MattB.Net

<p>If the kind of shooting you want to do still involves hiking a long way I'd go for a K-3 or K-3ii if I were you. Or even a 20MP KS-2 which is a little smaller and lighter plus it has the flip screen. I got one very inexpensively to always bring along on outings. The downsides of the KS-2 are lower bit depth (which doesn't seem to make a lot of visible difference) and it's not as ergonomic with fewer external buttons. All reasonable compromises for a camera in the wilderness, IMO. <br> Not sure where your K-7 falls short for you but if it's high ISO then any of these newer bodies will run circles around it. I have been more than satisfied with my K-3 which has served me well so far. <br> The K-1 looks great but if your goal is practicality and you don't specifically need 36MP or FF then one of the K-3 variations will be a better value. But the K-1 is new and shiny so there's also that! :)</p>

<p>I have only used the original K-3 but keep in mind you can get the gps functionality with an add-on so I think all you miss completely is pixel shift and you gain an on-board flash with the original. <br> Lenses look good. I think the 18-135 is underrated and while not perfect does well enough most of the time. I have a Rokinon 8mm and it's great. The 55-300 is great for the price and size but not one of my favorites since getting a 60-250. The DA Limiteds are all very nice. </p>

<p>I was reading the posts from the beginning and wondering what 10MP bodies were being discussed and wondering why anyone wants them with so many newer options available. Then I noticed the date! :)</p>

<p>I got this funny photo of my dog unexpectedly breaking through the crust one morning. It's been popular on social media. :)<br> Dog hardly missed a step!<br> KS-2 & DA 40<br> <a title="IMGP7130" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1455/25231724676_bc8f19c4c4_z.jpg" alt="IMGP7130" width="640" height="427" /></a><br> .<br> Sunset by the frozen creek. I could hear it flowing under the ice. <br> 645D & A 200/4<br> <a title="IMGP1869-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/25235010481_cd70e3dd64_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1869-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br> .<br> Went for a nice ski tour with friends yesterday. A hard climb and a fun ski back down. Nice scenery along the way too!<br> KS-2 & DA 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP7208-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1470/24992102149_a375e28231_z.jpg" alt="IMGP7208-Edit" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>I'll probably end up with one at some point. I'd be interested to see what old glass I have holds up.</p>

<p>I was in Marco Island, Florida visiting my parents last week. Pretty nice there but I was ready to be home in the mountains again by the end of the week. <br> Early morning storm.<br> KS-2 & DA 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP6772.jpg" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1566/24771630470_72fd9dbe17_z.jpg" alt="IMGP6772.jpg" width="640" height="512" /></a><br> .<br> My son and I had a fun afternoon canoeing at Collier-Seminole State Park. We hoped to see some gators but only got a look at a roadside attraction. I guess conditions have them all spread out right now so they are harder to see in the wild. <br> KS-2 & DA 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP6965-Edit.jpg" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/25093470506_670823d1af_z.jpg" alt="IMGP6965-Edit.jpg" width="640" height="427" /></a><br> .<br> Nice sunset last night back home. The ice is breaking up a little bit now and the deep freeze seems to be behind us. <br> 645D & A 35/3.5<br> <a title="IMGP1840-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1699/24815662719_a85ee7b6cf_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1840-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a></p>

<blockquote> <p>Matt-can't say I've seen that before. Do you know what causes that phenomenon? <br />Nice shot with your son too; definitely not a couch potato!</p> </blockquote> <p>Light pillars are caused little ice crystals suspended in the air reflecting/refracting light coming from the ground. We had a little frozen fog that evening to provide the suspended ice. We don't see it all that often.<br> No, this boy isn't a couch potato although he likes his down time he is almost always game to go skiing or skateboarding!</p>

<p>Thursday night I was not planning on going outside but I noticed something interesting when I looked out the window a little after 9pm. There were vertical pillars of light coming from all the street and building lights outside. I had seen light pillars before but never when I was available or able to get photos of them so I packed up up my gear and headed out to hike up a hill next to town. <br /> I shot for an hour or so in the 0 F darkness (which was fortunately 20 degrees warmer than the previous night) and then the pillars faded as the frozen fog cloud drifted away. <br /> I think my favorite image of the evening was this panorama.<br /> 645D & FA 80-160 <br /> <a title="IMGP1555-Pano-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1532/24709064832_09f62d2ccb_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1555-Pano-Edit" width="640" height="138" /></a><br /> .<br /> I also did a shoot Saturday evening for a woman I went to college with who now runs a successful beauty parlor and day spa. I did photos of about 20 women and girls before a masquerade party being held later. I ran my Sigma and Metz flashes in shoot through umbrellas and my old Pentax AF200 flash as a rim light. <br /> 645D & FA 80-160<br /> <a title="IMGP1618" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1659/24773880661_9f9740346c_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1618" width="640" height="479" /></a><br /> .<br /> Yesterday I got out skiing with my son and his friend which was really nice. Skiing was good and I was happy to be getting back out even if I do have to take it easier than I typically do on the hill. <br /> KS-2 & DA 18-135<br /> <a title="IMGP6439-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1599/24857890556_e44189b3e5_z.jpg" alt="IMGP6439-Edit" width="640" height="512" /></a></p>

<p>Oops, forgot to add the gear for the last two. Both with the KS-2! Bike shot was with the DA* 16-50 and the skate shot was with DA 18-135 and both included the Metz 58 AF-2. I used a flash bracket to make the handling better with a big lens and flash. Worked pretty well. </p>

<p>Nice work everyone! Great to see some ME Super pics Javier, that was my first SLR and I loved it! <br> .<br> I got out for a nice sunset last week but the color was mostly right over my head! It did make the snow turn a nice purple. This is where I could have used one of those 25mm or the 28-45. I hope to own one of those two one day. <br> 645D & A 35<br> <a title="IMGP1491-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1475/24634215806_b7eec5c0ba_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1491-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br> .<br> I shot a bike race on Saturday, the Fat Bike World Championships. Fat biking is getting more and more popular and Crested Butte has hosted the first FB Worlds. It was fun and festive and some very high caliber racers attended. <br> <a title="IMGP5733-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1478/24374023069_efa85b92a7_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5733-Edit" width="640" height="427" /></a><br> .<br> Sunday was a speed skate marathon on our lake, Blue Mesa Reservoir which is the largest body of water in Colorado. The challenge seemed to be keeping the course from disappearing in the blizzard we were having. Some really great athletes came for this one too! A lot of regular folks did it for fun as well. I hope this event comes back!<br> <a title="IMGP6254" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1535/24647574781_9b78dcdbbd_z.jpg" alt="IMGP6254" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>Thanks Harry! I'm not sure if my patience has reached the saintly level but I do hear that I'm very patient. That evening I passed the 20 minutes or so waiting for the moon in a subzero breeze by running in place and packing down the snow to set up my tripod. Painfully cold is how I would describe it. Probably only about 0 to -10 but the breeze was biting!</p> <p>Douglas, those sunrise shots are nice! I'd like to get all those planets as well but I've been to lazy/cold adverse in the predawn mornings lately. Hard to motivate when it's -20! Hopefully I'll get it before it's gone.</p> <p>Hin, like I have said before that tree has a lot of potential. I like this crop and if I were you I'd revisit it to explore more possibilities when the light is more interesting. </p> <p>Harry, is that first shot a night shot? Hard to tell if it is dark or underexposed. Either way I like the snowflakes. Too bad about your computer but six years is a pretty good run. I'm not sure I agree a Mac is the answer since a six year old Mac would be just as clunky and likely to fail as any other old computer. I say get what you are comfortable using! :)</p>

<p>I've had some good results with The Darkroom. Infact I need to remember to send some film in!<br> .<br> I got an old 67 300/4 from eBay and have adapted it to my 645D. First real shot was hurrying to get the moon Friday evening before it went behind that cloud. The lens is huge but I like the rendering. <br> <a title="IMGP1368-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1624/24181015589_4f17387a92_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1368-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br> .<br> I chased the moon again Saturday and once the sun went down it was very cold at the spot I snowshoed to. It was hard to wait for the moon and then be careful with the photos. <br> 645D & FA 80-160<br> <a title="IMGP1436-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1539/24465242322_7890ff8d15_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1436-Edit" width="479" height="640" /></a><br> .<br> Finally this was out hiking with the dog and this nice snow was falling when the sun broke through the clouds. A beautiful moment and Luna seemed happy about it too. <br> KS-2 & 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP5618-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1458/24567070096_1010744f1b_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5618-Edit" width="640" height="512" /></a></p>

<p>I take my WR gear and even some non-wr gear out in all kinds of inhospitable conditions. So far so good! I like to take it skiing in my jacket pocket with a piece of velcro camera bag padding to help protect my body. <br /> I took the K-S2 + 18-135 snowshoeing today since I can't ski yet.<br> Here are some very WR moments from the past few years:<br> .<br> <a title="IMGP7667-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14788122568_4674375183_z.jpg" alt="IMGP7667-Edit" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5176-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/516/19027591643_780ddce888_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5176-Edit" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5288-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/12427861044_c24333c462_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5288-Edit" width="426" height="640" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP5384" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8541/8625905381_f77484a83b_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5384" width="640" height="424" /></a><br /> .<br /> <a title="IMGP3857.jpg" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9013775616_669106853b_z.jpg" alt="IMGP3857.jpg" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p> </p>

<p>The river is steaming because it's -10<br> 645D & A 35<br> <a title="IMGP1241-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1548/23979912339_6b39ecaf2f_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1241-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br> .<br> Snowshoeing today. This is keeping me sane until I'm allowed to ski again!<br> KS-2 & 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP5317-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1471/23821434583_5ef59bc8f8_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5317-Edit" width="640" height="427" /></a><br> .<br> Relatively warm this evening so no steam.<br> 645D & A 35/3.5<br> <a title="IMGP1289-Edit-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1494/24153816250_758aa3be41_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1289-Edit-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a></p>

<p>There are surely better cameras for it but I shoot quite a bit of cycling with my K-3 and feel like it performs well enough for me. Hit rate will vary with the lens and with something like the 60-250 does pretty well but I'm not usually a big burst shooter. If I shoot 3 frames at a passing rider at least one will be good. The weather sealing has proven useful a few times too. For the prices they go for I'd say those K-3s would be a good buy. </p>

<p>Luna<br> K-S2 & DA15<br> <a title="IMGP5077-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/23949294230_b742911a00_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5077-Edit" width="640" height="427" /></a><br /> .<br /> Foothills<br /> 645D & A 200/4<br /> <a title="IMGP1188-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1515/24285962015_d6822e4803_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1188-Edit" width="640" height="360" /></a><br /> .<br /> Sunday drive<br /> K-S2 & DA 15<br /> <a title="IMGP5285-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1483/24281979306_b13173d119_z.jpg" alt="IMGP5285-Edit" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>Douglas, the turtle shot is nicely done. Kind of surreal; I like it!<br> Yury, the sepia one with the tree trunks has some interesting lines in it. Nice. <br> Javier, I dig the pigeon shot! It works very well. I also like that first one in your second batch. The leading lines really make it.</p>

<p>A few days off my real job got me out a bit to shoot, sling and all. I'm feeling better and it's easier to carry a little bit of gear so I took advantage of the opportunity. <br> It's still pretty cold here. Yesterday was slightly warmer than lately with a positive single digit high.<br> I think all of these are shot with the 645S & A 35/3.5. Nice lens!<br> <a title="IMGP1085-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5674/23509624084_bf17a89db8_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1085-Edit" width="479" height="640" /></a><br> .<br> Then this morning it was -18 when I left the house and probably colder at the lake. But beautiful!<br> <a title="IMGP1130-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1643/23530783354_503f74b7ae_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1130-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br> .<br> Brought the wife along. Too cold for her! Me too really but I endured. <br> <a title="IMGP1150-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1629/23863357560_594b8cb7bd_z.jpg" alt="IMGP1150-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a></p>

<p>The 50 is kind of long for street. Have you considered the 35/2.4? Priced similarly to the 50 but probably a better FL for your intended purpose. I have the 50/1.8 and it's not very quiet when focusing, the 35 probably isn't either. If you like to use hyperfocal focusing as many street shooters do then neither of these lenses will be very good because there are no distance scale markings. But I guess if you are concerned about AF noise then you probably aren't planning on going hyperfocal. </p>

<p>I actually got out to shoot a couple of times this week. Entirely thanks to my lovely wife driving me to a location and then carrying my bag to where I want to take the shot. She's very good to me! :) It also got the dog out which is good for everyone's sanity. <br /> I have to exclusively shoot from a tripod and not carry anything for long so it's limited but getting me out is probably similar to making sure the dog gets walked. The shoulder pain is more manageable now and I'm optimistic about my healing. I just need to not push it too hard and back off when the pain tells me.</p> <p>I also got the lens that completes my basic 645D kit, a 45-85/4.5. I like these older 645 zooms. Not too expensive on eBay, nice handling, solid, and they perform very nicely. I'm still getting used to the amazing sharpness and detail I can get with this system! My 645 kit consists of the D, an A 35/3.5, FA 45-85/4.5, FA 80-160/4.5, A 200/4. I'm hoping that will cover most situations I find my self shooting in. I wouldn't mind something longer and something wider but those aren't critical now. <strong><br /></strong><br /> All photos this week from the 645D & 45-85/4.5<br /> From our big lake, Blue Mesa Reservoir on a gray but calm and (relatively) warm day.<br /> <a title="IMGP0681-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/623/23560647590_68811049a9_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0681-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br /> .<br /> Dog portrait (may I please have that treat?)<br /> <a title="IMGP0715" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/679/23748012402_d4af2de1f0_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0715" width="479" height="640" /></a><br> .<br> River ice this evening. Sunset wasn't as good as I was hoping but it was still nice out there. <br /> <a title="IMGP0729-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5761/23877124275_ea0ec6a929_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0729-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a></p>

<p>Welcome back!</p>

<p>Nice shots this week!<br> I had a pretty good week for photos but fell into some rocks skiing on Sunday and broke my clavicle (collarbone) and cracked my scapula. So I'm at least somewhat out of commission for a while. Especially for lugging a medium format kit around. A bummer for sure and I have to cancel some shoots including one I was really excited to do next weekend featuring fire sculptures made by a guy who makes them for Burning Man. But I'll be back skiing and shooting when I'm able. In the mean time I'll make use of my time and catch up on some other things I've been neglecting. <br> .<br> My son at a friend's shop making a hatchet out of scrap steel. He is really into making things lately!<br> KS2 & DA 15<br> <a title="IMGP4583" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5791/23641581056_ce9707c452_z.jpg" alt="IMGP4583" width="640" height="427" /></a><br> .<br> We did a little portrait session on my wife's 45th birthday. I really liked this one. Yes, I'm a lucky man. :)<br> 645D & FA 80-160/4.5<br> <a title="IMGP0602" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/726/23063758673_3bee4a49cd_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0602" width="479" height="640" /></a><br> .<br> My son at the annual Santa Ski at Crested Butte. They set a new world record this year for skiing Santas. <br> KS2 & DA 18-135<br> <a title="IMGP4777-Edit-2" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/23684147746_00ffbe3455_z.jpg" alt="IMGP4777-Edit-2" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>Thanks Douglas! I like that bokeh in your tree shots too. <br /> Javier, I like the mini sax guy!<br> .<br> <br /> I accidentally replaced my original upload of my Helios bokeh pic so here it is again.<br /> <a title="IMGP4493" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/22904675403_353d222764_z.jpg" alt="IMGP4493" width="512" height="640" /></a></p>

<p>The annual tree lighting. Seems a lot like Whoville.<br /> 645D & A 45/3.5<br /> <a title="IMGP0400-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5798/23236028190_fc0fdfbfc7_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0400-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a><br /> .<br /> I got a Helios 44-2 from eBay. It looks pretty rough but seems to work well enough. I got it for the bokeh!<br /> KS-2 & Helios 44-2<br /> <a title="IMGP4493" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/636/22904675403_7a784482b1_z.jpg" alt="IMGP4493" width="512" height="640" /></a><br /> .<br /> I got a new 645 lens, the 80-160/4.5, also from eBay and it sure is big! But the IQ is really nice. Worth it to carry a little but not too far. It's been cold but not snowy so the skaters are happy for some good ice. Us skiers would prefer that it would snow!<br> 645 & 80-160/4.5<br /> <a title="IMGP0493-Edit" href=" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/781/23467689042_b8e95ca8ff_z.jpg" alt="IMGP0493-Edit" width="640" height="479" /></a></p> <p> </p>

<p>Douglas, nice looking birds! That smooth bokeh looks great. <br />Looks like an interesting site Yury.<br />Harry, that lights photo is nicely done. What a display!<br />dorus, love the dance and cosumes! The turf and reflection is nice too. <br />Anirban, ah the ever present selfie. Good catch!<br> Thanks for the comment Jeff! I just received a 24x36 print of that moon shot and I have to say it's the best looking print I have ever done! There is just so much crisp detail! I'm loving the results from the 645D.</p>