re: street shooting lens
Amita, My wife and I sometimes use the Pentax 1.7x AF converter with a 50mm 1.4 M lens. A little slow, but pretty small, relatively fast AF, and uses what we have without buying an 85mm. Steve street shooting lens Amita Guha Wed, 01 Jun 2005 05:25:41 -0700 While I was in London this past week, I tried to do some street portraits, but I wasn't very successful. I think part of the problem was that my zoom was too obvious when extended to 75mm. Also, 75mm didn't reach quite far enough. Nate got some good candids with his Canon 85mm prime. The barrel is pretty short, so it's nice and unobtrusive. I think I would like something comparable. I don't really feel like springing for the FA 85mm (and it's backordered anyway). Can anyone suggest an alternative lens or focal length or whatever? I'd love to hear what works for different people. Thanks, Amita
*ist-D K Mount Question
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 09:26:14 -0400 Sorry, I should have been more specific. I thought it occurred in AE as well as manual. I will double check this when I get home. What was curious was that I could see the aperture closing if I looked into the lens. As for DOF, I was focusing on something only a few feet a way. The DOF difference between 2.5 and 32 was pretty noticable focusing on the some point with the same lens with an LX. Steve From: Bill Owens [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: *ist-D K Mount Question Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Were you shooting in auto exposure or manual exposure mode? The exposure appearing the same would seem to mean that the either the shutter speed or ISO changed for the second exposure. As for DOF, were you shooting something near, or far away? Bill
RE: do you practice any other arts?
My wife and I took drawing lessons years ago at the NY Art Students League (a great place). In one class, the instructor remarked to my wife If you could draw, you would be dangerous, pointing out that she had a great sense of composition but lesser technical drawing skills. So, after that, she took up photography! Her drawing compositions were interesting, and that carries into her photography. (My skills lead to boring compositions, but we can still enjoy what we're not good at). Steve I attended my first drawing class last night. It was just a one-session thing, to get me started with drawing. I'm trying to learn to draw because I want to get into logo design as part of my web business. Drawing is a commpletely alien exercise to me, but I feel I need to learn it to add to my skillset. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else on the list draws or engages in any other visual or other arts. If you do, do you think practicing one helps your skill in the other, or maybe hinders it? I am wondering if learning to draw will affect my photgraphy at all. Amita
Pentax LX Battery Cover
Does any one know where I can get a replacement battery compartment cover for my LX? (There's one on the ground somewhere in the Bronx Zoo, but I've already looked and can't find that one. At least the day was not ruined, because the LX still worked). Thanks for your help. Steve
OT: Re: GFM Camera Clinic Report (long)
Sunday morning and it was time for Aris' program.He is this year's Southern Photographer of the Year. Being a staff photographer for the Newark, NY Ledger-Star Whoops, sorry, should be Newark NJ. Bill We're used to it. I remember a Monday Night Football game broadcast, in the announcer's words, from Giant Stadium in the Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New York. Steve Emailing from downtown Newark [for those in Delaware, the accent's on the first syllable]. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Sigma 70-200 vs. Tokina 80-200 f2.8
Joe, My wife and I have the Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX. An excellent lens, works without a problem on the ZX-5n. It also has a nice manual focus feel for an AF lens, so it gets good use on the LX too. It is big, but balances well. Lens is sharp [based on my untrained eye looking at 8 x 12 enlargements] and crisp/contrasty, more so than the Pentax 80-320. It usually gets used wide open. The matching 1.4x EX teleconvertor [there's a 2x too, but I have no experience with it] seems to work with no noticable image quality loss. The lens comes with a removable tripod mount, hood, and a case. Two complaints: [1] the AF/MF clutch does not affect the AF/MF setting on the ZX-5n, so you have to change both, and [2] flare resistance is good, but not up to SMC standards. Steve The FA 80-200 f2.8 is beyond reach right now, so I am considering Sigma and Tokina. Does anyone have experience with either of the following? Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX APO Tokina 80-200 f2.8 AT-X 828AF Pro Specifically, how do they perform wide open? Thanks, Joe - - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: My introduction to digital photography
I too have been pleasantly surprised by the results from our (first and only) digital camera -- a Canon S110 (purchased just before the Pentax Optio came out). I bought it as a small, unobtrusive and easy to carry around camera, thinking it would at least be good for emailing pictures of our son, etc. But even though it has only two megapixels, it has produced some good 8 x 10s, to my surprise. It doesn't rival the best 35mm has to offer, of course, and is easily fooled by tricky lighting situations. But it's a good point and shoot and, if there's some thought and composition between the pointing and shooting, you can get a pretty nice picture. Steve Hi Bill, I can understand your disappointment however I'll just say don't base your whole digital camera perspective on the experience gained from as you said is a bloated point and shoot, with a 3mp chip and a zoom lens. The G1 camera falls relatively early in the digital development curve, technology has progressed since, and as I've said before the number of pixels ain't the worst of the problems with this style of camera. Borrow the manual next time (if there is one) and tone down the in- camera image processing. My digital camera is now about a generation and a half behind its current peers but it's a still more capable than most of current the PnS style digital cameras. I just snapped an image in my back yard, evil conditions but here goes: http://www.home.aone.net.au/audiobias/P6030661.JPG (2,643,842B) Cheers, Rob Studdert HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA Tel +61-2-9554-4110 UTC(GMT) +10 Hours [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications.html - - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Statue of Liberty Recommendations
Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It's right off the New Jersey Turnpike's Newark Bay extension (which goes to Jersey City and the Holland Tunnel, not Newark). I think it's exit 14B. You can also catch a ferry to the statue and Ellis Island from there. You will have the statue (from the back) with lower Manhattan inthe background, I think. Some of the day cruises, such as Circle Line, etc., have short trips that go down the Hudson into the harbor and circle the statue, which might provide some better photo ops. Steve - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Serendipity survey
Last fall, I was driving home from work with a clear view of downtown New York. I saw a rainbow that appeared to begin where the WTC had stood until only a month or two before. It was so clear that I couldn't believe that other cars weren't pulling over to look at it. I pulled over and was happy I had a camera in the car. No film in the camera. But there's usually a roll or two in the car somewhere, even if only because it fell out of a bag. I searched the car from top to bottom. No luck. By then, the rainbow was fading anyway. Serendipity lost, I guess. But perhaps for the best. The image would have been a bit of a cliche that was no match for the tragedy to which it referred. Steve - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO
Wendy, My wife and I have the 70-200 2.8 EX. An excellent lens, works without a problem on the ZX-5n. It also has a nice manual focus feel for an AF lens, so it gets good use on the LX too. Lens is sharp and crisp/contrasty, more so than the Pentax 80-320. The removable tripod mount is good and allows easy rotation between portrait and landscape orientation. The matching 1.4x EX teleconvertor [there's a 2x too, but I have no experience with it] seems to work with no noticable image quality loss. The lens comes with a hood and a case. Two complaints: [1] the AF/MF clutch does not affect the AF/MF setting on the ZX-5n, so you have to change both, and [2] flare resistance is good, but not up to SMC standards. Steve Hi All, First question: Does anyone have experience of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX ? (or the older 82mm filter size 70-210) - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Adorama
I generally look to BH first, but I've mail ordered from Adorama several times and know of someone else who has done so often. Adorama has been reputable in my experience. When one shipment was lost [apparently somewhere in Ohio -- I'm in NJ right across the river from Adorama!], my credit card was credited without any hassles. And their advertised prices are their real prices. Steve Amita wrote: For what it's worth, Adorama is my favorite camera store. They've accepted returns with no problem, and most of the guys in there are extremely nice. They'll check prices on both new and used equipment for you to save you money. I've never used them for mail order, but I can't imagine they'd be any different. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Cats (Was general (OT?) question OT answer )
Here's my cat [sort of]: http://home.att.net/~naturephotography/oscar.htm From: Shel Belinkoff Subject: Re: general (OT?) question OT answer Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2002 09:59:21 -0800 I suggest we send Colin some nice, large photos of our cats so he can see how cute, cuddly, warm, and friendly they are. Robert Harris wrote: [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Why do you choose or stay in Pentax ?
It all started with a K1000. . . . After that, it was a combination of getting a new camera that was compatible with the lenses we already had, the compactness of the cameras, and the compatibility between MF and AF and even potentially screwmount lenses [hopes of finding a cheap SM 500 4.5]. Steve Everyone's different except me. From: Emilio Puga Subject: RE: Why do you choose or stay in Pentax ? Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 02:18:25 -0800 Maybe all we are different, original people?? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Bargain at KEH
I have bought a few bargain items at Keh, including a couple of lenses and an LX finder, and have always been pleased. Also, keep your eye out for lenses with EX ratings but lower prices because they're identified as having a dented filter ring -- this denting can be relatively slight and innocuous, as it was with the otherwise perfect FA 100 2.8 macro I bought there a while back. I bought one lens rated ugly [a Kiron 105 macro]. It had slight fungus [which Keh's ugly rating permits] and promptly went back. I'd buy a Keh bargain item with confidence [particularly knowing I can return it losing only the cost of shipping] but probably would not buy a Keh ugly lens again. Steve - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: getting LX - worth it? (repairs,...)
I've had two early vintage LX [3200 ASA but prism release button doesn't activitate meter, no rollers on back cover, and old-style shutter curtain dot pattern] for a few years. I sent one for a CLA soon after I got it because of deteriorating foam around the focus screen. [I forget the cost]. Otherwise, I have not had any problem with sticky mirror or otherwise. I recall someone on this list mentioning a while back that a sticky mirror problem would be fixed by Pentax as part of a CLA, without additional cost. I think the general consensus is to factor in the cost of a CLA when you buy an LX, at least an older one. After a CLA, you should have a great camera that, at least in my limited experience, is reliable. However, I wouldn't think that an LX would be sold for parts just because of a sticky mirror problem. Is there something else? Steve - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
