: Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Now about some annoying issue I have with my *ist DS: when I use the rear dial to zoom in/out in playback mode, or to change Aperture or Speed or Exposure compensation, it behaves quite arratically: - 100% OK when turned left. When turned right: - 50% OK - 25% does nothing - 25% turns right one or more steps!
PESO and issue with *ist DS
Hello all... I've been off the list for a short while, time for my second child to get born... So now Clarisse is there. So here's my PESO of the day: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/Clarisse/2006-05-04+Naissance+Clarisse+-+72+-+10x15+cadre.jpg.html or http://tinyurl.com/e9kgv Now about some annoying issue I have with my *ist DS: when I use the rear dial to zoom in/out in playback mode, or to change Aperture or Speed or Exposure compensation, it behaves quite arratically: - 100% OK when turned left. When turned right: - 50% OK - 25% does nothing - 25% turns right one or more steps! I first suspected some dust or a hair or something slipped through the gap over or below the dial, and tried to blow some canned air into it, but this had no effect. I'm now afraid it's a premature wear of the dial's contacts, but this would be a very bad sign regarding the quality of construction of this body, and for its future. It's only 6 months and I have a 2 year guarantee, but of course I'm not too willing to part from it right now... Have any of you experienced this kind of behaviour? Regards Patrice
Re: waist-level viewfinder
Hi Vic I would add a 5bis: 5bis A good Prosumer camera with orientable LCD screen. contra: quality of viewfinder (improving), expensive, no compatibility with *any* lenses, small sensor (improving) pros: very convenient for awkward shooting angles. Macro made easy. All other pros you can find in a prosumer camera. I'm not too much enthusiastic with PS LCD viewfinders vs reflex finders, but there are times I wish I could frame with the low-res LCD with my *ist DS. Be it orientable, the better! My brother owns a Fuji Finepix S9500, and I wouldn't change my *ist DS for it. But I must admit I'm quite envious when he does really difficult angles (like very close to the ground) single-handed, while I'm forced to lie in the mud to frame a similar picture. Of course it's also very handy for waist-level framing. Patrice Vic Mortelmans a écrit : Hi pdml! this question may be off-topic, though this depends on the outcome of the answers. Currently I have a number of Pentax camera's (Spotmatic SP, ES, SuperA) and a number of rangefander camera's (Canonet QL17 GIII, Zorki 4). None of these camera's offer waist-level viewing. I'd like to try waist-level viewing, because I know from experience that a low angle viewpoint gives better pictures (also, I'm quite tall). These are the possibilities I am considering: 1 Pentax LX with waist-level viewfinder 2 Asahiflex (maybe still with the M39 thread?) 3 flash-shoe waist level viewfinder (Leica has some models), to be used on SLR or rangefinder camera's 4 TLR camera 5 I know there are some regular SLR camera's and even point-and-shoots that have additionally a (small) built-in waist-level viewfinder Do you know about more options? About the pro's and contra's: 1 contra expensive; pro compatible with my current lens system 2 contra quality of the viewfinder?; pro/contra? is it compatible with M42 lenses? 3 contra expensive; pro can be used on any of my camera's 4 contra only with 120 film; pro people will be staring at me (or is this contra?) 5 contra probably low quality viewfinders; I've lost the references... Can you add to this from your experience? Groeten, VIc
Re: *istDS, DS2, DL and 4GB SD Cards
Thanks for this investigation Shel. Looks like we'll have to look carefully to future SDHC logo soon. In the meantime, I'll stick to 2GB cards, as I feel safer with more smaller cards than with a unique big one (just in case of crash, failure, loss or any other disaster), and the price is still more advantageous yet. Patrice Shel Belinkoff a écrit : A week or so back I asked about the compatibility of the istDS (and, the DS2 and DL as well) with 4GB SD cards. A few responses suggested the camera should be able to handle them. I decided to look further for an answer, and contacted Pentax directly. This afternoon I received a response: Currently, the *ist DS camera with firmware version 2.0 supports 2 GB SD cards (SD Association version 1.1). When newer SD cards with the designation SDHC (SD Association version 2.0) of capacities of 4GB become available Pentax will support this new SD card standard with a firmware update for our *ist DS camera. There are 4 GB SD cards not carrying the SDHC designation available now, but these were released prior to the definition of the SD Association version 2.0 standard (SDHC) and could well be incompatible with our cameras. In summary, Pentax plans to support the new SDHC standard (and higher capacity SD cards) as it comes on line in the very near future but our *ist DS, *ist DS2 and *ist DL camera are currently compatible with SD cards 2 GB and less. The way I read it, some 4GB cards may work with these cameras now, but Pentax does not officially support them. IOW, you're on your own if you decide to use such cards before the next firmware upgrade. Shel
Re: Largest photo print size for *istDL
Hi! Roman a écrit : Sup, What is the largest quality print size for 6.1Mpix *istDL images. I'd ordered A4 (200x300mm) photo prints with outstanding detail and sharpness (specially chosen image with lot of detail on it http://roman.blakout.net/?blog=20060414172055 ) but I wonder if A3 (suggested in my *istDL manual) would be all that good. Your personal experience input appreciated. Thank you. 2000x3000 pixels on a A4 paper is approx 250 dpi, which is fairly good. On a A3 paper, it would be approx. 160 dpi... The difference will definitely be visible with the naked eye with close examination. However, this kind on print size is not intended to be seen with the nose touching the paper. If your intent is to enlarge these prints to hang them on a wall somewhere, there are chances you'll be happy with them. Put aside a very good analog BW print in an art gallery, this A3 will surely suffer at close examination though. If you can afford a 2m x 3m advertising place somewhere in town, people will look at the image from 10m away, and won't complain about the dpi ;-) Bottom line: maximum enlargement doesn't mean much, it's more a tradeoff between how large you want your print, and how close people will look at it. Patrice
Re: Largest photo print size for *istDL
[EMAIL PROTECTED] a écrit : -- Original message -- From: Patrice LACOUTURE (GMail) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you. 2000x3000 pixels on a A4 paper is approx 250 dpi, which is fairly good. On a A3 paper, it would be approx. 160 dpi... Interpolate Patrice, interpolate. I convert my RAW *ist D images to 11 x 17 360 dpi files for printing. The upsized files yield far nicer prints than does a native resolution file. Paul Yeah, of course, you don't want ugly square pixels all over the place. But even with interpolation, you won't get as much detail with a source image that yields 160 dpi as with a source image that yields 250 dpi (provided that the lens is up to it, of course, and that the file holds a sharp image in the first place). I've made some real-life comparison with various enlargements/interpolation combinations, and I also found out that one gets much better results using Photoshop's interpolation than printer drivers can do. There are very high quality interpolators that can do an amazing job at enlarging prints with very good results at large ratios, too. Patrice
Re: PESO: Another Pano
Hello, Boris Liberman wrote: Hi! Here's another one from the Cassis little harbor town in France riviera (some of you will remember the lighthouse). http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/pano/pano-screen.jpg.html Patrice, I think standard dpi measure is either 240 or 300... So it will have to be slightly smaller or slightly up-ressed. Now, I have an idea... As an exercise for photographers they should be given a panorama image and a frame mask... The goal would be to extract a single frame image (with the mask) that would work. I for one really like the lighthouse as it appears if I were to look on the left most part of the panorama. Strangely enough this Sigma lens holds the counter-light very well... Boris Thanks for viewing and for your comments. I did the math with 220 dpi, because the max size my usual photo lab can give is 60cm wide by whatever you want long... And in this particular case it makes approx. 220 dpi. As it is inkjet, with probably 5000+ dpi dot pitch and error diffusion patterns, there is no real need to stick to the machine's hardware resolution, like with digital minilabs based on DLP technology. I don't seriously intend to print anything this size anyway! Regarding your panorama and frame game, actually/ /I did the opposite. I shot the lighthouse alone first (earlier PESO visible here: http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/PESO/2006-02-27-Cassis---23.jpg.html or http://tinyurl.com/ffvpq) then wondered whether there would be a good pano around it. I prefer the lighthouse alone, too. Your game idea is good, though. I keep it for my Photo Club sessions. Nice exercise to train the newbies (and others!) eyes... Regarding this Sigma lens, I've been very positively surprised with the images it produces since I bought it a few months ago, especially for the price (a bit below 300 EUR). As I post-process most images I shoot, its major flaws are not a big issue for me (huge distorsion at 18mm, vignetting at 18mm wide open, a bit of chromatic aberration - but not so much compared with many lenses), and the sharpness is not ridiculous given the 18-125mm range. Since I bought it, it only leaves by body to be replaced by the SMC A 50 f/1.7. BTW, I left the UV filter on when shooting this pano. This must have slightly decreased the image quality regarding sunlight. For those interested, I posted a test of my lenses at http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/LensTest/. This 18-125mm stands surprising well (of course, my 28-70 f/4 is broken and should not be taken into account). These tests are not professional tests at all, and *do not* represent only the intrinsic characteristics of these lenses. They just reasonably represent what I can achieve with my gear by being a bit careful (tripod + AF + mirror lock-up). Best regards Patrice
Re: PESO: Another Pano
Hi! Most inkjet printers, including cheapo entry-level ones, advertise very high resolutions like, 2880 or 5600 dpi... In fact, these figures give the positional accuracy of individual ink dots. At this native resolution, there are a very limited number of colours: each position on the paper either receives, or not, a drop of every ink color. With a 4-inks printer, each point can get: - nothing (white) - black dot - cyan dot - magenta dot - yellow dot - cyan + magenta (blue) - cyan + yellow (green) - magenta + yellow (red) ... for a total of 8 colors (black can't be mixed with other colors, and mixing C+M+Y doesn't make much sense: would be a dirty black). These are theoretical figures, and do not consider blending and such. For printers with more ink colors, do your own math. This isn't much, and to get continuous tones (256*256*256=16M colors), the printer must use dithering, by arranging these 8 colors in a pattern, that look like a continuous tone pixel to the naked eye. Wikipedia will explain this much better than I could ever do: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dither#Digital_photography_and_image_processing or http://tinyurl.com/mvwuf In short, the greater the difference between the image resolution and the medium (printer) resolution, the better color approximation one can get. With 5000+ dpi, and a 300dpi image, each pixel is 16 dots wide on the paper, which leaves plenty of room to represent accurate color. With ordered dithering technique, this ratio between the print resolution and the image resolution is fixed: each image pixel will be exactly and always 16x16 dot positions for instance, and it is important to stick to fixed resolutions. With error diffusion techniques, there is no such restriction, and a great deal of adptation. Sharp edges can even use higher resolution than continuous areas, which need less definition, but greater color accuracy. In theory, the precision of continuous tones is not limited, while the full native resolution is available for a black white edge. Nowadays, error diffusion is commonly used for photo printing, and ordered dither is only used for computer graphics, charts, etc... For a photographer, the bottom line is: - For inkjet printing, don't care about your image's resolution. 234.56dpi is fine, anyway the printer is 5000+ dpi and does error diffusion. - For continuous tone printers, ask the native resolution and stick to it. These printers (DLP, laser...) can print directly in continuous tone, but have a low native resolution (300 or 400dpi). If you do 234.56dpi, it would have to be resized to 300 or 400dpi first, and you don't control the quality of this resize. Regards Patrice Shel Belinkoff a écrit : What does all that mean? 5000+ dpi ... seems like a lot, perhaps excessive. Can you explain? What's an error diffusion pattern? What's DLP technology? Shel As it is inkjet, with probably 5000+ dpi dot pitch and error diffusion patterns, there is no real need to stick to the machine's hardware resolution, like with digital minilabs based on DLP technology. I don't seriously intend to print anything this size anyway!
Re: PESO: Another Pano
Shel Belinkoff a écrit : What does all that mean? 5000+ dpi ... seems like a lot, perhaps excessive. Can you explain? What's an error diffusion pattern? What's DLP technology? Shel Oops! Didn't answer your third question. Wikipedia is your friend (again): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DLP Patrice
Re: Pixel noise identifies digital cameras
Very interesting indeed. As always in weapons races, countermeasures will eventually be developed. For instance, a filter that modifies these noise patterns to make it unrecognizeable. I'm not sure if their technology allows this sort of countermeasures, as I have only basic knowledge of cryptography and steganography, but I quite trust ingenuity (ill-placed or not). In the meantime, if it can help solving some cases... Patrice Juan Buhler a écrit : This is interesting. From the article linked below: Every original digital picture is overlaid by a weak noise-like pattern of pixel-to-pixel non-uniformity. Although these patterns are invisible to the human eye, the unique reference pattern or fingerprint of any camera can be electronically extracted by analyzing a number of images taken by a single camera. Fridrich's lab analyzed 2,700 pictures taken by nine digital cameras and with 100 percent accuracy linked individual images with the camera that took them. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-04/bu-bur041806.php j -- Juan Buhler Water Molotov: http://photoblog.jbuhler.com Slippery Slope: http://color.jbuhler.com
Re: Can I use manual lenses on Digital DS2
With faster lenses at wide aperture (e.g. f/1.7), the AF indication is not precise enough to give any good indication for very narrow Depth of Field. With a careful focusing, I only get to focus where I want about once every 3 to 5 shots at f/1.7 (perhaps I'm not the most talented guy at this, though). The focusing screen is not very helpful with wide apertures neither, at least much less than MF bodies focusing aids (microprisms, split image telemeter). By the way, some people adapt those MF focusing screens to the *ist DS/DS2, but this seems to alter the metering in spot mode in random ways. With slower lenses (and wider depth of field) it works like a charm, like everything you mentioned. Welcome to the list. Patrice Denny B a écrit : I am anticipating purchasing a Pentax Digital DS2 body. Can I use my manual Pentax lenses I have collected over the last 35 years on the DS2 body, Some lenses are A-lenses, some are just SMC non A-lenses. Can I focus these lens manually and observe through the viewfinder that the lens is focused but even though I manually focus still get electronic signal (light or beep ) that the lens is focused? Can I use all light metering functions ( matrix, center weighted, spot ) with the A-lenses and some metering functions with the non A-lenses. I am a new poster here. Thanks in advance Denny B
Re: PESO - You won't believe me
I didn't notice the tilt or highlights or anything else, at least not during the first second before I thought Hell, I like this shot!. I just love these masks. This picture worked for me immediately! Patrice Boris Liberman a écrit : Hi! http://not.contaxg.com/document.php?id=13178 Be brutal and honest, as usual. Boris
Re: PESO - qd beach pano
David Nelson a écrit : I don't shoot much scenic stuff and don't do much BW conversion, but here's a pano that happens to be both. Queenscliff Beach, the northern end of Manly. http://davidavid.whatsbeef.net/beachpano.jpg Shot with the A24/2.8, stitched with Autostitch. I was surprised that the moving waves didn't prove to be a problem. I quite like the colour version too, I'll show that if the BW doesn't work for people. Comments? Works for me, though I would have put less sky and more rocks (cropping just above the tourist building on the right). Nice light, especially visible on the color version, but the BW version works better for me. I've downloaded your color image and make tests with different BW conversions, and found out I'd probably do something more dramatic (darker sky and sea), but well, I'm more into contrasty image for this kind of scene. Have you shot anything similar with closeups of the water playing with sand in the foreground, by chance? Patrice
Re: photography from an airplane and unsharp mask
Igor Roshchin a écrit : Hello! [...] 2. When do you use sharp/unsharp filters in the PS or other software? (any hints on how to judge a reasonable level?) As an example, here is my photo of San Diego downtown taken from the plane. It is not a photo for presentation, just something that I am practicing on, and I am not happy with it. I wonder what else can be done to improve it. original photo: http://www.komkon.org/~igor/PHOTOS/SanDiego/IMGP2417-2sm.jpg and the one after unsharpen mask applied in PS: http://www.komkon.org/~igor/PHOTOS/SanDiego/IMGP2417-2sharpsm.jpg Here is what I could do quite quickly (based on your full size version): http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/discuss/IMGP2417-2sm-PL.jpg.html What I did to it: - Duplicate the image to a new layer - Apply a HiRaLoAm to it: Unsharp masking with High Radius (50 pixels), low amount (40), and change blend mode to Luminosity. Select opacity for best results (75% here) - Create a Levels layer on top, and use it to adjust the levels manually: move the cursors to cut out the unused histogram areas in highlights and shadows, so shadows get darker and highlight get brighter. This to overcome the fact that the window glass kills the contrast from your image. - Create a Hue/Saturation layer again on top, and use it to add a bit of saturation to get back some color from the blue cast. - Resize as needed. - Duplicate the background layer again, and place it on top of the HiRaLoAm layer, below the adjustment layers. - Apply an classic Unsharp masking, with Low Radius (0.8 pixels), high amount (200!). Change blend mode to Darken (sharpening gets ugly in highlights much faster than in darker areas), and adjust the effect with the opacity cursor (here around 60%). I'd say it still needs some color correction to remove the blue cast... (I'll remove this photo from my website sometime soon. Just tell me if you want me to do so faster, Igor). In your opinion, is this image oversharpened? A bit. So is my version. Fine-tuning with two layers (one in darken mode, the other in lighten mode), with careful tweaking of radius and opacity, is time consuming, but usually gives very good results. Patrice
PESO: Another winding road pano
Hi all, Here is another winding road pano (same road, a bit *before* the big curve). http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/pano/lacets-small.jpg.html BTW, I'd greatly appreciate if someone could tell me what is the GFM mentioned earlier. And here a vertical taken at about the same place. Although it's probably my best view of this spot, I'm not too happy with it. http://www.lacouture.nom.fr/gallery/v/pano/Gours-small.jpg.html Regards
Re: Opinions about ZX-7 MZ-7
E.R.N. Reed a écrit : Unca Mikey wrote: (among other things) As near as I can tell from pictures and the manual, the ZX-7 is the only Pentax SLR that allows Av mode using either the aperture ring on the lens or a selector on the body. No. The PZ-1 also does. Which suggests that the PZ-1p would too. There may be still more. :) I had the lowest-end PZ-70 as a second body quite a while ago, and it did, too. No doubt other bodies in the Z/PZ series did. Patrice
