Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
>> Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it >> invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? > No idea of pricing, but the AF80C is an excellent little flash. It is quite a good flash. I used one for a while until I replaced it with the AF140C. Both have their good and not so good points: 1. The "boxy" 080 is (in my subjective opinion) a nicer looking unit (I have never cared much for the "super-zoomy" appearance of the 140). 2. The 080 has more flexibility for power sources (AA's plus power packs, etc.), while the 140 is restricted to AA's. 3. The 040 does not as easily couple with lenses wider (filter diameter) than 49mm or maybe 52mm (I'm not sure), but the 140 has adapters for up to 58mm lenses - this characteristic was the most important to me (for use with the A*200/4 Macro, which I no longer have, and with the A 100/2.8 Macro, which I still use it with). 4. Oh, and the 140 has more "oomph" - it's a stronger flash unit. 5. Then, if I remember correctly, the 080 does not have "modeling lights", which the 140 does have (although I've never used 'em much). [Reality Caution - I've offered the above comments based on a lot of shaky memory - you might want to find out for sure about any comment that might be particularly important to you.] Fred
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Go back to sleep, you don't want to know. Cotty wrote: frank theriault <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: As for Cotty, I have no idea what he's talking about... On 27/6/05, Mark Roberts, discombobulated, unleashed: That's all right. Neither does Cotty :-P Unh? Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _ -- When you're worried or in doubt, Run in circles, (scream and shout).
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
>frank theriault <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >>As for Cotty, I have no idea what he's talking about... On 27/6/05, Mark Roberts, discombobulated, unleashed: >That's all right. Neither does Cotty :-P Unh? Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Kostas Kavoussanakis wrote: On Mon, 27 Jun 2005, Tom Reese wrote: I have one that I've used occasionally. It does give odd looking highlights in shiny surfaces including eyes. If you're pointing the camera at non-reflective surfaces and you're close and you aren't stopping the lens down too far then the flash will give you some pretty good results. What's "too far"? By default is stops the P line down to f13 (from memory). I guess I should elaborated on that a bit more. I meant that the flash isn't very powerful. It may not have enough oomph at f/22 unless you're very close to your subject. I've tried some high magnification combinations (macro lens plus extension tubes plus teleconverter). In my experience, the flash doesn't have enough pop for high magnification work. Does the Phoenix/Sunpak emit blue-ish light? Not that I've noticed. I'm shooting daylight balanced transparency film and I haven't observed any color casts. Tom Reese
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
On Mon, 27 Jun 2005, Tom Reese wrote: I have one that I've used occasionally. It does give odd looking highlights in shiny surfaces including eyes. If you're pointing the camera at non-reflective surfaces and you're close and you aren't stopping the lens down too far then the flash will give you some pretty good results. What's "too far"? By default is stops the P line down to f13 (from memory). The flash is pretty small and fits a 49mm filter thread or a 52mm thread with an adapter. I suppose you could use it with a 58mm thread if you shoot wide open but I suspect that you'd get some serious vignetting if you stopped down. I have used it with a 55mm adapter on a very "hooded" lens (Tamron 90/2.5) and I did not notice vignetting at my usual 6.7-11. I will take a closer look next time. The Phoenix ringlight fits bigger lenses and is also TTL. This was my first ringlight. It's cheaply made but it works. Sunpak makes TTL ringlights DX-8R and DX-12R. I have the DX-12R and use it more than the other two because it fits 67mm threaded lenses and has more power. Does the Phoenix/Sunpak emit blue-ish light? Kostas
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
On Jun 27, 2005, at 6:58 AM, Tom Reese wrote: The Phoenix ringlight fits bigger lenses and is also TTL. This was my first ringlight. It's cheaply made but it works. Sunpak makes TTL ringlights DX-8R and DX-12R. I have the DX-12R and use it more than the other two because it fits 67mm threaded lenses and has more power. I don't know how well any of the TTL functions on any of these flashes work with the digital bodies. Someone else may be able to answer that. Any of the Pentax-dedicated TTL flash units are reported to work well on the *ist D and DS bodies. The only two units I know of that support the P-TTL mode are the Pentax AF360FGZ and the Sigma EF 500 DG Super; the others operate in simple TTL flash mode. Godfrey
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Mark Roberts wrote: frank theriault <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: As for Cotty, I have no idea what he's talking about... That's all right. Neither does Cotty :-P And I thought it was just me. To expand on the AF-080C: I have one that I've used occasionally. It does give odd looking highlights in shiny surfaces including eyes. If you're pointing the camera at non-reflective surfaces and you're close and you aren't stopping the lens down too far then the flash will give you some pretty good results. The flash is pretty small and fits a 49mm filter thread or a 52mm thread with an adapter. I suppose you could use it with a 58mm thread if you shoot wide open but I suspect that you'd get some serious vignetting if you stopped down. You can download the manual for it from the Pentax website. You have other options: Pentax makes an AF-140c ringlight that's apparently pretty nifty in that you can operate half the ring if you want. Sadly, I don't have one of those but I'd consider a donation from some philanthropic PDML member who feels sufficiently sorry for me. I'd be glad to report back on how well it works. The Phoenix ringlight fits bigger lenses and is also TTL. This was my first ringlight. It's cheaply made but it works. Sunpak makes TTL ringlights DX-8R and DX-12R. I have the DX-12R and use it more than the other two because it fits 67mm threaded lenses and has more power. I don't know how well any of the TTL functions on any of these flashes work with the digital bodies. Someone else may be able to answer that. Please let me know if you have any questions about any of this. Tom Reese
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
frank theriault <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >As for Cotty, I have no idea what he's talking about... That's all right. Neither does Cotty :-P -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
On 6/26/05, Jay Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Greetings fellow Pentaxians, > I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but > have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really > been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do > I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure > glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me > so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot > stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring > flash unit. > > My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in > excellent condition worth $150 US? > Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it > invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? > > I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the > other great people here. > Thanks, > Hey, Jey, Welcome aboard. You've now been sucked into the black hole/vortex that is PDML. You will never unsubscribe, no matter how badly you want to. You're "in for life". I don't know for flashes, so I can't help you there, but those that directed you to Mark Cassino's site didn't steer you wrong. And, as some have also said, you can mention Canon, Nikon, Leica, whatever brand you wsh to. I don't think we're so paranoid as to have a need to pretend that these and other brands don't exist. In fact many of us use and enjoy those other brands along with our Pentaxen (which, if you didn't know, is unofficially the plural of Pentax ). Tom Rittenhouse, one of our "senior members" compiled a little FAQ that may answer any questions you may have - mostly common sense stuff, but you may find it enlightening none-the-less: http://graywolfphoto.com/pentax/pdml-faq.html As for Cotty, I have no idea what he's talking about... Have fun! cheers, frank, Toronto, Canada -- "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept." -Henri Cartier-Bresson
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Jay Taylor wrote: > My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in > excellent condition worth $150 US? > Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it > invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? When it comes to insect photography with Pentax, Mark Cassino's yer man: http://www.markcassino.com -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
G'day from Australia Jay. Can't help you with your flash question. Here in West Oz there's plenty of natural light around. Even in winter :-) Welcome. Dave On 6/27/05, Jay Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Greetings fellow Pentaxians, > I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but > have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really > been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do > I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure > glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me > so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot > stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring > flash unit. > > My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in > excellent condition worth $150 US? > Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it > invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? > > I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the > other great people here. > Thanks, > > Jay Taylor > *istDS > >
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Hi! Greetings fellow Pentaxians, I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring flash unit. My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in excellent condition worth $150 US? Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the other great people here. Thanks, Jay, welcome to the club. Now that we have to Israeli's on board, I feel almost like a representative :). I cannot answer your question about the flash though. Usually we have (more than) enough light naturally ;-). Boris
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Jay, > My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in > excellent condition worth $150 US? > Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it > invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? I've never used a ring flash. However, I do remember reading about them and can only offer the following second-hand advice. I've seen some examples where ring flashes produce ring-shaped catchlights in the eyes of insects. For some people, this is a problem as it looks pretty unnatrual. On the other hand, I have also seen photography books that have plenty of insect photos with ring-shaped catch-lights AND photos with double catch- lights (from dual flash), so obviously such photos are publishable by *somebodies* standards. Either way, there are ways to avoid this, even if you do choose to use ring flashes. A quick google search will likely give you more details on this if you'd like. Lastly, with respect to macro photography in general (and with Pentax equipment in particular), a good place to start to answer some of your other questions may be here: http://markcassino.com/essays/insectphoto.htm Our very own Mark Cassino wrote a pretty good essay on the subject some time ago, and plenty have found it a worthy read. For the corresponding gallery, you can check out his insect photos here: http://markcassino.com/galleries/insects/insects.htm There are plenty of other essays on macro photography on the internet, but I thought that it might be neat to read one that was Pentax specific rather than some "random" essay out there. Anyhow, hope that helps. Best regards, - Jerome
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
- Original Message - From: "Jay Taylor" Subject: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in excellent condition worth $150 US? Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? No idea of pricing, but the AF80C is an excellent little flash. William Robb
RE: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Hi - and welcome. I can't help you with your questions as I'm a dunce when it comes to using flash. However, please feel free to spell out the names of other cameras and gear that you use or have used. Canon is fine, as is Nikon, or any other camera or brand name. Sheesh, you invoked the name of Sigma fully spelled out, why not Canon? ;-)) Shel > [Original Message] > From: Jay Taylor > Greetings fellow Pentaxians, > I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but > have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really > been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do > I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure > glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me > so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot > stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring > flash unit. > > My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in > excellent condition worth $150 US? > Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it > invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? > > I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the > other great people here. > Thanks,
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Jay Taylor wrote: My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in excellent condition worth $150 US? That price is a little high IMO. I've seen them for around $120 IIRC. Tom Reese
Re: New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
On 26/6/05, Jay Taylor, discombobulated, unleashed: >Greetings fellow Pentaxians, >I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but >have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really >been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do >I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure >glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me >so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot >stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring >flash unit. > >My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in >excellent condition worth $150 US? >Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it >invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? > >I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the >other great people here. >Thanks, Hi Jay, welcome aboard from sunny Oxford, England. Can't help you with the ringlight as the one I have is made by Cano ;-) You'll soon have an answer to your question. They're a pretty decent bunch here. Oh, and before either Frank or Mark mentions it, don't believe anything I say. Apparently. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com _
New List Member -Feedback on AF080C Please
Greetings fellow Pentaxians, I am a new *istDS user from Seattle, Washington USA. New to Pentax, but have dabbled in photography over the last decade or so. I've really been interested in digital the last few years using mostly Cano,...(do I dare mention on this forum?). The *ist DS is my firs DSLR. I am sure glad I went with the Pentax. Macro subjects have always interested me so I'm looking at purchasing a better lens than my Sigma DL's to shoot stuff like insects, flowers at close range. Also looking at a ring flash unit. My question is regarding the AF080C ring flash. Is a used one in excellent condition worth $150 US? Those of you who have used it are you pleased with it and is it invaluable for macros of flowers and insects? I look forward to contributing what little knowledge I have with the other great people here. Thanks, Jay Taylor *istDS
