chris_at_vividoptic.com
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Posts posted by chris_at_vividoptic.com
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thanks people. I should have mentioned that I don't do zooms. At all. Hate the things. And the size of even the free one that comes on the body, I would rather carry my 28/2 or 35/1.4 and keep my low light cover. I don't do flash either.
Yeah, I've read in a few forums about 'the other pancakes on Pentax roadmap'. But the only roadmap file I've seen only has the DA40 on it. Is the wide angle pancake a rumour or has this been semi-official, we just wait for release date and actual focal length.
For some reason I cannot convince myself that the Ricoh will do the job for me, although it is smaller and overall cheaper. Its a lot for a compact. And I know how well the film compact performed, back in film the days the GR-1 was my 28mm lens
At the moment I take my 7D & grip & 28/2 or 35/1.4 in a bag. If I am stuck for space the grip comes off. But this is still bulky, and a two piece set-up. The space saving to a *ist & 40 pancake body mounted is significant. If I am resigned to a normal sized 28mm lens. Then I will get a Minolta 5D and use my 28/2 (barrel size not that different from the 28/2.8s).
There is also the size/weight of the *istDL+40 as a take everywhere camera. The focal length is really not a problem for me. In film days the 35mm length was my prefered walk about, sometime the 28mm on the Ricoh. I adapt to the focal length. Now is the 28 or 35 on my 7D, which has the same 1.5x crop.
Sure if there is a 24mm pancake coming out in June, then I'll wait and go that way. Any wider, maybe I'd have both? Depends on the price. The Ricoh GD-1 bring the price back into the equation. Lots cheaper than the ist and 40, I'm guessing a wide pancake will cost more than the 40. Not a huge fan of the compacts tiny sensor and would definately miss the f1.4-2.8 range from my 35/1.4. But I think a 1.5x crop dSLR with 40/2.8 gives better aperture control than a 28/2.8 equvalent (Ricoh). I don't take many scenics, I shoot THINGS that i see if that makes sence. So with a wide I get up close.
And given the choice of only have one focal length: wide, normal, tele. I would go for normal as a travel lens. Bucks the trends I know. But wide is my 2nd or 3rd choice.
Real shame I can't get hands-on on a body in town. Then lens I've seen shots of and would fit the bill perfectly.
Back to me, I take days out with just one lens at the moment. Either 28/2 or 35/1.4, sometimes just my 50/3.5 macro. I favour the slightly longer length and my 28/2 will be dropped from my kit at the end of the year, leaving me with a (16)/35/135/300 set-up on Minolta. The 16/2.8 fisheye is uber wide, but its a wild lens not a proper wide angle.
I guess its really back to "as a simple dSLR with spot meter, Av, single frame advance unit to hold the smallest SLR lens I can find .... would you give the thumbs up to the *istDL" to someone who is totally new to Pentax. I come from Canon FD, EOS, Oly OM, Nikon FM/FE, Minolta 7D, Mamiya C220 & RB67, Voigltänder background during the last 18 years.
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Ricoh GD-1 make a lot more finanical and size sense huh?
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Diffs between the *ist models. No, I don't understand. I've read the spec, and they all look pretty well the same.
As long as the DL has spot meter, Av, and single frame advance, and I can find a black one. Then that's it. Its the same chip as my Minolta 7D, so I know the high ISO performance.
IS there anything scarey I should know about the DL, burning reasons to go for any other ist model. This is more than a back-up model for me. Its a carry everywhere, so if I have to nudge up to the next model with in practical terms no significant size/weight gain - then I'm happy man.
Actually I would kill for Nikon FE type of camera with spot meter! But digital. And AF are the bonus points here :>
Camera will be well wrapped in hand-luggage, well treated in use, so build quality needs to be OKAY but not Canon 1D-like.
DL - a simple box to put behind the 40/2.8. Fits the bill?
Went into all 3 camera stores today to get hands-on with ist. Not a single Pentax ist in town!
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Anyone use this set-up as a compact? Or one piece travel camera/lens
I am considering it.
I have looked at DPR and found the reviews of the 40/2.8 highly
favourable.
Probably the smallest dSLR set-up available. I guess vs Nikon D50 +
45/2.8 pancake. But the Pentax optic has more appeal to me. Price is
better, and the Pentax lens has the edge.
Any comments anyone. This is for a work travel camera. Sure the 40 >
60mm s a tad long for some. A camera I can pack into the smallest
space available and take EVERYWHERE with the controls of an SLR.
I'm a Minoltian with several prime lenses. The sensible option is the
Minotla 5D and use my 28/2. But the Pentax mentioned here buys me
into the pancake lens.
Other options are Ricoh GD-1 (used to have GR-1 in film days). But
that is about 90% of the *istDL body price. Overpriced compact.
6mega pixs is loads for me.
Thoughts? Do it? Other options? Its all about the lens for me.
Camera needs spot meter and Av mode, everything else I ignore. Will
miss the AS on my 7D. But its an additional camera to my kit. To act
as my travel compact.
Good idea? Bad idea? Ta for advice.
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<p><a href="http://MaxxumEyes.com">http://MaxxumEyes.com</a> </p>
<p></p>
This has a list of all Minotla prime lenses and links to about 100 reviews. Price db in three currency too (early days), and also early days on the sites own reviews (just the 16 actually reviewed at the mo, I'll do more soon)
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I guess we wait until they tell us the name of the new SONY dSLR system. If its Sony Maxxum 7D or Sony Dynax 7D. Then maybe the photo.net people would rename the forum to Maxxum or Dynax as a guide. Sure SONY already make cameras, but that is compacts. DPR has two Minolta forums one for dSLR and one for the compacts/bridges.
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<p>and some review links here: <a href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Port/85mmLink.htm">http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Port/85mmLink.htm</a>
</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Port/85mmInfo.htm">http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Port/85mmInfo.htm</a>
</p>
<p>Best price will be for the pre-G model. I think they are common enough
on eBay and in store to say that you shouldn't have to wait more than a month to
find a good deal on a used one.</p>
<p>Watch the panic reaction of some of the ex-Minoltians as the bail out of the
system and go to Cankon, you might be able to snap up a good deal. Alternatively, eBay seems to now have a few reps demo models listed, so you may be able to nab one of them</p>
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100 notes for a new 24-105 is a great deal, used they go for 150-180 mark! Good deal
So, er, you have the 24-85 and the 24-105.
But you are asking us which is better? Did I get that right?
Or were you about to tell us which is better, becuase you have them both.
Just checking.
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At LAST a company with a marketing department takes hold of the KM dSLR and lens line.
HOORAY.
Just you watch. There will be a 5D upgrade, 7D upgrade, and 9D launch all at the same time. And they will bring back the 100/2 as a sign of there commitment. Watch that space.
BRING IT ON SONY I vowed that when the 9D was launched I would not buy it, happy enough with my 10,110 frames off my 7D. But, if the 7Dii or Sony 9D is at a good price. I will buy one as my sign of respect for a GOOD MOVE.
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mmm. Got quoted ﾣ300 for the Minotla own 114mm clear from a shop! Think I'll live without it! Other option as a custom built 114 > 105 adaptor and then get me a 105 ... all looked far too pricey.
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<p>Hello fellow Minoltians</p>
<p>I have just uploaded my first lens review to MaxxumEyes: <a
href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Wide/16mmRev.htm"
target="_blank">M</a><a
href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Wide/16mmRev.htm"
target="_blank">axxumEyes.com/Wide/16mmRev.htm</a>
</p>
<p>The review contains 5 sample images with 4 100% crops for each
shot, plus a
sample of flare and bokeh. And, oh, a few brief words on what i
think of
it. And I've also put the important bits of the EXIF on there.
Reviewed with the Dynax 7D</p>
<p>More lens reviews to follow throughout Jan/Feb. All the ones
with the
very light blue [R] link from the homepage <a
href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/index.htm" target="_blank">M</a><a
href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/index.htm"
target="_blank">axxumEyes.com</a>
are in draft.</p>
<p>Enjoy, feedback on the layout/usefulness most welcome, the image
below will
click you into the site</p>
<p><a href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Wide/16mmRev.htm"
target="_blank"><img border="0"
src="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/Wide/07238-BuildEve.jpg" width="600"
height="400"></a></p>
<p>[dcap]</p>
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50/1.4 or 100/2.8, as affordable and available alternatives, both used. There is an eBay seller in the US that lists a 100/2.8 softy ever three or so days, well there was a few weeks ago.
I am glad someone else mentioned the 100/2.8 soft-focus. Often overlooked becuase of the soft focus bit. You can dial it to "0", as in off! It has 9 blade circular aperture. I got one for testing and will be selling it in Mar-06. Ffordes.co.uk has one for sale at the mo used. If you are in the UK.
I have some sample shots on VividOptic (section: review), check the link in my profile page.
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Its strange, this thing about changing lenses. I'm Mr Prime. But lets say I went for a shoot in London with a 28/2 & 85/1.4, maybe the 200/2.8 tucked in the bag. I think I would change lenses about as often as anyone would go from their 20-35 to their 70-210. In facr I can go for hours with one lens, then I swap to another. Then maybe 5 mins later another lens then another, but that is rare. I can shoot maybe 3-4 hours and change lenses 2 times for the first 3 hours. Then have a play and shoot one scene with all three lenses.
I know that zoom users can sometimes imagine that us prime people spend all day changing lenses. I just don't think its the case. I can day trip with just one lens and find plenty to shoot. I guess its partly to do with what you shoot? How you shoot. Sure a 24-200 would mean I would never change lens all day long. But - don't take this the wrong way - changing lenses isn't difficult.
I tend to spend more time thinking about the scene and composing with a prime, and working a different angle of view. Back in my zoom days, I would stay pretty static and zoom about to get the right scenes. Now I prefer moving around and getting low and close and walking about .... gets me thinking more about composition. It what makes a prime FOR ME a better lens, its as much about the way it MAKES me shoot as it is about the slightly better optical quality.
just my 2c, not a rant. Just don't want people thinking that going prime means you spend more time changing lenses than shooting.
To anyone, try this ... get a 50/1.7, and go do a day trip somewhere totally new. With JUST that lens. You'll see it changes the way you look at your environment.
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I think it would be fantastic to see KM fill the gap, but they have already filled it with the 17-35/2.8-4 & 28-75/2.8 to some degree.
So we have 28-70/2.8 G, then 28-75/2.8, then 24-105, then whatever.
Likewise in 17-35/3.5, then 17-35/2.8-4, then 20-35, then whatever.
Canon have a much bigger market so they have slotted in the 16-35/2.8 Pro, then the 17-40/4, then have the consumer 20-35/3.5-4.5.
IMHO, seeing as the 17-35/3.5 G & 28-70/2.8 G are now getting a bit old, slow AF for example. I woul love to see them replace these lenses with two lenses each
A totally pro/uber expensive: 14-28/2.8 G SSM with price to match, and then also a 14-28/4 mini-G/half-G a new-line or lenses.
Likewise make the 28-70 a 24-85/2.8 G SSM, then give us a 24-85/4 mini-G.
They could even make the pro lenses full-frame (9D) and the mini-G/half-G ones for the 1.5x crop only!?
I would love to see it happen. BUT I don't know if they have a big enough market to do it. Canon has what, 40-50% of the SLR market, Nikon 40-50%. Then the noise is made up with us Minoltians and the people at Pentax. What do we have 5% of the market if that each? It just can't make financial sense to have that many optics in the range for a small player.
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Woah. Thanks for clearing that idea up people! Silly money, I'll wait and see the answer from KM.uk but I think my mission now is to find a 114mm to 105mm stepping down ring. And then get a $100 b+w UV or Sky up front. Maybe even a PL-C.
Now, the even harder bit .... finding a 114>105 stepping ring. A benefit of being 1.5x digital crop. I can get the ring first. Test it for vignetting, shouldn't be able to see it. Then punt out for the filters.
Cheers people, and happy new year
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Anyone have any idea how much a UV/Clear/Sky (or even a PL-C) is going
to set me back from KM? I don't think anyone else makes a 114mm size
(its for a 300/2.8)
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PS - I'm gettin the manual focus with grid one, to be arranged as soon as KM e-mail me back with UK price and how to arrange it details.
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I think that its a KonMin service centre only thing. I think its about USD50 for which ever screen you use. Don't know if you have to send them the 7D or if you can visit and get it done while you wait?
I think Dennis has had his screen changed - posts in here sometimes.
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- Tamron 200-500 SP .... gets good reviews, but is very big
- Minolta 100-300/4.5-5.6 APO (D) would get my vote though ... cracking lens. I'm Mr Prime and that lens IMPRESSED me. It was only killed off with the 200/2.8 APO G (kind of unfair!)
The Min 100-300 is a pretty good at AF too, hunts in dim light at the 300mm end. It is also very small and light for its range. IMHO I think is a one-horse race. But leaves you a 300-400 gap!
The Minolta 100-400 is a bit slow and doesn't get the best reviews in the world. But KM are updating this lens when they launch the 7Dii (to be announced very soon) [apparently]
Sig 100-300 & matched 1.4x? Wouldn't get my money I was very disapointed with AF performance and softness of the 70-200/2.8 EX.
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You could of course find another 24-50/4?
Prime wise, and I am very bias, for sharpness nothing beats the 28/2. But you may not need to go that far (high in price). The 24/2.8 has a good reputation. Check out this review here http://www.mhohner.de/minolta/17-35.php its on the 17-35/3.5 G but compares it to the 24/2.8 - worth a read.
I think the 24/2.8 is pretty goo value for money. Of course the 28/2.8 is an absolute bargain! 28/2 & 35/2 are near impossible to find used.
For landscapes I can't really comment, I shoot city scapes with the 20/2.8 & 28/2 and respect both of them, the 24/2.8 only 'failed' for me becuase of the 20 & 28.
Luxury line, the 35/1.4 is total overkill for landscapes IMHO and works best in the near distance subjects anyway. Not brilliant as an infinity/far distance lens IMHO.
You'll find links to a whoel bunch of prime reviews here: MaxxumEyes.com - I'm currently working on the actual review that I'll post there. But there are links to about 100 prime lens reviews on that site at the mo.
What do people think of the Sigma 20/24/28 f1.8 as a landscaper? Might be a nice alternative to a Minolta used prime. A new Sigma. This one I've only got 3rd hand experience of but the 24/1.8 is supposed to be pretty good as a street lens.
PS - yep, this is a pretty quiet forum, but from the quick/number of responses here clearly a good few of us pop in on a regular basis to see if there is anything interesting going on.
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<p>I got it in the end, kind of for testing purposes for <a href="http://www.maxxumeyes.com" target="_blank">MaxxumEyes</a>
- will probably sell it in Feb-06</p>
<p>I actually really enjoyed using it so far, the top two are keepers, the
bottom two were just test images, again as mentioned somewhere in the proper
text of this thread, when used with a bit of respect it is a highly useable
lens. I think its great if you subject is curved, and pretty rubbish if
you have lots of straight lines to record. The lambo for example is a kind
of curved car!</p>
<p><img border="0" src="http://www.dynaxcap.com/DynDigDyxPN/Comp/07214-Fest2-DyBW1.jpg" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p><img border="0" src="http://www.dynaxcap.com/DynDigDyxPN/Comp/07234-CurveBuild-DyBW2.jpg" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p><img border="0" src="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/ForumPages/07259-TowerBridge.jpg" width="600" height="400"></p>
<p><img border="0" src="http://www.maxxumeyes.com/ForumPages/07297-Lambo-FullReSize.jpg" width="600" height="400"></p>
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actually this one was supposed to be a keeper, but I messed up the framing, needed more of the nut area. Plus the bird's eye is a little too dark. Really just works to show what background out of focus looks like on that lens - nice, and not getting in the way of the shot
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again these are just 'test' or 'bokeh' shots. Not real keepers!
*ist DL + 40/2.8 pancake - travel everywhere option?
in Pentax
Posted