rose_duclos

<p>thanks Dave, I'm becoming quite the gardener these days - All I seem to be able to think about is plants - I tell you - you can't take me anywhere - I go to the grocery store - and I'm visiting the plant section. I see roadside plant stands, while on a drive to visit some friends in the country, I order plants online. - What the heck can I do with more plants? I rent a 3rd floor attic apartment with no great light-source - so winter is going to be crazed with my potted garden coming indoors... <br>

I live in new england - and I ordered a zone 9-10 - vine ... that's going to grow 20-25 feet tall... imagine that one potted and indoors... I may need to cut a hole through the roof... :)<br>

Yes, it's all about flowers - and I finally got my gumption together to put some of my plants into the ground. Yesterday, I broke dirt - cutting through the landlord's nicely growing lawn - and planted what will soon be a nice looking raised flower bed. The Columbine, and the red lilies are part of my now planted garden. What a great inspiration - it got me to put my 100mm macro back onto my k10 - and take photos of my happy plants... :) I admit it - I've not touched my camera as much this past month, as I should have. But the inspiration is there again. Yeah! Yahoo! hehehe! :) (High on fertilizer?)</p>

<p>And because I can't help myself... this is where my head's at. (how's that for bad grammar?) :)</p>

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<p>I agree that it's the quality of the lens that can make an image more 3d or not. And it's not an easy thing to increase the 3d effect in photoshop - lots of layring needed, painting in shadow, increasing or decreasing focus. <br>

Haig's image is 3d, michael Kuhne's old people shot isn't. <br>

flowers are a whole lot easier to make 3d than people are...</p>

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<p>Jordan, White is really difficult to take pictures of in high light, without the highlights getting blown out. Yes, white is wonderful that it acts as a reflector - you won't have to worry about annoying shadows under the chin ... but, you may have extra processing work to fix the blown highlights.<br>

I haven't shown this picture for a while - it was taken with a fully manual lens - The CZJ 180mm f2.8. Yes, lots of rich colors in the picture - and the lighting was working with me - and it was a good afternoon for taking pictures. - but notice the blown highlight on their socks... </p><div></div>

<p>Jordan, have you learned about the focus lock feature? I can't remember the title of the button - but the k10 has the ability so that you can half press the trigger to focus the camera at a specific point, then press the 'focus lock button' while you've kept the trigger half pressed. This will allow you to move the camera and put the subject off center without losing the focus point. <br>

An example of this ... you focus on her nose - so her nose is in the center of the picture, get both the buttons pressed, then shift the camera down so that her face is at the top of the picture (instead of having all that air above her).<br>

If I'd brought my camera with me, I'd be able to explain this better, I'm sure - it's a function that I discovered comes really in handy when you want to fill up the four corners of a shot, when there are multiple focus areas. Yes, having an appropriate aperture chosen helps too - but, for filling up the full frame, we can't always have the closest focus point in the center of the frame... and, that Focus lock button comes in handy for a one-off change of 'creating' the scene and filling those picture frames. :)</p>

<p>Jordan, my dear, many of us are or have been in similar positions, and you don't have to apologize for making mistakes, or for wanting to learn. I think it's wonderful that you're interested to shoot in manual mode, power to you to want to understand how photography really works instead of letting the camera do everything for you.<br>

:) <br>

I took a digital photo course a year ago (or it could be more now) - and one of the lessons that the teacher imparted was, don't just take a picture thinking you can crop it. Take the picture, seeing what you're capturing - if you want the face filling the shot - then change lenses or walk closer. Your feet are your second best tool, Jordan - Your eyes are your first. :)<br>

Second thing the teacher taught - was slow down. Don't just snap a half zillion shots, and think that you may keep 5 of them. You don't have to make the good photos come out as an accident - if you slow down - check out how you're framing each shot. Where your subject is in the photo. If you don't want lots of air above the head, then lower the camera. You still may end up taking more pictures than you would if you were using film - but, then it will be more because you want to play with improving focus ( widening or shrinking aperture) - not because you're worried about what's fitting in the 'framing'. <br>

Jordan, it's wonderful you've got willing models :) - don't abuse them - make sure you always give them at least one or two printed pictures from each time you go out together. They'll love to have beautiful pictures to add to their photo albums or scrap books, and it'll make them more willing to get outdoors with you regularly - knowing that you do value their help in improving your technique from these practice sessions. :)<br>

Last - I'll say it again - don't stress about what you're not doing well with, yet. It's a learning process, be active in it, and you will only improve. We all have to begin somewhere.<br>

-Rose</p>

<p>Ok, Antoni, I'll include you on the list and if it looks like we're approaching the August time frame - we'll send the lens west first, and have you included in the return east trip.</p>

<p>Johnny, you could always upgrade to the "K" mount. The K1000 is a wonderful camera with an internal meter.<br>

All you'd need to attach those Taks would be an M42 adapter. I recommend getting a 'genuine' pentax version instead of buying the cheaper 3rd party brands. I've discovered from having both adapter types that the genuine version is easier to detach, as well as gives more of a 'unscrew' to get take off of the camera - making it more protective seeming.</p>

<p>Anyway, it's just a thought. The k1000 was my first camera, and 30 years later - it's still a keeper. :)</p>

<p>I'm glad you asked this question, Andrew - it's what I need to do for my old H3V. It's got a sticky mirror and I don't trust using her until I get her speeds checked. I'm going to have to contact Eric too. (his prices (quotes) seem much better than the repair guy near me...)</p>

<p>I like the first and third shot the most. the first one is sharp, and the focus is right on the money. <br>

The third, I really like the detailing on the rock face, seems you put the focus on her feet - and those are sharp - but her body becomes more softly focused - If you don't mind a recommendation - I would suggest to further close the diaphram - perhaps to F11 or F16 - to widen up the focus field a bit more.<br>

Andy G was right - you don't have to shoot at 1/1500 sec - she's not moving. :) She's not running through fields throwing daisies, or baseballs... So what's your rush? :)<br>

Are you shooting on AV mode? </p>

<p>Oh <strong>Maria</strong>, I love when you stop in, even if it does take you a while to see our threads. It seems like the euro crowd is all gonna' look at pictures instead of participating - so, let me get the lens boxed up this week - and start its journey. Thus far - unless Jordan tells us he's somewhere on the east coast - It seems like you and Matt will be the third on the list for Hin's dear Schneider. Funny, that I've owned her for over a year, and I still think of her as Hin's. He sold it with lots of praise and talk of sentimentality.<br>

<strong>Justin,</strong> since RT has decided to go second because he's already awaiting Javier's camera - why don't you email me a shipping address. I'll get the lens packaged up this weekend, and drop it in the mail on monday. <br>

AS well - I finally got my K10 and the lens outdoors yesterday to try it out on some flowers (my garden and others). I still need to get the pictures downloaded and see them on the big screen - but they're looking good on the lcd. (It makes you pay much more attention to shooting/technique - with these old manual lenses - It was a late afternoon event - and I shot everything at ISO 200 and F11.) Hopefully, I'll have the pictures processed and ready for posting for this weekend's POW.</p>

<p>When I bought my 21mm I struggled with this too. I finally decided that with the hood being as protective of the glass as it is, that I could forgo the filter. As long as you keep the lens covered when not in use - the glass remains clean. And, the hood design prevents fingerprints on the glass.</p>

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<p>Steve, if there's a Euro crowd interested, I have no problem to mail in that direction as the first stop. I suspect the charges will be a bit higher than mailing it American Continent (with various country tariff's - but, if there's interest in the adventure I'm not going to limit folks just because of a little bit of air/water.</p>

<p>Speak up soon folks, Europeans especially - I don't have issue with the higher ship costs, but I don't want to speak for the other Americans' budgets - so the earlier I know of that interest, then it can be on me to ship (to that first pricier location). </p>

<p>God, I WANT ONE! ... when in July is it coming out? beginning or end? And, goodness, I need to begin saving now!<br>

Somanna, thanks for an excellent write-up. You're really bad for my CBA. But I appreciate it, anyway. :)</p>

<p>Ok, I'm going through the list here, from people who voted on the lens - and it sounds like the interested people are...<br>

Mike Herdering (CA)<br>

Mike Elenko (WA)<br>

Jordan Tyler (?)<br>

RT Dowling (ME)<br>

Justin S. (NY)<br>

Antoni T. (?)<br>

(with Markus and Ben interested to see pictures only)<br>

If I've missed anyone, or listed inappropriately, please let me know. Thus far, it's between RT and Justin for who's closest to MA (lens' current location). It will be up to the two of you to decide who'd like the lens first. - battle it out and then one of you can send me an address off-line so I can pack up a box.<br>

-Rose</p>

<p>if only there is an infinity sign. I hate rules.</p>

<p> but if I have to designate a number. my favorite is 8. </p>

<p>goodness! someone could misread me, or is it misinterpret? <br>

Justin, I love pictures more than words, truthfully - pictures take a lot less effort to glance at then on to the next. A paragraph takes thought... and when the paragraphs become too long, I have to admit that I can be somewhat ADD - reading the first sentence and the last, and skipping out on the long text in the middle... I did that yesterday with Godfrey's long lesson... it seemed like it should have been interesting - but I just couldn't work up the energy to think technically. (Sorry Godfrey - you know I love you anyways. You can't help being a brainiac...) :D<br>

Mis - I have quite a few paperweights ... at least they would be paperweights except I'd be afraid of having to dust them... (My latest 'paperweight' is a Leica. It keeps company well with the Contax iiia, and my Vitessa T) ... Too many film cameras, and not enough time (or patience) to slow down and use them...</p>

<p>Ah shucks, Justin! I felt that one... such a heavy slap across the face, both cheeks sting! <br>

I haven't turned my computer (with photoshop) on in over a month... yeah, and I've not posted any pictures since then ... I admit it - I've been too involved in my porch garden and not really thinking about post processing. <br>

I like the 3 picture rule - because it's usually the 2nd or 3rd pictures that I like more than the first ones... :) <br>

I still like my suggestion about writing more... it could be an interesting challenge for those who don't appreciate the beauty of language... ;)</p>

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<p>I have an even better idea guys - for our picture of the week - rather than posting photos - lets just describe the photos using all words - 1000 words per picture - like the idiom "a picture = 1000 words, eh?" <br>

Imagine how quick the thread would load if there weren't any pictures attached!</p>

<p>robert - I LOVE your photos. And I think you should post them regularly. :)<br>

(you were looking for an ego-boost, weren't you?) :D</p>

<p>Markus, good advice for how to write up the results. If there are other international folks interested, would you want to try if the lens is over that part of the world? Reason I ask is because I think that Antoni? could be in Greece... although I'm guessing that. <br>

I'd hate to limit you 'foriners' all out of this one - because it shouldn't be about the shipping costs - it's about trying out different glass that may not have been on your 'road map'. I'd like this to be about trying something different, getting some people away from the idea of 'auto' everything, and discovering a love (or hate) for old manual glass. <br>

Markus, it's a beautiful lens you've posted for us - it looks as beat up as my 200mm tak. (but equally as loved) - you'll note it wasn't included on my list of adventurers (yet). If this adventure runs smoothly - I'd like to consider it as a beginning program - with many other lenses to come. Mayhaps if you join in on this round (and in future ones) - we may convince you to send in that 90mm ;) for review.</p>