brad_n

March 1, 2010

My Tamron 1.4 was a PZ-AF MC4. I spent 3 or 4 months looking for it and sold it in 1 day.

March 1, 2010

Steve,

I primarily shot birds and the DA*300 with or without the Tamron 1.4x was my favorite bird lens, albeit, at bit short for that application. Its contrast and saturation are superb and its sharpness is very good. Can I say that mine is for sale in classifieds because I have changed to Canon.

January 31, 2010

I'm sorry that I haven't been here in the fray: my computer bit the dust and I've mostly just been waiting for Dell to send me a new one. I didn't mean for this to turn into a general bitch session, but I guess that is inevitable.

I did not want to trash Pentax because I really have loved my Pentax system and there is plenty to be said, both good and bad, about Canon and Nikon. Someone asked what I needed beyond the DA*300 and the Sigma 50-500. The DA*300 is a superb lens and I wish there was a Canon adapter for it. The Sigma 50-500 does not, I am sorry to say, produce the quality of images that you can crop the hell out of and still get a good photo. Before I bought the 7D, I did some bird shots with the 100-400 and the Canon, mostly the lens I think, blew the Pentax-Sigma away. As soon as I auction off all my 35, 4x5, DSLR camera gear and some other stuff, I hope to find a used 500 to complete my starter system.

I wanted to go with the D300s but when you look at the prices of the really big lenses, Nikons are several thousand dollars more.

I think the Pentax ergonomics blow away both Nikon and Canon. That said, I do not like the trend towards smaller that the K7 shows us. Canon has a disaster called a "M-Fn" or multi-function button. Translation: If you've tried everything else, try this one last button. I like Pentax's use of two e-dials much better. The 7D with battery pack is much heavier than the K20D plus grip.

The Canon AF, especially on SDM lenses, is much, much faster.

Well, I have to finish putting my computer together, then I'll be able to start shooting again.

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes.

January 27, 2010

I am sorry to announce that I am leaving the Pentax crowd and going to a Canon 7D. It was a difficult decision, especially given my investment in Pentax, and it was primarily driven by the availability of big bird lenses. I will be putting it all up for sale: K20, K10, DA*300, Sigma 50-500, (2) 540 FGZ flashes, Pentax 10-17, Pentax 18-85, Sigma 55-300 (?), battery grip Tamron 1.4x TC, Phoenix 2.x TC.

I've always enjoyed this group. I have visited the "other" group, trying to decide what to buy, and it isn't the same. Pentax people are different: in a good way.

November 19, 2009

Sirens seem to be limited to Virgina and further south. I had never heard of one.

Much smaller sizes are common bait around here for Stripped Bass. I've handled them several times which is very difficult since they are slimmy and their scales point backwards. They are sold as 'eels' but I double checked the online references. These are commonly called "Silver Eels" and properly called "American Eels". They reach a maximum size of 6 lbs/ 60". Here's a local reference <a href="http://njscuba.net/biology/fw_fishes_bottom.html#american_eel">here</a><a></a>

As luck would have it, all of the really good photo ops that day were within 90 degs of the sun and I was only their from 11 until 2. It gave me fits all day. I could not get a decent exposure and I really think the brightness and contrast were interfering with the autofocus. When I had the time I periodically focused manually, but those same factors mess with your own ability to focus.

November 19, 2009

First, relevance? All photos taken with a K20D, DA*300, and Tamron 1.4x TC at iso 400, f/8 in Av mode. Point? Sometimes the gear doesn't matter. You and mother nature can still produce some lousy photos. It was brutally bright and harsh. I am sure I could have metered better. No more excuses. The story.

I was cruising the National Wildlife Santuary at Brigantine New Jersey and spied yet another Great Blue Heron and paused for the obligatory photo. GBHs deserve a certain amount of respect so I usually photo them even though I have taken about a thousand already.

I'll just eat this for lunch!

And here's a three foot Eel! Now, there's something I have never seen.

If you don't know eels, let me tell you that they are one of the toughest hombres ever made. They are very very hard to kill if you don't have a large sharp knife around.

Regardless of how this pic might make it appear, there are only two possible outcomes: the GBH wins or maybe the GBH gets tired and quits.

It took 20 minutes from catching the eel until the GBH ate its first morsel . By the end there were dozens if cameras and spotting scopes lining the road.

November 4, 2009

My life with a Pentax DSLR, my first digital camera, began 3 years ago with the release of the K10D. I had been shopping and kicking tires on DSLRs for months and I had narrowed by choices down to a dealer that carried Nikon, Canon, and Pentax, and was particularly free with his positive and negative assessments of each brand and their various models. I was starting a business photographing boats underway on Barnegat Bay and I knew from years of fishing there that only the best equipment would survive more than a season or two. His advice was to buy a sacrificial Rebel XT and just replace it every year. While that advice may have made a certain kind of sense, it really just reflected my frustration in finding a cost effective solution that met my criteria. Seriously, the least expensive weather resistant Canon was $3850! The affordable Canon Rebel XT felt tiny and awkward in my hands. I also tried the too expensive D40 and found its menus and controls frustrating. On the day I went to buy the Canon Rebel the store owner yelled out that he had the right camera for me. The Pentax K10D had just arrived. For under $1000 it was weather resistant. It felt "built like a tank". It fit my hands like a glove. After 10 minutes with the user manual and I knew that I had a great ergonomic design in my hands. After 3 years my Pentax gear has averaged 2 or 3 days a week on the ocean and frequently getting sprayed by saltwater. My K10D and K20D and all of my DA* lenses practically look new and have never been repaired. Now, all the Prosumer-and-up Canons and Nikons are weather proof. Thanks Pentax! I still look at other brands, but Pentax holds a big edge in the outdoors.

October 30, 2009

My dealer did a very competent job of selling me a K10 over the current Rebel Model because I have big hands and honestly needed a weather-proof camera and was going to save $$$ buying lenses because of the built-in VR. The k10 also was built like a tank and had some inovative features. When the K20 came out I bought it too and relagated by K10 to back-up duty.

He told me the whole sob story about what Pentax has evolved into: no reps, no product information, very slow release of new lenses (other than short to normal, which they have an over abundance of). He says that he doesn't want to deal with them and that he really doesn't want to sell people on Pentax.

Now I am adicted to birding and there just aren't any decent Pentax lenses. They were supposed to release a 400mm: but where is it? It must be on the same schedule as their TC which must be about 24 months late by now. There were a couple good lenses made, most notably the 600mm/f4, but try and find one. Plus, you will have to pay nearly the price of a new Canon 500.

October 30, 2009

I visited my local dealer yesterday. FYI. He has received 3 K7s but hasn't sold any. In approximately the same period of time, he has received 16 7Ds all of which sold before they were shelved and has 4 more people on the waiting list.

October 27, 2009

I've seen several odd things happen with my K20D that all cleared-up once I cleaned the lens and body contacts with a pink pearl eraser. That has become my first action whenever something goes wrong. That's probably not it, but its worth a try, especially since the problem occurred following a lens change.

October 19, 2009

Dave,

I just did a price check here <a href="http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/deercreek/733/big1/">http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/deercreek/733/big1/</a> and found these comments on the 400/2.8. It seems like they have it wrong wrt the 1.7x.

Pros: Perfect focal length for some sports <a id="KonaLink1" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,1);" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,1);" onmouseout="adlinkMouseOut(event,this,1);" href="http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/deercreek/733/big1/#" target="_top">applications</a>. Some prefer the focal lengths offered (400/560/800) with teleconvertors to those available with other lens/TC combinations. Works well with Pentax 1.4XL and 2.0 XL Teleconverters.

Cons: As with all Big Glass, this baby is large, heavy, and expensive, and generally requires a heavy-duty tripod head and tripod. Manual focus. Essentially the same size and cost as the FA* 600/4, but only 2/3 the focal length. Unable to use Pentax 1.7x AF Adapter, but this is not a big detraction because the XL teleconvertors are excellent.

October 19, 2009

Dave,

As a birder I am totally blown away. Maybe I should be looking for this instead of the FA 600. I don't suppose its any cheaper?

October 9, 2009

Fishing LOL? Try boating! I own a 42 Jersey Sportfisherman that at 20 gal/hr I can hardly afford to take out FISHING and a 21 center console for my photo business. My wife and I call our Jersey a Botel because we spend every weekend on it anyway.

October 9, 2009

Les, Do you live in Ft. Myers? I tried all last winter to get down there to take bird photos. I've been told that Sanabell Island is the ultimate birding destination in the East.

October 9, 2009

All I've done this month is bird photos. I really have to develop some disipline and get some variety in my life! Good results though. All were shot with a K20D at ISO400. Lenses were the DA *300 and Sigma 50-500 and may have included the Tamron 1.4x TC.

I found out where the brown pelicans roost. They are so cool. The really appear to be affectionate towards each other and celebrity to the other birds. Here's a youngster (brown) and adult (white). Sgma 50-500 at 500, f/11 at 1/1000.

A little Pelican Ballet. DA*300 f6.7 at 1/350.

My first time seeing Black Skimmers. Very unique! DA*300, f8 at 1/350.

Check out their feeding technique. That's why their bottom bill is longer. DA*300, f11 at 1/1000.

Finally, the creme de la creme. Here are photos of the one and only (literally) Rosette Spoonbill in New Jersey. This 1 year old took a wrong turn in SW Florida and ended up here. That's ok. Right now he thinks he is a Great Egret. It took me 4 trips to the National Wildlife Refuge to catch him close enough for good photos.

Sigma 50-500 at 500, f13, at 1/750.

DA*300 f8 at 1/1000.

Opps, I can't resist one art shot. A flight of Glossy Ibises. They were seriously backlit so I immediately went for the silloette. I came up a bit short but like the subtle color effect. DA*300 F8 at 1/3000.

October 9, 2009

A very knowledgable dealer, but a dealer just the same, told me that the 645 lenses do not have the same quality glass as an equivalent focal length 35mm or digital lens because they didn't have to due to the large negative size. He also pointed out that the new lense coatings have really been a notceable improvement over the earlier digital lenses and, of course, you would lose that with the 645s.

I'd really like to hear from someone who is doing it. Dealers always have their own agenda.

October 9, 2009

Dave,

Nice work. It inspires me to put up some recent postings. All I've done this last month is birds. Warning: if you don't know by now, birds are very addictive and an expensive habit. I've been thinking of changing to either Canon or Nikon as a base for a new birding camera simply because of the availability of long lenses. I'd do it if I could actually afford any of these lenses.

Maybe I should just but an FA*600 or 1000. It would be cheaper in the short run!

On the 1000. What's the appature? Do you have trouble focusing it?

September 14, 2009

I NEVER post on POTW because it takes until Wensday to process all the boat photos from the weekend. Pitiful rainy weekend means I'm off today. I've had some good luck birding and really wanted to post about 10 pics here. So I created a gallery here: <a href="http://www.smile-123.com/Nature/Birds/update-9-9-2009/9635211_sojk8/1/649651511_vtJDs">I meant here</a>. All photos taken with a K20D at ISO 400, AV usually 8.0 with either a Sigma 50-500 or Pentax DA*300 lens. Here's a couple samples:

A little pelican (brown) ballet. This was the first time that I ever got more than I fly-by of these wonderful creatures. Very animated and sweet.

Black Skimmer Picnic. Again, first photos of something other than a blurry fly-by. Strange looking birds. See the photo of one "skimming" in the gallery.

Not Bigfoot, a Rosette Spoonbill. The significance here is that these are tropical birds that belong in Southern Florida. This is literally the one and only Spoonbill in all of NJ. This was about 300-400yds. Shot with Sigma 50-500 and then cropped the hell out of it. Hey, I drove 2 hours 4 times to get a photo of this guy so I was taking something home!

August 3, 2009

I don't get it. What's wrong with self-serving threads if they are about photography? For instance, this thread makes me feel like getting on the train to NYC to get some street shooting in. If Javier were shamelessly advertising his services or selling prints, then I could understand. Without experienced and creative contributors like Javier, your forum will become nothing more than a cork for plugging holes in lousy user manuals.

Personally, I don't come here to answer dumb questions or give advice to beginners. I strictly reserve dumb questions for myself.

August 3, 2009

Here's Franklin my Portuguese Water Dog. While he may be the best dog that I've ever had, this breed was not a good choice for the little Obama girls. By the way, with Franklin, form is everything, he's jumping in to retreive either a trow toy or a crab. I can't remember. Used trailing flash mode.<img src="http://smile-123.smugmug.com/photos/280019960_zzawy-L.jpg" alt="" />

Here's something interesting from bird land. A Glossy Ibis. Normally a tropical bird they are a little unusual in NJ. Best shot a I could get.

This shot made me think I was finally ready for the big show. I'm still deciding.

August 3, 2009

Justin, I am so sorry to hear about a greatly loved dog passing and I feel so sad for its owners. I know how difficult it is to put one down. I have owned dogs all of my life and must say that my current dog Franklin is my best friend. In my experience, there is no point in long-term grieving.

July 30, 2009

Good inputs. Good ideas. Now I need to go experiment. I'll let you know.

July 29, 2009

Duh..... That's at least one thing I haven't thought of. That would require me to know when the flash is ready, and let's be honest, who can see those indicators in the viewfinder? I was envisioning something that would let me just fire away and the flash would go off whenever it got charged, i.e. no thinking required on my part.

July 29, 2009

I'll bet no one has considered this question.

I take photos of boats underway on the water. One of my business model problems is how to make sure that people notice me. The other day was dreary so I put my 540 flash and better beamer on the K20D and used it in TA mode, HS mode as face-fill on jetskis and such. Low and behold, many more people noticed that I was taking their picture.

Normally, I shoot moving boats at ISO 400, F8.0, in AV mode with a Sigma 24-300 Zoom with a circular polarizer. That ends-up with a shutter speed of 1/500 to 1/2000. Mostly that is just a habit that works for me: I'm just an AV kind of guy. Now, what I'd like to do is make sure the flash goes off. I'm thinking that going to TA isn't going to work because its too fast for the shutter. Manual mode isn't practical because I am changing sun-direction to fast and over (sometimes) greater than 180 deg range.

Any ideas? Maybe I can put the flash on an extender and electrically defeat something? Is there a "stupid" mode on the flash where it just flashes?

July 29, 2009

I haven't had a Best Day yet. Seriously, ask my shrink.

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